mm" mi I ■^mnmillP'
NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES^
Ii=tti Wa
3 3433 08178677 8
A/
/ ^
iAc^^
'r
a
Our County and Its People
9f
**©ur Cotintp ant) 3ts people
t»
A History of
HAMPDEN COUNTY
Massachusetts
(EHitor
Alfred Minot Copeland
Volume W^ut
The Century Memorial Publishing Company
1902
1! z^'?
256 i<^^
Copyrighted 1!K)2
BY
Alfred Minot Copeland
To
WILLIAM WHITING
ONE OF HOLYOKE'S MOST
HONORED CITIZENS
This volume is respectfuU\
SDf liicatf D
Contents
CHAPTER I
THE CITY OF HOLYOKB— Early History, Settlement and Devel-
opment— Town Organization and Civil List — Municipal History
— City Civil List — The Fire Department — City Water Works —
The Public Parks— Educational Institutions — The Public
Library — The City Hospital — Young Men's Christian Associa-
tion— Holyoke Street Railway Company — Banking and Finan-
cial Institutions— Industrial Holyoke — The Business Men's
Association — Cemeteries — Ecclesiastical History — The French
People of Holyoke 1
CHAPTER II
TOWN OF PALMER 123
CHAPTER III
TOWN OF WILBRAHAM 165
CHAPTER IV
TOWN OF SOUTH WICK 196
CHAPTER V
TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD 210
CHAPTER VI
TOWN OF GRANVILLE 247
CHAPTER VII
TOWN OF MONSON 26G
CHAPTER VIII
TOWN OF LUDLOW 312
xii CONTENTS
CHAPTER IX
TOWN OF MONTGOMBKY 335
riTAPTKU X
TOWN UF CHESTER 348
CirArTEK XT
TOWN OF HOLLAND 394
CITAPTEK XII
TOWN OF LONGMEADOW 410
CriAPTEi; XTTI
TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW 429
CTIAl'TEK XIV
TOWN OF RUSSELL 438
CTTAT'TET^ XV
TOWN OF TOLLAND 453
CHAPTEK XVI
TOWN OF WALES 463
CHAPTER XVII
CITY OF CHICOPEE 482
CHAPTER XVIII
TOWN OF AGAWAM 523
CHAPTER XIX
TOWN OF HAMPDEN 542
Illustrations
The Old Blackbird Tree ....
Old Holyoke House
The Old Holyoke Dam ....
City' Hall, Holyoke
William B. C. Pearsons, Poktkait
"The Stretch," Springdale Driving Park
High School, Holyoke ....
South Chestnut .Street School, Holyoke
City Hospital, Holyoke
The Almshouse, Holyoke .
High Street, Holy'oke
Old Crafts' Tavern
Third Level Canal
Joseph C. Parsons, Portrait
Old First Congregational Church, Holyoke
Convent of Notre Dame, Holyoke .
Sacred Heart Convent and Parochial School, Holyoke
Washington Elm, Palmer .
Historic Pine Tree, Palmer
Site of First Ordination, Palmer
Deacon Brainerd House, Palmer
Frink Tavern, Palmer
The Village Common, Three Rivers
Three Rivers — Baptist Church
BoNDSViLLE School Building
Palmer Business Blocks
View of Main Street, Palmer Village
J(.>shua Shaw House, Palmer
Baptist Church, from the Depot, Palmer Village
Washington Tavern, North Wilbraham
13
15
18
33
35
38
50
52
56
69
76
79
87
1.04
107
124
125
131
138
143
145
146
147
148
149
151
153
167
XIV
u.Lr.sTir\T/(>.\'s
Old House Built hy Lieut. Mirick, Wilbuah
An Old-Fash lONED House Front
Old Academy, Fisk and Binney Halus. Wilhu
Rich Hall and Principal's Residence, "Wilhu
The Wakriner Homestead, Wiluraiiam
The Old Tavern, North Wilbraham
Nine-Mile Pond, North Wilbraham
On Southwick Street . .
Congregational Church, Southwick
The Old Street, West Sprinofield .
The Old Tavern Stand, West SpiuNciFiELD
A Valley View, Mittineague .
Main Street School
School Building
Old Church on Orthodox Hill
Town Hall and Park Congregational Churc
School Building, Mittineague .
Granville Corners— Baptist Church
The Church on Granville Hill
Universalist Church, Granville Corners
House Built by David Hy'de, Monson
Residence of Thomas Sty"LES, Monson
A View in South Monson
Congregational Church, Monson
Memorial Town Hall, Monson .
Ly'on Memorial Library, Monson
Old Monson Academy* .
Monson Academy" ....
Holmes Gy'mnasium, SIonson
MojJSON Academy (General View)
The Library, Monson (Side View)
Hospital for Epileptics, Monson
Fly'nt Fountain, Monson
CusHMAN Fountain, Monson
Soldiers' Monument, Monson
The Road to Wales, South Monson
Ludlow Reservoir
Soldiers' JIonument, Ludlow
Old-Fasihoned Ludlow Mansion
MI AM
HAM
IL L (JSTEA riOXS XV
Hubbard Memorial Library, Ludlow 327
Ludlow Hotel an'd Street View 32'J
Old Richard Fallev Homestead, Montgomery .... 340
Montgomery 34.5
Old Bridge, Chester 351
Congregational Church, Chester Centre 3G5
Duty Underwood, Portrait 373
A Birds-eye View, Chester 379
Early Winter View in Chester 381
Holland Pond 396
Holland Church 40G
LONGMEADOW TOWN HaLL 431
Old Colton Place, Longmeadow 433
First Congregational Church, Longmeadow .... 427
A Stone Quarry, East Longmeadow 430
The Center— East Longmeadow 434
Old Mill on Blandford Road, Russell 443
High Bridge, Fairfield 44S
Methodist Church, Russell 450
Tolland Center 4fil
The Village Fountain, Wales 473
Wales— A Street View 474
The Street near the Methodist Church, Wales . . 480
Old Chapin Homestead, Chicopee Street 483
Historic House in Johnny Cake Hollow, Chicopee Falls . 488
The Dam — Chicopee Falls 499
A View of Chicopee in 1856 .503
Old High School— Chicopee Falls 508
A Chicopee Falls School Building 509
New High School, Chicopee 510
City Hali^Chicopee 513
Chicopee Street 514
Old Universalist Church, Chicopee 519
Old House, South Agawam 530
School Building, Feeding Hills 533
Feeding Hills Street 537
The Stream in the Valley, Hampden 543
Congregational Church, Hampden 554
Baptist Church, Hampden 555
CHAPTER I
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE AND THE FACTORS IN ITS HISTORY
For a period of almost a century after the Pynchou colony
was planted at Springfield, there was little attempt at founding
other permanent settlements within the boundaries of the mother
town. Two principal causes retarded settlement in these out-
ward common lands ; first, the original policy of the founders for
many years opposed promiscuous granting of lands to all comers
and none were admitted to the benefits of the proprietary unless
"approbated" by the committe charged with the duty of invest-
gating the "worthiness" of applicants for membership in the
colony. Thus many pioneers who came into the valley region,
rather than submit to the exactions of the proprietors, sought
homes and lands among the less restricted settlements at West-
field. Badley and Northampton ; and thus it was that these other
localities enjoyed more rapid growth than Springfield during the
first three-quarters of a century following the establishment of
the colony on the bank of the Connecticut in 1636.
The second and more serious obstacle to settlement and de-
velopment of the outward commons west of the river was the hos-
tility of natives, who, smarting under the treatment and methods
of Captain Mason of the Connecticut colony (a policy
directly opposite to that pursued by the more conciliatory
Pynchon) were never afterward friendly with the whites; and
while for many years there were no acts of violence on the part
of the Indians, they were not trusted and every settlement had its
fort for protection against their attacks. It is safe to assert that
previous to King Philip's war there was no permanent white set-
tlement within the limits of what now is Holyoke, and probablj-
1-3 ( 1 )
OVR COUXTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
none previous to about 1725: and even then, according to well
established local tradition, the settlers betooJc themselves at night
to the protection of a fortified house, the exact location of which
no chronicler of Holyoke history has made known to us.
It may be stated, also, that from the time of the Pequot war
(1637) to the close of the American I'evolution (1783) the settlers
in the Connecticut valley knew little of the blessings of peace,
and that during that long period of nearly a century and a half
the settlements and habitations of the whites were all too fre-
quently the objects of Indian attack. This long series of wars
is the subject of special mention in an earlier volume of this work,
hence need not be treated here. In the same connection, also,
the reader will leai'n something of the character, habits and cus-
toms of the race which preceded the pioneer white man in the
valley regions, yet there is little that is rich or interesting in the
Indian history of this locality.
Evidences of the aboriginal occupation have been discovered
in various localities of the city, and within comparatively recent
years Indian burial places have been found within its corporate
limits. It is thought, however, that this locality was not
more than a favorite tishing and hunting resort for the Nono-
tucks, whose principal village was on the site of Northampton,
or of the "Woronocos of AVestfield, or of the Agawams who cent-
uries ago dwelt on the banks of the river further south. These,
however, were allied branches of a single parent tribe, and while
for years they professed friendship for the whites. King Philip's
influence made them their most relentless and merciless foes.
During the latter part of the seventeenth century, notwith-
standing all the annoyances caused by Indian depredations,
there arose a clamor for a survey and distribution of the lands
held by the proprietors of the town of Springfield, and so well
known was the attitude of the proprietors that at last it was in-
timated that unless an allotment of the outward common lands
was made, the general court would pass an act of forfeiture to
the crowni. This was intended to refer particularly to
the land ea.st of the Connecticut, where settlements might be
made with safety, but west of the river there was no attempt at
( 2 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOEE
permanent occupancy until several years later. The first divi-
sion of lands on the west side was made in 1707, when the avail-
able tracts were subdivided into plots of ten acres each and were
apportioned by lot to the male inliabitants of the age of twenty-
one or more years, the whole number of whom at that time was
seventy-three persons. In 1696, according to authenticated rec-
ords, there were only thirty-two families living in Springfield
west of the Connecticut, a territory which extended from the
south line of Northampton to the north line of the province of
Connecticut, and included the present site of Holyoke and the
towns of West Springfield and Agawam.
No authority extant informs us when the lands comprising
our city were first granted, or enlightens us on the important
questions of pioneei-ship and early settlement. On account of the
troublesome conditions which existed throughout the first hun-
dred years of Spi-ingfield's history it is safe to assume that there
were no permanent white settlers within our present limits earlier
than 1725. West Springfield was set off as a town in 1774, and
the Third parish (otherwise known as the North parish, and also
as "Ireland" parish) was an ecclesiastical division of tlie new
town, so established in 1786.
Tradition also says that the region most frequently called
"Ireland parish"— now Holyoke— Vi'as first settled soon after
1730, and that in 1745 only six families were living on its terri-
tory. One of these was Benjamin Ball, a descendant of Francis
Ball, the latter a settler in Springfield in 1643. Another settler
of about the same time was one Riley, a son of Ireland, who loc-
ated in the south part of the parish, on the stream named for him
"Riley brook," which name is preserved to the present day,
while the stream itself near its mouth marks the boundaiy be-
tween Ilolyoke and West SpringKeld. Whence Riley came or
when he departed no authority states, yei his settlement here
stimulated similar action on the part of others of his nationality
Tantil in point of numbers the worthy sons of Erin outstripped
all others and won for the locality the generally accepted name of
Ireland parish. Capt. John Miller, a patriot of the early wars,
is recalled as among the first settlers on what now is Northamp-
ton street.
( 3 )
o M
^
T, O
Si
o
—
= «
H ^.i
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
lu la'ter years settlements increased with tlie development
of the resources of the region, and about the period of the revolu-
tion we find such names as Capt. Joseph Morgan, Lieut. Charles
Ball, Amos Allen, Capt. Joseph Day, Joel Day, Deacon Josiah
Rogers, Titus Tuttle, Lucus Morgan and Jonathan Birchard
among the more conspicuous figures in local history. To this
number we may add the names of Joseph Rogers, Timothy
Clough. Jonathan Clongh, John Miller, Glover Street, Nathan
Stephens, Peresh Hitchcock, Asahel Chapin, Jedediah Day, Caleb
Humestou, Benjamin Basset, Joseph Ely, Austin Goodyear, all
of whom were settled in the parish and engaged in agricultural
and kindred pursuits previous to the beginning of the last
century.
During the next twenty-five years the acquisition of new
settlers and the succession of sons to the estates of their sires
changed again the personnel of the parish inhabitants, and the
year 1830 gives such additional names as John, Jason and Henry
Ludington, Israel and IVilliam Perkins, Ephraim Barker, War-
ren and Edmund Banks, Elisha Winchell, Thomas Howard,
Ichabod Howe, Hezekiah Griswold, Jesse Cushman , Nathan
Morse, Luke Parsons, Elisha Ashley, David Bassett, Samuel
Hadley, William Jarvis, William Atkins, Isaac Allen , James
Meacham, John Felt, Justus Clapp, Caleb Humeston, Aaron
Moore, Miles Diekerman, Harvey Wright. Lyman Goodyear, Noah
Wolcott, Job Bryant, Joseph Morgan, Abraham Ives, Plin Jones,
Eleazer Day, Sylvester Munger, Ebenezer Alvord, Joseph Ely,
John Chapin, Warren Chapin. John D. Ely, Joshua Allen,
Nathan Parks, Joel Newell, Amasa Ainsworth, John Prink,
Henry Robertson, Ebenezer and Titus Ingraham, Herman and
Michael Fuller (colored men and tradesmen), Moses and Pelatiah
Ely, Alexander Day, Hiram and Ebenezer Jonas, Roger Williams,
Frederick Day, Horace Wilcox, Luke and Elijah Hitchcock, John
Dunham, Seth Bliss.Amos Allen, Day Powers, Charles Ball.
Joshua, John, Frederick and George Street, Cyrus Frink, Henry
Tuttle, Horace Atkins, Roswell Morgan, Jeremiah Sperry, Her-
vey Chapin, Hiram Morgan, Caleb Street, Caleb Hill, Orrin
Street, Justus Eaton, Eli Robinson, Francis Ball, Bishop Allen,
Rev. Lucy A. Milton, has recently resigned.
( 5 )
OVR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Stephen Hayes, Russel, Job and Willard Ely, Clark Pomeroy,
Enoch Ely, Eliakim Daiiks, David Wood, William Boyd, Henry
Arcliibald aii<l otliers wliose names are lost with the lapse of
years. These were the factors in the history of Ireland parish
during the quarter of a century immediately preceding the incor-
poration of the town of Holyoke, and some of their descendants
are now numbered among the constantly changing and ever in-
creasing population of our modern industrial city.
Throughout all years preceding the period of which we write
these worthy settlei-s and their ancestors were engaged in the
peaceful arts of agriculture, and some of them, more venturesome
than their fellows, had attempted some manufactures. In 1825
the parish could boast a saw mill, a grist mill, a tannery, a cement
works, a cloth mill, a tavern (Chester Crafts, proprietor), and a
distillery. At the same time two ferries were maintained across
the Connecticut, one in the south part and the other farther up
the river, just below the lower falls. Having ready access to the
east side the entire people of the pari.sh viewed wdth considerable
interest the diversion of the w-aters of Chieopee river for manu-
facturing purposes and also took due cognizance of the industries
then recently established on the east bank of the Connecticut near
the ferry landing; but in the course of another score of years
they were both surprised and gratified to witness the construction
of a dam across the river and the divereion of the waters for
manufacturing purposes on their own side, although the wise-
acres declared that the feat w^as impossible of accomplishment,
just as the Springfield prophets derided the early attempts to
build a bridge across the "Great Stream," In each case the
doubters were doomed to ultimate disappointment, and when the
dam and canals at last were completed the parish took upon itself
new life and energy, and soon thereafter acquired a new and ■
more substantial municipal character.
With the beginning of the work of the construction of the
dam and canals, a new. or rather a rapid growth of an old, ele-
ment of population developed in the North parish. Day work-
men were in demand and to supply the want large numbers of
laborers, chiefiy Irishmen, came to the locality and settleil tlieni-
( 6 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
selves in the vicinity of the works. This gave rise to distin-
iriiishing: names for certain neighborhoods, lience we have the
"Irish village," near the dam and canal sites, while the "Baptist
village" was a name applied to the vicinity of the Baptist church,
a locality now known as ' ' Elmwood. ' ' In later years, a ' ' French
village" sprung into existence, but this was after the first mills
were put in operation and the skilled operatives from the Can-
adas appeared in the young town.
TOWN ORG.USriZATION AND CIVIL LIST
In the incorporation of the town of Holyoke the usual order
in such proceedings appears to have been reversed. Generally
when it was proposed to create a new town the subject was dis-
cussed in town meetings in the mother jurisdiction and the senti-
ment of the inhabitants was ascertained by vote; but in this in-
stance the subject of a division of the territory of West Springfield
is not mentioned in the town records, and if there was indeed any
opposition to the proposed new town the clerk's books give us no
information concerning it. The first mention of a new town in
the West Springfield records is that of an April meeting in 1850,
when the selectmen were authorized to sell the "Town pauper
farm and the hospital at Holyoke at auction, if agreeable to the
town of Holyoke." Later on a committee of West Springfield
men was chosen to meet a similar body from the new jurisdiction
and settle the affairs in which both towns were interested.
The incorporation of the Hadley Falls company, and the
great work of constructing the dam across the river and the sys-
tem of water power canals in the old North parish, led to the in-
corporation of the town of Holyoke, and accomplished that end
in less than two years after the charter was granted to the com-
pany. Under the law the consent of the mother town was not
pre-requisite to the new creation, and the necessity of a new civil
division of the county, including the territory of the previously
known Ireland parish, was too apparent to admit of opposition,
hence the independent and progressive people had direct re-
course to the legislature, with the result of the passage of "An
act to establish the town of Holyoke," which was approved and
became a law March 14, 1850.
( 7 )
on; COUNTY AND ITS I'EOl'LE
Tlie fiaiiiers of the act, with commendable public spirited-
ness. named their new town Ilolyoke, and thus paid another
tribute of respect to the memory of one of the most worthy pio-
neers of the Connecticut valley. Long before this the name had
been given to one of the towering mountain peaks away to the
northward of the new town, and in allusio'i to the mountain the
Tlu- 111. I lioivi.kr 11. .UM.
name was afterward used to designate the now famous institution
of learning.
The pioneer who first l)rought this honorable name to the val-
ley country was Elizur Holyoke, a native of Tamworth, War-
wickshire. England, who came to New England during the early
years of the colony. He reached Springfield in 1640 and died
there in 1676. He was chosen deputy to the general court six
times; was ten terms selectman in Springfield; was town clerk
( 8 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
first ill 1656 and lield tliat office continuously from 1661 to his
death in 1676. He was deeplj- interested in the welfare of the
plantation and subsequent town, was one of the pillars of the
First church of Christ in Springfield, a man whose walk in daily
life had an influence for good among his townsmen. The story
of the naming of Mount Holyoke in allusion to him is an oft-
told tale of early times, while the mountain itself gives name to
Mount Holyoke college, situated on its foot-hills. Deacon Hol-
yoke married Mary, the daughter of AVilliam Pynchoii, and to
them were born eight children.
Population.— In 1840 West Springfield containea 3,626 in-
liabitants, and in 1850 the number was 2,979. Thus, assuming
a uniform growth for the entire tov.-nsliip. the mother town sur-
rendered less than 647 of its stable population to the new juris-
diction. However, in 1850 Holyoke 's population was 3,245. and
since that time the increase in number of inhabitants has been
constant, as may be seen by reference to the census i-eports, viz. :
1855, 4,639; 1860, 4,997: 1865, 5,648 : 1870, 10,733: 1875, 16,260;
1880, 21,915; 1885, 27,895; 1890, 35,637; 1895, 40,322; 1900,
45,712.
Glancing over the census reports relating to towns and
cities in New England, and comparing their growth with that
of our industrial city, the latter is found in the very front rank :
and this remarkable prosperity, growth and development is
chiefly due to one first great cause— the construction and opera-
tion of the water power system inaugurated by the Hadley Falls
company and enlarged and made more perfect by the successor
corporation, the Holyoke Water Power company. In a public ad-
dress delivered by Edward Everett about the time of the com-
pletion of the fii-st dam, that distinguished statesman and orator
declared that Holyoke would some time have a population of
50,000 inhabitants; but it is doubtful if the orator himself then
believed that population would be attained in the fii-st decade of
the twentieth centuiy.
In accordance with the provisions of the act of incorporation
Hervey Chapin. .iustice of the peacp. issued his warrant, directed
to Chester Crafts, "a principal inhabitant of the town," reqiiir-
( 9 )
OUR COVXTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
ing him to notify the (lualified voters to assemble in to\m meet-
ing in the school liouse on Chestnut street, on IMarch 22, 1850,
and proceed with the election of town officers. This was done,
and on the day mentioned, under the moderatorship of C. B.
Kisiug, the first town officers of Holyoke were duly elected.
The succession of principal town officers, selectmen, assessors,
town clerks and treasurers, from 1850 to 1873 is as follows:
Selectmen : 1850, Payette Smith, Alexander Day, Hervey
Chapin.
1851— Alexander Daj', Joseph jNI. Morrison, Amos Allen.
1852— Hei'\'ey Chapin, Daniel Bowdoin, Albert Graves.
1853— Austin Ely, Chester Crafts, Edwin H. Ball.
1854— Edwin H. Ball, Hervey Chapin, Asa 0. Colby.
1855— Edwin H. Ball, Nathaniel "\Y. Quinn, George C. Lyon.
1856— Russell Gilmore, Edmund Whi taker, Alfred White.
1857— Edmund Whitaker, Chester Crafts, Henry Wheeler.
1858— Edmund Whitaker, Edwin H. Ball, Asa 0. Colby.
1859— Edwin II. Ball, Joel Russell, Daniel E. Kingsley.
1860-Joel Russell, Austin Ely, Sheldon H. Walker.
1861 -Joel Russell, Sheldon H. Walker, A. C. Slater.
1862-63— William B. C. Pearsons, Rufus ]\Iosher, Chester
Crafts.
1864-Edmund Whitaker, Edwin H. Ball, Robert S.
Howard.
1865— Porter Underwood, Edwin H. Ball. John C. Newton.
1866— Edwin Chase, Chester Crafts. Joel Russell (de-
clined).
1867— Chester Crafts, Edwin Chase, Timothy Merrick.
1868— George C. Ewing, Chester Crafts. Allen Higginbot-
tom.
1869— Allen Higginbottom. William A. Judd. Charles A.
Corser.
1870— William A. Judd. Charles A. Corser, Allen Higgin-
bottom.
1871— Allen Higginbottom. William A. Judd, Rufus
Mosher.
1872— AVilliam A. Judd, John Delaney. Rufus Mosher.
( 10 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
1873— William A. Judd, John O'Donnell, Ezra H. Flagg.
.lssesso?-s. — 1850— Nathaniel Thorp, George C. Ewing, Ab-
ner Miller.
1851_jared P. Searles, Willard Ely, Lewis P. Bosworth.
1852— Ballard Pettingill, Solomon B. Davis, Henry Chapin.
1853— Sydenham Street, Cryiis Frink, Samuel Flyun.
1854_Sydenham Street, Timothy 0. Jones, William Mel-
cher.
1855— Isaac Osgood, Russell Gilmore, J. E. Morrill.
1856-7— William B. C. Pearsons, Joseph Murray, Ezra H.
Flagg.
1858— William B. C. Pearson.s, Samuel B. Allyn, Joseph
Murray.
1859— William B. C. Pearsons, Samuel B. Allyn, Pelatiah
Ely.
1860-1— Ezra H. Flagg, William B. C. Pearsons, Hervey
Chapin.
1862— Joseph Mtirray, Daniel E. Kingsbury, C. B. Wolcott.
1863— Joseph Murray, C. B. Woleott, Ezra H. Flagg.
1864— Ezra H. Flagg, Henry J. Chapin, Henry A. Pratt.
1865— Joseph Murray, C. B. Woleott, J. E. Morrill.
1866— Joseph Murray, J. E. Morrill, Edwin Perkins.
1867— Joseph Murray, J. T. Prescott, Hervey Chapin.
1868— Joseph Murray, D. E. Kingsbury, Hervey Chapin.
1869— D. E. King,sbury, Geo. Thayer, Hervey Chapin.
1870— S. A. Hooker, Amos Andrews, Joseph Murray.
1871— Amos Andrews, D. E. Kingsbury. H. A. Pratt.
1872— Amos Andrews, P. B. Flanders, James Doyle.
1873— Amos Andrews, Joseph Murray, James Doyle.
Toicn Cifer^ls.i-Lucien Morton, 1850; John M.Cavis, 1851-2;
Gustavus Snow, 1852-65: Ezra H. Flagg, 1866-67; William S.
Loomis, 1868-73.
Treasurers.— John M. Chapin, 1850: Henry S. Babbitt,
1851-52 : oifice consolidated with town clerk from 1853 to 1868 ;
Robert B. Johnson, 1868-71 : Charles W. Ranlet, 1872-73.
'From 18.")0 to 18.">;^ the offices of town clerk and treasurer were separate;
then were consolidated from 1853 to 1868. when again an Incumbent was elected
to each.
( 11 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
THE CITY OP UOLYOKE
In 1847, three years previous to tlie ineorporatiou of the
town, the locality in which the Hadley Falls company was just
beginning operations contained a grist mill, a cotton or cloth
mill, one small shop and fourteen dwelling houses. The inhab-
itants here, like those owning the more elevated lands to the
westward of the river, were chiefly engaged in agricultural pur-
suits, although on the higher areas, especially along the old
"county road," a little countiy village had gradually come
into existence: and the locality about that time could boast a
tavern of modest appearance, but of wide fame, two stores, a
sash, blind and planing mill, two phy.sieians, a shoemaker, tailor,
v/heelwright, painter, blacksmith, a school house and two
churches— Congregational and Baptist.
A few yeai-s later, after the failure of the first dam and the
construction of its more substantial successor, business inter-
ests began to gravitate toward the lands of the water power com-
pany, and the new village soon gained precedence over and
superseded the old. Prom that time Holyoke dates its most
progressive history. The constant increase in population and
commerce led to the establishment of new institutions, and
called for a form of government not attainable under the town-
ship character. Therefore, in 1873. when the town's pojuilation
was increased to nearly 14,000 inhabitants, recourse again was
had to the legislature with result in the passage of "An act to
establish the city of Holyoke." The act was approved by the
governor April 7, 187-3, and was accepted by the citizens May 29,
1873, by a vote of 377 yeas to 17 nays.
Tinder the charter the administration of the fiscal, pruden-
tial and municipal aftairs of the city became vested in a mayor,
a council of seven members, called the board of aldermen, and a
council of twenty-one members, called the common council, all
to be elected by the people. The charter also made provision
for the election of a city clerk and city treasurer, and for the
election by the qualified voters, or th(> aiipoiiitment by the mayor
or city^ouncil, of such other officers as the luoper administration
of municipal afi'airs from time to time sliould require.
( 12 )
K
o
O
P
o
ffl
2
"3
Oi'K COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
The original city cluu'tcr was sufficient for its time, but with
the rapid inci'ease in population and commercial interests of
later years, special, amendatory and supplemental acts became
necessary. In 1896 the charter was radically revised, and by
the act of May 27 of that year the administrative ati'airs, except
those of the public schools, were vested in an executive depart-
ment consisting of a mayor and a board of aldermen, the latter
composed of fourteen members elected at large, and one member
from each ward in the city. Untler the provisions of this act
and the ordinances adopted b.y the municipal legislative body,
the affairs of the city are now administered.
Within the corporate limits established in 1873, and since
continued, the city of Holyoke has an area of 16.85 square miles
of land ; river front, 7.06 miles ; greatest north and south meas-
ui'ement, 4.75 miles ; greatest east and west measurement, 5.12
miles; county roads, 35.25 miles; accepted streets, 41.57 miles;
unaccepted streets, 16.01 miles ; paved streets, 6.50 miles : sewers,
32.37 miles; streets watered, 42.21 miles; fire alarm wires, 72
miles ; street lights, 289 ; park areas, 23.71 acres ; dwelling houses,
4,571 : number of voters, 6,864 : number of polls, 11,653 ; popu-
lation. June 1. 1900 (United States census), 45,712; popula-
tion. May 1, 1900 (school census), 47.612; public schools en-
rollment (day), 6,287: public schools enrollment (night), 905;
parochial schools enrollment, 3.655 : school houses, 29 ; churches,
20; engine houses, 7: fire alarm boxes, 112; valuation. May 1,
1901, ,$39,951,930 (real estate, $29,658,610: personal, $10,293,-
320). The erection of a town hall was suggested in 1870. four
years before the city government was organized, but the struc-
ture in fact was built by the city: hence the name city hall.
The building is a splendid specimen of modern architecture, rep-
resenting several years of work and an expenditure of nearly
$300,000. It was finally completed under the supervision of a
specially constituted building committee, chosen in 1874, and
composed of William Grover, Timothy Merrick. John C. Newton,
James Doyle and Charles W. Ranlet.
The special acts relating to the town and city may be enum-
erated as follows :
( 14 )
City Hall, Holyoke
OLK COUMY AND ITS PEOPLE
Act of 1869, approved June 12— "An act to incorporate the
Holyoke and "Westfield railroad company," authorizing the town
and certain manufacturing corporations to purchase and hold
stock in such railroad company.
Act of 1870, approved April 22 — "An act in relation to a
public jihraiy in llolyokt-"; iiicorixn-ating the Holyoke public
library.
Act of 1871. approved April 8— "An act to establish the
police court of Holyoke."
Act of 1872, approved March 7— "An act to supi)ly the
town of Holyoke with pure water."
Act of 1874. approved May 7— "An act to authorize the
city of Holyoke to issue bonds for the purpose of funding its
debtvS;" authorizing an issue of bonds for $300,000, the creation
of a sinking fund and the ajipointnient of three commissioners
of the sinking fund.
Act of 1881, approved March 30— "An act to establish the
oiiSee of clerk of the police court of Holyoke. ' '
Act of 1882, approved April 12— "An act to authorize the
city of Holyoke to construct a common sewer and provide for
the payment of the cost of the same."
Act of 1886, approved April 29— "An act to exempt the city
of Holyoke from the provisions of Sec. 1, Chap. 312 of the Acts
of 1885, relative to the limit of municipal debt and the rate of
taxation in cities."
Act of 1887, approved May 25— "An act authorizing the
city of Holyoke to make a new division of the wards of said city."
Act of 1888, approved May 10— "An act to provide for re-
building the bridge across the Connecticut river between Hol-
yoke and South Hadley:" additional act April 5. 1889.
Act of 1888, approved :\Iay 22-" An ad to fix the tenure of
office of the members of the police force of the city of Holyoke."
Act of 1889, approved May 21— "An act to authorize the
county commissioners of the county of Hampden to lay out a
highway and construct a bridge across the Connecticut river be-
tween Holyoke and Chicopee."
Act of 1890, approved March 28— "An act to authorize the
city of Holyoke to issue notes, bonds or scrip for the purpose of
( K, )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
refunding certain bonds, and to sell certain railroad stock now
owned by it, the proceeds of which are to pay said notes, bonds
or scrip."
Act of 1890, approved May 23— "An act authorizing the
city council to establish a fire department."
Act of 1891, approved April 17— "An act to authorize the
city of Holyoke to incur indebtedness beyond the limit fixed by
law;" additional act passed April 20 and June 30, 1894, April 6,
1895, and Feb. 18, 1897.
Act of 1896, approved May 19— "An act to authorize the
city of Holyoke to increase its water supply."
The charter act of 1873 was passed by the house March 28,
by the senate April 4, and on April 7 received the executive
approval. The officers elected at the town meeting in that year
were continued in their respective offices until the organization
of the city government in January, 1874. The fii-st charter
election was held in December, 1873.
MUNICIPAL CIVIT., LIST.
.Vai/o)s.-William B. C. Pearsons, 1874-76; Roswell P.
Crafts. 1877 ; William Whiting, 1878-79 ; William Ruddy, 1880 ;
F. P. Goodall, 1881; Roswell P. Crafts, 1882-83; James E.
Delaney. 1884-85; James J. O'Connor, 1886-87: James E. De-
laney, 1888; Jeremiah F. Sullivan, 1889-90; Michael J. Griffin,
1891 : Jeremiah F. Sullivan, 1892 : Dennie L. Farr, 1893 ; Mar-
ciene H. Whitcomb. 1894: Henry A. Chase, 1895: James J. Cur-
ran. 1896; George H. Smith, 1897; Michael Connors, 1898;
Arthur B. Chapin, 1899-1902.
City CierAs.— E. A. Ramsay, 1874-76; James E. Delaney,
1877-82; Michael J. Griffin, 1883-90; Thomas D. O'Brien, 1891-
94 ; Edward A. Kane, 1895-April 24, 1901 : John F. Sheehan,
April 30, 1901-1902 (now in office).
Cihj Treasurers. — Charles W. Ranlet. 1874; AVilliam Whit-
ing, 1875-76 ; Charles W. Ranlet, 1877-78 : James R. Howes, 1879 ;
Charles W. Ranlet, 1880-84 : E. L. Munn, 1885 ; Oscar Ely, 1886 ;
Edwin L. Munn, 1887-89: Dennie L. Farr, 1890-92; Pierre Bon-
vouloir, 1893-1902 (now in office).
3-3 ( 17 )
Willi;im B. L'. Pearsons
THE CITY OF EOLYOKE
Aldermen}— 19>1^, William Grover, Henry A. Chase, Aug.
Stursburg, John H. Wright, John O'Donnell, G. W. Prentiss, J.
F. Allyn.
1875— William Grover, Henry A. Chase, Matthew Walsh,
John H. Wright, Edward 0 'Connor, G. W. Prentiss, J. P. Allyn.
1876-William Ruddy, C. B. Harris, H. Springborn, S. J.
Donoghue, Maurice Lynch, C. H. Heywood, J. F. Allyn.
1877-M. J. Tehan, G. H. Smith, A. Stiirsberg, S. J. Dono-
ghue, D. H. Donoghue, C. H. Heywood, G. P. Ellison.
1878-Tliomas S. Grover, C. B. Harris (died March 11 and
G. H. Smith chosen), A. Stursberg (resigned and James Staf-
ford chosen), Chas. D. Colson, D. E. Sullivan, G. P. Ellison.
1879— William Ruddy, Fordyce R. Norton, Henry Winkler,
Charles D. Colson, D. E. Sullivan, William Skinner, William S.
Perkins.
1880— John D. Walsh. Fordyce R. Norton, Henry Winkler,
James Casey, John O'Donnell, Charles A. Corser, William S.
Perkins.
1881 — Casper Ranger. Fred Morrison. P. J. Sheridan,
Thomas Dillon. D. J. Landers, E. A. Whiting. R. Winchester.
1882— Casper Raugei-. Isaac Tirrell, C. R. Heubler, Thomas
Dillon, John O'Donnell, William A. Chase, W. T. Dean.
1883— Casper Ranger. Isaac Tirrell. John T. Lynch, Thomas
Dillon, John O'Donnell, Charles A. Corser, W. T. Dean.
1884— James Greeley, Isaac Tirrell, John T. Lynch, John
Dillon, E. O'Connor, Elias P. Ford, C. C. Hastings.
1885-William Reardon. Thomas H. Scare, J. K. McCar-
thy, John J. Prew. R. P. Donoghue, Eli J. Brocket. John E.
Clark.
1886— J. J. Sheridan. Francis J. Curley, James J. Curran,
John J. Prew, R. P. Donoghue, William E. Syms, John E. Clark.
1887— William H. Hess. James W. Toole, Henry Winkler,
John Dillon, James F. Cleary, William E. Syms, John Hildreth.
1888-L. F. Hayward. jr.. J. W. Toole. Henry Winkler (re-
signed June 27 and :M. Manning chosen), John Dillon, H. E.
McElwain. C. L. Newcomb, John Hildreth.
'Aldermeu aie mentioned in the order of waid numbei-s.
( 10 )
OVR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
1889— John C. yuUivan, AVilliiuii B. Buckley, George Spa-
mer, Thomas J. Carmody, Richard Shea, Dennie L. Parr, E. L.
Squier.
1890 — M. P. Conway, J. Beaucbemin, George Spamer, N. J.
Baker, A. Higginbottom, C. D. Colson, E. L. Squier.
1891— M. P. Conway, T. J. Kennedy, Michael Connors, R.
P. Donoghue, J. J. Callanan, J. P. Prescott, F. C. Steele.
1892— William Haney, Antoine Marcotte, Michael Connors,
T. J. Dillon. J. J. Callanan, M. J. Laporte, R. B. Holmes.
1894— T. J. Lynch, Fred St. Alartin, M. Connor, P. W.
Shea, R. S. Burns, James A. Allyn, R. B. Holmes.
1895— Timothy J. Lynch, Fred St. Martin, R. H. Dietz,
Thomas J. Lynch, Richard S. Burns, John "Wall, George H.
Lynds.
1896— Timothy J. Lynch, Fred Gervais. Adam Leining. Pat-
rick W. Shea, Jeremiah J. Linehan, Elbert Goss. Frank Feather.
1897— At large for two years, Henry A. Collings, Patrick
F. Donoghue, Arthur M. French, Adam Leining, Hugh Mc-
Lean, Daniel Proulx, Homer J. Stratton ; for one year. Saline J.
Benoit, Archibald Ferguson, sr., Morris Hicks. William J. Ryan,
George A. Savoy, James H. Staples, Peter J. Westphal; by
wards, Timothy J. Lynch, Fred Gervais, Frank Feather, Pat-
rick J. O'Connor, Jeremiah J. Linehan. Elbert Goss. Charles P.
Randall.
1898— At large for two years. Joseph Beaudry. jr., William
D. Bunnell. Edward L. Cassidy. J. Joseph Doran. Archibald
Ferguson, sr., William J. Ryan. Peter J. Westphal ; for one year,
Henry A. Collings. Patrick F. Donoghue, Arthur M. French,
Adam Leining. Hugh McLean, Daniel Proulx. Homer J. Strat-
ton ; by wards, Timothy J. Lynch, Samuel I\Iigneaidt, Frank
Feather. James S. Lacey, Michael J. Doyle. Elbert J. Goss,
James H. Wylie, jr.
1899— At large for two years. P. F. Donoghue. Arthur M.
French. Adam Leining. Joseph A. Morin. AVilliam IMcCorkin-
dale. Hugh McLean, Edwin L. Squier: for one year. Joseph A.
Beaudry, jr.. William D. Bunnell. Edward L. Cassidy. J. Joseph
Doran. Archibald Ferguson, sr.. William J. Ryan. Peter J. Wes^
( 20 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
phal ; by wards, T. J. Lyuch, Samuel Migneault, Moritz E.
Rutlier, Joseph A. O'Donnell, Michael J. Doyle, William G.
Beaudro, Frank B. Towne.
1900— At large for two years, J. Joseph Doran, Jeremiah
J. Farrell, John K. Judd, Adelard M. Potvin, John Stalker.
Frank C. Webber, Marciene H. Whitcomb ; for one year, Patrick
F. Donoghue, Arthur M. French, Adam Leining, Joseph A.
Marin, William McCorkindale, Hugh McLean, Edwin L. Squier ;
by wards, John P. McTigue, Arthur R. Vincent, Herbert C.
Clark, Florence Donoghue, Michael J. Doyle, William G. Beau-
dro, Frank B. Towne.
1901— At large for two years, William G. Beaudro, Edward
F. Dowd, William 0. Ducharme, John J. Finn, Charles S. Hem-
ingway, James M. Kennedy, William McCorkindale; for one
year, J. Joseph Doran, Jeremiah J. Farrell, John K. Judd, Ade-
lard M. Potvin, John Stalker, Frank C. Webber. Marciene H.
Whitcomb ; by wards, Dennis 0 'Leary, Eugene Laramay, John
R. Allen, Florence Donoghue, Michael J. Doyle, John C. Carlin,
Frank B. Towne.
1902— At large for two years. George Barnett. Jeremiah J.
Farrell, George P. Noonan, Adelard M. Potvin. John D. Ryan,
John Stalker, Frank C. Webber: for one year. William G. Beau-
dro, Edward F. Dowd, William 0. Ducharme, John J. Finn,
Charles S. Hemingway, James M. Kennedy, William McCork-
indale; by wards, Dennis 0 'Leary, Eugene Laramay, Leon W.
Bliss, Alexander O'Brien, Eugene F. Kane, John G. Reardon,
Thomas W. Holley.
Common Cotincilmcn.—1874:, ward 1, Curtis Moore, James
Ruddy, William Ruddy ; ward 2, G. W. Burditt, C. B. Harris,
5. F. Stebbins; ward 3, Martin Lawler, F. Kreimendahl, Mat-
thew Walsh; ward 4, W. D. Higgins, H. G. Pierce. A. C. Pratt:
ward 5, Maurice Lynch, John 0 'Connell, J. A. SuUivan : ward
6, John Delaney, C. H. Heywood, Timothy Merrick ; ward 7, R.
M. Fairfield. H. A. Pratt. Reuben Winchester.
1875— Ward 1, John Moore, James Ruddy, William Ruddy;
ward 2, C. B. Harris, Fred Morrison, G. H. Smith ; ward 3, Rich-
ard Gilday, F. Kreimendahl, Henry Winkler ; ward 4, S. J. Don-
( 31 )
OUR COUNTY AND IIS I'EOl'LE
oghue, Peter McKeon, E. A. Newton: ward 5, B. P. Bigelow, D.
H. Donoghue, J. K. Donoghue : ward 6, John Delaney, C. H.
Heywood, Timothy Merrick : ward 7, Horace Brown, Chester
Strong, Reuben Winchester.
1876— AVard 1, James Barnes, John Moore. A. B. Tower;
ward 2, Chalmers Chapin, (i. H. Smith. E. Whitaker; ward 3,
Joseph Mellor, J. N. Thayer, J. S. Webber: ward 4, C. D. Col-
sou, Daniel Ford, V. J. 0 "Connell : ward 5, B. F. Bigelow, Mi-
chael Downing, D. M. Manning; ward 6, A. D. Barker, J. E. De-
laney, J. H. Newton : ward 7, H. C. Ewing. S. T. LjTuan, Reu-
ben Winchester.
1877— Ward 1, John Ford. Richard Patte. C. 0. Warner;
ward 2, Chalmers Chapin, F. P. Goodall, Isaac Tirrell ; ward 3,
A. G. Rideout, James StafiCord, J. N. Thayer ; ward 4, C. D. Col-
son, Michael Lynch, M. M. Mitivier: ward 5, Michael Cleary,
Stephen Maloney. D. E. Sullivan : ward 6, E. W. Chapin, E. A.
Ramsey, Porter Underwood ; ward 7. John Merrick, Edwin Per-
kins. John Street.
1878-Ward 1, T. L. Keough. J. W. Moore, W. E. Syms;
ward 2, F. P. Goodall, P. Morrison, Isaac Tirrell : ward 3, A. G.
Rideout, James Staiford. E. F. Sullivan; ward 4, James P.
Casey, T. J. Ryan, Didace Saint-Marie ; ward 5, Stephen Maloney,
E. O'Connor. Thomas Pendergast : ward fi, Henry C. Cady, J. S.
McElwain. Levi Perkins ; ward 7, John ]\Ierriek. Edwin Perkins,
John Street.
1879— Ward 1, G. C. Ainslie. James Greeley. John D.
Walsh; ward 2, John E. Bronson. John B. Hart. Franklin P.
Goodall; ward 3, John L. Martin, P. J. Sheridan, M. J. Ryan;
ward 4. Victor Guyott. Peter INIcKeon, T. J. Ryan : ward 5,
Thomas Dillon. Michael Downing. John 0 'Donnell : ward 6, H.
C. Cady, J. S. McElwain. Levi Perkins; ward 7, Berijah H. Kag-
win. Origen H. Merrick. ]\Iarden W. Prentiss.
1880— Ward 1, John Ford. James Greeley, Casper Ranger;
ward 2, John E. Bronson, John B. Hart. George W. Maher; ward
3. John L. IMartin, Patrick J. Sheridan. John IMcDonald : ward 4,
Pierre Bonvouloir, Cornelius D. Geran. Timothy J. Ryan ; ward
5, Michael Cleary, Michael Downing. Timothy Haley: ward 6,
( 2? )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
Charles B. Davis, Hervey K. Hawes, Edwin A. Whiting; ward
7, Berijah H. Kagwin, Origen H. Merrick, John B. Miinn.
1881— Ward 1, IMichael Collins. James Greeley, Samuel S.
Chapman : ward 2, Royal C. Dickinson, Sumner T. Miller,
Dwight O. Judd : ward 3, Herbert Hicks, Lyman F. Thorpe,
Charles R. Heubler; ward 4. George Hart, Coi'uelius D. Geran,
Dennis E. Herbert; ward 5, James S. Lee, John F. Shea, Thomas
Pendergast : ward 6. Amos Andrews, Hervey K. Hawes, Henry
H. Smith ; ward 7, Charles C. Hastings, Lyman B. Moore, John
B. Munn.
1882— Ward 1, AVilliam Brennan, James Spillane. William
H. Jess; ward 2, E. R. Pierce, Joseph Beauchemin, (Jeorge W.
Richards: ward 3, S. K, ^McCarthy, D. Driscoll, W. E. Keefe;
ward 4, Dennis E. Herbert, P. J. O'Connor, J. J. Prew ; ward 5,
Maurice Lynch, Thomas Pendergast, jNIichael 0 'Keefe; ward 6,
Amos Andrews. H. H. Smith, Joseph A. Snell : ward 7, C. C.
Hastings. L. L. Hooker, A. N. Rieker.
1883 -Ward 1, William H. Jess, John M. Sheridan, M. C.
Browne ; ward 2, Pierre Benoit, George W. Richards, C. 0. War-
ner; ward 3, J. K. McCarthy, D. W. Driscoll, Peter J. Westphal;
ward 4, D. E. Herbert. Frank S. Lynch. J. J. Prew : ward 5, P.
J. Landers, John O'Connell. William Sullivan; ward 6, Joseph
A. Snell. C. P. Lyman. E. P. Ford : ward 7, C. C. Hastings. D. H.
Ives. A. X. Rieker.
1884- Ward 1, John :\Ioore. M. F. Sullivan, W. A. Casey;
ward 2. George W. Richards. Didace Sainte-Marie, Thomas H.
Sears; ward 3, John Lowcock, John Jack. Blaise Borlen; ward
4, William Sullivan (died and succeeded by Matthew Doherty),
Thoma.s O'Donnell. Amede F. Gingras: ward 5, R. P. Donoghue,
Thomas J. Carmody, Michael Manning ; ward 6, Charles P. Ly-
man. Eli L. Brockett, John J. Reardon ; ward 7, Frank L. Buck,
Robert T. Prentiss. Samuel IM. Gilmore.
1885-Ward 1, John J. Sheridan, WiUiam J. Casey, J. G.
McCarthy ; ward 2, John C. Smith, George W. Richards, M. F.
Doyle; ward 3. Blaise Borlen. Charles Brueck, James F. Cana-
van; ward 4. Thomas O'Donnell, P. F. Carmody, Matthew Do-
herty; ward 5, T. J. Carmody, James S. Lee, T. J. Fitzgerald;
( 23 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
ward 6, Andrew Buchanan, C. H. Whiting, John L. Burlingame ;
ward 7, John K. Judd, S. B. Allyn, S. M. Gilmore (resigned),
George W. Doane.
1886-Ward 1, J. C. Keough, William A. Casey, J. G. Mc-
Carthy ; wai'd 2, James H. Fitzsimmons, Edward Donahue, J.
W. Toole ; ward 3, Bruno Ezold, J. T. Cunningham, Peter J.
Westphal ; ward 4, J. H. Sidlivan ; M. F. Manning, Matthew Do-
herty; ward 5, J. F. Cleary, J. J. Casey, T. P. Greaney; ward 6,
Andrew Buchanan, Charles H. Whiting, Charles L. Newcomb ;
ward 7, John K. Judd, George W. Doane, Ai'uthur M. Cain.
1887-Ward 1, J. C. Keough, D. J. Sidlivan, B. J. Lynch;
wai"d 2, Edward Donahue, T. J. Gibson, Nazaire Beliveau; ward
3, J. F. Canavan, John P. Hanley, Charles W. Bleumer ; ward 4,
Maurice Sullivan, Thomas Connor, Louis S. Paquette ; ward 5,
J. J. Casey, M. J. Lavelle, John Dillon ; ward 6, Charles L. New-
comb, Henry E. McElwain, J. Sanford Webber; ward 7, A. M.
Cain, G. L. Thorpe, Richard C. Kilduff.
1888— Ward 1, D. J. Sullivan, J. J. Keough, John Blasius;
ward 2, T. J. Gibson, W. P. Buckley, Nazaire Beliveau ; ward 3,
J. F. Canavan, J. P. Hanley, Clyde C. Kelly; ward 4, John B.
Laroche, M. J. Lavelle, Dennis Herbert ; ward 5, Thomas Con-
nor, Dennie L. Farr, Justin D. Perkins: ward 6, Charles L.
Allyn, Lucius Ely, Frank A. Rivers ; ward 7, George L. Thorpe,
John Longway, jr., George V. Osgood.
1889— Ward 1, J. J. Keough, J. A. Peltier, T. H. Breen;
ward 2, J. A. Murray, F. St. IMartin, Thomas J. Kennedy; ward
3, J. F. Canavan, Onesime Viens. John J. Taylor ; ward 4, P. A.
Brennan, Napoleon Aubertin, Eugene Shea ; ward 5, Thomas
Connor, J. J. Callanan, J. W. Doran; ward 6, Lucius Ely, C. L.
Allj-n, James L. Da'sns: ward 7. Frederick C. Steele, Roland T.
Oakes, George V. Osgood.
1890— Ward 1, William Brockway. Joseph A. Peltier, M. J.
Sullivan: ward 2, T. J. Kennedy, J. A. Murray, C. O'Leary;
ward 3, Herman Heinritz, John J. Taylor, Onesime Viens ; M'ard
4, Patrick Brennan, John J. Prentiss, Eugene Shea ; ward 5, Jo-
seph Bardwell, Thomas Connor, Charles MeCollister: ward 6,
Lucius Ely, Stephen E. Gifford, Medric J. Laporte; ward 7, Ro-
land T. Oakes, George T. Osgood, Frederick C. Steele.
24 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
1891 -Ward 1, William Broekway, John H. Kyau, M. J.
Sullivan; ward 2, John Black, A. B. C. De Launay, C. O'Leary;
ward 3, Max C. Burkhardt, Ulrick Perrault, Albert C. Renner;
ward 4, Napoleon Aubertin, T. J. Dillon, Eugene Shea ; ward 5,
John E. Burke, Richard A. Doran, D. J. 0 'Connell ; ward 6, M.
J. Laporte, Stephen E. Gifford, John B. Miller; ward 7, Law-
rence J. Portier, Charles McCollister, Henry D. Williams.
1892-Ward 1, Joseph Herbert, H. L. Mohan, John H.
Ryan ; ward 2, John Black, Joseph Blair, Fred Daze ; ward 3,
Max G. Burkhardt, Ulrick Perrault, Paul Schubach ; ward 4,
Frank 0. Blanchette, Eugene Shea, Daniel P. Sullivan ; ward 5,
William L. Bishop, P. H. Brennan, William B. Miles; ward 6,
Fred H. Gilpatrick, George E. Pickup, Frank C. Webber; ward
7, Lawrence H. Fortier, Charles H. McCollister, Henry D. Wil-
liams.
1893 -Ward 1, Patrick Gear. Joseph Herbert, David H.
Toole; ward 2, Joseph C. Blair, T. J. Kennedy, Cyril T. La-
brecque ; ward 3, Max Bretschneider, Victor S. Laplante, Ernest
R. Tauscher; ward 4, Thomas Fitzgerald, P. J. O'Connor, D. P.
Sullivan ; ward 5, S. J. Benoit, J. L. Connor, J. J. Linehan ; ward
fi, F. H. Gilpatrick, John Naylor, Frank C. Webber; ward 7,
Azro A. Coburn, Edwin B. Evans, Charles M. Hartzell.
1894— Ward 1, Octave Perrault, David H. Toole (resigned),
John Daly, James Wall ; ward 2, Fred Gervais, Fred A. Monat,
P. H. Prendiville; ward 3, Max Bretschneider, Victor S. La-
plante, Ernest R. Tauscher; ward 4, Frank Fitzgerald, Thomas
Fitzgerald, Anthyme S. Menard ; ward 5, S. J. Benoit, J. L. Con-
nor, J. J. Linehan; ward 6, Elbert Goss, Frederick N. Kicker,
Edward N. White; ward 7, Azro A. Coburn, Edwin B. Evans,
Charies M. Hartzell.
1895— Ward 1, Edward D. Bunyan, P. F. Flynn, Dennis
O'Leary; ward 2, Fred Gervais, Fred A. Monat, P. H. Prendi-
ville; ward 3, J. H. Donoghue, Victor S. Laplante, W. J. Ma-
honey ; ward 4. John J. Mclntee, John P. Sullivan, John F. Sulli-
van ; ward 5, Edmund H. Alger, John L. Connor, J. J. Linehan ;
ward 6, Edwin M. Chase, Elbert Goss, Caleb J. Humeston ; ward
7, Conrad V. Hein, Charles P. Randall, William 0. White.
{ 25 )
OVli COUMY AM) ITS PEOPLE
1896— Ward 1, E. D. Biinyan, P. F. Flynn. Dennis
O'Learj-; ward 2, Joseph Beaudry, jr., Henry P. Cunuingluuii,
P. H. Prendiville; ward 3, J. II. Connor, William J. Mahoney,
P. AV. O'Hourke; ward 4, AVilliam J. Dillon, John J. Melntee,
John J. Kiley; ward 5, E. 11. Alger, Edward J. Keuney. Wil-
liam O'Connell; ward 6, AVilliam D. Bunnell, Thomas H. Kear-
ne}', Henry Heed: ward 7, James Collingwood, Charles Randall,
Homer J. Stratton.
Presidents of Board of .Uc/crme/i.— Michael Connors, 1893;
Kufus B. Holmes, 1894; Henry A. Chase, 1895: Timothy J.
Lynch, 1896; Arthur M. French, 1897; Hugh McLean, 1898;
Arthur M. French, 1899-1900 ; Michael J. Doyle, 1901 : James
M. Kennedy, 1902.
Presidents of Common Council. — C. H. Heywood, 1874-75;
G. H. Smith, 1876 ; C. D. Colson, 1877 ; F. P. Goodall, 1878 ; John
O'Donnell. 1879; James Greeley. 1880; Hervey K. Hawes, 1881;
Amos Andrews, 1882 ; C. 0. Warner. 1883 : Roger P. Donoghue,
1884 ; Thomas J. Carmody, 1885 ; John K. Judd, 1886 ; James C.
Keough, 1887; Michael J. Lavelle, 1888; J. J. Callahan, 1889;
Thomas Connor, 1890 ; Thomas J. Dillon, 1891 ; Henry D. AVil-
liams, 1892; John L. Connor, 1893-95; Patrick H. Prendiville,
1896.
City Auditors. — Kd^\in A. Kamsey, 1874-76; James E. De-
laney, 1877-82; M. J. Griffin, 1883-90; Thomas D. O'Brien,
1891-95; Daniel W. Kenney, 1896-1902.
City Messengers.— J. H. Clifford, 1874-76: J. R. Howes,
1877-79 ; Charles M. Hackett, 1880-83 : William T. Walsh, 1884-
1902.
City Engineers.— Thomas W. Mann, 1874; E. T. Davis,
1875; Thomas W. Mann, 1876-80; A. B. Tower, 1881-83: Emory
A. Ellsworth, 1884-85; T. W, Mann, 1886; Emory A, Ellsworth,
1887-89 ; Edward Walther, 1890-95 : John J. Kirkpatrick, 1896-
1898; James L. Tighe, 1899-1902,
City Solicitors.— FAvcard W, Chapin, 1874-75; H. K.
Hawes, 1876-78; H. L. Sherman, 1879; S. W. Dougherty, 1880
AYilliam H. Brooks, 1881-83: Terrence B. O'Donnell. 1884-90
Christopher T. Callahan, 1891; William Hamilton, 1892-94
( 26 )
THE CITY OF IIOLYOKE
Christopher T. Callahau, 1895: Arthur B. Chapin, 1896; Wil-
liam Hamiltou, 1897; Christopher T. Callahan, 1898; Addison
L. Greene, 1899 ; Nathan P. Aveiy, 1900-02.
City Physicians.— Dr. Charles 0. Carpenter, 1874-76; Dr.
G. W. Davis, 1877; Dr. A. F. Reed, 1878; Dr. J. J. O'Connor,
1879-84; Dr. D. P. Donoghue, 1885-91; Dr. Stephen A. Ma-
honey, 1892-94 ; Dr. John P. Buckley. 1895-97 ; Dr. John J. Me-
Cabe, 1898-99; Dr. George C. Robert, 1900-01; Dr. Joseph A.
Marin, 1902.
Assessors of Taxes.— Amos Andrews, James E. Delaney,
John E. Chase, 1874 ; Amos Andrews, James E. Delaney, Joseph
Murray, 1875; Amos Andrews, J. P. Sullivan, Joseph Murray,
1876-79 ; Joseph Murray, J. P. Sullivan, J. H. Eraser, 1880-82 ;
Joseph Murray, J. P. Sullivan, S. E. Gates, 1883-85; V.
J. O'Donnell, J. P. Sullivan, S. E. Gates, 1886; Jeremiah P.
Sullivan, Seymour E. Gates, Didace Sainte-Marie, 1887-88;
James J. Dowd, S. E. Gates, Didace Sainte-Marie, 1889-91 ; Sey-
mour E. Gates, James J. Dowd, John B. Laroche, 1892 ; S. E.
Gates, James J. Dowd, Joseph St. Martin, 1893-94; James J.
Dowd, Joseph St. Martin, Joseph J. Kelley, 1895-99 ; Dwight 0.
Judd, Joseph St. Martin, Joseph J. Kelley, 1900-02.
City Marshals.— {CaUed chief of police prior to 1894), Wil-
liam G. Ham, 1874 ; Almado Davis, 1875 ; William G. Ham, 1876 ;
D. E. Kingsbury, 1877 ; William G. Ham, 1878-81 ; Sumner T.
Miller, 1882-83 ; James Dougherty, 1884-85 ; Marciene H. Whit-
comb, 1886-90 ; Sumner T. Miller, 1891 ; Valentine J. 0 'Donnell,
1892; S. T. Miller, 1893; George H. Twaddle, 1894-95; S. T.
Miller, 1896 ; M. H. Whitcomb, 1897 ; Edward J. Gorman, 1898 ;
J. Sidney Wright, 1899-1902.
Board of Public Wor/«.— Michael F. Walsh, chairman, Oren
D. Allen, Gilbert Potvin, .jr., 1897-1902.
THE PreE DEPARTMENT
Previous to the incorporation of the Hadley Palls company
the inhabitants of Ireland parish had no approved appliance for
extinguishing fires in the town; and, indeed, there appears to
have been little need for a fire organization of any kind in this
( 27 )
OVR COIXTY AND ITS PEOPLE
quiet agricultural region. However, with the beginning of op-
erations by the Iladlcy Falls company the managers purchased
a haJKl engine of the Button tj'pe, which soon acquired the local
designation of "piano machine," and which also was a famous
fire fighting apparatus in the "New City," as Holyoke originally
was called.
In December, 1850, the town first took action in relation to
the establishment of a fire department witliin the limits of
school district No. 1, and at a regular meeting the old "First
Fire district" was organized; and it was continued until 1872.
In 1855 the town voted to pay the expenses of the fire depart-
ment and appropriated the sum of $336 for maintenance. Small
as this amount was, it was suflficient for the time and provided
all that was then required to keep the three companies— Hol-
yoke Engine Co. No. 1, Mechanics Engine Co. No. 2, and Mt. Tom
Hose Co.— then comprising the department. In the latter part
of 1857 and the early part of 1858 the board of engineers, in
whom was vested the management of the department, approved
the following named persons as firemen: Wallace Warner, Ru-
fus Mosher, E. D. Shelley, Homer M. Crafts. Dominick Crosson,
G. Mai-sh, S. C. Crouch, John R. Clifford, John R. Baker, J. C.
Morrison, V. M. Dowd, Ben,iamin Roberts, E. W. Loomis, 0. A.
Henry, Isaac Cook, John Prouty, Mowry Prouty, H. K. Bean,
John Doyle, A. O. Kenney, Robert Mitchell, B. P. McKinster,
Lester Newell, E. Whitaker, C. H. Roby, T. C. Page, John C.
Smitli, Thomas II. Kelt. J. A. Cleveland.
In 1861 the first hook and ladder company was organized,
and during the next ten j'ears the department was materially
increased, both in membership and in improved apparatus. In
1870 the annual report of Chief Crafts showed three engine
houses and six companies, the latter being as follows: Reliance
(No. 1) Steam Fire Engine Co.. 25 membei-s; Relief (No. 2)
Steam Fire Engine Co., 25 members; Emerald Engine Co., 60
members ; Mt. Tom Hose Co., 30 members ; Mt. Holyoke Hose Co.,
25 members : Hook and Ladder Co., 30 members. The company
last mentioned soon afterward was given the name of Rescue
TT. & L. Co. No. 1.
( 28 )
THE CITY OF EOLYOKE
Under section thirty of the original city charter the citx
council was autliorized to establish a fire department and to
make such regulations concerning its pay, conduct and govern-
ment as from time to time should be deemed expedient; also,
to establish fire limits in the city. At the same time the inhab-
itants of any previously existing fire district were authorized to
dissolve the district and dispose of any or all of its apparatus.
With the adoption of this act the history of the present fire de-
partment had its beginning. In 1874 there were six companies
in the department, tw-o steam engines, three hose companies and
one hook and ladder truck.
The act of May 23, 1890, authorized the city council to es-
tablish, regulate and govern the department through the agency
of a board of fire commissioners, to comprise three membei's ap-
pointed by the maj^or. Thus was established the board by which
the affairs of the fire department in a great measure was freed
from the political influences which in the earlier years had seri-
ously interfered with its efficiency. Under the recommendations
of the commissioners the city has made liberal appropriations for
the maintenance and extension of the department, and to-day
the latter is regarded as one of the most thoroughly equipped
and efficient bodies of its kind in the state.
The permanent force of the department consists of seventy-
one men and eleven fully equipped companies. There are in use
six steam fire engines, two cliemieal engines, six two-horse hose
•wagons, one combination chemical and hose wagon and three
hook and ladder trucks. The annual expense of the department
is about .$70,000. The estimated value of the six engine houses
in the city is more than $100,000.
The succession of chief engineers of the Holyoke fire de-
partment is as follows:
Chief Engineers.— "R. G. Marsh, 1851 ; Daniel Bowdoin,
1852-53; Thomas H. Kelt, 1854; William B. C. Pearsons, 1855-
1858 ; Jones S. Davis, 1859- 60 : William B. C. Pearsons, 1861-62 ;
William H. Dickinson, 1863-64 ; L. P. Bosworth, 1865-67 ; Ros-
well P. Crafts, 1868-69; 0. S. Tuttle, 1870; Roswell P. Crafts,
1871; Richard Pattee, 1872-73; Benjamin F. Mullin, 1874-75:
( 29 )
OUli COUNTY AM) ITS PEOFLE
John D. Ilaidy. 1876-78; Benjamin F. Mullin, 1879 ; E. P. Ford,
1880; B. F. Bigelow. 1881-84; John T. Lynch, 1885-1902.
Fire Commissioners} — 'R\c\\?ivA Shea, Jeremiah J. Callanan,
John Hildreth, Charles L. Neweomb, Val. Moquin, Roger P. Don-
oghue, John J. Sheridan. 1891-92; John J. Sullivan, vice Sheri-
dan, 1893: Charles L. Neweomb, James J. Curran, Val. Moquin,
appointed 1894: Charles L. Neweomb, Val. Moquin, Dennis J.
Landers, 1895-96 : Charles L. Neweomb, Dennis J. Landers, 1897 ;
Charles L. Neweomb. M. J. Laporte, 1898-99 ; Charles L. New-
eomb. Daniel Proulx, Frank L. Buck, 1900 ; Charles L. Neweomb,
Daniel Tn.ulx. Dennis J. Landere, 1901-1902.
CITY WATER WORKS
As a part of its gigantic scheme of development and public
improvement during the three years immediately preceding the
year 1850. the Hadley Falls company constructed a reservoir on
the elevated land about seventy-five rods from the river and from
that point laid main and di.stributing pipes through the business
and residence portions of the "New City," which the company,
through its enterprise, had brought into active existence. Water
was pumped from the river into the reservoir and was carried
thence throughout the little village by gravity pressure.
This was the only system of water supply for Holyoke from
October 18. 1849. when the reservoir was first filled, until 1872,
when the growth of tlie town necessitated the establishment of a
larger and better plant. On Mai-ch 7, 1872, the legislature
passed "An act to supply the town of Holyoke with pure water,"
which act was accepted by the inhabitants ]\Iarch 21, 1872. The
act authorized the town to establish its own M'ater works and to
regulate its use for fire, .steam, domestic and other purposes, with
authority to take and hold the entire waters of Ashley's and
Wright's ponds. For the purpose of constructing the w^orks the
town was authorized to issue bonds to the amount of $250,000.
The act also created the board of water commissioners, to
comprise the tow-n treasurer, ex-officio, and six persons to be
'At first seven cummlssloners were appointed, but as tlie board was found to
be unwieldy the number was reduced to three.
( 30 )
TEE CITY OF HOLYOKE
elected by the inhabitants. This act, however, was amended by
the city charter, and it was then provided that the board should
comprise three persons to be elected by the city council. In con-
formity with the provisions of this act the board of water com-
missioners has been continued to the present time.
In 1884 a supplemental act authorized the commissioners to
increase the water supply by taking the waters of Whiting
Street brook : and in 1896 the legislature authorized the board to
utilize for the same purpose the waters of Ti;cker and Manhan
brooks in the town of Southampton.
The work of construction on the original plant was begun
in 1872 and was finished in 1873, but the woi'k of extension of
the system has been carried forward year after year to the pres-
ent time. One of the annual reports of the board of commis-
sioners, in referring to the supply .system, says: "Source of
supply— two contiguous natural lakes, thi-ee and one-half miles
from the city, two mountain streams and storage reservoir, and
the southwest branch of Manhan river: intake reservoir at
Southampton.''
The net cost of the water supply system to date aggregates
nearly $1,250,000. The city's bonded indebtedness on account
of the works is $300,000. The works produce an annual income
of about $85,000, and the surplus over the expense of mainte-
nance is chiefly used for extension purposes. The total length
of distribution pipes is over eighty-one miles : number of public
hydrants in u.se, 524; estimated average daily consumption of
water, 4,750,000 gallons.
The personnel of the board of water commissioners from
1872 is as follows :
Wnfcr Cnmmissioncrs. —'WUWam B. C. Pearsons, March 21,
1872-February 2, 1874 : John Delaney, March 21, 1872-Pebruary
2, 1874 : John E. Chase, March 21, 1872-resigned March, 1873 :
Dennis Higgins, March 21, 1872-February 2, 1874 ; Joel Russell,
March 21, 1872-February 2, 1874: Joseph P. Buckhmd, March
21, 1872-February 2, 1874: L. P. Bosworth, March 18, 1873-Feb-
ruary 2, 1874: C. W. Ranlet, cx-ofpcw. town treasurer. (The
foregoing were elected by tlie town). Joseph P. Buckland, Den-
( 31 )
OVR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
nis Higgins, February 2, 1874-Januaiy 2, 1876; James G. Smith,
February 2, 1874-died July 10, 1878; J. A. Sullivan, February
25, 1876-January G, 1891; James F. Allyn, February 5, 1877-
January 4, 1886; C. II. Heywood, July 16, 1878-Ja.nuary 11,
1880 : Timothy ^lerriek. Januaiy 11, 18Sl-January 4, 1887 : Mau-
rice Lynch, January 4, 1886-January 5, 1802; James E. De-
laney, January 4. 1887-January 7, 1887; Moses Newton, January
18, 1887-January 2. 1893; James J. Curran. January 6. 1891-
February 4, 1896 : Martin P. Conway, January 5, 1892-January
3, 1898: Charles D. Colson, January 2, 1893-Februarj' 1, 1900;
John J. Sullivan. January 27. 1896-now in office; Thomas F.
Greaney, January 3. 1898-1901 ; Jospi)h A. Skinner, February 1,
1900-now in oflSce; Maurice Lynch. 1901; Arthur M. French,
January. 1901-iiow in office. "Water connnissioners. 1902. John
J. Sullivan, chairman: Joseph A. Skinner, treasurer; Arthur M.
French, secretary.
Supcrinteiidoits.— Moses Stevens, 1874-1881; John D.
Hardy, 1881-now in office.
Registrars.— F,. M. Bolton, 1874-76: E. P. Clark, 1876-93 j
J. C. Sullivan. 1893-1900 ; Albert E. Pickup. 1900-now in office.
THE PARK DEPARTMENT
The founders of Ilolyoke. nearly all of whom were of New
England birth, proved true to the early custom of their region
when they laid out and established a comfortable park tract near
the central part of their town more than half a century ago.
That which now is known as Hampden park is the
result of this early thoughtfulness on the part of our
immediate ancestors, although many of those who were instru-
mental in building up the town were chiefly interested in the
advantages hoped to be derived from the operations of the
water power company. At a later date the Holyoke Water
Power company generously donated a tract of land for use as a
public park, and at inten-als in subsequent years still other park
tracts have been acquired by the city by purchase and also
through the gift of public spirited citizens. In this manner
Holyoke has become possessed of six park tracts, none of them
( 32 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
of large area, but in the aggregate amounting to 23.71 acres of
land. To these lands there should be added the famous Moun-
tain park, 900 acres in extent, the property of the Mt. Tom
railroad company, which is for the free use and benefit of the
public. It is maintained at the expense of the company, and
while not within the .jurisdiction of the city it nevertheless is
one of the most beautful and popular resorts in all New England.
The public parks of the city are known, respectively, as
Hampden, Elmwood, Cononchet (given by the Holyoke Water
••The stretch"
Springdak- Driving Park. South Holyoke, a popular race track in Hampden County
Power company^), Germania, Hamilton and Prospect parks,
and are under the immediate control of the board of park com-
missioners. The annual appropriation for maintenance is about
$5,500. In 1882 the legislature passed an act authorizing towns
and cities to lay out public parks within their limits, yet Holyoke
appears not to have availed itself of the provisions of the act
'As a matter of fact the city is indebted to tlie company for Hampden. Ger-
mania, Elmwood and Prospect parks, as well as for Cononchet.
3-3
( 33 )
OIR COUMl A.\D ITS I'EOl'LE
until about two years aftenvard. Previous to that time the con-
trol of the parks was vested iu the city council and one of the
conijiiittces of that botly, and durinjr that period the public
pleasure ttrounds received little more than indifferent attention ;
but under the board of i)ark commissioners proper attention has
been given to this element of nnmicipal life, although the appro-
priations generally have been small in amount.
The appended list shows the personnel of the first board of
park commissioners, with tiie names of subsetinent appointees as
vacancies occurred:
Park Commissioners.— \s\\\\am Grover. John O'Donnell,
James Ramage. Kobert B. Johnson. Maurice Lynch, 1884; John
J. Prew, 1885; John J. Nugent. 1886; George Spamer, Wilberl
T. Dean, 1888; George H. Smith. Charles R. Ileubler. William
S. Loomis, 1889: Thomas F. (ireaney, 1890; Thomas J. Gibson,
James Barnes, 1892 ; Timothy Merrick, 1893 ; Mederic J. La-
porte. 1894: Daniel H. Newton. 1895: Antoine Marcotte. Charles
G. Mackinto.sh. 1900 ; James F. Burns, 1901 ; Antoine Marcotte.
James F. Biirns, John McNairn, Charles E. Mackintosh. Max
Otto Driekorn (full board), 1902.
EDUCATIONAL IXSTITl'TIONS
From such meagre records as have been preserved it is diffi-
cult to determine .just when the mother town of Springfield first
made provision for the support of a school in that part of its do-
main which afterward acquired the name of Ireland parish, but
which now comprises the city of Ilolyoke. It is known, however,
that for more than a quarter of a century previous to the incor-
poration of West Springfield a school was maintained in the lo-
cality indicated, and that the settlers themselves secured the loca-
tion and caused the erection of the first school house.
WHien Wi>st Springfield was set off as a separate town
( 1774) the authorities gave more earnest attention to the edu-
cational welfare of the youth and soon divided the territory into
districts, jiroviding one school in the so-called Ireland parish,
the latter then comprising district No. 15. The earliest school
record dates from 1802, and for several years furnishes only
( 34 )
OVR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
meagre information regarding the number and location of the
schools of that period or of the i>ersons who were identified with
their management. This, however, is unimportant in our pres-
ent chapter, for the history of education in Holyoke really be-
gins with the creation of the town, in 1850. Indeed, for several
years previous to incorporation there had been independent ac-
tion on the part of the inhabitants for the benefit of the schools
in the parish, and as early as 1808 an excellent school, the Rand
seminary, was established for the purpose of aft'ording the youth
of the parish better educational advantages than the common
schools could provide.
The seminary was established through the efforts of Rev.
Thomas Rand, one of the founders and the first pastor of the
Baptist society in the parish; and while Elder Rand's co- work-
ers in the seminary enterprise were chiefly of his own religious
followers, the institution itself was not intended to be a denomi-
national school, but rather for the welfare of all the to^vnsfolk
who could avail themselves of its benefits. Deacon Perez Hitch-
cock, Caleb Humeston, Austin Goodyear, Noah Wolcott and
Da\nd Bassett are remembered as Elder Rand's principal sup-
porters in establishing the seminary, yet others of the townsmen
gave substantial aid to the institution during its early history.
The founder was its head and its guiding spirit for twenty-four
years, and upon his removal from the locality, the building was
taken down and re-erected at a more central point in the par-
ish, and no longer was a distinctive institution of the Baptist
colony. In its new location the building was occupied in part
as a district school and in part as a seminaiy.
Following Elder Rand, William Gamwell taught in the
seminary, and in allu-sion to him it took the name of " Gamwell 's
school." In later years the teachere were frequently changed,
for with the increasing efficiency of the public school system the
old tuition institution lost its prestige in the town ; and with
the estab]i.';hmont of the first high school in Holyoke. in 1852,
the career of the seminary was ended. However, during the pe-
riod of its history under Elder Rand, and his successor. Mr.
Gamwell. the seminary was a flourishing institution of learning
( 36 )
TEE CITY OF HOLYOEE
in the region, and many of the fo:-emost men of the town of half
a centniy ago acquired their earlj' business training within its
comfortable walls.
In 1850 the town of West Springfield comprised twenty-
four school districts, and when in that year Holyoke was set
oflf eight of these districts were within the new jurisdiction, and
also two-fifths of the total school population. In that year the
school census showed Holyoke to contain 537 children between
the ages of five and fifteen years, and for the instruction of such
of them as then attended school the town voted an appropria-
tion of $1,800. The first annual report of the school committee
showed a division of the town into nine districts and the mainte-
nance of thirteen schools, viz. : Dist. 1, five schools, 339 chil-
dren of school age ; No. 2, one school, 66 children ; No. 3, two
schools, 43 children ; No. 4, one school, 16 children ; No. 5, one
school, 25 children ; No. 6, one school, 16 children ; No. 7, one
school, 20 children ; No. 8, having no school, 12 children ; No. 9,
one school, and children enumerated with district No. 2.
The first twenty years after the incorporation of the town
constituted the formative period of the present admirable school
system of the city ; and indeed the work of formation was con-
tinued under the charter until after the completion of the new
high school building. In the summer of 1852 a high school was
established in district No. 1, and Stephen Holman was appointed
its first principal. In 1855 this district contained eight schools,
three primary and three introductoiy (which now would be
termed intermediate schools), one grammar school and one high
school. A new high school building was erected in 1862 and
cost $8,500. In 1863 the first graduating exercises were held,
and on that occasion six young ladies were awarded diplomas.
This pioneer class comprised Alice Emereon, Sara C. Grover, H.
Emogene Heywood, Agnes M. Kelt, Emma J. Loomis and Alice
A. Wild.
In 1864 the schools were first given names suited to the
localities in which they wei'C respectively situated. Thus, in
that year we note the names of the Sargent street school, the
Ewingville scliool, the North school (Ireland), the IMiddle school
( 37 )
01 N COLMy AM) ITS PEOPLE
(Baptist vilhifie). the South sehduli near AK-xaiuler Day's), the
West street school, and the Rock \'alley school. A few of these
iianu's liave been retained, but witii the rapid increase of the
eity's population and the eonse<iuent growth and out-spreading
nl" all interests new names have been eliosen for school designa-
tions.
From ISfiO to 1863 the work of su|)ervisin<r the .schools de-
volved upon the .school conunittee, comprised of three promi-
nent citizens who were williii>>: to devote their time and energies
to the work of building up the educational system of the town;
and frequently for several years a majority of the hoard was
South Chestnut Street School
comprised of eler>rymen. who were supi)oseil to understand the
needs of the schools far better than the average citizen. In
18(j3 the first superintendent of sehools wa.s chosen in compliance
with a state law. and from that time to the date of the city
charter, a period of eleven years, there were eight incumbents
of the superintendency. The succession is as follows:
SKpcriiifrudoits. — Joseph P. Buckland. 1863-64: Rev.
Simeon Miller. 186.5: Oscar Ely, 1866: Dr. L. F. Humeston (for
a few months). 1867: (ieorge C. Kwing. 1867-68: S. H. Walker,
186P-7n: Rev. L. A: Fish, 1871: (Ieorge R. Chase. 1872; Louis
II Marvel. 1873.
( 38 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
The succession of principals of the high school from 1852
to 1874 is as follows : Stephen Holman. siicceeded by Mr.
Brown. 1852; J. T. Ira Adams, 1853-56; Rev. Emory Wright,
succeeded by Joseph P. Buekland, 1857 ; Nathan R. Morse, suc-
ceeded by Joseph P. Bucldand, 1858; Joseph P. Buekland, 1859-
62; Thomas B. Stockwell, 1863; P. D. Douglass. 1863-64; Wil-
liam R. Baldwin, 1865-67 ; Edward P. Jackson, 1868-69 ; George
W. Edwards. 1870-73.
The town school conniiittee from 1850 to 1874 was com-
prised as follows: Dr. E. ]\I. Snow. Rev. Asahel Chapin, Rev.
Simeon Miller. 1850: Rev. Asahel Chapin, Dr. A. B. Clark. 1851 :
Rev. Asahel Chapin, Rev. ]\Iark Carpenter, Rev. Simeon Miller,
1852 : Rev. Simeon Miller, Rev. ilark Carpenter. William B. C.
Pearsons. 1853 ; Mark Carpenter. James W. Ford, Gustavus
Snow, 1854 ; Rev. James French, Rev. Simeon Miller, James K.
Mills, 1855: Simeon Miller, Rev. J. B. R. Walker, Stephen Hol-
man. 1856; Simeon Miller. (J. W. Gorhara, Stephen Holman,
1857: William B. C. Pearsons (3 years), Simeon Miller (2
years), Charles H. Spring (1 year), 1858^ ; Lester Newell, 1859 ;
Simeon Miller. 1860: J. Lasell. 1861: Dr. E. G. Pierce. 1862;
Simeon jMiller. Stephen Holman (for 3 years), Joseph P. Buck-
land, John E. Cha.se (for 2 years), Edwin H. Ball (for 1 year),
1863: Rev. A. M. Averill, Oscar Ely, 1864; Henry A. Chase,
Frank D. Douglass, 1865 : John E. Chase, Rev. L. R. Eastman,
Simeon Miller. 1866; L. P. S. Humeston, James H. Newton,
1867 ; William Whiting. George C. Ewing, Robert B. Johnson,
1868: Simeon Miller, J. S. AVebber, 1869; George H. Thayer,
Charles H. Lyman (3 years). J. L. A. Fish (2 years), T. B.
Flanders (1 year), 1870; Edward W. Chapin. R. S. Howard,
1871; Ezra Plagg, Charles W. Ranlet. 1872; Di'. N. B. Chase,
Adam Leining. 1873.
Under the charter the educational interests of the city re-
ceived greater care than was possible under the town system of
government with its numerous embarrassments, and from that
time the work of permanent building up and pi'ogress dates its
'At this meeting the members were Hrst ehosen for terms longer than one
yeiir. For later ye.trs the succession shows who wns elected at each town
meeting.
( 39 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
history. The good accomplished bj' the school committee of
earlier .years served as the foundation of still further improve-
ment by the new board of education, while the superintendents
were enabled to devote themselves entirely to the work of the
schools. The constant growth of the city, at times increasing
iu population almost one hundred per cent, in a single decade,
necessitated frequent enlargement of existing buildings and the
erection of others to meet the requirements of the people, and
all of the consequent expenditure of moneys was generously
sanctioned by the taxpaj'crs upon the presentations of the school
committee. A detailed statement of the construction of new
school houses from time to time is not essential to our narrative,
yet at no time in the history of the city has there been shown a
tendency to subordinate educational interests to other depart-
ments of nuinicipal life. Ti'ue, there have been times in which
certain desired improvements have been delayed, but the work
of education has progressed steadily, keeping even step with
the march of advancement in other directions. In the accom-
plishment of this great work the school committees have labored
earnestlj- and unselfishly, and the people have patiently borne
the burden of expense; and as tlie result of this combined effort
Holyoke at the beginning of the twentieth century can boast as
many and as good .schools as any similar city in New England.
While the taxpayers and the school committee have been
perhaps the chief factoi*s in accomplishing the results noted
above, one of the principal auxiliaries in their work has been
found in the excellput superintendency and the admirable work
of the corps of teachers. Glancing over the list of superintend-
ents under the charter, the entire number lias been but four
persons, while tlie ijrincijialship of the high school has had only
four incumbents during the same period of almost thirty years.
Mr. Marvel was superintendent from 1874 to 1878, and during
his term in otTice accomplished much good work in school or-
ganization. He was succeeded by Mr. Kirtland, during whose
long period of service in the superintendency the greatest strides
in the history of etlucafion in the city were made. While he
was in office the general population of the city increased more
( 40 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
than twofold, and in the same time nearly all the old school
buildings were enlarged or replaced with new ones, and still
othei-s entirely new were added to the number. The beginning
of the new high school building was one of the grandest results
accomplished during his time, and for several yeai-s previous
to its consti'uction he had labored earnestly to secure that insti-
tution for the city. The structure was finished in 1898, and is
regarded as one of the most complete and modern buildings of
its kind in New England. The more recent acquisitions to the
school properties of the city are the Highland grammar and the
Springdale and Elmwood buildings, all modern and model
structures.
According to the latest published report of the superin-
tendent of schools, the city has a total school population (five to
fifteen years) of 9,479 children, with an average membership in
all schools of nearly 5,500 pupils. The total revenue of the
school department for purposes of maintenance is about $180,-
000. The estimated value of public school property in the city
is about $1,000,000. The number of public schools is nineteen;
of parochial and private schools, seven. The latter are made the
sub.ject of special mention in another chapter.
Under the provisions of the city charter adopted in 1873,
the school committee comprised the mayor, ex-offlcio, and nine
members, citizens, chosen two at large and one from each of the
seven wards. The mayor was the presiding officer of the board.
Under the revised charter of 1896, which became operative in
1897, the board was continued as under the old charter, except
that the mayor, while allowed to be present and to participate
in the discussions of the committee in its meetings, was denied
the privilege of a vote. He retained, however, in his official ca-
pacity, the power of approval or veto of orders and resolutions
which involved the expenditure of money, except those fixing
salaries. The school committee was made (and still is) original
judge of "the expediency or necessity of having additional or
improved accommodations for any public school within the
limits of the city."
The succession of principals of the high school, superintend-
ents and school committees since 1874 is as follows:
( 41 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Priitciijah. — L'harh's, S. Hemingway. 1874-85: William E.
Judd. 188(i-t)7: Chillies U. Keyes. 1898-9'J : W. C. Akers. 1900-02
(now serving).
SiipcriiiiciHlciit.s—\jOu\n II. .Miirvel, 1874-77: Edwin L.
Kirtlnnd. 1878-9(i: Pn-ston W. Search. 1897-99: Louis P. Na.sh,
19(10-02 (now in ollHce;.
School Commill(( — \S14. A. T..eining and Edward W.
Chapin. at large; John W. Dower, ward 1 : Fred Morrison, ward
2: 11. Springborn, ward 8: Peter McKeon, ward 4: D. E. Sulli-
van, ward 5 : J. G. Mackintosh, ward 6 : S. H. AValker, ward 7.
187n— A. Leininsr and M. M. .Mitivier. at large: John
Dower.' Fred Morrison. E. Springborn, Dr. L. M. Tuttle, Joha
Doyle, J. a. Mackintosh, S. H. AValker.
lS7(i — Dr. L. M. Tuttle and Dr. M. M. :Mitivier. at large;
John A. Dower, Fred Morrison, H. Springborn. William Kelly,
John Doyle, J. (J. Maehintosh, S. H. Walker.
1877 — M. M. Mitivier and George C. Ewing, at large: Wil-
liam Kuddy. Fred Morrison, A. Stursberg, William Kelly, John
Doyle. J. C. Mackintosh, S. H. AValker.
1878— (ieorge C. Phving and John Doyle, at large: William
Kuddy, Fred Morri.son, A. Stursberg. William Kelly, D. F. Don-
oghne. J. (i. Mackintosh. Embury P. Clark.
1879 — (ieorge C. Ewing and John Doyle, at large; William
Ruddy, Frod Morrison, Patrick Herbert. AVilliani Kelly. Daniel
M. Manning, Edward W. Chapin, E. P. Clark.
1880— L. :\1. Tuttle and John Doyle, at large: James
Bai'ne.s, Fred ^lorrison, James Buffiugton. AVilliani Kelly. D. M.
.Manning, E. W. Chapin, E. P. Clark.
1881— L. M. Tuttle and Ceorge H. Smith, at large: James
Barnes, Fred Morrison, James Buffington. William Kelly, D. M.
Manning, E. W. Chapin. E. P. Clark.
1882 — Ceorge IT. Smith and Tj. M. Tuttle. at large: James
Barnes. T. L. Curran, James Bnffincrton. M. M. ]\Iitivier. D. M.
Manning. E. W. Chapin, E. P. Clark.
1883— fJeorge H. Smith and d'eoi-ge C. Ewing. at large;
'.MpnilHTs :ir«» m<>ntlont><l in the (irdor of ward numbers.
( 42 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
William Grover, T. L. Cm-ran. James Buffington. ]\I. M. Miti-
vier D. F, Donoglme, E. W. Chapin, E. P. Clark.
1884— George H. Smith and (leorge C. Ewing. at large;
William Grover, T. L. Cnrran. Henry Winkler. M. :\I. Mitivier.
D. F. Donoglme, E. W. Chapin, E. P. Clark.
1883 — George H. Smith and George C. Ewing. at large;
William Grover, Chalmers Chapin, Henry Winkler, James Tier-
ney, D. P. Donoghue, John J. Reardon. E. P. Clark.
188(i — George H. Smith and Simeon Brooks, at large; John
W. Mulliu, Chalmers Chapin. Henry Winkler. James Tierney,
D. F. Donoghne, John J. Reardon. E. P. Clark.
1887— Joseph W. Moore and Pierre Bonvonloir. jr., at
large; J. W. Mnllin. Chalmers Chapin. Henry Winkler, James
Tierney, D. F. Donoghue, John J. Reardon, E. P. Clark.
1888-89— Joseph W. Moore and Pierre Bonvonloir, jr., at
large; William J. Dower, Lawrence O'Neill, Lebreeht G. Hein-
ritz, Thomas J. Carmody. Augustine AV. Esleeck, G. H. Smith.
E. P. Clark.
1890— Pierre Bonvonloir. .jr.. and Rebnen C. Winchester, at
large: William J. Dower. Lawrence O'Neill, L. G. Heinritz, T.
J. Carmody. Lyman M. Tuttle. G. H. Smith, E. P. Clark.
1891— Pierre Bonvonloir, jr., and R. C. Winchester, at
large; W. J. Dower. Terrence Curran. L. G. Heinritz. William
Kelly. L. ]\I. Tuttle. George H, Smith, E. P. Clark.
1892— R. C. Winchester and Thomas Conner, at large; Wil-
liam A. Moore, T. L. Curran, Louis Friederich, WiUiam Kelly,
Dr. L. M. Tnttle, George H. Smith. Aug. W. Esleeck.
1893— William Reardon and Thomas Conner, at large; W.
A. IMoore. T. L. Curran, Louis Friederich, William Kelly. Dr.
L. M. Tuttle. George H. Smith. Aug. W. Esleeck.
1894— William Reardon and Thomas Conner, at large; W.
A. Moore, Odilon Z. E. Charest, Louis Friederich. Thomas J.
Dillon. Dr. L. M. Tuttle, George PI. Smith. A. W. Esleeck.
1895— William Reardon and Thomas Conner, at large; W.
A. Moore. O. Z. E. Charest, Herman Heinritz, T. J. Dillon, L,
M. Tuttle. A. W^ Esleeck.
43
OVR COUXri' AND ITS PEOPLE
■1S96— Milton P. Druce and Thomas Conner, at large; W.
A. .Moore. O. Z. E. Charest. ITernian Heinritz, T. J. Dillon, Dan-
iel F. Douoghue, G. H. Smith, A. W. Esleeck.
1897— Milton F. Druce and Thomas Conner, at large ; W.
A. Moore. O. Z. K. Charest. TTernian Tleinritz. Thomas J. Lynch,
D. F. Donoghue, Edward .\. White, A. W. Esleeck.
1898— Thomas J. Carmody and William Reardon, at large;
Josepli B. Walsh. 0. Z. E. Charest, George P. EUison, T. J.
Lynch. D. F. Donoghue. E. N. White, A. W. Esleeck.
1899— T. J. Carmody and William Reardon, at large; J. B.
AValsh. 0. Z. E. Charest, George P. Ellison. T. J. Lynch, Thomas
J. Lynch, E. N. W'hite, A. W. Esleeck.
1900— T. J. Carmody and William Reardon, at large : J. B.
AValsh. 0. Z. E. Charest. T. J. Lynch, Thomas J. Lynch, George
H. Smith, A. W. Esleeck.
1901 — T. J. Carmody and William Reardon. at large: Ed-
ward F. Cary. O. Z. E. Charest, G. P. Ellison, T. J. Lynch, G.
IL Smith, A. W. Esleeck.
1902— William Reardon and Robert T. Prentiss, at large;
Edward F. Cary, Odilon Z. E. Charest, George P. Ellison,
Thomas J. Lynch, Dennis F. Cleary, George H. Smith. Marciene
H. Whitcomb.
HOLYOKE PUBUC LIBRARY.
During the summer and fall of 1869 a number of leading cit-
izens of Holj-oke discussed the subject of organizing an associa-
tion for the establishment and maintenance of a public library in
the city, and as the natural outgrowth of the sentiment expressed
on every hand a public meeting was held January 12, 1870, in
the hall of No. 1 engine house. Judge Buckland was elected
chairman and Henry A. Chase secretary of the meeting, and
after an earnest presentation of the needs of the city in regard
to the library project, it was voted to "establish a public library
in Ilolyoke." and also it was voted to appoint a committee of
eleven persons to prepare and report a constitution and by-laws
for the government of the association. The committee charged
with this work comprised Rev. J. L. R. Trask. Moses Newton,
( 44 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOEE
Henry A. Chase, George W. Prentiss, William Whiting, J. S.
Webber, Chas. H. Lyman, Osear Ely, E. P. Jackson, Joseph P.
Buekland and William B. C. Pearsons. At the same time a
committee of ten persons was appointed to solicit funds with
which to carry into effect the objects of the association. This
committee comprised Rev. J. L. R. Trask, J. S. Webber, Moses
Newton, Timothy Merrick, Judge Buekland, Oscar Ely, George
H. Clark, Charles B. Prescott, William S. Loomis and Chalmers
Chapin.
At a meeting held January IS, it was voted to adopt the
name of "Holyoke Public Library," and also to petition the
general court for an act of incorporation. On January 24 a
proposition was received from the Parsons Paper company in
which the company offered to furnish land and erect a library
building, of the value of $20,000, provided a like sum be raised
by subscription for the purchase of books and fixtures. Upon
the receipt of this offer a special committee (William Whiting,
Judge Buekland and Henry A. Chase) was appointed to canvass
the town for subscriptions to the fund, but at the end of a
month the committee reported that pledges to the total amount
of $11,000 had been secured, and that it was doubtful if more
than $2,000 additional could be raised. Then a conference with
the Parsons Paper company was held, but without material re-
sults, upon which the former finance committee was instructed
to resume its canvass on the original basis.
On April 22, 1S70, an act of the legislature incorporated
the Holyoke Public Library, for the "formation and mainte-
nance of a public library and museum," and ai;thorized the as-
sociation to hold real and personal estate to the amount of $100,-
000. The act also provided that the management and control
of the propertj' be vested in a board of directors, not less than
five in number, to be elected by the corporation; and that "so
long as said corporation shall allow the inhabitants of the town
of Holyoke free access to its library at all reasonable hours, said
town may appropriate and pay annually for the expense of
maintenance a sum not exceding one dollar for each of its rat-
able polls." (This provision subsequently was modified.)
( 45 )
OUR COUNTY ANV ITS PEOPLE
The first meeting after the act was approved was held May
!(), 1870, at which time these officers were elected: President,
William Wliitiiiy;; vice-presidents, John E. Chase. Edwin Chase,
George C. Ewing; treasurer and clerk of the corporation, Henry
A. Chase: directors, AVilliam B. C. Pearsons. J. S. Webber, J. S.
McElwain. William (J rover and AVilliam S. Loomis.
The organization of the association having been completed,
and the finance conmiittee, previou.sly mentioned, having secured
a considerable sum of money in addition to the .$1,000 appro-
priated by tlie town, the library began its career with every as-
surance of future prosperity, occui)yingupper rooms in the school
building on Appleton sti'eet for several years. In the interior
arrangement of the city hall certain apartments were designed
for library occupancy, and at the annual meeting in 187.5 it was
voted to remove the books and fixtures to the new location, al-
though some time passed before the removal was actually ac-
complished.
During the tii-st few yeai's of its history the library was
maintained by the annual contributions of the membei-s, the
receipts from hoiKu-aiy and life memberships, and the some-
what meagre appropriations by the town. At first the appro-
priations were .$1,000 annually, but after a time the amount
dropjied to $000. In 188:^ the amount was increased to $1,000.
and about that time it was suggested that the library be made ab-
solutely free. This was done in 1886. and for the next year the
city voted $2,000 for maintenance. Later on the amount was
gradually increased, first to $2,500. then to $2,750, and event-
ually (1893) to $3,000, which sum has since been appropriated
annually. For the current year of 1902 the appropriation is
$6,000. In 1888 the mayor and the president of the common
council were made cx-officio members of the board of directors,
and thus the lihi-ary became a ijnatsi nuinicipal institution.
Soon after 1895 the friends of the library began to discuss
the project of an independent building, and on frequent oc-
casions the direetoi-s did efl'eetive work in that directioi.. The
subject, however, was one of discussion only until the spring of
1899, when the Holyoke "Water Power company gave to the as-
( 46 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
sociation the entire square bounded by Maple, Chestnut, Cabot
and Essex streets for the purpose of having erected thereon a
library building— a structure suited to the requirements of the
constantly growing city. In the same year the association voted
to apply to the general court for permission to hold real estate
to the amount of $500,000, instead of ^{ilOO.OOO, as prescribed in
the original act of incorporation. This was accomplished, and
in the same year the number of director's was increased to tliir-
teen members. By diligent effort the directors secured pledges
to tiie amount of $75,000 for a building fund, and this was
afterward increased by further contributions. The building
committee under whose immediate and constant supervision the
work of construction was done compi-ised William Whiting,
James H. Newton, Joseph A. Skinner. Charles AV. Rider, X. H.
Whitten, J. S. Webber, Joseph Metcalf, E. P. Bagg and J. S.
McElwain; architect, James A. Clough ; contractor, F. H. Dib-
ble.
The library building is one of the ni'^st complete and or-
namental structures in the city, and all persons who were iden-
tified with its construction, in whatever capacit.y, are entitled to
the lasting gratitude of the people. A large share of the credit
for the splendid work accomplished is due to the board of direc-
tors, who from first to last labored earnestly in its behalf. In-
deed, from the time the institution was founded, more than
thirty years ago, the directors in office have been its most faith-
ful friends and earnest advocates. The.y have been chosen from
among the best business and professional men of the city, and
have given unselfishly both of their time and means for the
public good.
The library building is of light pressed brick with Indiana
sandstone trimmings. Its entire cost was neai'ly $100,000. In
its construction the future growth of the city has been contem-
plated, yet at this time the catalogue shows more than 20,000
volumes of books on the shelves. The Iniilding was finislied and
ready for occupancy Febrijary 1, 1902.
The officers and directors of the association since 1870 have
been as follows:
( 47 )
OVIi COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Presidents— V^'ilham ^Vhiting, 1870-1902.
Vice-Presidents— ,Tohn E. Chase. Edwin Chase, George C.
Ewing, 1870-71 ; Edwin Chase, James H. Newton. William B.
C. Pearsons, 1872; Edwin Chase, William B. C. Pearsons, An-
derson Allyn. 1873-77; William B. C. Pearsons, Rev. J. L. R.
Trask. Edwin Chase, 1878-82 ; William B. C. Pearsons, Edward
W. Chapin, William S. Loomis, 188:3-92; Edward W. Chapin,
William S. Loomis. J. S. McElwain. 1893-1902.
Treasurers— Kenry A. Chase. 1870-1900; H. M. Chase,
1901-2.
-Secretaries— Henry A. Chase. 1870-1900: Frank G. Will-
cox, 1901-2.
Directors— William B. C. Pearsons. J. S. Webber, J. S.
McElwain. William Grovcr. William S. Loomis, 1870-71: Wil-
liam G rover, Joseph P. Buckland, J. S. McElwain. J. S. Webber,
William S. Loomis, 1872; AVilliam Gi'over, Joseph P. Buckland,
James H. Newton, J. S. JIcElwain. William S. Loomis. 1873-79;
William S. Loomis. J. S. IMcElwain, James H. Newton, William
Grover, Edward W. Chapin, 1880-82 ; J. S. McElwain, William
Grover, James H. Newton, A. L. Shumway, H. L. Sherman,
1883-84: J. S. McElwain, James H. Newton. II. L. Sherman.
E. C. Taft. James E. Delaney, 1885 : J. S. McElwain, James H.
Newton, E. C. Taft. H. L. Sherman. Oscar Ely. 1886-92: H. L.
Sherman, E. C. Taft. J. H. Newton. Oscar Ely, William H.
Heywood, 1893-97; H. L. Sherman. James H. Newton, Oscar
Ely, William H. Heywood. Thomas W. Mann. 1898 ; James H.
Newton. Oscar Ely, William H. Heywood. J. S. Webber, E. P.
Bagg, N. H. 'Whitten, C. A. Corser. H. B. Lawrence, J. A. Sul-
livan. Joseph Metcalf. William Skinner, C. W. Rider. James
Ramage, 1899 : James H. Newton. William H. Hey%vood. E. P.
Bagg. C. A. Corser, J. A. Sullivan. William Skinner, J. S. Web-
ber, N. H. Whitten. H. B. Lawrence. Joseph Metcalf. C. W.
Rider, James Ramage. A. W. Esleeck, 1900 ; E. P. Bagg. William
H. Heywood, C. A. Corser, J. A. Sullivan, William Skinner, J.
S. Webber. N. H. AMiitten. H. B. Lawrence. Joseph Metcalf. C.
W. Rider, James Ramage. A. W. Esleeck. George W. Prentiss,
1901-2.
( 48 )
THE CITY OF IWLYOKE
LihrariansSarah C. Ely, 1870- Aug. 6, 1900; Frant G.
Willcox, Aug. 6, 1900— now in office.
THE HOLYOKE CITY HOSPITAL.
Previous to tlie incorporation of the association our city
was without a liospital of any kind, except that patients were
admitted for hospital treatment to one of the departments of
the city almshouse, where they were cared for at the public ex-
pense.
In April, 1891, at a gathering at the residence of William
Whiting, the need of a modern hospital in Holyoke was dis-
cussed, and at a subsequent meeting a subscription was started
and a plan of work was laid out; and it was thought advisable
to request two representative women to assist in the work of
securing subscriptions. Mrs. William Whiting and Mrs. E. C.
Taft were chosen and "their work was nobly done," says the
fii-st annual report of the hospital association.
On May 23, 1891, the Holyoke City hospital was incor-
porated in conformity with the statutes. The incorporators
were William Skinner, Joseph A. Skinner, J. G. Mackintosh,
James H. Newton, George W. Prentiss, Edward P. Bagg, Wil-
liam Whiting, William P. Wliiting, E. C. Taft, Timothy Mer-
rick, Lemuel Sears, James Ramage, L. M. Tuttle, N. H. Whit-
ten, Joseph Metcalf and Edward W. Chapin. About the same
time the organization of the Hospital Aid association, composed
entirely of women, gave added interest to the work in hand.
The object of the association is to furnish the hospital, to as-
sist in its maintenance in such manner as is deemed most suit-
able, and generally to perform any charitable work in connec-
tion with the hospital. In this connection it may be said that
the aid association has fully accomplished all its aims and pur-
poses. With funds secured through members the hospital
building has been well and comfortably furnished, and in ad-
dition thereto a reserve fund is kept on hand for the benefit of
persons who require hospital treatment, yet who have not the
means to avail themselves of its privileges.
In due season the subscription committee completed their
work, and mth the proceeds, amounting to the splendid sum of
I '1
4-3 ( 49 )
TTIE CITY OF IWLYOKE
more than $50,000, land was purchased (20 acres) and hospital
buildings were erected at a total cost of $52,600. The work of
construction was coinpleted and the hospital was formally ded-
icated on Saturday. June 10, 180:^. It is one of the few public
institutions which is maintained \\ithout expense to the city,
and it is entirely nonsectarian in character. Patients are ex-
pected to pay for board and treatment, yet if they are not able
to do so the aid association gives its help in the discretion of its
managing officers.
Since its incorporation the officers of the hospital associa-
tion have been as follows :
l*residcnts—\\\\h;\m Skinner, 1893-99; William Whiting.
1900-02.
Vice-Presidents — WWW-Mw Whiting, 1893-99; James Ram-
age, 1900-02.
Treasurers— i. A. Skinner, 1893-99; William F. Whiting.
1900-02.
Clerk-B. F. Towue, 1893-1902.
Superinienrlents—lj. M. Tuttle, M. D., 1893-9G; Charles 0.
Carpenter, M. D., 1897-1901.
.S7fir(7r(/,s— "William H. Jewett. 1893-98, and 1901-2 (now
in office).
Matrons (after 189-1 this office became known a,s superin-
tendent of nurses)— Helen M. Hall, 1893-9-4; Miss C. E. Tower,
1895-98; Miss M. L. Daniels, 1899; Lillian 0. West, 1900-02
The hospital aid association numbei-s 300 members. The
present officers are as follows : President, Mrs. William Whit-
ing; vice-presidents, Mrs. William Skinner, Mrs. C. H. Hey-
wood ; secretary, Mrs. F. D. Heywood ; treasurer. Mi's. JosejJi
Metcalf; directors, Mrs. J. L. Burlingame. Mrs. J. E. Clark,
Mrs. James Cowan, Mrs. J. M. Dunham, Mrs. Oscar Ely, Mrs.
A. W. Esleeck, Mi-s. H. M. Farr, Mrs. C. L. Frink, Mrs. F. D.
Heywood, Mrs. C. W. Johnson, Mrs. J. (4. Mackintosh, Mrs. Jd-
seph Metcalf, Mrs. F. B. Miner, Mrs. D. H. Newton, Mrs. C. P.
Preseott, Mrs. C. W. Ranlet, Mrs. E. A. Reed, ]\Irs. 1'. .\.
Streeter. ]\Irs. E. S. Waters, Mrs. S. R. Whiting.
In treating of the hospital institutions of our city some
brief mention of the almshoiise and the hos])il;i] in L'omiection
( 51 )
OUIi COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
therewith is necessary. This is one of tlie oldest of our public
charities, and in its history antetlates the town itself, for it was
foundetl while the territory fonned a part of the mother town of
West Sprinyriield. In April, 1850, the latter town voted to
direct the selectmen to sell the "pauper farm and the hospital
at Holyoke, at auction," if agreeable to the inhabitants of the
new jurisdiction. It was then that Holyoke established its own
infirmary and town hospital, and since that time has given con-
siderate attention to the care and comfort of indigent and af-
flicted persons. The annual expense of the "City Farm hos-
pital" approximates $2,500, and the institution is under the care
of the ovorsccTs nf the poor.
The Almshouse
In the same connection, also, mention may be made of the
House of Providence hospital, another worthy charity of the
city, and one of the dependencies of the Catholic church, main-
tained in connection with the Father Harkins home for infirm
and aged pei-sons. The hospital was opened in 1894, and is
chiefly stipported by the society known as the "Ladies of
Charity."
YOUNG SIEN's christian ASSOCIATION
This splendid institution originally was known as the "Hol-
yoke Y. M. C. A.," and was so designated in the agreement for
permanent organization at the time of incorporation, April 28,
1886. The rorporators were Alfred T. Guyott, James P. Cowan,
George P. Kice, Frank B. Towno. John H. Skinner, A. Judson
{ 52 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
Rand, Martin L. (iriffin, James H. Wylie, jr., H. M. Kendall,
Dwight 0. Jiidd, George L. Thorpe, C. R. Adams, Dwight God-
dard, Thomas R. Humeston and William A. Aiken.
The association was formally organized, constitution and
by-laws were adopted, and the first officers and direetore were
elected, June 15. 1886. For a few years the association occu-
pied rented rooms on High street, and on June 19, 1889, a com-
mittee was chosen to purchase property at the corner of High
and Appleton streets. In the following fall, a sufficient fund
having been acquired, a building committee was chosen, under
the direction of which plans for the present Y. M. C. A. build-
ing were prepared and adopted. The work of construction was
begun in 1891, and the comer-stone was laid April 23, 1892.
The structure was completed and occupied in 1893. The land
cost $40,000 and the building cost about $88,000.
The association now numbers 675 members, and is regarded
as one of the most worthy and usefi;l institutions of our city.
Since its organization the officei's of the association have been
as follows: James H. AVylie, jr., president; Charles R. Adams,
vice-president ; H. M. Kendall, treasurer ; Dwight 0. Judd, re-
cording secretary, June-October, 1886. James H. Wylie, jr.,
president; Charles R. Adams, vice-president; Howard M. Ken-
dall, treasurer; Dwight 0. Judd, recording secretary, 1886-87.
James H. Wylie, jr., president; Chas. R. Adams, vice-president;
Joseph A. Skinner, treasurer; Lewis E. Bellows, recording sec-
retary, 1887-88. James H. Wylie, jr., president; Charles R.
Adams, vice-president ; Joseph A. Skinner, treasurer ; J.
A. Skinner, recording secretary, 1888-93. A. W. Esleeck,
president; John Hildreth, vice-president; T. H. Fowler,
treasurer; L. E. Bellows, rec. sec, 1893-94; A. W. Esleeck, pres-
ident; John Hildreth, vice-president; T. H. Fowler, treasurer;
F. B. Towne. rec. sec, 1894-97. Joseph A. Skinner, president;
John Hildreth, vice-president; T. H. Fowler, treasurer; F. B.
Towne, rec. sec, 1897-1900. C. W. Rider, president; John Hil-
dreth, vice-president; F. B. Towne, treasurer; J. H. Wylie, jr.,
rec. sec. ; R. P. Kaighn, general secretary, 1900-01. C. W.
Hider, president : John Hildreth, vice-president ; F. B. Towne,
( 53 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
treasurer: J. II. Wylie. jr.. rec. sec.: E. G. Randall, gen. sec,
l!)01-02. Directors. 1902— John Stalker, George L. Thorpe, C.
8. Hemingway, E. P. Bagg, A. W. Esleeck. Joseph A. Skinner,
S. H. Whitten, A. J. Rand, Edward W. Ghapin. Henry A.
Chase, ^VilliaIn Morrison. T. II. Fowler.
HOLYOKE STREET RAILWAY COMPANY
The charter of the Ilolyoke Street Railway company bears
date June 11, 188-4. The incorporators were William A. Chase,
Charles B. Prescott, Jeremiah A. Sullivan, Franklin P. Goodall,
George H. Smith, William S. Loomis, George E. Dudley, Wat-
son Ely, Simeon G. Gaylord, Henry E. Gaylord, William H.
Gaylord, John Gaylord, Patrick J. Harkins, George P. Ellison,
William H. Brooks, Willard Ely. AV. D. Nichols, Helen D. Pen-
dleton, Anthony White, Julia D. Patten. Hiram Smith, James
M. Barton, Thomas C. Page, George G. Hitchcock, Mrs. George
G. Hitchcock, Orrin Garvin, William (ii-over, Elwin D. New-
comb. William E. Syms. John K. Judd, Mary Ann Alvoi'd.
"and others," as is expressed in the charter.
Although the persons mentioned were the guiding spirits
of the enterprise and were convinced that a line of street rail-
way, operated with horse power, between South Hadley Falls
and South Ilolyoke would benefit all conniiercial interests in the
city, and also would prove a profitable investment for stock-
holders, it is doubtful if any of them who were actively identi-
fied with the enterprise in its inception ever believed that their
first line of street railway would develope into the splendid sys-
tem of the present day. This result has indeed been accom-
plished, although under a new management the company has
achieved its greatest success.
The first board of directors comprised William A. Chase,
Charles B. Prescott, Dr. George H. Smith. Franklin P. Goodall,
George E. Dudley. Jeremiah A. Sidlivan. William S. Loomis,
Simeon G. Gaylord and Hiram Smith. The officers were Wil-
liam A. Chase, president: C. Fayette Smith, treasurer; H. M.
Smith, superintendent: and William H. Brooks, clerk of the
corporation.
( 54 )
THE CITY OF HOLTOKE
The line of road authorized to be built and operated under
the provisions of the charter, began at the corner of Main and
South streets in South Holyoke. and extended thence to North
Main street in South Hadley Falls, a distance of 10,872 feet.
At this time it was the purpose of the company to build a loop
around the Boston & ^fain R. R. station in Holyoke, a distance
of 900 feet, but this part of the proposed line was abandoned.
The line from South Hadley Falls to the corner of JNIain and
Dwight streets was opened September 24, 1884, and the entii-e
road to South Holyoke was opened for traffic October 15 of the
same year.
The first extension of the original line was made in 1886,
when a road was built from the .junction of Main and Dwig'ht
.streets through Dwight, High and Appleton streets to Beech
street. This extension was opened June 24, 1886. Later on in
the same year the line was extended from Beech street to the
corner of Pleasant and Lincoln streets, on the highlands, and
was opened November 20. Still latei' the line was extended to
the corner of Northampton and Lincoln streets, and fi"om the
latter point was extended through Northampton street to Moun-
tain park, and opened for traffic to that now famous resort July
7, 189-5. The further extension to Mt. Tom Junction on the
Northampton road (about 3 miles) was opened October 20, 1900.
At the Junction the local road met the lines built by the North-
ampton Street Railway company, and thereby Holyoke was
given direct "trolley" connection with the county seat of Hamp-
shire county, and also with Kasthaiiipton by convenient change
of cars at the junction.
The Elmwood line, extending from High and Appleton
streets through High, t'abot. JMaple and South streets. Brown
avenue. Laurel and Northampton .streets to a point near the
Baptist church in Elmwood. was opened August 9, 1891.
The Oakdale line, the first original electric line in the city
system, extending from the corner of Maple and Sargeant to
Northampton street, was opened June 19, 1892.
The original line of road through Main sti'eet was extended
from the old South Holyoke terminus to Springdale, August 7,
( 55 )
'SI
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
1892, and from the latter point south to Riley brook (where it
met the line from Springfield) July 22, 1895; and thus Holyoke
and Springfield were united by an excellent electric railway on
which regular ten-minute service is maintained during eleven
hours, with fifteen-minute service five and a half hours, and with
limited service throughout the night.
The Chicopee Falls line, extending from the corner of Main
and Cabot streets (although the cars start from the city hall) to
Chicopee Palls, a distance of about four miles, was opened
August 13, 1895 ; and at the Falls the line connects with the Chic-
opee Palls lines of the Springfield street railway system.
The South Hadley Palls line, that part of the original road
which had its eastern terminus at the corner of Bi-idge and Main
streets, was extended from the point mentioned to the center of
the town of South Hadley (about 3 miles) and was opened for
traffic May 31, 1896.
The extension from the city hall through High, Hampden,
Washington and Lincoln streets to the corner of Pleasant and
Lincoln streets, was opened October 1, 1897.
The extension from the junction of Meadow and Chicopee
streets, in Willimansett, to the end of the covered bridge over
Chicopee river (a distance of about 3 miles) was opened Decem-
ber 1, 1897.
The now known Hospital line, an extension of the Oakdale
line to the corner of Northampton and Cheri-y streets, was
opened in 1900.
Thus has the Holyoke Street Railway company, through its
managing officers, developed its road from a single line extend-
ing from South Holyoke to South Hadley Falls, to one of the
most complete systems of street railway of which any city in
New England can boast. Previous to 1891 the lines were
operated with horse power, but on August 9 of that year all ears
were running with electric motor power; and all subsequently
constnicted lines or extensions were put into operation with
motors.
The company under its original organization operated its
lines without material change, with not better than indifferent
( 57 )
OVIl COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
financial results, until lf^>!S. when the management passed into
other hands. Mr. Chase then was superseded in the presidency
by Levi Perkins, and at the same time Mr. Smith was succeeded
as treasurer liy William 8. Loomis. who also was elected to the
e(|ually important office of manager. In 1896 Mr. Loomis was
elected president oi the eom])any and has held the office, as w'ell
as that of general manager, to the present time: and a sense of
duty impells the writer to remark that in a great measure the
success and popularity of the llolyoke system of electric street
railways has t>een due to the etforts of the president and general
manager, and the hearty co-operation accorded him hy his as-
sociate directors and officers.
On .\ugust 9. 1891, the system was equipped and operated
with clecti'ic motor cars. The power-house was built in the
same year and now, with recent enlargements, is capable of fur-
nishing 4,000 horse power. The original capital of the com-
pany was $25,000, l)ut the constant extension of its lines of road
has necessitated frecjuent incn>ases in the issue of stock, until
the jiresent capital is .$700,000. added to which is $335,000 in
bonds, constituting an aggregate capital of $1,335,000. The
comjiany operates aliout forty miles of road, with a minimum
number of abmit twenty-five ears constantly in motion (during
the summer season as many as seventy cars are in service), and
is one of tlie large employers of labor in a city famous for its
wage-earning population.
The Holyoke Street l^ailway company is the lessee of the
line of road owned by the Mt. Tom Railroad company, the latter
a corporation with a capital of $100,000, and comprising in its
board of directors several officers and directors of the Holyoke
company. The Mt. Tom Railroad company began operations
June 17, 1897, and the lease, which runs for twenty-five years,
beai-s date June 1. 1897. The splendid work aceom])lished by
the Mt. Tom company in beautifying ^Mountain park and erect-
ing a eonunodious summer house on the highest peak of Mt. Tom
range, is certainly tleserving of at least passing nu-ntion in this
chapter, althougli both park and mountain are beyond the limits
of Hampden county.
( 58 )
THE CITY OF HOLY ORE
The present officers of the Holyoke Street Railway company
are: William S. Loomis. president and general manager; Wil-
liam R. Hill, secretary and treasurer (chosen secretary to suc-
ceed Mr. Brooks in 1892, and chosen treasurer to succeed Mr.
Loomis in 1896) ; William S. Loomis, William R. Hill. Jeremiah
F. Sullivan, John G. Mackintosh, John Olmsted, Frederick H.
Harris and Xewrie D. Winter, directoi's.
FINANCIAI. INSTITUTIONS
Previous to 1851 each manufacturer and merchant in the
Ireland parish was his own banker, and not infrequently in the
early history of the town it was the custom of some one of the
larger business men to act as banker for his neighbors. This
custom, however, did not prevail for any considerable time, and
as soon as the Hadley Falls company was put into active oper-
ation interested proprietors took steps toward the organization
of a regular banking house under the laws of the state. The
result was the incorporation of the Hadley Falls bank, with an
original capital stock of ."{ilOO.OOO, and it was named in allusion
to the water power company (then operating the canal system),
through whose influence the banking corporation was brought
into existence. The bank was organized May 24, 1851, and in
1853 it became desirable to increase the capital stock to .$200,000.
The first board of directors comprised John Ross, N. D.
Perry, Cyrus Frink, J. Miller, R. G. Marsh, Whiting Street, A.
D. Chapin and William Melcher, some of whom at the time were
not residents in the town of Holyoke. Mr. Street declined a
place on the board of directors, and Chester Crafts was elected
in his stead. The first officers were C. B. Rising, president, and
J. R. Warriner, cashier. This pioneer banking institution en-
.joyed a prosperous existence for nearly fourteen yeare, and sur-
vived the water power company in allusion to which it was
named; and even the collapse and ultimate failure of the im-
provement company had no serious effect upon the solidity of
the financial institution.
The Hadley Palls Xafiimal Bank. — In 1865 the stockholders
and directors of the Hadley Falls bank determined to reorgan-
( 59 )
01 R COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
ize their institution in conformity with the provisions of the na-
tional bank act. At the time it was suggested that the name be
changed to the First National bank of Holyoke, but it was soon
determined to retain the name of the old pioner institution,
which had weathered the fiiiaiieial storm of 1857 and the conse-
quent failure of the Hadlcy Falls company. Tlierefore, the re-
organized concern took the name of Hadley Falls National bank,
being No. 1246 in the numerical order of banks established under
the act of congress of 1863. The first officers of the new bank
were C. W. Ranlet, president, and Hubbell P. Terry, cashier.
From the time of the reorganization (April 3, 1865) to the
present day, the Hadley Falls National bank has held aji en-
\nable position among the successful financial institutions of this
state; never has passed a dividend: never has met with serious
losses, and on a capital of $200,000 has paid dividends aggrega-
ting $726,000. Its total net earnings since the reorganization
amount to the sum of $867,.112. In business circles the policy
of the Hadley Falls National bank has sometimes been regarded
as conservative, yet results have shown a policy liberal enough
to gain the entire confidence of the comiinuiity of manufacturers
and have given it a standing for safety and solidity which cer-
tainly are enviable and a source of gratification to stockholders
and directors.
Mr. Ranlet was the first i)rosident of the reorganized bank,
and was the active spirit in its management until January 15,
1900. when he was succeeded by I^Ir. Preseott. i\Ir. Teri-y be-
came cashier of the old Hadley Falls bank in 1864; was chosen
to the same office upon reorganization, and still serves in that
capacity; and in a good measure the success which has followed
the bank through all later years of its history has been due to
his ever consistent business methods and excellent judgment.
Still another factor for good in the historj- of the bank, as well
as in the history of many other institutions of the city, was the
late William Skinner. He served as director for twenty-seven
years, and as vice-president for twelve years. He died Feb. 28,
1902.
According to the latest published statement of its condition
the Hadley Palls National bank has resources amounting to
( 60 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
$636,029.98 ; a surplus fuud of $100,000 ; an undivided profit ac-
count of $47,790.08 ; and a deposit account of over $235,000.
Since the original incorporation in 1851 the succession of
presidents is as follows : C. B. Rising, Eufus D. Woods, A. D.
Chapin, Charles W. Ranlet and Charles B. Prescott. During
the same period the cashiei-s have been J. R. Warriner, Charles
W. Ranlett and Hubbell P. Terry. The present directors are
Charles W. Ranlet, "William Skinner (deceased, vacancy not
filled), Charles B. Prescott, Philander Moore, Ernest Lovering,
Robert Ranlet, John H. Preston and Hubbell P. Terry.
The Holyoke National Bank, No. 1939, was organized in
1872, its doors being opened for business Feb. 8 of that year,
with William Whiting, president; Robert B. Johnson, vice-
president, and F. S. Bacon, cashier. The first directors were
William Whiting, Robert B. Johnson, George C. Ewing, J. G.
Mackintosh. Joel Russell, Levi Perldns and George W. Prentiss.
The bank began business with an original capital of $150,000,
but in the course of a year the amount was increased to $200,000.
At the time the Holyoke National began business there
was only one other regular commercial bank in the town, al-
though the population was about 12,000 inhabitants, and the
mercantile district had extended up Dwight street to High
street. The incorporators and directors were among the leading
manufacturers of the region, hence any institution founded un-
der their influence and support could hardly fail of success;
and success certainly has marked the financial career of this
bank throughout the entire period of its history, and particu-
larly during the last twenty years.
In proof of this statement let us turn to the report of the
condition of the bank in 1881 and compare certain of its figures
wth those shown in the report of Feb. 25, 1902. In the year
first mentioned the aggregate resources of the bank amounted to
a little more than $776,000, including $200,000 capital. The
surplus fund then was $28,500, with an undi\dded profit account
of $15,534.63. The aggregate of individual deposits subject to
check was $307,692.45, and of certificate deposits subject to de-
mand, $24,058.64. As sho\ra by the report of Feb. 25, 1902,
( 61 )
OUli COLXTY AND ITS PEOPLE
the total resources of the bauk ainouiit to $l,:i2-i,973.38, with a
surplus of $100,000 aud an tmdivided profit accouut of $49.-
274.4ii. Tile deposit aceouut. subject to check, exceeds $746.-
000, aud the demand certificate account is more than $51,400.
Assuredly these fiirures indicate that this has been a successful
institution and that its progress has been steady and permanent:
arul justice impels us to state that in banking and other business
circles in the Connecticut valley the Holyoke National is re-
garded as one of the safest and most progressive financial con-
cerns in the i-egion. The bank never has pa.ssed a dividend,
never has had its surplus nor capital impaired by any disaster,
and has paid an average annual dividend ol 9 per cent, for
seventeen yeare.
Mr. Whiting was pivsident of the bank from its organiza-
tion until 18S7. when he was succeeded by George W. Prentiss.
The latter was followed in 1892 by Charles 11. Ileywood. who
continued in office until his death in April. 189fi. Robert B.
Johnson succeeded Mr. Ileywood and was jiresident until his
death, Nov. 1, 1899, when George W. Prentiss was elected. The
pi-esent president. George C. Gill, was elected in Januaiy. 1901.
In the cashiership the changes have been less frequent. Mr.
Bacon was followed by Charles B. Fish, and the latter by W. G.
Simons. The present cashier. AVilliam G'. Twing. began his ser-
vice in December. 1879. and for more than twenty-two years has
been the active iiiiancial manager of the affairs of the bank.
The present officers and directors of the bank are as fol-
lows: George C. Gill, president: Robert l{ussell. viee-iiresideiit :
William G. Twing. ca.sliier: George C. Gill, A. A. Coburn. D. H.
Ives. Robert Russell. Charles E. Ball. James N. Thayer and Wil-
liam (i. Twing, directors.
The City Xafionnl Bauk (No. 2430) of Holyoke was incor-
porated August 22. 1879. with an original capital of $200,000.
The fii-st board of directoi-s comjirised a luunber of the ])romi-
nent business men of our own cify. and others from adjoining
towns. They were Joseph C. Parsons. John S. McElwain. Jo-
seph Carew. Joel S. Weliber. Timothy Merrick. James 11. Newton.
Charles B. Prescott. Edward C. Taft. Frederick 11. Harris, Nehe-
( e-i )
THE CITY OF HOLYOEE
niiah A. Leouard, Emory JMeekins. Fred Harris, Aaron Bagg,
Henry A. Gould and Hiram Smith. The first officers were Joseph
C. Parsons, president, and Edwin L. jMiinn, eashier.
The City National bank liegan its business eareer at a single
desk in rooms on Dwight street, then (and still) occupied by the
Mechanics' Savings bank, but within the next ten years new and
especially fitted qnai'ters became necessary by reason of the busi-
ness the bank was then doing. Indeed, in ISSS the bank was
virtually reorganized and the capital was increased to $500,000.
and when the new quarters at No. 26 Dwight street were occu-
pied the City National became known as the best and most con-
veniently located banking house in Holyoke and as one of the
best equipped financial institutions in "Western Massachusetts.
In its business policy since reorganization the bank has gained
a reputation equal to that of any financial concern in Hampden
county, and has become widely known on account of safe busi-
ness methods and liberality in dealing with customei-s and de-
positors. The result is that this bank carries the largest deposit
account of any commercial banking house in Holyoke. The lat-
est statement shows total deposits subject to check of over $779.-
000, and cei-tifieate accounts amounting to more than $20,000.
The surplus is $100.000 ; undivided profits. $23,607.61.
Mr. Parsons was president of the bank until his death, in
1886. and was succeeded by Charles B. Prescott, who continued
in office until 1889. In Januaiy of that year Timothy Merrick
was elected and served until his death, in 1894, when William
Skinner, jr., was chosen his successor. In January, 1897, C. Pay-
ette Smith was elected president and since that time has been
the active manager of the bank's business affairs. His prede-
cessors in the presidency generally were men whose other im-
portant business enterprises demanded much of their attention,
and while nominally and in fact presidents of the bank, the
duties of the management devolved upon the cashier. Mr. Smith
acquired his practical business training in the Hadley Palls Na-
tional bank and was made cashier of the City National in 1884.
hence under his management the reorganization above referred
to was effected. As cashier Mr. Munn was succeeded by Mr.
( 63 )
ovn COUNTY .\yi) it>< people
Smith in 1884, and upon the uleetion of the latter to the presi-
dency, January, 1897, Alvin F. Hitchcock was chosen cashier.
The present directors of the bank are John S. McElwain,
Joel S. Webber. Tvemucl Sears, Edward P. Bagrg, Claudius AY.
Rider, Timothy II. Fowler. Arthur M. Chapin. ('. Fayette Smith
and Henry E. Gaylord.
'The Home National Bank (No. 3128) of Holyoke was or-
ganized February 5, 1884, with $250,000 capital, and in the com-
paratively brief period of its business career has attained a posi-
tion among the first banking houses in AVestern Massachusetts.
It was the first bank in Holyoke tfl place safety deposit boxes in
its vaults, and also set the example in the city in elegant office
equipment and absolute safety against possible att^acks of safe-
breakei-s.
The first board of directoi-s comprised James H. Newton,
Edwin L. Mnnn, Anderson Allen, Daniel H. Newton, John De-
laney, !Moses Newton, John C. Newton, James Ramage, George
A. Clark. Joel S. Webber. Herman Stursbnrg. .jr., Edward C.
Rogers, Josephus Crafts, Frederick Taylor and George W. Mil-
lar. The first officers were James IT. Newton, president, and
Edwin [j. Munn. cashier.
Few changes have been made in the personnel of the offi-
ciary of the Home National hank during the eighteen years of
its S)iecessful business career. I\Ir. Newton, the first president,
is still in that jiosition. Mr. Munn was cashier from the date of
organization until January. 1892. when he was succeeded by
Fred F. Partridge, tlie present cashier and active manager of the
bank, and who. in the capacity of teller. tool< the first deposit
ofTered when the hank opened its doors for business in 1884.
For three years previous to that time he was an employee in the
City National liank.
The latest publislied report of the condition of the Home
National hank shows a capital of $250,000, a surplus of $50,000,
nndivided profits. $42,815.69. and deposits, subject to check,
amounting to $589,794.45: demand certificates. $21.1(50.57; ag-
gregate resources. $1, 008.598. (i8. In itself this statement is am-
ple evidence of the solidity of the bank, and also is evidence of
confidence in its management on the part of our business men.
( 64 )
THE CITY OF IIOLYOKE
The present directors of the Home National are James H.
Newton, John Tilley, James Kamage, William Jolly, James S.
Newton, George A. Clark, J. A. Sullivan, Oren D. AUyn, Sey-
mour E. Gates, Lewis M. Gaylord and Fred F. Partridge.
The Park National Bank (No. 4703) of Holyoke was oi-gan-
ized February 20, 1802, with ^100,000 capital, by Edwin L.
Munn, its first and present president, who was the principal or-
ganizer of the City National bank in 1879, and also of the Home
National bank in 1884, he having been the first casliier of each
of these institutions. The first directors of the Park National
were Josephus Crafts, Edwin L. Munn, William F. AVhiting, M.
M. Belding, James T. Abbe, William H. Brooks and H. D. Brad-
burn. The first cashier, George W. Parker, formerly teller in
the Home National bank, still serves as cashier of the Park Na-
tional.
This bank, the youngest of our city's financial institutions,
shows a healthfiil condition throughout the period of its his-
tory. It has a surplus of $50,000 aiu1 an undivided profit account
of more than .$3, .500. Its deposit account aggregates more than
$266,000, including time certificate deposits. The present di-
rector are Edwin L. Munn, William H. Brooks, George A. Munn,
Stephen A. ^lahoney and George W. Parker.
The Holyoke Savings Bank, the oldest institution of its kind
in the city, was incorporated February 21, 1855, by Jones S.
Davis, Jonas Kendall, C. W. Blanehard, Albert Graves, Cyrus
Prink. Thomas H. Kelt, Charles W. Ranlet, H. Hutehins, James
K. Mills, R. G. Marsh, Warren Chapin, Gustavus Snow, Asa O.
Colby and John C. Parsons and their associates. The first meet-
ing of incorporators was held March 29, 1855, when Cyrus Frink
was elected president: Otis Holmes, C. W. Blanehard and Jones
S. Davis, vice-presidents; James K. Mills, secretary. Mr. Snow
was appointed treasurer in April, 1856.
From the time of organization to the present the Holyoke
Savings bank has been an important factor for good in the his-
tory of our city, and its managing officers always have been men
of high character and unquestioned integrity. In the office of
president Mr. Frink was succeeded in 1860 by Joel Russell, and
5-3 ( 65 )
on; corMV am) itr people
tlie latter, in turn, in 1884. by (ieorge AV. Prentiss, the present
incunibt'iit. For several months in 1 859-60 D. D. C'ronihie served
as president. Mr. Snow served only one year as treasurer,
1855-6, and then was suceeeded by Robert B. Johnson, d\iring
whose incumbeiiey of the office the bank enjoyed a continuous
and healthful growth. When he was appointed in 1866 the
total desposit account aggregated .$77,000. while the total assets
aino.mted to $81,000, and the semi-annual dividends amounted
to $1,300. The last dividend paid during his treasurership was
$70,000, nearly the amount of deposit account in 1866. Now
the depositors in the bank number about 11.000 pei-sons, and the
total assets amount to more than $4,552,000, the Interest bearing
deposit account being more than $4,280,000. ]\Ir. Johnson died
November 1. 1899. and was succeeded by his son, Charles W.
Johnson, the present treasurer of the bank.
The present officers and trustees of the bank are as follows:
(ieorge W. Prenti.ss, president: "William AVhiting. Robert Rus-
.sell, TV. A. Prentiss, vice-presidents: Charles W. Johnson, treas-
urer: A. 0. Magna, secretary: M. H. Whiteorab. L. A. Taber,
James A. Clough. Thomas A. Dillon. J. F. Sullivan. M. W. Pren-
tiss. G. C. Gill. F. E. Xour.se. F. A. AVhiting. H. O. Hastings,
William S. Loomis. C. II. Prentiss. James E. Delaney. D. H. Ives
and W. S. Perkins, trustees.
Tlic Mccliaiucs' Sovinrjs Hank was incorporated March 12,
1872. by Roswell P. Crafts. Timothy Merrick. James H. Newton.
Henry A. Chase. Augustus Stursberg. John Delaney, Stephen
Ilolman and their associates. The first officers and trustees were
James H. Newton, president : Timothy Alerrick, John Delaney,
Roswell P. Crafts, vice-presidents; C. B. Prescott. treasurer: Ed-
ward TV. Chapin. secretary.
The bank began business May 20. 1872. and from that time
it has been recognized as one of the safe and substantial financial
institutions of our cit.v. Its afl'airs of management always have
been in prudent hands and it is looked upon as one of the per-
manent savings lianks of the county. The present depositors
number a])()ut five thousand persons, and the deposits aggregate
more than $1,567,000. During its history about fifteen thousand
( 66 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
accounts have been opened. At the present time the total assets
exceed $1,677,945.
The presidents of the bank have been James H. Newton,
Timothy Merrick and Lemuel Sears, the latter having been
elected in May. 1894. Mr. Prescott has been treasurer through-
out the entire period of the bank's history.
The present officers and trustees are as follows: Lemuel
Sears, president ; Roswell P. Crafts, J. S. Webber, George H.
Smith, vice-presidents; Charles B. Prescott, treasurer; Edward
W. Chapin, secretary ; Lemuel Sears, Roswell P. Crafts, J. S.
Webber, George H. Smith, E. W. Chapin, J. S. McElwain,
James Connor, C. W. Eider, E. P. Bagg, Hubbell P. Terry, A.
W. Esleeck, Cornelius O'Leary, William H. Heywood, George
F. Fowler, H. E. Gaylord, Arthur B. Chapin, trustees.
The Peoples' Savings Bank was incorporated March 19,
1885, by Audereon Allen, Moses Newton, James E. Delaney,
Frederick Taylor, James Ramage, John E. Clark, John Tilley
and their associates, for the purpose of carrying on a savings
bank business in Holyoke in conformity with the laws of the
state. The first officers were William Skinner, president ; An-
derson Allen. John E. Clark, James Ramage, vice-presidents;
John J. Reardon, secretary; Frank H. Chamberlin, treasurer;
J. C. Hubbard, George A. Clark, J. J. O'Connor, James H. New-
ton, Moses Newton, H. J. Prink, George H. Hills, John K. Judd,
R. H. Seymour, John Tilley, D. H. Newton and H. K. Bird, jr.,
trustees.
Mr. Skinner was president of the bank until August 1. 1901,
when he resigned and was succeeded by Mr. Tilley. Frank H.
Chamberlain was appointed treasurer when the bank began
business and has served in that capacity to the present time.
The Peoples' Savings bank has total assets of more than
$1,166,000; deposit accounts aggregating over .$1,220,000. and
about 3,500 depositors. Its affairs are prudently managed and
the institution has an enviable standing in the business com-
munity.
The present officers are John Tilley, president; James Ram-
age and John E. Clark, vice-presidents; A. L. Green, secretary;
( 67 )
OIR COUNTY AM> ITS PEOPLE
Prank H. Chambcrlin, ir.asurcr: John Tilloy. James Ramage,
John E. Clark. J. C. Hubbard. J. A. Sullivan. A. L. Green, H. J.
Friiik, O. D. Allyn. 1). H. Newton. J. 1). Hardy, George A.
Clark, Moses Newton, J. K. Judd, J. N. Hubbard, L. M. Gaylord
and Seymour E. Gates, trustees.
Co-operative Hanks. — In addition to the rf^nUar e.onnnereial
and savings banks mentioned on ureceding pages, some brief
allusion may properly be made to the two co-operative banks of
the city, neither of which are banks of deposit, yet enjoy certain
powers given to institutions of that cliaiaeter and are under the
supervision of the banking department of the commonwealth.
Both are corporations of vahie in the business history of the city
and are worthy of the jniblic patronage.
The Hobjokc Co-opovtive Hank was chartered July 24,
1880, and began business August 125 following, with an author-
ized capital of $1,000,000. The officers of this bank in 1901 are
as follows : Charles L. Neweomb. i)resident : Thomas W. Doyle,
vice-president; Dwight O. Judd. secretary and treasurer;
Thomas W. Doyle, James S. Lassiter, W. H. Btdlard, S. B. Win-
chester. Thomas J. Tierney. J. H. Montgomei-y. John Tlildreth,
James Parfitt, jr., Thomas D. O'Brien and Fi-ank J. Phelps, di-
rectors.
The Cifri Co-operative Rank was organized July 1. 1889,
chartered July 16, and began business Jidy 23, 1889: authorized
capital, $1,000,000. This bank was chartered by and always has
been conducted in the esjiecial interest of the French people of
Holyoke. It is a safe, substantial concern, capably officered, and
is worthy of the patronage of all who would avail themselves of
its benefits. The officers for 1901 are Daniel Proulx. president;
Joseph L. Laporte. vice-president : Pierre Bonvouloir, secretary
and treasurer: A. F. Gingras, John St. John, Leon Laporte. Val.
Moquin, O. E. Genest. S. J. Bonvoidoir. A. J. N. Desmarais. L. T.
^*"aulieu and Joseph Ma.sse, directors.
INDUSTRIAL HOLYOKE
The eity ol Holyoke owes its wonderful progress and pros-
perity during the last half century to the numerous manufaetur-
( 68 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
iiig' estalilisluiR-nts wliicli have been built up aloiii;- tlie line of
the system of artificial water courses constructed by the Hadley
Falls company and its successor corporation, the Holyoke Water
Power company; and we may further say with equal truth that
both Ilolyoke and the manufacturing: concerns owe their exist-
ence to the construction and operation of the company's system.
Previous to the preliminaiy purchases of land by George C.
Ewins in 1S46 and 1847 tlie locality now included within the
Cratts Tavern
manufacturing- district was hardly more than an agricultural
region, with a few scattered factories of not more than ordinary
importance along the river bank, while on the eleven hundred
acre tract which comprised the company's ultimate purchase
there were probably not more than a dozen or fifteen dwelling
houses, occupied chiefly by farmers and the few employees of
the mills. At that time the village settlement was situated on
( 69 )
OVR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
the Northampton road (now tlie street of that name), where also
was located the Ireland parish postoffine, one or two stores, as
many small shops and the hole), the latter under Landlord
Crafts being perhajjs the chief center of attraction in the town;
and not even the commendable enterprise of the original Hadley
Palls company had the eft'ect to draw away the denizens of the
settlement and locate them in the vicinity of the primitive wing
dam and its little canal, which marked the first advance in
Holyoke's industrial history.
The firet Hadley Falls company was incorporated March
10. 1827, by John Chapin. Stephen Chapin, Warren Chapin and
Alfred Smith, who were authorized by an act of the legislature
to construct a wing dam on the river for the purpose of divert-
ing the watei-s for manufacture of cotton and woolen goods,
grain, wood, iron and other metals, in the town of West Spring-
field ; and, further, the company was authorized to hold real and
personal estate not exceeding the total value of $36,000. (In
1832 the amount was increased to $80,000). This wa.s the real
beginning of Holyoke's industrial history and development. The
company, in accordance with its plans, caused the M'ing dam to
be constructed not far from the site of the present old wooden
dam, and extended it diagonallj^ out into and up the river a suffi-
cient distance to turn the waters into the little canal or raceway
which the proprietoi-s had built. Then the mills were erected, the
grist mill, the sawmill, the cotton and woolen mill, and also the
furnace for various manufactures of iron. One of these old stnic-
tures is still standing and forms a part of the extensive works so
long known as the Parsons Paper company's mill. In the course
of time many of the rights of the pioneer company were trans-
ferred to the concern which inuiiediately precetled the second
Hadley Palls conipany. then were conveyed to that corporation
and ultimately became part of the franchi.se and property of the
Holyoke Water Power company.
Soon after 1845, when manufacturing capitalists were cast-
ing about for favorable locations for mill sites, the lower falls
and rapids between South Hadley and West Springfield at-
tracted considerable attention on acco>int of the unusual natural
( 70 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOEE
advantages offered by a fall in the river of sixty feet in a dis-
tance of less than a mile and one-half ; but at this point on tlie
east side several mills were in operation with others of less note
on the west side, the former being fairly successful and the latter
in an uncertain condition of prosperity. It was then, in 184fi,
that George C. Ewing came to the locality as member and repre-
sentative of the firm of Fairbanks & Co., of New York, and cer-
tain New England capitalists, and began acquiring mill and
propert3' rights, having in contemplation the construction of a
dam across the river and a system of water power canals on the
level lands on the west side. In March, 1847. the enterprising
agent secured deeds conveying to his principals thirty-seven
acres of land, and also secured the rights and franchises of the
old Hadley Falls company.
About this time, it is said, a change was made in the char-
acter of the purchasing company and an incorporation act was
secured for the proprietors, the capital being $4,000,000. Offi-
cers were chosen and Mr. Ewing still retained his former position
as land agent. Early in January, 1848, the Fairbanks interest
was withdrawn from the concern, Mr. Ewing resigned and was
succeeded by A. C. Rising, and in April following tlie company
was succeeded by the Hadley Falls company.
The Hadley Falls company was incorporated by an act of
the legislature, approved April 28, 1848, naming as corporators
Thomas H. Perkins, George W. Lyman, Edmund Dwight and
their associates, who were authorized to construct and maintain
a dam across Connecticut river and one or more locte and canals
in connection with said dam; to create water power for manu-
facturing purposes, and to hold real estate of the value of not
more than $500,000, exclusive of improvements. The authorized
capital of the company was $4,000,000.
Following the incorporation and organization, the company
became legally possessed of the property rights and franchises of
its predecessor, and then, through its managing officers and land
agents, purchased additional lands to the aggregate of 1,100
acres for the purpose of carrying into effect the grand system of
water power development outlined by its engineers and pro-
( n )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
nioters. The work of coiistinu'tiiiji- the dain was be^nm at once,
and was can-ip<l forward with sncli vigor that on November 19,
1848, the structure was finished and the gates were closed that
the basin might l^e filled with water. In every part the work
apparently had been well done, yet the engineers evidently had
iiiiscalenlated tin- iimiunsity of pressure upon the dam, and
about the middle of the afternoon of the same day it gave way
and was swejit dowii the river, a huge wreck on a mighty, rush-
ing tide.
The dam had cost the company $75,000, but its loss had not
the effect to dishearten the investors in the enterprise, while the
wise heads who from the outset had declared that the undertak-
ing was imjjossible of successful accomplishment found tem-
porary relief and gratification in their oft-repeated "I told you
so." However, without unnecessary delay the company again
set to work and built a new and stronger d«m, at an expense of
$150,000, and on October 22, 184!). the basin again was tilled with
water; this time with entirely satisfactory results, for the old
structure still stniids. It was materially strengthened in 1869-70
by the consti-uetion of a jiowerfui supporting "apron," and with
subse(|uent incidental i'ei)aii's answered every requirement of
the cnmiKiny initii lltOO. wlicii tln' jiresent nias.sive stone dam was
comjiletcd.
Hut in addition to building two dams and constructing an
efficient system of water jiowci- canals for manufacturing pur-
poses, the TIadlev Falls comp;iny performed other good works,
notably that in (>stablishing a watei- supply for the "New City"
and iayini;- main ami service pipi's tbroiighout the settled portion
of the village. This was done in 1848 and the two years next
following, and from that time until 1882 the Holyoke water sup-
]ily for fin' and (lomestie ]inrj)0ses was received from the com-
pany's reservoir on the elevated lands about seventy-five rods
from the end of the dam. However, notwithstanding the ulti-
mate suece,s,s of the company's efforts in accomplishing all that
was undertaken during the early years of its history, it was
doomed to an unfortunate and jiremature end; not thi-ough mis-
management or miscalculation as to ])ower rights to be leased,
( '2 )
THE CITY OF IIOLYOKE
but. rather to the fiuancial depression which swept over the coun-
try in 1857 and left in its wake the ruins of thousands of busi-
ness enterprises. Yielding, therefore, to the inevitable, the com-
pany became insolvent and its affairs were placed in the hands
of receivers. Then was organized a new company— the Holyoke
Water Power company — the corporation which has been a chief
controlling factor in establishing Holyoke's reputation as one of
the leading industrial cities of the whole country.
The Holyoke Water Power company was incorporated by a
special act of the legislature, approved January 31, 1859, with
$60,000 capital (increased to $1,200,000 by act of March 1, 1889),
by William Appleton, George W. Lyman, Francis Bacon, Augus-
tus H. Fiske and their associates, "for the pui'pose of upholding
and maintaining the dam across tlie Connecticut river con-
structed by the Hadley Falls company, and one or more locks and
canals in connection M'ith said dam."
Upon the organization of the company it superseded in all
respects the Hadley Falls company and was subrogated to all
the rights, powers and privileges of the latter under its charter.
Like the predecessor company the new organization was and still
is to all intents and piirposes a foreign corporation, its stock be-
ing owned largely by non-re.sident investors, but in the course of
time about one-twelfth of the stock has come into the ownership
of citizens of Holyoke, while a greater number of shares are
owned in Springfield : but despite the fact that the corporation
cannot be regarded as local, its managing officers and directors
always have shown a considerate regard for local interests and
almost every worthy cause has found in it a liberal benefactor.
At least one church .society of each of six or more denominations
has been given land for a house of worship and at least six park
sites have likewise been donated to the public use through the
generosity of the directors, while the land on which stands our
splendid library building was a voluntary gift from the same
source. Every canal bridge in the city, with possibly two ex-
ceptions, was originally built by this company or its predecessor.
At the same time the company has been ever mindful of its
own interests and of its lessee mill proprietors and their inter-
( 73 )
OL'B COrSTY AM) IT.< PEOPLE
ests. The oripriiial system of canals was aiiii)le for the time of the
Hadley Falls company, but under the new manafjrement the water
ways have been extended and on occasion widened and deepened
to meet the ever increasiufir demand for power rights and privi-
lesres. It is not considere<l within the proper scope of our chap-
ter to detail at length the numerous changes made in the canal
system during the ownei-ship of the company, and it will suffice
to state that the power furnished always has been ample for the
demands of the time, and none of the lessees have had cause for
comj)laint at the hands of the lessor.
About 1868 the dam was found to leak in places as a result
of age and the constajit action of the water, and to remedy the
defects and give added strength to the structure a considerable
outlay of money was made in building an "apron." Again, in
1895, the company having been highly prosperoUvS in preceding
years, it was deemed wi.se to construct a new dam of sufficient
height and strength to meet the reciuirements of the mill owners
for years to come. Accordingly, in that year the present solid
masonry dam was begun and the work was completed January
3, 1900: and as a result the Holyoke "Water Power company now
ha.s one of the largest and most substantial stnictures of its kind
in the world. The dam itself, with immediate appurtenances,
contains 50.000 yards of solid masonry, is thirty feet in height,
97.95 feet above tide water at Saybrook, and was built at an ex-
pense to the company of $530,000. It is located about one hun-
dred feet below the old dam of 1849. and between them the bed
of the river is gradually, yet surely, filling with earth deposits;
and when this shall have been accomplished by the action of the
water alone the new ma.ssive stone dam will stand for ages in-
vulnerable against the pressure from above.
During the period of its histoi'y. few residents of Holyoke
have been directly connected with the management of the com-
pany's biisiness. James M. Siekman has been in the company's
einpliiyment foi- nearly thirty years, in the capacity of civil en-
gineer and also as land agent. As engineer he succeeded TVilliam
A. ('base, who became treasurer of the company. Edward !^.
Waters, the present treasnrei-. has been in the oiifice in this city
about fifteen yeai-s.
( 74 )
THE CITY OF IIOLYOEE
By an act of the legislature, passed and approved March 3,
1873, the Holyoke Water Power company was authorized to man-
ufacture gas and sell the same to the city for illuminating pur-
poses ; and at a later date the company installed machinery and
established an electric lighting plant both for illuminating and
power purposes.
The complete system of canals established by the company
in carrying forward its great enterprise during the last foi'ty-
tive years is almost too well understood by every Hampden
county citizen to require a detailed description in this chapter.
On the South Hadley side of the river (where the company ac-
quired ownership by purchase of the stock of the "Proprietors
of Locks and Canals on Connecticut River," this action having
been confirmed by the legislature, February 18, 1884), the water
is fed into a short canal to supply power to several large fac-
tories, and the balance of the river's flow is admitted into a more
elaborate canal system on the Holyoke side through thirteen gate-
ways, which are operated by a water wheel set in the tower at the
end of the dam.
A contemporary writer, in describing the canal sj"stem on
the Holyoke side of the river, says : "At the inshore end of the
bulkhead is a stone lock for the passage of boats. The receiving
canal is 1,013 feet long, 140 feet wide at the bottom and four feet
wider at the surface, is stoned on either side, as is nearly the en-
tire system, forming a right angle with the dam and running
from it nearly southeast. From its eastern end the waters are
turned, in a southwesterly direction, into the upper le^'cl canal
which, fifteen feet deep, continues a mile and a quarter in a
straight line, at first as wide as the supply canal, but narrowing
at the rate of one foot in width for every 100 feet in length, and
ending with a width of 80 feet. Parallel with this canal, and of
like dimensions, distant 400 feet easterly, and 24 feet lower, runs
the second level canal,^ into which fall the waters of the former,
after flowing through the mills and moving their machinery."
"From the north end of this waste-water canal its waters
'The second level canal is also fed directly from the supply canal in case the
draft of water from the upper level is not suflBclent to operate the mills on the
second level.
( 75 )
THE CITY OF IIOLYOKE
are carried into another canal which runs easterly and at length
southerly, following the contour of the river, and ultimately
flowing into the third level canal projected from the south end
of the second level canal fii"st named, thus forming a canal border
about two miles long, whose waste waters, after service in the
riparian mills, fall into the Connecticut. Fortunately, in the
topographical features of the adjacent lands, this magnificent
water system was M'isely suj)plemented by a system of streets
running parallel with and at right angles to the adjacent canals,
with only such modifications of the plan as the changes in direc-
tion of the riparian canal rendered necessary. The iipper and
second level canals traversing the busiest portion of the city are
crossed by streets at intervals of 1.000 feet, while half-way be-
tween each two of these streets are others without bridges. The
large territory embraced w ithin the boundaries of the water sys-
tem is practically a level plain, but from the upper level canal
westward the ground rises ra])idly. attaining nearly its greatest
average height about 8'AO feet from the center of the first level
canal."
During the period of their history the water power com-
panies have disposed of much of the land comprising their ex-
tensive purchases ^to which reference has been made) and espe-
<?ially such portions thereof as were not adjacent to the canal
system. In such cases the fee in the land was conveyed, but
along the canals, on tracts which can be utilized for manufactur-
ing purposes, the conveyances are in the nature of perpetixal
leases, with reversion to the company on non-fulfillment by the
lessee of the conditions of the lea.se. The lessor furnishes land
and guaranteed water power for which an annual rental is paid.
Mill powers are uranted for moderate consideration, and are far
less expensive to proprietors than steam power for operating
machinery. The responsibility for failure in water power rests
upon the company, and thus relieved of hazard in this respect
and being provided with ample power for all manufacturing pur-
jioses, Holyoke industrial enterprises have been able to compete
with those of tlie larger commercial centers and still hold an
advantage in their own favor.
( '7 )
orn rorxTY and its people
Ilavinj^ rei'erreil at length to the history of the water power
companies and also to the great works accomplished by them dur-
ing the last half centuiy, it is proper that something be said con-
cerning the grand results achieved in the establishment of indus-
trial enterprises along these now famous artificial canals, all of
which have been combined to make Tlolyoke one of the greatest
manufacturing cities of the land. In this connection, however,
it may be stated that not all the manufacturing concerns which
are located within the company's purchase take mill power from
the canals, the exceptions being noted about as follows : The
Dean Steam Pump Co., the United States Envelope Co. (formerly
the Ilolyoke Envelope Co.), the National Blank Book Co., the
Smith & White Mfg. Co., the American Pad and Paper Co., the
Hampden Glazed Paper and Card Co.. the Holyoke Thread Co.,
the IMerrick Lumber Co., the Casper Ranger Lumber Yard and
Planing Mill, the Conn. Valley Lumber Co.. and possibly others.
According to accepted authority the first manufactory on the
line of the canals was that founded in 1853 by J. C. Parsons and
others, and which in allusion to him became known as the Par-
sons Paper comi)any. Li the years inunediately following 1853
other ])roprietors began to come to the locality, and having be-
come satisfied that the water power canal system had passed the
experimental stage and become an assured success, they opened
negotiations and almost invariably secured leases. In 1854 the
Lyman mills were founded, and eventually became one of the
largest cotton manufiscturing concerns in all New England.
However, having recoui-se to a record of Ilolyoke industries com-
piled from the water jiower company's books, the writer is en-
abled to furnish a reasonably correct list of the manufacturing
companies' started on the canals, noting them in chronological
order, with some brief data relating to the date of incorporation,
capital stock and occasional allusion to the personnel of the man-
agement :
The Parsons Paper Co.. inc. 1853: capital, $360,000: E. P.
'The iimnufnoturiTS of Holyoke by a fair majority of numbers have expressed
a de.sirc that their iiulu.stries be not "written up" in this chapter, hence the writer
has deferred to the wishes of the proprietors in making only a brief and necessary
allusion to each establishment.
{ 78 )
Joseph C. Parsons
OVR cor MY AM) ITS PEOPLE
Bagjr, agent ami tivasurer: Charles P. Haiulall. secretary. The
L.vnnaii Mills, est. January 1, 1854 ; capital, $1,470,000 ; Theophi-
lus Parsons, treas. : Ernest Loveriug, agent; Chas. Merriam. su-
perintendent. The llolyoke Paper Co., est. 1857: nominal capi-
tal. .$500,000. I'rentiss Wire Mill, est. 1857 (now George W.
Prentiss & Co.). llolyoke Machine Co.. org. 1862; capital. .$300,-
000: .\. II. Whitten, pres. : Chas. K. Holman, treas.: H. J. Frink,
gen. iiiirr. lladley Thread Co., est. 186:5; capital, .$600,000 (now
known as lladley Co.). Beebe, Webber & Co., est. 1863: mfrs.
of woolen goods, ^lerriek Thread Co., e.st. 1865: capital, $750,-
000. Whiting Paper Co., org. 1865: nominal capital, $300,000;
Will. Whiting, pies.: Win. F. Whiting, treas. and agent; S. R.
Whiting, sec'y. Cermauia Woolen Mill (known as Germania
Mills"), org. 1865: capital, .$1.50.000: Herman Stnrsberg. pres.;
Wm. Stnrsberg. treas.: Wm. Mauer. see. and nigr. Riverside
Paper Co., org. 1866; capital. .$500,000. Franklin Paper Co.,
org. 1866: nominal capital, $60,000: James Ramage. pres.: John
Raniage. vice-pres. : Chas. W. Ramage. treas. Valley Paper Co.,
org. 1866; capital. .$200,000: Geo. F. Fowler, pres.; Chas. B.
Prescott. treas.; T. Henry Spencer, asst. treas.; Alfred H. Mor-
ton, siipt. Henry Seymour Cutlery Co., org. 1869: capital, $25,-
(H)0. llolyoke Warp Co.. org. 1869; capital. $60,000: J. L. Bur-
lingame, treas. Springfield Blanket Co., org. 1870: capital,
$150,000. Crocker Paper Co. (Crocker JMfg. Co.), org. 1871 ; cap-
ital $300,000. :Massasoit Paper Co., org. 1872 : capital. $300,000.
Beebe & Holbrook Co., org. 1872: mfrs. of paper. Excelsior Pa-
per Co., org. 1873: A. W. Hoffman, (jeorge H. Smith. James L.
Hodge, proprietors. Newton Paper Co.. org. 1873 : capital, -$72,-
000: Moses Newton, pres.: James Ramage. vice-pres. : Geo. H.
Clark, treas. Farr Alpaca Co., org. 1873 ; Ciipital. $400,000 ;
Edward W. Chapin. pres.; Joseph Metcalf, treas. Massachu-
setts Screw Co., org. 1873; capital. .$50,000; D. H. Newton, pres.;
James S. Newton, treas. Connor Bros." Woolen ]\Iill, est. 1874;
nifi"s. of coat, cloak and dress goods. William Skinner Silk Mill
(now AVm. Skinner Mfg. Co.). est. 1874; inc. 1889 : capital. $100,-
000. National Blank Book Co.. org. 1875: capital, $150,000;
Wm. Whiting, pres. ; F. B. Towme, treas. Albion Paper Co., org.
( 80 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
1878: capital. $60,000. Wauregan Paper Co., org. 1879. Dean
Steam Pump Co., org. 1879 ; capital, $300,000. Chemical Paper
Co., org. 1880; capital, $250,000; James H. Ne^vton, pres. ;
James W. Kirkham, vice-pres. ; Moses Newton, treas. ; E. B.
Fiske, sec'y. Nonotuck Paper Co., org. 1880; capital, $155,000.
Holyoke Envelope Co. (now United States Envelope Co.), org.
1880. Whitmore Mfg. Co., org. 1881; capital, $75,000; Wm.
Whiting, pres.; F. D. Heywood, treas. Coburn Trolley Track
Co., inc. 1888; capital, $100,000: Lemuel Coburn, pres.; A. A.
Coburn. treas. American Pad and Paper Co., inc. 1888; capi-
tal, $75,000: Geo. M. Holbrook, pres.; Thos. W. Holley, treas.;
G. W. Brainerd, sec'y- D. Mackintosh & Sons Co., inc. 1888 ; cap-
ital, $100,000; Donald Mackintosh, pres.: John G. Mackintosh,
treas. ; Chas. E. ^Mackintosh, agt. Connecticut River Paper Co.,
org. 1888; capital, $200,000. McCallum Constable Hosiery Co.,
org. 1888. Parsons Paper Co. No. 2, org. 1888 ; capital, .$300,000.
Powers Paper Co., org. 1889. Holyoke Hydrant and Iron Works,
org. 1890 ; capital, $60,000. Chadwiek Plush Co.. org. 1891. Nor-
man Paper Co., org. 1891; capital, $300,000. George C. Gill
Paper Co., inc. 1891 (successor to Winona Paper Co.) ; capital,
$100,000. Hampden Glazed Paper and Card Co., inc. 1891 ; capi-
tal, $56,000: George R. Dickinson Paper Co., org. 1892; capital,
$150,000. Ford Bit Co., inc. 1892 ; capital, $21.900 : N. H. Whit-
ten, pres. : R. C. Winchester, treas. ; 0. D. Allyn, mgr. Goetz
Silk Mfg. Co., inc. 1893: capital, $35,000; David Goetz, pres.;
Samuel McQuaid, treas.: S. A. Mahoney. sec'y-
In connection with that which is stated in preceding para-
graphs it is proper to mention the fact that the Parsons Paper
Mill No. 1, the Crocker Mig. Co., the Albion Paper Co., the
Nonotuck Paper Co., the George C. Gill Paper Co.. the Norman
Paper Co., the Riverside Paper Co., the Conn. River Paper Co.,
the Holyoke Paper Co.. the Linden Paper Co., the George R.
Dickinson Paper Co., the Beebe & Holbrook Co., the Massasoit
Paper Mfg. Co. and the Wauregan Paper Co. are now absorbed
by the vast corporation known as the American AYriting Paper
Co. : and also that the Merrick Thread Co. and the Hadley Co.
are in like manner absorbed by the American Thread Co. It is
6-3 ( 81 )
oil! COUNTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
iidt tliL' purpose of these greater corporations— commonly called
■"tiiists"— to close any of the factories, but rather to systematize
and regulate tlu'ii' operation, and thus reduce the cost of placing
their product on the market.
Ill aiiditidii to the c(iri)iuatiiins engaged in industrial pur-
suits wliicli are ali-eady mentioned, we may Anth propriety note
the names of still other companies and proprietors likewise en-
gaged, all (if whom have been contrilmting factors, past or pres-
ent, in the pi-ospeiity of oui' city. Among the stock companies
there may be noted the Baker-^'awter Co.. incorporated 1895 ;
capital, $200,000: manufacturers of loose leaf books: the Barlow
Mfg. Co., inc. 189") (J. S. Webber, prest.. and Lewis E. Bellows,
treas. and mgr.). mfrs. of nickel and brass display fixtures; the
Hiichaiian i^ Holt Wire Co.. incorporated 1897 (capital $50,000) ;
the Conn. \'alley Lumber Co.. incorporated 1898 (capital .$500.-
000) : the Kly Lumbn- Co.. incorporated 1898 (capital .$40,000) :
the E.s.sex Papei- Co.. inc. 1895: the Eureka Ruling and Binding
Co., inc. 1890: the (ioddard Machine Co.. inc. 1899: the Holyoke
Automobile Co.. inc. 1900; the Holyoke Bar Co.. inc. 1889; the
Holyoke Belting Co.. inc. 1891 (capital $40,000); the Holyoke
Plush Co., inc. 1899, and succeeding the Chadwick Plush Co.;
the Holyoke Thread Co., inc. 1900: Lynch Bros."s Brick Co., inc.
1896; the Merrick Lumber Co.. inc. 1884 (capital .$75,000) ; the
Smith & Wiite Mfg. Co., inc. 1891 (capital $50,000) ; the Xylite
liubricating Co., inc. 1897.
.\nd still further we may mention other ])roprietors, among
them the Coglan Steam Boiler Works: the City foundry; J. & W.
Jolly Machine shops: B. F. I'erkins & Son. machinists; Charles
Koegel & Son. machinists: the Westphal ^Machine Co.: the Nov-
elty Machine Co.: the Harmon & Derichs Architectural Iron
Works: Walsli's Holyoke Steam Boiler Works: Higgins & Co.,
brass fouiulers : the Holyoke Broom Co. and the H. E. Smith Co..
broom mfrs.: the Holyoke l^ead Pipe Co.; the White Paper Box
Co.; John T. F. MacDoTinell. the Sinclair Mfg. Co.; the Smith
Tablet Co.. and the Whiting Street Euling and Stationery Co.,
mfrs. of paper pads and tablets; the Taylor-Atkins Paper Co.;
the Chase & Cooledge Co.: the Holyoke Truidv ^Mfg. Co.. and
( 82 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
others perhaps equally worthy of mention, but whose names can-
not now be recalled. These manufacturers, with those who pre-
ceded them in earlier years, have been all-important factors in
the industrial history of our city.
It has been estimated that quite one-third of Holyoke's pop-
ulation is employed in the mills and factories of the city ; that the
aggregate nominal capital of the producing corporations exceeds
$12,000,000, and that the monthly pay rolls aggregate more
than $G0O,()OO in all branches of manufacture. The carry-
ing trade is chiefly done by the Boston and Maine and the Hol-
yoke and Westfield railroads, and in facilitating the loading of
goods for shipment these companies have laid branch tracks to
the works of nearly all the large manufacturing companies.
HOLYOKE BUSINESS MEN's ASSOCIATION
Section two of the by-laws of tlie association reads as fol-
lows: "The objects of this association are for the purpose of
promoting the interests of the mercantile and manufacturing
business of Holyoke, to advance and elevate the conuuercial in-
terest and business connections of our merchants, and to broaden
and strengthen business relations among them, and by all legiti-
mate means work unitedly for the material prosperity of our
city."
The association referred to in the preceding paragraph cer-
tainly has been loyal to the above declaration of purpose, and
for the five years of its history has proven itself one of the best
and most useful institutions of our city, and one whose aims al-
ways have been for the pulilic welfare, free from any favor or
prejudice. An associaiion of the same character previously had
existed for several years, but for some unexplained cause its af-
fairs were not prosperous, hence, in 1897, it was succeeded by the
organization of which we write. The present body has a total
membership of about 200 business men.
The Holyoke Business Men's association was formed Janu-
ary 22, 1897, at a meeting of citizens held in the 6. A. R. hall,
and from that time it has been a controlling factor for good in
local history. Its affairs and management are vested in a board
( 83 )
OUR COUNTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
of directors, at first comprising six members and the ofScers, but
later increased to twelve members. The first board of directors
comprised Albert Steiger, W. J. Mills. John Tilley, Thomas J.
Carniody, Otho R. Brown, Marciene IT. Whiteomb and the officers
for 1897-8.
The succession of officers of the association is as follows:
1897-8— M. P. Conway, president; Alexander McAuslan
■vnce-prcsident ; A. E. Diclsinson. treasurer : E. P. Ford, secretary.
1898-9— James J. Curran, president: Alexander McAuslan,
vice-president; Otho R. Brown, treasurer: Thomas P. McCabe,
seeretaiy.
1899-1900— James J. Curran. president: William J. Mills,
vice-jiresidcnt : Otho R. Brown, treasurer: Thomas Stansfield,
secretary.
1900-1901 — Marciene II. AVliitcomb, president: William J.
Mills, vice-president: G. E. Russell, treasurer: Thomas Stans-
field, secretary.
1901-02— M. II. Whiteomb. president: John Tilley. vice-
president ; G. E. Russell, treasurer: Thomas Stansfield. secretary.
Officers for 1902.—M. H. AYliitcomb. president: John Tilley,
vice-president; G. E. Russell, treasurer: Thomas Stansfield, sec-
retary : M. J. Laporte, Casper Ranger. M. P. Conway. Albert
Steiger. H. A. Collings, Thomas J. Carmody. Alexander McAus-
lan. J. J. Curran. J. J. Sullivan. Hu<rb McLean. A. Davis. M. J.
Bowler, directors,
CEMETERIES
In tlir rally history of Ireland parisli many of the settlers
whose households were invaded by the hand of death carried the
bodies for burial to the old churchyard ground in the mother
parish in AVest Springfield. After the Third parish had become
well peopled the settlers set apart "God's acre" in their own
community, and thus about the year 1743 the old Third parish
burial ground was laid out and was dedicated to the public use.
At a later period it appears to have passed into the control of the
First Baptist society, and so remained until about 1855. when the
land was conveyed to the town. In 1882 it.s custody was a.s-
sumed by the Third Parish Burial (irouiul association, bnt in the
( S4 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
meantime other cemeteries had been opened, hence interments in
the old grounds became less frequent in after years.
Forestdale Cemetery.— At a town meeting held in October,
1860, the inhabitants of Holyoke voted an appropriation of
$1,500 for the purchase of a tract of land to be used for burial
purposes. On November 1 of the same year a number of promi-
nent citizens incorporated and organized Forestdale Ceme-
tery association, the officers and trustees of which were as fol-
lows: Jones S. Davis, president; Porter Underwood, secretary
and treasurer ; Jones S. Davis, Porter Underwood, J. M. Whitten,
Henry Wheeler, Edwin H. Ball, S. Stewart Chase, S. J. "Weston,
Austin Ely, Asa 0. Colby, S. H. Walker, trustees: Robert B.
Johnson and Chester Crafts, auditore.
This association, with frequent changes in the personnel of
its board of officei's and trustees, has continued to the present
time. The grounds purchased comprised a little less than
twenty-five acres. The work of laying out the tract was begun in
the early part of 1862, and on June 22 the cemetery was dedi-
cated with formal ceremony, the leading participants in the
services being Prof. Voss of Amhei'st college, George C. Ewing,
on behalf of the trustees, and Rev. Roswell Foster.
The present officers of the association are Henry A. Chase,
president ; Charles W. Johnson, secretary and treasurer ; Heni-y
A. Chase. William S. Loomis. L. F. Heyward, W. H. Abbott,
Dwight 0. Judd, C. E. Ball, H. B. Lawrence, A. L. Shumway,
William H. Heywood and Henry 0. Hastings, trustees; L. F.
HeyAvard and W. G. Twing, auditors; W. S. Loomis, superin-
tendent; F. G. Bartlett, sexton.
^t. Jerome's Cemetery (Roman Catholic) was purchased and
laid out for burial purposes in 1864. It comprises twelve acres
of land on St. Jerome avenue and ad.joins Forestdale cemetery.
The French Roman Catholic Cemetery, four aci-es in extent,
situated on what is known as Granby plains, was opened in 1S75.
This tract is outside the city limits, yet the cemetery, to all in-
tents and purposes, is a local institution.
Cavalry Cemetery, on Northampton street (south) adjoin-
ing the old Baptist burial ground, is another institution of the
( 85 )
orii corsTv a.xd its peoi'LE
Catholic clnucli, ami was consecrated March 20, 1882, by TJt.
Rev. Bishop 0"Jxeilly. The grounds, fourteen acres in extent,
were laid out under the super\'ision of A. ]i. Tower, civil engi-
neer.
ECCLESLVSTIC.\L HISTORY
All that is most precious in our modern civilization is pre-
served to a community by its churches, or at least by the re-
ligious life that is fostered by its churches, if William M. Evarts
spoke truth when he said "One mig-ht as well exi)ect our land
to keep its climate, its fertility, its salubrity, and its beauty, were
the globe loosened from the hand which holds it in its orbit, as
to count upon the preservation of the delights for a people cast
loose from religion."
Although Holyoke is so like a western eitj" iu its rapid
growth and in the free, democratic character of its people, it still
possesses all the distinctive characteristics of a New England
community. One of these is the fact, so frequently recognized
in Ihis part of the country, that the society of the place is divided
pretty closely on church lines. To be sure, there are many clubs
and associations and other organizations for social and benevo-
lent purposes, in which no church lines are drawn or thought of,
but outside of these there is a strong tendency to let the ac-
quaintanceships formed at church and church gatherings s^iffice
for all purposes.
This condition of things is helped by the fact that nearly
all the people are busy workers in one field or another, and the
further fact tliat there is no exclusive, aristocratic set in society.
The richest people are unostentatious and democratic in the best
sense.
The only church in ITolyoke that has passed its hundredth
birthday is the First < 'ongiegational. or the Church on the Hill,
as it is called. This society celebrated its centennial in 1899,
while the First Rajitist comes but four years later.
The jieculiar manner in which the town was settled causes
the unusual jihenomenon of finding both the First Congrega-
tional and the First Baptist churches situated r|nite outside of
the center of the city. Both of these cliurches were organized
( sfi )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
when the territory was only a fanning country and part of the
towni of West Springfield. Afterwards, when the water power
of the Connecticut began to be developed, the center of popula-
tion changed to the river banks, and as the town grew it de-
manded a Second Congregational and a Second Baptist church.
THE FIRST CONGREG.\T]llNAI. ClU'RCH
The first religious society to be organized w ithin the boi'dei's
of the present city of Holyoke was first called the ■"Tinrd Church
The old First Congregational Cliurcli
of West SjiriiiiifieUl.'" or p(ii)ularly tlii' church in "Ireland
Parish," until it finally- becanie the First ('(uigrcuational clnii-cli
of Holyoke.
It was on tlie fourth day of Dcccniber, 1799, that the fol-
lowing eleven persons banded themselves together to form this
church of Jesus Christ : Joseph Rogers, Jonathan Clough, Amos
Allen, John Miller, Titus JMoifiau, Ohiver Street, Timothy
Clough, Experience Morgan, Lucas Morgan, Betsy Morgan.
Nathan Stephens.
( 87 )
OiR COUNTY AM) ITS I'EOPLE
The lirst ili'iu-oiis were Jusepli Koszers and Amos Allen, and
the first year five new niembei-s were received. On account of a
division of sentiment in the parish the church had uo pastor of
their own for twenty-nine yeais. The first church building
erected was sitiiated about one-half mile south of the present site
of the First Baptist church. Tliis was built about 1792 and
was used by the Coutrregationalists and Baptists .iointly. It was
moved north in 1796 to what is now the Alexander Day place,
and was extensively rejiaired in 1S12, never having been prop-
erly finished before.
Rev. Thomas Kand, a Baptist, filled the pastor's place for both
denominations for nearly twenty-five years, until, in 1826, the
two societies felt strong enough to separate, the Congregation-
alists numbering about eighty membei"s. The Baptists withdrew
and left their brethren in possession of the church building. In
1828 Rev. Stephen Hayes came to labor in the parish and re-
mained five years, and though he Avas not installed, he filled the
])lacc as first Congregational minister in Holyoke. On the tenth
of December. 18:14. a new meeting house, costing .$1.700,- was
dedicated, and on the same day Rev. Hervey Smith was installed
as the first settled pastor. It is an interesting fact that the min-
ister himself was the largest contributor toward the cost of the
church. He continued in the pastorate for eight years and re-
signed in 1841 on aeeoiint of ill health, never taking another
church, although he lived till 1877.
The ne.xt pastor was Rev. (iideon Dana of South Amherst.
i\Ir. Dana was installed Februaiy 24. 1841, and after a stomiy
and unfortunate ]iastorate of only three years he resigned in
March, 1844. Mr. D;ina died in 1872. He was followed in the
ofifiee of ])nslor by Simeon ^Miller, a man who is still recalled and
loved l)y all the older members of the church. ]\lr. Miller came
direct from tlie Andover seminary, and after preaching one year
he was ordained and installed May 7. 1846. and continued in the
office until Febnuuy 9, 1870. In 1844 the church was enabled
to terminate its connection with the Home Missionary socii^ty, on
account of the growth of the ]io])ulafion at tlie settlement near
the river, but when, in 1849, the Second Congregational church
( 88 )
THE CITY OF EOLYOKE
was organized in the more thickly settled part of the town, the
first chnrch suffered some loss, so that at the close of Mr. Miller's
pastorate the membership was twenty per cent, smaller than at
its beginnino-. On ^Nfr. ^Miller's retirement Rev. Charles E.
Cooledge served the chnrch until October, 1872, but was not in-
stalled. Rev. Theodore L. Day was ordained and installed De-
cember 18. 1872, but served as pastor only a year and a half.
Then Rev. Charles L. Walker acted as pastor for about two years,
and now followed a period of severe trial, during which time the
pulpit was supjilied for brief periods l)y a number of men.
Anions' these were Professor J. H. Sawyer, Rev. S. W. Clark,
and Rev. S. J. IMundy. In 1882 a call was given to Rev. E. N.
Munroe. and he was installed May 31, of that year, his pastorate
extending only two years. The council which dismissed Mr.
Munroe took advantage of the situation, known to exist, and
gave the church the following advice: "The ministers and del-
egates from the sister churches respectfully urge the First
church of Holyoke to consider the probable advantage to the
cause of religion that would follow, of abandoning any bequests
that might hinder them in such action -were they entirely to re-
organize this church and parish, and transplant themselves
nearer their city's growth. We do fully believe that by such a
step great gain would come, both to the life of this church and
to the spiritual interest of the residents in this locality."
This advice caused the question to be agitated, but it wa.s
three years before anything definite was done in regard to mov-
ing nearer to the center of population. On February 15, 1887, a
committee was appointed to procure plans for a new meeting
house, and soon after a lot was purchased on the corner of
Pleasant and Hampden streets. A chapel was built and dedi-
cated December 16, 1887, and occupied for more than six years.
Rev. Henry Hyde was called to the pastorate in 1885. be-
ginning his duties the first of June and serving the church three
years. This covered the time of the removal and was thus an
eventual period. Mr. Hyde's successor was Rev. George W.
Winch, the present efficient pastor, who was installed September
1, 1888.
( 89 )
on; coryry .\\n its veovle
In 1892 llie cliiiicli luid bt-coiiie so huge that the cliajx'l was
inui'li too siiiiill. and tlie work of erecting the main structure was
entered on and imshoil so rajiidly that the house was dedicated
April 11. 1894. It is now one ot the principal yiublic l)nilding.s
in that section ot the city. ;md the society is in a most flourishing
condition.
THE SECOND CONGREG.VTK iNAI. ClirRCH
'I'liis I'huich was oriianized May l!4, 1849. by tlie following
eighteen ])ersons: AVilliam S. Bosworth, Laura Ann Johnson,
Lucius Morton, Harvey King. Nancy (". Morton, Sarali B. King,
Elbridge (i. Pierce. Isaac Osgood, Charles N. Ingalls. Hannah
Thorndikc. Hannah A. Ingalls, Ambrose Snow, Julia A. Gid-
dings. Mary Snow. Dianna M. Quint. Glark O. Pease. William
J. Johnson. Margarette AVatson.
'Die first pastor was Kev. Asa C. Pierce, who was installed
September 20. 1849. Mi-. Pierce is described by one of his con-
gregation as the best man lie ever saw, but on account of im-
paired health he was obliged to resign his position in 1851.
During the first months the society worshiped in the school house
near the first level canal, but soon moved to the large brick school
house on Chestnut street. In XovcMiibor. 1850. another move
was made to Perkins hall, on High street, afterward known as
Exchange hall. After the resignation of ^Ir. Pierce the church
i-eniained nearly two years without a settled jiastor. but during
this time the people were brave enough to set to work to build
a house of worship. The site chosen was the northeast corner
of High and Dwight streets, the most central location that could
be selected, and the church then built remained a prominent
landmark of the city many years. The corner-stone was laid
September 1. 1852. and the house was dedicated July 27. 1853.
During the time of its building the society called a new jtastor.
and Rev. Richard Knight was installed .\pril 20. 1853. The new
house of worship cost twelve thousand dollars: its dimensions
were 63 by 102 feet: the height of tlie spire. ITfi feet: it would
accomiiKHlate 800 in the main room and 300 in the chapel. The
local jiapcr claims that it was one of the finest churches in
Western Ma.ssaehuselts. This building continued to be the
( 90 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOEE
church home of this society until 1885, and many people now
livine remember it with i)iterest and pride. Mr. Knight re-
signed the pastorate March 29, 1855, and on November 8, of the
same year, Rev. James B. R. Walker was installed in his place.
In 1857 the church had increased to only sixty-nine mem-
bers, but in 1858, a year memorable for religious activity
throughout the land, eighty-seven additions were made. In
the report of the annual meeting of the church, in January,
1863, it is announced that "nine of the members of the church
have gone to the war."
Mr. "Walker resigned February 7, 1864, and was succeeded
by Rev. Lucius R. Eastman, jr., who was installed August 30,
1865. Mr. Eastman and all the subsequent pastors are still liv-
ing. In 1866 a new organ was purchased at a cost of $3,000, and
the pastor was especially active in raising the money for it.
After only two years' service Mr. Eastman resigned to the
regret of all, to accept a call to Sonierville, and on December 4,
1867, Rev. John L. R. Trask was ordained and installed pastor,
having just graduated from the Andover Theological seminary.
During this pastorate, which lasted fifteen years, the church had
a steady growth, the number added in 1870 being ninety-tw-o, and
in 1879 seventy-seven were admitted. The membership in-
creased during Dr. Trask 's service from 163 to 405. In the fall
of 1881 it was voted to secure plans for a new church, and the
work of raising funds was begun with great zeal. Dr. Trask was
very active in this and other labors connected wath the church,
but was obliged by ill health to give up work and take a year's
rest. Not having fully recovered by the following fall, he re-
signed November 23, 1882, to the great sorrow of the church and
society. Dr. Trask is now the well-known pastor of Memorial
church, Springfield.
On March 19, 1883, a call was extended to Rev. M. W.
Stryker, of Ithaca, N. Y., who is now Dr. Stryker, president of
Hamilton college. Dr. Stryker was installed May 17, 1883, and
filled the office of pastor for two years, when he accepted a call
to the Fourth Presbyterian church ot Chicago.
An important move was made when the society bought a
lot on the corner of High and Appleton streets for a new house
( 91 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
of worsliip. 'I'lii' old site was too small lor a new church and
was. niorcovei'. too near the center of business, hut the society
should have frone away from High street, since the new location,
where stands the present chinch, is. to-day. surrounded with the
noise and hustle incident to the hu.siest street in the eity. The
new clun'ch was dedicated Janiuiry 29, I880, the cost of land,
buildins;. orcrau aiul fui-niture being .$104,000.
After the resignation of Dr. Stryker the church secured the
services of Rev. "William II. Iluliljard, of Concord, N. H., but
after serving a year without being settled. Dr. Hubbard decided
to accept a call to the Fii-st Presbyterian ehui'ch of Auburn,
N. Y., where he is still laboring. The present efficient and well
beloved pastoi'. Dr. Edward A. Keed, was called November 5,
18S6, and was installed December 28 of the same year. Dr.
Keed was formerly pastor of the First church in Springfield,
aiul also of tlie Collegiate Dutch Reformed church of New York.
An important department of the activities of the Second
Congregational church is the work in South ITolj'oke, long known
as Grace chapel. This was started as a Sunday school as early
as 1879. by the young men of Mr. J. S. McElwain's class. A
building was erected on Main street and good missionary work
was done in it for ten years, mainly for the children. But in
1891 preaehii'g services on Sunday were begun, and next year
Rev. A. AV. ii'i'inington was engaged as pastor. The work grev
under Mr. Remington and he was mainly instnimontal in secur-
ing funds for the erection of a small church building on the
corner of Cabot and Race streets. Here the work is still pros-
pering. ]Mr. Remington resigned in 1898 and was succeeded by
Franklin P. Reinhold. who has also recently resigned to take a
church in "Windsor Locks. Conn. For many years IMr. Joseph
A. Skinner was superintendent of Grace Sunday school and
was very instrumental in furthering the movement.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
On the fifth of October, 1803, a council met at the house of
Caleb Humeston, in what was then a part of West Springfield,
and advised the organization of the First Baptist church with
( 92 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOEE
the following among the membership: Thomas Rand. Caleb
Humeston, Peresh Hiteheoek, Benjamin Bassett, Asahel Chapin,
Jedediah Day, Joseph Ely, Sarah Hiimeston, Anna Hitchcock
and Bede Gill. Thomas Kand, one of the membei-s, became the
first pastor and proved a faithful one. The meetings were held
in the little house on lower Northampton street, which the Bap-
tists and Congregationalists had for some time occupied jointly.
Mr. Rand's pastorate lasted twenty-five years, a period of
much interest to the infant church. In connection with his
preaching he carried on a farm, and when the academy was
built he taught every day during the school season. Several of
his pupils became very useful men, among them being Rev.
Justin Perkins, D. D., missionary in Persia : Rev. Hazen Howard,
missionary in Burmah; Rev. Asahel Chapin, and Rev. Dwight
Ives, for thirty years pastor in Sufiield, Conn.
The membership of the church at first increased slowiy,
at the end of twelve years the number being sixty-three. Then
in 1816 there was a great revival which brought in seventy-three
new members, and another revival in 1826 added sixty-three
more.
Soon after the latter year of increase the two denominations,
which had been worshiping all this time in the same house,
separated, and each built a new church. The Baptists erected
theirs on the site of their present church.
After the close of Mr. Rand's quarter century of service
there followed a number of short pastorates, some longer than
others, but as a rule uneventfid except that the church was
gradually gaining in strength. These are the names of the pas-
tors and their terms of service : Rev. Elder Taggart and Rev.
David Pease labored as supplies for a short time; Rev. Henry
Archibald, 1830-1832: Rev. Ira Hall (after he and several others
had supplied), 1835-1838; Rev. Horace D. Doolittle, 1838-1842;
Rev. William L. Brown. 1842-1846 : Rev. Joel Kenny. 1846-1847 ;
Rev. Asahel Chapin, 1847-1850; Rev.Mark Carpenter, 1850-1858;
Rev. George W. Gorham, 1859-1862 ; Rev. J. H. Kent. 1864-1866 ;
Rev. J. L. A. Fish, 1868-1871 : Rev. W. H. Evans. 1871-1879.
In June. 1850, the pastor. Rev. Asahel Chapin, and fifteen
other members were dismissed to assist in forming the Second
{ 93 )
OVR COUNTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
flimrh in the irrowing settlement of Ireland Depot, so-called,
near llio river.
The present ehureh edifiee was ])nilt in 1880, and on the first
Sunday of the followiii'r year l)Ogan the successful j)astorate of
Rev. ]•:. .M, IJarik'tt. 'Die church grew with the growth of the
city and Mr. Jiartlett left it in a flourishing condition when he
resigned in June. 1892. The beginning of the following year
bnuighl the jiic'^cnt pastoi-. ]\r\. M. A. Willeox. U. D., who Ls a
rijie scholar and one of tlie most universally [)opular ministers
Holyoke ever had.
SECOND B.\PTIST CHURCH
We have seen in the history just preceding that, in the year
1849, a number of persons were dismissed from the First Baptist
chTirch for the purpose of forming a new society in the growing
settlement of Ireland Depot. The.se, with others, to the number
of forty-two in all, organized the Second Baptist church, June
24. of that year, which has since far surpassed the mother society,
on account ot the rapid growth of popidation about the new
center. The first place of M-orship was Gallaudet & Terry's
hall, corner of High and Lyman streets, and the first pastor was
Rev. Asahel Chapin, who wa.s one of those coming out of the
First church. Prominent in the new organization was Deacon
Edwin Chase, for many years an honored citizen and father of
the present postmaster of Holyoke.
On account of bu.siness depression the gain in membership
was at fii*st so slow that at the end of two years the church
numbered only three more than when it was organized. This
was occasioned by removals, because in the meantime there had
been twenty-five additions.
In 18.')2 ]\ev. Mr. Chapin resigne^l and. nine months later.
Rev. James French became the pastor. ITnJer his charge the
society prospered so that they began to think of biiilding a
church, and on November 23, 18oo, the lecture room of the new
structure was ready for occupancy. The next month Mr. French
closed his term of service and was succeeded by Rev. Grcorge
W. Gorham, who remained with the church for nearly three
years. The last year of this period there was a revival which
( 9-t )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
added thirty-nine persons to the membership. Mr. Gorham re-
signed in 1859 to go to the First Baptist, and Rev. A. J. Bing-
ham followed him. remaining but one year. The next to take
charge of the church was Kev. C. H. Kowe, who remained less
than a year.
On July 2, 1862. Rev. A. M. Averill was installed pastor,
and in the next year the church ediiice was burned to the ground,
less than five j'eare after its completion. The second day after
the fire a new building conunittee was appointed, and their work
so promptly done that in a year and a half a larger and more
convenient church was ready for use.
Mv. Averill resigned in December. ISfiT. and after an in-
terregnum of a little more than a year, a call was accepted by
Eev. Edwin Burnham, whose preaching and work were so ef-
fective that during the nine months of his stay sixty-one
members were added to the church by baptism.
Rev. Dr. R. J. Adams came next and his pastorate proved
to be a long and eventful one. In the year 1870 there was a
notable revival, lasting into the next year. In thirteen months
108 pereons w'ere baptized, and during the firsit four and a half
years of Dr. Adams's pa.storate 262 were added to the church.
In 1871 the society built a parsonage on the comer of Appleton
and Chestnut streets, but a more important event was the change
in location for the church itself, from the noisy, crowded site
near the railroad to the qtiiet locality of the residence district on
the hill. In 1882 a lot was bought at the corner of Appleton and
Chestnut streets and the present beautiful and commodious edi-
fice was dedicated October 20, 1885, Rev. Dr. A. J. Gordon of
Boston preaching the sermon. The ruling spirit in this building
enterprise was the pastor himself, but very soon after the church
was opened for use Dr. Adams presented his resignation and in-
sisted on leaving against the urgently expressed wishes of his
people that he should remain with them.
In September of the same year Rev. C. H. Kimball began
his pastorate and continued in service three years. He was suc-
ceeded by Rev. J. W. T. Boothe, D. D., of Wilmington, Del., who
was installed on New Year's day. 1800. Di-. Bootlie proved to be
( 95 )
OUR COUMY AND ITS PEOPLE
a strong iiiiin and was inihu'iitial I'ar beydiid tlie bounds of his
parish.
Dr. Bootlie resigned January 1, 1899, aud was followed by
Rev. Charles B. Turner, who came in February, 1899, and held
office until his melancholy death, August 5, 1900.
The present pastor, Kev. John S. Lyon, began his duties
January 1, 1901, and from iill that appears the church has every
reason to expect a long and eminently successful pastorate.
During the pastorate of Mr. Kimball this church was instru-
mental in building a chapel .just across the river in the village
of Willimansett, atid during the same period the Ward One
mission was established.
The latter was first started in 1888, in the vestry of the old
Baptist church on Main street, beginning as a Sunday school with
97 members. Soon a Wednesday evening prayer meeting was
begun, antl in 1899 a new chapel was built for the work on the
corner of Mosher and West streets. The money came largely
trom the young people's effort.s and the building is therefore
now well known by the name of Christian Endeavor chapel.
The pastors engaged directly in this work have been Rev.
G. E. Nichols. Rev. P. F. Thayer. Rev. James Xobbs, Rev. H. H.
Hallowell and Rev. Louis J. Bamberg, tlie la.st uajned being now
in charge.
FIRST METIU1DIST KPISrOI'AL CU1;RCH
The Methodists were late in starting in Ilolyoke. but they have
now two large congregations.
In 18.53. Rev. Thomas Marcy. who was superintendent of
schools in Northampton at the time, began holding services in
Lyceum hall on High street, and in May of that year a society
was formed with twenty members. In the fall the church was
moved into Galladet & Terry's hall and remained there till 1857,
moving then into Chapin hall, where they continued until the
vestiy of their chur(;h was ready in 1869. Mr. Marcy preached a
year and was followed by Rev. Rodney Gage, who also remained
one year. Rev. Philander Wallingford succeeded for another
year and Rev. M. p]. Wright for two yeai-s. During the latter 's
pastorate so many removed from the city that the condition of
( 96 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
tliis society was brought very low. Indeed, it came to the point
where Mr. "Wright advised that the church should be disbanded
and the members unite with other churches. A few accepted the
latter part of the advice, but the majority clung to their organ-
ization and pi'oved in the end that there was plenty of room for
a ^Methodist church in Holyoke.
Help came to them in their need, for Rev. Martin Chapin of
Florence offered to preach for them without charge, and did so
for two years, very acceptably, too. Courage returned and with
it financial strength enough to pay a regular salary. From this
time the growth was steady and sure.
The further list of pastors with their terms of service is as
follows :
Rev. Nathaniel Fellows. 1860. 1861: Rev. AVilliam J. Ham-
bleton, 1862; Rev. AVilliani D. Bridge, 186:> : Rev. John Peter-
son, 1864, 1865, 1866 : Rev. Samuel Roy, 1867 : Rev. I. B. Bige-
low, 1868-1870 : Rev. I. J. Abbott, 1871-1872 : Rev. W. N. Rich-
ardson, 1873-1875:; Rev. C. A. :\Ierrill. 1876. 1877; Rev. Will-
iam C4ordon. 1878, 1879 ; Rev. E. A. Titus. 1880-1882 ; Rev. E.
P. King, 1883-1885: Rev. G. C. Osgood, 1886.
The church on the comer of Main and Appleton streets was
begun during Mr. Peterson's pastorate, in 1865, but the work lan-
guished until the officers of the church sent a request to the con-
ference for a "]\Ian who could build a church whether he could
preach or not." In response to this petition Rev. I. B. Bigelow
was sent and he proved to be not only the man for that work,
but a good pastor besides. The walls of the church were soon
seen to be rising and the building was dedicated in March, 1870.
Sixteen years after this, when Mr. Osgood had become pastor,
only a year after the Second Baptists had dedicated their new
church on Appleton street, the Methodists found the people all
moving up the hill district, and the same question the Baptists
had grappled with began to trouble them. Once begun the agi-
tation would not be kept down, and the end of the matter was
that a lot was bought and a church edifice begun on the corner
of Appleton and Elm streets, only one short square from the new
church of the Baptists. This was an unfortunate choice of a
7-3 ( 97 )
OUR COUNTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
site, because two squares east is the Second Congregational and
one square north of that the Episcopal church, while only a little
farther to the south is the Presbyterian church. Nevertheless
the Methodists were well plea^^ed to be so near the center of popu-
lation and they soon completed a handsome and convenient
church edifice in the summer of 1890. The land, building and
furnishings cost $42,000.
Mr. Osgood was appointed to another church in April, 1891,
and the pastors since that date are Rev. W. E. Knox, 1891 to
1896. Rev. W. B. Fisk, 1896 to 1898. and Rev. H. L. AVriston, who
came in April. 1898, and is still in service.
THE HIGHLANDS METHODIST CHURCH
Rev. E. p. King, pastor of the First Methodist church,
started a mission on the Highlands in 1885. A lot was bought
and a chaj)el built so expeditiously that the house was dedicated
in March, 1886. A Sunday school of 80 members was organized
and preaching services w-ere held by Mr. King and after him Mr.
Osgood. In i\Iarch, 1889, a separate society was formed and Rev.
Wilson S. Fritch became the first pastor. The new church is in
a section of the city which lias had a rapid growth and its pros-
perity has been continuous. Rev. O. R. ]\Iiller. the present pas-
tor, has made his influence felt in the community by aggressive
temperance work.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHi:RCH
The first steps toward organizing a Presbyterian church in
Holyoke were taken May 7, 1886, when the Presbyterian board
of home missions sent their New England fio^ld secretfiry. Rev.
Dr. J. W. Sanderson, to look over the ground. He met a few
persons who gave him to underetand that there were a good many
Presbyterians in the other churches. Scotch to great extent, who
would delight to have a church of their own where they would
be more at home.
The outlook was encouraging enough to induce the board to
send a licentiate from the Hartford Theological seminary, named
William Gardner, to spend tlie summer in Holyoke and gather a
congregation if possible. The first sendee was held May 16 in
( 98 )
TEE CITY OF EOLYOKE
the Y. M. C. A. reading room on Suffolk street, the audience
numbering 49 in the the morning and 63 in the evening. Soon
the Y. M. C. A. moved to the Women's Union Temperance build-
ing on High street and tliere the Presbyterians held their meet-
ings for seven weeks, but removed to the Foresters new hall on
July 25.
In response to a request by 148 petitioners the Boston pres-
bytery granted permission for the organization of the Pii-st
Presbyterian church of Holyoke, and the formal business was
transacted Thursday evening, August 26, 1886. Barak Wilson
and George P. Bill, M. D,. were installed as ruling elders and
William Scott and Alexander Paul as deacons.
The first pastor wa.s Rev. J. M. Craig, who entered upon his
duties the la.st Sunday in October of the same year. Mr. Craig
soon saw the desirability of having a permanent place of worship
and began agitating the question of building a church. A com-
mittee of fifteen was appointed, with the pastor as chairman, and
the work was .soon in progress.
Mr. Craig was very active and efficient in raising the neces-
sarj' money and in superintending the construction of the build-
ing, doing much more in the latter direction than a minister of
a parish usually undertakes. In all his labor he was conspicu-
ously assisted from beginning to end by his faithful senior elder,
Mr. Wilson. The house was dedicated March 5. 1889.
Mr. Craig remained two years after the new church was
opened and then Rev. Mr. Augier supplied the pulpit until May
18, 1892, which was the day wdien Rev. G. A. Wilson began his
duties as pastor. Mr. Wilson was a young man who put a good
deal of enthusiasm into his work and the church grew under his
care. He resigned in September, 1899, and the present pastor.
Rev. Alvin R. Pennell, entered on his duties December 1, 1899.
ST. PAUl/S EPISCOPAL CHUKCH
An Episcopal parish under the name of Trinity church was
established in Holyoke as early as 1849, of which Rev. Heni-y W.
Adams was rector. But the population was small and the finan-
cial support so meagre that the effort was abandoned, not to be
( 99 )
OUR cor STY AM) ITS rEOl'LE
renewed ajiain uutil 1863. In that year, acting on the advice of
Bishop Eastburn, steps were once more taken to form a parish.
This time the name of St. Paul's church was selected and the
organization was effected October 12, 1868. The next December
the first rector. Rev. James Kidder, -was called. Jones S. Davis,
one of the vestrymen, gave the society the use of a chapel and
parsonage on Maple street, and this chapel was occupied for two
years.
'Sir. Kidder resigned in 1864 to go to another parish and Kev.
0. II. Dutton succeeded him. Mr. Dutton was a popular rector.
That he w'as a good orator is shown by the fact that he was
selected from the clergymen of the town to preach the memorial
sermon on the death of President Lincoln.
At the annual parish meeting in 1865 a committee wa.s ap-
pointed "to procure plans and obtain subscriptions for a
church." They selected a lot on the corner of Suffolk and JNIaple
streets, where the church now stands, but nothing further seems
to have been done until the next spring, when building opera-
tions begun and the corner-stone was laid July 5, 1866.
In the meantime the society had removed from the chapel
to a pleasant room in the Lyman mills, and Mr. Dutton had re-
signed to be succeeded by Rev. Mr. Ilolbrook. The latter i-e-
mained sixteen months and was followed by Rev. Dr. Peet, who
came from New Yoi'k city and held the office four yeare and
eight months. Duiing Dr. Poet's tenn of service in 1868 the
church edifice was completed, the first sermon in it being
preached by Bisho]) Lee of Iowa. Dr. Peet "s work did not eud
here, however, for he undertook the task of raising money to
clear the incumbrance on the church. He was entirely successful
in this and proved himself, also, in many otlier directions one of
the best and most useful clergymen the city ever had. During
his stay the number of communicants w-as nearly doubled. In
March, 1872, Rev. John Leech was engaged for six months, at
the end ot which jieriod Rev. Chai'les IT. Lester became rector
and remained three years. This was a successful pastorate, the
number of conmnmicants increasing from 80 to 160.
Rev. "William P. Tucker became rector in May, 1876, and
( 100 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
was succeeded, the next year, by Rev. Amos Skeele, who held of-
fice until April, 1881.
Three mouths later Rev. H. L. Foote began his ministry and
for eight years sei^ved the parish very acceptably and was a use-
ful and highly respected man in the community. At the very
beginning of his term he raised money to pay off the indebted-
ness on the church and then enough more to biiild a handsome
rectory on a lot just south of the church on Maple street.
In 1887 a gallery wa.s put into the church to increase the
seating capacity and at the Easter meeting in 1888 a building
fund was started for the erection of a new church, the necessity
for which was clearly foreseen. When Mr. Foote resigned, in
iNIay. 1889, the chiirch membership numbered 300.
In September of that year Rev. J. C. Welhvood accepted a
call to the parish and filled the office of rector seven years. He
was followed by Rev. George S. Sinclair, who remained from
April, 1897, to November, 1899. After that Rev. C. W. MeCully
served as rector in charge for a few months, and on the fii-st of
October, 1900, the present rector, Rev. H. IMorrill, entered on his
Avork.
THE UNITARIAN CHURCH
An effort was made to foi-m a Unitarian society in Holyoke
in 1857, but failed after a trial of a few months. The present
church was incorporated June 27, 1874, when the constitution
was signed by 55 persons. Rev. W. S. Heyw'ood became the first
l)astor, the caU being given September 21, 1874. Services were
first held in Parsons hall and afterwards in St. Jerome hall, on
^laple street. In 1875 the water power company, following their
custom with so many of the other denominations, gave the Uni-
tarians a lot of land on Maple street, and the society took imme-
diate steps toward building a house of worship, the chapel being
completed in the spi-ing of 1876.
Mr. Heywood resigned February 2, 1883, and in June Rev.
Granville Pierce was called and remained as pastor for three
years. His successor was Rev. James W. Carney, who was or-
dained and installed January 11, 1887. In the summer of 1889
a large addition was built to the church, which more than doub-
led its capacity.
( 101 )
OVR COUNTY AND ITS PEOI'LE
Mr. Carney was a yoiin<r man who was liked by his church
and made many friends, also, outside of it, but after a dozen
years of preaching he decided to try something else. Accord-
ingly, he resigned the ofTice of pastor and took up the study of
law, remaining in the city until he was admitted to the bar.
He was succeeded in the Unitarian pulpit by Kev. T. E.
Chappell, a bright and active man, who remained with the society
two years. Kev. A. O. Singsen, the present pastor, began his
duties September 1, 1901.
THE FRENCH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
This society was organized July 2, 1886, the mission from
which it sprung ha\'ing been started two years earlier by Rev.
Mr. Cote, general missionary for Massachusetts of the French
Congregational work. The first pastor was Rev. J. L. Morin, but
before the first year had passed he had a call to a larger parish
in Lowell and resigned the Ilolyoke charge. In September, 1887,
Rov. Samuel Vernier was called to the pastorate and remained
about a year. After that the pulpit was filled for short periods
by Rev. J. A. Vernon and Rev. Mr. Ameron, president of the
French college at Springfield. On June 30, 1899, Rev. I. P. Bru-
neault was called and installed December 3.
The services of this societj' were at first hekl in Grace
chapel, then in Parsons hall, and. since 1885. in the chapel of
the Second Congregational church.
The pastore have been as follows :
Rev. T. G. A. Cote, December, 1884, to June, 1885; Rev. J.
Morin, June, 1885, to October, 1886; Rev. P. S. Vernier, Rev. M.
Vernon and Rev. Mr. Provost sen-ed the people until Rev. I. P.
Bruneault came, in October, 1889. Mr. Bruneault resigned in
April, 1893. Rev. C. H. Vessot came next, November 1, 1893,
and remained till April, 1901, when the present pastor, Rev. Mr.
Lobs began his duties with the church.
GERM.VN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
As early as 1866 Geniian services wei-e started in a school
house in South Holyoke and the next year a house of woi-sliip was
{ 102 )
TEE CITY OF HOLYOEE
erected at a cost of $5,000. This was mainly due to tJie efforts of
the first pastor. Rev. Mr. Frankel.
The second pastor was Rev. Mr. Schwartz, who remained
five years. The next was Rev. Mr. Buchler, a Lutheran, the oth-
ers having been Presbyterians. Mr. Buchler built a parsonage at
the rear of the chiirch and held oiBce four years, being followed
by Rev. Mr. ]Muelde, and, six months later, by another Rev. Mr.
Schwartz, a brother of the former pastor of that name. This
pastorate lasted three years, and the next one, that of Rev. Mr.
Hanle, fourteen years.
All this time there had been no legally organized church,
but toward the close of Mr. Hanle 's ministiy a society was
formed, the exact date being September 3, 1888. Soon after this
Mr. Hanle resigned and in December of the same year the so-
ciety called Rev. August Bi-unn, who is still holding the office
of pastor.
GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH
This society was organized October 16, 1892, and in 1894
built and dedicated a substantial and beautifid church on a
sightly location at the corner of Sargeant and Elm streets. The
first pastor was Rev. Albert Buchles, who served for four years.
After his resignation Rev. H. Van Haagen served as pastor for
a year, and in 1897 the present pastor, Rev. Dr. Jacob Weber,
was settled.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES OF HOLYOKE
St. Jerome's Parish
The Catholic church is strong in Holyoke. stronger than in
most New England cities of the size. When the water power of
the Connecticut began to be developed by the building of the
dam, large numbers of Irishmen came to do the work, and they
have kept coming ever since in generous proportions, when com-
pared with other nationalities. There are a great many French
Catholics, also, in the city.
Ireland Depot was the first name of the city's center, and
here the first mass, it is reported, was said under a tree by a
Father Bartholomew Connor from Ireland, some time before
( 103 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
1847. For several years the people were attended once in five
weeks by priests from Chieopee, but in 1856 Rev. Jeremiah
O'Callaghan was settled as the first resident pastor. His people
gathered in Exchange hall, on High street, but he soon began to
plan St. Jerome's church and pushed the enterprise so energeti-
cally that the beautiful edifice was finished in 1860 and dedicated
by Bishop Fitzpatrick.
Father O'Callaghan died the next year and his body was
laid to rest under the eastern wall of the church.
Father James F. Sullivan was pa.stor for five years and
then, in 1866, came Rev. P. J. Harkins. who still holds the office
at the age of seventy years.
Father Harkins has been a man of ability and power in the
conununity and has built up his parish wonderfully. He has
seen the number of Catholics in Holyoke increase from 900 to
more than 25,000 and has witnessed the erection of four more
Catholic churches, besides numerous other large buildings for
the various needs of the people. He has made St. Jerome's the
most complete parish in the Springfield diocese and he himself is
the mast eminent priest west of the Connecticut.
The building operations in connection with the churcli, in
which Father Harkins has been engaged, make a remarkable ex-
hibit. They are as follows: The convent for the Sisters of Notre
Dame, cost $18,000 ; church in South Hadley Falls, .$15,000 : the
Catholic institute for parish work and a school for boys, .$40,000 :
Sacred Heart church; the school for girls facing the park; re-
building St. Jerome's church at a cost of $50,000; the convent
home of the Sisters of Providence, cost $20,000 ; a chapel on the
west side of the church, cost $20,000. He also gave as a per-
sonal gift the "Harkins Home" for aged women. It cost him
$20,000. He has had more than any other person to do with the
oi-phanage for girls at Ingleside and the new Providence hos-
pital on Dwight street.
The following have served a.s curates in this parish, their
terms varying from one to six years : Rev. James Tracy, Rev. T.
Hannigan. Rev. F. J. Lynch, Rev. Charles McManiis, Rev.
Francis Brennan, Rev. Thomas Smyth, Rev. P. B. I'hclan, Rev.
( 105 )
OVn COUNTY AND /IS' PEOPLE
C. J. Ci-onin. Rev. John E. (iarrity, Rev. David Moyes, Rev. J. I.
O'Reilly, Rev. R. F. AValsh, Rev. L. Denvin, Rev. L. E. Steb-
bins, Rev. James McKeon, Rev. W. T. Jennings, Rev. John R.
Mui-phy, Rev. ^Y. J. Harty. Rev. W. J. Powers, Rev. John Crowe,.
Rev. George Fitzgerald. Rev. W. Hart. Rev. Gan'in, Rev. Pat-
rick Hofey, Rev. A. A. Dwj-er, Rev. J. J. Donnelly, Hew Richard
Healey, Rev. Daniel Sheehan. Rev. C. M. Magee, Rev. A. D.
O'Malley. Rev. John C. Ivers.
PARISH OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD
It is estimated that there are in Holyoke more than 15.000
people of Canadian birth or descent and the parish of the Pre-
cious Blood was the first one to be organized in the diocese among-
the French-Canadians. It was formed in 1869 by Father A. B.
Dufresne. who built a frame church on Park street that year.
Among the first French families in the town were the Prews,
the Benoits and the Terriens. Previous to 1860 John Proulx
(Prew) brought down forty-five French people from Canada for
the Lyman mills. They came in two large wagon.s, and in the
company was one who became a noted missionary to the Indians,
Father John St. Onge.
In connection Avith this pai-ish occurred the saddest tragedy
in tJie history of Holyoke. On a May evening, in 1874. while
the church was filled with people, some lace was blown against a
lighted candle and almost immediately the whole interior was in
flames. A panic ensued and seventy-two lives were lost, many
others being saved by the bravery of some Irish boys who were
playing ball in the vicinity. Prominent among these was John J.
Lynch, who is now chief of the fire department of the city, and
who was, at the time, hailed as a hero all over the country.
The afflicted parish had the courage to begin the erection of
another and better house of worship, and it was dedicated in
1878. It will seat 1,100 persons and cost $78,000.
In 1887 Father Dufresne died and was buried in the church-
yard, where the congregation have built a fine monument to
him. He was succeeded by Father H. O. Landry, who died after
three years of service.
( 106 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
The present pastor. Rev. Charles Crevier, came in 1890, and
four yeai-s afterward he opened a large school for boys, which
he had built at a cost of $28,000. He also built a parochial
residence at an outlay of $30,000. There are 6,000 persons in the
Precious Blood church. The assistants are Rev. H. Desrochei-s
and Rev. W. A. Hickey.
SACRED HEART PARISH
This parish was set ofif from St. Jerome's in 1878, Father
Harkins having bought a large lot on South Maple street and
Sacred Heart (J(>n\-j:! ,:■ I I '..i •■■:'■ ... i ^':\^<«•\
begun a church in 1876. Father James F. Sheehan came from
Pittsfield to be the tirst pastor, but after completing the presby-
tery his already feeble health failed entirely and he died in 1880.
His successor was the present pastor. Father P. B. Phelan, who
came from West Springfield.
Father Phelan was obliged to take care of a debt on the
parish of $40,000, but he managed so well that he was soon able
to begin work again on the church and had it finished and fur-
nished to double its original capacity two years later.
( 107 )
OUR COrXTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
In 1897 he raised a spire on the church iind put in a chime
of ten hells, the first in tiie city. The day the liells were blessed
Bishop Beaven made Father Phelan a permanent rector, mak-
ing Holyoke the first city in the diocese to have two permanent
rectors. Father Ilai-kins and Father Phelan.
The curates of this parish have been Rev. .M. K. Purcell, Rev.
P. H. Gallen, Rev. W. J. Dower, Rev. John F. Li^onard. Rev. P. J.
Griffin and Rev. J. P. McCaughan.
Hdl.V K().-^.\KY PARISH
The English-sjieaking Catholics increased so fast that in
1886 the bishop .set off another parish from St. Jerome's in the
eastern part of the city and placed it in charge of Father M. J.
Howard. The name of Holy Hosary was given to the new parish,
and for about two years services were held in the large brick
church of the Second Baptist society, which had moved to the
hill.
It is astonishing with what rapidity all these Catholic
parishes provided themselves with commodious and handsome
houses of worship. Probably Holyoke shows as many examples
of this miracle of thrift as any place in the countrj'.
In two anil a half yeai-s after the parish of the Holy Rosary
was formed a new church was erected and the l)asenient. ready
for ser\nce, was dedicated.
Holyoke has another distinction in furnishing for the dio-
cese its new bishop on the death of Bishop O'Reilly.
Father Howard died in 1888 and Rev. Dr. Thomas D.
Beaven of Spencer was called to be pastor of Holy Rosary, and
in October. l.Mtl^. the jinin' niiidc liiin bishop of Springfield. As
pastor he was succeeded by Dr. F. Mc(irMth. who is still in ser-
vice.
The curates have been Rev. J. J. Howard, Rev. John J. Con-
lin. Rev. AVilliain Ryan. Rev. J. F. (iritifin and Rev. M. T. Burke.
OIR l..\I)V OF PERPETIWL HELP PARISH
The increase of the French Canadian population was so
great that still another ])arish bccaine necessary. This was set
( 108 )
THE CITY OF IIOLYOKE
off in 1890 in the north section of the city and named as above.
Rev. C. E. Briinanlt, who still remains, was made the first pastor
and services were begun in Temperance hall, on Maple street.
In 1891, the very next year, a fine large building was completed,
on the corner of jMaple and Prospect streets, which serves as
church, school and convent. The structure occupies the most con-
spicuous site in the thickly settled portion of the city, overlook-
ing the dam and the broad sweep of the river for nearly twenty
miles of its length.
Besides this building the parish owns a eonnnodious presby-
tery and other buildings. Father Brunault was formerly assist-
ant to Father Dufresne in South Holyoke and was afterwards
pastor in Gardner for three years. He is especially gifted as a
musician and directs the litei'ary and musical organizations of
his parish.
Father Brunault "s curates have been Rev. W. L. Alexander,
Rev. X. St. Cyr and Rev. L. Geoffrey.
MATER DOLOROSA — THE CIlURf'II OF THE POLES
Rev. Anthony M. Sikorski was made, by Bishop Beaven. the
first resident pastor of the Polish people in 1896, Father Cha-
lupka of Chieopee having cared for them previously. Sei"vices
are held in the basement of the Church of the Holy Rosary, but
Father Sikorski hopes they will have a church of their own soon.
The people are poor, nearly all of them working in the Lyman
cotton mills, but if we may judge from the history of the other
Catholic parishes it will not be many years before Holyoke has a
Polish church edifice.
Father Sikorski was lioi-n in Russian Poland, studied at
"Warsaw and was ordained in 1875.
THE FRENCH PEOPLE OF HOLYOKE
It is said with evident truth that fully one-third of our city's
population is comprised of French-Canadians and pei-sons of
French descent, and further, that among the number are many
men of means and influence and of moi'al worth and integrity ;
men who have been and still are controlling factors for good in
{ 109 )
01 R vol STY AXD ITS PEOPLE
the business, political, professional and social history of our in-
dustrial city.
In the early history of Holyoke we discover that the town it-
self was incorporated soon after the Hadley Falls company had
completed the second dam across the Connecticut and had suc-
cessfully diverted the waters of that magrnificent river for manu-
facturing i)urposes. There were those who doubted the ultimate
success of the water power company, and when the canal system
in fact was established and extensive mills had been built, there
was found a shortage in mill hands and operatives. The news of
this somewhat unusual condition of things soon spread abroad,
especially in the regions of the Connecticut valley in this state
and ^'ernlont, and soon was extended into the pro\'inees of Can-
ada on the north.
About this time five French families came to Holyoke and
constituted the pioneer element of French population in the
town. The heads of these families were Nareisse Franeoeur,
Nicholas Proulx, Casal Viens, Furmence Hamel and Charles
Provost, of whom only the last two are now living. From among
this number the Lyman mills company selected ]\Ir. Proulx to
return to Canada and arrange for the importation of a consider-
able number of j)eople of his own nationality, chiefly laborers and
mill hands, skilled workmen when possible, but strong, indus-
trious men were always desirable. For five years Mr. Proulx
was engaged in transporting workmen and their families from
the province to Holyoke and during that time he is said to have
brought here at least five hundred persons: and to him perhaps
more than to any other one man belongs the honor of having peo-
pled our town in its early history with a thrifty and industi-ious
class of inhabitants.
At the time of their immigration these families were poor in
purse, but fortunately were possessed of strong physical consti-
tutions and commendable ambitions. They knew little of Eng-
lish and still less of American customs, hence frequently were
made the victims of designing persons and overbearing masters.
They readily adapted themselves, however, to the new conditions
.and soon became recognized among the more intelligent classes
( 110 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
of our region. Originally it was their purpose to remain in the
town only long enough to earn and save money sufficient to estab-
lish themselves in business in Canada or to relieve unfortunate
relatives left behind them, yet of the great number of persons
who came here during the first twenty-five yeare of our town's
history few, indeed, returned permanently to their native homes.
The coming and success of one family had its influence upon
others and after Mr. Proulx had completed his service with the
company no further personal application was necessary to induce
settlements by the French from the Canadas. All who came
easily found employment, although for a time their pay was ex-
ceedinglj' small, but as they became skilled in their respective
lines of work wages were increased and to-day many substantial
fortunes are the result of early struggles and hardships.
When the French settlement in Holyoke had become suffi-
cietly strong a church was established, then a school, and with
the constant increase of later years other societies and institu-
tions were founded for the especial benefit of French residents.
At first this people attended services in St. Jerome's church, later
occupied a rented hall on High street, and, finally, in 1869, built
a mission chapel on the site whei-e now stands Father Crevier's
residence, at the comer of Park and Cabot streets. About two
years later this chapel was burned during service and sixty-three
persons perished in the flames, while fourteen others subse-
quently died from injuries received on that awful occasion. The
disaster occurred on Corpus Christi day, during vesper services,
when a lighted candle set fire to the altar decorations, and in
spite of every efiort to subdue the little blaze the flames spread
with such terrible rapidity that every life in that body of devout
worshippers was placed in jeopardy ; and then, when the congre-
gation was endeavoring to escape from the doomed structure the
single stairway at the entrance gave way and many lives were
lost in the fall. We hesitate to dwell further upon the dreadful
recital, for the events of that awful day ai'e all too fresh in the
memory of all our people. It was the most serious disa.ster in
Holyoke histoi-y and never can be forgotten.
After the fire the French people worshipped in convenient
halls until the completion of the Church of the Precious Blood,
( 111 )
ol l; corXTY A.\n ITS PEOPLE
iu 187(5. Ktv. Father Dufronse was its first i)astor. He died in
1886, and was followed in the pastorate by Rev. Father Landry,
who died in 1890. His snecessor was Rev. Father Charles Cre-
vier, the present pastor of the church. During Father Landry's
time tlip Pi-eeinus Blood parish was divided and the new parish
then orsianized was placed in charpre of Rev. Father Bnmeault.
The first services were held in the St. Jerome temperance hall,
but soon afterward the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
was erected on Prospect street. Both of these parishes now have
splendidly ecpiipped schools.
The aim of the French parochial .schools of Holyoke is to
furnish not merely "book learnin<r. " but to prive special attention
to the foniiini;- of character in the interest of good citizenship.
In these scliools the discipline is a little more severe than in the
public schools, ])ut results appear to justify the course pursued.
The parochial school i)upil, in addition to the subjects taught in
the pulilic scliools. must acquire a thorough understanding of
French and also of his religion. He is taught etiquette and de-
portment, aud the traditional French politeness is plainly visible
in his actions, so that a graduate of our French jiarocliial schools,
in addition to having acquired learning necessary for entrance
to our high school, ha.s as thorough knowledge of French as of
English, and has the further advantage of personal acquaintance
and association with persons who have abandoned worldly pleas-
ures to devote all their enei'gies to tlie one purpose of giving their
pupils the broadest kind of education.
The first French society in Holyoke was that known as St.
Jean Baptiste, organized in 1872, still existing and fidl of iiseful-
ness. Two years ago it became allied to the Union St. Jean Bap-
tiste d'Amerique. which consists of all the French societies of
New England. Edward Cadieu.x of this city is the organizer of
this federation and its supreme president. The other French so-
cieties in the city, mentioned in the order of ortranization, are:
L'Union Canadienne (founded by Joseph Beauchemin), La
Ligue du Sacre Coeur, Conr ^iunt Royal des Porestiers. Les Ar-
tisans. Heptasophs, Le Cercle Hochambeau. Le Club de Naturali-
zation, the Club Guilmant. besides nuisical organizations, literary
clubs and other societies of less note.
( 11-^ )
THE CITY OF HOLYOEE
111 1889 several influential French citizens of Holyoke, under
the leadership of Pierre Bonvouloir (now city treasurer), organ-
ized the City Co-operative bank, an institution in the nature of
a co-operative loan association and one which has been of the
greatest good to all persons who have availed themselves of its
membership and which also has acquired a high standing in or-
ganizations of its special class in Massachusetts.
The first French newspaper in Holyoke was "Le Defen-
seur, " which was published weekly. "L'Annexioniste, " a daily
paper, next followed, and was continued for a time wdth indiffer-
ent financial results to its founders. At the present time the only
French paper published in the city is "La Presse," a semi-
weekly, under capable editorial management.
Keliable census statistics indicate that one-third of our city's
population is composed of French persons and their direct de-
scendants, and among the number is included some of the best
and most public spirited of our entire citizenship. Glancing over
the pages of our municipal, mercantile and industrial history, it
will be seen that French names abound, which indicates that the
little colony of that people who came to the locality nearly half
a century ago found a ready welcome among our native towns-
people and soon became factors of commanding importance in
the later industrial city: and through all succeeding years the
more recent comers and as well the American-born sons and
daughtei-s of French parents have been earnest and zealous in
doing whatever might tend to personal advancement and the pub-
lic welfare. In the churches, the schools, the various professions,
the business and industrial departments of municipal life, in
politics and in social and home circles French influence has cast
its light always for good.
Having thus traced in a brief and general way something
of the beginning and subsequent history of French life in Hol-
yoke, it is proper in the same connection that allusion be made to
some of the characters in acconqilished results during the period
of which we write.
Nicholas Proulx, who may be regarded as one of the founders
of the French colony in Holyoke. came from St. Ours. Canada,
H-3 ( 11:5 )
OVR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
in 1856. Soon altcrwaid he entered the service of the Lyman
mills company and for the next five years devoted much of his
time to transporting workmen and their families from Canada
to this town, thus furnishing hundreds of employees to the mills
of this locality. After he left the company's .service he gave his
attention to mercantile pursuits, dealing in coal and wood for
several years, and still later engaging in other business enter-
prises, always with a fair measure of success. He accumulated
a comfortable fortune and likewise gained the respect of our peo-
ple in general. He died in June, 1888, in his seventj'-third year.
He had five daughters and three sons, the latter now living in
the city and being among its progressive business men. They
are George J., John J. and Joseph N. Prew. The older genera-
tions of this family always adhered to their correct surname
Proulx, but later generations have Angelicized the name into
Pi-ew. The name Prew, spoken in English, is identical with
Proulx, spoken in French.
Furmenee Hamel came to Holyoke from St. Paul, Canada,
in 18C0, with a family of eight sons and two daughters. Al-
though he had been a school teacher in Canada he began life here
as an employee in the Lyman mills, and later on worked for John
Newton, a prominent mill proprietor. Still later he was for
twenty-three years in the service of the Connecticut Kiver rail-
road company, and now retired from active business pui'suits.
at the age of eighty-foiir yoai-s. he is an authority on all events
of local history during the last forty years, his fund of anecdote
being interesting and almost inexhaustable.
Charles Provost, now living in that delightful portion of our
city known as the Highlands, fii-st came to Holyoke in 1868, hav-
ing, to use his own words, "more children than dollars": but
Mr. Provost's subse(|uont business life is only another splendid
exam])le of what industry and perseverance will accompli.sh even
in the face of adversity, for notwithstanding the vicissitudes of
earlier yeai's in the city, he now is possessed of a competency, the
result of his own personal effort. At first j\lr. Provost was em-
ployed as laborer by the water power company, and subsequently
learned the carpenter trade, lieconiing a practical builder in all
( lU )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
joiner work. In 1874, in company with (iilbert Potvin, he built
a large block in ward one, and during his long residence here he
also has carried on large real estate operations.
Thus miglit these reminiscences of early life among the
French colonists in Holyoke be continued almost indefinitely, but
the foregoing narrative must suffice for present purposes. How-
ever, before closing our chapter, it is proper that brief mention
be made of some of the representative French citizens of Holyoke
of the present day ; men who are factore in city history and who
by their efforts have contributed toward the conditions of pro-
gressiveness which now prevail in our constantly growing mu-
nicipality.
Henn- E. Chaput, M. D.. was born December 29, 1869. in St.
Hyacinthe, P. Q., a son of Narcisse Joseph and Eloise (Guitte)
Chaput. He acquired his elementary education in St. Hya-
cinthe, and pursT^ed his medical studies in Laval college, Mont-
real, taking his degree there in the spring of 1894. In Decem-
ber, 1898, he came to Holyoke, where he since has engaged in
successful practice of his profession. He is secretary of the
French medical association, physician to Jeanne d'Arc Cii-cle,
and has been president of the association of students of the uni-
versity from which he was graduated. In October, 1895. he mai'-
ried Jane, daughter of A. D. Girard, of St. John, P. Q. They
have three children — Girard, Sylvia and Jane.
Odilon Z. E. Charest was born June 1, 1857, in Three Rivers,
Canada, a son of Elzear and Arlena (Suite) Charest. He came
to this cit.v in 1878 and found employment with the Holyoke Fur-
niture company, where he remained ten years and then went into
mercantile business with M. Sainte-Marie, establishing what now
is one of the leading houses of our city. Mr. Charest is now serv-
ing his third term as member of the school committee, and in
many other ways has been earnestly identified wit the best inter-
ests of the city. In 1886 he married Mary Jane Robert, by whom
he has five cliildren— Leonise, Antoinette, Arthur, George and
Romeo.
Felix J. Cloutier, M. D., was liorn March 15, 1864, in Na-
pierville, Canada, son of Siffroid and Oylmpia (Gautier) Clou-
( 115 )
GUN CGI MY AXD ITS PEOPLE
tier. Mis father was born in St. Anne. P. Q.. and died in Decem-
ber. 190(1. His mother was a native of L'Aeadie, Canada. Dr.
Cloiitier was educated in the schools of Napierville, in the classi-
cal department of the College of St. Therese L 'Assumption and
St. Sulpice seminary in Montreal. He pursued his medical
studies in and was 'graduated fi-om the Queen's university at
Kingston, Canada. He came to Holyoke in 1889, where he has
since resided and engaged in successful practice. In 1895 Dr.
Cloutier married Emily R. Robert.
Jacques L. Demers was born April 2'i. 1833. in Montreal,
Canada, son of Louis and Mary (Burrill) Demers. His father
was a native of Montreal and his mother of Three Rivers, Can-
ada. Both are deceased. Jacques was educated in the schools
of Montreal and after completing his early etUication he studied
portrait painting. In 1883 he came to Holyoke and established
his present portrait and photographic business. In 1858 Mr.
Demers married Louise Reel of Montreal. They have five chil-
dren—Louis. TTonnisdas. Wilfred, ^larie r>ouise and Angelina
Demers.
Valere Ducharme was born in St. Guillaume, Canada, Sep-
tember 29, 1864. son of Hj'acinthe and Sophie Ducharme. His
father came to Holyoke in 1879. His mother died in this city in
1896. Valere was educated in Canada, and there also learned
the grocery and meat business. He came to Holyoke with his
father, and in 1886 opened his present grocery store and meat
market in iiaiinership with E. D. Durocher. In 1889 he pur-
chased his partner's interest and since has conducted the busi-
ness alone. In 1892 he married Corinne I^ecault of Verchere,
Canada. They have four children — Clement, Camille. Oliver
and Romuld Ducliarme.
Alfred D. Durocher was born January 30, 1864. at Farnham.
Canada, son of Pierre (a native of Longueil. Canada, and a
butcher by trade), and Esther ( Berard") of Marieville. Canada.
Both of his parents are dead. Alfred was educated at Faniham
college, and after completing his course he learned the meat and
grocery business. He came to Holyoke in 1880 and established
his present biisiness in 1882, on Cabot street, where he still is lo-
( 116 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
eated in one of the finest stores in the eity. He also deals in real
estate. He is a member of the auditing committee of the West-
fiekl railroad and of St. Jean Baptiste society. In 1885 Mr. Du-
rocher married Georgene Dame of St. Cesaire, Canada. They
have five children— Alfred. Ernest. Aurore, Emil and Ei-mand
Durocher.
John E. Fessant was born in Canada, Ontario, in 1867 and
was educated in the schools tliere. He learned the profession of
pharmacist in Guelph, Canada, and came to Holyoke in 1893,
where he commenced his present business. Mr. Fessant is a mem-
ber of the Odd Fellows.
Orphir E. Genest, attorney and counsellor at law, was born
July 31, 1860, in Three Rivers, Canada, son of C. B. Genest, also
an attorney. Orphir was educated at the seminary in Three Riv-
ers and was admitted to the bar March 15. 1882. Immediately
after his admission he began practice. He was a member of the
board of registrars five years and was appointed probation offi-
cer in 1896, which latter office he since has held. He has been
interested in politics to considerable extent. He is attorney for
the City Co-operative bank, having been one of its organizers.
Leon J. Laporte was born February 15, 1847, in Lavaltrie,
P. Q., son of Leon Jeremie and Flavi (Martineau) Laporte. Leon,
the father, came to Hol.voke in June, 1868, with his wife and
seven children, named as follows: Cordelia, Georgiana (de-
ceased), Danilda (deceased), Celina, Leon J., Leon and Medric J.
Cordelia is now the wife of Maxime Parenteau of Springfield;
Leon J. is druggist; Leon is engaged in carpet cleaning and fur-
niture moving, and Celina is organist in the Precioas Blood
church, which position she has filled for twenty-five years. Leon
Jeremie (the father) was engaged in the trucking business. He
died in 1874. His wife is still living in Holyoke.
Joseph Masse was born April 2. 1866, in St. Bruno, Canada,
son of Solomon and Philomene (Peltier) Masse. Joseph was
educated in district school and came to Holyoke in 1885, where
he was employed in a grocery store. In 1890 he opened a store
on his own account and five years later added meats to his gro-
cery stock. He has been a member of the republican city com-
( 117 )
01 R COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
iiiitlee for five years; is a member of the Improved Order of Bed
Men, the Foresters of America, the C. M. B. A., the Union Fra-
ternal league, St. Jean Baptists society and L 'Union Nat. Fran-
caise. In 1889 he married Mary S. Bibeau of St. Julie, Somerset,
Canada. They have two children— Joseph L. Armand and Lodo-
hiska Loretta— and also an adopted child, Edgar Brunelle.
Antliyme S. Menard, M. D., was born December 31, 1863, in
St. Cesaire, P. Q., son of Charles and Zoe (Monty) Menard.
Charles Menard came to Holyoke in 1865, and was actively prom-
inent in securing a French priest in the city. He is still living
in the city ; his wife died in 1897. Dr. Menard obtained his early
education in St. Cesaire and his medical degree from the Univei'-
sity of Vermont in 1888. He is a post-graduate of the Post-
Graduate IMedieal college. New York, and has studied his spe-
cialt.v on diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat under Profs.
Abadie and DeWecker of Paris, France. In 1894 he represented
the fourth ward of Holyoke in the city council. He engaged in
his present drug business in 1891. In 1888 he married Osia M.,
daughter of Dr. C. W. Gelineau. Dr. and Mrs. IMenard have
three children— Clandio, Cozette and Alice. Dr. Menard has
traveled through both American and European continents and is
a musician of ability.
Val. Moquin was born August 3, 1855, in Saint Urbain, Can-
ada, son of Joseph and Priscilla (La F(mntain') ]Moquin. His
father came to Holyoke in 1866 and carried on a grocery and
provision store. He died in 1890. His mother was a native of
St. John Baptist. Canada, and died in 1864. Val. Moquin has re-
sided in Holyoke since 1868, and during this period of more than
thirty years he has been actively engaged in business, in v.'hieh
he has been very successful. He has identified liimself with the
progress of the city in many ways. He early saw the future
greatness of Hol.voke, and by judicious investments has become
one of our largest real estate owncj-s. In French social circles he
is prominent and influential, and is the best known man of our
French-speaking population. He has given substantial aid to
some of our best public institutions and is a director in the
French Co-operative bank and also in the Peoples' and Holyoke
( 118 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
Savings banks. He has been a member of the St. Jean Baptiste
society since he eametoHolyoke and has held many offices in that
organization. He received an appointment from Mayor Griffin
as member of the okl fire commission and was asked by Mayor
Farr, as a special favor, to serve on the new commission. To
this he assented only npon condition that he be assigned a short
term.
Francis X. Patoel, M. D., was bom September 3, 1845, in
Joliette. Canada, a .son of Theodore and Sophrenie (Pannlton)
Patoel, both of whom are now dead. Francis obtained his early
education in the schools of Joliette and pursued medical studies
at the University of Victoria, jMontreal, P. Q., from which he
was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1869. He came to
Holyoke in 1873, where he since has practiced his profesvsion.
He has served on the board of health two years. In 1871 he
married Marie Louise Ducondu. They have two children —
Alexander, a druggist, and C4eorge, a jeweler.
Adelard M. Potvin was born October 27, 1869, in St. Ours,
Canada, son of Louis and Sophia (Proulx) Potvin. His parents
came to Holyoke in 1871, and are both dead. Adelard acquired
his early education in the schools of Holyoke and began his busi-
ness career in a men's furnishing store. He started his present
furnishing and hat store in 1890 and has since conducted it with
gratifying success. He is a republican and has served on the
board of aldermen and also as alderman at large for the yeai-s
1899, 1900, 1901 and 1902, and made an excellent run for
representative in 1901, being defeated by less than 200 votes in a
democratic stronghold, the 7th Hampden representative district.
In 1889 he married Elodie Valin of Pittsfield, Mass. They have
two children— Lillian A. and Lena E. Potvin.
George J. Prew, son of the late Nicholas and Sophia (God-
dard) Prew, and was born in AVest Springfield, ]\Iarch 15, 1855.
Nicholas Prew (originally spelled Proulx) was a native of St.
Ours, Canada (which township was settled by his great-grand-
father, Francis, who came from France) and came with his wife
and five children, to live permanently in Holyoke, on February
3, 1858. The events of his business life are more fully narrated
( 119 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
on a preceding page. He died June 29, 1888, and his wife died
May 27, 1870. They loft eight children, as follow.s : Sophia, Mrs.
A. C. Lawrence, Mrs. Danias Chabot, Mrs. J. G. McCarthy, John
J. (contractor and brick nianufactui-er), George J. (clothier),
Lina (who was burned to death August 19, 1859), aud Joseph
N. Prevv. George J. I'rew married Cordelia Perry, daughter of
Isaac Perry. Their children are Hattie M. and George J.
Jolm J. Prew, a well-known and successful contractor and
manufacturer of brick in this city, is a .son of the late Nicholas
and Sophia (Goddard) Prew, of whom mention is made in a pre-
ceding paragraj)h. John J. Prew has spent his entire business
life in Holyoke and has taken an active interest in all that has
pertained to the general welfare of the city, as well as his own
personal affairs. He has been successful and has de.sei'\'ed suc-
cess, and to-day he is regarded as one of our leading citizens. His
wife, whom he married June 13, 1875, was Maiy M. Laperre of
Beloud, Canada. Thej' have one daughter, Lina M., now the
wnfe of George A. Savoy of Holyoke.
Joseph N. Prew, formerly a m€;rchant, but now a dealer in
real estate, and withal one of Holyoke 's enterprising business
men, was born in Canada, April 15, 1844, and came to this city
with his parents previous to 1860, his father, Nicholas Prew (or
Proulx), having been one of the pioneei-s of the first French col-
ony in this locality, as is fully narrated in an earlier paragraph.
Jaseph N. Prew has passed the best portion of his life in our
city and he himself has taken an active part in promoting its wel-
fare and growth. For about eighteen years he was engaged in
the picture trade, l)ut in 1877 turned his attention to real estate
business. On I\Iay 20, 1872, Mr. Prew married Matilda Marse-
seault, who died in 1895. In June. 1897. he married Carrie Lyon
Vincent of Springfield.
Henry Proulx was born in Holyoke January 17, 1874, son
of Daniel and Caroline (Laporte'l Proulx. Daniel Proulx is a
native of Canada and came to Holyoke in 18(55. where he opened
a harness shop, which he conducted for twenty-five yeai-s. He
was alderman at large for two yeai-s and is now fire commissioner.
Henry Proulx was educated in the schools of Holyoke. After
( 120 )
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
leaving school he learned the shoe business, and in 1898 engaged
therein as a partner with Antoine Marcotte. In 1900 he pur-
chased his partner's interest and is now conducting the business
alone. In 1898 he married Eva Lareviere of Sorel, Canada.
Frank A. Rivers was born in St. Albans. Vt., February 13.
1854. sort of Alexander and jNIatilda Rivers, both of whom now
are dead. Alexander also was a native of St. Albans and for
many years was roadmaster of the St. Albans division of the
Central Vermont railroad. Frank was educated in the schools
of Vermont. After leaving school he learned the millwright
trade and came to Holyoke in 1862. where he worked as journey-
man until 1882. and then started his present contracting busi-
ness. For the past two years he has been a member of the firm
of Rivers & Young, contractors. He served one year in the Hol-
yoke common council and is now alderman for the ward of Chico-
pee. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the For-
esters of America. He married, first. Julia Tart, who died in
1880, leaving two children, Edward and Julia, the latter the wife
of David H. Young. In 1883 he married Julia Lague, who has
borne him one child, Reah B. Rivers.
Clovis Robert was born February 22. 1838, in St. Cesaire,
P. Q. He came to Fair Haven. Conn., when he was sixteen years
old, where he learned brickmaking: at eighteen he began learn-
ing the blacksmith's trade and at the age of twenty-one he went
to San Praneiseo, Cal., where he carried on blacksmithing seven
years. Returning to his native town he married, at the age of
thirty-one, Malvina Archambault. a native of Abbotsford. Can-
ada. In 1872 he came to Holyoke and for a few years worked
at his trade and later engaged in real estate business. He has
been agent for the Holyoke and Westfield road two terms. Mr.
and Mrs. Robert have tln-ee children — George C, who received
the degree of M. D. at McGill university. P. Q.. and is now city
physician; Albert X.. also a physician, a graduate of Bellevue
medical college, New York, and now practicing at Volcano, Cal.,
and Emily, wife of Dr. F. J. Cloutier of Holyoke.
Charles V. Roy was born February 8. 1866, at St. Alexander.
P. Q., a son of George T. Roy. He came to Holyoke in 1884, and
( 1-21 )
on; COUXTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
engaged in the shoe business, which he since has followed, being
until recently a member of the firm of Eoy & Laramay, which
way formed in 1893. but now is dissolved. Mr. Roy has served
two terms as a member of the board of registrars, and is a mem-
ber of the Improved Order of Red Men. In 1892 he married
Lnella Coon of Saugerties. N. Y. They have five children-
Charles, Vivian, Irene, Ruth and AVinifred Roy.
John St. John was bom January 14, 1847, in Beloeil, Can-
ada, a son of G. B. and Lucie St. John, both natives of Beloeil,
now deceased. John was educated in the schools of Canada, and
after finishing his schooling learned the brickmaking trade and
later the carpenter's trade. He has been a contractor and builder
in ITolyoke since 1882. and is one of the largest operators in this
business in the city. In 1874 he was married to Malvina Per-
rault, a native of Canada. They have had four children, of
whom but one survives.
Arthur R. Vincent was born January 9. 1863. in St. Guill-
aume, P. Q., son of Isaac and ^larie (Desrosiei-s) Vincent. Isaac
Vincent came to Springfield in 1877 and died in that city in
1892. His wife was from Berthier. P. Q., and is now living in
Ilolyoke. Arthur R. Vincent was educated in the schools of
Sorel, after which he learned the drug business. He opened his
present store in this city in 1891 and has since conducted it with
gratifying success. He was elected alderman in 1900 and served
one year. He is a member of the Foresters of America. St.
Jeane Baptiste society and the Sorel conclave, C. M. B. A. On
Octobei- 7. 189(i. Mr. Vincent married Bernadette Chapdelaine,
by whom he has one son. Paul Vincent.
( 122 )
CHAPTER II
THE TOWN OF PALMER
BY ORRIN PEER ALLEN
Topograpliy.—Faimev is located in the extreme northeast
corner of Hampden county. As viewed on the map it presents
very irregular outlines, and contains about 20,000 acres. It is
bounded on the north by Belchertown and Ware; on the east
by Warren and Brimiield ; on the south by Monson ; on the west
by Wilbraham and Belchertown. Its surface is much broken by
hills dominated by Mount Pottaquattuck, which attains an alti-
tude of about 1,000 feet in the northern part of the town, from
which an extensive view is gained of the Berkshire terraces in
the west and of Monadnock in the north. Some of the lesser
elevations are known as Baptist hill, south of Three Rivers;
Thompson's Mountain in the west part of the town, and King's
^Mountain west of the Old Center. The Quabaug river is the
dividing line between the town and Warren, Brimfield and
Monson; Swift river courses on the extreme western border,
while Ware river passes nearly through the center; these three
streams ignite at the village of Three Rivers and form the Chi-
copee river, which, after a rapid transit of about a mile, enters
Wilbraham. Each of these streams furnishes abundant power,
much of which has been made available. Tlie following brooks
luive their source within the town limits and flow into the Qua-
baug, viz.: Pottaquattuck, Salisbury, Kings and Dumplin;
Cedar Swamp brook flows into Ware river. All these streams are
attractive resorts for sportsmen because of the trout which lurk
in their pools. The natural ponds are Glassford's, on the plain
near the junction of Ware and Swift rivers, which has no visible
( 123 )
THE TOWN OF PALMER
outlet; Crawford's, near Bondville. and tlie two Pottaquattiiek
ponds, the larger of which is now known as Forest Lake, which
has been converted into a noted svimmer resort.
The several rivers lind their way through narrow valleys
which afford but spare margin for meadows, the only extensive
plain lands being found between Three Rivers and Bondville.
At the time of the advent of the first settlers the country
was covered witli dense forests of pine, which have largely given
place to oak and chestnut. The silva and flora of Palmer are
^
Hj^^
1
^^
'
. (r; / ,?W''- 3
^psiw "*
:y ■ fl
I^H^HP
^mt
■Hi
IP"
i
I
^^^^HHfflj^^ffPWnlmil
1
^H^^gfggrn gs
u
Historic Pine Tree — Palmer
extensive and interesting, made possible by the varying condi-
tion of soil from the rich meadows, to the hidden swamps, and
the dry hillsides. The writer has collected and identified 140
specimens of trees and shrubs native in Palmer, which embrace
nearly all the varieties found in the state, with the exception of
those found only in maratime localities. He has also identified
more than three hundred specimens of the flora of the town,
which is far from exhaustive. The town takes reasonable pride
in the preservation of two trees which connect colonial times
( 125 )
OVR COUNTY ASD ITS TEOPLE
with the present. One is known far and wide as the Washington
Elm, standing beside the highway on the original Maj. Aaron
Graves farm, beneath whose grateful shade Gen. Washington
sought a few moments for rest and refreshment on that torrid
30th day of June, 1775. while on his way to take command at
Cambridge. The other tree is the notable pine standing in the
yard of Ridge's Food faetoiy, which has a girth of seventeen
feet and is over a hundred feet in height. It must have been
a vigorous sapling when the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, and
still preserves its vitality. It won its title to fame one hiindred
and fifty years ago, when one Sunday as Thomas King, a son of
the first settler, was on his way to church, he espied a large bear
in its branches, which he brought down by his trusty gun. He
gave as an excuse for this seeming desecration of the Sabbath
that the hnar was a menace both to the flocks and the families of
the neighborhood, and ought to be killed even on the Lord's Day
as a matter of protection, which excuse was favorably accepted
by the elders of the church.
Indian h'cnuiins. — It is said but one Indian family remained
at the coming of the first white settler, whose wigwam stood not
far from the present Burleigh bridge. The finding of arrow
heads, pestles, mortars, ceremonial stones and other relics give
abundant evidence of the former presence of the red man in
nearly every part of the town. One Indian trail passed from
Warren through the present village of Palmer, another through
the north part of the town, and still another came past the Pot-
tacjuattuck ponds, thence across the plain lately known as the
George Brown farm, past the present village of Three Rivers
and on to Ludlow. The falls at Three Rivei-s wa.s a favorite re-
sort for the Indians when the salmon came up the stream, and
afforded them a time of general festivity: Pottaquattuck pond
was also another locality much frequented by them for fishing
purposes. Although Indians often passed through our confines
after its settlement by white men, no harm was ever experienced
on their account, notwithstanding that rumors were often rife of
their dire intentions during the last French and Indian war
Avliich ratred in other quarters.
( 126 )
TEE TOWN OF PALMER
Tradition has it that in order to meet this rumored invasion
a rude stockade A\as erected on a commanding knoll located on
the George Brown farm, near the Indian trail, but the enemy
did not materialize, so the people were left in peace, and the
sight and rumor of Indians gradually faded away.
The First Settler.— John King was the first white settler of
Palmer. He was born in England in 1681, and came to Boston
in his young manhood, where he married Sarah Allen ; John, his
eldest son, was born in Boston in 1715. In the spring of 1716 he
came with his wife and child into the houseless wilderness to
enter upon the strenuous life of a pioneer. Attracted no doubt
by the open lands on the plain where the present village of Pal-
mer stands, he erected a riide log cabin a few rods south of the
present residence of Mrs. Maria Lawrence, and cultivated the
first land on the present Church street. He remained but a short
time at his first stopping place, but removed half a mile east to
the present Tenneyville, where he built a more substantial log
house just west of the present Cooley house, where he spent the
remainder of his days and where eleven of his twelve children
were born.
John King and his sons became useful and honoi-ed members
of the new township. John, Sr., died April — , 1744; Sarah, his
wife, died Jan. 1, 1762. No descendant bearing the name of the
first settler now remains in town, although there are many in the
female line still living here. Several years elapsed before King
was joined by other settlers, but before 1732 many accessions
had been made, largely of Scotch-Irish descent, with numbers
f I'om the river towns and other localities. !Many of these settlers
had been induced to take grants of land from the Joshua Lamb
Co., which claimed jurisdiction over the territory now known as
Palmer; but it was found on examination that their Indian deed
covered no part of said territory, which fact caused no little
trouble to the settlers; so in 1732 fifty-six of the settlers inter-
ested in the matter sent an humble petition to the General Court
praying to be relieved of the perplexing difficulty in which they
were placed. The prayer of the petitioners was finally brought to
a favorable conclusion by the able efforts of Steward Southgate.
( 137 )
OVR COUMY AAD ITS PEOPLE
one of the leading and best informed men of the plantation. This
turn (if atTairs \vas rcaclied tliroutrh the mutual understanding
of the settlers ami tlie General Court that the claims of Lamb &
Company be disallowed. Nov. 24, 1732, the Court appointed Col.
John Alden and 'Mr. Samuel Bradford, with such as the Honor-
able Board might appoint as a committee to view the lands of
the petitioners and report at the next session of the court.
On November 28, 1732, Ebenezer Burrell. Esq., was joined in
the affair.
The committee a])pointed by the General Court visited the
plantation in due time and faithfully discharged the duty in-
\olved.
Report of the Committee.— Aiiti- giving a detailed account
of the boundaries of the plantation the report continues: "We
find the greater part of ye sd Land t« be Pine Land, High Hills
and 7jOW Valleys: the hills very poor and mean, the valleys
pretty good. AVe also find that the said Tract of Land lies in a
Broken form, and is miieh Discommoded by Farms claimed by
Particular Grants from this Court, which have taken up the
best of ye land. AVe also find that the Circumstances of ye Peti-
tioners & Settlers and their Settlements are Different and much
Intricate and Perplexed: some of them having entered and
Setlcd without IJegiilation, and Interfered and lucroached upon
olhei- men's Pitches & Improvements. And in many instances
too several Sellers claim one and ye same spot under different
pleas and pretences of Right: some having Ijots laid out; Some
partly laid: and others only Pitched, interfering one with an-
other as aforesaid.
""We would f)ir1ber inform this Honorable Court that we
have taken great pains and care to Inspect & Inquire into every
Particular circumstance I'elating to ye said Tract of Land, and
find it needftd to prevent further Charge & Difficulty, to Report
Particularly, as Follows, viz. That we find there are entered &
setled and about setling on the said Tract of Land the Number
of Eighty Persons, the most whereof are families who have built
Houses and made considerable Improvements: and are now and
have constantly for moi-o than three yeai-s past Been Supplied
( 128 )
THE TOWN OF PALMER
witli ;i ^Minister to preach the Word of God uuto them ; who has
been Supported by a free Coutributiou. We also find that about
forty eight of the above number were Introduced or Led on or
Incouraged to Setle and make Improvements by Joshua Lamb,
Esq., & Company, and their committee who Claimed the Said
Tract of Land by virtue of an Indian Purchase, And the most of
the Number had actually contracted with them for certain Par-
cels thereof, and received Deed of Conveyance and Order from
them for leying out their Lotts and have had ye most of them
laid out accordingly. We are therefore humbly of the opinion.
That the severall Persons & Families hereafter named, that were
So admitted and setled under and by the said Claimers; Have
their severall & respective Lots hereafter mentioned Ratified &
Confirmed to them, their Heirs and Assigns, in such proportion
and under such Restrictions. Limitations & Conditions as follow
and are hereafter mentioned."' The connuittee then give in de-
tail the description of the lots of land which they recommend to
be divided among the forly-eight settlers. Then they go on to
say: "Furthermore we find. That the following named Persons
to the Number of thirty-one, Having presumed to enter on the
Province Land in Said Tract without any leave or order from
this Court, oi' under any Pretence of Mistake or Admission from
the Claimers; yet they having most of them made considerable
Improvements and expended the chief of their Small Fortunes;
and having paid their proper proportion for the support of the
Ministry among them; That to remove them oft' would reduce
them to extreme Poverty. We are therefore humbly of ye opin-
ion, that it may not be Inconsistent with ye Honor of the Prov-
ence, and yet a sufficient Discountenence to such Presumptuous
Settlements: If there be granted to each of them a single lot,
Including their Improvements, upon such conditions as are here-
after mentioned." Here follows a detailed account of divisions
recommended to each of the following settlers: Jethro Ames,
James Breckenridge, Widow Andrew Bailey, John Brooks, Jo-
seph Brooks, Peter Backus, Widow Nathaniel Blanchard, John
Beamon, Mathew Brown, George Booth, John Combs, Joseph
Chadwick, Abel Curtice, Obadiah Cooley, Obadiah Cooley, Jr.,
9-3 ( 129 )
OUR COUNTY Ai\D JTS PEOPLE
Jonathan Cha])iii, Tlionias Chai)i)i, William Crawford, Lieut,
yamuel Doolittle, James Dorchester, James Dorchester, Jr., Na-
thaniel Dewey, Robert Dunlap, Daniel Fuller. Samuel Frost,
Robert Farrell. Thomas Farrand, Andrew Farrand, Joseph
Fleming, Humphrey Gardner. Elisha Hall, John Henderson,
Kev. John Harvey, Thoma.s Hill, Thomas Jennings, John King,
John King. Jr., John Kilbiirn, Benjamin Kilbui'n, Samuel Kil-
burn, Daniel Ivilburn, James Lambertou, Thomas Little, James
Lamont, James JMcEhvain. Timothy MeElwain. Bernard Mac-
nett, James ;Me(Tellan, James Maequiston. Ebenezer Mirick,
John Moor, James iloor, Andrew Mackee, Isaac Magoon, Isaac
Magoon, Jr.. Thomas McClanathan. Samuel Nevens, Robert
Nevens, David Nevins, Benjamin Parsons. John Pater.son, Wil-
liam Paterson. Duncan Quinton, Andrew Rutherford. William
Scott. John Seoll. Samuel Shaw. William Shaw. William Sloan,
Stuard Southgate. James Shearer, Patrick Smith. James Ste-
phens. Robert Stanford. John Thomson, Robert Thomson, Alex-
ander Tackels. Jeremiah Dlmstead, Elijah Vose. Joseph Wright,
Joseph "Wright, Jr.
The committee also reconnnended that "the aforesaid Setlers
& Grantees Do erect & build a suitable House for Public Wor-
.ship, and setle a IMinister within two years."' The report of the
committee was presented to the General Court June 21, 1733, and
promptly accepted the same day and approved on the following
day by the (iovernor, J. Belcher. The status of the settlers hav-
ing been satisfactorily arranged, they immediately set about the
establishment of a district government. The first legal meeting
was held August 7, 1733, with AVilliam Pynchon of Springiield
for moderator and Steward Southgate as clerk. The most im-
portant connuittee chosen consisted of Lieut. Sanuiel Doolittle,
Samuel Shaw. Joseph Wright. Jr., John King, and Timothy
MeElwain. who were authorized to lay out necessary roads, lo-
cate a lot of one hundred acres for the first settled minister, also
one for the use of the ministry and one for a school. Nearly all
the ancient roads of the town were laid out at this time, being
simple bridle paths at first, which changed into better highways
as chantred conditions demanded.
( 130 )
OUR COUNTY .\M> ITS J'lJol'LE
Se(ilin(j the First .l/!»is/er. — Having- laid out the highways,
located the public lots and surveyed the lands of the first pro-
prietors, the next important matter to he attended to was the
settling of a minister, for the pioneers of Palmer were a deeply
religious people. As Rev. John Harvey had preached acceptably
for them during three years, it was arranged to give him a set-
tlement at a salary of £80 per year. The ordination services
were held June 5th, 173-1, under the spreading branches of a
great oak tree on Mr. Harvey's lot. now known as the farm of
Charles Forsmau. about one mile east of the Old Center. Mr.
Harvey was ordained according to Presbyterian usages. The
Rev. Mr. Thompson of Londonderry, N. H., preached the sermon
and Rev. John Jloorhead of Boston gave the charge. One other
Presbyterian minister was present as well as Rev. Isaac Chauncey
of Hadley, a Congregational clergyman. Thus under the leafy
' branches of this oak was the first minister of the new settlement
set apart for their spiritual welfare. For these simple people the
service was doubtless as impressive and a.s lasting in its effects
as though it had been performed in the dim light of cathedral
aisles, aided by the solemn tones of the deep-voiced organ. This
leafy temple, the great white oak, stood for nearly a century as
the reminder of the eventful day. and doubtless might be flour-
ishing now if the owner had had any respect or sentiment for
the historic past.
27(6 First Meeting JToxse.— Thelocatiouof themeeting house
proved a knotty problem for the widely scattered parishioners.
Among the several favored sites was the scene of the ordination ;
the final decision was left to the drawing by lot. the Rev. ]\Ir.
Harvey officiating after solemn prayer, by which means the lo-
cation was fixed at what has since been known as the Old Center,
which proved a wise choice. The first meeting house was a plain
structure indeed, measuring 30x36 feet, and one story high. It
was without ceiling or plastering and furnished no means for
warmth in the cold season. The only external ornament was the
singular emblematical design placed in the gable over the front
entrance, peculiar, it is said, to the Scotch Presbyterians. This
house was first occupied in November. 1735, and for more than
( 132 )
THE TOIFA' OF PALMER
three score years continued to be the Shiloh of Palmer, around
which revolved tlie religious and political life of the town, and
where the momentous matters of church and state were discussed
and decided.
The French and Indian War, 1744-1749. — Palmer was settled
so late that she escaped the terrors which desolated Brookfield
aiul the Connecticut valley. But during the years 1744-1749,
though outside the disturbed circle, she furnished her shai-e of
men to aid the menaced towns. Capt. Jabez Olmstead served
in the expedition against Louisbourg in 1745. Timothy Brown
was made a captive by the Indians ilay 5, 1746, and taken to
Canada, while bearing important dispatches, and held there
about fifteen months. Samuel Allen was mustered into service
May 1, 1748, and posted at Fort Pelham. These Palmer men
were posted at Fort Dummer in August, 1748, viz. : Obadiah
Cooley, Andrew Cowee, John Blair, Peter Blackmer and James
Patersou.
The Plantation Organized as a Town. — Closely following
the recognition of theii- rights as a Plantation the inhabitants of
the Elbows began to clamor for a town organization, but owing
to the non-payment of a tax due the colonial government, they
failed in their efforts. Finally in 1752, after seven petitions had
been sent in and the tax had been paid, the Plantation was or-
ganized into a district having all the privileges of a town, save
that of .sending a representative to the General Court. This act
was signed January 30, 1752, by Lieutenant-Governor, also
acting Governor, Spencer Phips. The petitioners had signified
a desire to have the town called Kingstown, in honor of the first
settler, but because a town had already been organized by the
name of Kingstown, Lieutenant-Governor Phips inserted the
name Palmei- in hojioi- of his friend, Thomas Palmer, Esq., who
had recently died in Scotland, so the name of the town was
purely an accidental one. For many years the official name of
the Plantation had been "The Elbows," so named, no doubt, on
account of the numerous bends in the Quabaug river, which en-
circles a consideralile portion of the town. The plantation had
also been called Kingsfield, Kingstown and New ^Marlborough.
( 133 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
By a carpfiil I'slinuite, })nst'(l on tlu' tiisf coiisiis taken in 1765,
Palmer had at the liiiR' of its organization about 360 inhabitants,
inchuliiia- one ne^ro, and he a shive owned by "William Scott;
about 7.") families. 60 houses, mostly constructed of log.s; the en-
tire vahialioii of the town was aliout $3. 000. It contained one
small church, (^uintin's and Thomson's taverns at the Old
Center. King's tavern, wheie Cross's block now stands in Palmei'
village, and Shaw's t;iverii on the i)resent L. E. Mooi-e place near
the old Ray Path. Tiu're was n saw and grist mill where Thorn-
diJce is located, a saw and grist mill at PottMqrattiick Pond, and
a grist mill at the pr-esent location of Bondsville : and there were
two blacksmith shops. These mills and shops constituted the
entire i)ul>lic industries of the town. There were no stores, no
post-office, and no schools. There were no carriages; the roads
were jxuirly constructed cartways, and locomotion was either on
horseback or in caits di'jiwn by oxen, pjverything was con-
ducted in the most ]>riniitive and economical manner. The
people wei'c thi'ifty and industi'ious and made the most of their
limited means; the women had brought the spinning wheel from
the old country and were adepts in the manufacture of linen,
which found a ready sale in the rivi'r towns after supplying
household needs.
The Last Frciicli mnl Imlidii Wur. 17 '> 1-17 (i 3. — ^oon after
its organization as a town. Palmer was called upon to furnish its
proportion of men to meet the exigencies of another war be-
tween the mothr>r country and France. The citizens responded
w ith .ilacrity. and out of its sparse population furnished no less
than 76 mi ii during the continuance of the war. as shown by
the following list: Sanmel Allen. Daniel Allen. Isaac Aplin.
David Bratten. Ste|)hen P>hicknier. .lohn Bhu-kmer. Simeon
Brooks, Francis Breckenridge. David Brewer. .Tes.se Beers. Wil-
liam Carlyle. Abner Cha])in. Stej)hen Crawfoot, ]\Ioses Cooley,
Luke Chapiii. Joel Camp. Jonathan Chapin, John Davis, Thomas
Dunham. David English. Samuel Frost. Timothy Farrell. Josiah
Farrell. Isaac Farrell. William Fleming. Thomas Ferrand. Jr..
William Geary. John Hill. Thomas Ilill. Thomas Henderson,
Stephen Hatch. Benjamin Hutchinson. Nathaniel Hews. John
( 134 )
THE TOWN OF PALME E
King. Jonathan King, Benjamin King, William King, David
King, John Lamberton, Samuel Lemon, John Lemon, Robert
MeMaster, Joshna McIMaster, James McMighill, James McNitt,
Thomas McClanathan, James Moor, John Moor, Jr., William
ilan, James [Man, William Mitchell, John Millard, Isaac Magoon,
Aaron Nelson, James Nelson, William Nelson, Samuel Paterson,
Moses Paterson, Joseph Paterson, John Reeky, Samuel Smith,
Hugh Smith, John Sloan, David Shaw, William Shaw, Matthew
Spencer, ]\Ioses Scott, Elnathan Samson, Hugh Tackels, Capt.
John Thomson, James Taylor, Benjamin Thomson, Heni-y Web-
ber, Sylvanus Walker, Jesse Warner.
Spirit of Sen lily-six. Like other New England communi-
ties the yeomanry of Palmer simply had a breathing period be-
tween the close of the last French and Indian war and the open-
ing of the Revolution. In view of the coming conflict it was
fortunate that they had become somewhat disciplined in the
ways of war that they might be fitted for the sterner conflict.
The blood of the Covenanter and the Puritan flowed not amiss
in the veins of Palmer's sons: it stirred them to action and made
Ihem alert at the sound of the very first note of warning. They
were keenly cognizant of the oppressive measures adopted by
the mother country to retard progress and keep her colonies in
abjecl submis.sion. As early as ilareli 1, 17G8, the town voted in
full meeting :
"Wliereas. the excessive use of foreigTi superfluities is one
great cause of the ])resent distressed state of this country, in
general ; and the happiness of the conmiunities depends upon in-
tlustry, economy and good morals : and this District taking into
serious eonsideiation the great decay of trade and scarcity of
money, the heavy debt contracted in the last war, which still re-
mains on the people; and the great difliculties to which by these
measures they are reduced: — Therefore, voted unanimously, that
this District will use their utmost endeavors and enforce their
endeavors by example in suppressing extravagance. Idleness and
Vice, and i)romoting Industry, economy and good manners, and
in order tci i)revent the unnecessary exportation of money of
which the continent has of late been so much drained, it is
( 135 )
OUR COUNTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
therefore voted. Iliiit this District will by all prudent means en-
deavor to discouiitriiaiici' tlie use of foreign superfluities, and
eneoura^e llie iiiiuiufactures of tlie whole eontinent in general,
and of this I'i'ovinec iu I'articular. "'
Six years later at an adjourni'd town meeting held Septem-
ber 26, 1774. it was voted that David Spear go to the general
congress of delegates fi'om tlie whole Province, to meet at Con-
cord the second Tuesday in ( )etober next. "Voted that William
Scott pay or deliver st'venty four pounds of powder, one hun-
dred and twent.v six ])ouuds of lead into the town stock, in full
discharge of the amount of said stock in his hands.". "Voted,
that there be provided four half-barrels of i)owder. four hundred
of lead, and one hundred dozen of tliuts, for a town stock, and
the money to pay for the same be taken from the money on in-
terest; and that AYilliam Scott, Joshua Shaw and Phineas Mixer
be a committee to i)urcha.se and pay for the same."
In accordance with the reconmiendation of the Provincial
Congress which met at Cambridge in October. 1774, Palmer en-
rolled and drilled a company of minute men. The news of the
engagement at Lexington reached Palmer on the evening of the
same day, and on the following morning a company of 44 men
were equipped and started for the scene of danger, with Capt.
David Spear at their head. Prom this time on till the close of
the war Palmer iit'v<'r proved tardy or lacking in zeal for the
cause of freedom.
Palmer Assuiiks Full Totoi li'i(ili Is. — The ]\Iassachusetts
House of Hepresciitatives on ^lay lU. 177(i, resolved that each
town in the Colony ought in full meeting warned for that pur-
pose, to instruet its iei)resentative relative to the attitude of the
inhabitants, should Congress declare them independent of Great
Britain. In comi)liauce with the recommendation of the Genei-al
Court. Palmer elected its first reiiresentative as a town. May
2i, 177(>. ill the person of ('apt. David Spear. The instructions
given him liist dwelt upon tlie oii]iressive measures of the
mother count r\-. and closed with the following i)atriotic senti-
ments :
"We do Direct the Heiu-eseiitative of filis Town to la.v these
absolutely Necessary for the safety of the United Colonies, to
( 136 )
TEE TOWN OF PALMER
be Independent from Great Britain & Declare themselves In-
tirelj' a Separate State, as we can see no alternative but Inevita-
ble ruin, or Independence. But as there is a General Congress of
the United Colonies, composed of Honorable, wise and good men,
who sit at the Head of affairs, consulting measures which will
be most for tlie Safetv and Prosperity of the whole ; & have the
means of Intelligence and Infoi'niation in their hands, we .submit
the whole affair to their wise Consideration & Determination.—
And if they shall unite in a Separation from Great Britain, lae
do unanimously determine d: declare we will support them with
our Lives and Fortunes!
""We do Direct the Eepresentative of this Town to lay these
vote before the Honorable General Assembly of this Colony, to
Enable them to communicate our Sentiments to the Honorable
Continental Congress. ' '
These instructions show of what stuff' the men of Palmer
were made, and they fully exemplified during the course of the
v/ar the sentiments therein expressed. From this time on Pal-
mer was recognized as having full town rights. It is a notable
fact that this Declaration of Independence by Palmer antedates
by two weeks the immortal document of the Continental Con-
gress, and breathes the same lofty spirit of patriotism and purity
of devotion.
The Passing of Burgoyne's il/e».— Palmer was so far re-
moved from the scene of active war that its highways never
echoed to the tread of marshaled foemen but once, and then they
passed as prisoners, not invaders. Burgoyne's hirelings, the Hes-
sians, to the number of 2,431 men. besides camp followers, in-
cluding Gen. Reidesel and his cultured wife to whom we are
largely indebted for a graphic account of \he .journey from Al-
bany to Boston. This motley array of prisoners in the care of a
Yankee guard encamped for the niglit November 1, 1777, on the
farm lately owned by Dea. Brainerd, while the General and wife
no doubt found comfortable quarters at the then Walker tavern,
wliich still remains. Gen. Bnrgoyne and his English prisonei's,
under the escort of Col. Elisha Portei', pa.ssed about the same
time tliroH'jh the north iiart of tlie town, and are said to have
( 137 )
THE TO\y^^ OF PALMER
ciieaniped for a night on the present farm of Chark^s R. Shaw.
One of the Hessian soldiers died at the Brainerd farm and was
buried in the Palmer cemetery, where his grave is still pointed
out.
Census of Falnur, J776-1777 . — There were 727 inhabitants
in town in 1776. The following- item we glean from the town
records: "A retui-n of the Nnmhei- of ^Males from sixteen years
old and upwards which breathed on the First Day of January
in the Town of Palmer in the year 1777. No. of men belonging
to the Training List 94, No. of men belonging to the Alarm List
35, No. of Deerepid Persons who are rendered incapable of
service thereby 46, No. of men incapable of service by reason of
old age and other infirmities i), No. of Negroes 3. Total 187."
Notwithstanding her limited means and sparse population, the
town nobly responded to the call for men and means, and fur-
nished 165 men during the war.
Revolutionary Soldiers. — The following list made up from
all available sources is as perfect as can be given from present
information. It is possible that a few names have been lost be-
cause of the imperfect way in which some of the records were
kept. "While a limited number of the men enlisted for the war,
a larger number enlisted several times each for shorter .service
as the special demand required : Joseph Abbott, Sergt. Zebadiah
.\bbott, John Adams. James Averill, Jun.. Ephraim Avery,
Joseph Bacon, Simeon Bacon, iloses Barker, Simeon Barrange,
Aaron Bartlett, Thomas Bartlett, John Bartlett, Woodbridge
Belcher, Eleazur Bishop, Seth Bishop. Sergt. Stephen Blackmer,
Thomas Blackmer, Jonathan Blunt, Henry Bliss, David Brattan,
Fi'ancis Breckenridge, Benjamin Brooks. Sergt. Andrew Brown,
John Brown, Lieut. Jonathan Brown, Obadiah Brown, Robert
Brown, William Brown, Col. David Brewer, John Bruster, Sergt.
Samuel Buel, Robert Burns, John Carley, James Carlisle, John
Carlisle, William Carlisle, Robert Carpenter, Shadrach Chapin,
Elisha Cleveland, Nathaniel Coburn, Capt. Isaac Coltou, Abner
Cooley, Asher Cooley, Jonathan Cooley, Israel Conant, John
Ci-awfoot, Joseph Crawfoot, Stephen Crawfoot, James Ciim-
mings, Solomon Cummings, John Cutler, John Denney, Daniel
( 139 )
OVR CULMY AM) ITS PEOPLE
Dodge, John Douiilas. Jesse Khwll, Corp. John English. Bai'-
nabas Evens, Isaac Ferrell, Lamuel Fisher, David Fleming, John
Gardner, John Gibson, William Gibson, Pelatiah Goldsmith,
Capt. Aaron Graves, (iideon (iraves, Moses Gi-aves, Simeon
Graves, Amos Grey, Jolm Hackett, Thomas Hamilton, Samuel
Hancock, Sergt. Joliii Harris, Sergt. Luke Hitchcock, Benjamin
Hooker, Daniel lloi)kiris, William Hopkins, Samuel Hubbard,
Lieut. Robert Hiuitci'. Pi'imar Jackall, Adonijah Jones, Ebenezer
Jones, Lieut. David King, John King, Gideon King, James Lam-
berton, John Lambertun, I\l()ses Lammon, Francis Lemon,
Nori-is Tjiiidsey, Luther Loomis, Sergt. Israel Loomis, Peter
Lovejoy, David McClintocli, Joseph ^IcClintoch, William
IMcClanathan, Sergt. Sanuiel ilcClanathan, Thomas McCla-
nathan, Corp. John McElwain, John A. McElwain, Roger
McEhvaiii, Hugh ^IcIMaster, Isaac JIcMa.ster, Capt, John ]McMas-
ter, Joslma ^leilaster, Lieut. Robert jMcMaster, John ]\rc]\Iichel,
Capt. Jo.seph ;McNall, William McNall, Isaac Merritt, Capt.
Phineas Mixer, Pelatiah Morgan, Gibson jMorgan, John Moore,
John I\Ioore, Jonathan iloore, Judah Moore. James Murray,
Aaron Nelson, Lieut. Daniel Parsons, Joshua Parsons, Lebbeus
Paine, Thomas Riddle, William Roach, Elias Rogers, Jonas
Rogers, Nathaniel Rogers, Daniel Royce, David Shaw, Corp.
Erwin Shaw. James Shaw, John Shaw, Corp. Joseph Shaw,
Lieut. Jo.shua Shaw, William Shaw, John Shearer, Joseph
Shearer, Reuben Shearer, William Shearer, Thoma.s Shearer,
Corp. James Sherman, William Sloan, Abner Smith, James
Smith, John Smith, John Allen Smith, Joseph Smith, Capt.
David Spear, Tvieut. David Spear. Adam Stephen.son. Alexander
Tackels. Henry Thomson, Kufus Thomson, Josiah Tinney, ]\Ioses
Tinney, Jonathan Tyler, Eli,iah Walton, James Walker, Capt.
Sylvanus Walker, Oliadiah Ward, Fri.jah Ward, Peleg Watson,
Joel Willey, Ezekiel Woodworth.
Post Bellum Days. — Ai the close of the struggle for liberty
tlie .surviving patriots who had gone forth from Palmer to serve
their country came back to their former homes to engage in the
peaceful avocations of farming, for as yet little else had found
encouragement in town. In ITS" Mhen several ad.ioining com-
( 140 )
THE TOWN OF PALMER
ruunities became disaffected and rose in rebellion under the
leadedship of Capt. Shays, little sympathy was shown the cause
in Palmer, yet Shays made this town the rendezvous for his
insurgents on the 22d of January, and on the 23d came to take
the command to lead them to Springfield 1,000 strong. But his
plans were discovered by the alertness of !Maj. Aaron Graves of
Palmer, who informed the State officials, and Shays marched to
his defeat before Springfield by a force ready to receive him,
and the rebellion subsided.
The New Meeting House. — In the olden days the erection of
a new place of worship was a matter of the utmost importance
to a country town like Palmer, which supported but one church.
The first meeting house erected in 1735 had become unfitted for
use, so after much planning and discussion a new structure was
built near the site of the first house at a cost of about $3,000 and
dedicated October 21, 1798: when the tower was added to the
structure in 1807 a bell was presented to the town as a gift by
Aaron Merrick. A circumstance connected with this bell is little
known to the present generation. In 1809, when the meeting
house was repainted, it chanced by some mishap that a por-
tion of the bell was disfigured by paint, and in order to have it
present a uniform appearance, it was entirely covered with a
coat of paint, when it was found the bell would not give forth
any desirable sound. The bell was taken down and the paint
burned off ; some critical person jsresent thinking the bell seemed
to lack in weight, had the matter tested and found his suspicions
correct. The matter being made piiblic it was soon found that
nearly all the bells in the surrounding towns also lacked in
weight, which had been cast by a bell founder in Brookfield. The
guilty party being apprised of the state of affairs, fled the State
not to return, his frauds having been extensive.
Turnpikes.— The first turnpike in Massachusetts running
through the towns of Warren and Palmer was the harbinger of
modern progress in Palmer. This was the great stage route from
Boston to Springfield and New York, and continued till the open-
ing of the Western railroad in 1839. Another turnpike was
opened in 1804. running from Stafford to Petersham; both these
( 141 )
OIK COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
roads i-aii llirouiiii tlic Old Centei', and were the cause of many
air castles being built by real estate owners living in that little
hamlet, which, alas, wore never to materialize. The stages came
and went each day, the farmers filled their acres and the town
plodded on without furtlier jiro^ress. In 1820 the population
was 1,197. tlie valuatidu was but .i^9,Oil2.77 : real progress was
delayed till the advent of the mills, to which coming the villages
of Three Rivers, Thoi-ndikc and Bondsville owe their existence
and tlie town a large share of its prosperity.
I)idustri(s. — The early industi'ies existed for the needs of
the town anil were limited in tlicir ])roducts. The first sawmill
was erected at l'()tta((uattuck I'ond in 1730, and a gristmill was
put up by Steward Southgate near the other mill in 1737-8.
The first gristmill was built at the lower part of the present
Thorudike in 173fi by Robert Fan-ell and Thomas Harmon. In
1757 a sawmill was added to the same dam. James Shearer built
a sawmill on Cellar Swamp brook as early as 1740,' which was
in operation till 1790: this was on the Josiah Gates farm. It
is probable that Hugh Moor built a grist and sawmill on the
Chicopee river, a mile below Three Rivers, about 1775; these
mills were purchased in 1788 by Gideon Graves and operated
by him till 1825, and soon went to decay after that date. There
was a sawmill on Dumplin brook as early as 1800. A wool card-
ing and cloth mill was conducted by B. S. Cummings in the
Shoreley district as early as 1790. There was a fulling mill at
Pottaquattuck Pond in 1795. C'apt. Patrick "Watson had a tan-
nery on the Ware river near Whipple's Station as early as 1766.
William Mason began the same business in 1790 just beyond
Blanchardville and conducted it there for many years. As a
matter of course blacksniithing was an early and necessary in-
dustry, beginning with John AjJin in 1733. In 1772 Capt.
Timothy Brainci-d added the inaking of axes and scythes to the
trade of blacksmitliing.
The ViUofirs and Tltrir Indiistrifs. — The Old Center was
the only village in Palmer for a hundred years. The first settlei-s
were Duncan (^uinton. Jolui Moores, James Tjanibcrton and
AVilliam Crawford. Their fii'st dwellings wei-e rude log cabins
( 142 )
OUR COUNTY AM) ITS J'EOPLE
(.•rectcd mIkuiI 17i'.'), Ilcrc in ll'.i'.i (^uintoii opened tlie first ordi-
nary in town, and two yeai's later tlie first liunihie chnreli was
built. In 17;!7 John Thompson came here and put u]i a second
ordinary wliicli soon became a popular resort.
Aplin Smith had come in 17:^3 ; additional houses came
slowly : the school liouse was not located there till 17fi4. William
Tupper i)robably had the first store tliei'e about 1790. succeeded
by Hamilton & Upham and a little later by Col. Hamilton, who
had the only store till 1824, when T. K. Knifrht added another.
The inauguration of the first turnpike in jMassachusetts from
\\ arren through the Old Center to Wilbraham in 1796, and an-
other from Stafiford to Athol in 1804 revived hopes for this little
hamlet which were never to be realized but for a brief period.
In 1796 the famous Prink tavern, which stiU remains, was built
on the site of the old Quinton house and became one of the most
noted hostelries between Boston and Springfield. In 1800 Asa
Ward built anotlier tavern opposite the Prink house. In 1805
the first post-office was established at the Center with Col. Hamil-
ton as postmaster. Anson I\loody was the first physician to estab-
lish a practice at the Center, followed by Dr. Aaron King from
1824 to ISCil. 'I'lii- only lawyer of the Center was James Steb-
bins. a giaduate of Williams in 1807: he came in 1813 and
remained till 183o. The opening of the AYestern railroad in 1839
proved tlie turning point for the ])rospects of the Center. In a
few years it lost its stores, its hotels were closed, its church re-
moved, and even many of its houses. It is now a quiet hamlet.
The villages of Three Kivers. Thorndike and Bondville have
been erected and chiefly maintained by the mills established in
their several localities.
Three Hirers is located at the .iunetion of the Quabaug, Ware
and Swift rivers. Prior to 182") the territory now occupied by
the villaije was farm land, inucli of it covered by pine timber.
The dam was built in 1825 and a mill erected soon after by the
Three Rivers ^Manufacturing Company. Hall J. Kelley was a
leading factor in carrying out the plans of the enterprise, but
this company failed and was succeeded by the Palmer Co.. Octo-
ber 17, 1831. which brought the work to completion through the
( 144 )
THE TOWN OF PALMER.
efforts of J. S. Wright and Joseph Brown. This mill was burut
in 1863 and rebuilt in 1878. This mill is one of the important
industries of the town. The village contains about 2,000 iuliabit-
ants with the usual eomi)lement of churclies, schools and stores.
27ion)(ZiA;e.— This village is located in a valley at the falls
on the Ware river. Its territory was originally settled by the
Parrells, ]\IeElwains and Quintons; as early as 17;3(i a grist mill,
the first in town, was put in at the lower falls, and later a saw
Tlie X'iliagB CoiumDii, Tliree Rivers
mill was added near the same locality, which was (■(intiiiued till
about 1795. About 1797 Goodman put up a grist and saw mill
just below the present upper mill ; two years later the property
passed to Capt. Charles Cargill, who added a clothier's mill.
Soon after 1825 Aaron Blanchard bought the property and en-
larged the mill where different industries were conducted.
Samuel Henry made windmills Uw some years ami here Josiah
Leland made the first ax handles bv machinerv. Prior to 1837
10-3
( 145
THE TOWN OF PALMER
there were l)ut few dwelling houses here : the site of the present
lower mill was devoted to the growth of brush. The prosperity
of the place dates from the formation of the Thorndike Company,
March 14, 1836. The lower mill was built in 1837 and the upper
mill in 1845, displacing the Blanehard factory which was taken
down. J. B. Merrick was the successful agent of the mills for
many yeai's. The village derived its name from Israel Thorn-
dike, one of the original founders of the company. The village
Bondsville School Building
has churches, schools and a variety of stores: its population is
about 1,700.
2>0'»f/6T(7/(.--This village is located on Swift river. James
and Samuel Lamont were the first who attempted to utilize the
power here by jnitting in a gristmill in 1749. In 1795 Darling
and Boyden built a sawmill, and succeeding them several minor
industries were carried on. The present Boston Duck Company
was formed February 15, 1845, and the mill completed in 1849.
The village was named in honor of Emelius Bond, an early re.si-
( 147 )
OUK COrXTY AM> ITS J'lJOPLhJ
dent and leading business man of tlie eonmninitx'. The village
has a popidation of about 1,(J00; has several cluuehes, schools
and stores.
/'(//mc)'. — This villajie resulted fnnii the building of the
Western Railroad in 1839; prior to that date the territory now
occupied by the village was divided among the farms of Col.
Cyrus Knox, Elisha Converse, John Watson and Capt. A. N.
Dewev, with about half a do/en fai'm iiouses scattered along the
I a I irici- tmsi II
highway. AVhen the station was located here the ])ossibilities of
the place were soon reeognizetl and a number of business men
located here, among whom were ;\Ir. ^McGilvery. John Ward,
Franklin ilorgan. (Tiester Strong and othci's. The ]\IcGilvery
Co. very quickly inaugurated a thriving mercantile biisiness;
three liotels, the Nassawano. Converse and Western Railroad,
later the Antique, were speedily built, and the village began
its progress along the lines of healthy growth. To-day it con-
tains a population of 2,000, has four churches, gi-aded and a high
{ 14S )
THE TOWN OF PALMER
schools, numerous stores, a National and a Savings bank, is the
seat of the Eastern Hampden district court with a resident judge,
is the home of the Eastern Hampden Agricultural society and
has an enterprising newspaper, the Palmer Journal, established
half a century ago. The Flynt Construction company is located
here, fi-om which point all their extensive business is conducted.
Tlie industries of this portion of the town are the Palmer Carpet
Looking up JIaiu Street — Palmer Village
company, the Ilohlen Woolen uiill, the Wright & Gallon Wire
works and the iron foundry.
Bla u char dville. — This important water power on the Qua-
baug river was first utilized by Solomon Slatei-, who came from
Rhode Island about 1790, built a mill on the Palmer side of the
.stream, and fitted it with machinery of his own invention for the
manufacture of cloth. He remained but a few years and his mill
was changed to a grist mill. In 1805 Capt. David Hyde had
both crist and sawmills here. In 1818 tliev were owned by
( 14'.)
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Elisha Converse and in 1830 bj- Rufus Bugbee. In 1824 Maj.
John B. Blanc'liard located here and began the manufacture of
scythes, wliich he coiitiinH'd till 1840, when the business passed
to his sons, Alouzo V., William J., John 1). and Franklin, who
were veiy suecessl'ul and had a wide sale for their product. They
also engaged extensively in the making of plow and shovel
handles, ox bows and wheel rims, continuing the business for
many yeai's. This power is now owned and used by the Central
IMassachusetts Electric Company.
Colonial Houses. ~A few houses remain as object lessons of
the times when Palmer lived under the rule of George III. A
portion of the present Charles R. Shaw house was built by Wil-
liam Patterson about 1745. The Seva Brown house, east of Mt.
Pottafiuattuek. was built in 1750, i. e., the ell part, by Dr. Wm.
McClanathan, and the two-story part in 1770 by his son Samuel.
The Rev. Moses Baldwin house in Palmer village was built by
him about 1767. The Joshua Shaw house was built by Shaw
about 1762, near the scene of the first ordination. The Dr. Jabez
Lamb house was built about 1770. The Deacon Brainerd house
was built by Samuel Frost about 1760, with a front of two stoi-ies,
and in the rear of one. The front remains unchanged, but the
rear has been raised a story to cori-espond. This house was a
tavern in the revolution, and where Gen. Reidesel, his wife and
officers were entertained while his soldier prisoners were en-
camped about the house in 1777. The oldest portion of the
Charles P. Smith house was built by the first owner, Robert
Smith, about 1750, the front part by his son, Robert, Jr., in 1793.
The farm has been in the Smith family for four generations and
is now owned by Charles F. Smith.
Early Tavcrn.s.—ln the days before the existence of the
daily newspapers the tavern was the principal rendezvous for
the exchange of news and ojiinions, so in Palmer from the first
the landlord was one of the leading men of the town whose in-
Huences were wielded in a marked degree. The most noted early
taverns in town were Quinton's, Thompson's, and Frink's at the
Old Center ;Maj. Aaron Graves's, the first and second Scott.
and Sedgwick's, near Shearer's Corner, and the King Tavern
( 150 )
riji^
'"'*^-H
By V^«
jgjflj
ffv-^^
t :■ ^^m '
G^D .«
'■■'vSmm ^.juiiil^^H^H
;
■
1
> ^^ 'M
H
^""^St- ..■^B
H
^••s*
p|
1
o
o
1-5
oi n corxTY .\.\i> its people
oil site oC the present Cross l)liiek in I'iiliner village, and the
Captain Walker tavern, later the Brainerd house. The later
and present houses of note are the Nassawano, the Converse and
the \Veeks.
Churches.— Thi' iirst eliurch — Presbyterian, later Congrega-
tional— was organized about IT'AO, and had its location at the
Old Center till 1848, when it was removed to Thorndike. The
Second Congregational Church was organized April 1, 1847,
composed of members dismissed from the first church and others,
and located in the then new village of Palmer. The First Bap-
tist Church began to crystallize as early as 1818, but was not or-
ganized till November 16, 1825. The permanent church edifice
was erected in Three Rivers in 1832. The Second Baptist Church
organized in the village of Palmer August 8, 1852. The nucleus
of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Palmer was formed in
1833 by a class of ten per.sons in Thi-ee Rivers, but it was not till
June 16. 1857. that the church had a more permanent home,
when its church edifice was dedicated at Fovir Corners. In 1885
the society united with the church at Bondsville. which had been
formed in 1866. A Union Evangelical church was organized at
Three Rivers April 27, 1876, which still continues its successful
work. The Advent Christian Cluireh was organized in the vil-
lage of Palmer in 1874.
Second Baptist C/uot/;. — This elmich was organized August
8, 1852, and was incorporated by a special act of the Legislature
May 2, 1887. It is located in Palmer village. It was formed
with a list of twenty members foi-mei'ly of the Three Rivers
ChuiX'li, Init residents of Palmer village. A house of worship was
dedicated in March, 1854. The first pastor was Rev. Samuel A.
Collins. Jr., who was recognized in September, 1852.
.S"^. Paul's Uriiucrsalist Clturcli was organized Mny 28, 1876,
by Rev. A. J. Patteison. D. D., with a memberehip of twenty-
one. The liouse of worship, the finest in town, built of Monson
granite, was dedicated May 12, 1880. Rev. Charles H. Eaton
was the first pastor and resigned after a successful pastorate of
four years to become the pastor of Dr. Chapin"s church in New
"^'ork city.
( 155 )
THE TO HA' OF PALMER
lionian Catholic Churches. — Vvxov to 1850 but few families
of the Koman Catholic faith had settled in Palmer, so that the
visits of priests for their instruction were infrequent, but in
ISo-l their number had increased to the extent that it was deemed
advisable to purchase the church at the Old Center, which was
dedicated for their use the following year and continued to be
their place of assembly till 1876. when it was vacated to occupy
the new church at Thorndike, established through the eft'orts of
Looking toward the Baptist Chuix-li from tlie ilejiot— Palmer Village
Father Lynch. In 1S78 St. Thomas Church was established in
Palmer village, and has been a flourishing society under the able
leadership of its various priests. A French Catholic church was
established at Three Rivers in 1880, for whom a fine church was
erected in 1884. St. Bartholomew's Church was organized at
Bondsville in 1879, and a house was erected for its worship. It
has been under the charge of Father McKearny since its organ-
ization. St. Anne's Mission for Fi'encli people was organized
at Bondsville in 1889.
( 15:i )
OCR COIXTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
Schools.— Because of the poverty of the people during the
pi-eliminary years of settlement no public schools were estab-
lished in town prior to 1752; the limited instruction gathered by
the young people during that period was obtained at home or
in the families of the better informed, of which class there were
notable examples. In 1752 the town was divided into four dis-
tricts, and the sum of £10 14s. 4d. was raised for the support of
the schools for the ensuing year. One teacher was employed to
give instruction in rotation, or about two mouths in each section.
As no school houses were built befoi-e 1767 the schools were held
in private houses as convenience dictated. Soon after the above
date, however, school houses were erected in the five divisions,
the house at the Center being completed in 1782. The school
liouses of those days were verj- plain structures devoid of orna-
ment or comfort, with a huge fireplace at one end opposite the
teacher's desk, with slabs for seats and rough boards for forms,
and it is to be feared that the instruction was as crude as the
environments. From this humble beginning the schools of
Palmer have steadily progressed till they have attained a position
second to few in the state, when the ability of the teachers and
the up-to-date appointments of the buildings are considered. A
high school has been maintained since 1851, but students were
not graduated till 1877, since which time the graduates number
219 : of this number 29 have become college graduates, 19 have
taken partial courses of college study, 6 are graduates of nor-
mal schools, 7 have taken partial courses in normal study, 5 are
graduates of business colleges, 8 have taken post-graduate semi-
nary studies, 16 are now in college and 4 in business colleges.
The graduates who have chosen professions are divided as fol-
lows : Teachers 62, clergymen 2, lawyers 4, physicians 4, anaylit-
ical chemist 1, librarian 1, music teachers 2, dentists 2. A graded
school is located in each of the four villages, each divided into
nine grades. There are also five ungraded district schools. In
1900-1901 there were 1,:'!00 children eni-olled, under the charge
of 35 teachers. The amount expended for schools in same time
was .$21,579.65.
Young ^fcn's Library Association was organized December
2, 1878. and incorporated under the general laws of the state.
( 154 )
THE TOWN OF PALMER
The corporate members were Rev. Charles H. Eaton, 0. P. Allen,
Dr. W. H. Stowe, C. B. Fiske, S. H. Hellyat, S. S. Taft, W. A.
Lincoln, S. W. French, W. C. Dewey, C. W. Johnson. The
library was started by a subscription of sf^TlS for the purchase
of books. Since the first year the library has been largely main-
tained by an annual appropriation by the town. For several
yours, however, after its organization, rooms for its iise were
furnished free through the generosity of Mr. M. W. French. In
1890 a few citizens, recognizing the pressing needs of the library,
raised $3,000 by subscription and bought a site for a memorial
building, which was erected by the town at a cost of $20,000, and
dedicated to the use of the library and the post of the G. A. R.,
April 29, 1891, with an address by Rev. Charles H. Eaton of
New York. The library now contains about 6,000 volumes.
Societies.— Valmev is noted for its numerous societies, some
of them of long standing. Of the Masonic branches, Thomas
Lodge was constituted 1796 ; Hampden R. A. Chapter organized
1864: Washington Council, R. and S. M., organized 1873, with
the auxiliary Revere Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. Of
the other societies may be mentioned the Palmer Historical So-
ciety, organized May 6, 1899, with these officers : President, J.
C. Wing : secretary and treasurer, H. C. Strong ; vice-president.
Rev. F. B. Harrison ; curator, O. P. Allen. This society has done
valuable work in preserving many historical papers and relics
connected with the town. The I. 0. of 0. F., Good Cheer Re-
bekah Lodge, the Knights of Malta, Knights of Columbus, the
Red Men, Eastern Hampden Agricultural Society, incorporated
1856; St. Mary's Total Abstinence Society, Royal Arcanum,
Woman's Christian Temperance Union, A. 0. U. W., Foresters
of America, Kings' Daughters, Women's Tuesday Club, Once a
Week Club, L. L. Mirriek Post, G. A. R. ; Relief Corps, Cyrus
W. Cross Camp, S. of V.; Palmer Biisiness and Social Club,
Societe de Secours Mutuels.
Cemeteries. — The oldest cemetery is located in the village of
Palmer and was set apart by the first settlers, probably in 1729,
on the occasion of the death of several children, one of them
being Moses, the son of Jolm King, the first settler. The oldest
( 155 )
OIL' COLNiy AM) ITS PEOPLE
headstone haviiiij; an inscription bears date of May 22, 1732.
Additions liave been made to the grounds at dift'erent periods,
which now contain about fifteen acres. The cemetery at the Old
Center was hiid ont in 1735, and doubtless the tirst one buried
there was Lieut. Samuel Doolittle, on July 18, 1736. A large
number of the early settlers are buried hei'e, but it is used but
little at present. A small cemetery was laid out at Three Rivers
in 1837, and another at Four Corners in 1851. The Catholic
Cemetei-y. near the Old Center, was laid out in 1863, and the
Preneli Catholic Cemetery, near Three Kivers, in 1879. The
Palmer Cemetery Association was organized June 18, 1888, for
the purpose of caring for the cemetery grounds in the Palmer
village, and has been the means of greatlj' improving the same.
In 1898 tlie town elected three cemetery commissioners, who have
the charge of the Protestant cemeteries of the town.
War of the Behellion.— During the civil war the patriotic
spirit of the revolutionary fathers was revived and Palmer
promptly met the various calls and furnished 197 men for the
service, to whose valiant deeds the Memorial hall has been
erected to commemorate. The names of her soldiers have been
engraved on marble tablets and placed in the building.
So7ne Prominent Men of the Pn.si. — Among those most active
in shaping the affairs of the town in its early days were the
elder William Scott, Steward Southgate, Barnard McNitt, John
King, Lieut. Samuel Doolittle. and Duncan Quintou. In the
years following the Smiths, Ferrells, McElwaius, ilcClanathans,
Shearers. In the revolutionary period w'e shall ever remember
the service of Capt. David Spear, who led the immortal band of
forty-four men the day following the Lexington alarm to the
relief of their compatriots. Hobert Hunter, Lieut. William
Scott. Jr., Ma.i. Aaron Graves, Col. Sylvanus Walker, Capt.
David Shaw, Rev. Moses Baldwin, whose pastoral service of fifty
years was a bright memory in the dai-kest period of the town's
history. 1762 to 1812. The numerous descendants of John King,
the first settler, honoi'ed their ancestor's name in town for more
than one hundred and fifty years. One of them, Henry King,
removed to Pennsylvania and became a member of congress.
( 136 )
TEE TOWN OF PALMER
Later came Col. Amos Hamilton, Asa Ward, John Ward, Aaron
Merrick, Ma.j. Frank Morgan, John B.. Blanchard and sons Wil-
jiam, Alonzo, John and Franklin; the Converses, Col. Cyrus
Knox, Capt. Jesse and Col. Isaac King, Dr. Aaron King, Joseph
Brown, J. B. jMerrick, E. B. Gates, G. M. Fiske and Elijah Miir-
dock. This list can be greatly extended by referring to the names
found in the list of town officers further on. It would be in-
vidious to select the names of those now living who are well
worthy of a place here. They can well wait for a future his-
torian to place them on record.
Clerks of the Elbows Plantation, 1733-1752: Steward
Southgate, 1733-1739 ; David Shaw, 1739 ; John Thompson, 1740,
1741; John Aplin, 1742, 1746; William Scott, Jr., 1746-1750;
Samuel Shaw, Jr., 1750-1752.
Clerks of the District and Town of Palmer : David Shaw,
1752-1753-1754; Barnard :\reNitt, 1755-1761; Thomas King,
1762-1770; Robert Hunter, Jr.. 1771-1786; William Scott, Esq.,
1787: Robert Hunter. 1788; John Allen Smith, 1789-1804: Amos
Hamilton, 1805-1813: James Stebbins. 1814; Theophilus Knight,
1815-1817: John Frink, 1818-1828; Theophilus H. Knight, 1829-
1835 : Amos Hamilton, 1836-1840 : Horatio G. Hale, 1841 ; Gamaliel
Collins, 1842; John Ward. 1843-1847; William J. Blanchard,
1848; Theophilus H. Knight, 1849-1852; Ebenezer Brown, 1853-
1856; James K. Child, 1857; William N. Packard, 1858; Daniel
Gi'anger, 1859-1863; Joseph H. Blair, 1864; Lyman Dimoek,
1865-1867; James B. Shaw, 1868-1901.
Sdccimcn: 1752, Seth Shaw. Robert Rogers. John Thompson,
Thomas McClanathan, John Aplin ; 1753, Seth Shaw, Thomas Me-
Clanathan, Robert Rogers, Dunkin Quinton, James Smith, John
Thompson, John Aplin; 1754, Barnard McNitt, Hugh McMaster,
James Breckinridge, William JMcClanathan, Robert Farrell, Jr.;
1755, James Breckinridge. John Thompson, Barnard McNitt,
Robert Hunter, James Smith, Seth Shaw ; 1756, James Breckin-
ridge, Dunkin Quinton, Robert Rogers, Thomas King, Timothy
McElwain, Samuel Shaw; 1757, Timothy McElwain, John Thom-
son, Jonathan Chapin, Seth Shaw, James Smith; 1758, John
Thomson, Seth Shaw, Timothy IMcElwain, Jonathan Chapin,
{ 157 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOFLE
Sanmol fthaw. Ji-. : 1759. John Tlioiiison. Sctli 8h;nv, Timothy
]\IcE]\vain, John Smith, John King; ITliO, John Tliomson, Wil-
liam Scott, Timothy McElwain, Seth Shaw, John King; 1761,
John Thomson, William Scott, Seth Sliaw, Timothy IMcElwain,
John King; 17G2, John Thomson, Seth Shaw. John King, Tim-
othy McElwain. William McClauathan; 1763, William Scott,
James Breckinridge, Seth Shaw, John Smith. Robert Rogers;
1764, James Breckinridge, Robert Rogers, Seth Shaw, William
McClanathau, John Smith; 1765, William Scott, Seth Shaw,
Robert Rogers ; 1766, William Scott, Robert Rogers, Seth Shaw ;
1767, Seth Shaw, Robert Rogers, William Scott, William Mc-
Clanathan, Samuel Shaw ; 1768, Seth Shaw. Robert Rogers, Wil-
liam Scott, Samuel Shaw, W^illiam McClauathan; 1769, Lieut.
William Scott, Deacon Seth Shaw. Robert Rogers, Sr., Samuel
Shaw, William McClauathan; 1770, Lieut. William Scott, Dea-
con Seth Shaw, Elder Robert Rogers, Elder William McClaua-
than, David Spear; 1771, Lieut. William Scott, Phineas Mixter,
John McMaster; 1772, Lieut. William Scott, Deacon Seth Shaw,
Phineas Mixter, John McMaster. David Spear; 1773, David
Spear, Lieut. William Scott, John McMaster, Robert Brown,
Robert Ferrell ; 1774, Lieut. William Scott, David Spear, John
McMaster, Robert Ferrell, Robert Brown ; 1775. Lieut. William
Scott, Capt. David Spear, Robert Ferrell. Robert Brown, Lieut.
Jo.shua Shaw; 1776. Capt. David Spear, Lieut. Joshua Shaw,
James Sniitii. Thomas King, Capt. Aaron Graves; 1777, Phineas
Mixtei-. Deacon John iNIcMaster, Deacon John Smith. Robert
Ferrell, Lieut. Ebenezer Jones ; 1778, Capt. David Spear. Deacon
Thomas King. Lieut. Joshua Shaw, Capt. David Spear, Aaron
Graves, Sanuiel ]\IcClanathan -, 1779, Capt. David Spear. Lieut.
Joshua Shaw. Capt. Aaron Graves, Robert Hunter, Lieut. Robert
McMaster ; 1780. Robert Ferrell. Joshua Mc]\Iaster, Deacon John
Smith, John Quinton, Samuel Shaw; 1781, John Mc^Ia-ster, John
Quinton, Samuel Shaw, John Rogere, Samuel Cummings ; 1782,
Capt. David Spear. Ma.j. Aaron Graves, Francis Breckenridge,
John Thomson, Capt. Pati-ick Watson : 1783. Capt. David Spear,
Maj Aaron Graves, Francis Breckenridge. John Thomson, Lieut.
John Iving; 1784, Ma.i. Aaron Graves, Lieut. David King,
( 158 )
THE TOWN OF PALMEB
Francis Breekenridge, John Thomson, Capt. Patrick "Watson;
1785, Maj. Aaron Graves, Francis Breekenridge, James Thom-
son, Lieut. David King, Capt. Patrick Watson; 1786, Maj.
Aaron Graves, Lieut. David King, Francis Breekenridge, John
Thomson, Capt. Patrick Watson; 1787, Capt. David Spear,
Dwight Ward, Lieut. John Hamilton, Jesse King, Lieut. Thomas
McClanathan ; 1788, Maj. Aaron Graves, Lieut. David King,
Lieut. Thomas IMcClanathan, John Thomson, Capt. Patrick Wat-
son; 1789, Maj. Aaron Graves, Lieut. David King, Lieut. Thomas
McClanathan, John Thomson, Capt. David Shaw; 1790, Lieut.
David King, ilaj. Aaron Graves, Capt. David Shaw, Lieut.
Thomas McClanathan, Lieut. James Smith; 1791, Aaron Mer-
rick. Lieut. John Hamilton, Capt. David Shaw; 1792, Aaron
]\Ierrick, Lieut. John Hamilton, Capt. David Shaw; 1793, Aaron
IMerrick, Lieut. John Hamilton, Col. David Shaw, Capt. Thomas
McClanathan, Lieut. John King; 1794, Maj. Aaron Graves, Lieut.
David King, Capt. David Speai-, Lieut. Joshua Shaw. Deacon
Samuel McClanathan ; 1795, Lieut. David King, Maj. Aaron
Graves, Capt. David Spear, Deacon Samuel McClanathan, Dea-
■con Joshua Shaw, 179fi. Alpheus Converse, Gordon Sedgwick,
Ebenezer Webber, Thomas Hill, Jesse lung ; 1797, Alpheus Con-
verse, Gordon Sedgwick, Ebenezer Webber, Jesse King, Joseph
Smith ; 1798, Aaron Merrick, Samuel McClanathan, Timothy
Brainerd, Clark ]\IcMaster, Solomon Shaw; 1799, Aaron Merrick,
Gordon Sedg\vick, Capt. Alpheus Converse, Lieut. James Smith,
Dr. Jonathan Shearer; 1800, Dr. Jonathan Shearer, Lieut. John
Hamilton, Theophihis Knight, Isaac Warren, Daniel Shearer;
1801, Deacon Gordon Sedgwick, Lieut. James Smith, Timothy
Brainerd, Capt. Alpheus Converse, Theophilus Knight; 1802,
Aaron Merrick, Capt. Thomas McClanathan, Capt. Jesse King,
Lieut. William Spear, Daniel Shearer; 1803, Aaron Merrick,
Esq., Capt. Thomas McClanathan, Deacon Gordon Sedgwick,
Capt. Jesse King, Daniel Shearer; 1804, Capt. Alpheus Con-
verse, Capt. Jesse King, John A. Smith, Isaac Perrell, Solomon
Shaw; 1805, Capt. Jesse King, Ens. Daniel Shearer, Solomon
t^haw, Isaac Ferrell, Jacob Converse, Jr. ; 1807, Aaron Merrick,
Esq., Gordon Sedgwick, Alpheus Converse, Isaac Ferrell, Solo-
( 159 )
orii corsTY axd its people
limn Slinw; ISOS. (':i])i. Jesse King, Theoiihilus Kniglit. Clark
.Me.Mastor, Amos Ihiiiiilton. John King, :3d; 1800. Jesse King,
Tlieophihis Kniglit. Clark ;\le.Alas1er, Amos Hamilton, John
King. :M: L^K). <'ai)t. Jesse King, Theophilus Knight. Clark
r>Ie.Master, Amos Hamilton. John King, M ; 1811, Capt. Jesse
King, Theophilns Knight, Clark I\lc^laster, Amos Hamilton,
John King, 3ci ; 1812, Capt. Jesse King. Theophilus Knight, Asa
Ward. Enos Kider. Samnel Shaw: 1813, Jesse King. Theophilus
Knight, Asa AVard, Enos Kider, Samuel Shaw : 181-1. Alpheus
Converse, Asa AVard, Enos Kider. Samuel Shaw. Isaac Perrell;
1815, Jesse King, Asa AVard. John AfeAIaster. Benjamin Cura-
mings. I'hilii) Lamb : 1816, Col. Amos Hamilton, Solomon Shaw,
AVilson Foster, John Smith. John Shaw; 1817, Col. Amos Hamil-
ton, Solomon Shaw. AVilson Foster, John Smith. John Shaw;
1818, James Stebbins, Esq., Asa AA'ard, Robert Smith, Joseph
Lee, Elijah Hills; 1819, James Stebbins, Asa AA'ard. Robert
Smith, Joseph Lee, Jr.. Elijah Hills; 1820, James Stebbins, AA^il-
son Foster, Joseph Lee, Jr.; 1821, Col. Amos Hamilton. Asa
AVard. Calvin AVhite ; 1822, Col. Amos Hamilton. Clark :\lcilas-
ter. Daniel King; 1823, Col. Amos Hamilton, Capt. Daniel King,
Capt. Jonathan Moore: 1824, Col. Amos Hamilton. Joseph Lee.
Jr., Xoah Stimson ; 1825, James Stebbins, Esq.. Asa AA'ard,
Zadoek Cooley, Reuben Shaw, Elias Turner ; 1826. John Frink,
Lebbeus Chapin. Calvin A\'ard. Cyrus Knox. John Sedgwick,
1827, John Frink, Calvin AVard. Cyrus Knox. John Sedgwick,
John B. Blanehard : 1828, Col. Amos Hamilton, Sylvester Parks,
Robert Hitchcock, Jonathan IMoore, Jr.. Isaac King: 1829. Capt.
Sylvester Parks. Robert Hitchcock. Col. Isaac King. Emelius
Bond. Truman Smith: 1830, John Frink. Joseph Lee. Jr.. Cyrus
Knox; 1831, John Sedgwick. Capt. Timothy Ferrell. Truman
Smith ; 1832, Col. Cyrus Knox. Capt. Truman Smith, Clark Alc-
Jlaster; 1833, Elisha Converse, Jr., Leonard Da^^s, Alonzo A'".
Blanehard; 1834. Col. Cyrus Knox, Joseph Brown. 2d. Leonard
Davis; 1835, Col. Cyrus Knox. Clark IMcAIaster. John AVard;
1836, John AVard, Abel Calkin. Marble K. Perrell. Ralph Green,
William J. l^lanchard; 1837. John AVard. Abel Calkin. Marble
K. Ferrell. Kalph Oreen, AVilliam J. Blanehard; 1838, John
( 160 )
TEE TOWN OF PALMER
AVard, AVilliaiii J. Blanchard, David S. Paine, Pliny Cooley,
Philetus AV. Burnett ; 1839, John AVard, Pliny Cooley, Eliphalet
Hancock, Koyal Biiffington, A. V. Blanchard; 1840, Sylvester
Parks, John Gaminell, Royal Buffington; 1841, John Gammell,
A. W Blanchard, P. AA^ Burnett, Gilbert Barker, Merrick Cooley;
1842. A. V. Blanchard, Asa Shunuvay. Moses Barnes; 1843, A.
V. Blanchard, Asa Shunnvay, P. AV. Burnett, Abner Allen, Jr.,
Jedediah A. Paine; 1844, Abel Calkins, Abner Allen, Jr., James
Gammell. Benjamin Davis, John D. Blanchard; 1845, James
Gammell, IMarble K. Ferrell, J. D. Blanchard, Gilbert Barker,
Absalom C. Peck; 1847, Keyes Foster, Isaac King, AV. J. Blan-
chard. Kut'ns Brown, Sylvester Parks; 1848. Sylvester Parks,
Isaac King. K. Foster, Joseph C. Burgess, Horace Hunn ; 1849,
A. V. Blanchard, M. K. Ferrell. Perry Hastings, Enos Calkins,
Cyrus Knox; 1850, A. A". Blanchard, Cyrus Knox, II. K. Ferrell,
linos Calkins, Rozel Hastings; 1851, Cyrus Knox, A. V. Blanch-
ard, M. K. Ferrell: 1852, A. V. Blanchard, Enos Calkins, George
Moores; 1853, John A. Squires. Enos Calkins; 1854. Gilbert
Barker, George Moores, J. A. Squires; 1855, Horace Hunn,
Nathan Howard, David Knox; 1856, Horace Hunn, Nathan How-
ard, David Knox; 1857, Horace Hunn, George Moores, Solomon
R. Lawrence; 1858, Hunn, Moores and Lawrence; 1859, S. R.
Lawrence, Geo. Moores, James S. Loomis; 1860, Geo. Moores, J.
S. Loomis, Gilbert Barker; 1861, Geo. Moores, J. S. Loomis, Abel
AVebber; 1862, J. S. Loomis, A. A¥ebber, Nathan Howard; 1863,
A. AVebber, E. B. Gates, Parker AA^. AVebster; 1864, same board;
1865, Enos Calkins. E. B. Gates, George Moores; 1866, E.
Calkins, Geo. Moores, J. E. Crane; 1867, same board; 1868, AV.
AV. Cross, J. E. Crane. P. AV. AVebster; 1869, J. S. Loomis, E. G.
Murdock, P. AV. AVebster; 1870-1871-1872, same board; 1873, E.
G. Murdock, P. AV. AVebster, T. D. Potter; 1874, Ebenezer
Brown, O. B. Smith, J. O. Hamilton; 1875, J. 0. Hamilton, Enos
Calkins. E. B. Gates; 1876, J. 0. Hamilton, E. Calkins, Geo.
Moores: 1877. James O. Hamilton. P. AA^. AA'^ebster. Joseph Keri-
gan ; 1878. 0. B. Smith, Henry P. Holden, Joseph Kerigan ; 1879,
Albert IL Willis. F. A. Packard, Joseph Kerigan; 1880, F. A.
Packard, Joseph Kerigan, Charles E. Dewey; 1881, E. G. Mur-
11-3 ( 161 )
OUR COUNTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
dock, IJeury (>. Looiiiis, Henry ileilaster; 1882, same board;
1883, H. G. Looniis, Elbridge G. Hastings, J. Kerigan; 1884, H.
G. Looniis, J. Kerigan, Davis B. Bishop ; 1885, Chas. D. liol-
brook, Charles L. Holdeu, Joseph Kerigan ; 1886, J. Kerigan,
Samuel H. Hellyat, Capt. H. E. W. Clark; 1887, H. E. W.
Clark, Daniel P. Holden, Joseph Kerigan; 1888, D. L. Holden,
William II. Brainerd. Joseph Kerigan; 1889, "\V. H. Brainerd,
Michael J. Dillon, Joseph L. Holbrook; 189U, II. P. Marcy,
M. J. Dillon, AV. H. Brainerd; 1891, W. H. Brainerd,
Chas. E. Getchell. John F. Twiss: 1892. same board : 1893, H. P.
Holden, C. E. Getchell, J. F. Twiss; 1894, same board; 1895, J.
F. Twiss, Chas. T. Brainerd, Geo. i\I. Atldns; 1896, same board;
1897, same board: 1898, M. J. Dillon, Chas. L. Holden, G. M.
Atkins; 1899, M. J. Dillon, Chas. L. Holden, Chas. T. Brainerd;
1900, Geo. M. Atkins, C. H. Hobbs, John P. Twiss; 1901, John F.
Twiss, C. H. Hobbs.
PJiysicians. — The records fail to disclose the name of a resi-
dent physician prior to 1764, when Dr. Jabez Lamb settled in
town and i)i'acticed his art. As Dr. John Sherman settled in
Bi-imfield before 1730, he was probably called by Palmer people
when in need of his services. Cahdn Scott, a college graduate,
followed. 1778-180(1; Benjamin Trask, 1779; Jonathan Shearer,
1794-1828 ; Nathan Cummings, 1799 ; Anson Moody, 1819 ; J. N.
Hastings, 1820.; Aaron King, 1824-1861; Marcus M. Shearer,
1826-1854; Amasa Davis, 1839-1869; Reuben Barron, 1843-1858;
J. B. Thomas. 1845-1880; George W. Burke, 1845-1850; Andrew
J. Wliite. 1846-1850; William Holbrook, 1848-1901; E. E.
Wilder, 1853; William Blair. 1854; N. Barnes. 1854-1859; Por-
ter Davis, 1820-1824; A. M. Higgins, 1856-1867; George N. Nich-
ols .1857 ; G. F. Forbes, 1857 ; Samuel Shaw, 1857 ; P. W. Calkins,
1860-1864; J. W. Comins, 1861-1865; B. R. Johnson, 1862; E.
B. Lyon, 1863-1865; Isaac Manning, 1863-1865; Silas Ruggles,
1866-1889; J. K, Warren, 1870-1882; AV. H, Stowe, 1876-1895;
H. A. Smith, 1878 to present time; W, E. Holbrook, 1879-1882;
John Rand, J. B. Hyland, G. H. Wilkins. 1882 to the present
time; E. Sirois, 1884 and 1892; M. H. Davis, 1886-1890; J, J.
Flyiiii, 1886-1891; John Wilbur, 1887-1895; A. 0. Squares, 1889-
( 1<5'2 )
THE TO^yN OF PALMER
1891 ; W. H. Bliss, 1891-1899 ; J. A. Dorval, 1891-1893 ; H. M.
Auger, 1891-1893; J. C. Boiilay, 1893-1900; J. H. Desmaris,
1893-1894; L. H. Hendee, 1894-1901; J. P. Sclineider, 1895 to
the present; G. Lafontaine, 1896-1899; S. 0. Miller, 1900; Geo.
J. Hebert, 1900; Chas. H. Girous, 1900, T. C. Dorval, 1900; J.
H. ililler. 1901. There were a few others whose stay was short.
Lawyers. — AVilliam Scott, Jr., was the first resident lawyer
of Palmer, grad. H. U. 1771. He studied with Lawyer Pynchou
of Springfield some time, and wiis then appointed justice of the
peace for Palmer in 1774. He had an extensive legal business
till 1793, when he removed from town. Daniel Shearer, 1800-
1820; James Stebbins, W. C, 1807; practiced in Palmer from
1813 for many years : Calvin Torry, 1841-1858 ; S. T. Spaulding,
A. C, 1839, a short time after 1844; B. B. Whittemore, H. U.,
1839. from 1844, a short time : Sauuiel Flennning, H. U., from
1847 to 1850 ; M. Barlow, 1852, for a short time ; Fred T. Wal-
lace, 1848-1854; James G. Allen, 1853-1878, and judge of the
Eastern Hampden Court from 1872-1878 ; Daniel Granger, 1857-
1861: Joseph H. Blair, 1862-1865; Chas. L. Gardner, 1867-1897;
E. P. Barlow, 1870-1871; J. W. Cochran, 1870j Stephen S. Taft,
H. U., 1870, from 1872 to 1895; A. R. Barker, 1879; H. C.
Strong ,A. C, 1875, and H. U., from 1879 till his death, 1900 ;
Thos. K. Kenefiek, H. U. 1877, from 1879 to present time, W.
W. Leach, Tufts C, 1880, from 1883 to present time, now judge
Eastern Hampden Court ; A. R. Fitch, Iowa State U., 1833, from
1888 to present time, clerk of the Eastern Hampden Court since
1896 ; Richard F. Twiss, A. C, 1896, from 1897 till his death,
1899; David F. Dillon, Tufts C. 1896, Mich. U., 1899, from
1899 to present time; Ernest E. Hobsou, Maine U., 1900, from
1900 to present time. Of the foregoing Messrs, Scott, Shearer,
Fleming, Strong, Twiss, Dillon and Hobson were natives of
Palmer.
Eepreseniatives to the General Court. — Capt. David Spear,
1776 ; Lieut. William Scott, 1777 ; voted not to send, 1778 ; Capt.
David Spear, 1779 ; voted not to send, 1780, 1781 ; Capt. David
Spear, 1782, 1783, 1784; William Scott, 1785; Capt. David
( 163 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Spear, 1786; Capt. David Shaw, 1787, 1788, 1789, 1790, 1791,
1792; Col. David Shaw, 1793; Capt. Thomas McClanathan,
1794; Capt. David Spear, 1795; Lieut. David King, 1796; Lieut.
James Smith, 1797; Isaac Warreu, 1798; Aaron Merrick, 1799;
Lieut. James Smith, 1800, 1801, 1802; Aaron Merrick, 1803,
1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808; Capt. Jesse King, 1809. 1810, 1811,
1812; Capt. Alpheus Converse, 1813. 1814; Capt. Jesse King,
1815; Col. Amos Hamilton, 1816, 1817; James Stebbins, 1818;
voted not to send, 1819; James Stebbins, 1820; Clark jNIcMaster,
1821, 1822; voted not to send, 1823; John Frink, 1824; voted
not to .send, 1825; Asa Ward, 1826; voted not to send, 1827;
Capt. Daniel King, 1828; John Sedgwick, 1829; Col. Cyrus
Knox, 1830 ; Joseph Lee, 1831, 1832 ; Capt. Daniel King, 1833 ;
Robert Hitchcock, 1834 ; Col. Cyrus Knox, 1835 ; Emelius Bond
and Alonzo V. Blanehard, 1836 ; Sylvester Parks and John
Ward. 1837: :\Iarble K. Ferrell and Abel Calkins, 1838; James
Gammell and William J. Blanehard, 1839 ; Franklin Morgan
and Asa Shumway, 1840; Olney Goff, 1841; John Ward, 1842;
Abel Calkins, 1843; Gilbert Barker, 1844; Alonzo V. Blanehard,
1845; Lambert Allen, 1846; Alonzo V. Blanehard. 1847; Calvin
Torrey and Jacob B. Merrick, 1848; Jacob B. Merrick, 1849;
John D. Blanehard. 1850; Joseph Brown, Jr., 1851; Amos C.
Billings. 1852; Enos Calkins, 1853; Gilbert Barker, 1854; Elijah
G. Murdock, 1855; Capt. Alonzo N. Dewey, 1856; Sylvanus G.
Shaw. 1857: Solomon A. Fay, 1858: Henry Seism, 1859; John
Clough, 1860; Solomon K. Lawrence, 1861; Stephen G. Newton.
1862; James S. Loomis, 1863; Col. Jacob Stever, 1864; Da\-id
Knox. 1865: Ephraim B. Gates. 1866: James G. Allen. 1867. Fol-
lowing the last date above. Palmer, as a part of a Representative
District, has furnished these representatives from her own town:
Rev. Jo.sej)h Vaill, D. D.. 1869, who died in office, and Lyman
Diniock was chosen to fill the vacancy; Ebenezer Brown, 1871;
James B. Shaw, 1872 ; Charles L. Gardner, 1875, 1876 ; Timothy
D. Potter, 1878: Joseph F. Holbrook. 1880; Dr. William Hol-
brook, 1882; Oren B. Smith, 1884: Stephen S. Taft, 1886, 1887;
William W. Leach, 1889 ; Horace Saunders, 1890 ; Capt. H. E.
W. Clark. 1891. 1892: Henry G. Loomis, 1893: Thomas W. Kene-
fick, 1895, 1896, 1897; Elbridge G. Ha.stings. 1901.
( 164 )
THE TOWN OF W I LB h ATI AM
Palmer of To-day . — Accovding to the census of 1900 Palmer
contains 7,801 inhabitants; its valuation is $2,819,837. The vil-
lage of Palmer is the center of a street car system which connects
it with the other three villages of the town, with Monson and
Ware, with AVilbraham, Ludlow and Springfield. Each of its
four villages has railroad connections, post-offices and express
offices, schools and churches. Its mills are prosperous and in full
operation. It has a beautiful summer resort at Forest Lake —
the Pottaquattuck of Indian times— which yearly grows in
popular favor and attracts visitors from far and near. The
town contains a great variety of scenery, contributed by its three
rivers, its four villages, its green robed valleys and hills and
rivers, its four villages, its green-i'obed valleys and hills and
its quite retreats of sylvan shade where one wearied with
turmoil of bnsj' streets can retire and find perfect rest and
peace in communion with nature. The easy access which the
town commands from all points attracts many visitors who wish
to enjoy a day of rural life.
CHAPTER III
THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
On the eastern and western borders of the territory com-
prising the original town of Springfield were strips of land
which, for many years after the colony was planted at Agawam,
were unoccupied, and while within the limits of the town there
was no attempt at their improvement or allotment among the
persons comprising the Pynchon proprietary. The lands border-
ing on the Connecticut, on both sides, were known as the "plain
lands", and lying next east and west were the strips known as
the "inner commons". Outside of the latter, on the borders of
the town lay the "outward commons", the strip on the east
side under the latter designation including nearly all that now
coniprisps AVilhraham.
( 1G5 )
OLR COL'MY A.\D ITS PEOPLE
Owing to the strict requirements laid upon all settlers on
tlie plantation at Spriugtield, together with the constantly in-
creasing suspicion of unfriendliness on the part of the Indians
of the region, there was little attempt at settlement oiitside the
plain lands on the river, while the inner eonniion lands were
developed only for sueli puri)oses as did not require a residence
there on the part of the own(>r. The outward connnon on the
east side of the town comprised nuich mountainous and barren
land and was regarded as of little value for farming purposes,
while vast areas were stripi)od of their natural forest growths,
having been burned into that condition by former Indian oc-
cupants.
Inasmuch as these outward common lands on the east side
of the mother town were of little real value, the proprietors had
made no division of them, and because of this fact Governor
Edmund Andros threatened to confiscate them and forfeit the
charter of the Pynchon colony. Then the proprietors took action,
and caused a survey and allotment to be made, dividing the lands
among one hundred and twenty-three owners, according to the
polls, and reserving a ministry and also a school lot. This action
saved the lands to the town, but the division was of no other real
value at the time. A regular survey was made in 1729, and a
more systematic division was made in 1740. among about 400
owners: and a third allotment was made in 1754, among 544
persons. These surveys and diAasions, however, were not made
to the satisfaction of the inhabitants, and through a little system
of political manouvering the Pynchon interests secured the most
desirable tracts.
Setth mi lit. — The settlement of Wilbrahani did not result
directly from the fir.st allotment of the lauds among the pro-
prietors, and it M'as not until about forty-five years afterward
that the pioneer white man came into the region. In the early
summer of 17.'!0 Nathaniel llitehcock left the settlement at
Springfield and came to the outward connnon on the east. He
built a cabin, cleared a small tract of about two acres, sowed a
field with wheat, and then, after having made his proposed new
home as comfortable as possilile. returned to Springfield for the
( lf!6 )
THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
winter. In j\lay of the next year he brought hither his young
wife and made the first permanent settlement in what now is
"Wilbraham, nine miles distant from the seat of the mother
colony. Here the family lived alone until the following year,
when Noah Alvord came and settled near the pioneer's land.
In 1733 Daniel Warner came, and in 1734 Nathaniel Warriner
located and made the fourth settler. In the early history of
Springfield these men had taken an active part in passing events,
the surname Warriner having an especial prominence in the
town.
JWi^-r-:!- '.'"'.**^*^'^3^i'
feV.''
rt ' i^. mL^
,. f^l
t
l^-'^l'
l£^~ jJptK^^^^I
;r- -y .
■'^W^ ^«
1
■tsi^v '^ m
h, As • 1
^^BS: ": ' ■ ■ " T^^Xi.V*-'''
■ 1 l^ " .i^rrjl
1^^^
^
■■-;:j!->'>t^v':!,'^'Vi': . '
m
The Washington Tavern, North Wilbraham
The progress of settlement was indeed rapid during the first
ten years after the coming of the pioneer, and among the many
who came to this portion of the outward commons previous to
1741 fthe year in which the inhabitants here were established
as the fourth precinct of Springfield), there may be recalled the
names of ]\Ioses Burt, Samuel Warner, Samuel Stebbins, David
Merrick, John Jones, Abel Bliss, Daniel Lamb, Thomas Merrick,
David Warriner, Isaac Brewer, David Chapin, Moses Bartlett,
Nathaniel Bliss, Aaron and Daniel Parsons, Benjamin Warriner,
Cornelius Webb, Henry Wright, Benjamin Wight, Joseph Sikes,
Thomas Glover, all of whom are believed to have come out into
( 167 )
OUR COrXTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
this eastern re<rioii I'loin the iniiicipal settlement at Springfield,
and nearly all of whom were descended from the earliest settlers
in tlie ])lantation on the east bank of the Connectient.
If tlio reader will turn to the early history of Springfield
there will ho found mention of each of the surnames above given
and it will also be seen that these first settlers in AVilbraham
were descended from ancestors who came into the Connecticut
valley almost a century before the outposts of civilization were
planted amonsi the rugged hills of the old fourth precinct— that
which we now call Wilbraham. And, if local tradition be true,
these settlers were of the same hardy stock, of the same deter-
mined character, and of the same devout religious sjiirit as were
those who founded the plantation on the Connecticut a centuiy
before. All these settlers were located in that part which now
forms AVilbraham. and there seems not to have been any develop-
ment in the region southward until several years later. However,
among the others who came into the fourth precinct soon after
it was established as such we may mention the names of Jonathan
Ely, Caleb Stebbins, Daniel Cadwell. Philip Lyon. Benoni At-
chinson and Ezra Barker.
In our allusion to the pioneers and the early .settlement of
the town we have added little to the mere mention of the names
of the settlers: and this for the reason that Wilbraham is furnished
with an extended and carefully prepared historical record,
which treats both of events of early life and times and of
genealogy to a considerable extent. In this respect the town is
fortunately jirovided, and the writer, Dr. Stebbins, seems to
have thoroughly covered the entire sub.je^t of local history. It
is not that the {)resent writer regards these things as of minor
importance that he does not mention them here in detail, but
rather that llie earlier record is so complete and reliable that
there is no present necessity to republish the family genealogies
of the town.
Notwithstanding the rugged character of the land surface
in this ])art of the mother town, no less than twenty-six settlers
established themselves here between the years 17:^1 and 1741.
Their domestic wants were few and were easily supplied, but
( 168 )
THE TOWN OF WILBNAHAM
that which caused the greatest inconvenience to their families
was the distance from the established church, hence the early
formed desire to be set off as a separate parish or precinct. As
farly as January, 1739, the inhabitants of Springfield in town
meeting granted to "the people of the mountains" preaching
services for ten Sabbaths at 20 shillings per Sabbath ; and in
March, 1740, the lA)ngmeadow parish accorded like privileges
to the people of the outward commons east of their own precinct,
or to that part of Wilbraham which now is Hampden.
This favor, liowever, did not satisfy the full desire of the
inhabitants and on May 7, 1740, they addressed a petition to
the general court and commissioned Thomas j\Ierrick, 2d, and
Abel Bliss to represent them before that body in an application
to be set otf as a separate precinct, that they might be enabled
to settle a minister and build a meeting house, and thus "main-
tain the gospel" among themselves. This formal petition was
signed by 24 of the inhabitants, which, with the names of Thomas
i\Ierrick, 2d, and Abel Bliss, represented all the settlers on the
outward commons at that time. The signers were Joseph Sikes,
Daniel Lamb, Daniel Parsons, Benjamin Wight, Henry Wright,
Thomas Glover, Cornelius Webb, Daniel Warner, ^Moses Bartlett,
Noah Alvord. Samuel Stebbins, jun., David Chapiu, jun., David
JMerrick, David Warriner, David Jones, Isaac Brewer, Samuel
Warner, 2d, Aaron Parsons, Nathaniel Hitchcock, Nathaniel
Warriner, Nathaniel Bliss, 2d, Benjamin Warriner, Sanuiel
Bartlett and Moses Bni't.
Agreeable to the prayer of the petitioners, on January 6,
1741, an act of the general court of the colony established the
"Fourth Precinct of Springfield", including within its boun-
daries substantially the territory of the present towns of Wil-
traham and Hampden, and vesting the inhabitants thereof with
all the powers, privileges and immunities, and subject to the
obligations, of other precincts. The first meeting of inhabitants
for the selection of precinct officers was held at the house of
David "]\Iirick" (Merrick), March 12, 1741. at which time
AVilliam Pynchon, magistrate, was chosen moderator to conduct
the meeting. The following precinct officers were then cliosen :
( 1G9 )
THE TOWN OF W I LB RAH AM
David Merrick, clerk ; TliODias ilerrick, 2d, Isaac Brewer,
Nathaniel Warriner, committee of the precinct (the duties of
the committee were similar to those of the selectmen of towns) ;
Isaac Brewer, treasurer; David Merrick, Thomas Merrick, 2d,
Samuel Stebbins, assessors; Nathaniel Warriner, collector.
This condition of corporate existence was continued until
June 15, 1763, when the precinct became a town with all the
powers and privileges of such. Under tlie precinct or parish
organization the corporate privileges were limited and that char-
acter was assumed chiefly for the administration of the religious
affairs of the community, which at that time were regarded of
greater importance, even in town regulation, than the civil
rights and duties of the inhabitants. However, within less than
ten years after the incorporation of the precinct, having more
than the necessary forty families within its borders, there arose
a demand for full town privileges ; but this suggestion was op-
posed by the axithorities of the mother town on the ground that
the precinct still needed the protection and support of the older
jurisdiction, while in fact the latter was only reluctant to become
separated from the flourishing little colony which had been
established on the out-ward commons. Tluis it was that our town
of Wilbraham retained its precinct character for fully fifteen
years after it was entitled to town privileges. The inhabitants
here time and again appealed to the general court for full
separation, but unsuccessfully, as Springfield had greater influ-
ence with the legislative power.
At length, however, after three several attempts to establish
a district during the year 1762, the town of Springfield at a
meeting held IMay 17, 1763, voted to grant the prayer of the
petitioners of the fourth precinct ; and agreeably thereto, on
June 15, the general court passed "An act for incorporating
the Fourth parish of Springfield in the county of Hampshire,
into a separate town by the name of Wilbraham". The terri-
tory of the town, according to the act, comprised the region
l)reviously known as the Fourth parish in Springfield, with the
addition of half a mile west from the west line of the parish,
and from the "Chicobee" (Cliicopee) river on the north to the
line of the town of Somers (Conn.) on the south.
( 171 )
OVR COLMY AM) ITS I'EOFLE
The new creation w;is irranted all the |)i)\veis and in-ivileges
of other towns in the province; except that ol' electing a separate
rejiresentative to the genei'al conrt. In this selection the town
joined with Springlield until ITSfi, when it was accorded full
liiwn i)owei's. During tlie period of iiarish character, the com-
mittee of the precinct for each year was as follows:
Ciimmiitee of the l'rcrinct. — \14t\, Thomas ]\Ierrick, Isaac
Brewer, Nathaniel Warriner: 1742, Daniel Warner, Nathaniel
Hitchcock, ]\Ioses Burt; 1743, Stephen Stebbins, Nathaniel
Warriner, Moses Burt; 1744, Thomas IMerrick, Nathaniel Bliss,
David Jones; 1745, Nathaniel Warriner, John Jones, Stephen
Stebbins; 174(i, Nathaniel AVarriner, Nathaniel Bliss, Moses
Burt; 1747, John Jones, Daniel Warner, John Hitchcock; 1748,
Thomas Slerrick, John Hitchcock, Nathaniel Bliss; 1749, Nath-
aniel Warriner, Daniel AVarner, Simeon AVillai'd : 1750, Nath-
aniel Bliss, Daniel Cadwell, Aaron Stebbins; 1751, Thomas
]\Ierrick, James Warriner, Nathaniel Bliss ; 1752, John Hitch-
cock, jun., Caleb Stebbins, Thomas ^Merrick; 1753, John Hitch-
cock, jun., Daniel Warner, Ezra Barker; 1754, John Hitchcock,
jun., James Warriner, jun., Daniel AVarner; 1755, ]\Ioses Burt.
Isaac Brewer, James Warriner, jun. : 1756. Daniel Cadwell.
James Warriner, Daniel AVarner; 1757, Moses Burt, Daniel
Cadwell, Daniel AVarner; 1758, Lloses Burt, Daniel CadweU,
James AA^arriner; 1759-61, Daniel Cadwell, James AVarriner,
jun., Daniel AVarner; 1762, Ezra Barker, Daniel Cadwell, Daniel
AA'arner: 1763. Ezra Barker, Phineas Newton, Daniel Warner.
During the same period the clerks of the precinct were
David ilerriek. 1741-55, and Isaac Brewer, 1756-63.
Town Organization. — The incorporating act directed John
Worthington to i.ssue his warrant for the first town meeting in
Wilbraham, and to fix the date and place holding the same. In
jiursuance thereof the inhaliitants met at the "town meeting
house", chose Ijient. Thomas ]\lerrick moderator, Ezra Barkei-,
town clerk, and then adjourned to allow the latter to proceed to
Springfield and take the i-equired oath of office, for there was
no magistrate in the Fourth ])arish at that time. On the follow-
ing day the electors i-easseinbled and chose a full board of town
( 1'2 )
THE TO^WS OF ^\ I LB EAR AM.
officers. The succession of selectmen and town clerks from 1764
to 1901 is as follows :
Selectmen. — \l^-^-Ql , Thomas Merrick, Nathaniel Warriner,
Stephen Stebbins; 1768, Nathaniel AVarriner, Thomas Merrick.
John Bliss; 1769, Daniel Cadwell, James Warriner, Nathaniel
Warriner. William King, John Bliss; 1770, Nathaniel Warriner,
William King, John Bliss, Caleb Stebbins, James Warriner;
1771-75, Nathaniel Warriner, James Warriner, John Bliss;
1776-77, James Warriner, John Hitchcock, John Bliss; 1778,
James Warriner, John Hitchcock, John Bliss, Daniel Cadwell.
Eleazer Smith; 1779, John Hitchcock, John Bliss, Eleazer
Smith; 1780, John Hitchcock. John Bli.ss, James Warriner; 1781,
John Hitchcock. James AVarrincr. Abner Chapin ; 1782, David
Burt, Zebulon Chainn. Abner Chapin : 1783-84:. James Warriner,
Phineas Stebbins, John Stearns; 1785. John Stearns, Phineas
Stebbins, Gideon Burt ; 1786, Gideon Burt, David Burt, Phineas
Stebbins; 1787-88, Gideon Burt, Phineas Stebbins, Noah Steb-
bins; 1789, Oliver Bliss, Robert Sessions, Phineas Stebbins;
1790-91, James Shaw. Robert Sessions, Gideon Burt ; 1792.
Gideon Burt. James Shaw, Noah Stebbins; 1793. Robert Ses-
sions, James Shaw. Gideon Burt; 1794, John Hitchcock, James
Shaw, Robert Sessions; 1795, James Shaw, Phineas Stebbins,
Robert Sessions; 1796-97, James Shaw, Gideon Burt, Robeil
Sessions; 1798, Phineas Stebbins, Joseph Lathrop, Robert Ses-
sions; 1799, Gideon Burt, James Shaw, Stewai-d Beebe; 1800,
Levi Bliss, Steward Beebe, William Brewer; 1801, Timothy
Burt, Jjevi Bliss, Steward Beebe; 1802, Levi Bliss, Steward
Beebe, Robert Sessions; 1803, William Brewer, Robert Sessions,
Steward Beebe ; 1804, William Rindge, Robert Sessions, Steward
Beebe; 1805, William Brewer, William Rindge, Joel Lyman;
1806, William Rindge, Joel Lyman, Solomon Wright; 1807, Joel
Lyman, Augustus Sisson, Solomon Wright ; 1808, Robert Ses-
sions, AVilliam Rindge, Augustus Sisson ; 1809, Robert Sessions,
William Rindge, AVilliam Clark; 1810, Augustus Sisson, Walter
Stebbins, Nathan Alden ; 1811, Abel Bliss, Augustus Sisson,
Nathan Alden; 1812, Joseph Lathrop, William Clark, Moses
Burt; 1813-16, Joseph Lathrop, Moses Burt, Daniel Shaw:
( 173 )
OVR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
1817-18, Daniel Tshaiii. ^losvs Burt, Chester Sexton; 1819, Abel
Bliss, jun., Enoch Crocker, William AVood; 182()-:22; Abel Bliss,
jun., William Wood, Enoch Crocker; 1823, William Wood,
P^noch Crocker, AVilliam Clark ; 1824, Abraham Avery, Dudley
D. Post, Nathan Alden ; 1825, Abraham Avery, Dudley D. Post,
Thomas Glover: 1826, David Stebbins, Noah Merrick, John
MeCray, jun.; 1827-28, David Stebbins, Jonathan Ely, John
McCray; 1829, Calvin Stebbins, Comfort Chaffee, Daniel Isham;
1830, Calvin Stebbins, John Carpenter, Jacob B. Merrick ; 1831,
John Carpenter, Joseph I\Iori-is, Abraham Avery; 1832, John
Carpenter, Luther Bi-ewer, Beriah Smith ; 1833, Luther Brewer,
Beriah Smith, Pliny Merrick; 1834, Stephen Stebbins, Nathaniel
Pease, Seth Moulton: 1835-36, Stephen Stebbins. Walter Steb-
gins, Pliny Merrick: 1837, Stephen Stebbins, John McCray,
Jonathan Burt: 1838. Stephen Stebbins. William V. Sessions,
Jesse AV. Rice; 1839, Stephen Stebbins, John Carpenter,
Timothy Brewer; 1840, Abraham Avery, Jesse W. Rice, Aaron
Warner; 1841, Abraham Aveiy, Samuel B. Stebbins, Jonathan
Burt: 1842-43, Samuel Beebe, Luther B. Bliss. Roderick Mer-
rick ; 1844, Philip P. Potter, Aaron Goodwell, John Smith ; 1845,
AVilliam Y. Sessions. John Y. AForris. Jonathan Burt ; 1846. John
McCray, Shubal Pease, Peter Knowlton ; 1847, John G. Perrin,
Pliny Merrick, Shubal Pease: 1848-49, Samuel Beebe, Luther
B. Bliss. Seth Knowlton : 1850, John G. Perrin, Pliny Alerrick,
Hiram liendrick; 1851, Samuel Beebe, Joel AL Lyman, Robert
A. Sessions; 1852, Samuel Beebe, Robert A. Sessions, John M.
Alerrick; 1853. Philip P. Potter. Aaron Goodwell, James AT.
Brewer; 1854, John AV. Langdon, Porter Cross, H. B. Brewer;
1855, Joseph Jlix Gregory, Sullivan U. Staunton, Eleazer
Scripter; 1856, Eleazer Scripter. Sullivan U. Staunton, Benja-
min Butler ; 1857, John Baldwin, Samuel AVarner, Henry Burt ;
1858, John Baldwin, Henry Burt, Samuel Beebe; 1859, Samuel
Beebe, John Baldwin, AVilliam P. Chaffee; 1860. Samuel Beebe,
Philip P. Potter. AVilliam P. Chaffee; 1861, Philip P. Potter,
AVilliam Y. Sessions. Horace Clark; 1862, Horace Clark, Marcus
Beebe, Hiram Hendriclcs; 1863, Horace Clark, Porter Cross,
AValter Hitchcock; 1864, John Baldwin, Horace Clark, Sumner
( 174 )
TEE TO^VN OF ^VILBBA^AM
Smith : 1865-66, John Bahhvin, Sumner Smith, William R. Ses-
sions: 1867, Francis J. Warner, Abner C. Burley, William H.
Lyman : 1868, Francis J. Warner, William H. Lyman, John W.
Langdon : 1869, Porter Cross, John W. Langdon, Lyman G.
Kellogg: 1870, John Ormsby, William R. Sessions, Francis E.
Clark; 1871-72, William R. Sessions, Ira G. Potter, Francis E.
Clark; 1873, Francis E. Clark, William R. Sessions, Albert
Bedurtha : 1874, Francis E. Clark, William H. Warren. Albert
Bedurtha: 1875, M. F. Beebe, Sullivan U. Staunton, Erasmus
B. Gates: 1876, Marcus F. Beebe, Francis E. Clark, Albert
Bedurtha ; 1877, Francis E. Clark, William R. Sessions, F. W.
Dickinson; 1878, William R. Sessions, Francis E. Clark, F. W.
Dickinson ; 1879, Francis E. Clark, Ira G. Potter, Marcus F.
Beebe: 1880, Francis E. Clark, Marcus F. Beebe, Philip Potter;
1881, Marcus F. Beebe, Philip P. Potter, A. J. Blanchard; 1882,
Marcus P. Beebe, A. J. Blanchard, Hiram Danks; 1884, M. F.
Beebe, Hiram Danks, P. P. Potter; 1885, M. P. Beebe, Henry
Clark, E. H. Cutler; 1886, M. F. Beebe, Henry Clark, P. P.
Potter; 1887, Henry Cutler, Henry Clark, P. P. Potter; 1888-89,
Henry Cutler, P. P. Potter, Anson C. Brewer: 1890, W. F.
Morgan, Jason Butler, C. E. Stacy; 1891, W, P. Morgan, Jason
Butler, J. L. Rice; 1892-95, W. F. Morgan, Henry Clark, Jesse
L. Rice: 1896, Henry Clark, Jesse L. Rice, E. M. Scott; 1897,
E. M. Scott, Alvin Chilson, F. W. Green; 1898-1901, Jason
Butler, Henry Clark, F. W. Green.
Town Clerks.— 'Ezra Barker, 1763-73; James Warriner,
1773-78; Noah Warriner, 1779-80; James Warriner, 1781-85;
Pliny Merrick, 1785-86; Samuel S. Merrick, 1786-90; John
Bucldand, 1791-92; Daniel Dana, 1793; Robert Sessions, 1793-
1805 ; Philip Morgan, 1805-10 ; Augustus Sisson, 1810-11 ; Abel
Bliss, 1811-12; Philip Morgan, 1812-14; ]\Ioses Burt, 1814-20;
Calvin Stebbins, 1820-24; Luther Brewer, 1824-25; William
Wood, 1826; Luther Brewer, 1826-27; John McCray, 1828; Syl-
vanus Stebbins, 1829-36; Luther Brewer, 1837-38; Luther B.
Bliss, 1839; John M. Merrick, 1840-41; John McCray, 1842;
Roderick S. Merrick, 1843-47; Solomon C. Spellman, 1848-49;
Jesse W. Rice, 1850; Luther B. Bliss, 1851-52; Horace M. Ses-
( 175 )
01 U COUNTY A.\D ITS PEOPLE
sions, 1853-54; Ixodriick Burt, 1855; Ralph Glover, 1856;
AVilliam P. Spcllin;m. 1857-58; H. Bridgman Brewer, 1859-60;
Howard Stauutoii, 1861 ; James Stauntou, 1862 -. John W. Mer-
rick, 1863-64 : (lilbert Rockwood, 1865-66; Francis E. Clark,
1867-68: Sullivan U. Staunton. 1869-70: Robert R. Wright,
jun., 1871; Chauncey C. Peek, 1872; William P. Spellman,
1873-74; Erasmus B. Gates, 1875-79; Charles E. Stacey, 1880-85;
W. E. Stone. 1886-89: H&nry Cutler. 1890; Charles E. Staeey,
1891-97; Frank A. Fuller, 1898-1901.
In one of the earlier chapters of this work the reader will
find the names of "Wilbraham's representatives in the general
court, and also the names of those who have been elected to the
senate since the creation of Hampden county in 1812. But
previous to that time this town was represented in the lower
house of the legislature by some of the strongest men in all the
region, and in the present connection a mention of their names
is appropriate. John Bliss represented the town in 1773, 1793-4,
1796-1803 : Phineas Stebbins, 1786-88 and 1805 ; AVilliam Rindge
and Solomon Wright, 1807 ; William Rindge and Augustus
Sisson, 1809: Augustus Sisson and Walter Stebbins, 1810;
AValter Stebbins and Abel Bliss, jun.. in 1811.
From all that is stated, in preceding paragraphs, it must
be seen that the settlement and development of the lands in
Wilbraham was rapidlj' accomplished. This is true especially
of that part of the town now known as Wilbraham. while in the
southern portion, originally known as the south parish, later as
South Wilbraham and now Hanipdeu. there were no white in-
habitants previous to 1741. On the separate organization of the
town, the inhabitants first gave attention to the establishment of
schools, the laying out of highways and the opening of new lands
to attract settlers. From 1741 to 1764 the number of settlers
was greatly increased, and during that period and the score of
years iunnediately following, nuiny new families were added to
the town's population. Glancing over the records of the middle
perioil of Wilbraham history, we discover such names as Stephen
Stebbins. Aaron Stebbins, Lewis Langdon (builder of the first
saw mill in 1750), Abner Chapin (from the old Chicopee family
( 176 )
THE TOWy OF WILBKAHAM
of (."hapius and a deseeiulant of Deacon Samuel Chapin. the
Puritan, whose statue in bronze adorns the library park in
Springfield), ("apt. Paul Langdou (who brought the first four-
wheeled vehicle into the town), William King, AVilliam Stacey
(whose descendants in later years have been prominent figiires
in local history), ]\Ioses Stebbins. Comfort Chaifee, Henry
Badger, Isaac ilorris, Benjamin Skinner, Jabez Hendrick,
Daniel Carpenter, Ezekiel Russell, Rowland Crocker, Jonathan
Williraham — An old fasliiuiied hoase front
Ely, Caleb Stebbins, Rowland Crocker, Daniel Cadwell, Joseph
Sikes, Philip Lyon, Benoni Atchinson, Ezra Barker and others
whose names are now forgotten, but all of whom were once
conspicuous figures in the events of early history in this inter-
esting part of the county. The southern portion of the town
was settled between ]741 and 1760, and in 1782 the locality was
established as the south parish. In later years when parishes
were no lonuer distinguishing features of history this locality
12-3
177 )
OiU COUNTy AM) ITS I'EOl'LE
took the ii;mie of South Wilbnihaiii antl was so kuowu until the
division ol' tlie town and the incorporation of Hampden in 1878.
Having thus referred at length to the early settlement of the
town at large, and having at the same time traced something of
its civil history, the following statistics from the census reports
will furnish an idea of the actual growth of the locality of which
we write. In 177(), at the time of the colonial census, Wilbraham
was found to contain 1,057 inhabitants. Subsequent changes in
pojjulation may be noted as follows: 1790, 1,555; 1800, 1,743;
1810, 1,776; 1820, 1,979: 1830, 2,034; 1840, l,8fi4; 1850, 2,127;
1855, 2,032; 1860, 2,081; 1865, 2,111; 1870, 2,330; 1875, 2,576;
1880, 1,628; 1885, 1,724; 1890, 1,814; 1895, 1,740; 1900, 1,595.
Military TZjs^orj/. — Settlement in the fourth parish of Spring-
field was begun during the period of the long continued French
and English wars, but at a time when the powers were not en-
gaged in actual contest, but were strengthening their armies in
America pending the final struggle. When the strife was at its
height the people of this precinct were attempting to secure a
separation from the mother town, and the non-success which
attended their eiYorts was probably- in part due to the demands
made upon Springfield for men and means necessary to defend
the frontier of Hamp.shire county against the Indians who in-
fested the region. In another chapter of this work the events
of that i)eri()d are recorded in detail and the part taken by
Hampsiiire county soldiery is fully narrated. Among the in-
habitants of the parish who entered and took part in the wars
there may be mentioned the names of Capt. Samuel Day, Lieut.
Thomas ^lerriek. Ensign Abel Bliss, John Langdon, Timothy
Wright, I'hilip Lyon, AVilliam King, Jr., Paul Langdon, Daniel
Cadwell, Isaac Colton, Aaron Bliss, Benjamin Warriner, Aaron
Alvord, Samuel Wai-ner, Ben.iamin Wright, Aaron Warriner,
Stephen Bliss. Jesse Warner, Aaron Parsons, Benoni Atchinson,
Thomas Duidiam. ]\Ioses Bai'tlett, Samuel Warner, Sr,, Paul
Hitchcock. Sanniel Warner. Ji-.. and Closes AVarriner.
However, it was during the revolutionary war that the town
first established a military record, although the martial spirit of
its peopli' Miiti'ilati'd that period by many years. Indeed, among
( 178 )
THE TO^VN OF WILBRAHAM
the settlers here were niauj' persons whose ancestors had taken
part in the early Indian troubles, and some of whom served in
the memorable King Philip's war. In the years immediately
preceding the ontbreak of the revolution this town had taken
such action as was necessary for the common defence ; the able-
bodied young men were enrolled among the militia, and the
company of minutemen was ready to march when, the call was
made. In July, 1774, settlers Daniel Cadwell, William King,
Moses Stebbins, Eleazer Smith. John Stearns, John Bliss and
Ezra Barker were appointed a eonnnittee to express by resolu-
tion the sentiment of the town in regard to the oppressions of
the mother country, and in October following Nathaniel War-
riner, Sergt. Daniel Cadwell. Lieut. "William King. JIaj. John
Bliss and Eleazer Smith were appointed a committee of corre-
spondence and inspection. Maj. Bliss represented the town in
the famoiis Northampton convention, and also was chosen a
delegate to the provincial congress held at Concord. The non-
consumption pledge, by which the inhabitants declared their
aversion to all British importations, was signed by 124 persons
in this town alone, thus indicating a thoroughly loyal American
spirit throughout the region. There were a few, however, who
were inclined to favor the mother country, but the spirit of
toryi.sm was suppressed by the greater zeal of the patriotic
Americans, and after Col. John "Worthington withdrew from the
public gaze there was little manifestation of disloyalty in Wilbra-
ham. Moses Bliss, too, was well known as a British sympathizer
during the early part of the war, and with such influence to
sway them it was only natural that toryism should at first find
a following in the town. ( The iMoses Bliss referred to just above
was a lawyer of considerable prominence in Springfield.)
On the occasion of the "Lexington alarm," which really
was the beginning of the revolution. Capt. James Warriner
marched his company of minutemen to the vicinity of Boston
and there served about ten days. This company was comprised
as follows : Capt. James Warriner, Lieut. William King. Ser-
geants Enos Stelibiiis, Thomas King. Aaron Alvord, and Privates
Eleazer Smith. Sanuiel Day. Joshua Chaffee, Samuel Merrick,
( 179 )
Ol'R COl'MY AXD IT^ I'EOI'LE
Asa Chaffee, Isaac Morris, ]\Ioses Colton, Chiliab Merrick,
Jonathan Cooley, Isaac Dunham. Ezekiel l\ussell. Reuben
Thayer, Benjamin Farnhani, Comfort Chaffee, Jesse Warner,
Jesse Carpenter. Joshua Jones. Rowland Crocker, Darius
Chaffee, Ebenezer Cadwell. Joshua Eddy. Enos Clark. Ezekiel
Wri<j;ht, Calvin Stebbins. TIidiuhs Coleman, Gideon Burt. Abel
King, Charles Brewer. Benjamin Colton. John Stearns.
Capt. Paul Iians;(lon"s company was raised ehietiy in Wil-
braham and partially in other towns in this part of the county.
The company roll follows : Paul Lanj^don. captain : Daniel Cad-
well. first lieutenant ; Noah AVarriner. John Langdon, Philip
Lyon, sergeants; Aaron Stebbins, Othneil Hitchcock, corporals;
Charles Ferry, drunnner; Abner Warriiier. fifer; and privates,
Daniel Carpenter, Aaron Cadwell. Jonathan Sikes (served at
Quebec), Seth Clark, Abner Chapiii. Nathan Sikes, Moses Sim-
mons. Phanuel AVarner (served at Quebec). John Langdon. 2d.
Ichabod Parker. Cyprian Wright, Ezekiel Beebe, Lathrop Fuller,
Solomon Cooley. John Johnson, Jo.seph Jennings (the last six
from Ludlow). Daniel Sweetland (from Somers, Conn., served
at Quebec). Daniel Simmons. Charles Coole.v (Ludlow), Simon
Stacey, John "\V. Chaffee. Ephraim Wright. Josiah Sweetland
(from Somers. served at Qiiebec). John Davis, Reuben Shayler.
Nathaniel Mighets. Ephraim Dunham. Joseph Dunham, W^illiam
Clai-k- (Belchertown), Edward Cotton (Ludlow), Closes Ells-
worth (East Windsor), Ephraim Wright, Benjamin Chubb
(died), Moses Rood, Eli Beebe, Simeon Bates.
The following is the pay roll of Capt. Daniel CadAvell's com-
pany of Col. Danielson's regiment, for service at Ticonderoga
from December 5, 1776, to April 2, 1777 (180 miles travel, 7
pounds 7 shillings bounty, 99 days' service, wages 60 shillings
per month): Daniel Cadwell, captain: Daniel Parsons, first
lieutenant: Robert Jle^laster. second lieutenant: John Colton.
.fohn AIcElwain and Stephen AVright. sergeants: Medad Steb-
bins. .Miner Warner, Aaron Colton and Joseph Colton, corporals;
Judah Alooi'e, drummer: William Colton. fifer: Joseph Abbott,
Ijuther Bliss. Ebenezer Beebe. Stewai'd Beebe. Z;idock Beebe,
Jesse Caipeider. Asa Chaffee, Amos Chaffee, John Hancock,
( 180 )
THE rOirjY OF WILBRAHAM
Jabez Hancock, John Hitchcock, Isaac Morris, Moses Stebbins,
James Shaw, Samuel Warner, Daniel Chapin, Judah Chapin,
Jesse Laniphere, John Stebbins, Perez Hitchcock, privates.
One of the most notable companies raised in the town was
that eonnnanded by Capt. James Shaw, attached to Col. Charles
Pynchon's regiment, and served in Vermont and New York, at
Bennington and in the vicinity of Saratoga, from September 24
to October 18, 1777. The personnel of the company was as fol-
lows : James Shaw, captain ; Oliver King, Israel Chapin. Noah
Stebbins and Ebenezer Colton. lieutenants; Joseph Sexton,
Charles Ferry, (Jad Lamb, Gains Brewer, sergeants; Josiah
Cooley, Aaron Chanwell, Abner Chapin, Medad Stebbins, cor-
porals ; Calvin Stebbins, fifer ; Gordon Percival, Samuel F. Mer-
rick, Edward Colton, Jonathan Leach, Jonathan Merrick, Luther
Hitchcock. Benjamin Howard, Solomon Loomis, George Cooley,
Nathaniel Warner, David Bliss, Asa Jones, Solomon Warriner,
Phineas Hitchcock, Comfort Chafi'ee, Timothy Worthington,
Daniel Sweetland, Solomon Lathrop, Jabez Cooley, David Wood,
John Chaterton, Luther Cooley, Reuben Warriner, John Colton,
Lemuel Whitney, Elijah Parsons, Judah Ely, John Langdon,
Edward Morris, Jesse Lamphere, Aaron Stebbins, Judah Willey,
Isaac Morris, David W^hite, Matthew Keep, Asa Simonds, Aaron
Howard, Zadock Stebbins, privates.
Among the other men of Wilbraham who rendered service
in the field at some time during the period of the war there may
be mentioned the names Levi Bannister (of W^ilborougham), a
fifer in Capt. Henry's company, Col. Brewer's regiment, and
who afterward entered the continental army for three years;
Daniel Colton, private in Capt. Colton 's company ; Luther King,
iifer; and Paul Newton and Solomon King, privates in the same
company. The Wilbraham contingent of men drafted for nine
months' service at Kingston comprised Lewis Langdon, John
Calkins, Moses Albert, John Russell, John Huntley, Joseph Cutt
(a negro) and Zadock Benton. Samuel Calkins and Jonathan
Policy were later additions to the Kingston troops.
The six months' men in the continental service in 1780 from
Wilbraham were David Allen, Daniel Mason. John James Sikes,
( 181 )
OVR COUMY AM> /IS PEOPLE
Reuben Abbott, Ethan Suiith. Selh Warner, Ebenezer Thomas,
Gad Warriner, John White. Isaiah Chatt'ee, Titvis AmmidowD
(Aniadon), Henry "Wright, Jolm Oreutt, Joseph Bumstead,
Zenas Cone. Gains Stebbius, Stephen Simons, Kjttridge Davis,
Emmons Lillie. Jonas Banton, Nathaniel Hitchcock, Samuel
Lyon, John Raymond, Asa "Woodworth, Peleg Burdick, and
Phineas IMason are credited to AVilbi-aham for the continental
army.
The following men served under command of Capt. John
Carpenter : Nathan Ainsworth, Jotham Carpenter, Chester
Morris, John Amidon, Isaiah Chaffee, Philip Lyon, Josiah Lang-
don, Reuben Carpenter, James Richardson, Johnson Richardson.
The following served in Capt. Abel King's company. Col. Ash-
ley's regiment: Jesse Elwell. Eliphalet Hodges, Jabez Percival,
Johnson Richardson, John ^Yhite. Francis West. In Capt.
Woodbridge's company we find the names of Caesar Meri-ick
(negro). Gains Stebbins and Oliver Sexton. In Capt. Joseph
Browning's company were Asa Hill and John Thwing. In Capt.
Reuben i\Iunn"s company were Daniel Bliss, .sergeant; Zadock
Stebbins, corporal ; Joseph Bum.sted. drummer ; James Eddy,
John Russell, Peleg Burdick, Aaron Hitchcock and Gamalial
Dunham, privates. Israel Conant was a private in Capt.
Cooper's company, Col. Bradford's regiment.
The following men of Wilbraham laid down their lives
either on the field of battle or died from causes originating from
the severities of a soldier's life: Benjamin Chubb, 1775; Solo-
mon King. 1775: Nathaniel utiles, Phanuel "Warner, George
Merrick. Aaron Bliss, all of the army of Canada, 1776 : Joseph
Morris, Benjamin Russell, Ticonderoga, 1776; Josiah "Wright,
Joshua Leach, 1776; Jlalam Dunham, Roxbury 1776; Joseph
Butler. 177G: Daniel "Warriner, Albany, 1777; Capt. Daniel
Cadwell, Sergt. Joseph Abbott, northern army, 1777; Samuel
Lyon, 1778 ; Moses Simmons, "Wliite Plains, 1780 ; John Chaffee,
Luther Ainsworth, near Little Falls, 1780 ; Isaac Skinner, killed
by Indians, 1Y80. In all twenty men of this town were lost
during the war, four being killed in battle and sixteen dying
from exposure or disease.
( 182 )
THE rOlViY OF WJLBRAHAM
Follow iiii;- closely upon the revolution with all its distressing
events and hardships for the people of our town, there came
what is known in history as Shays' rebellion, in which a few
misguided Wilbraham men are said to have taken part with the
insurgent forces. On the other side the town was better repre-
sented, and in Gen. Shepard's army were many loyal sons of
the town. It is said that there were nine members of the Chaffee
family who answered at the roll call of men who stood in defense
of the law, the courts and the public welfare among Gen.
Shepard's troops.
During the war of 1812-15 the excitement of the period was
largely due to the division of sentiment among the inhabitants,
and in this town the federal O)- peace party advocates were in
the majority. This commonwealth generally did not furnish
inany troops for the service, yet in old AVilbraham we have the
names of a few men who fought against the British in that con-
test. These men were Ralph Bennett, Stephen Cadwell, Joel M.
Lyman, Eleazer Hitchcock, Robert Sessions, Phineas Burr and
Solomon Jones.
Notwithstanding the long era of peace and plenty which
followed the second w'ar with Great Britain, the martial spirit
of old AVilbraham had not entirely died away when Moultrie's
guns proclaimed civil war in the United States. It was then
that the loyal sons of the town revived the warlike spirit which
long had laid dormant, and as its result it is found that Wilbra-
ham sent into the service almost 200 men who served with the
land forces, while more than 30 others are credited to the town
in the naval service. In 1860 the town contained 2,081 in-
habitants, from which we see that fully ten per cent of the entire
population entered the army. All of them, however, did not
return, and to-day some of them are still sleeping on southern
battlefields; and the memory of their brave deeds is kept alive
by the beautiful monument which adorns the little village of
Wilbraham in the central part of the town.
Educational. — The inhabitants of AVilbraham have long
been known as a progressive people, and even from the days of
early settlement have given especial attention to the educational
( 183 )
Orii' COrXTY AM) ITS I'KOPLE
welfare of tlieir yoiilh. Indeed, one of the principal reasons
why the i)cople of the Kouith jjivcinct of Springfield sought a
sepaiation fi-oni the mother town was that tlie spiritual and
educational interests of the i>eop]e niiiiht have l)etter attention.
In 17:i7 tlie voters of Sprinytield allowed the sum of 3 pounds
for support of a school in this pai'ish, and in 1740 the amount
was increased to G poiinds. Soon after 1750 a school house was
built in what now is the village, and in 1775 the territory of the
town comprised ten school districts. Ezra Barker, the old town
clerk, is remembered as one of the early schoolmasters, while
other instructors of the youth after methods of their day were
Moses Enos. Uorham Stebbins, Anson L. Brewer, Ralph Glover,
Elder Bennett, Mai-y Newell, Laura Bennett, and others.
The growth of school interests has ever been in keeping with
the advances in other directions, and at the present time Wil-
braham is as well provided in this respect as any to\vn in the
the county. According to the present disposition of school in-
terests the town comprises eleven districts, has eleven public
schools and eleven teachers are employed annually. There are in
the town about 275 children of school age, and the town raises bj'
tax annually for school purposes about $3,900, added to which
is the local share of the state school money, amounting to about
.$460. The total expense of the schools for each year is about
$4,925. The present school committee comprises Jason Butler,
chairman; H. G. Webber and Ethelbert Bliss; superintendents,
Mary L. Poland. Jlary L. "Williams and Sidney Greenwood.
Wesleyan Academy. — The institution which above all others
has been a factor for good in the history of the town for the last
three-quarters of a century is the AVesleyan academy, a school
of high character and wide repute, and directly connected with
the Xew England conference of the ^letiiixlist Episcopal church.
The history of this famous institution frequently has been writ-
ten and widely published, and only recently was made the sub-
ject of a comprehensive volume of several hundred pages. In
regard to the history of the academy the annual catalogtie for
1900-1901 says :
"The AVesleyan Academy was opened on Septeml)er 1, 1817,
at Newmarket, N. H. An act of incorporation was obtained
( 184 )
TEE TO^yN OF WILBRAIIAM
from the IMassachusetts legislature in 1824, and the academy
removed to Wilbraham. At its opening here, November 8, 1825,
there were eight students present the tirst da.v, thirty-five during
the term,
"While first founded by a group of Jlethodist preachers, and
always noted for its strong i-eligious character, it has granted no
sectarian privileges, but has always been open to all earnest
young men and young women. On its removal to Wilbraham
leading citizens of both local churches liberally subscribed for
its endowment, and it numbers among its distinguished alumni
and friends devout believers of varied forms of Christian faith."
Old Academy, Fi.sk and Binney Halls
"Over 17,000 different persons have been students within
its walls. Some 900 have prepared for college, and as many
more have gone directly to teaching, or to professional studies.
At least one-third of its students have been young women.
"By some very generous donations it has recovered from
several severe losses, and acquired a property amounting to
.$290,000. Among its many benefactors have been Amos Binney
of Boston and William Rice of Springfield, early and enthusiastic
advocates of learning in New England Methodism: Isaac Rich
and Jacob Sleeper of Boston, afterward founders of Boston Uni-
( 185 )
OUR COUNTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
versity ; autl lioraec Siiiitli ui' Spriiiylield, inamiiacturer and
philanthropist. Gifts amounting to more than $25,000 were
received in the year that ended June, 1900."
The act incorporating- the "trustees of Wesleyau Academy"
was passed Februaiy 7, 1824, and Amos Binney, Abel Bliss,
Abraham Avery, Calvin Brewer, f'noch Mudge, Wilbur Fisk,
John Lindsey, Joshua Crowell and AVilliam Rice comprised the
body corporate of the institution. On land donated by William
Rice, with a fund collected by agents who travelled through the
Rich Hall and Principal's Residence
conference foi' that pur]iose, the old academy building was
erected. A farm of 60 acres— one-half of the old AVarriner
homestead — was jiurchased and the old farm house was re-
modeled for a boai'ding house. The principal "s house was built
in 1827 ; a separate boarding house for young women was built
in 1838; Fisk Mali was built in 1851. and Binney Hall in 1854.
The new principal's residence was erected in 1856. Rich Hall
was built in 1860-61, and the Smith j\Iemorial gymnasium, the
most recent acquisition to the buildinu' grouji. was erected in
1896 at a cost of $45,000.
( 186
O 3
2
Oi'R COIWTY A.\l> ITS I'KOl'LE
The iicadeiiij' property and all its various structures are
admirably situated and give to the pleasant little hamlet of
Wilbraham the appearance of a typical New England college
town. For three-quarters of a century the institution has been
the chief factor in local history and has been productive of much
good in general educational circles.
During the period of its history the presidents of the
academy corporation, in succession, have been as follows : Col.
Amos Binney, Rev. John W. Hardy, Abel Bliss, George M. Hyde,
William Rice, Rev. Phineas Crandell, Rev. Amos Binney, Rev.
Edward Otheuian, A. ]\I., Anujs B. ilerrill, Rev. Erastus O.
Haven, D. D., Rev. Edward Otheman, A. ]\I., Horace Smith,
Rev. Edward Otheman. A. :\I., Amos B. :\Ierrill, Edward P.
Porter, Rev. Edward Otheman, A. I\I., Edward F. Porter,
Thomas P. Richardson. William Rice, D. D.. Rev. Charles F.
Rice, D. D.
The principals have been as follows: Rev. AVilbur Fisk,
D. D., 1825-31; W. McK. Bang.s, A. M., 1831-32; John Foster,
A. M., 1832-34: David Potter, D. D„ 1834-41; Charles Adams,
D, D., 1841-45; Robert Allyn, D. D., 1845-48; JMiner Raj-mond,
D. D., 1848-64; Edward Cook, D. D., 1864-74 ; Nathaniel Fellows,
A. M., 1874-7!); George M Steele, D. D., 1879-92; William Rice
Newhall, D. D., 1892-1901, the present principal.
C/ii/rc^e.s. — The early history of the established church and
Ihat of the town were so closely interwoven that each was a part
of the other. Indeed, the old Fourth pari.sh— the original name
of AVilbraham — was set off that the inhabitants of this moun-
tainous region might have the benefits of religious worship with-
out the necessity of traveling ten long miles to the mother church
at Springfield ; and as early as 1739 the settlers here were granted
the privilege of preaching services a portion of each year. This
was the real foundation of the Congregational church in this
town. When the parish was established in 1741, Rev. Noah
Merrick was employed as the leader of the spiritual body of this
settlement, but the question of location of the meeting house
ajipears to have given rise to nuich discussion, and not until
1747 was the site haiinoniously settled. Tu the same year the
( 1«8 )
THE 7'OIV.V OF WILBBAHAM
structure was built in tlie locaJity kuowii as Wigwam hill, but
in 1782, upon the creation of the South parish, substantially
comprising what now is Hampden, the building was removed
to a moi-e central point in the North parish, or what afterward
became the village of Wilbrahani. It was occupied for many
years, and at length, during the early years of the last century,
was replaced with another larger and more suitable edifice. The
latter was burned in June, 1877, vipon which the present comfort-
able house of worship was built.
Although the history of the mother church in Wilbraham,
especially during the first fifty years of its existence, was accom-
panied with many viscissitudes, it never lost its identity or or-
ganization. It was supported at the general expense of the
town for many years, and when persons of other denominations
declined to pay the tax assessed to maintain the mother society,
troubles followed, and for a time the very life of the old institu-
tion was thi-eateued. The difficulties at length were adjusted
and the society was reorganized on a more equitable basis. The
pastors, in succession, of the old church have been Rev. Noah
Merrick, called and settled in 1741, and died 1776; Joshua
Willard, 1787-93; Ezra Witter, 1797-1814; Ebenezer Brown,
1818-27; John Hyde, 1828-31; Isi'ael O. Ro.se, 1832-35: John
Bowers, 1837-56; John P. Skeele, 1858-64 -. Alexander D. Stowell,
3865-67; and Rev. Martin S. Howard, whose pastoral service in
Wilbraham was begun October 29, 1868.
ilethodism began to develop in the South parish of Wil-
braliam as early as 1790, and very soon extended to and found
root in the North parish through the missionary labors of
Methodist preachers on the Hartford circuit who visited this
region, Lemuel Smith being the first of this denomination to
preach in the North precinct. Soon afterward a class was
formed and included Abel and Silas Bliss, Charles Brewer and
the wife of Solomon Warriner. In 1793 a meeting house was
begun, but the work of construction was not finally completed
until 1814. The corporation and society of the church was
formally organized in August, 1832, and in 1835 a new and more
eominodiiiUN liouse of worsliip was erected and dedicated.
( 189 )
oi:r county and its people
For tln\'('-i|uartei's of a ceiitiiry this cluirt'li in Wilbraham
has enjoyed a cuntiniiims and lu-altliful growth, and in connec-
tion with AVesleyan acaeleiiiy it is hioked upon as one of the
influential denominational institutions of the town. In 1870 the
society erected the new stone memorial edifice, at a cost of more
than $30,000. In point of membership the church is one of the
strongest in eastern Hampden county, and under the pastoial
care of Rev. Dr. W. H. Thomas it ranks with the most influential
ecclesiastical bodies of the I'egion.
In the eastern part of the town, in llie locality generally
known as East Wilbraham, or Glendale. a ^M. E. chapel was built
soon after 1870.
Gi-ace Union Church is an institution of North Wilbra-
ham, and although the edifice was built with the contributions of
members of various denominations, and is entitled to be occupied
by each of them, the church is usually called Congregational.
Rev. Vernon H. Deming has charge of the services here.
A Roman Catholic mission was established in North Wil-
braham in 1891. It is known as "St. Cecilia's" and is attended
from Pahnei'.
A Baptist society was formed in the north part of the town
as early as 176.5, and for about three-quarters of a century after-
ward was one of the recognized institutions of the locality. The
society was followed by more formal church organization in
1768, and in 1770 Rev. Seth Clark became pa.stor of the little
flock. In 1779 a house of worship was built ; in 1800 the mem-
bei'ship exceeded 200 persons, yet within the next twenty years
the society itself passed out of existence. In 1833 the me«ting
house was destroyed by fire.
Villages mid Hamlets. — In this town several localities have
distinguishing names, and each in a way ha.s its own institutions,
yet there are but two recognized villages having commercial
standing and post-office accommodations. These are Wilbraham
and North Wilbiaham. about two miles apart and connected by
one of the most delightful highways that any town in Hampden
county can boast.
Wilbraham. formerly known as the Centre, the locality
where settled the pioneers of the town, dates back in its history
( 190 )
THE TO^\^^ OF \yiLBRAHAM
more than a century and a half, and notwithstanding the fact
that there is located one of the most famous educational institu-
tions of the county, the permanent population of the village
proper has not at any time exceeded 450 persons. As a trading
center AVilbraham owes its continued prosperity to the presence
of Wesleyan academy, otherwise North Wilbraham, on the rail-
road line, must have outstripped the older village. For many
years at least one good store has been kept at Wilbraham, and
The Old Tavern— North Wilbraham
among the old merchants there may be recalled the names of
Roderick Burt, Robert R. Wright and George W. Ely. The
present merchants are George W. Ely, Frank A. Gurney and
Charles N. Mowry. A post-office was established here in 1821,
and William Knight was the first postmaster. The present in-
cumbent of the office is Frank A. Gurney.
North Wilhraham is a post-office and way station on the line
of the Boston & Albany railroad, yet its commercial importance
must be shared with the station named Collins, on the line of
( l!'l )
01 R vol' MY AM) ITS PEOPLE
the Athol bnincli lojicl. Iiulw<l. the entire north settlement
niisiht appropriately be ealh^l Cdllins. in allusion to and honor
of Warren Collins and others of that family name who have been
such pi'onnnent tiiiiires in tlie history of the town for the last half
century. The Collins store, whieli burned in the fall of 1900,
was one of the most extensive eonntry stores in the county.
At one time this jnirt of the town was called "Sodom." but
along about 1846 or "47, when a post-office was established here,
North Wilbraham became the aeeejited desitrnation, and at the
same time Warren Collins became ])ostinaster, ht)lding the office
until 1878. The present incumbent of the office is John W.
Baldwin. The merchants here are Fiank A. Fidler, general
dealer, and James Egan, druggist.
As a manufacturing town Wilbraham enjoyed little promi-
nence ])revious to 1865. although a grist mill and a number of
saw mills were in operation long before that time. There also
were the old carding and fulling mills which produced cloth for
domestic purposes chiefly, and also a tannery, the latter owned
and run by Thomas and Henry Howard. Abraham Avery once
had a small tanning establishment in the town. Among the
other old industries of this north part of the town we may men-
tion the Ellis ]\lills at Butlerville, a mile east of North AVilbra-
ham. and on the site where Benjamin Butler many years ago
operated a saw mill for Dr. Marcus Shearer; hence the name
Butlerville. once well known in town annals. The Ellis ]\Iil]s
were kept in operation about 1868, and Dwight W. and Stillman
Ellis were the chief promoters of the enterprise, being extensive
manufaetui'ers of cassimere.s. The name of Gates & Nelson, a
substantial firm years ago, also is to l)e mentioned in the same
connection.
'I'he Collins ^Manufacturing comiiany for many years has
been a leading coneei'u in Xorlh Wilbraham history. It was
incori>or;ite(l in 1872 a.s the Collins l'a]ier company, with
$200,000 capital, a large share of which once was furnished from
.\mherst college funds. In l!^76 the name v.'as changed to
Collins .Manufacturing company, as since known, and the
capital was increased to .i;:^00.0(i(l. The company, with fre(iuent
( 192 )
THE TOWN OF WILBRAEAU
changes in stock ownership and business control, has since been
in active operation, and its works comprise the principal indus-
trial enterprise of Eastern Hampden county. The plant now
forms a part of the Whiting system of paper interests.
The Cutler Mills, with a ten-carload daily capacity of
ground feed and grain, comprise another valuable manufactur-
ing enterprise of North Wilbrahm. The plant began operations
in the early part of 1877, and has continued uninterruptedly to
the present time.
Nine-Mile Pond — Xortli Wilbraliam
This brief retrospect will give the reader an idea of the past
history of one of the best outlying towns of Hampden county,
for Wilbraham long has been regarded as one of the most sub-
stantial civil divisions of the county. It has produced and sent
into public life some of the best sons of pioneer stock, and from
its rugged hills there have come some of the strongest men who
have been chosen to public office in Hampden history. A glance
13 3
( 193 )
OUR COUNTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
at the earlier pages of this chapter will disclose the names of
those who have represented the town in vai'ious official capacities,
both at home and in the legislature, and in another chapter there
may be found a list of those who have been sent to the repre-
sentative halls of the state since the creation of Hampden county.
But, regai-dless of political prominence, there are many names
in Wilbraham history that are worthy of passing mention in
these pages. We i-efer to such men as Abel Bliss, who once was
a candidate for the lieutenant-govei'norship on the old-time
abolition ticket; Deacon and Capt. Moses Burt, a worth}' man
in town and church affairs, and whose military title came from
his connection with the "floodwood" militia of years ago; John
JL Merrick, a farmer, man of substance, justice of the peace, and
an influential citizen-, Samuel IMerrick. representative of an old
substantial family and himself a successful farmer; Roderick
S. Merrick .prominent in the church and a strong representative
in the legislature; Roderick Burt, son of iloses Burt, a farmer
and for years in business with Robert R. Wright; Robert R.
Wright, son of Robert, an earl.y settler, and for nearly fortj'
years a merchant in the to^\Ti (Robert R. AVright, Jr., went West
in 1872 and now is mayor of the city of Denver, Col.) ; Dr.
Luther Brewer, physician, and a strong man in the legislature;
Dr. Gideon Kibbe and Dr. Jesse W. Rice, both of whom were
prominent figures in town history in their time; Deacon Horace
Clark, a good, substantial farmer, and whose sons are among
the best men of the town to-day; Joel M. Lyman, farmer; Wil-
liam Brewer, who raised a large family, and brother of Dr.
Brewer, previou.sly mentioned; Timothy Brewer, fai-mer; John
Brewer ; John Bli.ss, once a prominent figure in town afifairs ;
Solomon Wright, son of Solomon, who came to the town about
the time of the revolution and who died in 1843 ; John Baldwin,
a conspicuous personage in the north part of the to^^^^ for many
years; Wan-en Collins, the first station agent at North Wilbra-
ham; W. Levi Collins, the merchant and prominent business
man, who died in February, 1901 : and still others whose names
are equally worthy of mention could our list be extended ia-
definitely.
( 194 )
TUE TO^YN OF WILBRAHAM
However, in closing: our chapter, let us note some of the
chief figures in "Wilbrahani 's history of the present day. First,
there are three excellent selectmen, upon whom devolves the
additional duties of overseers of the poor and who also constitute
the board of health. They are Jason Butler, Henry Clark and
Fred W. Green. The other town otHcers are Frank A. Fuller,
towTi clerk and treasurer; Frank A. Gurney, auditor; Walter
M. Green, collector; Lee W. Rice. Clarence P. Bolles. George L.
Rindge, assessors; Fred W. Green, superintendent of streets;
H. W. Cutler, Frank A. Gurney, Minnie M. Morgan, trustees
Wilbrahani Public library; Minnie M. Morgan, librarian;
Francis E. Clark, Henry M. Bliss, Jason Butler, Henry I. Edson
and Chauncey E. Peck, justices of the peace.
The more prominent business men of the town are the mer-
chants, George W. Ely, Frank A. Fuller, Frank A. Gurney and
Charles N. Mowry, all general stores; James Egan, druggist;
John W. Baldwin, Erastus B. Gates and Wm. H. McGuire, coal
dealers; Drs. Arthur L. Damon, James M. Foster and Horace
G. Webber, physicians and surgeons ; Fred W. Green, pi'oprietor
of stage line; Anson Soule, saw miller. To the forgoing list
there may be added the names of Jesse L. Rice, Henry H. Bur-
bank, Henry Bliss, Ethelbert Bliss (the extensive peach grower),
Ira G. Potter (large land owner and one of the town's most
repre.sentative men), Charles C. Beebe, Rev. M. S. Howard (for
more than 30 years pastor of the Congregational church). Rev.
Dr. W. H. Thomas (pastor of the Memorial M. E. church),
Chauncey E. Peck (the wheelwright and one of the best in-
formed men of the town), Myron Brewer (son of the late Dr.
Luther Brewer), W. E. Reddington (superintendent of the
paper mill at North Wilbrahani). H. W. Cutler, J. M. Perry,
John and Joseph Baldwin and many others whose names are
not mentioned, but all of whom are the active factors in Wil-
brahani history.
( 195 )
CHAPTER IV
THE TOWN OF SOUTHWICK
On the soiitli border of Hampden county, in the second tier
of towns west of the Connecticut, is situated one of the most
irregularly outlined civil divisions of the i-egion, about one-sixth
of its entire territory being bounded on three sides by Connecti-
cut land. In the early history of these two New England com-
monwealths, it appeal's that no satisfactory boundary line could
be agreed upon in this locality, and as late as 1800 the ditference
was still unsettled ; and when finally adjusted it seems somewhat
strange that the line dividing the states could not have been
made a right line. However, that which was Connecticut's loss
was Hampshire county's gain, for about six square miles of
Soutlnrick lands lay south of the general state line. Originally
this dispTited area extended to the east line of Southwick, but
when a compromise was effected each state took half of the tract,
and this action was satisfactory to the inhabitants.
Settlement .—OrigmaUy this region was part of the mother
town of Westfield, and its early settlement was accomplished dur-
ing the two-score years following 1730. Tradition says that Sam-
uel Fowler was the pioneer, and that in 1734 he settled in the
northern part of the town, in a locality commonly designated
"Poverty," because the land there was suppo.sed to be barren
and unfit for cidtivation. But that happened nearly two cen-
turies ago, and subsequent events have shown the lands here
generally are as fertile as elsewhere in the county outside the
river valle.ys; and it is evident that Samuel Fowler prospered
in the locality, for a long line of thrifty descendants have come
from the old pioneer, and among them have been some of the
best men of Soutliwiclc in later years.
( 196 )
THE TOWN OF SOUTUWK'K
Old records and documents disclose the fact that settlement
in this part of "VVestfield was accomplished rapidly after the
lands were opened for sale, and in the next few years after the
coming of the pioneer we find these settlers on the land: Silas
and Abuer and David Fowler, Gideon Stiles, Noah Loomis,
Ephraim Griffin, Matthew Laflin, Israel Perkins, William Moore,
John Kent, George Granger, David Nelson, James Smith, Joseph
Moore, John Campbell, John Berry, Moses Root, Phineas South-
well, Eph. Chamberlain, Stephen Sexton, Phineas Perkins,
Thomas Hough. Isaac Coit, David Ives, Brigham Brown, Shubal
Stiles, Doras Stiles, Sampson French, Joseph and Abner For-
ward, Holcomb Granger, John Rockwell, Enos Foot, Solomon
Stevens and Job Langdon. Many of the grandchildren of these
first settlers have aged and died, yet glancing over the lists of
the townsmen we discover that many of the old surnames are
still known here, and some of them are represented by men of
influence and worth. To mention them all according to their
merit and prominence would require a volume, hence we must
be content with the reproduction of the names of pioneers and
early settlers, and in later pages the names of their descendants
will appear as they have been identified with the history of the
town.
In 1770 Soutliwick was granted a district organization and
in 1775 was given full town powers. The early officers evidently
believed in keeping a complete list of the male inhabitants (in
which respect it was an exceptional town, for only in two others
have .similar lists been discovered) and in 1781, according to
records found in the clerk's office, the male inhabitants, subject
to military duty and "poll rates" were as follows: David
Hastings, Thomas Hanchet, David Nelson. Amos Noble. Gideon
Stiles, Benj. Rising, .jun., Geoi'ge Sexton, Stephen Sexton,
Solomon Munsell, William Campbell, Samuel and Amos John-
son, Moses and Israel Hays (Hayes), James Campbell, Daniel
Wait, John Woodbury, John Pierce, John Pierce, jun., Moses
Noble, Matthew Laflin, Joseph Moore, Israel Perkins, Phineas
Perkins, Benj. Loomis, jun., Enos Loomis, Elijah Hough. James
Smith, William ^looi'o. Jolin Bishop, Moses IMitchell, Jonathan
( 197 )
OUR COLNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Wilcox, Eldad Graves. Samuel Johnson, jun.. Benj. Rising, Silas,
Abner and David Fowler, Stephen Kussell. Titus Bigelow,
Phineas Southwell. Henj. Looiuis, Nehemiah and Israel Loomis,
Abraham Page, xVbraham Page, jun.. Hezekiah Jones, Joseph
Barber, Koger and Gideon Root, Jonathan Tillotsou, Josiah,
Ezra and John Kent, Gad Allen, f]lijah Blaekman, Martin
ITolcomb. William blather, Zur. Root. William Miller, Joshua
Bottom, Samuel Ilaynes. John Wilcox. Trustum Story. John
Story, Jacob Cook, Isaac Fowler, Abner Rising, Joseph Hyde,
jun., Pliny Sacket, Noah Loomis. Noah Loomis, jun., Shem
Loomis, Moses Olds, Samuel Olds, ]\loses Allen, Moses Root,
Samuel Kellogg, Jesse Sacket, Jared Bush, Josiah Kellogg,
Amasa and David Ives. Thomas Hough, John Berry, Thomas
and John Campbell, Amos Rising, Solomon Stephens, Nathaniel
Gilbei-t, Silas Stephens, Freegrace Norton, Isaac Gilbert, Daniel
Lee, Eldad Norton, George Granger. George Granger, jun., Levi
and Eldred Palmer, Gad Dewey. Simon Wetherbee, Sampson
French. Philip Hayes and Daniel Griffin.
Many of these residents of Southwick in 1781 were not life-
long citizens of the town, and while a large proportion of the
surnames mentioned are not now known in local annals, a num-
ber of the present generation of inhabitants can trace their
ancestry to one or more of those whose names are recorded above.
07-ga)iizniioii. — Having within the brief space of about
thirty years accjuiied necessary number of families and inhabit-
ants, including among them some of the strongest men of the
mother town, it was only natural that this people should petition
the general court for a separation from AVesttield, for they were
indeed remotely located from the seat of town government and
were entitled to the consideration asked. The act conferred dis-
trict powers on the new jurisdiction and authorized the election
of all local officers except a separate representative to the general
court. The provisions of the act were carried out and a full
board of district officers was elected annuallj' from 1770 (the
act was passed November 7) to 1775. but. unfortunately, the
records during the period of the district character are not to be
found, and it is possible that they were so imperfectly kept as
( 198 )
THE T0^\'^' OF SOUTHWICK
to be of little value, hence many facts of historic interest are
thereby denied ns.
On August 23, 1775, Southwiek was made a town by general
act, and thei'eupon took its place among the civil divisions of
Hampshiie county. From this time the records are faithfully
kept and well preserved considering their age and service. From
1775 to l!t01 the offices of selectman and town clerk have been
filled as follows:
Selectmen. — 1775, Gideon Stil&s, Noah Loomis, Silas Fow-
ler; 1776, Gideon Stiles, Silas Fowler, Abner Fowler, Noah
Loomis, ilatthew Laflin; 1777, Noah Loomis, Gideon Stiles,
Abner Fowler. Ephraim Griffin, Israel Perkins; 1778, Noah
Loomis. Gideon Stiles, Matthew Laflin, John Kent, Abner Fow-
ler; 1779-8U, AVilliam iloore, David Nelson, George Granger;
178], Abner Fowler, James Smith, John Campbell; 1782, Silas
Fowler. John Kent, Matthew Latlin, Noah Loomis, Thomas Camp-
bell; 1783, ]\Iatthew Latlin, Joseph Moore, John Kent; 1784,
John Kent, John Barry, James Smith : 1785, Silas Fowler, Mat-
thew Laflin, Moses Root, John Kent. Thomas Campbell; 1786,
James Smith, Thomas Campbell, Phineas Southwell, Stephen
Sexton, Ephraim Chamberlain ; 1787, Phineas Perkins, Noah
Loomis, Thomas Hough, Brigham Brown, Joseph Moore; 1788,
Phineas Southwell, George Granger, Silas Fowler, Isaac Coit,
Phineas Perkins; 1789, Thomas Campbell, Isaac Coit, Phineas
Southwell, Ephraim Chamberlain, David Ives; 1790, Ephraim
Chamberlain. Thomas Campbell. Samuel Fowler; 1791, Thomas
Campbell, Samuel Fowler, Shubael Stiles ; 1792, Sampson French,
Samuel Fowler, Shubael Stiles, Phineas Southwell, Phineas
Perkins; 1793, Samuel Fowler, Shiibael Stiles, Samuel French;
]794, Doras Stiles. Samuel Fowler. David Fowler; 1795. Thomas
Campbell, Samuel Fowler. David Fowler ; 1796, Samuel Fowler,
Doras Stiles, Thomas Campbell. Holcomb Granger. Joseph For-
ward; 1797. Thomas Campbell. Joseph Forward, Samuel Fow-
ler; 1798, Joseph Forward. Job Langdon, Solomon Stephens;
1799-1800. Job Langdon, Samuel Fowler, Joseph Foi-ward; 1801,
Shubael Stiles. Enos Root. Joseph Forward ; 1802, Samuel Fow-
ler, Doras Stiles. Brigham Brown; 1803, David Fowler, Oliver
( 199 )
OIR COUM'Y AXD ITS PEOPLE
Utley, Ham Looinis; 1804. JIattliew Latlin, Keuben ^Foore, Moses
Hayes; 180;"), Shubael Stiles. Keuben Moore, Thoma.s Campbell;
1806, Shubael Stiles, Kogei- iloore, Joseph Forward; 1807,
Shubael Stiles, Joseiih Forward. Oliver Utley; 1808-9, Shubael
Stiles, Jos. Forward, Samuel Fowler; 1810, Samuel Fowler,
Richard Dickinson, Oliver [Moore; 1811, Shubael Stiles, Oliver
Smith, Reuben Moore: 1812. Keuben ]\Ioore. Solomon Smith,
Samuel Fowler; 1813, Doras Stiles, Samuel Fowler, Elijah Hol-
ccmb; 1814, Joseph Forward, Eli.jah Holcomb. Ephraim Booth;
1815, Richard Dickinson, Reuben Moore, Gideon Stiles; 1816,
Richard Dickinson, Gideon Stiles, Amasa Holcomb ; 1817-18,
Gideon Stiles, Amasa Holcomb, Heman Latlin; 1819, Amasa
Holcomb. "William Hosmer. Job Langdon ; 1820. Gideon Stiles,
Heman Lafiin, Almon Gillett ; 1821. Gideon Stiles. John Mills,
Almon Gillett; 1822, Gideon Stiles, Almon Gillett, Joseph JI.
Forward; 1823, John Mills, Joseph ;M. Forward. Eli L. Moore;
1824, Jos. M. Foi'ward, Eli L. Moore. Abraham Rising', .iun. ;
1825, Eli L. Moore, Abraham Rising, jun.. Warren Byiugton ;
1826, Warren Byington. (Jideon Stiles. Thaddeus Foot; 1827,
Abraham Rising, jun.. Zebina Mason. Almon GiUett; 1828,
Abraham Rising, jun., Zebina !Mason. Jubal Byington; 1829,
Uzal Rockwell. Gideon Root, Elisha Steer, jun.: 1830, Robert
Forward, Warren Byington. Abraham Rising, jun.; 1831-32.
John Mills. Robert Forward. Elisha Steer, jun. : 1833, Joseph
il. Forward, Uzal Rockwell. Elisha Steer: 1834. Elisha Steer,
Gideon Stiles. Robert Forward ; 1835. Robert Forward. Gideon
Stiles, Sanniel S. Fowler; 1836. Gideon Stiles, Solomon Green,
Elisha Steer: 1837, Joseph M. Forward, Sardis Gillett, Samuel
S. Fowler; 1838, Sardis Gillett, Almon H. Baker, Samuel S.
Fowler; 1839, Almon H. Baker. Abraham Rising, jun.. Elisha
Booth ; 1840, Abraham Rising, jun.. Elisha Booth, Josiah S.
Knowles: 1841, Elisha Booth, Josiah S. Knowles. Carmi Shurt-
lelT; 1842-43, Gideon Stiles. Abraham Rising, Carmi Shurtleff;
1844, Abraham Rising, Eli L. Moore, Chandler Holcomb; 1845,
Chandler Holcomb. Samuel Webb, Tarsus N. Fowler; 1846,
Samuel Webb. Heaton Granger. P, W. Stevens: 1847. P. W.
Stevens, Daniel W. King, Moses \Tiute: 1848, Moses White. P.
( 200 )
THE TOWN OF SOVTHWICE
AV .Stevens , Calvin Cannon ; 1849, Oliver Root, Joseph M. For-
ward, Calvin Cannon ; 1850, Oliver Root, P. W. Stevens, Samuel
Kellogg; 1851, Theron Rockwell, Easton T. Rising, P. W.
Stevens; 1852, Theron Rockwell. p]lisha Steer, Oliver Root; 1833,
Oliver Root, B. B. Loomis, Theron Warner; 1854, Theron War-
ner, B. B. Loomis, William R. Brown; 1855, Joseph W. Rock-
well, A. J. Marvin, Uzal Rockwell; 1856, Thomas Cooley, Uzal
Rockwell, A. J. Marvin; 1857, Theron Rockwell, Tarsus N.
Fowler, H. H. Hosmer; 1858, Carmi Shurtleff, Alvin Rising, C.
K. Lambson; 1859, Carmi Shurtleff, C. K. Lambson, Gideon A.
Stiles; .1860, Gideon A. Stiles, M. M. Steer, William Strain; 1861,
Carmi Shurtleff, Abraham Rising, Luther Fowler; 1862-63, A.
J. Marvin, A. F. Webb, A. P. Easton; 1864, A. P. Easton, E. C.
Vining, Moses White; 1865-66, A. P. Easton, N. S. Noble, A. J.
Forward; 1867, M. A. Moore, N. S. Noble, A. J. Forward; 1868,
M. A. Moore, Calvin Cannon, Raner Rising; 1869, M. A. Moore,
Calvin Cannon. Ijucien Bacon ; 1870, M. A. Moore, 0. A.
Granger, Marcus Phelps; 1871, 0. A. Granger, A. P. Easton,
Andrew White; 1872-73, 0. A. Granger, E. A. Steer, W. D.
Arnold; 1874, W. D. Arnold, J. L. Black; W. W. Easton; 1875-
78, A. J. Forward, J. L. Black, Edwin Gilbert: 1879, A. J.
Forward, Dwight H. HoUister, Charles J. Gillett; 1880, Dwight
H. HoUister, John Mason, Calvin S. Miller; 1881, Dwight H.
Hollister, Calvin S. Miller, Andrew White; 1882, Calvin S.
Miller, Andrew White, John Mason; 1883, John Mason, Calvin
S. Miller, Homer Noble: 1884, Homer Noble, Dwight H. Hol-
lister, Llewellyn S. Wetherbee; 1885, Dwight H. Hollister,
Llewellyn S. Wetherbee, William F. Fletcher; 1886, Wm. F.
Fletcher, L. S. Wetherbee, Calvin S. Miller ; 1887. L. S. Wether-
bee. D. H. Hollister. Chas. J. Root; 1888. L. S. Wetherbee. D.
H. Hollister, Chas. W. Noble; 1889, D. H. Hollister, Chas. W.
Noble, F. M. Arnold ; 1890, Chas. W. Noble. F. M. Arnold, L. S.
Wetherbee; 1891. F. M. Arnold, L. S. Wetherbee, John Mason;
1892, L. S. Wetherbee. John Mason, Homer Noble; 1893, D. H.
Hollister, L. S. Wetherbee, Chas. W. Noble; 1894-95, John
Mason, George Dohei'ty, Charles H. Saunders; 1896-98, Chas.
AV. Noble, George Doherty, Emerson C. Dibble; 1899-1900,
( 201 )
OLli COCMY A.\D ITS J'EOPLE
George Doherty. Charles W. 2soble, Birney G. Holcorub; 1901,
Birney G. Holcomb. Charles Phelps, George Doherty.
Town Clerks.— Ahuer Fowler, 1775-78; William Moore,
1779-80; Isaac Coit, 1781-87; Thomas Hough, 1788; Samuel
Fowler, 1789-18U1 ; Enos Foot, 1802; Samuel Fowler, 1803;
Enos Foot, 1804-10 ; Job Langdon, 1811-12 ; Joseph M. Forward,
1813-17; John Mills, 1818; Ephraim Booth, 1819-22; Levi W.
Humphrey, 1823: Eobert Forward, 1824; Levi W. Humphrey,
1825-28 ; Edwin Foot, 1829 ; Joseph M. Forward, 1830-31 ; Har-
rison Foot, 1832-33; Phineas AV. Stevens, 1834-36; James
Stevens, 1837-44; Carmi Shurtleff, 1845; Joseph M. Forward,
1846-51: A. J. Forward. 1852-54; Joseph E. White, 1855; P.
W. Stevens. 1856 : Joseph E. White, 1857 ; SejTuoiir L. Granger,
1858-60; C. J. Root, 1861-65; Luther Fowler, 1866-67; B. G.
Palmer. 1868: Orrin A. Granger, 1869-70; William W. Phelps,
1871: H. E. Webb, 1872-74: Edwin Shurtleff, 1875-76; WiUiam
Strain, 1877; William F. Fletcher, 1878-81: Charles A. Reed,
1882-83: Edward Gillett. 1884; Frank A. Osborne, 1885-88;
George Brace, 1889-97: J. Spencer White, 1898-1900; Dr. F.
Knight Porter, 1901.
Town Officers. 1901. — Birney G. Holcomb, Charles Phelps,
George Doherty. selectmen, assessoi-s. overseers of the poor and
board of health; Dr. F. Knight Porter, town clerk; Dwight H.
Hollister. William W. Phelps, auditors; Llewellyn S. Wetherbee,
treasurer and collector: Lalhrop Welcome, highway commis-
sioner; William F. Fletcher. Amasa Holcomb. Calvin S. Miller,
cemetery commissioners; William L. Babb, chief of police;
Monroe G. Spring, Solomon C. Warren. James E. Ames, school
committee; J. Ellis Ames. prineii)al of high school; John R.
Boyle. Amasa Holcomb. George Phelps, tnistecs of free public
library: 11. B. Harding, jibriuian : Dr. F. Kniglit Porter, justice
of the j)en('('.
Fi'om tii'st to last Southwick has furnished to the county
an interesting and valuable historical record. It was settled
during the })revalence of the French and Indian wars, was
brought into incomplete existence just before the outbreak of
the revolution and was made full in its organization in the year
( 202 )
THE To^yy of sovTinvicK
in which that struggle was beguu. One of the first acts after the
election of town officers was a vote to raise a company of twenty-
five minntemen, and Jonathan Hare was sent as delegate to the
provincial congress. The committee of safety appointed in
January. 1776. comprised Noah Loomis, Silas Fowler, William
Moore. John Kent, Deacon IMorton. Solomon Stephens anil
Ephraim Griffin. In this year the town declared in favor of
independence, and offered a bounty of 30 shillings each for nine
men to enlist in the expedition against Canada. Later on the
bounty was increased to fifteen pounds and eventually to thirty
pounds to keep the i|uota full when enlistments were hard to
secure.
Glancing over the records of revolutionary services we find
that Southwick answered the call to arms upon the first news of
the Lexington alarm, with its company of minntemen, whose
names, so far as can now be ascertained, were Silas Fowler.
George Granger, John Kent. Jesse Dunham. Elijah Hough.
Jonathan Hayes. John Campbell. Roger Root, Zenas Graves.
Samuel ()lds, Israel Loomis. Stephen Russell, Moses Campbell,
Thomas Campbell, Ezekiel Graves, Levi Bradley. John Steven-
son (probably Stevens), Israel Hayes, Amos Loomis, Noah
Loomis, Silas Stephens, Elijah Harmon, William Campbell.
James Nelson, Amos Ives. These men served some eight and
others sixteen days under the first call, and all were privates.
Nearl3- all of these patriot forefathers were at once enrolled
as members of a better organized company and on the 21st of
April, 1775, set out for Roxbury, where they arrived Api-il 29.
and were assigned to the regiment under Col. Danielson, witli
Lieut. -Col. Shepard, of Westfield. second in command. The per-
sonnel of this company was as follows:
Captain, Silas Fowler ; lieutenant, George Granger ; ensign,
John Kent: sergeants, Tjevi Dunham, Elijah Hough, Jonathan
Hayes; corporals, John Campbell, Amos Ives, William Camp-
bell ; fifer, Zenas Graves ; privates, Israel Loomis, John Stephen-
son, Noah Loomis. Israel Hayes. Silas Stephens, Elijah Harmon.
Ezekiel Graves, Closes Campbell. Amos Loomis, Roger Root,
Thomas Campbell, Samuel Olds, Levi Bradley, James Nelson,
( 203 )
OUR COI'MY A.Xn JTS I'EOPLE
Stephen Russell. Of these men 14 were in service 21 days, and
11 were in service 11 days, under the first call. Later on many
re-enlisted and served at various periods of the war and others
entered the continental army and srave efficient services during
the dark period of the war. It is unfortunate that the rolls of
revolutionary soldiers are not complete, for it is known that the
men of Southwiek acquitted themselves with honor on many
battlefields, and the names of all of them are worthy of especial
mention in the pages of history.
In 1780 the town voted not to have Capt. Fowler make a
draft of soldiers for the continental army, and at the same time
a committee was chosen to enquire into the action of the general
court, the belief being that the legislative body had not the au-
thority to enforce the draft. Soon aftenvard, however, the town
voted to pay a bounty of $1,000 (continental bills) to each of
three men who should enter the army; and in 1781 Southwiek
had nine soldiers in the regular army, having offered $1,000
bounty for enlistments and 20 shillings per month pay. These
extreme measures completely drained the treasury and also in-
volved the town in a heavy debt, which the next generation was
called upon to pay. With this legacy of indebtedness upon them
it is not to be wondered at that Daniel Shays had a sympathetic
following in Southwiek, although the records make no dis-
closures as to what persons actually joined the insurgent host.
In Southwiek during the war of 1812-15 there appears to
have been a more loyal support of the American side of the ques-
tion at issue than was .shown in many other towns in the county.
In the Northampton convention and the frequent other assem-
blages to voice a protest against the prosecution of the war this
town did not send a delegate, and it is believed that the sentiment
here was one of general loyalty to the cause against Great
Britain ; but of course there was a small federal contingent in
the town who oi)i)osed war and favored peace.
During the war a regiment of infantry was i-aised in the
south part of the county and was placed under command of Col.
Knos Foot of Southwiek. These troops marched for Boston
about the middle of October. 1814, and spent about forty days
( 204 )
THE TOWN OF SOUTH WICK
in camp at Dorchester, this being the extent of their service
during what was locally called "Governor Strong's war." The
strength of the town contingent of men in this event is not
known, yet among the Sonthwiek soldiers who took part in the
active struggle were Abraham Rising, Robert Forward, David
Noble, Elisha Steer, Benj. Lounsberry and Leonard Smith.
In the war of 1861-5 this town is credited with having sent
into service a total of 110 men, whereas in fact the number was
near 125 men in all branches of the service. These were scat-
tered through the several regiments recruited in Hampden
county, notably the 27th, 34th and 46th regiments of infantry,
and the 2d regiment of cavalry.
Southwiek always has been know-n as an agricultural town,
and many foundations of substantial fortunes have been laid by
persevering effort on the part of thrifty husbandmen in that
direction and in the special growth of tobacco. If the reader
will glance over the succession of selectmen it may be seen that
more than one hundred names of well-to-do farmers are there
mentioned, whose first and only source of income was the old
home farm. During the first half of the last century the best
results in this field of labor were achieved, but the last half
century has not been without its successes. In this time thrifty
farmers have not only acquired a competency, but have also been
active factors in the civil history of the town. We refer to such
men as James Black, a farmer and an influential citizen; Edwin
Gilbert, who with other interests owned a saw and grist mill;
John Boyle, farmer, contractor and miller; Amos Eason, long
time a selectman; Thaddeus Foot and Gen. Joseph Forward,
who were for years identified \vith local interests; Deacon
Horace Noble, farmer; also Sardis, Creighton and Seth Gillett,
Quartius Black, Charles Bingham, Matthew Field, Robert For-
ward, "Uncle Sol." Smith, Tuttle Webb and Oliver Root. This
list might be extended by the addition of other equally worthy
names, but the above will .suffice to show something of the char-
acter and quality of the factors in town history during the last
half century.
If it be permissible that we speak briefly of some of the
prominent farmers, producers and men of business of the present
( 205 )
THE T0^^^ of south wick
time, naturally we should feel called upon to mention the names
of such men as Calvin S. Miller, former representative and
leading republican ; Edwin C. Hills, substantial farmer ; Bii-ney
(t. Holeomb, Charles H. Phelps and George Doherty, farmers
and present selectmen ; William P. Fletcher, miller, grain dealer
and cemetery commissioner; Frank W. Noble and H. L. Miller,
tobacco buyers: Charles A. Reed, merchant and postmaster;
Henry R. Barnes, wagon maker; Frederick M. Arnold, a factor
in democratic politics; John R. Boyle, retired farmer; Dwight
H. Halsted, farmer; Dr. F. Knight Porter, phj'sician, town clerk
and justice of the peace; L. S. Wetherbee, treasurer and col-
lector: Amasa Holeomb, Joseph M. and A. J. Forward, William
Boyle, and others.
Southwick attained its maximum population in 1830, since
which time there has been a gradual though not serious decrease
in number of inhabitants. At the time of the colonial census
in 1776 the town had 841 inhabitants, and at the time of the fii-st
regular federal census in 1790, the number was exactly the same.
The subseqiient changes, as shown by the census reports, may
be noted as follows: 1790, 841; 1800, 867; 1810, 1,229; 1820,
1,255; 1830, 1,355; 1840, 1,214; 1850, 1,120; 1855, 1,130; 1860,
1,188; 1865, 1,1.55; 1870, 1,100; 1875, 1,114; 1880, 1,104; 1885,
982; 1890, 944; 1895, 961; 1900, 1,040.
Schools. — In 1775, when the town's population was more
than 800, there was voted for school maintenance the sum of
15 pounds. In 1777 the amount was increased to 25 pounds. At
the beginning of the twentieth century the town annually ap-
propriates about .$1,300, receives more than $450 from the gen-
eral school fund, and expends for schools more than .$1,900 each
year. In 1781 the town was divided into five school districts.
Now there are nine districts, with ten schools, district No. 1,
which inehides the pretty little hamlet of Southwick, having a
public school of ordinary grade and the Dickinson high or gram-
mar school, the latter' having been so named in honor of Richard
Dickinson, who bequeathed to the town about $16,000. One-half
of the income of this fund was provided to be devoted to the
support of the grannuar school and its free enjoyment by pupils
living in the town. Subsequent changes in the school laws have
( 207 )
OUR COUNTY AND IT!^ PEOPLE
necessitated corresponding changes in the system of operation
of this school, yet the benefits are derived from the fund to the
advantage of the townspeople. The Southvvick schools employ
ten teachers. Tlie school census shows about 200 children be-
tween the ages of five and fifteen years.
Southwick Village. — This pretty little hamlet, the only trad-
ing center of any importance in the town, is located near the
geographical center, and on the line of the Northampton branch
of the N. Y., N. H. & H. railroad. Where is now the village site
was once the lands of the Fowlers, and one of that family as
early as 1780 opened a tavern here, and in the same building kept
a small stock of goods. This established the center of trade in
the town, and in later years the village was built up in the
vicinity. The old meeting house originally was located about a
mile south, and in 1781 a new edifice was erected at the
"Centre", as the place was then known.
For many years the institutions of the village have com-
prised the Congregational and Baptist churches, the public
school and the high school. There has been maintained, too, a
comfortable public house and two good stores. The population
of the village proper is hardly more than 200 persons. The
present interests comprise the general stores of Charles A. Reed
and F. W. Healy ; the grist mill of Wra. F. Fletcher, located at
the station: the wagon shop of II. R. Barnes, and the hotel of
which William Sliernian is proprietor.
This locality for many years has been noted for its staple
tobacco product, and the annual visits of the buyers and .specu-
latoi's eonstitiite an event in local history. Still, the town has
its own dealers as well as growers, H. Z. Miller and Frank W.
Noble; and also has cigar making establishments of R. B. Camp-
bell and C. J. Gillett.
The Congregational church of Southwick, dates its history
to the year 1773, and appears to have been less dependent upon
the town than many of the churches whose organization ante-
dated the revolution. Still, in Southwick, tlie town did give
material support to the mother church. The first pastor was
Rev. Abel Forward. 1778 to 178(), and the second was Rev. Isaac
( 208 )
THE TO^yN OF SOVTHWICK
Clinton. 1788 to 1807. Tlie first house of worship was built
about a mile south of tlie Centre, and it is believed that the old
structure was not completed before the erection of the new meet-
ing house at the village. The latter was built in 1783, and from
that time the Congregational church has been the leading eccles-
ia.stical body of the town. In 1824, during the pastorate of
Rev. Calvin Foote, the church edifice was burned, and in its
stead the present liouse of worship was erected in 1825. It is
in a good state of preservation and is, perhaps, the most preten-
Southwick — Congregational Church
tious building in the town. In membership the church is not
strong, yet in attendance at services the congregations are large.
This church is under the pastoral care of Rev. L. S. Crawfoi'd.
Previous to the revolution a number of Baptist families
had settled in Southwick, and soon afterward endeavored to
establish meetings of their denomination; and they sought to be
excu.sed from paying "rates" for the support of the recognized
church, but without success for several years. Finally they
were granted "sittings"' in the meeting house and were obliged
14-3
309 )
OUR COVNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
to accept this coucession, yet they attended services at the church
of their own faith in Suffield. In 1805, they organized a society
and church and called Elder Niles to be their pastor. A house
of worship was built in 1822, at Southwick village, and from
that year the church has enjoyed a healthful existence. The
present pastor is Rev. Thomas Terry.
Among the settlers who came into tlie town after 1800, were
several whose families were members of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and while they held informal class meetings and occa-
sional services, they did not have sufficient strength to organize
a society and church until 1816, when Rev. David ililler was ap-
pointed to minister to their spiritual wants. In 1825 the society
became possessed of the meeting house at Gillett's Corners,
which has since been the seat of the church. At this time the
pulpit of this church is supplied by Rev. J. H. Stoney.
CHAPTER V
THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
A noticeable fact in connection with the history of West
Springfield is that the town previous to 1810 contained a greater
]iopulation and in many other respects was regarded as being
superior of the mother town on the east side of the river. Some
writers of local history have asserted that the town always has
been the specially favored child of Springfield. This may have
been true to the extent that the settlers on the east side of the
Connecticut were well aware that the richest lands of the entire
valley region lay opposite the plantation of Springfield, and as
such they were sought to be kept a i)art of the mother town; but
there is much in the early history of West Sin-ingfield which
shows that as far back as 1695 the inhabitants on the east .side
were not jileased witli the idea of having a separate parish on
the west side, and for the next three-quaiiei's of a century, until
( 210 )
THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
West Springfield was made a separate town, there was decided
opposition to every measure proposed for the especial benefit
of the territory and people west of the river ; and it was due to a
combination of circumstances that AVest Springfield was created
in 1774.
Still, AVest Springfield as the offspring of the mother town
never was a wayward child, as has been intimated, but on the
contrary was for years the mainstay and support of the
parent body. The people here sought a division of the parish
because the public interests demanded such action. Their 's was
the larger and more populous territory, and when special inter-
ests were at stake, town meetings were held across the river.
However, the present writer would not have it understood that
there ever was serious rivalry between the towns, for as a matter
of fact since the territory was divided West Springfield has been
looked vipon as a valuable auxiliary to the mother town, consti-
tuting an important element of the "Greater Springfield"; and
to-day West Springfield capital adds materially to the commercial
I)rominence of the county seat. It combines the three valuable
elments of being a residence town, an agricultural town and a
manufacturing town.
Within the limits of the original territory of West Spring-
field, William Pynehon and his associates planted their colony
in 1636. The proprietor himself had visited the locality and
selected a site for the house to be occupied by his company. The
structure was built by John Cable and John Woodcock, but upon
being told by the Indians that the lands were sub.iect to ovei'flow
from the river, the colonists removed to the east side and founded
their settlement on the site of Springfield. In 1653 the proprie-
tors made an allotment of lands on the west side of the river,
and thereafter similar divisions of remaining lands were made
until all these rich acres were disposed of. They were not oc-
cupied at once, but for many years were cultivated as meadow
and pasture lands and also for the pi'oduction of various crops.
Occasionally one of the settlers would establish his domicile here,
but the inhabitants were few and much scattered until after the
end of King Philip's war. Soon after 1653 the proprietors
( 211 )
Ul R COIMY AM) ITS PEOPLE
granted lioiise-lots on the west side, chiefly below Westfield
(soinetiiiies ciilled A^awiim) river, and several otheis in the north
part, wliich \\:is llien known as tlie Chicopee plain. Among
those to whom honse-lots were trranted abont the time referred
to there may be recalled the names of Anthony Dorchester,
Francis Pepper, Sanmel Terry, Hugh Dumbleton, Miles Morgan,
John Stewart. Simon Sackett and Obadiah Miller, some of whom
were prominent characters in the earl.y history of the town in
later years. Thomas Cooper and Abel Leonard are known to
have settled in the Agawam district as early as 1G60, and from
that year to the time of the division of the lands into ten-acre
lots in 1707, the settlers gradually crossed over from the east
side and made homes for their families on the rich bottom lands
of West Springfield.
In 1695 there were tliirt3'-two families and moi'e than two
hundred persons on the territory. They considered themselves
sufficiently niimerous and able to support a minister independent
of the old society in Springfield, and accordingly presented their
petition to the general court, praying for the establishment of a
second parish, for. as the petition recites, they were at great
inconvenience in being compelled to cross the great river to at-
tend public worship. Several years pre'V'ious to this a division of
the j)arish had been asked for on the same grounds, but the re-
quest was not granted, aiul in order to remove the inconvenience
complained of a ferry across the river was established for public
accommodation. However, in 1695, a division of the territory
was again asked, and on May 29. 1696. an act of the general
court established the second parish and authorized the employ-
ment of a minister.
From this time the parish increased rapidly in popidation
while the lands were developed into fine farms. In 1707 it was
tletermined to divide the unsold lands among the townsmen and
it was provided that each male penson who had completed his
twenty-first year should share in the apportionment. The several
localities then were given distinguishing names, such as the
Agawam district, including substantially the town now so called ;
the Street district, now West Springfield : and the Chicopee
( 212 )
OVR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
plains, meaning the territory now the northern part of West
Springfield and also the town and city of Holyoke. At that
time, according to early parish records, the beneficiaries under
this division numbered 73 persons, and among them were several
of the pioneers of the parish.
Those who shared in this division of the lands, and who may
be regarded as the proprietors of the second parish at that time,
were as follows: Jose (Joseph) Ely, sen., Jose Ely, jun., Wm.
Macrany, James Bareker, Jose Barcker, Samuel Barcker, Oliver
Barcker (evidently this surname correctly spelled is Barker),
John Bag (Bagg. a surname always well represented in the
town), Jonathan Bag, Benja. Leonard, Jno. Leonard, John Day,
James Tailer, sen. (Taylor), James Tailer, jun., Jonathan Tailer,
Samuel Tailer, Edward Poster, John Miller, Samuel Miller,
sen.. Nathaniel jMorgan, Samuel Frost, Nathaniel Sykes, Pela
Jones, John Peley, Samuel Warriner, Ebenezer Day, Christian
Vanhorn, Charles Ferry, Samuel Day, Samuel Ely, Jonathan
Fowler, Mr. Woodbridge, Ebenezer Miller, Joseph Bodortha,
sen. (correctly spelled Bodurtha), Samuel Bodortha, sen.,
Samuel Bodortha, jun., Ebenezer Jones, sen., Ebenezer Jones,
jun., Josiah Leonard, Lest (probably Lebbeus) Ball, Samuel
Ball, Henry Rogers, John Rogers, Nathaniel Dumbleton, William
Scott, James Merrick, John Killam, sen., John Killam, jun.,
Benj. Smith, Wm. Smith, Jose (probably Joseph) Leonard, sen.,
Samuel Leonard. Jose Leonard, jun., Samuel Cooper, Samuel
Kent, Gershora Hail, sen. (probably Hall is more accurate),
Deacon Barber, Thomas Barber, Nath. Bancroft, Jose Hodge,
Isaac Frost, James Stevenson, sen., James Stevenson, jun.,
Jonathan Worthington, Samuel Miller, jun., Thomas Macrany,
Josei)h Bodortha, jun., Francis Ball, John Ely, Samuel Ferry.
Few indeed of these surnames are known in West Spring-
field history at the jiresent time, yet hundreds of residents in
the county may be able to trace their ancestry to one or more
of them. It cannot be claimed that the foregoing list represents
the pioneers of our town, for pioneership on the west side of the
river was almost coextensive with planting the colony at Spring-
field in 1()86. The house meadows and pasture lands had few
( 214 )
THE TO^^'N OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
residents earlier than King Philip "s war, and during that period
and also that of other early Indian wars, the owners of these lands
cultivated them but maintained their residences on the east side,
within the protection of old Fort Pynchon and the stockades con-
structed by the settlers for security against savage attacks. It
will be i-emembered that beginning with the Pequot war there
was more or less apprehension among the settlers regarding the
professed friendship of the Indians in this locality. On the west
side of the Connecticut were the tracts which the savages culti-
vated and after they had parted with their title to the lands they
continued their occupancy, often to the annoyance of the whites.
Mr. Pynchon held them in subjection through pacific treatment,
but after his departure from Springfield there was no strong
restraining influence over them by any of his successors in au-
thority. When Springfield was attacked and burned in 1675
the inhabitants living on the west side betook themselves to the
protection of the forts in the settlement, and when aid came for
the besieged settlers the soldiers who appeared on the west bank
of the river had no boats to carry them across to relieve the
distressed people.
From the time of creating the Second parish to the incor-
poration of the town of AA^est Springfield, the territory west of
the river comprised the three localities or districts known as
Agawam, the Street and the Chicopee plains; and after the
oi'ganization of the town the boundaries remained substantially
unchanged until Holyoke was set off in 1850, followed by Aga-
wam in 1855. During the years following the establishment of
the Second parish, there was a steady increase in population on
the west side of the river, notwithstanding the fact that the in-
habitants there knew little of the blessings of peace. This period
of strife, or rather defensive life against Indian depredations,
began in earnest with King Philip's war and continued with
more or less activity until the last echoes of Shays' rebellion
had died away. During this hundred years the region was not
subject to more frequent attack than other localities, yet the
people here were without defenses of any kind, hence the women
and children were constantly in a state of alarm, all of which
{ 215 )
OVR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
liad the effect to retard settlement. Still, the parish grew steadily,
and as early as 175f), just when the last French and English
war was beginning, tlie worthy parishioners were making an
effort to incoi-porate their territory into a town.
Organization and Civil History. — iioon after 17.50. at a time
when the inhabitants of Springfield were about equally divided
by the Connecticut river, public convenience and individual
interests of those who lived on the west side demanded a di\-ision
of the toiiitory and the creation of a new town in that region.
To this proposition the people on the east side set up a deter-
mined opposition. They then had a majoi'ity of the town officers,
and being the shire village of Hampshire county naturally many
influential persons were living there and in a great measure con-
trolled public sentiment. It was not at any time assumed that
the division would not benefit the people on the west side, but
rather the chief ground of opposition came from the fact that
the mother town was reluctant to part with so extensive and
important a pai-t of her lands.
At first, if local ti-adition be reliable, the people on the west
side submitted to the will of east side influence and made no
further efforts in the direction of a .separation until 1756, when
the subject was renewed with more earnestness. The town meet-
ings in earlier .years had been held on the east side and nearly
all the officers were selected from the inhabitants there. The
mone.ys raised for town improvements were expended largely
in the village of Springfield and regions adjoining, yet the west
siders were constantly taxed on account of these things and
received sjuall part of the benefits. This condition of affairs was
made the subject of special action at a meeting of the inhabitants
of the Second parish held July 1."). 1756, and it was then deter-
mined to apply to the general court for an act incorporating the
parish with full town powers and privileges. At the same time
a co7nmittee comprising Capt. T5enjamiu Day. Doctor John
Vanhorne, Capt. Joseph Miller and Josiah Day was appointed
to see that the desire of the inhabitants was carried into effect.
With this meeting the real contest between the east and
west sides was begun, and the records indicate that some feeling
( 216 >
TEE rOTV.Y OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
actually entered into the controversy. So long as town meetings
were held on the east side the voters of that locality outnumbered
those who were compelled to cross the river, hence no substantial
gain was made by the Second parish during the first few years
of the struggle for a division. In the meantime some concessions
were made ; a reasonable share of the public appropriations was
expended on the west side and occasionally town meetings were
assembled there, bxit the end most earnestly sought was not
attained and nothing short of that would satisfy the people of
the Second parish. As years passed public feeling again was
revived and at the annual town meeting in 1773 the matter came
before the voters in an attempt to settle existing differences. To
this end an adjourned meeting was held March 25 in the meet-
ing house of the Second parish. On that occasion it was ' ' voted
to choose a committee to consider the present state of the town,
the disputes and animosities that subsist between the several
parts, the matters that lie before this meeting to be acted upon,
and the unhappy embarrassments that attend the same, and to
project some method to remove them, and to report at this time".
The committee comprised Col. John Worthington, Moses
Bliss, Deacon Daniel Harris, Deacon Nathaniel Ely (2d), Moses
Field, John Hale. Col. Benjamin Day, Deacon Jonathan White.
Lieut. John Morgan, Lieut. Benjamin Leonard, Asaph Leonard,
Abi'aham Burbank, Joseph Ely, Deacon Edward Chapin and
Ensign Phineas Chapin. Through its efforts this committee
(which comprised a number of the most influential and respected
men of Springfield) settled several of the minor questions in
disp\;te, but its members were forced to the conclusion that
satisfactory division of the territory could best be made by "an
indifi'erent and judicious committee of disinterested persons in
the neighboring towns." who should "rejiair to this to\\Ti to view
the situation of its parts, to consider its circumstances, and to
judge at lai'ge thereon what division and on what terms and
conditions shall be made tliereof. " etc., "to the end that the
town may be divided in such manner as may in all respects be
best."
The report of the committee was accepted by the town, and
it was voted that William Williams. Erastus Wolcott and Joseph
( 217 )
OUR COLMY AAD ITS PEOPLE
Root be a comniiltee to visit the town, "view the situation of
its parts, to coiisicler its circuuistances, "' etc.. and to report the
same. In due season the worthy commissioners did fully ex-
amine the premises and render a report of their proceedings and
determination, but upon submitting the question of its accept-
ance by the town a negative vote pi'evailed and the proposition
was rejected.
About this time other localities than the Second parish were
asking for acts of incorporation and as a consequence the mother
town found itself besieged with petitions for a division of its
territory, and it probably was the conflict of these several inter-
ests that led to the rejection of the report of the disinterested
commissioners. The desired end not being gained through this
means the affected parishes applied themselves to the legislature
witli petitions for a division of Springfield by the direct action
of the general court. In December, 1773, the town voted to
appoint agents to make answers to the general court regarding
the several petitions in question, and selected Col. Benjamin
Day, Lieut. Benjamin Leonard and Nathaniel Ely as its repre-
sentatives before that body. At the same time also a committee
was chosen to prepare instructions for the guidance of the
agents. These commissioners were Dr. Charles Pynchon, Justin
Ely, John. Hale, Jonathan "White, Benjamin Ely and Abraham
Burbank. On June 20, 1774, the town voted to accept the report
of the convention and ratified the action of the commissioners,
and on February 23 the general court passed "an act for divid-
ing the township of Springfield and erecting the western part
thereof into a separate town by the name of "West Springfield,"
the effective portion of which act reads as follows :
"Whereas, by reason of the great extent of the township of
Springfield, the remote settlements, disputes, controversies and
different interests of the inhabitants thereof, the difficulty and
often the impracticability of the assembly in town meetings for
elections and other necessary purposes by reason of the great
river Conneclicut almost equally dissecting the township, it is
necessary that there be a division thereof."
"Be it enacted, by the governor, council and house of repre-
sentatives : That that part of the township of Springfield lying
( 218 )
THE TOWN OF ^VEST SPRINGFIELD
on the west side of Conueeticut river, and the inhabitants thereof,
be constituted and erected into a ditt'erent town by the name of
West Springfield, and be invested with all the powers, privileges
and imninnities which by the laws of this province towns have
and enjoy."
This act created a new town according to the desires of its
inhabitants, but it contained a provision that exempted from
taxation for parish purposes all the lands known as the "Great
and General Field," comprising all the territory between the
ferry over the Connecticut at the so-called upper wharf and
the river called Agawam. This reservation included much of
the most desirable lands in what now is West Springfield, Mit-
tineague and Merrick, which were chiefly owned by inhabitants
east of the river; men of influence and property who prevailed
upon the legislature to exempt them from taxation for the sup-
port of the ministry in the Second parish. The inhabitants of
the new juiisdiction promptly represented their new grievance
to the general court, but without satisfactory result, and the
lands thus exempted were not chargeable for the support of the
church in West Springfield, and thus the Springfield people
retaliated upon the west siders for their attempt to remove the
seat of government of the town from the east to the west side of
the river.
Within its original boundaries as established by the act of
1774 the new town of West Springfield comprised an extensive
territory on the west side of Connecticut river, stretching away
from the foot of old Mt. Tom on the north to the Connecticut
state line on the south, a distance of about twenty-five miles,
and extending west from the river an average distance of more
than six miles. It comprised the richest lands of the mother
town, and its farming areas were eagerly sought by the early
settlers just as they have been sought in all subsequent years.
The town retained its original territory for more than three-
quarters of a century, and during that period it ranked as one
of the most important civil divisions of the county, and as an
agricultural town it stood first in the region. In the latter re-
spect its prestige never has been lost, and to-day the ownei-ship
( 219 )
or A' COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
of a farm in llic i'ertilo bottom lands bordering on the Couuecti-
cut river is the natural equivalent of a competency. Within
the last quarter of a century the central portion of the town
has become a desirable residence locality for Springfield business
men, thrifty railroad employees and others in other avocations
in life, whose acquisition has been for the general good. In
■certain localities manufacturing establishments of importance
have gained a permanent foothold, and by furnishing employ-
ment to hundreds of wage earners all local interests are promoted
and are maintained in a healthfvd condition.
Altlioiit!h two parishes were the early and direct outgrowth
of the Second i^arish. thei'e was no nearer territorial division of
the town until ilnrcli 14. 1851), when the northern portion com-
monly known as the "■ Ireland parish" was .set off and constituted
a town by the name of Ilojyoke, which now is a splendid indus-
trial city, the name and fame of which is known throughout the
whole land. In the same manner, on May 17, 1855, the southern
part of AVest Springfield, long before referred to in local history
as the parish of Agawam, within the bounds of which the
Pynchon colony intended to found their plantation, was separ-
ated from the mother town and was called by the old Indian
name of Agawam. Thus the year 1855 found the town to con-
tain only about one-thii-d of its original territory and hardly
more than one-half the mniibcr (if inhabitants it could boast
fifteen years before.
Having thus traced tlie civil liistory of the town, it is proper
in the present connection to furnish the names of pei'sons who
have been identified with that history in the capacities of select-
men and town clerks, and also the representatives in the general
court from the organization of the town to the creation of Hamp-
den county in 1812; the representatives in subsequent years will
T)e found in the county civil lists.
Selectmen. — 1774, Col. Benjamin Day, Deacon Jonathan
AMiite. Col. Ben.iamin Ely. Deacon John Leonard, Lieut. Benja-
min Leonard ; 1775, Col. Benj. Ely, Deacon John Leonard, Lieut.
Benj. Leonard. Di-. Chauneey Brewer, Justin Ely; 1776, Deacon
Reuben Leonard. Capt. Joseph Morgan, Eliphalet Leonard;
( 220 )
THE To^yy of ^\^EsT Springfield
mi, Reuben Leonard, Eliphalet T^eonard, Charles Ball; 1778^
Reuben Leonard, Abraham Burbank, Col. Benj. Ely, 1779, Benj.
Day, Jonathan White, Reuben Leonard, Abraham Burbank,.
Benj. Ely; 1780, Benjamin Stebbins, Capt. Levi Ely, Lieut.
Enoch Cooper, Capt. Joseph Ely, Abraham Burbank; 1781,
Eliphalet Leonai'd, Benj. Day, Abraham Burbank, Benj. Steb-
bins, Enoch Cooper, Joseph Ely. Aaron White; 1782. Jonathan
White, Benj. Ely, Abraham Burbank. Benj. Stebbins, Enoch-
Cooper; 1783, Eliphalet Leonard, Benj. Stebbins, Capt. John
Williston, Russell Leonard, Lucius Morgan; 1784, Benj. Day,
Benj. Ely, Eliphalet Leonard, Benj. Stebbins, John Williston;-
1785, Eliphalet Leonard, Benj. Stebbins, John Williston ; 1786,
Benj. Ely, Eliphalet Leonard, Abraham Burbank, Benj. Steb-
bins, John Williston; 1787, Capt. Joseph Morgan, Eliphalet
Leonard, Benj. Stebbins, John Williston, Russell Leonard; 1788,
Benj. Ely, John Williston, Joseph White, Samuel Phelps.
Reuben Leonard, Jr. ; 1789-91, John Williston, Reuben Leonard,
Jr.; 1792, John Williston, Reuben Leonard, Jr., Joseph White;
1793, John Williston, Reuben Leonard, Jr., Heman Day; 1794,
Col. Benj. Ely, John Williston. Reuben Leonard, Jr., Heman
Day; 1795, Capt. Joseph Morgan, John Williston, Reuben Leon-
ard, Jr., Heman Day, 1796, Joseph Morgan, John Williston,
Reuben Leonard, Jr., Samuel Phelps. Heman Day : 1797, Joseph
Morgan, John Williston, Reuben Leonard, Jr., Heman Day,
(lad Warriner; 1798, Joseph Morgan, Heman Day. Major Gad
Warrinei'. Lieut. Ruggles Kent, Elias Leonard; 1799, Joseph
Morgan. Gad Warriner, Ruggles Kent, Elias Leonard, Horace
"Wliite, Justin Granger; 1800, Heman Day, Gad Warriner, Lieut.
Benj. Ashley, Robert Ely, Dr. Timothy Horton, Justin Leonard;
1801, Heman Day, Benj. Ashley, Robert Ely, Timothy Horton,
Justin Leonard; 1802, Heman Day. Robert Ely. Col. Samuel
Flower, Timothy Horton; 1803, Heman Day, Robert Ely,-
Timothy Horton, Pliny "W^iite, Samuel Flower; 1804, Heman
Day, Robert Ely, Timothy Horton. Pliny White, Maj. and Col.
David Morley: 1805, Heman Day, Robert Ely, Timothy Horton^
Pliny White, David Morley ; 1806, Heman Day, Timothy Horton,
Pliny White. Robeit Ely, David Jforley; 1807, Robert Ely,
( 221 )
OVR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Timothy Horton, Pliiiy White, David Morley, Jonathan Smith,
Jr. ; 1808, Timothy Ilorfon, David Morley, Jonathan Smith, Jr.,
Luke Parsons, Aaron Bat>g: 18U9, Elias Leonard, Timothy Hor-
ton, Jonathan Smith, Jr., Luke Parsons, Aaron Bagg; 1810,
Timothy Horton, Jona. Smith, Jr., Luke Parsons, Aai-on Bagg;
1811-12, Elias Leonard, Timothy Horton, Jonathan Smith, Jr.,
Aaron Bagg, Luther Frink: 1813, Timothy Horton, Jonathan
Smith, Jr., Aaron Bagg, Luther Frink, Horace Flower; 1814,
Timothy Horton, Aaron Bagg, Horace Flower, James Kent,
Peres Hitchcock; 1815, Elias Leonard, Timothy Horton, Aaron
Bagg, James Kent, Peres Hitchcock; 1816-17, Elias Leonard,
Timothy Horton. Luke Parsons, Aaron Bagg, James Kent ; 1818-
21, Timothy Horton, Luke Parsons, Aaron Bagg, James Kent,
Alfred Flower; 1822, Timothy Horton, Luke Parsons, Alfred
Flower, Ruggles Kent, Jonathan Parsons: 1823, Timothy Hor-
ton, Luke Parsons, Aaron Bagg, James Kent, Alfred Flower;
1824, Timothy Horton, Luke Parsons, Aaron Bagg, James Kent,
Alfred Flower; 1825, Luke Parsons. James Kent. Alfred Flower,
David Hastings, Hosea Day; 1826, Luke Parsons, Alfred Flower,
David Hastings, Hosea Day, Caleb Rice; 1827, Luke Parsons,
Hosea Day, Caleb Rice, Spencer Flower, Lewis AVarriner; 1828,
Hosea Day, Caleb Rice, Spencer Flower, Lewis Warriner, "War-
ren Chapin ; 1829, Hosea Day, Caleb Rice, Spencer Flower, Lewis
Warriner, "Warren Chapin ; 1830, Caleb Rice, Spencer Flower,
Linus Bagg, Benj. Leonard, Henry Ely; 1831, James Kent,
Linus Bagg, Benj. Leonard, Henry Ely, Josiah Johnson ; 1832,
James Kent, Linus Bagg, Benj. Leonard. Henry Ely. Josiah
Johnson ; 1833, Linus Bagg, Benjamin Leonard, Josiah Johnson,
Charles Ball, Jr., Edward Parsons ; 1834, Spencer Flower, Linus
Bagg, Charles Ball, Jr., Samuel Noble: 1835, Spencer Flower,
Linus Bagg, Henry Ely, Edward Parsons, Samuel Noble; 1836,
Linus Bagg, Henry Ely, Samuel Noble, Lester Williams, Silas
Dewey; 1837, Col. Aaron Bagg. Josiah Johnson, Samuel Noble,
Lester Williams, Silas Dewey, Willard Ely; 1838, Col, Aaron
Bagg, Josiah Johnson, Lester Williams, AVillard Ely, Lyman
Whitman; 1839, Aaron Bagg, Lester Williams, Silas Dewey,
Willard Ely, Lyman Whitman. Calvin Wheeler: 1840. Aaron
( 222 )
THE TO^VS OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
Bagg, Lester "Williams, Silas Dewey, Willard Ely, Lyman Whit-
man, Ebenezer B. Pelton; 1841, Aaron Bagg, Lester Williams,
Silas Dewey. Willard Ely, Lyman Whitman ; 1842, Aaron Bagg,
Spencer Flower, Lester Williams, Silas Dewey, Lyman Whit-
man, Cyrus Frink; 1843, Aaron Bagg, Spencer Flower, Lester
Williams, Silas Dewey, Cyrus Frink, Newbury Norton ; 1844,
Aaron Bagg, Josiah Johnson, Lester Williams, Asa Clark, Lucien
M. Ufford: 1845, Edward Parsons, Newbury Norton, Isaac
Roberts, Russell (jilmore. Homer P]ly ; 1846, Edward Parsons,
Newbury Norton, Isaac Roberts, Russell Gilmore, Homer Ely;
1847, Edward Parsons, Newbury Norton, Isaac Roberts, Russell
Gilmore, Homer Ely: 1848, Aaron Bagg, Edward Parsons, Au-
gustine Ludington, Cyrus Frink, Herrick Brooks, Wm. S. Bowe,
Enoch Leonard, Nehemiah D. Perry, Samuel Flower, Harvey
Bliss; 1849. Edward Parsons, Lester Hamlin, Ralph Adams,
Jonathan 0. Mosely, Harvey Chapin, Daniel G. White; 1850,
Edward Parsons, Jonathan O. ]\Iosely, Daniel G. White,
Jonathan W. Freeland; 1851-53, Edward Parsons, Wm. S. Bowe,
Jonathan 0. Mosely, Daniel G. White, Jonathan W. Freeland,
Samuel Smith; 1854, Edward Parsons, Aaron Bagg, Wm. S.
Bowe. Lester Hamlin, L. S. Brown. George B. Beebe; 1855,
Edward Parsons, Samuel Smith, S. L. Griggs, Orson Swetland,
James T. Smith, Orrin Root ; 1856, Aaron Bagg, Edward Par-
sons, Jonathan 0. Mosely, James P. Ely ; 1857, Aaron Bagg, Ed-
ward Parsons, Jonathan 0. Mosely, James P. Ely; 1858-59, S.
B. Day, Riley Smith, Ashley Loomis; 1860, Edward Parsons,
James P. Ely, Riley Smith, Ashley Loomis ; 1861-62, Nathan
Loomis, Alvin Sibley. Frank F. Smith; 1863, Aaron Bagg,
Charles C. Smith, Lucius Dwinnell; 1864-65, Albert D. Bagg, C.
W. Hoisington, Aaron L. Haj'es; 1866, Albert D. Bagg, Aaron L.
Hayes, William L. Smith ; ]867, Aaron L. Hayes, William Smith,
Harvey D. Bagg: 1868-69, Harvey D. Bagg, Charles White,
Henry A .Sibley; 1870-73, Harvey D. Bagg, Henry A. Sibley,
Amos Russell : 1874, Alvin Sibley, Harvey D. Bagg, Amos Rus-
sell : 1S75, Henry A. Sibley, John 0. Moseley, Russell H. Pepper;
1876, Harvey D. Bagg, John O. Moseley, Ebenezer S. Flower;
1877, Harvoy D. l^agg, Henry A. Sibley, William Chapman;
( 323 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
1878, Wm. Chapman, Harvey D. Bagg, John 0. Moseley; 1879,
"Wm. Chapman. Amos Kussell, Aaron Bagg; 1880, Wm. Chap-
man, Aaron Bagg, Alexancler Grant; 1881-82, Harvey D. Bagg,
Alexander Grant, IJul'iis Ames; 1883, Amos Russell, Henry A.
Sibley, Harvey D. Bagg ; 1884-85, Harvey D. Bagg, Ebenezer S.
Flower, Taleott A. Rogers ; 1886-88, Ebenezer S. Flower, Talcott
A. Rogers, James F. Hayes; 1889, James F. Hayes, Daniel F.
Melcher, L. V. B. Cook; 1890, Daniel F. Melcher, James F.
Hayes. Amos Russell ; 1891-92, Harrison Loomis, Amos Russell,
Taleott A. Rogers; 1893, Harrison Loomis. Amos Russell. James
M. Justin: 1894. James JI. Justin. Harrison Loomis, Henry E.
Schmuek; 1895, Harrison Loomis, Henry E. Schmuck, Talcott
A. Rogers; 1896, Harrison Loomis, John O. Moseley, Talcott A.
Rogers: 1897. Taleott A. Rogers, Henry E. Schmuck, Dexter E.
TiUey: 1898, Charles D. Farnsworth, Henry E. Schmuck, Dexter
E. Tilley : 1899-1901, Harrison Loomis, Charles D. Farnsworth,
IMichael F. Bui-ke.
Assessors.^ — Henry A. Sibley. L. V. B. Cook, Harrison
Loomis, 1898; Harrison Loomis, 1899: Lycurgus V. B. Cook,
1900: Henry A. Sibley, 1901.
'Town Clerks.— Dr. John Yanhorne. 1774: Dr. Chauncey
Brewer. 1775-80; Justin Ely, 1781: Aaron White, 1782-95;
Samuel Lathrop, 1796-98; Seth Lathrop. 1799: Aaron White,
1800-12: Reuben Champion, Jr., 1813-21; Caleb Rice 1822-34;
Reuben Champion, Jr., 1835-42 ; Michael Marsh, 1843-47 ; Edwin
F. Perkins, clerk pro tempore, 1847 ; Enoch N. Smith. 1848-53 ;
Charles White. 1854: I^ewis Leonard, 1855: Charles AMiite. 1856-
62: Edward Parsons, 1863; John M. Harmon. 1864-78; George
N. Gilbert. 1879 ; John M. Harmon, 1880-89 ; Elisha P. Barthol-
mew. 1890; Fred H. Sibley, 1891— now in office.
Itepreseriiaiivcs to General Court. — Col. Benj. Day, 1774,
'78: Ma.ior and Col. Benj. Ely. 1775, 1778-80. 1782. 1785, 1788-
89; Deaeon Jonathan ^^^lite, 1776-77. 1779. 1787: Justin Ely,
1777, 1780-85, 1790-97; Eliphalet Leonard. 1777; Abraham Bur-
bank. 1780-81, 1783-84; Capt. John Williston. 1786-89; Jonathan
Smith. Jr.. 1794-96, 1798-1811. 1814-19: Jere Stebbins. 1804,
'I'ri'viDiis to 1898 the selectmen performed the duties of assessors.
( 224 )
THE TO^VN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
ISOS; Ileman Day, 1805; Maj. Gad Warriuer, 1805, 1809, 1814-
15 ; Col. Samuel Flower, 1806, 1810 ; Lieut. Charles Ball, 1806,
1S08, 1809, 1811-12, 1815-16, 1820, 1827; Dr. Timothy Horton,
1807, 1810, 1811; Luke Parsons, 1807, 1810, 1813-14, 1822-23;
Maj. Jesse Mclntire, 1808; Elias Leonard, 1809, 1811, 1813;
Capt. John Porter, 1812-13; James Kent, 1812-13, 1827; Horace
Flower, 1812. For later town representatives see county civil
list.
Town Officers, 1901. — Harrison Loomis, Charles D. Farns-
worth, Michael F. Burke, selectmen; Fred H. Sibley, toini clerk
and treasurer; Harrison Loomis, Lycurgus V. B. Cook, H. A.
Sibley, assessors; Aaron Bagg, J. C. Worcester, auditors; Dr.
P. J. Flagg, H. A. Downey, M. D.. S. A. Bragg (agt.), hoard of
health; J. J. Lysaght (chm.), Frank P. Sargent, Arthur A.
Sibley, H. E. Schmuck, J. P. Gaffney, A. F. Eoyce, school com-
mittee; W. S. Bagg. Daniel G. White, Emma L. Bragg, trustees
public library; Fred H. Sibley, Henry L. Norton, Henry C.
Bliss, W. S. McCartney, Ethan Brooks, justices of the peace.
As an important integral part of the mother town of
Springfield the region called West Springfield was the scene of
many events of historic interest, to which allusion is made in the
general chapters of this work. During the days of the parish
character, which covered a period of nearly a century, the inhab-
itants laid the foundation for the town itself, and when the act
iif incorporation went into effect, many of the institutions of the
jurisdiction were already established. In accordance with a
general New England custom an ample park was laid out and
decorated with thrift}' trees, a chureli society was formed and at
least one good town school was regularly supported at the pviblic
expense.
Tn the year immediately preceding the organization of the
town the authorities had formed and equipped two companies
of minutemen who were regularly drilled in military tactics on
the common, or green, as tlie park land was first known. There-
fore, in April, 1775, when the news of the British attack on Lex-
ington reached the west side of the river, this loyal people quickly
prepared for duty and sent its companies on the march to
15- :{ ( 225 )
OUR COUNTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
Boston. The records of West Springfield soldiery throughout
the period of tlie revolution are somewhat imperfect, yet the
personnel of its companies of minutemen have been preserved.
We know that these companies were prepared for service when
their aid was needed, and we also know that on April 20, 1775,
both troops started for the scene of action.
Capt. Chapin's company was made up as follows: Captain,
Enoch Chapin; first lieutenant, Samuel Flower; second lieut-
enant, Luke Day; sergeants, Abiathar Robinson, Joseph White,
Joel Leonard, William Kendall, Jacob Day; corporals, Samuel
Dumbleton, Timothy Leonard, Daniel White, John Kellum, Pela-
tiah Bliss; fifers, Jared Smith, Andrew Goss; privates, Joshua
Guile, Thomas Francis, Oliver Dewey, Abel Chapin, Thomas
Green, Jolm Inglesbee, Joshua Chapman, Thomas Trescott,
Vinton Leonard, Mishock Remington, Edward Ely, Ebenezer
Inglesbee, Enoch Ely, Gideon Jones, Chauncey Taylor, Roger
Wilier, David Rogers, Joseph Young, Gideon ]\Iorgan, Oliver
Bagg, John Rockwell, John Burger, Abel Cooley, Dan Taylor,
Lewis Ely, Timothy Day, Samuel Cooper, Benjamin Stebbins,
Judah Bagg, Derrick Van Home, David Merrick, Nathaniel
King, Simeon Smith, Jesse ^Morgan, Joseph Copley, Joel Day,
Benjamin Loomis, Jonathan Smith,
Major Colton's company of West Springfield minutemen
was comprised as follows : Major Andrew Colton, captain com-
manding; first lieutenant, Gideon Burt; second lieutenant, Wal-
ter Pynchon ; sergeants, Aaron Steele, William White ; corporals,
Ambrose Collins, Luther Hitchcock; fifers, William Cotton,
David Chapin ; drummer, Lewis Chapin ; sentinels, Jeduthan
Sanderson, Israel Chapin, Samuel Gridley, Alexander Bliss,
Aaron Parsons, jun., Aaron Ferry, Gad Horton, Samuel Bliss,
James Nash, Abel Hancock, jun., George Wright, jun., Matthew
Langdon, jun,, Peter Colton, John Stedman; privates, Abner
Russell, Abel Cooley, John Warner, jun,, Justin Smith, Samuel
Edson, Patrick Nugent, Benjamin Par.sons, John Ingersoll, Cal-
vin Bliss, Henry Stiles, Luther Colton, Abner Cooley, Samuel
Parsons, Noah Bliss, Joseph King, Caleb Cooley, jun., Zadock
Bliss, Ebenezer Romerill, James Taylor, Spencer Merrick, Syl-
vanus Hall, ]\loses Bliss, Joseph Parsons.
( 220 )
THE TO'iVN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
It may be stated that the foregoing roster contains the
names of a few who were members of the companies but who in
fact did not then live within the boundaries of the town; and
in like manner it also may be said that the roster bj' no means
represents the contribution of West Springfield to the service
during the revolution. The service of these companies at the
time of the Lexington outbreak was comparatively short, and on
their return home the men quite generally re-enlisted, and
served for various periods in several localities during the war.
Some of them found their way into the ranks of the continental
army, and on one occasion Capt. Levi Ely's company of West
Springtield men was a part of Col. Brown's Berkshire regiment
in service in the ]\Iohawk valley in the province of New York,
taking part in the disastroiis affair at Stone Arabia, where
both Col. Brown and Capt. Ely were slain by the merciless savage
horde set upon them by the British. We find, also, that West
Springfield men participated in the other movements in New
York in the expeditions against Ticonderoga and the Canadas.
They gave excellent service to their country and some of them
laid down their lives on the battlefield. The town's record
throughout the war was commendable and the burden of debt
created in providing for bounties, ammunition and supplies was
cheerfully borne and paid by the survivors of the struggle and
their descendants.
Tradition says that during the revolution the common— now
the park— in West SjM'ingfield was the temporary camping
ground of two British armies; that Gen. Amherst and his strong
force of 7,000 men were encamped there for two days and nights,
resting while enroute to Canada (this statement must be taken
with liberal grain of allowance) ; and that later, in the early fall
of 1777, Gen. Burgoyne's captive army was temporarily en-
camped here while enroute to Boston. It may have been true
that a part of Bi^rgoyne's was halted in the town, and it
also may have been true that a number of his soldiers were so
favorably impressed with the locality that they renounced alleg-
iance to the British arms and thereafter dwelt among the Amer-
ican inhabitants of the vicinity. That the Hessian general,
( 227 )
OVR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Riedesel, was the guest here of the venerable Kev. Dr. Lathrop
we may not question, and that the acquisition to the town of such
surnames as Miller, Isensee, Vanganeer, Ilartunk, "Worthy, Pol-
lock, Salter, Stackman, Ewing, Hilliam, came from the captive
Britons, we are not disposed to controvert. The extensive cou-
mon lands bordering on the I'iver was the rendezvous of troops
on various occasions, and in the course of a few years after the
close of the war the park ti-act was the appointed training
ground of another force of men who sought to overthrow the
authority of the state government, to abolish the courts, and to
administer the laws according to their own ill-conceived notions
of justice and right.
The insurrectionary movement known as Shaj's' rebellion
was not confined to the demonstrations in West Springfield, al-
though one oF the leadei-s of tlie insurgent foi-ces, Luke Day,
and a nnmei-ous following came from among llie inhabitants of
the town. And it cannot be claimed that followers of either
Shays or Day were more numerous here thau in sevei'al other
towns, but it happened that the malcontents rendezvoused and
were drilled by Day on the common, near the old tavern, a repre-
sentation of which appears in this work. Locally and generally
the period was one of great excitement, and except for the timely
and determined action of Gen. Shepard's militia, the combined
forces of Shays and Day might have captured the arms and
military stores of the government deposited in Springfield. For
several days previous to the so-caUed battle. Day's followers had
spread a feeling of panic among the quiet inhabitants of our
town and by petty otfenses against good order many families had
been driven from their homes. In all Capt. Day's force num-
bered about 400 men and boys, aU fairly well armed and drilled.
Shays had sent a messenger across to Day informing the latter
that he should .join in an attack upon the armory on January
25, 1787, but Day's reply to the effect that he could not be ready
until the next day did not reach its destination ; therefore when
the attack in fact was begun Day's men were not at hand but
were held in check by the militia on guard at the crossing place.
After Shays' ignominious defeat Gen. Shepard sent a strong
( 2-28 )
TUE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
detachment against Day's horde and quickly drove them from
the town. Nearly all the people in anticipation of a determined
conflict at arms had fled toward Tatham and Amostown, but
Day's horde showed no disposition to give battle and fled up the
river on the first approach of the militia. This M'as the end of
Shays ' rebellion so far as it related to our town, and after the ex-
citement of the occasion was passed nearly all the insurgents re-
turned to their homes and submitted quietly to the laws of the
commonwealth. This eventful struggle is made the subject of
extended mention in an earlier chapter in this work, hence needs
no greater detail in this place.
After the end of this unfortunate affair, which (except for
the few shots fired by Gen. Shepard's militia on the occasion
referred to) was an almost bloodless war, then came an era of
peace and progress previously unknown in local annals, and
during the next two-score years the population of the town was
nearly doubled. Indeed, in 1790, West Springfield contained 2,367
inhabitants, while the shire town across the river had only 1,574
inhabitants. At that time our own town, in point of population
and value of lands, surpassed any other civil division in what
became Hampden county; and this prestige and supremacy were
maintained until after Springfield became the seat of justice of
the new county of Hampden, in 1812. However, let us turn to
the statistics of the census i-eports and note the actual fluctuations
in population from the time of the colonial census in 1776 to
the close of the nineteenth century: 1776, 1,744; 1790, 2,367
1800, 2,835; 1810, 3,109; 1820, 3,246; 1830, 3,270; 1840, 3,626
1850, 2,979: 1855, 2,090; 1860, 2,105; 1865, 2,100; 1870, 2,606
1875, 3,739: 1880, 4,149; 1885, 4,448; 1890, 5,077; 1895, 6,125
1900, 7,105.
Prom this it may be seen that the growth of the town from
the year of its incorporation has been constant and healthful.
The incorporation of Holyoke in 1850 took from the mother town
about one-third of its territory and 3,245 inhabitants; and the
creation of Agawam in 1855 took another third of West Spring-
field's original territory and 1543 more of its population.
During the period of the war of 1812-15, which in this
locality was a political struggle rather than a contest at arms,
( 229 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
the town made little history, yet the occasion was one of much
warm discussion between the advocates of peace at any cost and
those who favored another conflict with Great Britain. The town
records for this period furnish little of more than ordinary inter-
est, but it is understood that in "West Springfield there was more
genuine loyalty to the American side of the contention than was
exliibited in many other towns in the county. And it does not
appear that this town openly declared in favor of the peace
party, but that the delegates to the famous Northampton conven-
tion—Pelatiah Bliss and Timothy Burbank— were only the
representatives of a faction in the division of public sentiment.
It is known that several AYest Springfield men were members of
Major Jacob Bliss" brigade that set out for Boston in October,
1814. and were participants in what was known as Gov. Stone's
war, yet we have not to record any losses of serious consequence
during that struggle of a few weeks.
It was perhaps during that memorable period of American
history known as the war of 1861-65 that this town achieved its
greatest military record, for, as the story of the struggle is told
in another chapter, West Springfield contributed liberally both
of men and money for the maintenance of the federal union
and the honor of the national flag. During the war the town
is credited with having furnished for the several arms of the
service an aggregate of two hundred men. who were divided
among the regiments recruited in the county and vicinity. This
was fully ten per centum of the town's population in 1860, but
of all who entered the service the entire number did not return
home at the end of the war : and to-day many loyal sons of the
tO'HTi are buried in southern graves. Others who returned died
at home and are resting in the town cemeteries, and their mem-
ory is preserved with the recurrence of each Memorial day and
the splendid monument erected in the graveyard near the old
church on the hill. The history of the several regiments in which
M'ere West Springfield men will be found in an earlier chapter
of this work, hence further allusion to their service in this place
is unnecessary.
As constituted within its present boundaries. West Spring-
field contains an area of about 11,000 acres of land and an aggre-
( 230 )
THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
gate population of 7,105 persons. Altogether, the town is
fortunately situated and has perhaps less barren lauds than
many other towns bordering on the Connecticut ; and at the same
time there is found here an unusual proportion of rich farming
land, the equal of which no other town in this county can boast.
The town's lands are sub-divided into districts, not by pro-
cess of established authority but by the custom of the people for
convenient designation. During the early years of the century
ju.st passed a bridge was built across the river connecting this
town with the mother town on the east side. In the course of a
few years a little hamlet was established on the "West Springfield
side and when the place had gained sufficient business impor-
tance to warrant the location of a post-office there, the latter
was given the name of Merrick, in allusion to one of the promi-
nent factors in its history. Although without definite bounda-
ries Merrick is a busy locality and contains the extensive works
of the Springfield Glazed Paper company, incorporated in 1873
and capitalized at .$100,000. This locality also has other impor-
tant business interests and several institutions, the latter of
which will be mentioned in their proper place.
In the southern central part of the town, on what properly
is the Agawam part of AVestfield river, but which is usually
called Agawam river, about one and one-half miles from the
Connecticut, is a busy locality, known as Mittineague, which
originally was spelled Mittineaque. In the early history of the
region this was a favorite resorting place for the Indian in-
habitants, who found an abundant supply of fish in the stream
while the neighboring forests furnished them with flesh and fur-
bearing animals. From time out of mind this locality was
valued by the whites on account of its natural water power
advantages, but when the town began to assume a position of
importance as a manufacturing district a substantial dam was
constructed across the sti'eam at jNIittineague falls. This was
done in 1840, and at the same time several factories were built.
In 1848 the Agawam Canal company built an extensive cotton
mill and since that time the hamlet has been noted for its manu-
facturing entei-prises. To follow the ownership of each sueces-
( 231 )
'The Old Tavern Stand"
A West Sprinfffii*l(I memory; one of tlie few hostelries for wliich it is not claimed that
Oen. Wasliinsrton ever wiis entertained within its walls. It was. however, a rendez-
vous for the self-styled Patriots who took part in Shays' Rebellion, and on tlie
eomnion in front of the tavern Lnko Day, one of Shays' followers, assembled and
drilled his troops. The mag-niticent elm tree, shown on the rigrht of the tavern,
now shadows a dwelling house
THE TO^yN OF WEST SPBINGPIELD
sive factory is not deemed important in this chapter, but those
of greatest importance at this time may be noted as the Agawam
Paper Co. (built 1859), the Mittineague Paper Co., the South-
worth Co., and the Worthy Paper Co., each an industry of prom-
inence and an extensive employer of labor, thus working for the
good of the whole town and its people. The population of Mit-
tineague is about one-third of that of the town, and all of its
interests and institutions are progressive and permanent.
The region commonly known as Tatham occupies the ele-
vated lands bordering on AYestfield. It is a farming locality
A Valley View — Mittineague
several miles distant from Springfield, yet brought directly in
comnuniication therewith through an admirable electric railway
system. Tatham is well peopled with thrifty farmers and is in
all respects a desirable portion of the town. Amostown is a
locality near the geographical center of the town, an agricultural
district, and Ashleyville is a similar region in the northern part,
bordering on the Connecticut. Its name is derived from one of
ils early prominent families. In this vicinity in years passed
various l)usiness enterprises have been established and operated
with modei'ate success, and while some minor interests are still
( 333 )
OUR COUNTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
there the region is chiefly peopled with farmers and market
gardners.
Among the several thickly settled and specially designated
localities of the town, that generally kno\vn as West Springfield
enjoys the greatest historic interest and in many respects is the
most desirable as a place of residence. Here, on the bank of
the river and extending therefrom westward a considerable dis-
tance, our worthy forefathers in the town thoughtfully laid
out the spacious park and established the seat of town business,
the first church and the school house on that and adjoining
lands ; and in making provision for ample roadways they also
laid out Park and Elm streets in unusual width and planted
them on both sides with thrifty trees. For many years the care
and preservation of these highways entailed considerable labor
and expense, but now eveiy resident of the town commends the
action of the early settlers and points with pride to the many
evidences of ancestral thrift.
As a business center West Springfield never has claimed
especial prominence, yet from the days of the parish to the
present time at least one good store has been kept there. As
early as 1802 a post-office was established, with Jere Stebbins
as postmaster in charge. He was followed by Benjamin Steb-
bins, Jliner Stebbins, Elias Wiuchell, Henry Cooley, Edward
Southworth, M. M. Tallmadge, Michael Walsh, Lester Williams
and Dr. P. LeB. Stickney, in the order named, all serving prior
to 1850. The first tow^n hall was biiilt in 1820, and the second,
the present building occupied for that purpose, and also in part
for the high school and fire department uses, was erected in 1873,
at a cost of more than $.38,000. Occasional additions to the
building have been made necessary by the constant increase of
the town's population.
Schools.— The school system of West Springfield antedates
the histoiy of the town itself by more than a century, and had
its beginning previous to the incorporation of the parish. On
this branch of local history tlie records give us only uncertain
light, for tradition says that a school was opened on the west
side of the river several years before the Second parish was
( 23-t )
THE TOViN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
established. As early as 1654 school lands on Chicopee plains
were set oft' and for many years the avails thereof were applied
to school suppoi-t. As settlement increased school houses were
opened in several localities, but it was not until after the adop-
tion of state laws relating to education that a regular system
was put in operation in the town.
Previous to 1774 the schools were supported by the mother
town of Springfield and while the authorities thereof made some
provision for the maintenance of schools west of the river, it was
Main Street Scliool
not the generous support given them by the new town of later
years. Beginning with 17U4 the records of Springfield make
frequent reference to the school west of "the great river," and
in 1706, in answer to a petition from the inhabitants of the
Second parish, it was voted to have a school house built under
the supervision of Deacon Parsons, Samuel Day and Samuel
Ely. In 1708 it was voled that the selectmen provide the "west
side inhabitants" with a "meet person to teach children to read
( 235 )
OVB COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
and write." lu 1711 the selectmen engaged Benjamin Colton to
"keepe the school," and agreed to pay him 20 pounds for one-
half years' teaching. In 1713 Nathaniel Downing was employed
as teacher for the "terme of halfe a yeare" at the price of 15
pounds, the worthy teacher being allowed a "fortnight time in
said halfe yeare for his harvest and getting in his ha^'. " In
1721 John Hooker was employed as teacher, followed by John
Woodbridge in 172G, Samuel Ely and John Ashley in 1731, John
Elj' in 1734, and Nathaniel Atchison in 1735.
Authorities do not agree as to the time of building the first
town school house, and it is said that none in fact was built for
Scliocil Imildini;
actual school purposes earlier than 1737. However this may
have been is unimportant, but it is known that the recognized
school of the parish was a substantial wooden building, two
stories high and stood on the conunon. The records indicate that
it was erected in 1752, and "West Springfield tradition has it
that it was occupied for school purposes many years— even to
the time when high schools became established by genei'al law,
and that this luiilding was occupied as such an institution.
When AYest Springfield became a separate town the authori-
ties established a new system of schools, and in later years, as
( 2.30 )
THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
the population continued to increase, the territory was divided
into convenient districts. In the center district a new school
house was built in 1818 on the site where now stands the town
hall. It was a brick structure, containing three rooms for pupils
on the first floor, while the floor above was occupied for town
purposes. The old building was removed in 1873 and gave way
to the present town hall and high school. At the time it was
believed that the new structure would answer the required pur-
pose for at least half a century, but instead thereof the rapid
growth of the town has necessitated various enlargements; and
notwithstanding the considerable addition made in 1901 there is
no surplus room.
The present admirable school system of the town dates its
history from the early years of the century just ended, and
especially to the year 1827, when the election of "school com-
mittees" superseded the older method of managing the public
schools. Originally the question first to be considered was the
cost of maintenance, but under the new arrangement the chief
object has been the elevation of the standard of the schools,
while the expense of maintenance was a secondary consideration.
This change came in the nature of radical reform and met with
some criticism, but the benefits of the new system were so easily
discernable that determined opposition soon subsided. Then,
in the selection of school committees the townspeople have ex-
ercised wise diso'imination and men of known business capacity
have been chosen to fill that otfice. The result has been in estab-
lishing an educational system which is not excelled by any
similai'ly situated town in the entire region and one that places
the local schools on the same elevated plane with those of Spring-
field, Westfield and Holyoke. The work of a competent corps
of teachers, under careful superintendence, has been a factor
in accomplished results, while the cordial support given by the
taxpayers to the endeavors of committees and teachers and su-
perintendents has worked advantageously in making for our
schools the wide reputation they now enjoy. And in commenting
on the splendid results accomplished in our high school during
the last ten or fifteen years, some allusion must be made to the
( 2.37 )
UUli COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
services of John C. Worcester, iimler whose prineipalship and
largely tlirough whose personal endeavors the present standard
of excellence has been attained.
A century ago the town annually voted a few hundred
dollars for the support of its schools; in the last current year
there was paid for salaries of teachers and superintendent the
gross sum of .$23,011.16, and for all school expenses the sum of
$31,327.43. Still, in 1900 the population of the town was a little
more than double the number in ISOO. The schools of the town
in addition to the high school are located and known as Mit-
tineague (two buildings), Park street, Main street. Meadow
street, Bridge street, Riverdale, Ashleyville, Prospect hill, Amos-
town and Tatham.
Glancing over the town records and school reports it is
found that these persons have served in the capacity of members
of the school committee : Rev. Reuben S. Hazen, 1827-32. 34-35,
37-38; Dr. G. T\Tiite, 1827-30, 35-3G, 38; Samuel Lathrop, 1827-
29; Henry Ely. 1828-30; Horace Palmer, 1827-28; Thomas Bar-
rett, 1827-29 ; Rev. Wni. B. Sprague. 1827 ; Rev. Thomas Rand,
1827; Justin Ely, 1829; Hezekiah Griswold, 1830-33; Dr.
Reuben Champion, 1830-31; Norman T. Leonard, 1829-30;
Solomon Lathrop. 1830, 1832-35; Rev. Thos. E. Vermilye, 1831-
34 ; Rev. Hervey Smith, 1831-39 ; Rev. Henry Archibald, 1831-32 ;
Rev. Jno. W. iMcDonald, 1833 ; Rev. Horatio J. Lombard, 1834-
35; Rev. John H. Hunter, 1836; Rev. Jonathan L. Pomeroy,
1836; Rev. P. Brockett, 1836; Elisha Eldridge, 1837; Aaron
Day, 1837-38; Rev. Calvin Foote, 1837-38; Rev. A. A. Wood,
1839, 41-45; Dr. Reuben Champion, 1839, 1846-48; William
Taylor, 1839; Palmer Gallup, 1839-43; Aaron Bagg, 1840;
Horace D. Doolittle, 1840-41; William Gamwell, 1842; Rev.
William L. Brown, 1843-45; Rev. Gideon Dana, 1844; Rev.
Dillon Williams, 1844-45; Rev. Lester Lewis, 1846; Rev. Thos.
Rand, 1846-47; Josiah Johnson, 1847-48; Rev. Ralph Perry,
1848-55; Rev. Simeon Miller, 1848; Daniel G. Wliite, 1848-56;
Rev. Asahel Chapiu, 1848-49; Dr. P. LeB. Stickney, 1849-51;
Rev. Henry M. Field, 1852; Dr. Cyrus Bell, 1851-53; Dr. Nath-
aniel Downes, 1853, 1856-57; Rev. Henry Cooley, 1854; Rev.
( 238 )
TEE TOWN OF ^YEST SPRINGFIELD
S. D. Ward, 1854-55; Rev. Theron H. Hawkes, 1855-59; Rev.
E. Seott, 1855; S. D. Warriner, 1855; Lewis H. Taylor, 1855;
E. Clark, 1855; Amzi Alleu, 1857, 1860-(32 ; John B. Taylor,
1858; Riley Suiitli, 1858; James Newton Bagg, 1860-61, 69-70,
72-73 ; Nathan Looinis, 1861-63 ; Eden B. Foster, D. D., 1862-64 ;
Rev. Henry M. Powers, 1862-65; Daniel F. IMelcher, 1864-65,
1869; Ethan Brooks, 1864-67, 1871, 1892-93; Rev. Moody Har-
rington, 1864; Rev. J. S. Batchelder, 1865-66; Rev. Perkins K.
Clark, 1866-68; Daniel F. Morrill, 1866-69; Norman T. Smith,
1868-70, 1872-74; Dr. Herbert C. Beldeu, 1870; Emerson Geer,
1871-74, 77; Gideon Wells, 1871; Sarah Isabel Cooley, 1872-74;
Angeline Brooks, 1872; Charles E. Merrick, 1872-76; James P.
Hayes, 1878-92; L. P. Mellen, 1879; Henry F. Miller, 1880, 1883;
Addison H. Smith, 1881, 1886-88; Lester Williams, 1882-85;
Thomas O'Keefe, 1884; Urbane H. Flagg, 1886-88; Edwin
Smith, 1889, 1892-94; F. M. Robbins, 1890 ; Henry C. Bliss, 1891 ;
Charles McKernon, 1892-94; Arthur A. Sibley, 1892-96; Edward
P. Ely, 1892; George H. Lucas, 1894-97; Prank P. Sargent,
1894-97, 1900; Clarence E. Smith, 1894; Addison H. Smith,
1895-98; E .P. Bragg, 1895-98; John J. Lysaght, 1899; A. P.
Royce, 1900; Henry E. Schmuck, 1901; J. P. Gaftney, 1901.
School Committee, 1901.— John J. Lysaght, chm., Frank P. Sar-
gent, Arthur A. Sibley, Henry E. Schmuck, J. P. Gaffney, A.
P. Royce.
The Library.— The first public library in West Springfield
was established through the efforts of the parish minister. Rev.
Dr. Lathrop, in 1775, with about 40 subscribers to the fund.
The books are said to have been carried around from house to
house in a large basket and patrons were permitted to select from
the total number of less than 60 volumes which comprised the
collection. This library was kept in existence until about 1807,
when the books were divided among the owners. About 1810 a
second library association was formed and was continued until
about 1840. During the later yeai's of its operation the books
were kept in the town hall, and from this our present public
library has evolved.
In itself the present library is the outgrowth of individual
enterprise in 1855, but after a brief period the books were
( 239 )
OVR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
turned over to the town for free distribution, subject to the sole
condition that there be annually appropriated the sum of $50
for new books. This condition always has been more than com-
plied with, and in recent years the institution has received
genei'ous support from our taxpayers. The library is under the
immediate charge of a board of trustees, chosen by the people.
On the shelves are now about 6,000 volumes of well selected
books. The board of trustees at this time comprises W. S. Bagg,
Daniel G. White and Emma L. Bragg ; librarian, D. G. White.
The Fire Department. — More than half a century ago a fire
company for protection purposes was formed in the town, yet
the regularly organized fire department is an institution of quite
recent origin. In fact the West Springfield fire department is
a comparatively strong and very creditable organization and
has no resemblance whatever to the department that existed here
more than fifteen years ago. West Springfield, as a town, is
known generally throughout New England as a fertile agricul-
tural district, a desirable residence locality, as a well ordered
township in all respects, with some claims to importance as a
manufacturing region ; and in such towns casual observers are
not preinired to discover all the appointments and elements of
municipalities which in fact are found here.
West Springfield's fire department apparatus comprises
two hook and ladder trucks, one horse hose wagon, one four-
wheeled hose cart, two two-wheeled hose reels, one reverse reel,
and one double-tank chemical combination wagon. The depart-
ment also has all other apparatus necessary to a well regulated
municipality, a good supply of serviceable hose, and an excellent
system of fire alarm boxes and signals distributed over its terri-
tory. For the operation of the apparatus and department equip-
ment the town has four hose and two hook and ladder companies,
known and located, respectively, as follows: Hose 1. ]Merrick;
Hose 2, Riverdale volunteer company; Hose 3, Center; Hose 4,
Mittineague : Hook and Tjadder 1, Merrick: Hook and Ladder 2,
Mittineague. The department officei-s are (1901) Walter L.
Smith, chief and superintendent of fire alarm system; Oscar T.
Koloff, ]\Tanucl M. Custer and A. C. Lewis, assistant engineers;
( 240 )
THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
Clifford C. Haynes, clerk of board; Edward T. Fitch, Watson
Phillips, Lewis A. Hubbard, E. C. Orcutt, Talcott A. Rogers,
J. H. Lombra and B. Schladenhauffen, fire wardens.
The M^ater Swppii/.— Previous to 1893 the water supply of
West Springfield, other than that obtained from private wells,
was furnished by the West Springfield Aqueduct company, a
private corporation originally organized in 1855, whose facili-
ties for a general distribution of water for domestic and fire
protection purposes was limited and not wholly satisfactory to
the public. In June, 1892, the town voted to take possession of
the works, and in July, 1893, the water board presented its first
annual report. From that time the members of the board have
labored earnestly and with excellent results in solving the
problem of furnishing an adequate water supply to all parts of
the town. In accomplishing this many obstinate points were
required to be overcome, but to-day the town rejoices in an
abundant supply of good wholesome water. Pumping, gravity
and stand-pipe systems are employed and are operated at con-
siderable expense, yet the desired end has been secured. The
work of completion and extension is carried forward each year
under careful supervision, but under existing conditions a state-
ment showing the actual cost and value of the system is not
necessary in this place. The town paid the aqueduct company
about .$65,000 for its plant and franchises. The board of com-
missioners is comprised of T. J. Sullivan, George N. Norris and
C. M. Woodward.
ECCLESIASTICAL
llie First Congregational Church.— In November, 1696,
the inhabitants on the west side of Connecticut river, numbering
thirty-two families received from tlie general court permission
to "procure and settle a learned orthodox minister to dispense
the Word of God unto those that dwell there," and for that
purpose the region now included within the towns of Agawam,
Holyoke and West Springfield were constituted the Second
parish in Springfield. In June, 1698, "The First Church in
West Spi'ingfield" was organized, and Rev. John Woodbridge
was installed pastor.
lH-3
( 241
OUIi COUNTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
Thus Wiis established tlie mother church iu our town, from
wliich there have been organized in later years at least two
early parishes and several churches. The first meeting house
was built in 1702, and stood near the center of the park about
1(ui rods south of the town hall. It is described as "an unique
structure, 42 feet square on the ground and 92 feet high." There
were three roofs, each succeeding story being smaller than the
one preceding it. Until 1743 the people assembled for worship
at the call of the drum. Init in that year a bell was procured,
The old Cliurch on Orthodox Hill
whicli liaving been l)rokeii two or three times and recast, was
transferi'ed to the present house of worship on the hill.
The second— the present— house of worship was erected in
1801-2, and was dedicated June 20 of the latter year. The old
odifiee has frequently been repaired and extensively remodeled,
yet it preserves much of its original appearance ; and notwith-
standing its age of a full hundred years, it is a substantial and
iit1r;ii'ti\(' sti-uc'ture to-da\-. Tt stands on eli'vated grounds and
( 242 )
THE IO^YN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
its tall spire and clean white outline may be seen from points
distant several miles in nearly every direction. Yet our fore-
fathers in the town found themselves in a little dispute regard-
ing the site on which the meeting house was to be built, and it
was only when John Ashley came forward with a donation of
1,100 pounds for "the support of the ministry" on condition
that he should be permitted to designate the building site that
matter was amicably settled. An organ was first placed in the
church in 1855 ; in 1S60 the walls were frescoed, and in 1882
the entire interior was radically remodeled. At the present time
the membership numbers 126 persons, but we must remember
that within the vast territory where this once was the only
church there are now a dozen of various denominations, while
within two miles from the old edifice are two Congregational
churches, both directly formed from this as the mother society.
Since 1877 the First church has not had an installed pastor,
yet the pulpit has at all times been acceptably supplied. The
pastors from 1698 to 1877 were as follows: John Woodbridge,
June. 1698, died June, 1718; Samuel Hopkins, June 1, 1720,
died October 5, 1755 ; Joseph Lathrop, D. D., August 25, 1756,
died December 31, 1820; AVm. B. Sprague, D. D., August 25,
1819-July, 1829 ; Thos. E. Vermilye, LL. D., May 6, 18.30-April
29, 1835; John H. Hunter, August 24, 1835-February 16, 1837;
A. A. Wood, D. D., December 19, 1838- August 28, 1849; H. M.
Field, D. D., January 29, 1851-November 14, 18.54; T. H. Hawks,
D. D., March 7, lS55-March 31, 1861 ; E. B. Poster, D. D., Octo-
ber, 1861-April, 1866 ; H. M. Grout, D. D., July, 1867-January,
1871; John M. Chapin, June, 1872, died October, 1872; E. N.
Pomeroy, November, 1873-March, 1877. Ministers acting as
pastors but not installed: H. B. Blake, October, 1877-June, 1879;
Charles H. Abbott, June, 1879-April, 1883; Wm. A. Thomas,
August, 1883, three years; Prof. C. Beardsley, about two years;
George R. Hewitt, two years; Sidney K. B. Perkins, six years;
George "W. Love, February, 1900, now serving as pastor.
The Mittineague Congregational church was organized in
1850, at a time when the mother church was without a pastoral
head. During the eleven years in which Rev. Mr. Wood was
( 243 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
pastor there were more than 200 additions to the old church
membership, and a considerable part of this number were resi-
dents in the vicinity of Mittineague. This little village then
was bes^'inning to attract some attention and the establishment
of a new church there was deemed advisable. In 1852 the meet-
ing house of the Methodists was removed from its original site
to jNIittineague and became the chui'ch home of the new Congre-
gational society. The building was destroyed by fire February
22, 1879, and was very soon afterward replaced with the present
r
Town Hall and Park Congi-egational Clnireh
edifice. During this period of its history the pastors of the
church were Revs. Henry Powers. Perkins K. Clark, H. il.
Ilolden and John E. Hurlbut. From the time of its organization
in 1850 the church has steadily increased in strength and in-
fluence, and now has the largest membership of any Congrega-
tional chui'ch in the town, tlie present number being 227. The
pastor is Kev. Alfred M. Spangler; clerk of church, Eugene H.
Shepherd: superintendent of Sunday school, F. 0. Scott; Sun-
day school membership, 185.
( 244 )
THE TOWN OF ^YEST SPRINGFIELD
The Park Street Congregational church was organized in
1871, when, at the close of the pastorate of Rev. Henry M. Grout
in the mother church, seventy-two members withdrew and estab-
lished the third Congregational society in the town. The with-
drawing members were largely persons of influence and means,
and by acquisition of other members the whole body caused to
be erected the large church edifice on Park street, one of the
most substantial and imposing public buildings in the town. It
was built in 1872, and cost nearly $-40,000. This church has a
total membership of 171 persons, and is under the pastoral care
of Eev. William H. Webb; clerk of church, Ethan Brooks; su-
perintendent of Sunday school. Harry L. Brown ; Sunday school
membership, 160.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception in West Spring-
field was the outgrowth of the missionary labors of Father
Gallagher, who began saying mass in the town as early as 1861,
and the Sunday school work inaugurated and carried on by
John O'Brien, then an employee of one of the paper mills but
now Rev. Father O'Brien. Mr. Melcher, then superintendent
in the mill, encouraged the work, and on a lot donated for that
purpose the Immaculate Conception church was built during
the summer of 1878. It was dedicated November 3 of the same
year. West Springfield was made a parish in 1877, and Father
Phelan was appointed resident pastor. He was succeeded by
Father O'Keefe arid the latter by Father Moyer.
St. Thomas' church at Mittineague was built in 1869 by
Father Healy, pastor of St. Michael's in Springfield, and for
many years was under the care of Father O'Keefe and his
assistants. The property here has been materially increased in
value and the influence and work of the church also has been
greatly extended. St. Thomas' is now under the charge of Rev.
Father Griffin.
The First Methodist Episcopal church of West Springfield,
located in Merrick, was organized May 14, 1876, but Methodism
in the town dates back more than three-quarters of a century,
and regular services of the church have been held here for more
than sixty years. A house of worship was built on Elm street in
184.'?, and was removed to Mittineague in 1852 and became the
( 245 )
OLE COUNTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
home of the Second Congregational society. In 1872 Trinity
M. E. chnrch of Springfield planted a new mission on the west
side of the river and held services in the school house and also
in Centennial hall until the erection of the new house of worship
on Slain street in 1878. Rev. "\V. E. Knox was the first pastor
in charge. This church now numbers 105 members, and is under
the pastoral care of Rev. F. I\I. Estes.
The jMittineague JM. E. church is of more recent organiza-
tion and the result of the rapid outspreading of Methodist in-
fluence in the town. The church has a membership of 100 per-
sons, and is under the care of Kev. H. G. Buckingham, pastor.
.tour
I lit- sriiool tiuilding — MittiiK-aguu
The West Springfield Baptist church, an offshoot from the
State Street Bai)tist church in Springfield, was organized as a
mission Bible school in 1870, and as a church October 10, 1876.
The chapel, now the church edifice, was erected in 1872. The
first pastor was Rev. O. D. Thomas. The only Baptist church
in the town, naturally its membership is quite strong while the
attendance at services is in all respects gratifying. During the
period of its hi.story seven pastors have served this church. Rev.
Hugh J. Jennei'. the last pastor, was called in May, 1895, and
severed his connection with tlie societv in October, 1901.
( --^-IB )
THE TO^^^N OF GRANVILLE
Cemeteries. — The original bui-ying ground west of the river
antedates the organization of the town, and also the parish which
preceded it, by many years, and to-day onr best informed citi-
zens have no more than traditional knowledge of its laying out
for burial purposes. It was in use during the early years of the
eighteenth century, but after the opening of the next century
no interments were made there. It is located on what now is
Church street, but evidences of its existence are fast passing
away.
The old Town Hall cemetery is said to have been laid out
about 1780, and that Solomon Lathrop was the first person buried
there (1787). This burial tract is located between the town hall
and the Park street church.
The Meeting House Hill cemetery, a part of the property
of the First church parish, once comprised a part of the Benja-
min Stebbins farm, and was laid out for biirial purposes previous
to the erection of the meeting house in 1800. This is the recog-
nized cemetery of the town at the present time, and within its
limits is located the handsome monument erected in memory of
soldiers of the 10th I\Iass. regiment of infantry.
CHAPTER VI
THE TOWN OF GRANVILLE
In the southwest part of Hampden county, bordering on the
state of Connecticut and about twelve miles west of the river of
the same name, is located the town of Granville, one of the most
independent and interesting civil divisions of Hampden county,
and one which has furnished to professional, public and business
life in this and other states as great a proportion of its honored
sons as any jurisdiction in the great Connecticut valley. Tradi-
tion and record inform us that the entire region hereabouts was
once owned and in possession of an Indian chieftain, named
Toto, who was on terms of friendship witli the whites and was
( 247 )
OVR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
willing to part with his lands lor the mere compensation of a
gun and sixteen gaudy brass buttons.
So far as the chroniclers of Indian history give us any light
on the subject, the original Toto was a friendly red man who
dwelt in the vicinity of Windsor, in Connecticut, where during
the period of King Philip's war he was a servant in the family
of one of the white settlers; that just before the burning of
Springfield in 1675, Toto imformed his master that King Phil-
ip's warriors were concealed within the Indian fort, which stood
on Pecowsic brook, and that they were aw-aiting a favorable op-
portunity to attack, plunder and burn the town, which they did
on the next day. The subsecjuent history of Toto is unknown
to us, and it may be that he possessed himself of this remote
region of country, became its recognized owner, and that he
parted with his title for the consideration mentioned. The
present writer has no theory on this subject, yet it seems doubtful
whether the friendly Toto of 1675 could have occupied the terri-
tory of Granville half a century later and then sold his hill
domain to the adventurous white man. Still, Granville has for
more than a century been noted for the remarkable longevity of
its inhabitants, and one authority states that between 1760 and
1810 one person in every thirty attained the age of ninety years.
The person to whom Toto sold his possessions was James
Cornish, who soon disposed of a certain share of his estate to
William Fuller, and both in turn, sold in 1713 to Atherton
Mather, the latter the grantor party to the Bedford company
of proprietors, the founders of the plantation of Bedford, the
actual developers of the land. This purchase was made in 1715,
and was confirmed by the general court in 1739. However, feel-
ing secure under theii- title, the proprietary offered their lands
for sale, and in 1736 settlement was begun by Samuel Bancroft,
who in that year moved from Springfield with his family and
was the pioneer of the town. Bancroft himself had only one
son, Jonathan, but before the close of an hundred years of the
town's history the descendants of Samuel in the town numbered
nearly one hundred persons. Jonathan's sons were Lemuel,
Ethan and Samuel, from whom have come nearly all the later
Bancrofts in Granville history.
( 248 )
THE TOM'y OF GRANVILLE
The proprietors evideutlj' acted promptly iu disposing of
their lauds, and sold to settlers and speculators in tracts varying
iu size, according to their means. And they appeared to have
interested a considerable number of inhabitants of Connecticut,
for very soon after pioneer Bancroft located here there came a
goodly colony from Durham and settled on the plantation lands.
In a letter written by liev. Timothy Cooley, of honored memory,
to Rev. W. C. Fowler we find a list of the members of the Durham
colony, viz.: Ezra, Ebenezer and Amos Baldwin; Jolm, John,
jun., Jacob, Nathaniel and David Bates ; Noah, Dan, Phineas
and Timothy Robinson; David, Aaron and Ebenezer Curtis;
Samuel, Aaron and Enoch Coe; John Seward (doubtful),
Stephen Hitchcock, Isaac Bartlett, David Parsons, Roswell
Graves and Benjamin Barnes.
Among the descendants of these settlers were several men
who in later years achieved prominence in professional and
public life. The list is an honorable one and is well worthy of
reproduction in this place. Elijah Bates, who for many years
ranked with the foremost men of the coimty, was the son of
Nathaniel Bates. William Gelston Bates, the noted la\vyer and
the historian of the Hampden bar, was the son of Elijah and
the grandson of Nathaniel Bates. Isaac Chapman Bates, Hamp-
den county's only representative who ever attained to a seat in
the senate of the United States, was a son of Col. Jacob Bates.
Charles F. Bates, an attorney at law, was a son of Nathaniel
Bates. Edward B. Gillett, for several years district attorney
for the western district, and one of the ablest lawyers of Massa-
chusetts in his time, was a grandson of Col. Jacob Bates; and
Frederick Gillett, representative in congress at this time, is the
son of the late Edwai'd B. Gillett. David B. Curtis died in the
service during the war of 1812-15. Rev. John Seward was a son
of settler John Seward. Rev. Harry Coe was a grandson of
Samuel Coe. Rev. David L. Coe also was a grandson of Samuel
Coe. Gurdon S. Stebbins was a grandson of John Bates. Rev.
Truman Baldwin was a son, and Rev. Benson Baldwin was a
grand.son of Amos Baldwin. Rev. Chas. P. Robinson died at
St. Charles, at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi
( 349 )
OiH COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
rivers. Anson Y. Parsons, former judge of the courts in Penn-
sylvania, was a grandson of David Parsons.
Gathering information from various reliable sources, it is
learned that among the first settlers in Granville, in addition to
those of the Durham colony, there may also be mentioned Daniel
Cooley, William Cooley (father of Rev. Timothy M. Cooley),
Jonathan Rose, Samuel Gillett, Thomas Spelman, John Root,
Ephraim Manson, Phineas Pratt and Thomas Brown. A little
later there came Jabez Dunham, Peter Gibbons, Jonathan Church
and Asa Seymour, each of whom was closely identified with the
early history of the town, and many of whose descendants are
still here. Jonathan Rose attained the remarkable age of 103
years, and then perished in the flames of his burning buildings.
His three sons were Sharon, Daniel and Timothy, the latter an
old revolutionary patriot, and subsequently the founder of the
colony of Granville, in Ohio, an offshoot from the mother town
Granville in Massachusetts. Still other early settlers whose
names should be mentioned in these annals were Levi Parsons,
David Clark, Ezra Marvin, Josiah Hatch, Luke Hitchcock, Oliver
Phelps, Josiah Harvey, Lieut. Samuel Bancroft (of revolution-
ary fame). Xathnn Barlow, John Hamilton. Isaac Chapman,
Enos Seaward, John Bartlett and others.
Col. Jacob Bates was a lieutenant in the army during the
revolution and later acquired the title of colonel. He served
under Gen. Washington and was of the bi-ave party that crossed
the Delaware in the attack on Princeton. Col. Timotliy Robinson
was a justice of the peace, representative in the general court,
deacon in the church, and for many years a "father of the
town." In the time of Shays' rebellion he and a company of
the "court party" while on their way to Springfield were met
by a party of the mob, and, after a skirmish near the "great
rock" in Granville, were made prisonei-s. The next day was
Sunday and in prison the good deacon talked and prayed with
his captors with such earnestness that they were converted, and
on the following Jfonday all marched together to Springfield.
Oliver Phelps, an early settler here, was a man of strong char-
acter and excellent business qualities. He was the principal
( 250 )
THE TO^yN OF GRANVILLE
promoter of the historic Phelps aud Gorham proprietary that
purchased from Massachusetts the pre-emption right of all that
region of New York state which lay west of Seneca lake, this
vast tract having fallen to this commonwealth as a result of the
historic Hartford convention of 1786.
According to the historical sermon delivered by Rev. Dr.
Cooley on the occasion of the Granville jubilee in 1845, the first
house in the middle parish (long known as Middle Granville)
was built by Da\ad Rose, who appears to have been the pioneer
of that locality. The other early settlers there were John Bates,
David Clark, and the Robinson, the Parsons, the Curtis, the Coe
and the Baldwin families. In the west parish (now Tolland)
the first settlers were James Barlow, Samuel Hubbard, Moses
Goff, Titus Fowler, David Fowler, Robert Hamilton, Thomas
Hamilton and James Hamilton.
The proprietors of the Bedford plantation lived chiefly in
Boston and that vicinity, and of their entire number Samuel
Gillett alone became an actual settler on the lauds. The planta-
tion originally was called Bedford, but as a town of that name
then existed in the state a change was made as soon as the new
territory was recognized by the general court. Nearly all the
settlers were of English parentage, some of them direct descend-
ants of the noted Plymouth colony, but of whatever nationality
or creed, they were a hardy people, well prepared to face and
overcome the hardships of pioneer life in a new region. Having
provided a shelter for their families aud prepared the land for
crojis, their first care was for the establishment of a church and
then of a school for the education of their youth. Indeed, this
same thoughtful consideration seems to have characterized all
later generations of inhabitants in Granville, as the town long
has been noted for the attainments and high character of the
men it has sent into professional and public life. Other to\vns
having greater population, more ample educational and commer-
cial facilities, perhaps may furnish a longer list, but among them
all, in proportion to population and natural advantages, Gran-
ville holds a conspicuous position for the moral and mental worth
of its native sons.
( 251 )
OUR COUNTY AM) JTS PEOPLE
A coiik'iiiponny writer has said: "Mother Granville, sterile
and barren as she is, is not without merits. The good old lady-
has sent a name abroad, and she has a fair claim to a seat,
although a low and humble one, in the temple of fame. She has
produced a prolific progeny, and I may say, an honorable and a
patriotic one ; none more so. They may justly be said to possess
the spirit of enterprise as well as the blood of their fathers.
The sons of Granville are scattered abroad, and are found in
every station and every situation in life. Many of them are in
the learned professions, adorning the pulpit, the bar, and the
I . 1 :iii \ 1 1 !•■ I Miners — Baptist Cliurcli
bench of justice. No matter how exalted the station, they are
adequate to its dignity. They are neither idle nor dull. Their
views are not bounded by plain nor distance. They are on the
shores of the Atlantic and the Pacific."
Civil History. In 1754 the plantation of Bedford had ac-
quired a considerable population, and its great extent of terri-
tory then was comparatively well settled. Previous to this time
there was no township organization and such authority as was
necessary in the region was exerci-sed by the proprietors' agents
( 252 )
THE TOWy OF GEANVILLE
and the civil oflicers of Hampshire county. Soon after 1750 the
inhabitants began discussing measures for a separate organiza-
tion, and on January 25, 1754, tlie general court entertained an
application and granted the district a limited incorporation —
limited only in that the district was not given a representative
in the legislature. Even this restriction was set aside August 23,
1775, and thereafter Granville became a town with full corporate
powers. The territory then included all that is now Granville
and Tolland, the latter having been set off in 1810.
When Granville was established as a district a full board
of town ofificers, except representative, was chosen and from that
time its civil record has been continuous. Unfortunately, how-
ever, the town records from 1830 to 1859 have not been carefully
preserved, hence much that is of interest in the civil history of
the town during that period is lost. From such records as are
in existence the following list of selectmen and town clerks has
been taken :
Selectmen : 1754, Phineas Pratt, Samuel Bancroft, David
Rose; 1755, Phineas Pratt, Samuel Bancroft, John Spelman;
1756, Samuel Church, Samuel Bancroft, John Spelman ; 1757,
Phineas Pratt, Samuel Bancroft, John Spelman; 1758, Luke
Hitchcock, Samuel Bancroft, John Spelman; 1759-60, Luke
Hitchcock, Phineas Pratt, John Hitclicock; 1761, Timothy Robin-
son, Luke Hitchcock, Eliakim Stow ; 1762-64, Timothy Robinson,
Luke Hitchcock, John Rose : 1765, Timothy Robinson, Luke
Hitchcock, Phineas Pratt; 1766, Timothy Robinson, Joseph
Miller, Phineas Pratt; 1767, Timothy Robinson, Luke Hitchcock,
Phineas Pratt; 1768, Justis Rose, Luke Hitchcock, Phineas
Pratt: 1769, Benjamin Old, Stephen Hitchcock, Phineas Pratt
1770-72, Timothy Robinson, Luke Hitchcock, Nathan Barlow
1773-76, Timothy Robinson, Luke Hitchcock, Sanuiel Bancroft
1777, William Cooley, Timotliy Robinson, Titus Fowler, Nathan
Barlow, Samuel Coe; 1778, Timothy Robinson, William Cooley,
Titus Fowler. Joel Bancroft, Samuel Thrall; 1779, Timothy
Robinson, Oliver Phelps, Titus Fowler, William Cooley, Dan
Robinson ; 1780, Timothy Robinson. Oliver Phelps, Titus Fowler,
Wm. Cooley, Josiah Harvey; 1781, Timotliy Robinson, Oliver
( 253 )
OUR COUNTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
Phelps, Titus Fowler, Richard Dickinson, Josiah Harvey; 1782,
Timothy Robinson, Oliver Phelps, Titus Fowler, Richard Dick-
inson, David Parsons; 1783, Timothy Robinson, Oliver Phelps,
Titus Fowler, William Cooley, Jacob Bates; 178-4, Timothy
Robinson, Oliver Phelps, Titus Fowler, Ezra Marvin, Jacob
Bates; 1785, Timothy Robinson, Oliver Phelps, Titus Fowler,
Clark Cooley, Jacob Bates; 1786-87, Timothy Robinson, Oliver
Phelps, Thomas Hamilton, Clark Cooley. Jacob Bates: 1788-90,
Dr. Josiah Harvey. James Hamilton. Lenniel Bancroft, Clark
Cooley, Amos Baldwin; 1791-03, Dr. Josiah Harvey, Timothy
Robin.son, Titus Fowler, Clark Cooley, Ezra ilarvin : 1794, no
record; 1795, Dr. Josiah Harvey, Timoth.v Robinson, Abraham
Granger, Clark Cooley, Ezra Marvin; 1796, Dr. Josiah Harvey,
Enoch Bancroft, Abraham Granger, David Curtis, Stephen Spel-
man: 1797, Dr. Josiah Harve.v. Jacob Bates. Abraham Granger,
Titus Fowler. Ezra Marvin ; 1798, Ezra ilarvin, David Robinson,
Titu.s Fowler. Jacob Bates, William Cooley. 1799, Ezra Marvin,
Jacob Bates. Titus Fowler, William Cooley, Da%-id Curtis ; 1800,
Israel Parsons, David Robinson, Thomas Hamilton, Asa Seymour,
Seth Parsons; 1801, Israel Parsons, Da\-id Robinson, Thomas
Hamilton, Seth Parsons, Perez ^Marshall, jr. ; 1802, Asa Sey-
mour, David Curtis, Abraham Granger, Timothy Rose, John
Phelps : 1803, Asa Seymour, Jacob Bates, Titus Fowler, Timothy
Rose, Abraham Granger; 1804, Israel Parsons, Da\'id Curtis,
Titus Fowler, John Phelps, James Coe; 1805, Israel Parsons,
John Phelps. Abraham Granger; 1806, Ezra Marvin, Jacob
Bates, Abraham Granger; 1807, Israel Parsons, Joel Robinson,
Abraham Granger; 1808, Amos Root. Joel Robinson, Abraham
Granger; 1809, Israel Parsons, John Phelps, Wm. Twining, 2d.;
1810, Asa Se\nnour, David Curtis, Wm. Twining, James Coe,
Joel Parsons; 1811, Asa Se.vmour, Joel Parsons, James Barlow;
1812, Asa Seymour, Hezekiah Robinson, Lyman Baldwin; 1813,
Israel Parsons, Hezekiah Robinson, Elihu Stow; 1814, James
Barlow, Hezekiah Robinson, Peny Babcock; 1815, James Bar-
low, Perry Babcock, Joel Root. Lyman Baldwin, Stephen Spel-
man; 1816, Lyman Baldwin, Joel Root, Isaac Miller, James
Cooley, John Robinson: 1817, Israel Parsons. Joel Root, John
( 254 )
THE TO^YN OF GRANVILLE
Selden, Lyman Baldwin, Dudley Humphrey; 1818, Patrick
Boies, Joel Root, Hezekiah Robinson, E. Barlow, Jr., Nathan
Parsons; 1819, John Selden, Hezekiah Robinson, James Barlow
1820, Francis Stebbins, James Barlow, Hezekiah Robinson
1821, Francis Stebbins, James Barlow, Jonathan B. Bancroft
1822, Francis Stebbins, Bela Bancroft, Denison Pai'sons; 1823,
James Barlow, Denison Parsons, William IMarvin ; 1824, Denison
Parsons, William I\Iarviii, Benjamin Barnes, Jr. ; 1825, Denison
Parsons, Joel Root, Stephen Spelman ; 1826, Hezekiah Robinson,
Joel Root, Nathan Parsons; 1827, Stephen Spelman, Hezekiah
Robinson, James Barlow ; 1828, Hezekiali Robinson, James Bar-
low, Nathan Parsons ; 1829, James Cooley, Noah Cooley, Jonathan
B. Bancroft ; 1830, Noah Cooley, Elijah Seymour, Vincent Hol-
comb; 1831-1858, records missing; 1859, (). Z. Hugens, Jas. H.
Andrews, James P. Cooley ; I860, D. M. Wheeler, 0. Z. Hugens,
Jas. H. Andrews; 1861, Edmund Barlow, D. M. AVheeler, Edward
Holcomb; 1862, John D. Bifley, Wm. Wells, James W. Spelman;
1863, Jas. W. Spelman, R. H. Barlow, Daniel H. Drake; 1864,
D. M. Wheeler, Franklin Robinson, D. H. Drake; 1865, R. H.
Barlow, Silas Noble, James W. Spelman; 1866, W. W. Baron,
D. H. Drake, L. B. Marks ; 1867, James W. Spelman, Edwin Sey-
mour, James H. Andrews ; 1868, James W. Johnson, Edwin Sey-
mour, Nelson Goddard; 1869, E. H. Seymour, James 0. Rose,
James W. Johnson; 1870, E. H. Seymour, S. O.-Brocker, Francis
Clark; 1871, Rufus Smith, James H. Seymour, William Clark;
1872, Rufus Smith, Wm. C. Clark, E. L. Brown; 1873, Wm. C.
Clark, E. H. Seymour, James W. Johnson ; 1874, Wm. C. Clark,
Orville Carpenter, G. W. Territt ; 1875, Orville Carpenter, M. J.
Rose, Rufus Smith ; 1876, Orville Carpenter, M. J. Rose, L. B.
Marks; 1877-78, Miles J. Rose, E. L. Brown, William E. Barnes;
1879-80, J. C. Carpenter, E. L. Brown, William E. Barnes; 1881,
J. C. Carpenter, Milo Miller, Wm. E. Barnes; 1882, J. C. Car-
penter, James H. Seymour, M. C. Pender ; 1883, J. C. Carpenter,
jM. C. Pender, D. A. Clark; 1884-85, J. C. Carpenter, M. C.
Pender, M. V. Stow; 1886-88, J. C. Carpenter, M. C. Pender,
E. F. Roberts; 1889-90, Samuel B. Root, Wm. E. Barnes, E. F.
Roberts; 1891, E. H. Seymour, W. E. Barnes, W. H. Spelman;
( 255 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
1892, E. H. Seymour, J. C. Carpenter, Chas. D. Treat; 1893-94,
E. H. Seymour, W. E. Barnes, M. J. Rose; 1895, E. H. Seymour,
W. E. Barnes, C. AV. Ives; 1896, E. II. Seymour, E. P. Sullivan,
C. AV. Ives; 1897-98, E. H. Seymour, E. P. Sullivan, Joseph
Welch : 1899, E. H. Seymour, C. L. Stow, Joseph Welch ; 190U,
E. P. Sullivan, C. L. Stow, Joseph Welch; 1901, L. F. Henry,
W. S. Pomeroy, Joseph Welch.
Town Clerks: Jonathan Church, 1754; Joseph Clark,
1755-56; Timothy Robinson, 1757-76; Joel Bancroft, 1777;
Oliver Phelps, 1778-86; David Robinson, 1787-96; John Phelps,
1797-99; Israel Parsons, 1800-01; John Phelps, 1802-3; Israel
Parsons, 1803; John Phelps, 1804-7; Thaddeus Squier, 1808-9;
John Phelps, 1810-11; James Cooley, 1811; John Phelps,
1812-13 ; Joel Parsons, 1814 ; James Cooley, 1815 ; Patrick Boies,
1816 ; James Cooley, 1817 ; Patrick Boies, 1818 ; James Cooley,
1819; Patrick Boies, 1820; James Cooley, 1821; Patrick Boies,
1822 ; James Cooley, 1823 ; Vincent Holcomb, 1824 ; James
Cooley, 1825: Vincent Holcomb, 1826; James Cooley. 1827;
Patrick Boies. 1828; Elijah Seymour, 1829; Patrick Boies, 1830;
no record from 1830 to 1859; Chapin F. Brown, 1859; W. L.
Boies, I860: Ralph S. Brown, 1861; Lyman W. Shepard, 1862;
Ralph S. Brown, 1863; Lyman W. Shepard, 1864; Ralph S.
Brown, 1865 ; Lyman W. Shepard, 1866 ; J. M. Gibbons, 1867-71 ;
Ralph S. Brown. 1872-74: J. M. Gibbons, 1875: Ralph S. Brown.
1876-77; J. M. Gibbons, 1878-89; J. Sweet, 1890; E. E. Smith,
1891-1900; P. N. Gibbons, 1901.
Toini Officers, 1901: Joseph Welch (chm.), Lawrence F,
Henry, William S. Pomeroy, selectmen, assessors, overseers of
the poor, and board of health ; Fred N. Gibbons, town clerk and
treasurer; Charles A. Clark, Ralph G. Hires, auditors: Charles
H. Treat, collector; Roswell O. Rowley, Chas. A. Sheets, consta-
bles; Clinton L. Stow, superintendent of streets; Miles J. Rose,
J. W. Phelon, E. H. Seymour, Joseph Welch, justices of the
peace; Silas B. Root (chm.). Ralph B. Cooley, Wm. S. Pomeroy,
trustees of Granville public library: B. F. Hurlburt. librarian.
At the time of the colonial census in 1776, hardly more than
two score years after the first settlements were made in this part
( 256 )
THE TO^^'N OF GRANVILLE
of old Hampshire county, it was found that the whole numbei"
of inhabitants on the plantation was 1,126, the district then
standing fifth in population among the towns comprising the
county. During the next fifteen years the population increased
rapidly, and in 1790 Granville contained four hundred more
inhabitants than Springfield, although its territory was less in
extent. The maximum population in this town was reached in
1800, the number of inhabitants then being a little more than
2.800. After Tolland was taken ot? the mother town retained its
comparative numerical strength until about 1830, since which
time the tide of settlement has gradually turned toward the
commercial centers, and to-day Granville has 500 less population
than in 1810, although during that time there has not been any
reduction in its area. However, without an attempt to explain
the reasons for this decrease, let us have recourse to the census
reports and discover the fluctuations in population of the town
since the colonial census of 1776, viz.: In 1776 the number of
inhabitants was 1,126; 1790, 1,979; 1800, 2,309; 1810, 1,504;
1820, 1,643; 1830, 1,649; 1840, 1,414; 1850, 1,305; 1860, 1,385;
1865, 1,.367; 1870, 1,293; 1875, 1,240; 1880, 1,205; 1885, 1,193;
1890, 1,061; 1895, 1,005; 1900, 1,050.
From the period of its earliest settlement Granville has had
an interesting history. As an early settled region its inhabitants
were almost wholly from the eastern localities of the province of
^Massachusetts Bay and the large colonies of Connecticut, hence
they were accustomed to tlie hardships incident to pioneer life
and also pi'epared to withstand the depredations of the un-
friendly Indians who frequently infested the region. Fortu-
nately, however, we have not to record any savage attacks upon
the settlers in this peaceful locality, although during the closing
years of the French wars the fi-ontier was constantly harrassed
by marauding bands of wai-riors who plundered and burned
wherever chance presented an opportunity. Biit within a very
few years after the echoes of the la.st French and English war
had died away the town was thro'wn into a state of excitement
on account of the alarming difficulties between the mother
country and her American colonies.
17-3 ( 257 )
OCK COUNTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
III the stri|i!irle for independence Granville played an active
part ill the advocacy of American freedom and in sending the
strongest elemeiil of its poiiulatiou to bear arms in that great
cause. The mounted courier who rode into Springtield with the
news of the attack on Lexington, also warned the minutemen of
Granville, and on the 29th of April. 1775, Capt. Lebbeus Ball's
company marched from the town for Boston. This was a notable
band of strong young men who had previously organized them-
selves into a militia company for just such an emergency. The
whole town, too, was truly loyal, and by way of encouragement
voted a small bounty to each man who would enlist for service
against the British. The call to arms met with ready response,
and throughout the long period of the war Granville's record for
patriotism was as honorable as that of any town in the entire re-
gion. Having recourse to an old record, a roster of Capt. Ball's
company of minutemen has been found, and may be regarded
as reasonably accurate. A few of the men returned to their
homes after a few days' service, but the majority were regularly
enlisted and served as occasion required, some in the provincial
regiments and others in the continental army.
Capt. Ball's company comprised these men: Lebbeus Ball,
captain: Lemuel Bancroft, first lieutenant; Jesse ^Munson, second
lieutenant; John Stiles, Benj. Stow, Elijah Stiles, Joel Bancroft,
sergeants; Ebenezer Smith, Jacob Bates, John CornweU,
Jonathan Forbes, corporals; Jlerrick Hitchcock, fifer; John
Wright, Asher Granger, Ebenezer Curtis, Linus Bates, Lemuel
Haynes, David Rose, Reuben Hickox, Ebenezer Gould, Elijah
Rose, Ebenezer Barlow, Gad Rose, Peter Gibbons, Jesse Miller,
Amos Clark, Albert Black, Russell Rose, Fenner Foster, Daniel
Rose, Seth Granger, Israel Coe, Daniel Cooley, John Bancroft,
George Hubbard, Abner Barlow. Eber Spelman, Richard Brown,
Ephraim Munson, Jonathan Rose, Stephen Wright. Jeremiah
Griswold, Abner Rose, privates.
Mr. Holland's history of "Western IVIassaehusetts says that
Capt. Ball's company comprised 60 men, nearly all of whom
were residents of the town. In 1776 a delegate was sent to the
Northampton conveiition. and in the same year a second company
( 258 )
THE TOWN OF GRANVILLE
from the town, of 73 men, formed a part of the 5th regiment of
state troops commanded by Col. Moseley of Westtield. The
ofticers of this company were Wm. Cooley, captain; Edmund
Barlow, first lieutenant ; Samuel Bancroft, Jr., second lieutenant ;
Richard Dickinson, Joel Strong, Samuel Williams, sergeants;
Joel Bancroft, clerk; Samuel Stiles, drummer; Timothy Spel-
man, fifer; John Cooley, Thomas Ciillett, James Coe, corporals.
One record says that fourteen Granville men laid down their lives
in the service during the war. and mentions Isaac Chapman, who
fell at Ticonderoga ; Deacon Luke Hitchcock, who died en route
home and was buried in Springfield; Euos Howe and John
Bartlett. In the old cemetery in West Granville there are buried
these old revolutionary patriots : Linus Bates, Jonathan Corn-
well, Enoch Coe, Seth Coe, Jacob Baldwin, Titus Hubbard, Ezra
Baldwin, Israel Canfield, David Bates, Col. Timothy Robinson,
Col. Seth Parsons, Capt. Dan Robinson, Capt. Benj. Barnes,
Lieut. John Tibballs, Capt. Aaron Coe, Alexander Stewart, Jesse
Hall. Lemuel Haynes, Amos Baldwin, Samuel Baldwin.
ilany present residents in Granville and hundreds of others
who have gone therefrom to other localities can trace their an-
cestry to some of these old heroes of the revolution. Following
the period of the war the townspeople returned to the peaceful
arts of agriculture and trade, and while the disturbed conditions
which arose through the rebellious action of Shays' insurgent
horde had its effect upon the town, we are not aware that any
Granville citizens took sides with the riotous element, but they
did lend assistance to suppress it. In the troublous period just
preceding the war of 1812-15 the town showed decided leanings
toward federalism, and sent a delegate (David Curtis) to the
"peace" convention at Northampton. From that time to the war
of 18fil-5 no untoward event marred the progress of local affairs
and peace and prosperity prevailed on every hand. During the
war last mentioned this town furnished about 125 men for the
service, nearly all of whom were attached to the infantry and
artillery regiments to which the county contributed.
One of the most notable events in the history of the town
was the semi-centennial festival— the Granville jubilee— which
( 259 )
OVR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
was celebrated August 27, 1845, in conimemoration of the fiftieth
year of the pastorate of Rev. Timothy M. Cooley of the First
Church of Christ in Granville. The exercises of the occasion
were continued two days, and comjjrised addresses, reading of
especially written poems, and a powerful historical sei'mon by
the venerable Dr. Cooley himself. Strictly, the celebration was
an affair of the church, yet it resolved itself into a general jubilee
gathering in which all the townspeople took an earnest part,
while hundreds came from other localities. When the services
were ended the assemblage adjourned to meet again half a cen-
tury later, and accordingly, on August 28, 1895, the church and
The cluircli on Granville Hill
people enjoyed another jubilee festival, although few indeed
of the participants in the first event were then present.
The foregoing brief allusion to the jubilee ceremonies
naturally suggests a like reference to the history of the chiirch
in Granville, w'hieh in fact antedates the creation of the town
and reaches back to the days of the Bedford plantation. "The
First Church of Christ'' in Granville was formed in 17'44, as a
result of the preaching of Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards,
which was the means of a revival known as the "Great Awaken-
ing." The first pastor, Kev. Moses Tuttle, was ordained and
settled in 1747, and the erection of the first church edifice was
largely due to his efforts, the structure standing on the next hill
( 260 )
THE TOWX OF GEAXVILLE
west of the present site. The edifice uow in use by the society
was built iu 1802, and was thoroughly repaired in 1890. Mr.
Tuttle was succeeded in the pastorate in 1756 by Rev. Jedediah
Smith, who retired in 1776. Dr. Cooley became pastor in 179o
and ministered to the spiritual wants of the inhabitants until
18.54, a period of fifty-nine years. For more than 150 years the
church has been an institution for good in the liistoiy of the
town, and during all that time its record has been continuous.
On its membership rolls is found the names of hundreds of
persons who were well known in local annals, but at the present
day the number of members does not exceed 75. The pastor at
this time is Rev. Gilbert A. Curtis.
A second Congregational society in Granville was formed m
the middle parish in 1781, and took the name of West Granville
church upon the separation of Tolland from the mother town.
Indeed the church societies in what now is AVest Granville also
in Tolland were oftshoots from the parent society to which refer-
ence has been made. In 1786 the West parish settled its first
pastor. Rev. Aaron Booge. and in 1788 a meeting house was
erected. The society has since maintained a healthful existence,
although it has not been self-supporting at all times.
The Baptist church in Gran^nlle, the seat of the society
being at Granville Corners, was organized by dissentients from
the mother Congregational society, and dates its history from
1791. Previous to that year the constituent members were
known as "Separatists." A house of worship was erected in
1800 and the society has always enjoyed a continuous existence
and comparatively healthful condition in respect to numerical
strength. The church is now under the pastoral care of Rev.
Benj. F. Hurlburt.
A Universalist society was formed at Granville Corners m
1863, and a church edifice was built the same year. Numerically
the society never has been strong and during the last quarter of
a century only occasional meetings have been held.
In matters pertaining to the educational welfare of its youth,
this town has long held an enviable reputation among the civil
divisions of the country; but owing to the absence of early
( 261 )
OUR cor MY AM) ITS PEOPLE
records, little is known concerning' the eai'liest schools, and only
tradition, with the positive knowledge that the town has reared,
educated and sent out into professional and public life many
strong men, is the basis of the inference that the old-time schools
of Granville nuist have been of high character to produce such
results. The old academic school at West Granville was a known
factor in this work for many years, but long ago that once
famous institution gave way to the improved free school system
inaugurated iinder the state legislative enactments.
According to the present disposition of school interests the
town is divided into eight districts, and a good school is main-
tained in each. There are now in the town about 220 children
between the ages of five and fifteen yeai-s, for whose instruction
eight teachers are annually employed. The town raises by an-
mial tax approximately |2,800, and shares in the public school
fund about $550. The amount annually expended for school
purposes is about .$3,550. The school committee at this time
comprises Alice I\I. Carpenter (chm.), Joseph Welch and Benj.
F. Hurlburt.
During the period of its history there have been established
within the limits of the town sevei'al small villages and hamlets,
for the purposes of trade, manufacture and public assemblages.
They are known as Granville Corners, East Granville and West
Granville. Originally Tolland was called West Granville, while
the present hamlet, so-called, was designated the IMiddle parish.
West Granville in local history is a place of little impor-
tance, having no considerable industries and only one store. It
is, however, a convenient trading center, and Joseph Welch,
general merchant, siipplies the entire locality with all which the
townsmen must needs ])ureliase. He also is the postmaster, one
of the selectmen, and withal one of the prominent men of the
w-est part of the town. Here. too. is the West Granville Congre-
gational church, the remnant of the Dickinson library (kept in
the meeting house gallery), the old academy building (now used
by the women's sewing circle and for other public purposes),
and about twenty dwellings. The district school stands on a
hill just outside the hamlet proper.
( 2G2 )
THE TOWN OF GRANVILLE
Granville, the oldest of the three villages of the town, and
sometimes called East Granville, the seat of town business, is a
hamlet of perhaps 200 inhabitants. Its institutions comprise
the town hall, the church, the district school and the postofiiee.
It has mercantile interests and a few shops of minor consequence,
and its inhabitants are thrifty and progressive.
Granville Corners is the business hamlet of the town and for
iiian.y years has enjoyed a certain prominence in the industry
founded away back in 1854 by Silas Noble and James P. Cooley,
Granville Corners — Universalist Cliurcli
manufacturers of drums, novelties and specialties; and the old
firm name still stands and is exceedingly well known in com-
mercial circles.
InasnuK'h as the villages of Granville are without defined
boundaries, in speaking of present business interests it is hardly
necessary to give the precise location of each of them; but sum-
marizing this element of the town's history these interests may
be noted about as follows : George L. Oysler, E. M. Poraeroy and
Joseph AVclch are the towu's auctioneers; Geo. L. Oysler and
( 263 )
OUR COiWTY A.\D ITS I'EOi'LE
C. A. Barnes are the blaeksinitlis: Charles Koberts, of the Center,
the boot and shoemaker; J. M. (iibbous and Wm. S. Pomeroy,
merchants at the Center, and Joseph Welch in the West village;
H. B. Dickinson, proprietor of grist mill, one of the few remain-
ing in the county; Columbus Wilcox, proprietor Grauville house:
E. B. Holcomb, machinist; Herbert G. Rockwell, physician and
surgeon: B. P. Gibbons, postmaster at Granville; C. A. Clark &
Co., printers; Charles B. Thompson, provision dealer; N. M.
Prisbie and C. W. Ives, proprietors of saw mills, both in West
Granville; Holcomb Bros., manufacturers of se\nng machine
supplies ; M. V. Stow, proprietor of shingle mill ; Noble & Cooley,
toy and novelty manufacturers; J. M. Gibbons, undertaker; M.
V. Stowe. proprietor of shingle mill.
Before closing this chapter it is proper to furnish the names
of Granville's representatives to the general court previous to
the creation of Hampden county ; the representatives after 1812
will be found in an earlier chapter. The succession follows:
1775, Timothy Robinson. Nathan Barlow : 1776, none ; 1777,
Timothy Robinson, Nathan Barlow; 1778, none: 1779, Oliver
Phelps, Timothy Robinson: 1780, Oliver Phelps, Josiah Harvey;
1781, Timothy Robinson: 1782, none; 1783, Timothy Robinson;
1784, none: 1785, Timothy Robinson; 1786, AVilliam Cooley:
1787, Timothy Robinson, Titus Powler: 1788. Sanuiel Thrall.
John Hamilton: 1789, Clark Cooley; 1790, Timothy Robinson.
James Hamilton: 1791, Thomas Burbank, James Hamilton;
1792-3, Timothy Robinson: 1794. David Robinson, Titus
Fowler; 1795, P^noch Bancroft, David Robinson: 1796, none;
1797, David Robinson, Ezra Marvin; 1798, Ezra Marvin, Jacob
Bates: 1799. John Phelps, James Hamilton; 1800, Israel Parsons.
DaNad Robinson; 1801, Israel Parsons, Thomas Hamilton; 1802,
Israel Parsons, John Phelps ; 1803, Israel Parsons, Titus Fowler ;
1804-05. Israel Parsons. Jnlm Phelps: 1806, Abraham Granger:
1807, Enoch Bancroft, Abraham (irauger: 1808-09, Israel Par-
sons, John Phelps; 1810, Israel Parsons, William Twining; 1811,
none: 1812, Asa Seymour. John Phelps.
A i)erusal of the pages of this chapter will disclose the fact
that Granville not only has made an interesting history, but has
{ 264 )
THE TOWN OF GRANVILLE
furnished some of the best men of the county who have been
called into public station during the last hundred years.
Glancing back over the last half century of our town's history
the names of a few men suggest themselves and are worthy of
passing mention ; such men as the late Rev. Timothy M. Cooley,
Eeuben Noble, Captain Joseph Parsons, Marshall V. Stow,
George "W. Terrill, Carlos Gibbous, Emeiy Barnes, William
Bacon, Timothy Clark, Dr. Johusou. Arden Seymour, Oliver
Kose, Frank Peebles, Ralph S. Brown, James P. Cooley, Silas
Noble, J. IMurray Gibbons, Edgar Holcomb, "Squire" James
Cooley and llartin K. Bates, none of whom are now living, but
each of whom in his day was a contributing factor for good in
local annals.
In the same manner it is proper to mention the names of a
few of Granville's prominent men of the present day, and in
this connection present the names of B. J. Roberts, Edgar B. and
E. G. Holcomb (the manufacturers and machinists), Dr. H. G.
Rockwell, Joseph Welch, Benjamin F. Gibbons, Charles B.
Thompson, Franklin A. Robinson (an extensive farmer in West
Granville), John 0. Roberts, Ralph B. Cooley, Orville R. Noble
(the drum and toy manufacturer), Austin T. Phelon (a pros-
perous farmer), William S. Pomeroy, Cyrus W. Ives (the saw
mill proprietor), James 0. Rose (successful farmer), Milo E.
Seymour, Charles H. Tyron, Edwin N. Henry, Lorenzo H. Noble
■ retired farmer), M. T. Gibbons (retired farmer), William M.
Beckwith (substantial farmer and man of iufiueuce in the town).
( 265
CHAPTER VII
THE TOWN OF MONSON
BY DR. GEORCiE E. FULLER
IMonson, au intejrral part of Briiufield till 1760, is situated
85 miles southwest of Boston and 15 miles east of Springfield,
and is bounded on the north by Palmer, east by Brimfield, south
by Stafford and west by "Wilbraham. It is in its largest dimen-
sions about 6 miles from east to west, 9 miles from north to south,
contains about 54 square miles of land and has a population of
3.-102, according to the census of 1900.^
The village of Monson, looking from the south, is a swallow-
tailed triangle, the apex to the south and the swallow-tails to
the north, the one extending to the northwest to and beyond the
W. N. Flynt granite quarries, and the other to the northeast
through the north factory village. The village is walled about
by the east and west hills and on the north by the rock-house
ledges. Monson has the reputation given it by those who have
travelled extensivelj' of being the town par excellence, with its
beautiful soldiers' monument, its granite library and granite
memorial town hall, its churches, its residences and its well
trimmed lawns and its hill sides rich in tlie green verdure of
summer and richest sun-hued tints of autumn.
Monson was named in honor of the president of the British
board of trade by his friend Thomas Pownall, who was governor
of Jlassachusetts when the town was incorporated a district in
1760. The first hou.se erected within its limits was built by
Richard Fellows in 1657 or 8, on the north side of the Bay path,
'This census was takc?i wiii'ii ovir iiulustrit's wore lart^t-Iy paral.vzfd ami t<>-<ia.v
we bave an iiicrfasf td' at least 500 persons.
( 266 )
THE TOWN OF 3J0NS0N
the east side of Chieopee brook and on the south line of the farm
now occupied by William E. Pay.
This was the first house built between Springfield and
Brookfield and was used as a tavern. Its position was well
chosen as it was on hard land at the only spot between the North
factory and the Quaboag (then called Chieopee river), at which
the banks of Chieopee brook could be approached from both east
and west on hard land.
This grant was made on petition of Richard Fellows by the
general court at Boston, October 23, 1657. The petitioner
"humbly desiring the honored court to grant him 200 acres of
upland and meadow to be laid out to him at Chieopee river by
George Col ton and Benjamin Cooley. That the said land and
stake be rent free, promising and engaging in consideration
thereof to build a house there for the entertainment of travellers,
both for house room for horse and man and some lodgings and
provisions for both, with beere, wine and strong liquors". The
general court deemed it meete and wise to grant his request,
pi'oviding the petitioner build an house within one year, and
maintain the same for seven years; both to entertain and accom-
modate strangers. Fellows probalily built his tavern during this
or the following year. His stay was short, for from fear of the
Indians he within a year or two abandoned it, burying its tools,
which were plowed up 80 years lated by Capt. James Merrick.
Fellows Came from and returned to Springfield and died in
Hadley in 1663. Fellows, although he did not fulfil the condi-
tions, retained possession of his grant and was allowed to dispose
of it to Gov. Hutchinson. The title then lay dormant for 75
years, when it was confirmed by the general court held at Salem,
June 22, 1733, to Edward Hutchinson and Mary Wolcott. They
sold, March 30, 1738, for £800. to Daniel and John Wood of New-
bury. John Wood took the easterly and Daniel the westerly half ;
but January 11, 1768, John purchased the westerly half of his
brother. John Wood died in 1796 and his daughter, ]\Irs. Eliza-
beth Taylor, inherited the whole Fellows tract. Mrs. Taylor
sold, in 1815, the eastern half to Joel Norcross, who in 1818
disjiosed of it to Rufus Fay, Sr., and it is now in the possession
of his grandson, Wm. E. Fay.
( 267 )
OIR COrXTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Till' first ix'iiiiaiient settler of Monson was Robert Olds, who
located aljout ITl.j south of and adjoining the Fellows grant.
He was hoi-n in Suffield. Conn., and earae to ]\Ionson from Spring-
field. Under date of April 17, 1722, he gave a mortgage on his
KlO acre farm to AVm. Pynchon of Springfield. Capt. James
Merrick purchased a part of this farm in 1734 and the remainder
in 1736. Capt. Merrick and his sons, James, Aaron and Gideon,
are said to have served in the French and Indian wars. Capt.
James was a grandson of Thomas ^Merrick, one of the first settlers
of Springfield. He was born January 1, 1698, and died in 1790,
at the venerable age of 92 years. Capt. Merrick was one of the
first selectmen of ilonson and continued in ofSee five years. He
was an important factor in our early history as several of his
descendants have been in later years. It is probable that the
house in which C. M. Foley now resides was biiilt by Capt. James
Merrick nearly a century and a half ago. Another old house
in IMonson is that now occupied by John L. Borgeson, originally
built by Capt David Hitchcock as early as 1734; also the house
now occupied by Nelson Skinner, built by Freeborn ]\Ioulton and
in the "ell" part of which it is said 31oulton kept the first store
in IMonson ; also the Bates house, so-called, now owned by Henry
Rindge and built by David Hyde; also the Norcross house, so-
called, built in the old colonial style by William Norcross and
now used as tenement and boarding house.
Tlie general court, June 20, 1701, appointed Col. John
Pynchon, Capt. Thomas Colton, James Warriner, David Morgan
and Joseph Stebbiiis to lay out a new township 8 miles square
on the east boundary of Springfield. In the fall of that year
they thrice visited the locality before they could decide where to
lay the town plot. East hill, then called Chicopee hill, and later
Grout hill, was chosen within the limits of the present town of
Monson and a road 4 rods wide laid from the Connecticut line to
the Grout school house. Thirteen grants were made on this road
prior to December 31, 1701. There is now an old cellar hole on
this road which is said to have been intended for the meeting
house. Tho.se grants all lapsed, the conditions not having been
fulfilled probably owing to the uncertainty caused by the French
( 26S )
X
(rt
f=,
■4^
R
O
d
o
Oi
Dq
TS
w
(nii COrXTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
and Tmliaii wars. Biimliekl was granted June 16, 1772, an ex-
tension of :i miles to the east and the tt)wn plot was changed to
'J'ower hill in that town. Briniiield became a town by act of tlie
general court Decejnber 24, 1731, and of the 84 proprietors to
whom allotments were made, 10 were located within the limits of
the present town of Monson. The names of the original settlers
and the location of their grants, as far as know'n, were as follows :
Robert Olds, the present C. M. Foley farm; David Killam, the
site of the Massachusetts Epileptic hospital; Benjamin Munn,
House built by William Norcross about 1775
X()w owned liy S. F. C'ushnmn Sons »fc Co., Monson
the farm of Edson 'SI. Walker; Obediah Coole.y, the farm of
Joseph Carpenter; Ezra King, the farm of AVm. Holdridge;
Samuel King, the farm of J. M. Craw, whose wife is a lineal de-
scendant of Sanuiel King; John Keep, the farm of Daniel Car-
penter; John Atcherson, the farm of Omar E. Bradway;
Marke Perry, an abandoned farm north of Wm. Beebe's; and
Samuel Kilburn, whose location we have been unable to establish.
At the time of Monson 's incorporation as a district, April
25, 1760, there were forty-nine families located within its limits.
( 270 )
THE TO^yN OF MONSON
The names of many of the original corporators have been familiar
to the present generation. Snch names are Blodgett, Bliss,
C'olton. Ferry, Homer, Hitehcoek, King, Keep, Merrick, Munu,
Moulton, Stebbius, Shaw, Warner and Woods.
The first district meeting was called by a warrant issued by
Capt. John Sherman, who was the physician, school teacher, town
clerk and justice of the peace of Brimfield.'^ This meeting was
wai'ned b^' constable Samuel King and was held at his house,
which was situated near the present residence of James M. Craw.
The original warrant with the indorsement of service is safely
preserved in the archives of Monson. There is no record of this
or any meeting held prior to March 16, 1762. As a district the
inhabitants had all the rights of a town save only they must
unite with the mother town in the choice of representative.
The first town meeting of which records are preserved was
that of 1762, and was held at a tavern kept by Richard Bishop,
located a little west of the present residence of S. Fred Cushman.
At a subsequent meeting in the same year a committee was ap-
pointed to procure land on which to set the meeting house and
have charge of raising it. The same year Rev. Abishai Sabin
was settled as pastor. It thus appears that Monson 's earliest
citizens deemed it their first duty to erect a church and settle a
minister. They builded their little commonwealth on the sure
foundations which have given the religion of Puritan New Eng-
land such an influence in the formation of the states of the great
West.
Eevolutionary Incidents. On June 23, 1774, the town voted
v/ith certain reservations to sign the non-importation covenant
with Boston, and on September 5 voted £14 to provide a stock of
ammunition.
October 3, 1774, Dea. Abel Goodell was chosen delegate to
the Provincial congress to be held at Concord. December 29,
1774, the town approved of the choice of Freeborn Moulton as
captain, Nathaniel Sikes as lieutenant and David Hitchcock as
ensign. These officers were authorized to make up a quota of
•We have seen his leilgcr in wliicli lie made his meilical charges. The writinsr
is like copper plate as plain as print.
( 2ri )
Orii VULMY AND ITS PEOPLE
miiuilenioii. Tims it will l>e seen that Monsoii was ready to do
its pai-t ill case tliere should he war with the mother country, and
when llu- war of revolution came the town spread on its records
a copy of the declaration of independence.
]Monson became a town with full powers in 177(), and Dea.
Abijah Newell was elected the first representative. June 24,
1776, the town voted unanimously in favor of independence.
May 23, 1777, the town voted 20 pounds bounty to men enlisting
in the continental army. November 17, 1777, Capt. Joshiia Shaw,
Capt. Reuben Munn, Lieut. Reuben Hoar, Lieut. Simon Keep,
Lieut. James Stebbins, Lieut. Jonathan Chapin and Lieut.
Jonathan Coye were appointed a committee to settle with the
continental soldiers. This indicates that commissioned officers
were numerous in town. A search of the old records indicates
that nearly if not quite all the able-bodied men of Monson, in-
eluding the minister and the doctor, were at one time or another
in the field for independence.
A letter addressed by Benjamin Munn, Abel Goodell and
Noah Sabin to Samuel Adams and Joseph "Warren, under date
April 5. 1775, says, among other things: "AVe send a testimonial
of our firm adherence to the great cause, in which everything
dear to us is embarked. AYe profess a ready cheerfulness to
shed our blood to oppose tyranny and oppression. AYe have 80
fellows in this district, a great part of which are discii)lined and
ready marksmen. I dare be bold to say that, at about 30 rods
distant, they would pick off tories as fast as so many hawks
would i)ick frogs from a frog pond."
Bounties were voted several times subsequently. June 26,
1778, the town voted £420 to pay the nine months' soldiers, and
in the same year, September 1, the town voted £19 to pay for
blankets for continental soldiers and also to pay for clothing car-
ried to Philadelphia by Benjamin Jlunu. Several similar votes
are recorded paying various bounties and caring for the families
of soldiers while away on duty.
The men who laid the foundations of Monson in the last half
of the 18th century belonged to a sturdy, heroic race. They
wrought with all their might w'hether in church, war, town or
{ 272 )
o
n "
.jq
a? 01
■5 i
o
,£^
-H
K
,3
(1,
j3
18-3
OUR COUNTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
oil the farm. Tlicre was an untold amount of work to be done
in estaljlishing a new town. There was a church, school houses
and homes to be built, forests to be subdued, saw and grist mills
to be erected and numberless roads to be laid out and built. The
records show that 73 roads were laid out, accepted and built
during the first 40 years of the town's history; and when we add
to this the cost in blood. ti-easui-e and time expended in the con-
stantly recurring wais of the period we are lost in w'onder and
admiration of the men w'ho, ever invincible, conquered all their
foes and gave to us the priceless treasure of civil and religious
liberty. Large families were characteristic of the period. Fami-
lies of 10 or 12 or more children were not uncommon.
During the revolution small pox became very prevalent and
inoculation with it was resorted to. Under proper care and pre-
cautions only a small percentage of deaths occurred. May 18,
1778, Monson voted to set up "Enockeulation'" for the small pox
under pi-oper resti'ictions by the selectmen.
The i)urchasing power of continental currency grew less and
less as the war progressed, and on ilarch 21, 1780, the town
voted £9 per day for work on the higliways to September 1. and
£6 per day the rest of the year. The names of Munn, King,
Wood, Hoar. ]\lerrick, Shaw, Keep. Blodgett, Newton, Colton,
Stebl)ins, Stacy, Norcross and Flynt appear frequently in the
old records and they have representatives still with us, worthy
scions of their worthy sires.
B.v the records of JMonson it appears that money was first
expressed in dollai's and cents in 1795. Prior to that date it
was pounds, shillings and pence. Committee after conunittee
was appointed to seat and do various things to the old meeting
house till 1797, wh(>n a conunittee was appointed to draw plans
and devise means to l)uilil a new one. This old church was
rectangular, about 20 feet high, witliout chimney or steeple,
liahted by a single row of small windows. The second church
was dedicated November l(i, lS():i.
Town meetings were called in "His Majesties" name until
i\lareh 1(1. 177fi. On May 21. 177*!. the call was "in observance
of colony writ "". and on June 17. 177ii. "by resolve of the general
( 274 )
THE TOWN OF MONSON
court", and on February 18, 1777, by "power vested in the gen-
eral coui't", and from September 1, 1777, "in the name of the
government by the people" till December 11, 1780. Since that
time they have been called in the name of the "Commonwealth
of Massachusetts".
In 1798 Freeborn Moulton and sixty others were set off as
the first Baptist church of ]\Ionson. A meeting house was built
in the west part of the town on the Hampden road, and flourished
for many years, but it fell into a decline and the house was
burned in 1856. The 19th century was ushered in by prepara-
tions to build a new meeting hoiise. All denominations were to
worship in it, each furnishing a supply in proportion to the
amount realized from its members in the sale of the pews. Each
was to have the right to attend without "extortion of money"
to support another denomination. The pews were sold at auc-
tion and brought from 11 to 161 dollars each, and the total was
$4,264. In the new church the young women were to sit on the
east and the young men on the w^est side of the gallery,
At a town meeting held July 9, 1812, the town voted unani-
mously in the negative after a discussion of the war known
as that of 1812, and appointed a committee to prepare resolves.
These were prepared and accepted, deprecating the war with
Great Britain, and the town also voted against an alliance with
France. It was also voted to choose an agent to represent the
town in convention to be held in Northampton, and Deodatus
Button, Esq.. was chosen as such agent.
The first half of the nineteenth century was for Monson, as
for the country in general, an era of recuperation. The forests
were largely subdued and the lands brought under sub.jection to
the plow. The descendants of the first settlers, strong and hardy,
active in mind and body, sought for other employment than
that of tilling the soil. Utilizing the streams for power to card
and spin and weave and for the various manufactures of steel,
iron and wood, they found means close at hand for their active
minds. Chicopee river and Twelve Mile brook in Monson became
thickly studded with saw, grist, clover, carding, cotton and
woolen mills. The iron. axe. lead pipe, spectacle and silk worm
( 275 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
industries were tried but only for a time. David Hannum made
axes at the North factory. Lead pipe was made by Timothy
Packard, Sr.. at a point a little east of Conant's grist mill. He
sold out to i\Iason Moultoii who continued the manufacture to
1824. Lead pipe was made by running the lead in sheets, cutting
to proper widfli and moulding on an iron rod six feet long; the
long joint was then soldered. Noah Sabin and Reuben Hoar
made linseed oil as late as 1808 on the site of D. W. Ellis & Sons'
mill. On the site of the New mill, so called, on the east side of
the stream, Asa White had a grist mill till 1845, and on the west
side was a small building for the manufacture of bar iron from
scrap iron and bog iron mined near Cato's pool in Silver street.
Joseph and Jeremiah Bumpstead operated the iron industry.
There were clover mills on both C'hicopee and Twelve ilile brook.
Koswell and Gideon Merrick had a saw and grist mill at the north
factory, which was taken down in 1816 and replaced in 1820 by
the frame mill still standing. This mill was owned and operated
by Witherell & Co. for the manufacture of cottons. Later on
llie east side of the stream a stone mill was built and operated
successively by Dea. Andrew Porter, Albert Norcross, Jared
Beebe and Heery Bros, till burned in 1894. As early as 1800 Asa
Gates had a carding and finishing mill on the site of the present
S. F. Cushman & Sons' woolen mill. Gates did carding and
finished the home-spun cloth for the farmers. Gates sold in 1816
to the IMonson Woolen IManufacturing Co. The plant next
passed to the Hampden Cotton Manufacturing Co. In 1824
Horatio Lyon and othei-s acquired the property under the name
of the Monson Woolen IManufactui-ing Co. In 1870 Mv. Lyon
became the sole owner and upon retiring from business in 1877
he sold out to S. F. Cushman.
Roswell IVIerrick as early as 1808 had a tannery- and was
succeeded by Stephen Tobey and his son Clinton. This industry,
which had been very successful, was closed in 1870.
The Hami)den Cotton company in 181-3 erected the mill
now owned and operated by Heritage & Hurst. This company
in 1829 built a mill on the site where now stands the mill D. W.
Ellis & Son. Two mills have been burned on this site, one in
( 276 )
THE TOWN OF MONSON
1839 and one in 1869. Joseph L. Reynolds built the branch mill
in 1837. He took into partnership Cyrus W. Holmes, Sr., and
they disposed of it to the Hampden Cotton Co., and when that
company dissolved, it was purchased by C. AV. Holmes & Sons.
The mill next passed to Holmes & Ellis, then to C. W. Holmes,
Jr., then to S. F. Cushman & Sons, and in December, 1901, was
bj- them sold to Leonard R. Rosenberg.
On the site of the South Straw shop, Joseph L. Reynolds in
1857 erected a mill which a few months later was burned. He
'>.
A view io South Monsou
then rebuilt but never put in machinery, but the building became
the nucleus of the straw goods manufacturing operated by Gage
& Reynolds, and later by R. M. Reynolds. In the settlement of
his estate it was recently acquired by Fred E. Langevvald, who
equipped it for the manufacture of worsted goods.
The woolen mill at present owned and operated by Ellis,
Ricketts & Co. was originally built by Joseph L. Reynolds in
1860 and '61. It was burned in 1867, rebuilt in 1870 and sub-
stantially enlarged by its present owners in 1901. The plant is
277
Ol R COiMY AM) ITS I'EOl'LE
now up to date in every respect for the manufacture of the
finest woolens.
The Monsou granite quarries owned and operated by the W.
N. Plynt Granite Co. were first opened by the U. S. government
about 1809 to obtain stone for use in building the U. S. armory
at Springfield. The government having obtained its supply the
quarries remained unworked till 1825, when they came into the
possession of Kufus Flynt, who began operations with a gang of
five men. Under the management of Wm. N. Flynt and W. K.
Flynt and more recently of the W. N. Flynt Granite Co., the
industry has grown rapidly and is now one of the most important
of its kind of Monson, giving employment to nearly 500 men and
sending its granite hewn and unhewn far and wide. Perhaps
the industry which has done as much if not more to built up and
malvc iMonson prosperous is the straw and felt goods factory now
owned and operated byHeiman & Lichten of New York. This was
begitn by Charles H. Jlerrick and Rufus Fay in 1838. Under
their management it grew rapidly, furnishing not only employ-
ment for a large number of men and women in the factory, but
also sending out its work into the families of Monson and the
surrounding towns. This latter feature has been largely dropped
and most of the work is now done in the factory. This industry
gives work nearly the year round, on straw in the colder and
felt in the warmer season.
IVfl/- of 1861-5. The first gun fired at Fort Sumter, April
12. 1861. aroused the patriotism and indignation of the people
of IMonson as well as that of the whole loyal North. Patriotic
meetings were held and enlistments began at once. A town
meeting was called April 27, and on ^lay 3 it was voted "That
all the residents of Monson who enlist into the U. S. service,
shall have their support and that of their families while drilling
and preparing for active service from the funds of the town, and
when called into active service, shall have a good outfit and ten
dollars per month and their families sufficient support during
such service". The sum of !f;5.000 was voted to carry the vote
into effect under a committee consisting of Hiram Ne'wton,
Rufus F. Fay, Rice S. ]\runti. Sliernian Converse, E. AV. Sholes,
( 278 )
THE TOWS OF M ON SON
E. C. Robinson and J. B. Williams. At a later meeting it was
voted to replace this committee by the board of selectmen, of
whom Daniel (1. Potter was chairman. At a special tow-n meet-
ing held May 3 Joseph L. Reynolds otfered a resolution which
was unanimously adopted, "That the people of this town are
unanimous for upholding, supporting and defending the United
States government and to that end are ready to respond to the
legally constituted authorities of Massachusetts and the United
States in the performance of every loyal and patriotic duty".
August 18, 18<32, a bounty of one hundred dollars was offered
by the town to soldiers enlisting on its quota, and November 4
it was increased to one hundred and fifty dollars. From the list
of 229 subject to military duty we learn that there were already
in the service from ^lonson 84 men, or a little more than one-
third of the able-bodied men of the town. From time to time
additional bounties were offered, and these uot proving sufficient
to induce men to enlist to fill the quotas, a draft was resorted to
by the government. The draft proved very unpopular and the
selectmen were authorized (June 30, 1864,) to procure an agent
to enlist or buy men to fill this and subsequent quotas.
As near as can be ascertained, Monson furnished 280 men
for the service and at its close had to its credit 18 men over ani.
above its quotas as called for by the state and national govern-
ments.
Thi'ee "f the above, viz.; ('aj)t. S. (J. Warriuer, 36th Mass.
Vols., Capt. (ieorge H. Howe. 57th Mass. Vols., killed at the
explosion of Burnside's mine July 30, 1864, and Lieut. George
L. Dixon, second lieutenant 46th ilass. Vols., were officers.
Monson raised, appropriated and expended for her soldiers
and their families the sum of $30,408.36 during the war, exclu-
sive of state aid, which was refunded.
In 1864 there was a deficiency in the treasury, owing to the
extraordinary demands upon it to meet the war expenses and
seven of Monson 's heavy tax-payers advanced the necessary
funds. November 9, 1865, the town voted to reimburse these
individuals.
During the war Monson was generous to its soldiers and
their families, and since has appropriated all the money the
{ 279 )
OIR COrXTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
veterans have asked for aud wheu the memorial town hall was
built, provided excellent quarters for jMareus Keep post of the
G. A. R.
There was no occasion for the town to take action during
the Spanish-American war of 1898, as there were patriotic young
men more than sufticient ready aud willing to enlist. Monson
has been well represented by her sons both in the Cuban and
Philippine campaigns.
During the latter part of the civil war and the j'cars im-
mediately succeeding Monson enjoyed an era of unexampled
prosperity. The laboi-er, the farmer, the merchant and the man-
ufacturer all reaped a bountiful harvest. It is true that gold
sold as high as 2.65 or even higher; flour 18 or 20 dollars a
barrel; meal 2.65 pe'r hundred weight; sugar 3 lbs. for a dollar;
cottons 60 cents a yard ; labor $2.25 per day, and other things
in proportion; yet prudent persons with tlie limited demands of
the time were able to have a goodly margin for profit.
Incidents. October 4. 1869, Monson was visited by the most
I'emai'kable flood in its history. It had rained quite steadily for
two days, and on the third daj' in the afternoon it seemed as if
the flood gates of the heavens had given away. Every bridge
and every dam on the stream was washed away; the roads were
badly gullied and many of them impa.ssable. One miU was one-
third undermined and another partially so. The factories and
houses on the banks of the stream had their basements and cellars
flooded. The meadows were flooded and wreckage of wood,
timber, boards and pig-stys were floating on the surface. This
flood damaged the town between sixty and seventy thousand
dollars, making no reckoning of individual losses.
As the dark day of IMay 13, 1780, was long remembered, so
will that of September 6, 1881. On this date the sun rose as a
great ball of fire and by 7 :30 a. ni. was entirely obscured. The
sky had a ghastly appearance, vegetation had the appearance of
thick coat of green paint. The peculiar light caused in many
people a strained feeling through the temples, attended with
more or less pain. Some comjilained of faintness and a few
actually swooned. Lights were needed by 10 :30 a. m. and before
( 280 )
THE TO\YN OF MONSON
noon the factories, stores and i^rivate houses were lighted up as
at night. The flames of a kerosene lamp had a peculiar bluish,
brimstone look. The white dress of a little girl appeared to have
a sulphurous hue. Bells sounded unusually loud. The baro-
meter at noon was 29.80, the thermometer 76° and the hygrometer
indicated 92 per cent, of moisture. Fowls walked around in a
dazed way and then went to roost. Dew fell at midday, red
flowers seemed of a salmon color. About 1 :30 p. m. it began to
Congregational Church and Soldier.s' Monument
grow lighter and continued to do so till at evening the smoke
had all cleared away.
The fall of 1883 was remarkable for its brilliant sun glows
as the sun was setting, and on August 10, at about 2 o'clock
p. m., two distinct shocks of an earthquake were felt; the vibra-
tion was from west to east and sufficient to open doors.
Jiily 4, 1884, will be remembered as the red letter day of
Monson. The occasion was the dedication of the beautiful
( 281
0/7.' COISTY ASn ITS I'FJU'LE
soldiers' monument, erected by Cyrus \V. lldliues. Sr., to com-
memorate tlie patriotism and valor of the soldiers of Monson.
who on huKJ and sea upheld the cause of luitional unity, 1861-
1865. The monument stands 46 feet high and is surmoiuited by
a ii'ranitf suhiiiM- at parade rest. Its cost was .$6,500. On either
side arc jiati'lotic inscriptions and the monument is intended
not only 1o licinor the brave volunteers of the civil war, but also
to be an object lesson in patriotic love of country to the coming
generations.
Governor Joshua \j. Chamberlain, of Maine, delivered the
address. Gov. George D. Robinson ami staff, department com-
Monson — The Memorial Town Hall
mander John D. Billings and staiT, Battery B of AYorcester and
two companies 2d IMass. infantry, also the Grand Army posts of
Western, JIa.ss., were present, as well as the people of Monson
and large delegations fi'om all the surrounding towns. A
monstrous tent was imi)orted from Boston ami more than :?,000
persons sat down to a repast within it. The cost of the day was
about $2,500, and was paid from a subscription fund raised b.v
the citizens of IVIonson. Dr. G. E. Puller was president of the
day and A. A. Gage was grand marshal.
( 282 )
THE 10^y}i OF 3I0NS0N
The Memorial Town Hall. The annual town meeting of 1884
was unusually important as a proposition was made at that time
by R.'M. Eejaiolds to donate to the town a very desirable site for a
memorial town hall, and also with his brother Theodore to donate
to the town $5,000 each to the building fund. His father, Joseph
L. Reynolds, also ottered a like sum for the same object; the only
conditions being that the town erect the building of granite or
other indestructable material and appropriate not less than
i|)20,000 for its construction. The proposition was accepted and
R. M. Reynolds, Cyrus W. Holmes, Jr., S. F. Cushman, Dr. G.
E. Fuller, A. D. Ellis, J. C. Aldrich and A. A. Gage were ap-
pointed a connnittee to secure plans and erect the building. It
was stipulated that the building should be of granite and one
which would be a credit to the town and an honor to the patriot
soldiers in whose memory it was designed to built. On November
4, 1884, the town voted an additional $5,000 to complete and
furnish the structure. The first town meeting was held in the
finished building August 15, 1885, when the report of the build-
ing committee was accepted and a vote of thanks extended to
them and to the contractors, the Flynt building and construction
company.
Water Supply. The town (February 10, 1894,) appointed
a committee to examine into the matter of water supply for fire
and domestic purposes. On May 17 of the same year the town
accepted the report of the committee and also the special act of
the legislature, entitled an act to supply the town of Monson
with water.
On May 31, A. D. Norcross, E. F. IMorris and R. M. Rey-
nolds were elected water commissioners and the town voted to
issue bonds in the sum of $65,000 to meet the necessary cost of
constructing the system. Work was begun at once and was com-
pleted early in the following year. The gravity system was
adopted, and in quantity and quality every requirement has been
fulfilled.
An electric street railway was opened to Monson and the
first car was run over the road January 16, 1900. The connec-
tion between Palmer and Indian Orchard was completed in the
( 283 )
oil! cor STY AM) ITS PEOPLE
early fall of I'.lOl. The sleaiii railroad from Palmer south
through Jlonson was constructed and opened for traffic in 1850.
The first half of the liHli century produced the men and the
business enterprises which in later years made Monson the
leading town of Hampden county, in proportion to its popula-
tion, in the number of its men of large means. The ample
fortunes accumulated and estates left by Horatio Lyon, Joseph
L. Reynolds, the Holmes (Cyrus W. Sr., and Jr.), Solomon F.
Cushman and Dwight W. Ellis sufficiently attest the truth of
this statement. The financial reverses of 1837, '57, '77 and '93
gave ample opportunity to test the material of which Monson 's
manufacturers were made. The generosity and public-spirited-
ness of such men as these has added materially to the prosperity
and welfare of the town and has made possible the Lyon Memo-
rial library building with its 8,000 volumes and $-10,000 endow-
ment fund, the soldiers' monument erected by Cyrus W. Holmes,
Sr. ; the memorial town hall, so largely aided in construction by
the Reynolds; the Congregational and Universalist churches,
aided, respectively, by Horatio Lyon and D. W. Ellis ; the park
and memorial fountain, by Wm. N. Flyut, and a second memo-
rial fountain by Solomon F. Cushman.
COMPAK.VTIVE STATISTICS, 1861 AND 1901.
1861, school appropriation, $1,800; 1901, school appropria-
tion $12,307.
1861, number of polls, 636 ; 1901, number of polls, 1,082.
1861, value personal estate. $329,000; 1901, value personal
estate, $501,711.
1861, value real estate, $690,000; 1901, value real estate,
$1,258,300.
1861, tax rate per $1,000 was $6.09 : 1901, tax rate per $1,000
was $14.20.
1861, number of houses, 413; 1901, number of houses, 699.
1861, number of horses, 307; 1901, number of horses, 488.
1861, number of cows, 725 ; 1901, number of cows, 893.
1861, number of sheep. 590;1901, number of sheep. 27.
In 1861 the following persons and firms paid more than $50
taxes: David N. Coburn, $62.25; Wm. N. Flynt, $57.34; Warren
( 284 )
Lyon Memorial Library
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Fuller. $90; Cyrus W. Holmes, Sr., $65.49: Monson Woolen
JMfg. Co., $121.50; Dea. A. W. Porter, .$60.33; Monson & Brim-
field j\Ifg. Co., .$91.39; Hampden Cotton Mfg. Co., $209.71;
Joseph L. Reynolds, $175.20.
In 1901 the following jjer.sons and firms i)aid more than
$150 in taxes : Cushman 's Home mill, $849 ; Branch miU, $231 ;
S. Fred Cushman, .$156; Hattie Cushman, $175; A. D. Ellis,
$349: Dr. F. W. Ellis. .$301; 1). W. Ellis & Sons, .$961; Mrs.
Wm. N. Flynt, $177; W. N. Flynt Granite Co., $760, Dr. G. E.
FuUer, .$185; Esther Holmes, $1,116; Heritage & Hirst, $482;
Heiman & Lichten, $378: ilonson Savings Bank, $248; :\Iorris
& Hyde, trustees, $177 ; H. D. iMoulton, $215 ; Mark Noble, $191 ;
estate Theo. Reynolds, $1,235 ; Joseph Reynolds, $153.
fJducdfional. The first record of an appropriation for
school purposes in Monson, appears in the records of a "Des-
trief meeting held March 19, 1765, as follows: "Voted to raise
Ten Pounds for Schooling." At the same meeting it was voted
that Lieut. Thomas Stebbins and others be a committee "to
di\'ide the Desirict for Schooling."
At a meeting held October 29 of the same j'ear it was
"Voted that every Destrict Pro%nde there own Schooling."
At a meeting held August 24, 1767, an appropriation of
£15 was made for the support of schools. In 1768 this was in-
creased to £20. The records of the meeting held in 1768 state
that "a motion to new regulate the districts." and another "to
choose a committee seasonably to provide schoolmasters for the
several divisions or districts in 'Ye' Monson" were "voted in
the negative."
In 1770, £25 were voted for the support of schools.
In 1771. the effort "to new settle the school districts" was
successful, and a committee consisting of Joseph Colton and
others divided the town into nine districts. For several years
the appropi-iations wei'e only from £25 to £35. At times the
portion of money belonging to a district was given to a certain
person to be "scliii(ilc<l out." A number of such votes appear in
the records.
During the rcvcilutionary war the api)ropriation went up
to £100. but in 171(1 it dropped to £60. This fluctuation was
( 286 )
THE T0^^'^^ of monson
due to the low value of paper money duriny the war. About
the beginning of the nineteenth eentury the town regularly ap-
propriated about $500 for schools, and also made an effort to go
beyond the reciuirements of the state in regard to education.
This effort resulted in the establishing of Monson academy.
For many years the name of the Rev. Alfred Ely is closely
identified with school work. He examined the teachers, visited
the schools and introduced the reading of the bible and the
study of the catechism into the schools. For all this work he
received no compensation whatever. Later on Rev. Charles
Hammond, TjL. D., did nuieh for the schools. His work is seen
chietly in the abolishing of the old district system. Rev. James
Tufts took up the work where ilr. Hananoud laid it down, and
for over forty years he labored untiringly for the improvement
of the school system. His last efforts were towards forming a
superintendency district. This work was accomplished in a
district formed by the union of Monson with Brimfield.
3Io)ison Acndemy, one of the timedionored institutions of
this part of the state and one in which the town justly takes
great pride, was founded June 21, 1804. The act of incorpora-
tion, secured by eager and whole-souled men from Monson and
eight neighboring towns, was passed by the general court on
that date, and on the 23d of October, 1806, an academy build-
ing, erected by the generous citizens of the town, was formally
dedicated. In the following November the academy began its
active career with 21 pupils.
Massachusetts was the first state to aid schools in the woi-k
of fitting candidates for college. From the sale of public lands
in the district of IMaine she granted endowments to academies
already planted in every county of the state and gave to some
liberal grants of land in Maine. It seemed fitting to establish
another institution of learning in the territory that lay between
AVestfield academy and Leicester academy, the latter being in
AVorcester county. The town of Brimfield, with a population
of 1,200, and Monson, with 1,300, entered into a spirited contest
for the honor. The choice fell on Monson, together with a gift
from the state legislature of a half-township of land in IMaine.
( 287 )
OLE CUr.MY AM) ITS PEOPLE
Of individuals named in the act and considered as founders,
there were fifteen, tlie list being headed by Rev. John AVillard
of Stafi'ord, Conn. One name, that of Abner Brown, a repre-
sentative to the general court, should be remembered for his
zeal and efficient agency in securing the act from the legislature.
Against tremendous opposition in that body he guided the bill
with great slirewduess and wisdom.
'H'-::'lJ!il-i''^I!Br""!
The Old Academy
The general inirpose of tlie founders was to establish a
school where students sliouki secure "as good au education as
the best schools in the largest towns would be likely to provide."
Tlie specific aim was to tit young men for college. The citizens
of the town, enthusiastic in the purpose of reserving the aid
granted by the state absolutely for the running expenses of the
school, subscribed .$4,000 for the building and the preparation
of the ground. The people had good reason to be proud of their
( 288 )
THE TOWN OF M0N80N
seniiuary for at that day it was surpassed in spauidusuess and
finish by no other edifice erected for learning in Western ]\Iassa-
chnsetts.
Tlie first president of the corporation was Rev. Dr. John
Willard of Stafford, Conn., a graduate of Harvard in 1751, and
a brother of the president of that college. Dr. Simeon Colton,
a graduate of Yale, 1806, was the fii'st principal. He served for
one year, but afterwards returned and was principal for nine
successive years.
Monson Academy
A charity fund, to aid candidates for the ministry, was
established in 1825, chiefly through the exertions of Dr. Alfred
Ely, pastor of the Congregational church in Monson. Among
other staunch benefactors of the institution in many ways stand
pre-eminent the names of Joel Norcross, Rufus Flynt, Timothy
Packard. Amos Norcross, Deacon Royal Merrick and Deacon
Haskell.
19-3
( 289 )
OUR cor. MY .\.\l> ITS l-EOl'LE
The instil lit ion lins had a long line of able teachers, many of
them havin<r heconu' (listiiijiuished here and in other schools.
Amontr others of j)roiiiinc'iice tliere may be specially mentioned
Richard S. Storrs, Jr., iiov. .I.-nncs Tufts and Kev. Charles
Hanunond. Of pupils who have attended the academy much
might be said for they number more than 7,000. More than
600 entered collefre and of these more than 200 became clergy-
men. Many missionaries have gone from the institution to all
parts of the world. In 1829 there came to Jlonson two students
from Greece, one of whom became the famed Professor Sophocles.
China and Japan have often been represented at ^lonson.
lu 1847 three Chinese boys entered the academy. Yung Wing,
trained in Monson, died possessed of international reputation
as an educator. The late Henry Barnard, one of America's
greatest authorities on educational matters, also was a student
at the academy.
The buildings are new and stand in a prominent location
in the town. The present academy building was erected through
the liberality of many of the alumni and other friends. A
total of more than .$20,000 was raised by popular subscription
under the efforts of William X, Flynt, an indefatigable \vorker
for the institution.
In 1887 the Trustees secured a large building, formerly
owned by Dr. Hammond, for a dormitoiy and boarding hall.
This building, now named Hammond hall, had pre\'iously been
refitted for a boys' private school. In 1899, through the gen-
erosity of Esther R. Holmes, there was built for the academy
a spacious and very serviceal)le gymnasium. It is called the
Holmes gymnasium in memory of the donor's father, Cyrus W.
Holmes, Jr.
At present, besides the principal, there are seven instructors
in the academy. The board of trustees consists of fifteen mem-
bers as follows :
Edward F. Morris, Monson : Marcus P. Knowlton, LL. D.,
Springfield ; Rev, Payson W, Lyman, Fall River ; Prof, William
L. Cowles, Amherst; Frederick AV. Ellis, jM. D., Monson; Henry
A. King, Springfield; Rev. Franklin S. Hatch, Monson; Wilson
( 290 )
THE rOir.V OF MO N SON
]\r. Tucker, iMonson ; William H. Hall, A. M., West Hartford,
Conn. ; Perlin W. Soule, Monson ; Rev. Charles A. Diusmore,
South Boston; Lyman C. Flynt. ilonson; Arthur D. Norcross,
Monson: Thaddeus L. Cushmau, ]\Ionson; James H. Tufts,
Ph. D., Chicaao, 111.
Three of the above mentioned trustees, Edward F. ilorris,
Frederick W. Ellis, M. D., and Wilson N. Tucker, constitute the
prudential committee, a committee entrusted with the immediate
direction of affairs in the academy. The office of treasurer is
held bv Thaddeus L. Cushman.
Holmes' Gvmiiasiuni, Monson
The subscriptions for the first academy building, erected in
1806, were given wholly by residents of Monson, amounting to
$3,330. The funds from the sale of the half-township in Maine
amounted to about $10,000. The educational or charity fund
for ministerial candidates aggregated $6,238. At the present
time it amounts to more than $11,000. The library fund, orig-
inally of $500, the joint donation of Eufus Flynt, and Timothy
( 291 )
Ol'R COVMl' AM) ITS PEOPLE
Packard, given at first for prizes, but later appropriated by the
donors for a librarj^ now amounts to $1,100. The Persian
scholarship of $2,000 was the bequest of Rev. James Merrick,
missionary to Pei'sia, and now amounts to more than $4,300.
The income may be given to one or divided between two members
of the senior class. There are three prizes open to the competi-
tion of students. One arises from the income of the Dewey
fund of $500 established by ilrs. Hadassah Dewey and provides
$20 each year for excellence in declamation, the amount to be
Jlonson Academy
divided t^pially between two students, a boy and a girl. Another
prize is created from the income from a fund of $500 established
by the class of 1882, to be presented to the senior student who
shall write the best English essay. A prize of $15 for the
greatest progress made in algebra, was founded in 1901 by Dr.
Hassett, of Lee.
Postoflice. The Monson postoiSce was established June 24,
1814, and became a third class presidential oflfiee in December,
1874, a money order office in 1871 and a?i international money
( 292 )
TEE TO^yN OF MONSON
order office in July, 1881. For nearly 65 years the office was
located at various places along North Main street, but in 1879 it
was moved into Central block on Main street. This building
was burne'd November 12, 1893, and all of the office property,
with the exception of a few records, was destroyed. The office
was then placed in the Bank block, on the corner of Main and
Washington streets, its present location.
Since the office was organized the postmasters have been as
follows :
Artemus Wiswell, June 24, 1814: Eufus Plynt, July 29,
1816 : Edwin Norcross, January 28, 1836 : Wm, N. Packard, May
25, 1841; Austin Fuller, August 22, 1845; Lucius E. Truesdell,
April 10, 1847 ; Foster Pepper, February 17, 1849 ; Timothy F.
Packard, January 3, 1850 ; Foster Pepper, July 7, 1853 ; Joshua
Tracy, June 26, 1858; Elmer B. Miles, June 21, 1861; Daniel
G. Potter, September 28, 1866 ; IMyron D. Porter, April 8, 1869 ;
Edwin E. Towne, June 22, 1869; Rice S. Munn, December 22,
1873; Arthur D. Norcross, November 13, 1880; G. W. Farring-
ton. May 25, 1886 ; John P. Herlihy, Jr., August 12, 1895 ; Geo.
H. Seymour, January 3, 1900.
The Fire Department was organized May 2, 1887, and since
that time on frecpient occasions has demonstrated its efficiency
and usefulness as an element of municipal life. At first the
apparatus comprised two chemical engines and one hose wagon ;
the equipment in 1901 comprises two chemical engines, one hook
and ladder truck, three hose carriages, and one "hand tub", an
hundred years old, yet still serviceable. In connection with the
water supply system and its twenty-one fire hydrants and a
pressure of 140 pounds to the square inch the local department
appears well prepared for any emergency. The officers are
David B. Needham, chief engineer; Lyman C. Plynt, 1st assist-
ant, and E. P. Donovan, 2d assistant and clerk.
The ^Yater ^yorks. By an act of the legislature, passed
April 21, 1894, the town of IMonson was authorized to supply
itself with water for domestic purposes and fire protection and
to issue bonds to pay for the same. On ]\Iay 17 of the same year
the town accepted the act and pi'oceeded to choose three water
( 293 )
OUR COUNTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
coniiiiissioners and appropriated sixty-five thousand dollars to
build the works. A. D. Norcross, E. F. ^lorris and K. ]\r. Rey-
nolds were the first eonimissioners.
The water supply is obtained from a ground well 80 feet in
diameter and 25 feet deep, sihiated about two miles east of the
villa^'e and at an elevation of 1522 feet above ;\Iain street. High
pressure and ample snpjily of very pure water were obtained.
Miich care was exercised in the construction of the system and
the best of materials and fixtures were used. Bonds to the
amount of .'j^alt.OOO weie issued to cover the cost of construction.
The total length of mains at tlie present time is about 12 miles;
service taps. 2()(t: fire hydrants. 91.
Lihnn-ks. The first library formed in Monson, of which
records have been preserved, was that called the Social Library
company, organized January 1. 1796. This library was kept in
the house of Jonathan Tori'ey. who was the librarian and one
of the prime movers in the enterprise. Stpiire Torrey lived in
the southwest part of the town in a house since burned, but
which was located on the road between the residences of Zina
Harris and Henry Bradway. The library was owned by thirty-
one persons. The names of Torrey, GoodM'in, Ellis, FuUer,
Cady, Bennett, Pea.se, Osborn. Shaw, Butler. Firmin, Bedortha
and Orcutt appear as right owners in the librarj% and if we
judge by the titles of the 235 volumes in their catalogue they were
sound in theology and possessed of cultivated literary tastes.
Here are a few titles: Josephus, 4 vols.; Burgh's Dignity of
Human Nature: Blair's Sermons, 2 vols.: Cases of Conscience;
Edward's History of the Reformation; Harvey's Meditations;
Afflicted Jfan's Companion: Zion's Pilgrim; Henry on Prayer;
American Biography. ' This libi'ary after 5fi years of service
was divided among the rightful owners in 1852. The constitu-
tion, by-laws and catalogues of ihc nld library were presented
to the IMonsou fi'oe library aiul R. 1\. association by "\Ym. G.
Button, the grandson of Squire Torrey.
The second library fninuMl in ^lonson was named "The
Augmenting .Social Library association" and was located in the
center of the town. If was oriranized in August, 1800, and was
{ 294 )
THE TOWy OF MOSSON
a joint stock assoeiatiou, at Hist with twelve but later eighteen
proprietors. Riifiis Flyiit was the librarian and Dr. Ede
Whitaker. Capt. (iad C'olton, Joel Noreross, Stephen Morton
and Col. Abner Brown were shareholders.
The next library in town was the academy library, known
as the Flynt and Packard library in honor of the men who gave
>};oOO each as a permanent fund, the income to be expended in
the purchase of books. This library was organized about 1835
and was and is for the benefit of Monson academy. There was
Lyon Memorial Library
also an agricultural library in town owned by the farmers who
contributed five dollars each for the purchase of books. This
consisted of 84 volumes.
The first movement in town to establish a free library was
made March 27, 1877, when Dr. G. E. Puller, A. A. Gage, Charles
Fowler, R. S. Munn, S. F. Cushman, Charles H. Llerrick, C. W.
Holmes, Jr., W. K. Flynt, Charles Hannnond, LL. D., E. F.
IMorris, W. J. MeElwain, Geo. II. Newton, Rev. C. B. Sumner,
Fiank E. IMorris, Rev. James Tufts and B. A. Dav, associated
( 295 )
01 h' ('OrXTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
themselves together for the purpose of forming a free library
for the town of ^Monson. There were numerous meetings and
consultations as to the best course to adopt, and as a result it
was decided to obtain a charter, which was done March 1, 1878.
Officers were elected and a library was opened with 753 volumes.
Of these two hundred and five were purchased with the town
appropi-iatiou : Iwo liuudred and six were contributed by the
Book club; eighty- four were contributed by the Farmers' agri-
cultural lil>rary, and two hundred and fifty-eight were obtained
as the r(>sult of a canvass of the village. The library was opened
free to the public, June 17. 1878.
The beautiful Memorial library building, the generous gift
of Mrs. Carrie R. Dale in memory of her father, the late Horatio
Lyon, was erected in 1881-2 at a cost of $35,000, and was dedi-
cated March 28, 1882, with impi-essive ceremonies. When com-
pleted the institution was endowed with a permanent fund of
.$20,000, given for that purpose by ^Irs. Lyon : and this fund
has been since increased by a bequest of $10,000 in the will of
Sophia B. Holmes, and an equal sum from the estate of Nancy
M. Lyon. The present permanent fund aggregates .$40,000, from
which, with $300 annually appropriated by the town, the trustees
of the library have ample means for the maintenance and in-
crease of one of the noblest institutions of the town. On the
shelves of the librarj^ are more than 7,600 volumes or books.
The officers of the association are Dr. George E. Fuller,
president; E. P. Morris, \'ice-president ; T. L. Cushman, treas-
urer; F. E. Morris, secretary; Nellie A. Squier, librarian. The
board of directors comprises B. A. Day, Dr. C. W. Jackson, Dr.
P. W. Ellis, Lyman C. Flynt and Arthur D. Noreross.
Hospital for Epileptics. The ]\Ia.ssachusetts Hospital for
epileptics was established by an act of the legislature in 1895.
The buildings were erected on the site of the state primary school
at Monson. for the accommodation of about 100 men and the
same number of women. In 1899 and 1900 further buildings
were constructed so that the total number treated is about 400.
These buildings are on the cottage plan, separated by a number
of hundri'd feet from each other and yet not too far apart to be
served by a central heating plant.
( 296 )
TEE TOWN OF 310NS0N
The buildings for tlie accommodation of patients are all
brick except two cottages which are old buildings remodeled.
One of these cottages is on a distant hill about a mile from the
main institution and is, of course, separated from the common
supply of heat and water. It is, however, beautifully located
and will serve as a nucleus for a farm or colony group, while
the (luestion of water .supply and drainage can be conveniently
liandled. In the main group the water supply is abundant and
(if the very best (juality, giving a pressure of 100 pounds at the
l.ioiler-house.
The State Hospital for Epileptics
It is estimated that there are at least 1.200 institution cases
available when accommodation can be provided for them. About
one-half of all the cases will be classed as insane, while the larger
portion of the other half are practically insane a large part of
the year. It is the plan to provide congenial surroundings and
hope-ins])iring treatment for such other cases of epileptics as
may apply for admission. It is known that there are several
hundred such eases as these, very many of them now without
satisfactory homes.
( 297 ) ■
OUR COINTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
A boot and shoe manufactory is worked to advantage with
the patients' labor. A large portion of all the footwear is here
made, and all cobbling is done in this shop. A large workroom
covering an area of 6,000 square feet and serving the double
purpose of industrial room and assembly room, is also provided.
The patients are housed largely in dormitories caring for from
3 to 25 persons in a room.
A convenient infirmary has been built in which 20 men and
20 women are provided for in four distinct wards. There is also
a medical center comprising a dispensary, laboratory, and oper-
ating room in the same biiilding. A diet kitchen and accom-
modations for photography and electrical treatment are also
furnished. Two large rooms in the basement are given iip to
hydrotherapeutic treatment.
Monson National Bank. The Monson bank was incorporated
under the state law March 28, 1854, with a capital of $150,000,
and was reorganized under the national banking act, August 25,
1864, being the first national bank in the county east of Spring-
field. Austin Fuller, Albert Norcross and William N. Flynt
were the original incorporators. On April 10, 1854, "William N.
Flynt was elected president, and on the 21st of the same month
Jonathan R. Flynt, of Tolland, Conn., was elected cashier. The
first board of directors was as follows : Horatio Lyon. Joseph
L. Eeynolds, John W. Foster, Jacob B. Merrick, Cyrus W.
Holmes, William N. Flynt and Warren Fuller.
William N. Flynt served as president until October, 1859,
at which time Jonathan R. Flynt was elected to fill that ofSee,
and Edward C. Robinson was elected cashier. Jonathan R.
Flynt died July 31, 1860, and on August 13 of the same year
Jacob B. Merrick was elected president to fill the vacancy caused
by his death. October 21, 1861, John Wyles, of Brimfield, was
elected president, and served in that capacity until January,
1871, when Cyrus W. Holmes succeeded him. Mr. Holmes ac-
ceptably filled the position until his death April 20, 1891, having
served as president for twenty years. On ]\Iay 4, 1891, Rice M.
Reynolds was elected president, and held the office until his
death April 3, 1898. On April 20. 1898, Solomon F. Cushmau
( 298 )
THE TOWN OF MONSON
was elected president, and served until his death, May 26, 1900.
. On June 3, 1900, Dr. George E. Fuller was elected president,
and now serves in that capaeitj'.
On March 1, 1864, E. C. Kobinsou resigned as cashier, and
on March 30 Edward P. Morris was elected to fill the vacancy,
and is the present cashier of the bank.
The present board of directors is as follows: Edward P.
Morris, George E. Puller, Lyman C. Plynt, Prank E. Morris,
x\rthur D. Noreross, Edward D. Cnshman and Charles W. King.
This institution has always been managed in a conservative
way, and has been very successful. The opportunities for large
profits in a town the size of Monson are few, and while the de-
posits in this institution have always been small, the stockholders
have had no reason to be dissatisfied with their holdings. For a
long term of years the bank paid a semi-annual dividend of 5%,
and for a still further term 4% semi-annually, besides the stock-
holders taxes, making the dividend net. Since 1897 the divi-
dends have been at the rate of 3% net semi-annually. The bank
now has a capital of $150,000 and a surplus of about $87,000.
Monson Savings Bank. The date of incorporation of the
Monson Savings bank was March 29, 1872. The bank opened
its doors for business June 1, 1872.
The incorporators wei'e William N. Plynt, Cyrus W.
Holmes, Jr., Timothy P. Packard, Charles H. Merrick, Alfred
Noreross, Rice M. Reynolds, Rice S. Mvinn, Edwin E. Towne,
Rufus P. Pay and Daniel G. Potter. On May 8, 1872, the fol-
lowing were added a.s members of the corporation : Dwight W.
Ellis, Edward P. IMorris, Solomon P. Cushman, Jacob L. Brad-
way, Charles Carpenter and Rodolphus Homer. Of the original
incorporators there are but two survivors, Edwin E. Towne and
Edward P. Morris.
The first board of trustees comprised C. W. Holmes, Jr.,
Alfred Noreross, S. P. Cushman, R. M. Reynolds, D. W. Ellis,
R. P. Pay and E. E. Towne.
On May 4, 1872, Charles H. Merrick was elected president.
Edward P. Morris was elected treasurer on May 20, 1872.
Mr. Merrick served as president until May, 1885, when R.
S. Munn was chosen his successor. Mr. Munn served until his
( 299 )
OUR COUNTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
death February 15, 1890. On May 7, 1890, C. W. Holmes, Jr.,
was elected president, and held the office until his death in May,
1891. On May 6. 1891, S. F. Cushman was elected to fill the
vacancy caused l)y the death of Mr. Holmes, and served until
l\Iay 31, 1893, at wliich time Edward F. Morris was elected
president. He is still in office. ,0n Jlay 31, 1893, Frank E.
Morris was elected as treasurer, and now holds the office.
The present board of trustees is as follows : Edward F.
iMorris, Prank E. Morris, Arthur D. Norcross, Lyman C. Flynt,
George H. Foskit, Perlin W. Soule, Fred AV. Ellis, Edward D.
Cnshnian, Carlos ]\I. Gage, ^Vesley A. Squier, Rufus P. Cush-
man, Kufus Fay and George C. Flynt.
The liank lias grown constantly since its organization and
has paid its depositors interest in regular semi-anniial dividends
of fi'om seven to four per cent, per annum; has always been
prosperous, never met with any serious reverses, and is an insti-
tution of wliich [Monson has reason to be proud.
The deposits are now $1,193,000, and the .surplus over
$90,000.
In 1892-3 a new building was erected, and the same was
occupied the first day of June, 1893, on the twenty-first anni-
versary of the opening of the institution.
MANUFACTURES
Tlie W. X. Fhjnt Granite Company. The quarries owned by
this company are situated on a hill one mile north of Monson
village and cover an area of 300 acres. The working face is
1,000 feet long and parts are 40 feet high. The stone is of two
distinct shades, light and dark, and free from iron. The quarry
was first opened by the U. S. government to obtain stone for the
armory in Springfield. Kufus Flynt acquired it in 1824 and
was succeeded by his son, Wm. N. Flynt, in 1836. There is a
spur track 2 miles long connecting the quarry with the Central
Vermont railroad. The shii)ments of stone in the present year
have amounted to To.dOO tons, valued at $200,000. For eight
months of the year the comi)any employs from 400 to 500 men
and tlie pay roll for the same time was $110,000. The firm name
( 300 )
THE TOWN OP M ON SON
since 1884 has been the W. N. Flynt Ciranite Co. The firm was
then composed of Wm. N. Flynt, and his four sous, Wm. K.,
Rufus, Lyman C. and Geo. C. Flynt, of whom only the last two
now survive. The present officers are Lyman C. Fljmt, presi-
dent; George C. Flynt, superintendent and treasurer, and M.
P. Moore, general manager.
D. W. Ellis & Son. This business was established in 1873
by D. AY. Ellis, who erected the present mill building. The
^"•^•^■„
i»'---^ ■.•.!«' •.■<
jf m
Flynt Fountain
mill has been in continuous operation since that year, and has
four sets of machinery and gives employment to about 75 men,
with an annual pay roll of $25,000.
Ladies' cloakings and dress goods have been the product
for the past few years. About 120,000 yards of 6-4 goods were
manufactured in 1900, in which about 350,000 pounds of grease
wool was used. The firm is composed of A. D. Ellis and W. J.
Ricketts' estate.
( 301 )
(HI! (01 STY AXn JTS PEOPLE
Ellis, Kicketis A- Co. The property of this firm was pur-
chased by D. W. Ellis & Son of the Reynolds estate in November,
1900, and is employed in the manufacture of ladies' cloakings
and dress goods. It is a 5 set mill and gives employment to about
85 hands. The ilrm name is Ellis, Ricketts & Co.. and is com-
posed of A. D. Ellis, W. J. Ricketts' estate and A. E. Shaw.
Tlie S. F. Cushman it Sons ^Yoolen Mill. The site this mill
now oceu{)ii's was used as early as 1800 by Asa Gates for a card-
ing and finisliing mill and was one of the earliest wool carding
industries started in Ibis country. On March 6, 1816, he deeded
the property to the jMonson AVoolen Mfg. Co. and it was changed
into a two-set woolen mill. The property was deeded a few
years later to the Hampden Cotton Mfg. Co., and on September
3, 1824, it was deeded to Horatio Lyon, Joel Noreross. John
Wyles, and Charles Fay. They again incorporated the jMonson
^Yoolen Mfg. Co. on November 29, 1825. On September 30, 1870,
the property was sold to Horatio Lyon. On November 30. 1877,
the business passed into the hands of S. F. Cushman. The
property at the present time is owned by his sons, R. P., S. F.,
T. L. and R. H. Cushman, who conduct the business under the
firm name of S. F. Cushman & Sons. The mill has been twice
destroyed by fire. The present building is of brick and was
erected in 1886. It contains 5 sets of modern machinery. The
mill has made in years past broadcloth, satinets, cassimeres, and
doeskins. At present the mill employs about 85 operatives
(about evenly divided between men and women) with an annual
pay roll of $40,000. The present manufactures are kerseys and
cloakings.
Tleimann & Lichten, straw goods and felt hat manufactur-
ers. This firm consists of Julius Heimann and ]M. C. Lichten,
who purchased the plant in August, 1890. They are the succes-
.sors of Merrick, Fay & Co., who established the straw goods
industry here in 1841. The present owners have enlarged the
factory to nearly double its former capacity. The straw goods
are manufactured in the colder and the felt goods in the warmer
part of the year. They employ from 250 to 350 men and women,
about two-thirds of the emplo.vees being women. The gross
( 302 )
THE 3'Oir.V OF .VON SON
value of the annual output is about $500,000. The cost of the
I'aw material used each year is about .$260,000, and consists of
straw braids imported from China. Japan, Italy aud Germany,
and felt of domestic manufacture. The annual pay roll is more
than $125,000.
Heritage d- Hirst, woolen manufactiirers. The firm consists
of Charles Heritage and Edwin Hirst, and they operate what is
called the "Old Cotton." built in 1814 by the Hampden Cotton
I\Ianufacturing company. This mill was enlarged by the addi-
tion of a weave shed with 40 broad looms, by R. M. & Theodore
Reynolds. It has been used as a woolen mill since 1846, and
was acquired in 1901 by its present owners. The iirm employs
110 operatives, two-thirds men and one-third women. The an-
nual pay roll is .$45,000, and the production 260,000 yards. The
mill has 5 sets of cards and 42 broad looms.
Freel A. Langewalcl, manufacturer of worsteds. Mr. Lange-
wald was a former superintendent of the woolen mills of R. M.
& Theodore Reynolds, and when in the settlement of their estates
the several mills were sold, he purchased the straw goods factory
and has converted it into a worsted mill. He already has twelve
broad looms in place. His machinery is all new and up to date,
and with his thorough knowledge of the business and personal
supervision his success is assured. He expects to employ about
forty operatives divided nearly equally between the sexes.
The Brancli Mill, Leonard R. Rosenberg, proprietor. This
mill, erected by Joseph L. Reynolds in 1837, has recently been
purchased by Mr. Rosenberg, of Wales, who will operate it for
the manufacture of friezes, meltons and repellants. Employ-
ment will be given to about 60 wage earners in the proportion
of two-thirds men and one-third women. The estimated produc-
tion is 200,000 yards per annum, and the annual pay roll $22,000.
ECCLESUSTICAL HISTORY
The Congregational church was organized June 23, 1762,
with a membership of twenty-four; most of whom were received
by letter from the church at Brimfield. Previous to the organiza-
tion services were held at the homes of the people. Shortly after
( 303 )
OT'T! rorxTV Axn its peoi'le
the incorporation of the town, liy ortler of the geueral court,
a tax of a {)eiiny an acre was hiid on all the land of the town
for the purpose of erecting a meeting house. The site selected
for the building was on an cicvation a little southwest of the
present church edifice.
The same council wliicli assisted in the organization and
dedication of the church also ordained and installed as pastor
]\Ir. Abishai Sabin, then a recent graduate of Yale college.
On November 16, 1803, in the pastorate of Rev. Jesse Ives,
the second meeting house was dedicated, the former house having
become unsuitable for services. This house was built on the
same site, at a cost of three thousand dollars, all of which was
raised by voluntary subscriptions with the exception of three
hundred dollars which was given by the town.
This meeting house was used for services for sixty-eight
years. It was then sold and removed, and the present com-
modious and attractive building was erected, and dedicated
June 18, 1873. The cost of the house and furnishings was about
forty thousand dollars. A total of 1,593 persons have been re-
ceived into church membership since its organization. The close
affiliation of the church and the academy has naturally drawn
within its fellowship students representing many foreign coun-
tries. It has sent forth as christian workers and missionaries a
notable company of men and women, among them Rev. James
L. Merrick, eleven years a missionary in Persia; Rev. Gilbert
Rockway. a missionary to the Indians; Rev. Samuel Robbins
Brown, D. I)., a devoted missionary for many years in China
and Japan. Many others might be mentioned who have conse-
crated their lives to missionary work at home and abroad. A
former pastor. Rev. F. S. Hatch is at present a field secretary
under the auspices of the Young People's Society of Christian
endeavor in India. In 1820 the Sabbath school was organized
and seven years later the Ladies' j) raying circle was formed.
Tlie following is a list of the ministers since the organiza-
tion of the church, and the date of the installation of each:
Rev. Abishai Sabin. June 23, 1769^ Rev. Jesse Ives, June 23,
1772; Rev. Alfred Ely, D. D., December 17, 1806; Rev. Samuel
( 304 )
THE TO^yN OF MONSON
C. Bartlett, D. D., August 2, 1S43 ; Rev. Charles B. Kittredge,
October 21, 1846; Kev. Tlieron G. Colton, March 28, 1855; Rev.
Charles B. Sumner, January 2, 1868; Rev. E. Hoyt Byington,
D. D., June 23, 1880 ; Rev. F. S. Hatch, November 30, 1887 ; Rev.
N. Miller Pratt, May 29, IftOl.
The life of the church has always been active and vigorous,
and during the pastorates of Dr. Ely and his immediate succes-
sors the church occupied a commanding position among the
churches of the denomination in Western Massachusetts.
Methodist Episcopal Church. The introduction of Meth-
odism into Monson was made in the summer of 1825. Horace
Moulton and two other students at Monson academy, held meet-
ings at the north and south villages, and in the fall at the center
village. In November, 1825, Rev. Joel W. McKee, stationed on
the Brookfield circuit, came to Monson and organized a class.
This was the first organization of Methodism in town. Horace
Moulton, a Jlethodist who afterwards joined New England con-
ference, was made class leader, and he put all his strength and
influence into the work. The rallying point was the Methodist
chapel at South Monson, built in 1826. The chapel was 20x40
feet in size and cost $500. It was primitive in fashion, being
unfinished, and having only rough benches for seats. It was
dedicated free of debt.
In 1S47-8 a new era began, for the church under the pastor's
leadership secured a more permanent hold on the community.
The desire for a new meeting house was being agitated, and in
1849, (Rev. :Mr. Olds, pastor,) the structure was built, where it
now stands, and was dedicated in October, 1850. It was enlarged
to its present size in 1860.
For more than fifty years this edifice has served as the place
of worship and church home for the Methodists of Monson.
Many are the names of those who have gone out from the church
to do noble work in life, among them being Rev. Horace IMoul-
ton. Mosely Dwight, Sela Stocking, W. A. Broman, J. W. Dad-
mun, M. Vinton, Francis Ward, K. D. Nettleton, Albert Squier,
Henry Rogers and Henry Ward.
The pastors have been as follows : Joel W. McKee, 1825-26 ;
I. Jennison, 1827-28; Horace Moulton, 1830-31 ; Enoch Bradly,
20-3 ( 305 )
on: col wry am> its people
18:J2: Khetuwr F. .W'well, \S:V.i: Aiiiasa Taylor, 188-4; Horace
.Aloulton ami <ieo. (Irccn, 18:io; Otis Wilder and J. O. Dean,
18:56: Joseph W. Lewis. 18:57-38: Charles Virgin. 18:39: Win.
Gordon. 1840: Thomas (iiles. 1841; David Sherman, 1842; H.
S. Shedd, 184:5: K. 1'. HnffiiiL'ton, 1844: Speneer Tilerton. 184;'):
Wm. A. Clai)]) and Klder Bennett. 184G: Elder Bennett, 1S47;
James Billings, 1848: \V. B. Olds. 1849-50; John AV. Dadmun,
1851-r)2: Chas. Nohle and John Panlson. 18."i:5: John Paulson.
1854: David K. :Merrill. is.')5-5(i: Silas Hii)er. 1857: Thomas
Treadwell, 1858-5!): .\. O. Hamilton, 186()-(il: Frederick Wood,
1862-6:5: Hiram Satehwell, 1864-65; K. 11. Howard, 1866-68;
Chas. K. True, 1869: W. J. Pomfret. ls7(i 72: Wm. Silverthorne,
187:5-74: O. W. A<lams. 1875-76: Heniy Lininius, 1877-78; Chas.
A. Jlerrill, 1S79-81: E. S. Best. 1882-8:5: A. Dight, 1884-86: John
W. Emenson, 1887-88: T. C. Martin. 1889-91: Wm. II. Marble,
1892-96; A. R. Nichols. 1897-99: A. W. L. Nelson. 1900. the
present pastor.
St. Palrirk's diurdi. Ii(i}nnn Catholic. The first mass in
Mon.son was said Sei>tembei' 8. 1850. by Father Dougherty, and
fi-<iiM that time occasional services were held until Father Healy
becanu' jiastor at Ware, the i>arish of which included the ^lonson
mission. Father Healy built St. Patrick's in 186:5. and Bishop
AVilliams dedicated the cluin-h in April, 18()4. In 1878 Monson
was made a separate parish with Rev. Jeremiah ^McCarthy as
l)astor. He was succeeded in 1881 by Father James II. Kellev,
and in 1885 the latter was followed by Father John F. Lee.
l\cv. Thomas O'Kcofe. the (n'csent ]>astor. was apjiointed to the
parish in November. 1894.
Firat VniverKntiKl Parish. Thr first Fniversalist services
were held in Central block in 1882, by Rev. W. A. Stai-t. then
state sui)erin1cndent of ehtirches. and thereafter he came, or
sent a minister, on alternate Sundays. A Ilniver.salist social
circle was organized at the residejice of Harhiw Chapin on
(October 5. 1882. Of this society men were made honorary mem-
bers, and the |)resent ladies' circle is an outizrowth of the ori<rinal
oru'anization. On November 24. 1882. a meeting was held to
orL'ani'i' tl!.. Flr^-i rtnv.T^Mlist parisli. and Kev. Albert Hara-
( 306 )
THE TOWN OF 3I0NS0N
matt was the first pastor, begiuuing his ministry in the early-
spring of 1883 and continuing to the summer of 1885. The
Sunday school was organized informalh- May 20, 1883. Charles
Cr. King. A. A. Babbitt and AV. L. Ricketts have been superin-
tendents. On Sunday, ]\Iay 4, 1884, the pastor received into
church fellowship forty-six persons and the first communion
service was held in the evening of that same day, Rev. G. V.
Maxham, of Staft:'ord, Conn., and Rev. E. A. Perry, of Palmer,
IMass., assisting in this service. The church organization was
Cushman Fountain
perfected .Jani;ary 13, 1886. Rev. Donald Frazer was pastor
from November, 1885, to April, 1887. He was succeeded by
Rev. Ira A. Priest, who had charge from September, 1887, to
April, 1889. During his ministry the church building was begun.
It is a fine granite structure and stands at the corner of Main
and Lincoln .streets. It cost ^26,000. D. W. Ellis offered to and
did give a dollar for every dollar the parish might raise toward
the building. The edifice was dedicated Tuesday, December 3,
( 307 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
1880, a dodioatory hymn licintr written for the occasion by Rev.
G. V. :Maxham. The sermon was delivered by Rev. G. L. Perin,
of Boston. Rev. Lee II. Fisher was in pastoral charge from
September, 1889, to April. 1891. Rev. Harry Blackford was
called to the pastoi'ate in j\Iarch, 1892. and began his work in
the parish in July following. A local Young People's Christian
union was organized October 26, 1892. A junior union was
formed just before Mr. Blackford closed his pastorate January
31, 1899. Rev. Charles C. Conner was called in the same year.
D. W. Ellis, who died February 6, 1899, made an $18,000
bequest and also devised the parsonage property to the society.
Theodore Reynolds, who died March 29, 1900, left $5,000 to the
society.
Cemeteries of Monson. The cemeteries of IMonson are
under the care of a board of cemetery commissioners consisting
of three members, one of which is elected annually to serve for
three years. The revenue to pay the running expenses is de-
rived from three sources: annual town appropriation, income
from the permanent fund which now is $6,912 and the charge
to lot owners for yearly care.
The first cemetery was laid out and accepted by the town
Jlay 13, 1762. It consisted of two acres of land which was to
include the grave of Capt. Hitchcock "s daughter. It was located
west of Joseph Hitchcock's land and east of the present Pearl
street. The first man buried therein was Capt. David Hitch-
cock and his interment was prior to August 16 of the same year.
Cemeteries were early located in Butler. ]\Ioulton Hill, Grout,
Gage and Colton Hollow districts, and all are still in use. There
is a small cemetery on tlie east side of Main street opposite of
the Lyon residence which is not open to the public. On the west
side of !Main street, opposite Ralph CliiTord's residence, is a
public cemetery laid out in 1780.
The cemetery now in use in the center of the town was laid
out in 1842 and with later additions now extends from Mill to
Thompson street and from North Main nearly to Mechanic street.
It contains about 9 acres of land. The first interment in this
cemetery was that of a cliild of Dr. Alvin Smith and the
( 308 )
Soldiers' Monument, Monson
OIK COIXTY A.\l> ITS PEOPLE
second that of Buiijamiu Fuller, tiiese both in 1842. This
uenietery has been cnlarsred lour times, once to the west and
thrice to the east. The last and most important addition was
that to the east, known as the Tli()mi).s(m addition. This will
now soon be in use. The grounds have been graded, the roads
made and the ground plotted and laid out in lots and only waits
for the landseajie artist to place the boundary pins of the several
lots. It is approached from North .Main street through a beauti-
ful granite arch which was erected and presented to the town
as was also the retaining walls on the east and sovith by Mrs.
Harlan Page of Germantown, Pa.
On the we.st side of Pearl street and opixisite the first ceme-
tery of Monson the (Catholics have established their cemetery,
and they have introduced water and the past season have done
much to make it attractive. The cemetery commissioners are
Dr. G. E. Fuller. Carlos L. P.-ek and Frank E. Morris.
TOWN Civil, LIST
Selectmen. The ofiice of .selectman in ^lonson has been held
by these persons: James jMerrick, Sanuiel King. Joshua Shaw,
Francis Sikes, Joseph Colton, Joseph Craft, Jabez Keep, Aaron
Merrick, Freeborn i\Ioulton, Nathaniel Sikes, Nicholas Graves,
Noah Sabin, Simeon Keep. Abi.jah Newell. Benj. Munn, Abel
Goodell, Jonathan Chapin. Reuben ^lunii. Thomas Andei-son,
Richard Bishop. David Hyde, Joshua Fuller, Abner Brown,
Caleb Keep. Gad Colton., Asa Gates, Israel Bennett, David L.
Shields, Asa White. Richard Gardner, Jeremy Munn, Royal
Merrick, Absalom Shaw, Benj. Fuller, Stephen Warriner, Ede.
Whittaker, Stephen Newton. Abi.jah Newton, Jesse Ives, Job
Puffer, Abraham Haskell. Luther Carter, Simeon Colton, Joel
■Norcross, Henry G. Cady, Jonathan Torrey, John Hoar, Simeon
Keep, Jr.. Rice ^lunn, Abner Bennett. Abel Calkins, Austin
Fuller, Charles P. Fay, Welcome Converse, Abial Dean. Walter
Smith, Watson Merrick, Charles Carpenter, Jr., David H.
Childs. Obed :\I. Ward. John T'. Cady. Lucius F. Newton. Carlton
Squier. Stephen Tobey. Eldridge Phillips. AVm. Puffer, Joseph
L. Reynolds. Hiram Newton. Alden Blodgett, Arial Rogers, War-
( 310 )
THE 70 U A" OF MOX^OX
len Puller. Phillip Gage, Esbou White, Kice S. Mnmi, Cyrus
Truesdell, Dwight King, Albert M. Phillips, Rufus Al. Pease,
Daniel <i. Potter, Riifus F. Fay, Welcome Converse, Jr., Daniel
(i. Green. Daniel Foskit, IMarcus F. Beebe, Wni. 11. Bradway,
Albert Noreross. Gideon Fay, John Newton, Daniel Carpenter,
Eleazer Walker, E. W. Sholes, Nelson F. Rogers, Joseph B.
Foster, Calvin S. Pease. C. C. Tobey, Horace Sqnier. Joshna
'J'raey, Austin King. Alansou N. Chaffee, Alfred Noreross, Rice
M. Heynolds. Charles Fowler. Carlos L. Peek. Solomon F. Cush-
1
Tlie road to Wales— Soutli Monson
The old OrmsViy house
man. Rufus Flynt, Alvin A. Gage, (ieorge L. Topliffe, Frank
H. King, (ieorge H. Newton, Wm. J. Ricketts, John Leahy,
Arthur D. Noreross, Capt. G. H. Foskit, Ralph Clifford, AVm.
H. Bugbee. Orrin C. McCray, Herbert M. Smith and Horace
D. Moulton.
Town Clerks. Sanuiel King, Joseph Craft, Aaron Merrick,
Reuben Munn. Jose iMerrick, Abel Goodell, Daniel Jaynes, David
Hyde, Ephraim Allen, Asa Gates. Daniel L. Shields, Ede. Whit-
( 311 )
OIK VOL STY AXD ITS PEOPLE
taker, Deodatus Button, Oliver JIcBanstry, Hiram Newton,
Henry Cady, Albert Xorcross, Wm. N. Packard, Daniel D.
Moody, Austin Fuller, Nelson F. Rogers, George F. Morris,
Edward F. IMorris, E. B. IMiles, George H. Newton, E. E. Towne,
Alvin A. Gage, Carlos M. Gage and Carlos L. Peek.
Representatives to the General Court. Abel Goodell, 1781
to 1784; 1788, 1708 and 1809; Reuben Munn, 1785, 1787, 1792
and 3; Joshua Shaw, 1787, 1789 and 1791; David Hyde, 1791
and 3: Caleb Keep, 1796: Abner Brown, 1810 and 11; Absalom
Shaw, 1810: Dr. Ede AVhittaker, 1811 and 12, and Stephen War-
riner, 1812. For representatives in later years see county civil
list.
CHAPTER Vlir
THE TOWN OF LUDLOW
The town of Ludlow lies on the north line of Hampden
county, and was originally a portion of the Springfield grant.
It is bounded on the nortli by the towns of Granby and Belcher-
town, in Hampshire county, east by Belehertown, south by Wil-
braham and Si)riiigfield, from which it is separated by the Chico-
pee river, and west by Chicopee. The southern line is very
irregular, being formed by the Chicopee river, but the east and
north lines are straight, as is the western with the exception of
a single break or "jog" of about one-fourth mile in the division
line between Ludlow and Chicopee. In area the town covers
alwut twenty-eight squares miles, or 17,280 acres.
The surface of the town is comparatively level or rolUng,
with some hilly sections, though nowhere attaining to high alti-
tudes. The most prominent elevations are those in the northern
portion of the town, known as "Facing Hill". Some distance
to the south is an isolated hill known as "Jefferson's Peak"j
while "Minnechaug Mountain" rises in the southeastern quarter
of the town. Several small ponds are scattered in different local-
ities, and the town also contains the principal reservoir from
( 312 )
Ol II (OIWTY AM) J'1\S I'EOl'LE
which is (li-awii the wati-r supi>ly for the city of Springfield. This
reservoir, located in wluU was formerly known as Cherry Valley,
was constructed in 1873-4, and covers 445 acres, with a marginal
area of 350 acres more. Three natural streams. Broad brook,
Jabish brook and llifrher brook, have been diverted to feed this
body of water, in addition to the large natural water shed.
Anotliei- natwi'al feature of interest is a peninsula of several
acres formed by an abrupt bend of the Chicopee river, below the
falls of Wallamanunips. This peninsula is about eighty feet
in height, and is largely composed of red sandstone, much of
which has been cjuarried for commercial uses, though enough
still remains to show the original ruggedness of the promontory.
This is one of the numerous rocky heights in the country known
as "Indian Leap." from some tradition connected with the local-
ity . A party of Indians, driven by their enemies into this re-
treat, and finding all means of escape ciit off, are said to have
sprung from the high roeks into the raging river below, where
they were dashed to death in a moment. It was certainly here
that the King Philip's warriors bivouacked, some six hundred in
number, on the night of their retreat after burning Springfield
in 1675. as the remains of twenty-four campfires and some of the
plunder taken from the looted settlement were found there next
day by the pui-suers.
Doubtless the Ludlow territory was familiar ground to the
aboriginal tribes, as many evidences of their occupation have
been discovered within the town limits from time to time, while
the entire region along tlie Chicopee river was a favorite hunting
ground of the red men, even after the white settlements had
reaeheil importance in the neighboring regions. Their name
for a large part of liudlow and neighboring regions. "Minne-
chaug", or berry-land, indicates their familiarity with the
natural products of the locality. Tradition also attaches a tragic
incident to one of the precipices at Facing hills, where a white
woman who had been captured at one of the settlements not far
away was cruelly put to death to give the Indians better oppor-
tunity to escai)e their pureuers.
The first steps toward the settlement of any portion of what
is now Ludlow were taken in 1685, when it was felt that there
( 314 )
THE TOWN OF LUDLOW
was danger of the undivided lands, or '-outward commons", as
they were called, being restored to the English crown. Reserva-
tions were made for the ministry and for schools, after which
the Ludlow territory was divided among nineteen proprietors,
none of whom made any settlement upon the lands thus received.
In fact, it was not until about 1750, more than sixty years later,
that any of the Springfield people ventured so far in that direc-
tion into what was then little better than a wilderness. The
families of Aaron Colton, James Sheldon, Shem Chapin, and
Benjamin Sikes were the first to settle in the territory north of
the Chicopee river east of what is now- Chicopee. They were
from Springfield, and Captain Joseph Miller of West Springfield
followed them in 1751. It is recorded that his friends mourned
him as one dead, and that a funeral sermon was preached on
account of the removal of his family to so remote and wild a
place. Ebenezer Barber joined the colony in 1756, and Jona-
than Lumbard the following year; but no other settlers seem to
have ventured into the territory for ten years.
After that time, however, the development was compara-
tively rapid, so that in 1774 we find the settlement with a popula-
tion of some 200 petitioning for an independent organization.
This petition was received by the royal governor, Thomas
Hutchinson, and referred to the general court, by whom the
petition was granted. An act was passed in February of that
year, and approved by the governor on the 28th of the month,
setting apart that portion of the township of Springfield known
as "Stony Hill", and creating it a separate district under the
name of Ludlow, with all the powers and privileges pertaining
to towns in the province with the exception of sending a repre-
sentative to the general assembly. It was ten years later before
the new town reached the dignity of a representative all its own.
The boundaries of the district were thus officially defined :
"Southerly on Chicabee river; east on the east line of said
Springfield and the west line of Belchertown ; northerly on the
north line of said Springfield, or partly on Belchertown and
partly on Granby, and extending westward so far as to include
all that part of the outward commons, so called, that lies in the
( 315 )
oil! COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
northeast corner of the township of Springfield, and extending
also in a line parallel with the west line of said outward com-
mons one mile and three-quarters farther west, into the inward
commons, so called, in said Springfield, north of Chieabee river ' '.
Provision was also made for including the farms of Zachariah
Warner, senior and junior, Oliver Chapin and Ezekiel Squires,
at "the mill privilege."
For the first meeting of the legal voters of the new district
a warrant was issued by "the Honorable John Worthington,"
directed "to some principal inhabitant," instructing them to
gather at the house of Abner Hitchcock. The meeting convened
there JIarch 16, 1774, and Jloses Bliss of Springfield was chosen
moderator, after which the following Ludlow men where elected
as the first officers of the new town : Clerk, Benajah "Willey ;
selectmen, Aaron Ferry, Abner Sikes and Joseph Miller;
wardens, Joshua Fuller and Jacob Kendall; assessors, Joseph
Jones, John Hubbard, Jr., and Joseph Hitchcock; constables,
John Sikes and Jacob Cooley; treasurer, Joseph Miller; sur-
veyors, Beriah Jennings, Joel Willey and Noah Bowker, tithing-
men, James Chapin and Oliver Chapin; fence-viewers, Israel
Warriner and Isaac Brewer; hog-reeves, Isaac Warriner and
Ezra Parsons; deer-reeves, Ezekiel Squires, Aaron Colton and
Jonathan Lombard.
The full list of selectmen and town clerks from the organiza-
tion of the town to the present time, and of the representatives
to the "Great and General Court" to 1812, when the district
sj'stem was adopted, is as follows :
-S'o/ec^Hioi.— 1774-5, Aaron Ferry, Abner Sikes, Joseph
Jliller; 1776, Joseph Miller, Joseph Hitchcock, Joshua Fuller;
1777, Joseph Hitchcock, John Hubbard, Jr., Benajah Willey;
1778, no record; 1779, John Hubbard, Jr., Jonathan Bartlett,
John Sikes ; 1780, Moses Wilder, Timothy Keyes, Jeremiah But-
ton: 1781, Joseph Miller, Joshua Fuller, Jonathan Bartlett,
James Kendall, Isaac Brewer; 1782, Jonathan Bartlett, Joel
Nash, Israel Warriner : 1783, Joel Nash, Israel Warriner, James
Kendall; 1784. Joel Nash, Israel Warriner, Abner Sikes ; 1785,
Abner Sikes, James Kendall. Samuel Arnold; 1786, Abner Sikes,
( 316 )
THE TOWN OF LUDLOW
Israel AVarriner, David Lyon ; 1787, Abner Sikes, Isaac Brewer,
Jcseph ililler; 1788, Abner Sikes, Israel "Warriner, Joel Nash;
1789, Abner Sikes, Israel Warriner, Joel Nash; 1790, Abner
Sikes, Israel Warriner, Jonathan Burr; 1791, Abner Sikes,
.linalhan Burr, David Lyon; 1792, Abner Sikes, Jonathan Burr,
Jos.^ph Miller, Samuel Frost, Francis Pereival; 1793, Abner
Sikes, Francis Pereival, John Sikes; 1794, Francis Pereival,
Aaron Colton, Samuel Frost; 1795, Aaron Colton, Ephraim
Chapin, Benjamin Sikes, Jr. ; 1796, Aaron Colton, Benjamin
Sikes, Jr., Pliny Sikes; 1797, Benjamin Sikes, Jr., Francis Per-
eival, Joseph Miller, Jr.; 1798, Timothy Keyes, Jonathan Burr,
Samuel Frost, Eli Putnam, Ephraim Chapin; 1799, Jonathan
Burr, Samuel Frost, Benjamin Sikes, Jr. ; 1800, Jonathan Burr,
Benjamin Sikes, Jr., Samuel Frost ; 1801-2, Jonathan Burr,
Benjamin Sikes, Jr., Joseph Munger ; 1803, Jonathan Burr,
Benjamin Sikes. Jr., Sherwood Beebe; 1804, Sherwood Beebe,
Job Pease, Timothy Nash; 1805-7, Sherwood Beebe, Timothy
Na.sh, Jonathan Sikes; 1808, Timothy Nash, Jonathan Sikes,
Gad Lyon ; 1809, Timothy Nash, Ezekiel Fuller, Gates Willey ;
1810, Timothy Nash, Gates Willey, Joseph Miller ; 1811, Timothy
Nash, Gates Willey, Joshua Fuller ; 1812, Benjamin Sikes, Sher-
wood Beebe, Gad Lyon; 1813, Timothy Nash, Joshua Fuller,
Daniel Spragne; 1814, Timothy Nash, Joshua Fuller, Daniel
Sprague; 1815, Timothy Nash, Joshua Fuller, Titus Hub-
bard; 1816, Gates Willey, Nathaniel Lyon, James Sheldon;
1817, Gates Willey, Ashbel Burr, Joshua Fuller; 1818, Gates
Willey, Ashbel Burr. John Dorman ; 1819-22, A.shbel Burr, John
Dorman, Timothy Nash ; 1823, Ashbel Burr, John Dorman, Elias
Frost; 1824-5, Ashbel Burr. John Dorman, Asahel Rood; 1826,
Elias Frost, Gordon B. Miller, Theodore Sikes ; 1827-9, Ashbel
Burr, Theodore Sikes, Asahel Rood ; 1830, John Dorman, Gordon
B. Miller, Elam Wright; 1831, John Dorman, Gordon B. Miller,
Ashbel Burr; 1832, Gordon B. Miller, John Town, Jr., John
Gates; 1833-4, Ashbel Burr, Chester Sikes, William Ray; 1835,
Chester Sikes, William Ray, John Gates; 183G-S, Elias Frost,
John Gates, Waterman Fuller; 1839, William Ray, Chester
Sikes, Dan Hubbard; 1840, William Ray, Chester Sikes, Dan
( 317 )
or/,' cofXTV AM) rrs phoj'LE
Hubbard: 1841, Chester Sikes, Uau Hubbard, Daniel King;
1842, William Ray, John Gates, Artemas II. Whitney; 1843,
William Ray, Artemas H. Whitney, Edmund W. Puller; 1844,
William Ray, Artemas H. AVhitney, Ednmnd W. Puller; 1845,
William Ray, Artemas H. Whitney, John Miller; 1846, Elijah
Plumley, John INIiller, David Lyon; 1847, John ]\Iiller, David
Lyon, Chester Sikes; 1848, Alva Sikes, Elisha T. Parsons, Jerre
Miller: 1849, Alva Sikes, Elisha T. Parsons, Jerre Miller; 1850-
52, Jerre Miller, Artemas II. AVhitney, Henry Puller; 1853,
William Ray. Willis Keyes, Eli.jah Plumley; 1854, Elijah Plum-
ley, Homer Lyon. Aaron Davis; 1855, John Miller, Dan Hub-
bard, Aaron Davis; 1856, Artemas H. Whitney, John Miller,
Setii J. liennett; 1857, Artemas H. Whitney, John Miller,
Simeon Jones; 1858, Artemas H. WTiitney, Simeon Jones, Elijah
G. Puller: 1859, Artemas II. Whitney, Benjamin Sikes, Gilbert
Puller; 1859, Artimas H. Whitney, Benjamin Sikes, Gilbert
Fuller: 1860. Benjamin Sikes. William Ray, Roderick Collins;
1861. Benjamin Sikes, ]{oderick Collins, Dan Hubbard; 1862-3,
Benjamin Sikes. Roderick Collins, Gilbert E. Puller; 1864,
Artema.s IT. Wliitney, Jacob S. Eaton. Prancis P. McLean; 1865,
Jacob S. Eaton, Prancis P. ilcLean, Henry Charles; 1866,
Prancis P. McLean, John P. Hubbard, Samuel White; 1867,
John P. Hubbard. Samuel AVhite. Eli ]M. Smith; 1868-9, Samuel
White, Eli ^1. Smith, Benjamin Sikes; 1870-72, Samuel White,
Gilbert E. Fuller. Reuben Sikes; 1873, Samuel WTiite, John Ray,
Chauncey L. Buell : 1874-5, Samuel Wliite, John Ray, David C.
Jones; 1876-7. John Ray, David C. Jones, Ambrose Clough;
1878, David C. Jones, Ambrose Clough, Edward E. Fuller:
1879-80, Edward E. Fuller, George R. Clark, Jackson Cady:
1881. George R. Clark, David Joy, Jacob S. Eaton; 1882-5,
Benjamin P. Burr, Charles P. Grosvenor, Franklin Bramble:
1886-8. Edward E. Puller. James M. WTiite, George D. Green :
1889-91. Benjamin P. Burr, Austin P. Nash, Prank A. Towne;
1892-8. Edward E. Puller, John W. Hubbard, Prank A. To^vne;
1899-1901. Edward E. Puller. John W. Hubbard, Frederick L.
Burr.
Toirit Clerks. — lll-i-o. Benajah Willey; 1776-9. Jeremiah
Dutton: 1780-82. Aaron J. Miller: 1783-5, Samuel Arnold; 1786,
( 318 )
THE rOir.V OF LUDLOW
Elisha Fuller; 1787, Solomon L. Fuller; 17SS, Samuel Arnold;
1789-92, John Jennings; 1793, Plynn Sikes; 1794-6, John Jen-
nings; 1797. Plynn Sikes; 1798-9, John Jennings; 1800-08, In-
crease Sikes; 1809-29, Ely Fuller; 1830, Theodore Sikes; 1831,
Ely Fuller ; 1832, Washington B. Alden ; 1833-5, Theodore Sikes ;
1836-8, Washington B. Alden ; 1839-41, Theodore Sikes; 1842,
Samuel S. Bucklin ; 1843-5, Dennis Kuowlton ; 1846-54, John P.
Hubbard: 1855, George Booth; 1856-61, John P. Hubbard;
1862-3, Albert Fuller; 1864, John P. Hubbard; 1865, George E.
Root; 1866-78, Benjamin F. Burr; 1879-88, Warren D. Fuller;
1889-1901, Alfred H. Bartlett.
Kepresentativcs. —n84:-o, Capt. Joseph Miller; 1787, John
Jennings: 1800. Elisha Fuller: 1801-2, Aaron J. Miller; 1806,
Gad Lyon: 1807, Increase Sikes: 1808, Gad Lj^on ; 1809, John
Jennings: 1810, Gad Lyon: 1811, Sherwood Beebe; 1812, Ely
Fuller.
The full list of town officers for the year 1901 is as follows :
Town clerk, Alfred H. Bartlett; selectmen, overseers of the poor
and board of health, Edward E. Fuller, Benjamin F. Burr, John
W. Hubbard: auditors, Charles S. Browning, Charles W. Gowen;
treasurer and collector, Alfred H. Bartlett ; assessors, George D.
Green, Arthur D. King, Charles P. Jones: constables. Hall E.
Storer, Albert Wilson, David Trombley: highway surveyor,
Henry A. Munsing; cemetery connnissioners. Robert Kj'le,
Edward E. Fuller. Benjamin F. Burr: school committee. Albert
H. Halford. Charles B. Bennett, Irene T. Jones, Charles N.
Wrightington : superintendent of schools, ]\Iary L. Poland of
Springfield. Mass.
The patriotic sentiment of the town has been strong and
uncompromising in all important epochs of the counti-y's history
since the birth of the nation in 1775. In fact, at the time Ludlow
was organized as an independent district, the coming of the
terrible revolutionary struggle was already casting its shadow
before, and filling the minds of the people with apprehension.
During the year of organization— 1774— Capt. Joseph ^Miller
was selected to represent the infant community in the councils
of the province, which were held in conventions at Concord,
( 319 )
oil! corXTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
Salem, Cainbridge and AVatfrtown. Thei'e can be no question
of the finiiuess and earnestness of his position in advocacy of
those great principles which eventually gave to the world a new
and powerful nation. In the long and exhausting warfare which
followed, the town responded nobly to all demands, whether for
the furnishing of soldiers or the contribution of material aid
for the support and comfort of those in the field. When the
war closed, it appeared that one in every seven of the inhabitants
of Ludlow had served in the Continental armies, the imperish-
able roll of honor comprising the following names :
Ichabod Barker, Ezekiel Beebe, Caesar Begory, Noadiah
Burr, Keuben Burt, Joel Chapin, Charles Chorley, Aaron Colton,
Solomon Cooley, Edward Cotton, Oliver Button, Ezekiel Fuller,
Lothrop Fuller. Jabez (ioodale. Joseph Hitchcock, Joseph Jen-
nings, John Johnson, David Lombard, Jonathan Lombard, Dr.
Aaron J. Miller, George Miller, Jr., Leonard Miller, David Paine,
Tyrus Pratt, Sanniel Scranton. Thomas Temple, Moses Wilder,
Cyprian Wright.
In the Shays rebellion wliich occurred in the unsettled
jjcriod between the close of the revolutionary war and the adop-
tion of the federal constitution, the sentiment of Ludlow, in
common with that in other towns in the vicinity, was divided,
and recruits were furnished to both parties, in perhaps nearly
equal numbers. The column of insurgents which demonstrated
against Springfield, receiving the fire of the government soldiers,
made its advance and retreat through Ludlow, and one man
from that town — Isaiah Call— was killed in South Hadley by a
stray shot from a liou.se which the soldiers were passing.
In the war of 1812-15. Ludlow, unlike many of the New
England towns, does not appeared to have entered any protest,
but furnished its quota of soldiei-s with imque.stioning loyalty,
thirteen men from the town having been enrolled, these being
their names:
Henry Acres, Gideon Cotton, Samuel Gates. Chester Ken-
dall. Amos Root. Charles F. "Wood. Benjamin Ainsworth. Lemuel
Gardiner. John Howard. Reuben Par-sons, Veranus Shattuck,
Gordon B. Wood, Harvey Wood.
( 320 )
THE TO^V^^ OF Ll'DLOW
The IMexican war, wiiicli drew but very lightly from New
England, took one man— Joseph Rood— from Ludlow, and he
was reported wounded in one of the engagements in which he
participated.
The war of the rebellion, 1861-5, found strong and brave
hearts in Ludlow, and there was no faltering during the four
years of terrible war and sacrifice. Out of a population of 1,200,
the town furnished 120 soldiers; probably quite as large a pro-
portion of the adult males as entered the service in the revolu-
"■ ■■•■ . ■■ *'■
1
i
1
m
m
&3iir^ak'^.:-: •■ , 1
•'-^sB
— ^
Suldiurs ituiiumcut — Ludluw
tionary war, of twice as great duration. Of the 120 men from
Ludlow in the union armies, sixteen gave their lives — a percent-
age considerably above the average. In addition to furnishing
more than its quota of soldiers, the town met all the financial
requirements of the period with unfaltering devotion. As early
as April, 1861, a vote was taken in town meeting appropriating
$2,000 as a bounty fund for the promotion of enlistments, and
in August, 1862, a bounty of $100 each was voted to the men
21-3
( 321 )
orii rmxTY .wn its people
wlio enlisted upon the town's <iuota at that time. This spirit
of liherality continued during the war, and the people of the
town did their full part in connection with all measures for the
relief and care of needy soldiers and the families of those absent
in their country's service. After the close of the war measures
were taken for the erection of an appropriate monument in
memory of the town's fallen lieroes and a chaste memorial of
Jlonson granite, located near the Congregational church at
Ludlow Center, was dedicated with appropriate exercises during
the summer of 1867. The total cost of the monument was $1,025,
and it still stands as a fitting embodiment of the patriotic spirit
of those trying days.
The early settlers of Ludlow were almost entirely farmers,
and there are indications and traditions that the native Indians,
or perhaps other and earlier residents, of whom we have not even
the legacj' of tradition, gave some attention to cultivation of the
soil. The remains of rude implements of stone, probably designed
for agricultural or domestic use, have been frequently found
within the town limits, and it is certain that both before and
after the settlement of Springfield by white men the present town
of Ludlow was a favorite resort for the red men. While its
forests abounded with game, it is probable that the more fertile
bits of land along the Chicopee river were rudely tilled by the
aborigines. Probably attention was drawn to the location.
through reports of the Indian operations along the river ; but the
early settlei's did not find an exceptionally rich field; as is shown
liy the familiar name of "Stony ITill." doubtless first applied
to a distinct elevation, but later adopted to indicate the entire
settlement, and in that sense used until the organization of a
separate town.
It is recorded of some of these settlers that, while they held
title to extensive tracts of land, they were still regarded as poor
men, and in fact were obliged to practice a rigid exercise of
economy in order to secure an adequate lining from their acres.
And this has largely been the fortune of their descendants and
others who have since relied upon agricultui-e alone— the re-
quirements have been plenty of hard work, careful management
{ 322 )
THE TOWN OF LUDLOW
and thrift, in order that satisfactorj- returns might be secured
from the soil. Yet there is no doubt that the qualities thus en-
gendered proved in mauj' instances a more valuable heritage to
the sons of the town's founders than would have been any legacy
of great wealth. Into the broad field of the world's strife these
men went with an equipment of energy, industry and frugality
which enabled them to meet and overcome obstacles, and win a
victor's reward. At the present time there is much more en-
couragement for the Ludlow farmer, owing to the nearness of
village and city markets to which his produce can be profitably
delivered.
ulil lashioned Ludlow Jlaiisiou
As in the case of most other towns of that period, the first
manufacturing establishments were those devoted to wood work-
ing—generally saw mills of rude construction and limited
capacity. Several of these were established in different parts
of the town, where a water privilege could be secured at a
minimum of labor and expense. Soon after 1800, Rufus Calkins
conducted a chair shop on Higher brook, and while the quantity
of his product was not large, its quality is shown in the fact that
chairs made by him are still treasured in the town in collections
( 333 )
OJ-n COVyiY AXD its I'EOl'LE
of antique furniture. He also did a limited amount of spinning
of Hax and wool, both of whieli were produced on the farms of
the town. Alden's sa.sh and blind shop on Broad brook was for
a time one of the noted manufacturing industries of the town.
Later it turned out rakes and other agricultural implements.
Tar and potash were produced at various places in the town at
different times, and much more widely interesting were the
Ludlow glass works, a mile north of the Center, Avhere green
glass, in bottles and other forms, was made for some few years.
Two or three small manufactories of woolen goods were in opera-
tions in different parts of the town, and had considerable local
reputation. Ludlow City also, at one time, boasted a distillery.
At the falls of Wallamanumps, destined to eclipse aU other
privileges in the town, business did not begin in earnest until
the year 1800 or a little later. Previous to this time a dam had
been constructed there, and probably something in the way of a
saw mill had been run tlicre, but near the close of the eighteenth
century only one man lived in aU that section. Attracted by
the water power, Abner Putnam came from the eastern part of
the state and erected a shop for the manufacture of scji:hes.
The business proved successful, the goods made won a high repu-
tation, and the industry was continued for some ten years or
more. In 1812 the rights at Wallamanumps were sold by Syl-
vester IMoody, Abner Putnam and Levi Pease to' Benjamin
Jencks of Smithfield, R. I., who. with Washington Jeneks, Joseph
Bucklin, George ^Yilkinson and Stephen H. Smith, organized the
Si)ringfield ^lanufaeturing company in 1814. ilr. Smith soon
disposed of his interest to Samuel Slater, who later became so
widely known as a manufacturer of cotton goods. The company
at one time owned no less than 1.200 acres of land, and the set-
tlement which at once sprung up was known as Jencksville— a
name retained by that portion of the town for much more than
half a centurj'.
The business was begun in a modest way in a wooden build-
ing on the site of the later mills, but consisted only of the
preparation of warps and yarns, M-hich were woven into cloth on
hand looms by the families round about. The formal organiza-
( 324 )
THE TO^yN OF LUDLOW
tion of the company did not take place until 1821, when work
was begun on the stone buildings designed as a permanent plant.
The fii-st, 103 by 36 feet, was completed in 1822, and looms were
put in operation the next year. In 1826 another mill building,
forty feet west of the first, was erected. This was somewhat
larger, being 40 by 115 feet. Both of the mills were carefully
built, and were considered model structures. It is interesting to
know that the machinery was made in the mills, the lower stories
being used as machine shops. The company manufactured cotton
goods only, the product being principally sheetings. In 1833
the factories were enlarged by an extension to the eastward, and
eleven years later the space between the two building-s was
closed in, making a continuous mill about 32.5 feet in length.
Meantime, in 1840 a building had been erected at the "upper
privilege," which was for six years devoted to the manufacture
of gun barrels for the United States government. At the end of
that time it was changed to a cotton mill. As showing the custom
of the times, it may be mentioned that each of these buildings
and additions, when completed, was dedicated with religious
exercises.
Thus far the company had apparently been prosperous, its
business had grown to large proportions, and it enjoyed the con-
fidence of the community in a marked degree. The townspeople
were glad to loan their money to the corporation, and there was
no hesitation in the acceptance of notes when the company pre-
ferred to pay in that way rather than in cash. It was a sad
disaster to the town, therefore, when in 1848 the Springfield
Manufacturing company was declared insolvent and went oui
of business. The property passed into the hands of Wood & Mer-
ritt, a New York city firm, by whom it was managed until 1856.
It was for a number of years leased to George H. Deane, by whom
the stone mills were fitted up for the manufacture of jute goods,
while the building at the upper privilege was used for the manii-
facture of wadding. At the expiration of the lease Mr. Deane
purchased the property and organized the Ludlow ]\Iills com-
pany. The present Ludlow Manufacturing company was organ-
ized in 1S68. and for thirty-three years has carried on the manu-
( 32.5 )
OCR COrXTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
facture of jute goods, twine, bagging, etc.. witli unvarying
success.
The business of the company, in a large measure, has been
the life of the town during the.se years. "With the development
of the industry new mills have been built from time to time, whai
is known as ]\lill No. 4, having been erected in 1878. It was ten
years later that No. 5 mill was built, in 1888; but since that time
great and frequent additions have been made to the company's
plant. No. 6 mill was built in 1889, and two years later the
original No. 2 mill was razed and a fine brick structure was
erected in its ]ilaee. In the fall of 1894 work was begun on Mill
No. 7, known as "the new shop," and in 1895 the remaining stone
mill No. 1, was replaced with a modern brick building. No. 8
mill was Imilt in 1901, giving the company a fine plant of eigni
brick mill buildings, modern in construction, fitted with improved
machinery, and forming altogether a very complete and expen-
sive establi.sliment. These buildings are supplemented bv an
office building, well appointed, constructed in 1900. In June
of the same year work was begun on a fine dam across the Chico-
pee river at Red Bridge, which was completed sixteen months
later, giving the companj' a fine addition to its water power.
This dam is 300 feet in length, and rises to a height of 47 feet
above the bed of the river.
But while the company has been thus prospering and enlarg-
ing its capacity, it has not been indifferent to the higher welfare
of the comnuinity nestling in the vicinity of its factories, as will
be evidenced by a brief resume of the important measures with
which it has been identified. One of the first movements to
attract attention was that for the establishment of an orphan
boys' school, in 1881. About the same time, or even earlier, two
or three extra rooms in the company's buildings were fitted up
and set apart for school purposes, until such time as a school
house should be built: this result being attained in 1882, when
"the Ludlow ^Manufacturing company" school house was erected.
giving temporary accommodation to the children of "Jencks-
Anlle." In 1885 a music teacher was provided for the village
schools; in 1886 a sewing-school was established, and 1887 a
( 326 )
THE TO^^'N OF LVDLOW
cooking school. The latter movement is being supplemented at
the present time by the preparation of beautiful and convenient
rooms, provided with a competent instructor, where lectures on
hygiene and a cooking-school will be maintained for the benefit
of the women employed by the company, as well as of others
interested in the subject matter.
In 1888 a savings bank was incorporated in the interest of
the employes of the company's mills primarily, though not
exclusivelv for their benefit. This bank is open daily as well as
Hubbard Memorial Library
two evenings each week, and has at present approximately
$125,000 in deposits. George D. Oreen is the president, and
George A, Birnie, treasurer.
A Masonic Hall was built in 1892.
The Hubbard Memorial Libraiy building delightfully
situated at the junction of North and East streets, opposite the
company's office, is one of the town's most attractive structui'es.
It was erected in 1889, and in the spring of the following
year was presented to the town by the widow and children
( 327 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
of Charles T. Mubbard. for many years the treasurer and guiding
spirit of the Ludh)\v .Manufacturing company. The movement
of which this fine building of brick and red sandstones is tho
logical outcome was inaugurated by the coini)any in 1881, under
the direction of jMr. Hubbard, when a small library, with reading
room and social room in connection, was opened in "the old Tav-
ern house," for the benefit of the omi)loyes. At its beginning the
library consisted of about 400 volumes while the reading room
boasted a half-dozen magazines. Now, in its elegant new home,
the library consists of about 5,000 well-selected volumes, while
the reading room is supplied with nil the leading and popular
magazines of the day.
The Ludlow Manufacturing company is capitalized at
$730,000, and the officers (1901) are as follows: President, R. H.
Weld ; treasurer, Charles W. Hubbard ; selling agent, Cranmore
N. Wallace, all of Boston. John E. Stevens of Ludlow is the
company's resident agent.
The Ludlow Cordage company, a separate branch of the
business, was incorporated in 1893 with a capital stock of
$100,000, and is officered by Edward Brooks as president, and
Cranmore N. Wallace as treasurer and selling agent, the offices
being at Boston. Tho product of the company is manila and
binders' twine.
During the eighteenth century the organization of a new
town or independent district meant the establishment of an
orthodox church as the first indispensable feature of town life —
if the church had not preceded the indepeudenee of the munic-
ipality, as was often the case. The history of Ludlow forms no
exception to the general rule, and we find that the first action
taken in town (then district) meeting, after that of organization,
was the appointment of a committee "to hire I\Ir. Pelatiah
Chapin." IMr. Chapin was a preacher, and the committee were
successful in engaging his services. Such meetings as were held
nuist for some years have been conducted at the houses of the
settlers. At the same time a committee was appointed to locate
the center of the town, in order that the site might be set apart
for the erection of a church. Here began the series of diseourag-
{ 328 )
OVK COL STY A.\I> ITS PEOPLE
ing experiences which for soiin' decades were to make the religiou-s
life of the town anything but a pleasant and successful experi-
ence. The committee was unable to carry out its task and was
discharged by vote of the town. A second committee, comprising
some of the original members, was more successful : but the exact
center of the town, when located, is said to have occupied a
swamp, rendering it unvailable for the desired purpose. The
location was accordingly varied sufficiently to give a desirable
site. Thfi village which subsequently grew up about the chosen
spot has very appropriately retained to the present, time the
name of Ludlow Center.
During the war of the revolution there was little opportunity
to engage in even so laudable an undertaking as the building of
a meeting-hoiise ; but after the close of the war in 178-3. we find
the town voting on the 23d of October that "the building commit-
tee procure a sufficient quantity of rum for raising the ineeting-
liouse frame." In a little less than a year the structure was
sufficiently advanced to shelter a town meeting, but it was a rude
aflfair, with only rough boards on the sides, and without floors,
doors or windows. It appears to have been as late as 1797 before
these deficiencies were fully supplied. The house as finally com-
pleted was used until 1840, when a second church was built, but
was de.stroyed by fire in 1859. During the latter year the present
church edifice was erected, supplemented a little later by the neat
chapel standing nearly opposite.
But if the matter of securing a suitable building languished
in the early years of the town, the settling of satisfactory pastors
was an even more difficult problem. Xo permanent settlement
was made until 1793, though several clergjTnen "supplied"
during the time, the records showing such service by Rev. Pelatiah
Chapin, Rev. Mr. Davenport, Rev. if. Hutchings, Rev. David
Haskell (called to become reguuir pastor but declined), Rev.
Stephen Fuller, Rev. Allen Pratt. Rev. William Stone, and Rev.
Aaron Woodward. On June 1. 1793, the town voted to call Rev.
Antipas Steward, a graduate of Harvard, and in November fol-
lowinghewas ordained as the first settled pastor of the town. His
compensation was fixed at £60 and thirty cords of wood annually.
( 3.30 )
TEE TO^VN OF LVBLOW
The pastorate was contiuued for ten years, but it was not suc-
cessful, serious dissensions marking its later portion. Mr. Stew-
ard was dissmissed in 1803, and then followed sixteen years of
unsettled condition. During much of this time clergymen from
other denominations occupied the pidpit. Rev. Laban Thurber,
a Baptist, supplied the church during 1805 and 1806, and Rev.
Abner Phelps in 1808. Then came two Methodist clergymen-
Rev. Elijah Hedding, a presiding elder, in 1811, and Rev. Alex-
ander McLean from 1813 to 1816. Denominational interests
then asserted themselves, and the subsequent pastors have been
of the Congregational faith, their names and periods of service
having been as follows: Rev. Ebenezer Burt Wright, 1819-35;
Rev. David R. Austin, associate and full pastor, 1833-35 ; Rev.
Alonzo Sanderson, 1839-43 ; Rev. Jeremy W. Tuck, 1843-59 ; Rev.
Warren Mayo, 1860-62; Rev. Chester Bridgman, 1864-6; Rev.
Chester L. Cushman, 1866-74; Rev. Samuel V. McDuffee. 1875-
82; Rev. Myron P. Dickey, 1883-92; Rev. Edward P. Allen,
1893-4 ; Rev. Everett D. Francis, 1895, the present pastor.
From the fact that Methodist clergymen supplied the pulpit
of the only church in the town for several yeai's during the early
part of the ninteenth century, it will readily be inferred that
some of the leading men of the town were identified with that
faith. As early as 1793 the beginnings of IMethodism were
planted among the settlers. Prior to that time George Pickering
and George Roberts, itinerant Methodist preachers, had visited
the town, and in the year named Samuel Frost, familiarly called
"Master Frost," opened his house for the preaching of the then
new religion. Nathaniel Chapin, Uriah Clough, and Joel Far-
num were the first to respond, and in 1795 "riders" from W'!-
braham gave stated supph^, which continued for some years.
Among the treasui'ed names of this period are those of Menzies
Rayner, Lemuel Smith, Zadoc Priest, Daniel Ostrander and
Laban Clark. In 1802 Rev. Henry Eames established a "class"
at Samuel Frost's, with Da\id Orcutt as class-leader. Rev.
Augustin Jocelyn, the next circuit rider, made Sunday appoint-
ments for Ludlow, and gave much of his time there. Thus the
faith was spread, gradually, until 1828, when through the efforts
( 331 )
OUk COUNTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
of Rev. "Wilbur Fisk, D. D., then principal of Wesleyan academy
at "Wilbraham, a church building 40 by 50 feet was erected and
dedicated. The structure was remodeled in 1858. and with minor
improvements in later years it still does service for the denomina-
tion in whose interests it was erected. The building is located
near the Congregational clmrch at the "Center," and it is
pleasing to learn that the best of feeling has existed between the
two bodies each extending courtesies to the other as occasion
I'endered possible such expressions of Christian regard. The fiill
list of regular pastors of the Methodist church is as follows : Rev.
Wilbur Fisk. 1826; Rev. Isaac Jennison, 1827; Rev. Aaron "Wait,
1829 ; Rev. Samuel Davis, 1830-31 ; Rev. Salmon Hull, 1832 ; Rev.
Paul Townsend, 1833; Rev. Charles D. Rogers, 1834; Rev. Amasa
Taylor, 1835; Rev. Philo Hawks, 1836-7; Rev. Charles Virgin,
1838; Rev. James Nichols, 1839-40; Rev. William Campbell,
1841; Rev. John W. Dadmun, 1841-2; Rev. William A. Clapp,
1843; Rev. William Fleming, 1844; Rev. Asa Barnes, 1845;
Rev. Ephraim Scott, 1846; Rev. Luther B. Clark, 1847; Rev.
John Caldwell, 1848-9: Rev. JMoses Stoddard, 1850-51; Rev.
James W. jMowry, 1852-3 ; Rev. Kinsman Atkinson, 1854-5 ; Rev.
Nathan A. Soule, 1856 ; Rev. Franklin Fisk, 1857-8 : Rev. George
Prentice, 1859-60 ; Rev. William G. Leonard, 1861 ; Rev. Daniel
K. Banister. 1862-3; Rov. William J. Pomphret, 1864-6; Rev.
Levin A. Bosworth, 1867-8; Rev. Jonas M. Clark, 1869; Rev.
John W. Lee, 1870; Rev. John W. Merrill, D. D., 1871-2; Rev.
Alfred Noon, 1873-4; Rev. N. H. Martin, 1875-7; Rev. Charles
H. Vinton, 1878-9; Rev. Alfred C. Godfrey, 1879-80; Rev. W.
H. Adams. 1881-3; Rev. Daniel Atkins, 1884-6; Rev. William
Ferguson, 1887-8; Rev. W. H. Adams, 1889-90; Rev. G. W.
Simonson, 1893-4; Rev. N. M. Caton, 1897-8; Rev. F. H.
Wheeler. 1899-1900; Rev. E. B. Marshall, 1901.
The Methodists appear to have been first in taking an in-
terest in religious matters at Jencksville, and their itinerants
visited the factory village as early as 1828. Rev. Mr. Foster,
principal of the academy at Wilbraham. was probably the first
preacher. In 1831 a considerable re\-ival occurred, and ser\ices
were held in a room fitted up for the purpose in one of the fac-
( 332 )
TEE TOWN OF LUDLOW
tory buildings. These were continued with more or less regu-
larity for several years, until 1841. when Kev. B. P. Lombard
became pastor of the little parish, continuing during the follow-
ing year. In 1845 efforts were made to secure the erection of
a church, and the following year the present building was
completed and dedicated. It was designed for the joint use of
Methodists and Congregationalists ; but a question of privileges
arising soon after, the Methodists withdrew and a little later
erected a building for themselves. The Congregationalists also
organized a church and settled a pastor, and the two societies
were just getting into working condition when the faihire of
the manufacturing company in 1848 broke all plans for that
communit3^ Both houses of worship were soon closed, and the
little Methodist church, heavily mortgaged, was sold for a nomi-
nal sum and removed to Warren, where it was remodeled and
again went into service as "a Methodist meeting-house." In
1857 Wilbraham academy again came to the rescue in the
person of one of its students, W. H. Daniels, who conducted a
successful revival, and Methodist pastors were assigned to the
parish until 1863. Four years of inertia then followed, when a
union church was organized, which has since that time been
supplied with clergymen representing both denominations, the
list of those who have served as pastors at the viUage from the
first religious organization being as follows, the letter indicating
the preacher's denomination: Kev. B. F. Lombard (M.), 1841-2;
Rev. Daniel E. Chapin (M.), 1846; Rev. David Sherman (M.),
1847; Rev. Z. A. Mudge (M.), 1848; Rev. William Hall (C),
1848; Rev. W. H. Daniels (M.), 1857; Rev. David K. Merrill
(M.), 1858; Rev. L. R. S. Brewster (M.), 1859; Rev. George E.
Chapman (M.), 1860-61; Rev. John Noon (M.), 1862; Rev. J. A,
Kibbe (M.), 1863; Rev. A. Gardner (C), 1868; Rev. H. E.
Crocker (M.), 1872; Rev. J. A. DeForest (M.), 1873; Rev.
Timothy Lyman (C), 1874; Rev. C. L. Cushman (C), 1878-9;
Rev. John P. Coyle (C), 1882-5; Rev. Edward P. Day (C),
1886-90; Rev. Abram J. Quick (C), 1891-6; Rev. William A.
Thomas (C), 1897-9. For the last two years the pastorate has
been vacant.
( 333 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS I'EOFLE
In Ihe way of societies- fraterual, beneficial iind social —
the town has enjoyed its full share. For most of the time during
the past half-century an efficient temperance organization has
existed in Ludlow, reflecting the earnest and continued senti-
ment of the eonnnunity, which has ever been in the direction
of sobriety and right living. The Sons of Temperance, Good
Templars, and other orders have thus had representation.
Among the present societies of the town the following, with
the officers for 1901, may be mentioned: Ludlow Grange, No.
179, Patrons of Husbandry, organized in 1889. Master, C. B
Bennett; lecturer, Airs. Bertha Taylor; secretary, Mrs. Lizzie
C. Chapman. Court Indian Leap, No. 58, Foresters of America,
organized in 1891. Chief ranger, John Duffy; treasurer, Jame.s
Patterson; recording secretary, Robert Stuart. Romona Circle
No. 277, Companions of the Forest, organized in 1895. Chief,
Miss Theresa Coyne; treasurer, Miss Sadie White. Brigham
Lodge, A. P. and A. M., instituted in 1892. W. M., Albert H
Halford; secretary, George Elphiustone; treasurer, Walter
Bennet. Bui'ns Social Club.— President, George Eliphinstone ;
secretary, James R. Sterling; treasurer, James D. Wilson. Lud-
low Athletic and Reci-eation Association, incorporated in 1896.
President, Robert Kyle; secretary, George Elphinstone; treas-
urer, James Patterson.
In an unpretentious but efficient way the town has from
the first given attention to the education of its children. The
first mention of a school appropriation is made in the midst of
the revolutionary war period, when the sum of £400 was voted ;
but in the inflated currency of that time it is doubtful if this
nominally large sum accomplished as much as the £20 which
was voted a few years later. In 1800 the amount appropriated
was $133. Nine years previous a committee to locate and build
school houses had been entrusted with £90 for that purpose,
while the general direction of the schools remained in the hands
of the selectmen until 1794, when a more satisfactory arrange-
ment—that of a committee from each school district— was
adopted. As early as 1822 the di\nsion of the town into nine
school districts had been completed, and the lines thus estah-
( 334 )
THE TOWN OF .MONTGOMERY
lislied largely exist to the present time, the town having voted,
under the option allowed by the act of the legislature establish-
ing the grade system of schools in Massachusetts, to continue
the districts. That is still done in most parts of the town, but
at Ludlow village (formerly Jencksville) a fine eight-room
building has recently been erected, at a cost of $23,000, dedicated
September 3, 1901, in which the high school and the union
grammar school are quartered. The high school is under the
direction of Frederic F. Smith as principal with Miss Flora B.
Townsend as assistant. The grammar school is instructed by
Miss Addie Cole as principal, with seven assistant teachers. The
six district schools are each in charge of a single teacher.
In area the present town of Ludlow comprises 28.2 square
miles. Its population in 1850, as given by the United States
census, numbered 1,186, and for two decades showed a slight
loss, being 1,174 in 1860, and 1,136 in 1870. In 1880 it had
increased to 1,526, in 1890 to 1,939, and in 1900 to 3,536-the
large increase of the last decade being chiefly due to the pros-
perity and extension of business of the town's chief industry,
the Ludlow Manufacturing company.
CHAPTER IX
THE TOWN OF MONTGOMERY
On the northern border of Hampden county, among the
rocky, rugged foothills of the eastern range of the Berkshire
hills, is one of the smallest yet in some respects one of the most
interesting ci\'il divisions of the region. Soon after the close
of the last French and English war, when it was safe for an
adventurous pioneer to leave the well protected settlements of
the larger towns, Ephraim Avery and his family removed from
the thickly populated portion of the flourishing town of West-
field and made his way up into the hill regions to the westward
( 335 )
OCR COiXTl' A.\D ITS PEOPLE
and there established a lioiiie not far from the towering heights
of old Mt. Tekoa. In the course of a few more mouths and
during the years 1767 and '68, other settlers came to the locality,
where the lands were cheap and yet were fertile and productive,
and there made comfortable farm homes for themselves, their
children and their descendants.
By the frequent arrival of other families in the vicinity a
settlement was built iip in the space of a few years, and the
locality soon became known as the ' ' New Addition ' ' to Westfield,
the mother town, whence came nearlj- all these first settlers.
After the total number of families here had increased to perhaps
fifty or more, and after these had become united in the common
bonds of friendship and mutual interest, they naturally sought
to establish a new town in this part of old Hampshire county,
for they were at considerable inconvenience in being compelled
to travel eight miles to "Westfield to transact business, to vote
at elections, and to attend to other necessary affairs which might
be done nearer home. At that time, as now, eight and ten miles
of ti-avel in itself was of little importance to the hardy settler,
but between "Westfield and the central part of the New Addition
settlement the traveled roads were rough and there had been
little attempt at improvement in any of the intervening country;
and besides, the site of the settlement was elevated several
hundred feet above the "Westfield village level and the journey
up into the mountainous country was attended with many in-
conveniences and some danger during the frozen seasons of the
year.
In 1780, having these things in mind and having increased
their new settlement so that ft numbered something like 400 in-
habitants, the people here, with the sanction and assistance of
those at Westfield, besought the general court, praying that they
be set olT and incorporated as a new town of the county. The
legislative records on this subject read as follows: "AYhereas
the inhabitants of the northerly part of "Westfield, called the
New Addition, on the east side of Westfield river, and the south-
westerly part of Southampton, viz. : fifth mile square, sixth mile
square, and the one-half square mile adjoining the said sixth
( 336 )
TEE T0V:N of 310NTG0MERY
mile square, and the southerly corner of Norwich, beginning
at the IMoose Meadow corner 800 rods on the Southampton west
line; thence a straight line to Rock House corner, so called, to
the corner of the abovesaid New Addition, have represented to
this court the great difficulties and inconvenience they labor
under in their present situation, and have earnestly requested
that they be incorporated into a town;" Be it enacted, etc.
"That the northerly part of Westfield, called the New Addition,
on the east side of Westfield river, and the southerly part of
Southampton, and the southerly corner of Nonvich," etc. (here
follows a particular description of the territory), "be, and the
same is. hereby incorporated into a town by the name of Mont-
gomery. ' '
Thus was the town established during the darkest yeai-s of
the revolution, but the necessary work of organization and
election was hardly finished before the freemen began devising
means for the common defense. Already several of the sturdy
young men of the town were in the army, and to encourage still
further enlistments it w-as voted to pay a bounty of four pounds
for all who would serve for one month, and three pounds, five
shillings for each month thereafter. While some of the towns
were not unanimous in their support of the cause for which the
Americans were contending, the spirit of disloyalty never was
shown in the little struggling settlement in the upper valley
of Westfield river; and in 1812, when the spirit of federalism
pervaded the entire region of Western Massachusetts the resolu-
tions favoring the sentiments of the Northampton convention
and its purpose were in accord with the action of nearly all the
towns comprising the then new county of Hampden.
Let us retui'u, however, to an earlier period of the town's
history and briefly note the names and something of the lives
of the settlers who laid the foundations of this loyal old town,
whose organization antedated that of the county by more than
two-score years. Some doubt exists as to the exact year in which
pioneer Ephraini Avery first ventured up into the mountainous
regions surrounding old Mt. Tekoa, but common belief places the
date of his coming somewhere between 1765 and 1767. He was
22-3 ( 337 )
Olh' COrNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
tlie head of a large family of children, not one of whom now
lives to tell the tale of early life in the town. His sons were
William, Abel, Haniuel, Kainsford and Ephraim, and besides he
had two daughters. In later years the family became scattered
in other localities, but the surname is still represented here by
thrifty descendants of the worthy pioneer.
Captain Sylvester Squier. whose name is not unknown in
connection with the early military history of the town, was
another of the first settlers, and is believed to have come here
previous to 17(17. He, too, had a goodly family, although we have
no present record of the names of his children. Abial Squier
was one of the first selectmen! of the town of 1780, and with
Noble Squier of later yeais served in that capacity a long time.
By marriage the daughters of Capt. Squier lost their surnames,
yet the direct (lescendanls of the pioneer are still in this part of
the county.
Oliver Clark settled here in 1766 or '67 and was one of the
first to follow the pioneer into the region. He lived to a good
old age, and was a man much respected in the town although his
life was devoted to per.sonal concerns rather than public affairs.
The sons of Oliver Clark were Oliver, James, Hawley, Simon,
Pharez, Elijah and Elisha, and the daughters were Ruth and
Olive. By the marriage of these children the Clark surname
became numerous in Montgomery and always stood for integrity
and worth.
Another pioneer head of a worthy family was David Allyn,
who settled here probably in 1767, and some representative of
whose family name in each succeeding generation has been
prominently identified with ^Montgomery history, and also with
its best interests in business pursuits. Pioneer Allyn raised to
maturity a large family of seven sons and six daughters. The
sons were Jabez, David, Joseph, Ansel, James, Albert and
Albro Allyn. Daniel Barrett, another settler of about the same
time, also was the head of a large family in IMontgomery, yet
the surname is not now represented here. His sons were
Moses. Sanniel. Benjamin. Daniel. ^Marcus, Lysander and Elisha,
the first three of whom died in the town, while the others joined
the tide of westward emigration years ago.
( 338 )
THE TO^VN OF MONTGOMERY
The Parks surname has been known in Montgomery history
ever since the days of first settlement ; and almost every genera-
tion of the descendants of Aaron Parks, including the pioneer
himself, has served the town in one or more public offices.
Aaron Parks was married three times. His sons were Moses
and Orrin. neither of wliom died in the town, but both of whom
left families, and from them have descended many of the Parks 's,
now so numerous in the western towns of the county.
Another old and prominent family name in Montgomery
history is that of Moore, the pioneer being Joel Moore, an indus-
trious and fairly successful man, yet not a conspicuous figure
in public affairs. Joel, Jr., Guy and Dorus Moore were sons
of Joel, the pioneer, and the descendants of these are now nu-
merous in Hampden county. Throughout all generations of the
family from the pioneer to the present factors in county Ufe,
the Moores have been noted for their industry and integrity.
Abial Pettis was still another of the earliest settlers in the
New Addition, and although the descendants of Abial are still
numerous in this section of the county, recollections of the pio-
neer himself are not easily obtainable. Allen Pettis, one of his
sons, lived in Montgomery and attained a good old age. Abial
jun., died in the town but left no children. Philander, son of
the pioneer, died in the west.
Among the other early settlers of Montgomery, some of whom
have been of the first comers, but of whom no accurate data are
obtainable, there may be recalled the names of John Kagwin,
Elijah Pitcher (one of the first selectmen and a prominent
person in town affairs). John French, Jacob Fellows, Zadock
Bosworth, Nathaniel Wattles, Daniel Barret, Richard Falley
(who was selectman in 1784, and who also was a prominent char-
acter in early town history.^ His daughter was grandmother
of former president Gi'over Cleveland. The Falley surname
is not now represented in the town), Amos Maynard, Truman
'Uichard Falley nwned and lived on the farm now owned by Mr. Le Valley,
the artist, and carried on a gun shop in which he made muskets for the Amer-
ican soldiers in the revolutionary war. and also in the war of 1812-15. The
foundations of the old shop are still to be seen in a ravine near Mr. Le Valley's
residence. — Ed.
( 339 )
THE IO^VN OF MOXTGOMERY
Mallory, Isaac Palmer, Isaac Chapman, Jacob Audrews, Martin
Root, Oliver Rice, Echvard Taylor, Jonathan Herrick, Levi
Adams, Isaac Wilbarn, and others perhaps equally worthy of
mention, but whose names are forgotten with lapse of years.
With settlement thus permanently established by sturdy
New Englanders from the eastern colonies of the province, and
with the subsequent acquisition to their number by others of
the same stock, it is not surprising that the liberty-loving people
should petition the general court for an act of incorporation ;
and when that end was attained it was fitting that the new
jurisdiction should be named in allusion to one of America's
bravest revolutionary patriots, Gen. Richard Montgomery, who
was killed in battle before the walls of Quebec in 1775.
In a preceding paragraph the act ci'eating the town is re-
ferred to at some length. On February 25, 1792, Montgomery
surrendered a small portion of its territory to the town of Rus-
sell, and on IMarch 6 of the same year parts of Norwich and
Southampton were annexed to Montgomery. The organization
was accomplished with little ceremony, and the first meeting for
the election of officers was held at the house of Zadock Bosworth
on December 14, 1780. At that time all the offices were filled
and some provision w^as made for the support of public schools.
The church society then was an institution of the town and was
for three years afterward a controlling factor in its government.
Selectineu.—nSO, Oliver Clark, Abial Squier, Elijah
Pitcher; 1781, Abial Squier, Elijah Pitcher John Fi-ench; 1782,
Abial Squier, Jacob Fellows, Nathaniel Wattles; 1783, Aaron
Parks, Sylvester Squier, Daniel Barret; 1784, Richard Falley,
Sylvester Squier, Aaron Parks; 1785, Isaac Wilbarn, Daniel
Barret, Amos Maynard ; 1786, Jacob Andrus, Martin Root, Tru-
man Mallory; 1787, Edward Taylor, Sylvester Squier, Amos
Maynard; 1788, Aaron Parks, Noble Squier, David Crow; 1789,
Isaac Palmer, Jr., Noble Squier, James Clark; 1790, Isaac
Palmer, Jr., Amos Maynard, Samuel Wright, Jr.; 1791, Isaac
Chapman, Abner Rice, Jr., Noble Squier; 1792, Daniel Barret,
Edward Taylor, Aaron Parks; 1793, Jonathan Herrick, Noble
Squier, Gardner Squier; 1794, Edward Taylor, Daniel Barret,
( 341 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Amos Jlaynard; 1795, Edward Taylor, Sylvester Squier, Levi
Adams; 1796, Sylvester Squier, Isaac Chapman, ]\Iartin Root;
1797, Edward Taylor, Aaron Parks, Levi Adams; 1798, Edward
Taylor, Amos Maynard, Daniel Barret; 1799, Aaron Parks,
Elisha Hutchinson, Sylvester Squier; 1800, Sylvester Squier,
Zadock Bosworth, Daniel Barret; 1801, Aaron Parks, Amos
Maynard, Daniel Barret ; 1802-3, Edward Taylor, Aaron Parks,
Daniel Barret; 1804, Aaron Parks, Richard Falley, Sylvester
Squier; 1805, Samuel Avery, Richard Falley, Sylvester Squier;
1806-8, Aai-on Parks, Sylvester Squier, Samuel Avery; 1809,
Aaron Parks, Sylvester Squier, David R. Cooley; 1810-11,
Aaron Parks, Sylvester Squier, James Wright; 1812, Aaron
Parks, Joseph Green, James L. Adair; 1813, Aaron Parks, Tru-
man Jlallory, Abner Chapman; 1814, Edward Taylor, Moses
Hatch, David Crowley; 1815-17, Edward Taylor, Aaron Parks,
Moses Hatch; 1818, Moses Hatch, Aaron Parks, Gameliel King;
1819, Edward Taylor, John Crow, Orrin Parks; 1820, Wm. Crow,
Edward Taylor, Orrin Parks; 1821, Edward Taylor, Orrin
Parlvs, Pliny Moore; 1822, Moses Parks, Flavius Moore, Wm.
Crow; 1823. Edward Taylor. Pliny Moore, Orrin Parks; 1824,
Edward Taylor, Orrin Parks, John Crow; 1825-26, Moses Parks,
John Crow, Orrin Parks; 1827-28, Edward Taylor, Orrin Parks,
Lucius Wrisjlit; 1829. Edward Taylor, Moses Parks, Orrin
Parks; 1830-31, Orriu Parks, John Crow, Ransom Clark; 1832,
Edward Taylor, Moses Parks, Orrin Parks; 1833, Edward
Taylor, TSloses Parks, Wm. Squier; 1834, Orrin Parks, Wm.
Squier, John Camp; 1835, Edward Taylor, Orrin Parks, John
Camp; 1836, Orrin Parks, Noah Sheldon, Elisha Avery; 1837-
38, Orrin Parks. Ransom Clark, Nathan Hutchinson; 1839,
Moses Parks, Elisha Avery, AYm. Squier; 1840, Orrin Parks,
Wm. Squier, Sheldon Brownson; 1841, Moses Parks, Noah
Sheldon, Nathan Hutchinson; 1842, Orrin Parks, Isaac Brown-
son. Wm. Squier: 1843. Ransom Clark. Wm. Squier, Elisha P.
Parks; 1844, Ransom Clark. Elisha P. Parks. Norman Chapman;
1845. Ransom Clark, Sheldon Brownson, Edward Taylor; 1846-
47, Elisha Avery, Wm. Squier, Aaron P. Parks; 1848, Amos
W. Wlieelcr, Ransom Clark. Norman Chapman ; 1849, Aaron P.
( 342 )
TRE TOWN OF MONTGOMERY
Parks, Ransom Clark, Hiram Bartholmew ; 185t), \Vm. Squier,
Elisha P. Parks, N. P. Bartholmew; 1851, Elislia P. Parks,
Holley Clark, N. P. Bartholmew; 1852, Edward M. Taylor,
Aaron P. Parks, S. Moore; 1853, Wm. Squier, Isaac Brownson,
Zenas Clark; 1854, Wm. Squier, L. T. Allyu, Nelson Clark;
1855, Wm. Squier, L. T. Allyu, A. A. Moore; 1856, A. A. Moore,
Nelson Hutchinson, B. H. Kagwin; 1857, Wm. Sqiiier, Holley
Clark, A. A. Moore ; 1858, Aaron P. Parks, L. T. Allyn, Henry
S. Stiles; 1859, Wm. Squier, Chelsea Upson, Francis W. Clark;
1860, A. A. Moore, John Hutchinson, Chelsea Upson; 1861, A.
A. Moore, Horace P. Moore, Henry S. Stiles ; 1862, Wm. Squier,
Aaron P. Parks, Gilbert Squier ; 1863, Wm. Squier, A. A. Moore,
Orlando W. A.xtell ; 1864. Edwin S. Snow, Horace F. Moore, R.
W. Clark ; 1865, Aaron P. Parks, R. W. Clark, Horace F. Moore ;
1866-67, A. A. Moore, H. K. Axtell, 0. A. Moore; 1868, R. W.
Clark, Wm. Squier, Lewis T. Allyn; 1869, R. W. Clark, Henry
S. Stiles, Chelsea Upson; 1870, R. W. Clark, Henry S. Stiles,
Ransom E. Clark; 1871, E. W. Pettis, R. W. Clark, Ransom E.
Clark; 1872, R. E. Clark, Henry S. Stiles, Wm. H. Avery; 1873,
E. E. Clark, Lewis T. Allyn, Ezra Wright; 1874-75, R. E. Clark,
Henry S. Stiles, Chelsea Upson; 1876, Lewis T. Allyn, F. W.
Clark, A. A. Mooi-e ; 1877, R. W. Clark, Henry S. Stiles, G. L.
Moore : 1878, Lewis T. Allyu, F. W. Clark, H. F. Moore ; 1879-
81, R. W. Clark, Henry S. Stiles, G. L. Moore; 1882, R. W.
Clark, H. K. Axtell, H. C. Kelso ; 1883, R. W. Clark, H. S. Stiles,
H. C. Kelso; 1884-86, G. L. Moore, Ezra Wright, L. 0. Moore;
1887-89, R. W. Clark, L. 0. Moore, G. L. Moore; 1890, L. 0.
Moore, Ezra Wright, A. G. Wright; 1891-94, L. 0. Moore, R.
W. Clark, G. L. Moore ; 1895-99, L. 0. Moore, R. W. Clark, A.
D. Avery; 1900. L. 0. Moore, A. D. Avery, A. J. Hall; 1901,
L. 0. Moore, D. L. Allyn, 0. E. Moore.
Town CJer&s.— Stephen Hurlbut, 1780-83; Daniel Barrett,
1783-97; James Searle, 1798; Daniel Barrett, 1799-1805; James
Wright, 1805-9; James L. Adair, 1809-16; Elisha Chapman,
1816-19 ; Moses Hatch, 1819-20 ; Orrin Parks, 1821 ; Samuel Bar-
rett, 1822-23 ; Orrin Parks, 1824-53 : N. S. Moore, 1853-58 ; Wm.
Squier, 1858-60; Aaron P. Parks, 1860-62; L. T. Allyn, 1863;
( 343 )
OVR COUNTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
Horace Bartliolmew, 1864; Aarou P. Parks, 1865-68; L. T.
AUyn, 1868-72 ; A. A. Moore, 1872-78 ; R. E. Clark, 1879 ; Horace
Bartliolmew, 1880-81; A. A. Moore, 1882; H. S. Stiles. 1883-86;
P. W. Clark, 1887-88; H. S. Stiles, 1889; A. A. Moore, 1890;
L. T. Allyu, 1891-92; D. L. Allyn, 1893-98; A. D. Avery, 1899-
1901.
Town Officers, WUl.—h. 0. Moore, 0. E. Moore, D. L.
AUyn, selectmen; A. D. Avery, town clerk; A. J. Hall, auditor;
D. L. Allyn. treasurer; C. H. Clapp, collector; C. H. Clapp and
C. A. Williams, constables; M. E. Camp, D. L. Allyn, H. C.
Kelso, cemetery commissioners; Lucien 0. Moore, justice of the
peace; C. A. Williams, chief of police. The selectmen act as
assessors, overseers of the poor and town board of health.
Among the towns of Hampden county Montgomery always
has enjoyed an excellent standing and has furnished to the
higher offices of public life in the region some of the best men
chosen to those positions. A glance at the above list of selectmen
will show the quality of material from which the town officers
have been selected, and a perusal of the general county civil list
will disclose that this town has furnished some strong representa-
tives to the general court of the commonwealth. Yet it is some-
v.'hat surpi'ising that in 1900 Montgomery had less than half the
luimber of inhabitants who dwelt in the town one hundred years
ago. The causes of this remarkable decrease are too well known
to need discussion in this chapter, and a comparison of census
statistics with other towns will show that the loss in popvdation
here has been no greater than in other similarly conditioned
divisions of the county.
From the earliest years of its history Montgomery has been
an agricultural town' ; the quality of its land is good and fair
production is assured under persevering effort on the part of
the farmer. But the town happens to be located at a remote
distance from the best markets and never has had the direct
benefits of a railroad. Its lands are elevated several hundred
feet above the valley in Westfield, and a fair proportion of its
■About 1837 there were 1468 sheep In the town, producing ?2,2i;o.33 worth
of wool. — Eto.
( 344 )
THE TOWN OF MONTGOMERY
entire area is covered with excellent timber of various kinds.
Lumbering has always been carried on and occasionally wood-
working establishments have been operated in the town.
The population of the town at various periods is shown by
the following extracts from the federal and state census reports:
1790, 449; 1800, 560; 1810, 595; 1820, 604; 1830, 579; 1840,
740; 1850, 393; 1855, 413; 1860, 371; 1865, 353; 1870, 318; 1875,
304; 1880, 303; 1885, 278; 1890, 266; 1895, 275; 1900, 273.
Notwithstanding the fact that Montgomery has been an
incorporated town almost a century and a half, it never has
had a village or trading center of any considerable note. The
little haiiili't A\-hicli 1ms been made to serve that purpose is
Montgomery
situated near the center of the town and comprises about a
dozen dwellings and a few small shops, the Congregational
church, the library and a public school. This locality, and
indeed the entire town, is made the summer home of many per-
sons who seek to escape the oppressive atmosphere of the cities
and find rest and quiet in the moi'e pleasant and healthful hill
regions of this substantial old town.
It would be difficult, if not quite impossible, to fui'nish a
reliable list of all the persons who have engaged in industrial
pursuits, other than farming, in the town. Many of the best
farmers raise general crops, yet dairy farming is perhaps the
( 345 )
Uih' CULMY AM) ITS PEOPLE
chief occupation of the iiiliabitants. In connection with this
pursuit there has been maintained for years several creameries,
located according to the convenience of the people of the several
sections. At this time these creameries are conducted by A.
D. Avery, John Camp, Sanniel W. Coe, E. A. Chapman and
C. M. Hayden. The axe helve factory is under the present pro-
prietorship of C. A. "Williams, who also acts as the peace ofiScer
of the town. The cider makers are S. S. Avery and J. E. Camp;
cattle dealers, D. L. AUyn and C. S. Allyn; carpenter, H. C.
Kelso; wheelwright and general jobber, S. W. Williston; post-
mistress, Mrs. A. E. Pittsinger; justice of the peace, Lucien 0.
Moore; painter, Cliiford Williston; proprietor of stage line, W.
B. Cushman; librarian, J\lrs. D. L. AlljTi; library committee,
Mrs. A. D. Avery, D. S. I\Ioore, Mrs. H. C. Kelso.
The town always has maintained a public school system
according to the requirements of the law and of a standard
equal to that of any other town of like situation with this.
AVhen formally organized in 1780 ample provision was made for
the support of a school, and as the several localities became
settled the territory was divided into districts and a school was
provided for each. The maximum number, both of schools and
pupils, was reached between 1830 and 1840, since which time
they have been reduced in number as the population has de-
creased. At the present time five schools are maintained, but
the attendance is small in each, the total number of children
of school age in the town being only 47. Under the present
arrangement pupils entitled to attend an academic school are
sent to "Westfield. IMontgomery is one of four towns in Hamp-
den county which have no superintendent of common schools.^
The present school coiuniittco comprises D. L. Allyn, chairman;
C. H. Clapp and C. :\r. Tlayden.'
In the early history of the town the affairs of the church
and of town itself were conducted almost as a single body, and
public maintenance of religious M'orship was a recognized cus-
tom from the time the settlement was begun until about three
'Since this was writtin the town lias joined with Russell, Blandford and Hnnt-
injfton in enipUtyinjr a Snperintendeiit of Schools.
( 346 )
THE TOWN OF MONTGOMERY
years after the incorporating act of 17S8. Previous to 1780 the
church in "VVestfield governed the ecclesiastical history of the
New Addition. On the organization of the town the inhabitants
discussed the question of providing for regular services, and
in December following appropriated six pounds for the support
of "preaching in the town." In 1783 Rev. John Ballentine was
engaged to preach at the price of two dollars for each Sabbath's
service for twenty weeks. The first services were held in the
houses of the inhabitants, and in 1788 the subject of a meeting
house was discussed. In 1797 the first church edifice was built,
and was succeeded by the present structure erected in 1848.
During the period of its history, the Congregational church in
Montgomerj' has experienced a varied condition of existence,
at times being in a healthful state and as often decreasing in
numbers until it was not self-supporting. Now the pulpit is
supplied from Huntington by Rev. AV. L. Hendrick.
Methodism gained a foothold in the town along about 1825
or '30 and increased so rapidly that in the course of the next
twentj' years a house of worship was erected at the center.
Thereafter regular services were held during the warm mouths
of each year, but finally the town's population became so les-
sened that the society could not maintain a separate existence.
In the same manner and at about the same time the Second
Adventists planted a society of their church in Montgomery,
and occupied the Congregational house of worship at the Center.
This society has since maintained an existence, although its
members are few in number. At the present time its people are
under the ministerial care of Rev. G. L. Teeple, of Huntington.
For many years Montgomery has been noted for the in-
tegrity and worth of its citizens, and in glancing over the rec-
ords of the county we find that some of the best public officers
have been chosen from this town; and in local affairs we also
observe that the positions of trust have nearly always been filled
by men of acknowledged worth and high character. Elisha
Clark, who now is bordering on 90 years of life, began here a
poor man and eventually became one of the largest land owners
in the town. F. AV. Clark, also a prosperous farmer, lia.s been
( 347 )
OVH cor STY AND ITS PEOPLE
an active factor in public affairs; lias been town clerk, select-
man, justice of the peace, and representative to the general
court. 0. A. Moore is a successful farmer and likewise has
gained celebrity as a veteran boarding-liouse keeper. W. W.
Avery is more than 80 years old and for about 25 years drove
the mail and passenger stage.
Among the other prominent factors in the past and present
history of the town we may mention the names of R. D. Avery,
E. A. Chapman, S. "W. Coe, E. C. Clark, all substantial farmers;
A. D. Avery, town clerk and farmer; S. B. Williston, carpenter
and blacksmith ; C. H. Clapp, for several years constable and
collector of taxes; J. J. LaValley, the artist of ^nde repute;
George Avery, farmer and capitalist; H. C. Kelso, carpenter
and joiner; E. S. Allyn, farmer and extensive cattle dealer;
D. L. Allyn, farmer, dealer in live stock and conspicuous figure
in town and church affairs; L. 0. Moore, farmer, justice of the
peace, master of the grange, and who has held the office of
selectman longer than any previous incumbent in that position.
CHAPTER X
THE TOWN OF CHESTER
BY A. M. COPELASD
The town of Chester, formerly called ilurrayfield, is located
in the extreme northwest corner of Hampden county. It is
bounded south by Blandford— the only town in Hampden
county that it touches; west by Becket; northwest by Middle-
field: north by Worthington; east by Huntington. Chester
and Huntington and nearly half of ilontgomery and the south-
east corner of Middlefield were all originally in the town of
Murrayfield. Murrayfield was one of several townships that
had been laid out and known only by number— this one being
known as "township No. 9." Three rivers flowed through this
( 348 )
THE TOWX OF CHESTER
township, and their united waters flowing together near the
northeast corner, and within the limits of Blandford, formed
from that point the Westfield river. The three rivers were
always known as Westfield river branches, and the vicinity of
their convergence was sometimes known by the name "Westfield
Kiver Branches," which name was sometimes used in conveying
real estate located at this place. These rivers were known as
west, middle and east branches. The west branch enters
Chester from ]\Iiddlefield. flowing in a nearly southerly direction
as far as the village of Chester- for many years known as
Chester Factories— and thence it flows in a course south of east
to and through the south part of Huntington to the point where
it unites with the east branch, and Westfield river proper be-
gins. The middle branch enters Chester near the boundary line
between iliddlefield and Worthington and, flowing in a south-
easterly direction through Chester, enters the town of Hunting-
ton and finally empties into the East branch, which is the largest
of the three branches, and flows through the entire length of
Huntington from north to south. These rivers flow through V
shaped gorges, the remains of what were at one time deep can-
yons. The sides of these gorges are very steep; so that roads
from the rivers to the highland are practicable only through
the ravines where flow the numerous brooks from the highlands
to the rivers. The highways of Chester, except those traversing
the plateau, are in the bottom of the gorges and ravines; and
these are the most important highways of the town. The west
branch is spanned by five bridges between Middlefield and
Huntington ; and the middle branch is spanned by four bridges.
The highways along these two rivers afford delightful drives in
summer and autumn. The scenery is wonderfully wild and
picturesque at any season. Some of the most delightful walks
and drives the writer has ever enjoyed have been along these
river roads in the winter time. Numerous brooks, having their
rise 1,000 feet or more higher than the beds of these rivers, flow
with great rapidity through wild ravines and mingle then-
waters with those of Westfield river branches. And it is through
these ravines that the inhabitants of the high lands make their
( 340 )
OVR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
ways to the valleys both from Chester Centre and from Bland-
ford, over roads for the most part of fairly good grades; jour-
neys over which in summer and in autumn are wonderfully
delightful.
Chester Centre— or Chester Hill, as it is sometimes called—
formerly an important ^^llage, is about twenty-five miles from
Springfield. The only natural pond in Chester is located near
the sunmiit of Round Top, the highest land in Hampden county,
it being 1,797 feet above sea level. Of the more important
brooks, the principal one is Walker's brook, which rises near
the centre of Becket, flows in an easterly direction and enters
the west branch at the village of Chester. This brook afiiords
valuable water power for several industries, the most important
of which is the Emery mill.
Abbott brook rises in the northerly part of the town about
1,600 feet above sea level, and enters the west branch about 1^
miles below Chester Factories. Shortly before the breaking out
of the civil war the county commissioners laid out a I'oad of very
easy grade from the river to Chester Centre on the line of this
brook : but unfortunately, owing to the burdens of the town
growing out of the civil war, the road was not built.
Another somewhat important stream is Sanderson brook,
rising in Blandford at an altitude of about 1,600 feet, and flow-
ing north through a very picturesque ravine, enters the west
branch about 3 miles below Chester Factories. It was formerly
a famous fishing brook; as was Roaring brook, rising in Bland-
ford and entering west branch about 2 miles below Sanderson
brook.
Cook brook enters the west branch about IV2 miles westerly
from Huntington village. It rises in the northerly part of
Chester at an altitude of about 1,500 feet and flows south. The
first saw mill built in the town was located on this brcwk a short
distance south of the church at Chester Centre. This also was
a famous trout brook, and in his boyhood the writer spent many
delightful hours on its banks.
Flowing into middle branch are AVinchell brook, Day's
brook, rising in the northerly part of the town about 1,500 feet
( 350 )
o
I
0)
o
Ol'li cor MY AM) ITS PEOPLE
about sea level and flnwiiitr southeasterly, entering middle
branch at Dayville. Kinney brook, rising in Worthington, and
flowing southeasterly and entering middle branch at Dayville.
The road from Huntington village — formerly Chester vil-
lage—to Chester Centre and on to Middlefield, on the line of
Cook brook, was an important highway in the early history of
the town when traveling was by stage coaches, and the tran-
sportation of merchandise was by horses and wagons— a time
when the mountain farmer could sell all his farm produced right
at the village of Chester Centre. Another important highway,
branching oif from the road to Beeket, leads to Blandford. The
road to Beeket was part of an old turnpike known as the Beeket
Turnpike, incorporated about the beginning of the nineteenth
century.
There are several villages in Chester that will be particu-
larly described later on. At present they will be referred to
simply as pertaining to the geographical features of the town.
The most northerly one is North Chester, located on middle
branch. Lower down this river are Dayville and Littleville.
Huntington village was formerly included in Chester and known
by the name Chester Village. Seven miles up the west branch
is the village of Chester, formerly called Chester Factories.
(Tiester Centre is the oldest of the villages.
The topographical and geological features are exceedingly
interesting. The sides of the ravines rise abruptly to heights
above sea level varying from about 1.200 feet to 1.500 feet -with
occasional points reaching to l,fiOO feet and higher, and these
ra^^nes are as n\imerous as are the rivers and the important
brooks. At the altitude of 1,200 to 1.300 feet is an open country
forming a part of the great "Western I\lassachusetts plateau,
which was planed down and carved into its present form, by
glacial action in the Ice Age. The prevailing rock is mica slate,
the strata of which are tilled to a nearly vertical position, the
strike being north and south. There are some valuable minerals
in Chester, the most important of which is emery. This sub-
ject is so well treated in the chapter of the Geologj^ of Hampden
county, that nothing further need be said here.
( 352 )
THE TOirvV OF CHESTER
Chester has ahva.ys been cousidered a good agricultural
town. The land, although rocky and stony, is very strong and
fertile, maturing all the ordinary crops iisually grown in New
England. All the hardier fruits, particularly apples, grow
abundantly, and especially is this true in the vicinity of Chester
Centre and in other localities on the plateau. Peaches, plums,
and grapes are successfully grown and with profit. The land
in the valley, bordering the rivers and known as interval land,
is easily tilled and responds generously to faithful cultivation,
but it lacks the strength and staying qualities of tlie plateau
land. Formerly cattle and sheep raising was very profitable.
But since the days of the stage coach these enterprises have
dwindled, especially since the rapid opening of the Great West.
But of late attention is being given to the hill towns of Hamp-
den and the other counties of Western Massachusetts, and it
is hoped that their future will be brighter than their present.
The soil of Chester is also fertile in the growth of forests, all
the valuable woods and timber of New- England growing lux-
uriantly. The soiuid of the saw in numerous mills on the rivers
and brooks rang out cheerily in days gone by, and even now no
year passes when lumbering is not carried on in some parts of
the town.
Seltleinerit and Early History of the To «'».— Originally
Chester was part of township No. 9, which belonged to the gov-
ernment, and was estimated to contain 32,200 acres of land, out
of which were carved a i)art of Middlefield at the northwest
corner, the town of Norwich, now Huntington, and part of
Montgomerj', leaving Chester of nearly its present form and
size. In 1736 a grant of 4,800 acres in the extreme south corner
of No. 9 was made by the government to David Ingersole of
VVestfield in exchange for lauds in Berkshire county wanted for
the Stoekbridge Indians. For the same purpose a grant of 2,000
acres in the east part of the township, and now included, in the
town of Huntington, was made to Joseph Green and Isaac
Walker of Boston in 1739, in exchange for land in Berkshire
county. In 1737, on petition of Rev. Stephen Williams of
Springfield, a grant of 700 acres was laid out to the heirs of
28-3 ( 353 )
OUK COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Rev. John Williams, formerly of Deerfield, and was known as
the Williams j;rant. This tract was at the southeast of Green
and Walker grant, and is included in the town of Huntington.
In the south part of No. 9, and adjoining the Blaiidford line,
a grant of 250 acres was made to John Bolton, who had already
settled in Blandford. This was known as Bolton grant and it
includes the larger part of the present village of Huntington,
formerly known as Chester Village. Subject to these grants,
on June 2, 1762, by order of the general court, ten townships
in the western part of IMassachusetts, including No. 9, were sold
at public auction. No. 9 was sold for £1,500 and came into the
possession of John Chandler and Timothy Paine, both of Wor-
cester, John Murray of Rutland, and Abijah Willard of Lan-
caster. They did not at once receive an absolute title in fee of
No. 9, but took it subject to conditions which they subsequently
fulfilled. What the conditions were appears in the conditions
imposed by them upon the settlers and will appear later.
Prior to the sale of June 2, 17t)2. nineteen settlers with their
families had taken possession of tracts of land within the limits
of No. 9, and had settled upon them. The names of these persons
were David Bolton, James Bolton, James Clark, Abraham Flem-
ming, Zebulon Puller, David Gilmore, ]\Ioses Hale. William
Mann, Ebenezer Meachaiii. William Miller, ]\Ioses Moss, Israel
Rose, David Seott, Ebenezer Webber and Jonathan Hart Web-
ber. They had settled in the southeasterly part, but west of
Inger.sole's grant. Some of them were there as early as 1760,
and probably in violation of law and wdthout right. In the
autumn of 1762 the proprietors of No. 9 employed Eldad Taylor
and Charles Baker, two surveyors residing in Westfield, who
surve.ved and laid out the first division of lots consisting of 120
lots of 108 acres each, in the central part of the township and
comprising what is now known as Chester Centre. The first
meeting of the proprietors was held at the inn of William Lyman
in Northampton, January 5, 1763. and they proceeded to or-
ganize and arrange for admitting settlers to the lots surveyed
as above stated. The conditions of settlement were as follows:
"That each one within the space of three years commencing
( 354 )
THE TOWN OF CHESTER
from the first of June last build a dwelling house on their lot
of the following dimensions, viz. : Twenty-four feet long,
€ighteen feet wide, and seven feet stud, and have seven acres
of land well cleared and fenced and brought to English grass
or plowed, and actually settle with family on the same and con-
tinue such family thereon for the space of six years, and shall
also within three years from this time settle a Protestant min-
ister of the Gospel there and pay one-sixth part of the charge
thereof, and that each settler have 100 acres of land as an in-
■couragement, and that they give bond to the treasurer of said
proprietors in the sum of fifty pounds conditioned to perform
the conditions, and upon their complying and performing said
conditions the said lots be confirmed to them, their heirs and
assigns forever".
They admitted the following named persons as settlers :
David Bolton, Robert Blair, Absolom Blair, John Boyes, John
Brown, James Black, James Clark, Glass Cochran, John Crooks,
John Ci-awford, William Campbell, jr., William English, An-
drew English, Samuel Elder, James Fairman, Abraham Plera-
ming, John Gilmore, David Gilmore, Alexander Gordon, John
Hannum, Jesse Johnson. Thomas Kennedy, William Kennedy,
Paul Kingston. John Lyman. John Laccore. Elias Lyman, Ben-
jamin Matthews. John Mclntire, Nathan Mann, William Mann,
Thomas I\Iorcton, Gideon Matthews, William Moore, Thomas
McLitire, Asa Noble, Thomas Noble, .jr., Israel Rose, Nathan
Rose, John Scott, jr.. David Scott, John Smith, Abner Smith,
John Woods, Ebenezer Webber, Tjevi Woods and Jonathan Hart
Webber.
Only thirteen of the nineteen settlers found on the laud by
the proprietors were pei-mitted to draw lots; and of these only
seven were permitted to hold 100 acres where they had begun
improvements. Six only were permitted to draw lots with the
other settlers; the wishes of the others to remain on the lands
where they had begun improvements, were disregarded by the
proprietors. The remaining six, James Bolton, Zebulen Puller,
Moses Hale. Ebenezer Meacham. AVilliam Miller and Moses Moss,
were neither permitted to keep their lands nor to draw with
( 355 )
ojn roj-yrv am) its; teopt.e
others. FuIKt. Mt^achain and ^lillcr iriiiaincd and purchased
farms. The other three went elsewhere.
Of these settlers the Boltons, Jolm ("I'ooks, John Scott, jr.,
and Glass Cochran, came from Blandford; Andrew and William
English and probably the Gilmores came from Pelham. The
Lymans were Nortliampton men and never settled in No. 9.
But Elias Ijj'man gave his lot to his two sons, Stephen and
Timothy, who packing their worldly effects into a chest and
carrying it between them, one hand grasping a handle of the
chest and the other an axe, came on foot to the highlands of No.
9. John Boyes, John Woods, and probably James Black and
Levi AVoods came from Kutlaiitl. John Wood came from Lancas-
ter, Jesse Johnson and John llannum came from Southampton,
and Abner and John Smith came from Northampton. Tradition
has it that John Smith wa.s a man of wonderful physical strength
and endurance; and that he went from Northampton to No. 9
on foot, can-ying on his back a tive-i)ail iron kettle.
Gideon ]Ma1 thews came from Torrington, Conn., but his son,
Benjamin Matthews, never settled in the new town. Israel and
Nathan Kose came from (iranville. The Nobles were Westfield
men; they never settled in No. 9, and so forfeited the lots set
out to them. Ebenezer :Meacham came from Enfield, Conn.
Of the other peojile who came to No. 9. Timothy Smith came
from Wallingford, Conn., and purchased 500 acres of land, that
took in the southerly part of Goss Hill, for which he paid £225.
JLilcolm Henry came from Oakham. Nathaniel Welles and
Ebenezer King came from Westfield and settled near the east
branch and within the limits of Ingersole's grant.
A minister lot containing 100 acres was laid out, and a plot
of "eight acres for a meeting-house place, training field and
burying place" was laid out on the .southerly side. The present
meeting house at Chester Centre stands on this eight-acre lot.
A meeting-house was erected here a few rods south of the pres-
ent church. It was 45 feet long by 40 feet wide ; the posts were
20 feet lugh. The frame was set up and boarded and shingled
and the doors put in by the proprietors: such being one of condi-
tion imposed upon them at the time of their purchase. Several
( 356 )
THE TOWN OF CHESTER
j'ears passed before the inhabitants were able to fully complete
the structure. The building was used not only as a place for
religious meeting, but the town meetings were also held there.
At first it was nsed only in the warmer season of the year. In
winter religious meetings were held and preaching listened to
in private houses or at the tavern, as was most convenient. The
meeting-house was not fully completed until about 1773.
The proprietors named the township Murrayfield, and it was
incorporated under that name the 31st of October, 1765. The
proprietors were dissatisfied with their purchase, and their dis-
content found expression in a memorial to the general court
in December, 1763, in which they complained that the township
was uneven and mountainous, and described it as "divided into
three parts by three very rapid, rocky rivers; the banks of
which rivers are so steep and rocky that it is almost impossible
to pass from one side of said river to the other." They com-
plained that about 7,500 acres of the best land had been taken
up in former grants and by a pond covering about 500 acres;
also, that they found nineteen settlements begun upon the best
of the land, and that they had not the power to turn them off,
and that if they had the power it would be attended with great
trouble and expense, and so they were obliged to give them 100
acres of land each where they had begun to settle; that the only
place they could find to lay out the town plot was upon a very
high mountain, and that it would always be extremely difficult
to get to it, and that they must necessarily expend great sums of
money in making roads over mountains and in building expen-
sive bridges over the three rapid rivers. Wherefore they prayed
that a part of the sum paid by them for the township be re-
funded, or else that they be recompensed by the grant of a piece
of province land near to or adjoining the township, either in
Hampshire or Berkshire eoiinties, "to enable them to make roads
and bridges in said township." Their request was granted by
giving them 1.200 acres of unappropriated land in Hampshire
county in the vicinity of the present town of Cummington. As
a matter of fact this was a fraud. The proprietors never built
any pulilic roads williin tlie limits of ^Murrayfield, nor any bridge
( 3o7 )
OVR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
over either of the "three very rapid, rocky rivers" mentioned
ill their petition. The representations of the proprietors were
untrue, toucliing the difficulty in crossing the rivers; for there
were many places on all the streams where fordways were safe
and easy except in times of high water. The conduct of the
proprietors is well set forth in a memorial to the general court
in 1779, praying for the building of a bridge over the east
branch. The memorial set forth the substance of the petition
of the proprietors which resulted in the aforesaid grant of 1,200
acres and of the fact that the projjrietors neither before nor after
said grant Imilt any roads or bridges, and of the fact that they
went over to the enemy when the revolutionary war broke out,
and of their treatment of the town and its inhabitants in other
respects and concluded as follows: "Therefore we pray your
Honors that some method may be devised that a bridge may be
built across said river and its branches either by said grant of
land whicli the proprietors got granted to them for services they
never did. or out of their estates, or any other way your honors
in your wisdom shall see fit." Notice of the petition was given
to Timothy Paine, the only proprietor who remained loyal to
his country.
The first town meeting was called by Eldad Taylor of
Westfield as nominated in the act of incorporation, to be held
at the house of I\raleom Henry, a tavern, and was held March
11, 176(), and the officers chosen were as follows: Town clerk
and treasurer. :jralcom Henry : selectmen and assessors, Timothy
Smith. John Smith and :Malcom Henry; survej-ors of highways,
Thomas Kennedy. Gideon IVIatthews. Nathan :\rann. William
MiUer and David Bolton : tithingmen, Samuel Elder and James
Clark; wardens. Israel Rose and William Mann: surveyors of
timber and lumber, Abraham Flemming and Isaac Mixer ; fence
viewers, Ebenezer :\leaehum and Ebenezer Webber; sealer of
weights and measures, Jonathan Wait; hog-reeves, Ebenezer
King and Stephen Lyman : deer-reeves, Alexander Gordon and
Samuel Webi).
No appropriation of money was voted at this time, and
probably for the reason that the proprietors were under obliga-
( 358 )
TBE TOWN OF CHESTER
tion to lay out and build highways and bridges. But the town
did vote "that swine shall run at large from the middle of Sep-
tember to the middle of May following." The law required
that swine running at large should be yoked or ringed in the
nose. The yoke was required to be the full length of the swine's
neck and half as nnich below the neck, and the sole or bottom of
the yoke to be three times as long as the breadth or thickness
of the swine's neck.
The following year the selectmen got into a controversy
touching the valuation list of which two different ones were pro-
posed, and which resulted in holding two opposition town meet-
ings and choosing two sets of town otificers; and the inhabitants
finally had to appeal to the general court to help them out of the
iiiess; which was not fully accomplished until the spring of 1768,
when the following town officers were chosen : Town clerk, John
Smith : selectmen and assessors, Caleb Forbes, Timothy Smith
and William Miller: constables, Stephen Lyman and Ebenezer
^^'ebber: tithingmen, Israel Rose and (Jideon Matthews; sur-
veyors of highways, Isaac Mixer. Peter Williams, William Moore,
James Pairman, James Clark. Jonathan Hart Webber and
Samuel Ellis; fence viewers, Ebenezer Jleacham and John Lac-
core; sealer of leather, Isaac ;Mixer: surveyor of timber and
lumber, Bigatt Eggleston ; deer-reeves, Ebenezer King and
Samuel Fairman; hog-reeves, Nathan Rose and Jonathan Hart
Webber; wardens. John Smith and Reuben Woolworth. At a
meeting of the town held in June, £20 was appropriated for
preaching and £40 for ordinary town expenses. The valuation
list at this time showed 68 taxpayers. There were 76 polls,
32 horses, 50 oxen, 74 cows, 123 sheep, 40 swine. The amount
of money assessed for taxation was £83 to six different persons,
the largest sum being £58, and the least £2.
The first action of the town touching school was in 176') by
raising £12 for the support of schools; which amount was tlie
sum voted the two following years.
At this time no person was (pialified to vote in town affairs
unless taxed for £20 or more. In 1770 there wcrr hut 4!l (|uali-
fied voters,
( 3.59 )
01 n COIMI AM) ITS PEOPLE
At the aiiiHial meeting in 1771, Dr. David Shepard, who
came into tlie town in 17()9, was chosen town clerk, and con-
tinned in lliis office I'or many successive years. His residence
was in the vicinity of the meeting-house, and in very cold
weatlier the tow-n meetings after the choice of a moderator some-
times ail.joniMcil to his house and tliere finished the business of
the meeting. It is to the faithfulne.ss of Dr. Shepard as town
clerk that we ai-c indebted for the records of the earliest births,
deaths and mari'iages in the town.
.\l)out this time a controversy ai'ose between the people at
the centre of tlie town and those of the east part concerning the
places where religious meetings and preaching should be held.
The people in tlie east i)art had about eight miles to travel to
reach Chester Centre, which they felt to be a hardship. This
difference was compromised temporarily by an agreement that
preaching sliould be had at the meeting-house two-thirds of the
time, and one-third of the time at Isaac ilixer's inn, located on
the east branch of AVestfield river near the present Norwich
bridge. This arrangement was for three years; and as the peo-
ple at Chester Centre and vicinity refused to renew it, the inhab-
itants in the eastern part of the town appealed to the general
court and obtained a division of the town. In June, 1773, the
east jiart was set oft" and incorporated as the district of Norwich.
Fi-om this date we deal only with so much of Murrayfield as is
now comprised in the town of Chester. The particulars of all
these proceediims are fully related in the writer's histoiy of
Jlurrayfield.
After the division of tlie town there were left in the remain-
ing part of Jlurrayfield. 74 taxpayers, and the total valuation
was £2.178. and lit .shillings. August 16. 1773, a town meeting
was held .iiiii many articles acted upon: but we will concern our-
selves only with that pi'oviding for the election of new officers
to till the vacancies left by the division. "William Campbell was
chosen assessor: Caleb Bascom, sealer of weights and measures;
Higott Eggleston. sealer of timber and lumber. So it appears
that the mon> inipoi'taiit offices of the town wei'e held by citizens
of the middli ami western ])arts of ^lurrayfield, which was one
cause of the disrontnil of the <'ast ])art.
( 360 )
THE TOWN OF CHESTER
Representatives to the General Court, in what way they
served the town, and how tliey were paid was probably simihir
to the practice of other towns at that time. An account of how
it was done in this town cannot but be of general interest. When
the east part of Mnrrayfield was set ott' into a separate district,
it was in\ested with all the privileges of other towns, with the
exception that it was not permitted to enjoy a separate repre-
sentation in the general court; but in that respect was to act
with ]\Iurrayfield in the selection of a connnon representative.
In July. 1775, the inhabitants of Mnrrayfield voted to send
one representative to the general court. It was also
voted ""that the representative be paid in work or grain
for his own time and horses." Lieut. Enoch Shepard
was the first representative chosen. The town also "chose
for a connnittee to give instructions to the representa-
tive, Deac. John Kirkland, Lieut. David Scott. Ensign
Stephen Lyman, Deac. Samuel Matthews and Capt. Abner
Smith". In May, 1779, the town voted "that the town will be
obliged to pay Capt. Enoch Shepard his expenses for his travel
and attendance on the General Court, he giving his time and
allowing the town his fees." In 1780, Timothy L}^nan was
chosen representative, and John Kelso, Enoch Shepard, James
Hamilton and Alexander Gordon were chosen a committee "to
instruct the representative and order him when to go to Boston."
In 1782 Jesse Johnson was chosen representative, and the town
passed the following vote : ' ' Voted to choose a committee of five
to give Deac. Johnson instructions how to conduct at Boston
with regard to the business of the town and when to go, and not
to tarry upon other public business."
ValKation Lists of the Town During the War.— The aggre-
gate valuation amounted in 1775 to £1,605; in 1777, £38,819; in
1780, £4,915; in 1781, £4,924. In 1776 Abner Smith was rated
at 119 pounds and 15 shillings and was much the wealthiest man
in town ; but in 1781 his rating was but :il pounds and 6 shill-
ings. Yet he was relatively the wealthiest man in town. It
appears that the collection of taxes was very dififieult during this
period, not because of unwillingness to jiay. luit because of the
( 261 )
Ol'R COUNTY A.\D ITS PEOPLE
(liflic'ulty in obtaiiiiii'r money eii()ii<.'li in view of the depreciated
currency. Until the lime of Ihc passatre of the act, February 21,
1783, changing the name fi-diii Murniyfield to Chester, little of
historical interest transi)ire(l oilier than such as pertained to the
war No town in the commonwealth did its duty more faithfully
or more courageously than ]\Iurrayfield. In 1774. when events
were rapidly tending to a struggle with the mother country,
"Capt. David Shepard. Deacon Jesse Johnson, Lieut. Maleom
Henry, Deacon Sanniel Matthews and Lieut. James Clark" were
chosen to act on behalf of the town as a committee of corre-
sjjondence, at a town meeting held July 25, 1774. It was voted
unanimously not to "purchase, buy, or consume any goods or
wares that shall be imported from Great Britain after the last
of August next ensuing, until the meeting of the General Con-
gress at Philadelphia. ■■ Also that "we wall comply with what
measures the (ieneral Congress shall agree upon at their meeting
in I'hila(h']phia. in next September."
At a town meeting held June 17, 1776, "To see if the in-
habitants will sign an agreement or oath that the General Court
have sent out to see who are the friends to liberty and their
country and who are not;" also "to see if the town as a body
are willing to have the thirteen united colonies declared an in-
dependent state from tireat Britain if the Continental and
General Courts sliall .iudge best, and to pass any vote respecting
the same as the town sliall judge best and prudent;" it was
voted "to sign an agreement or oath sent out from the General
Court;" also "that it is the mind of this town that the Con-
tinental Congress declare independence from (ireat Britain, to
a man, in a full meeting."
In the matter of raising money for .soldiers and war charges,
and in furnishing clothing for soldiers, and in helping the fami-
lies of soldiers, the town of ]\Iurrayfield did its very utmost. In
1780 the town raised £5,000 to purchase beef for the army. In
July, 1781, the town voted to raise a sum of money sufficient to
luiichase S.044 pounds of beef, to be assessed upon the inhabit-
ants, non-residents, and absentees of ^Murraytield at the current
prices". All the original proprietors of the town, except
( 362 )
THE TO^yN OF CH ESTER
Timothy Paine, adhered to the cause of Great Britain, and their
property rit;hts in the town were confiseated without mercy.
Finally, at a town meeting held August 26, 1782, to see about
raising more beef, the town laid down in the furrow— it had
done its utmost.
The demands upon Murraytield in the matter of furnishing
men and things for the war was not unlike those made upon all
other towns in the county; but the town was poor— that is to
say— the people were poor, but extremely patriotic. The space
here allotted will not warrant a more detailed account of all that
the town did, such as the writer has given in his history of
Murrayfield, published in 1892.
Chester.— As early as 1775 the question of changing the
name of the town, because of confusion growing out of the fact
that there was another town in Hampshire county called Myri-
field, became a prominent matter. Several names were sug-
gested : ' ' Mount Asaph, ' " ' ' IVIountf air " and " Fairfield ' ' were
proposed; but tinally the name Chester was agreed upon, and
the change was authorized by the general court, as stated before,
February 21, 1783. At the March meeting there were elected
the last list of officers for the town of Murrayfield, and the first
for the town of Chester: Town clerk. David Shepard ; selectmen
and assessors. John Blair. William Campbell and Timothy
Lyman; treasurer, Stephen Lyman; constables, Benjamin Con-
verse for the south end of the town and Timothy Smith for the
north end ; tithing men, Gideon iMatthews and Andrew Henry ;
wardens, Keuben Woolworth, Samuel Moore, David Shepard,
James Hamilton; surveyors of highways, Joseph Abbott, jr.,
Edward \Y right, jr., Thomas Smith, James Core, William Foot,
Samuel Moore, Captain Alexander, John Clark and Robert
Smith; fence viewers, James Moore and Robert Smith; hog-
reeves, Jonathan Waite, jr., AVilliam Smith and Jonathan
Draper; sealer of weights and measures. William Stone; sealer
of lumber, Deacon Matthews; pound keeper, William Foot;
sealer of leather, Isaac Bissell. Eighty pounds were raised for
repairs of highways, and three shillings fixed as the price of a
day's work.
( 363 )
orn covNTY and its people
Villages. — There sprang up in Chester five different vil-
lairrs: and a history of them is substantially a history of the
town. The oldest of these villages is Chester Centre, located
near the centre of the town on the plateau and about 1,300 feet
above sea level. It was in this village and ^^einity that the
authorized settlement of ilurrayfield began, and its centre was
tl.i- meeting-house. The laiiil in this vicinity was very pi'oduc-
tive: although the u.sual difticulties of clearing such land and
bringing it into fit condition for tilling confronted the early
settlers, who came with but little money, but with strong bodies,
willing hands and stout hearts; and they bravely met the hard-
ships of pioneer life. Here they made their homes and reared
tliiii' families. They were, nearly all of them, farmers. Although
their hartlships were many and their advantages few, they never
wavered in their devotion to their country, their zeal for the
church, or in their determination to better their conditions
materially and spiritually. They rai.sed on their farms pretty
nnich everything they ate, and made at home, with the spinning
wheel and loom and other appliances, neai'ly everything they
wore as clothing. Saw mills were located in various parts of
the town. A grist mill was located at what is now Littleville.
In Chester Centre taverns and stores were established with
success worthy of remark. During the early part of the nine-
teenth century, until the fidl opening of railroad communication
between Boston and Albany, about 1842, one of the stage routes
between Boston and Albany was through Chester Centre ; it was
also one of the routes for freight ti-ansportation, in which in-
dustry a large number of horses and wagons were engaged; and
along the route at distance of four or five miles apart were
humble hostelries for the accommodation of teamsters and their
teams. It would go without saying that large quantities of hay
and grain and other products of the farms found a ready market
at home. And in disposing of the products of the dairy, and
the wool from their sheep the farmers on Chester hill had a fair
chance with the rest of the country; and they were prosperous,
and many ac(|uired wealth. At this period the town was pop-
ulous, containing in 182ti a population of 1,526. But when the
( 3G4 )
o
'J
01 R COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
railroatl eaiue ami eliaiiyvd llic rnule oL' ti'avel and of transporta-
tion of merchandise, Chester Centre was made to halt; and from
that time on it jrradnally deoliiiod. Its downward course was
accelerated by the civil war, until to-day it has no store, nor any
other evidence of its foi-mer prosperity— only the meeting-house
(that in the thirties often had a congregation of 300 to 400, but
now a mere handful), the school house and the cemetery.
The most interesting historical feature of Chester Centre
is the meeting-house and what it stood for. As stated before,
the burden of building it and of organizing the church, was with
the propi'ietors. After erecting the frame and putting on a
roof and covering the sides and flooring it, the proprietors left
the settlers to struggle through the task of completing the edifice.
No action of the town touching this subject appears to have been
taken until 1768, after the reorganization of the town. At the
first meeting called by the newly elected board of selectmen to
be holden at the public meeting-house on June 28, the 3d article
of the warrant was "For the town to vote, if they think proper,
a suitable sum of money for them to pay for preaching, and also
to choose a minister for supplying the pulpit." It was voted
to raise £'20 for preaching that year; and "that the preaching
this year should not be all at the meeting-house." A committee
wa.s chosen "to apply to the Rev. IMr. Teed, J\lr. Hooker at South
and Nortliampton. and the IJev. 'Sir. Ballentine of Westfield for
advice." Preaching during the winter months was held at
private houses, for the i-eason that the meeting-house was in so
unfinished a condition as not to be a suitable place. The window
places during cold weather were boarded up for want of glass
windows. And it was only from time to time and little at a time
for several years, that the work of completing the meeting-house
went on to the finish.
The first minister settled over this church was the Rev.
Aaron Bascom. After the town had voted to call Mr. Bascom,
there came the question of organizing the church. The Scotch
element was large, and they preferred the Presbyterian form of
church government, while the English element preferred the
congregational form. Hut this difi'erence was settled by com-
( 366 )
TEE rOir.V OF CHESTER
promise to the satisfaetioii of every one, and the church was
duly ortjanized on the 20th of December, 1769, and on the same
day Mv. Bascom was ordained. Mr. Bascom was a native of
Warren, and a graduate of Harvard university. He died in
1814 at the age of 68 years, and in the 45th year of his ministry.
The liistory of Mr. Bascom 's ministry in Chester is full of inter-
esting events, but we have not space to go into them. The next
minister settled over this church appears to have been the Rev.
Samuel Emmerson, ordained February 1, 1815. Mr. Emmerson
did not enjoy good health, and was dismissed, December 10, 1817.
He was a graduate of Williams college. His successor was Rev.
Kufus Pomeroy, a native of Southampton, and a graduate of
Williams college. He was installed over the church at Chester
Centre November 20, 1819, and dismissed June 27, 1827. Rev.
Saul Clark, a graduate of Williams college, was installed as Mr.
Pomeroy 's successor November 11, 1829, and was dismissed in
1833. The next minister was Rev. Alanson Alvord, settled
November 18, 1834, and dismi.ssed February 7, 1838. Rev. S.
W. Edson preached here for about three yeai-s after the dis-
missal of ^[r. Alvord. Rev. Francis E. Warriner was settled in
October. 1841, and dismissed June 22, 1847. Rev. David S.
Breed was settled July 4, 1853, and dismissed November 23, 1855.
Rev. Hugh Gibson was settled .\pril 28, 1856, and dismissed
June 11, 1860. Francis E. Warriner w'as settled November 6,
I860, and dismissed May 7, 1866. Rev. Henry A. Dickinson was
settled March 17, 1867, and dismissed March 1, 1877. Rev.
Loring B. Mai-sh was settled iMarch 5, 1877, and dismissed March
20, 1883. Rev. Charles Morgan was settled August 5, 1883, and
dismissed October 1, 1888. Rev. Hiram L. Howard was settled
June 16. 1889, and dismissed January 13, 1890. Rev. W. C.
Hawthoi-ne was settled August 23, 1891, and dismissed July 16,
1892. Rev. Edward C. Haynes was settled July 1, 1893, and
dismissed July 2, 1899. Rev. Thomas W. Davison was settled
January 29, 1900, and dismissed April 3, 1901. Rev. William
M. Weel« was settled May 26. 1901.
Early in the 19th century this church was the victim of a
severe personal controversy, which extended to the formation of
( 367 )
(fl h' COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
opposiii!,' [lartiL-s. It arose from a jjersoDal difference between
the pastor, Kev. i\lr. Bascoui, and Dr. Martin Phelps, one of the
prominent meniburs of the church. Out of this fend is said to
have trrown tlie Bajitist clnirch enterprise, organized in 1811.
Dr. l'heli)s, cither voluntarily en- by compulsion, withdrew from
the Confiieirational church, and with others joined in the forma-
tion of a Baptist church, which was incorporated by an act of
the legislature dated February 26, 1811. The incorporators were
Samuel Bell. Dainel Bigelow. Joseph A. Rust, Sanuiel Russell,
Harvey Hodurtha. Daniel Smith, John Stephens, James "Wilcox,
James Nooney, AVilliam Nooney, Grove Winchell, Noah Ellis,
Sanniel Ormsby, Daniel Sizer, Jonathan Webber, jun., Hiram
Moore, Lewis Wright, P^lisha Wilcox, Elisha Wilcox, jun., Asa
Wilcox. Sanniel Bell, jun., Aaron Eggleston, William Quigley,
jun.. James Briggs, Nathaniel Goodwell, William Henry, Abner
Masters, Cephus Stow, Samuel Wait, Andrew Henry, Weeden
Stanton, Sanniel White, John Stevens, William Wyth, Boswell
Moore, Jonathan Melvin, David Mann, Silas Griffin, Nathan
Seward, Roger Gibson, Samuel Sampson, EdniTind Gilmore,
Martin Culver. Hezckiah Elsworth, Eli Johnson, William Sizer,
jun.. JaiiK's Elder, Azael French, Ezekiel Suire (Squire?),
Zadock Ingorls. James Campbell. 2d, Jere Bodurtha. Horace
Sizer, Asher Stanton, Salathiel Judd, George Nye, Asa Avers,
Stephen Dewey, John Dewey, Salah Day, Joshua Stevens, Mar-
tin Phelps, !Moses Warner, George Stewart, John Warner, Jod
Seward. Abner Smith, Othniel Belden, Alven Campbell. Ira
Day. Seth Phelps, Artemas Elder, David Wells, John C. Bell,
James Bell. 2d. AVilliam Hamilton, Nathaniel Coomes, Samuel
Otis. Seth Wait, Pharez Clark, John Hunter, James Ingalls,
Elijah I\Iuck, Jacob Day, James Gilmore, Charles Culver, Aaron
Hunter, Joab Smith, Jonathan Wait, Sylvester Belden, James
Flemming, Jose[)h Shoats and I\Iatthew Campbell, ■" together
with such others as have or maj^ hereafter associate with them
and their successors, with their families, polls and estates, be,
and they are hereby incorporated into a religious society by the
name of The Baptist and Independent Society in Chester."
The people above named were from all the different parts
of Chester. Elder Grant became the first minister. Elder Ab-
( 368 )
THE TO^YN OF CHESTER
bott was his snecessof, and held the pastoral office for several
years. The next regular pastor was Rev. Silas Kingsley, a native
of Beeket, whose ministration continued for about 25 years. In
1852 the church numbered 33 members.
Physicians.— Dr. David Shepard was the tirst physician who
settled in Chester. He came about 1770, while the town was
called Murrayfield. He was a man of much influence in the
town. He married Lucinda Mather, and several childrea were
born to them.
At a town meeting held in April, 1778, it was voted that
"Capt. (Dr.) Shepard may have his family inoculated in his
liouse if he will give good obligations for his good behavior,"
and that he "may let others of this town as long as the first day
of May and no longer, if there is room for them." In May
following the town voted "that any person may have liberty
to have the small-pox by inoculation in the fall at proper places
as the town shall judge best."
Dr. Shepard was chosen town clerk in 1771, and at the
March meeting, 1783, he was chosen town clei'k of Chester, at
its first town meeting. It is indicative of his importance in town
that after the meeting-house had been repaired, reseated and
redignified in 1785, the pew he occupied was No. 1, in dignity 1st.
Dr. William Holland began practice at Chester Centre
during the lifetime of Dr. Shepard, but did not remain long.
Dr. Martin Phelps came to Chester about 1785 and remained
until his death at 82 years of age in 1838. He was a man of
much influence in town. He and Rev. Mr. Bascom got into a
controversy over politics, which resulted in Dr. Phelps' with-
di'awal from the Congregational church. He lent his aid to the
establishing of a Baptist church about 1812. He represented
the town of Chester for several years in the legislature. Pro-
fessionally he stood high in the community and with medical
men.
Dr. Phelps was succeeded by Dr. Anson Boies. He was the
physician of Chester for a number of years. He died in 1820.
He w-as married twice, both wives being daughters of Rev. Mr.
Bascom.
24-3 ( 369 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Dr. Hiniiions succeeded Dr. Boies, and, after residing sev-
eral yeai-s in Chester, he went to Williamstown and became
Prof. Ennuoiis.
Dr. Asahel Pariiienter studied medicine with Dr. Boies and
remained in Chester a short time.
Di-. T. K. DeWoir established himself at Chester Centre in
1882 and remained there until his death, November 2, 1890, at
the afre of !)(). He was an able man and stood hi^h in his pro-
fession not only willi the putilie liut with his professional
brethren. He was mari-ied twice. By his tirst marriage he had
two sons, one of whom was a lawyer of unusual ability, and the
othei', l)i'. Oscai' C. DeAVolf. a well known physician, and at one
time the liealth commissioner of Chicago. There was also by
this mai-riage a daughter. Sarah, a graduate of Mt. Holyoke
seminary, who after teaching a few years became the wife of
Dr. Harlow Gamwell. late of AVesttield. He had two sons by his
second marriage.
Dr. Joseph C. Abbott was in Chester Centre for a lime while
Dr. D(»Wolf was in practice there.
The only hnv.yer who ever located at (Tiester Centre was
Asahel Wright, a graduate of Williams college, in 1803. He
mari-ied a daughter of Rev. Aaron Bascom. His professional
business was small, but he was highly esteemed as a useful man
in the affairs of the town and societ.y. His death, which occurred
in 1830. at the age of 48 years, was felt as a loss to the people.
Xortli Clicster. —Ahoui two and one-half miles directly
north from Chester Centre is a small village on the middle
branch of Westficld rivci-, known at th(> jiresent time as
North Chester, whei'c in tlie early part of the nine-
teenth century Thomas F. I'lunkett established himself in the
busines.s of manufacturing cotton goods. He also kept a store
at this place, and from him it was called Plunkettville. by which
name it was known loi- m;ni.\ xcars. At some time John J. Cook
became associated with him in business at North Chester, and
after a time became .sole proi)rietor of the cotton mills, and was
manufacturing brown sheetings as late as 1840. He al.so carried
( 370 )
THE TOWN OF CHESTER
on the in;iiuifaftiii-e of slat-oiirtains for windows, the principal
market for whieh was Hartford, Conn. Mr. Cook employed at
one time about 40 persons, and turned out annually about
350,000 yards of cotton fabric valued at about $27,800. Shortly
after 1840 this manufacturing interest began to feel the disad-
vantage of being seven miles from a railroad. The cotton factory
stood idle for many years, and its former glory is but tradition.
A post-office is still maintained at this village.
Dayvillc.—AhonX two miles down the river from North
Chester is the hamlet called Dayville. There was a saw mill here,
and the Days carried on a prosperous business of manufacturing
shoe-pegs. But that has passed away, and the plant is now used
for other purposes. At the present time a saw mill and a man-
ufactory of wintergreen essence are doing thriving business.
LittlcviUc — About a mile below Dayville on the middle
bi'anch is a hamlet known as Littleville. At this place the first
grist mill in the town was established by Jonathan Clapp prior
to 17fi5, and on ( )etober 30, 1765, he conveyed the property to
Jonathan Wait. A saw mill was also established. A tannery
was established here by Prescott & Sherman and maintained
several years until they sold it to Benjamin Little, who had
worked for them a number of years. Little carried on the tan-
nery successfully for several years, turning off 20 tons of sole
leather annually. lie also carried on a saw mill producing
500,000 feet of lumber annually. He also manufactured a great
quantity of bedsteads.
Littleville has a post-office and has usually maintained a
country store. The meeting-house, now in possession of the
Baptists, was liuilt by Congregationalists, and was subsequently
maintained as a union church. It was built about 1845. The
early preachers were Rev. D. N. Merritt, Rev. I. J. DeVoe, Rev.
Daniel Foster, Rev. Mr. Conklin.
Chester Vilhige.— The Falleys came to Chester before the
close of the 18th century and settled within what was known
as Bolton grant in the southeast corner of Chester where the
towns of Chester, Norwich and Blandford met. They establislied
a store and a hotel, and the place was known as Falley's X
( 371 )
Oili COiMy AM) ITS PEOPLE
Roads. Richard Falh-y's name appears on the valuation list of
Murrayfield in the year 1782. Before 1810 Daniel Falley and
Jesse FarTihani carried on a country store under the style of
Falley and Farnliam. The first tavern was kept in the small
house under the hill on the noi-th side of the road leading to
Blandford. The Falloys subse(iuently built the tavern more
recently known as the Collins tavern, on the spot now occupied
by the "Parks House". They also had a potash factory a short
distance westeriy from the present Baptist meeting-house.
Early in the 19th century there was a hat factory carried
on by a man named Woohvortli. Daniel (Jranger, well known
here for many years, learned the business of hat making of Mr.
^Yoolworth, and at one time carried on the business himself.
There was a carding mill about a mile west of the village
on the north bank of the west branch of Westfield river. There
was a saw mill owned by Pxlward Pitcher, and near it a tannery
owned and carried on by Eliphalet Williams. These were
located about half way between the present woolen mill and the
dam. Jlr. \Vool worth owned and carried on a tannery nearly
opposite Mr. "Williams' tannery on the north side of the river.
Tanning business in this vicinity was profitable in the first half
of the 19th century, and there were many tanneries in Chester
and other towns in this part of the state, and they consumed
great quantity of hemlock bark, until its scarcity put an end to
the business. "William Lindsey became a partner in business
with Mr. Woohvorth, and after a few years was sole proprietor,
and he continued the business until about 18.30. Shortly after
this time he built a hotel on the Blandford side of the line
between that town and Chester. At this time the place was
known by the name of Chester Village, although the post-office
continued to be called Falley 's X Roads, and the mail bags were
so marked as lale as the 40 "s and after the name Chester Village
applied to both the village and the post-ofifice.
Some lime about 1820 William Wade and Daniel Collins
established a cotton mill at Chester Village which was in opera-
tion as late as 183G: but it was given up about 1840, and the
property .sold to ^Melvin Copeland in 1842. From that date the
property was used for other purposes as will appear later on.
( 372 )
Duty Underwood
A familiar character in Chester history
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Mr. Wade established a store at the intersection of the road
to Blaiidford with the main hi<rhwa.v from Chester to Westfield.
As late as 1842 this store was carried on by T. S. Wade, who
was also the first station a^'ent at Chester Villa^'e for the "West-
ern railroad". lie was siieeeeded both as station agent and as
storekeeper by Edward Jessup. who left Chester Village in 1843.
Daniel Fry succeeded him as station agent.
The village blacksmith was Eli.jah Rice, one of the many
unique eharactei-s in Chester, the picture of one of whom. Duty
Underwood, graces this page.
About 11/, miles west of Chester village where the road turns
off toward Chester Centre, was a small tavern built by Pearly
Cook, and he was the landlord. In the upper story of this tavern
was a JIasonie lodge i-oom. wliich was maintained until the anti-
]\Iasouic excitement.
Prior to 1835 the people of this village were obliged to travel
several miles to attend church. September 1. 1835. Daniel Col-
lins, Leonard Williams, Lewis Collins. Daniel Collins, jr., Horace
Taylor, William Lindsey, William Leonard. Henry E. Bigelow,
Pearly Cook, Hugh Kelso, Daniel Lewis, Daniel L. Champlin.
Martin Phelps, jr., Abel Babcock, jr., Levi Ellsworth, David
P. Tinker, Nathan Ellsworth, Duty Underwood, Jonathan Nye,
Asa Wilco.x, Ira Lindsey. Daniel Granger. Nathan W. Robins,
Reuben L. Bromley. Cyrus ("ulver, Heman Lindsey. John Sisk,
Camden 11. Babcock. William Culver. Naham Stowell, Andrew
Johnson, Gilbert S. Lewis, Gilbert Collins, and E. T. and T. S.
Wade, people residing some in Chester village, some in Norwich,
some in Blandford, and others in various localities in Chester,
subscribed the aggregate sum of $1,050 for the purpose of biiild-
ing a meeting-house: agreeing "That when a suflfieient amount
of funds .shall be subscribed each subscriber shall designate to
wliat -society his subscription shall belong: and whatever society
shall subscribe the greatest amount, then said house shall be
called by that name and be occupied by said society so subscrib-
ing at any time they may choose: but it shall at all times when
not so occupied be open and free to any Christian denomination
for the performance of public worship." The meeting-house
( 374 )
THE To^y^ of Chester
was finished late in the antiimn of 1836. The conditions that
were to determine to which denomination the control of the
meeting-house should come, were fulfilled by the Methodists. It
does not appear that any regular clergyman was employed, nor
does it appear what clergymen preached there, until about 1842
or 1843, when a young Methodist clergyman of the name of
Braman officiated as the regular preacher. Rev. Mr. Merrill,
also Kev. -J. Jlarcey, in the years 1847-8, preached there. About
184(1 ]\Ii-. Cook preached Sundays and practiced dentistry during
1he week.
In 1843 a number of people l)el()nging to the Congregational
denomination came to Chester village, and soon there came a
demand for a Congregational clergyman. A compromise was
etl'ected which gave the pulpit of the Congregationalists every
alternate Sunday and to the Methodists the other alternate Sun-
days. This did not last long. The Methodists insisted upon
their absolute control. And in 1848 the Congregationalists or-
ganized a society by themselves and built a church. Rev.
Perkins K. Clark was the first minister settled over the new
church. Mr. Clark left about 1850 and was succeeded by Rev.
Mr. Eggleston, who in a year or two was succeeded by Rev.
Townsend Walker.
Physiciaii.s. -Dr. Leonard Williams was, probably, the first
physician located at Chester village.
Dr. IMartin Phelps, who died in 1838 at the age of 80, spent
the last years of his life a short distance west of the village.
Dr. James Holland practiced in Chester village for a short
time before settling in Westfield.
Dr. Charles Holland practiced in Chester village from about
1840 to about 1850.
Dr. Crossett was in practice in the village sevei'al years until
his death.
Dr. Noah S. Bartlett was in practice at the time the village
was set oit' into the town of Norwich.
Laicyers. — The first lawyer known to live in Chester village
was Samuel Johnson, as remarkable an individual in many ways
as old Dr. Johnson himself. He has been described as a "large,
( 375 )
on; cor MY .\.\i> its people
good-looking man of over six feet in height and more than two
hundred pounds avoirdupois, erect in form and dignified in his
carriage, stately and formal in his address, deep-toned and
delihcrafe in his utterances, impressing a beholder Avith the
belief that he possessed all the wisdom that he pretended to have,
and pei'haps .soniething more. ■" He wa.s as unique in dress as
in person.
About '[SM Homer Clark was in practice for a few yeai-s.
While Mr. C'JaiU was in the village, Daniel Granger opened an
office and was the village lawj'er at the time the name was
changed to Huntington.
Mavufncturiny. — In 1842 JMelvin Copeland. who had car-
ried on the business of plane making for sevei-al j^ears in Hart-
ford, where he had become a man of influence not only in business
and in polities, but also in church relations, being a deacon in
Dr. Hawes' church, and at one time the editor of a newspaper
called "The American Protector", came to Chester Village and
purchased the old cotton factory, and transferred his business
from Hartford to Chester. He was induced to this move not
only b.v reason of the excellent water power and building well
adapted to his business, but as well because an abundance of
excellent beech timber grew in this vicinity, and he was also in-
fluenced by his love for country life to which this wonderfully
picturesque place strongly appealed. He brought with him ten
or twelve of his old workmen, and for several years he did a
prosperous business.
In 1843, his brother, Alfred Copeland, came from Colum-
bus, Ohio, and established the business of manufacturing bed-
steads and also general wood-turning; and for several years
he did a prosperous business, employing about a dozen workmen.
This business occupied the fii-st floor of the old cotton factory.
Soon after the Copelands had became well established in
business, two brothers, AVarner Hannum and Harvey Hannum,
who had been manufacturers of axes for a long time on Norwich
Hill, so called, moved tlieir business to Chester Village and
purchased of Melvin Copeland an interest in the mill privilege
and erected an axe factory near ])y and did a thriving business.
( 376 )
THE TOWN OF CHESTER
James G. Allen established a shop for the making and re-
pairing of wagons about 1845, and a ]Mr. Hinkley came from
Florence shortly after and started a blacksmith shop in company
with Francis Axtell from the same place. After a short time
Hinkley sold out to Axtell and went elsewhere.
A year or two afterward, Benjamin F. Whipple came from
Florence aiul started the manufacture of doors, window-sash
and window-blinds in the second story of the ax factory.
About this time a paper mill was established in Russell,
about one and a half miles from Chester Village, by Burbank
and Fales. which was a great help to the store-keepers in the
village.
Roland S. Bartlett, a practical basket-maker, in company
with Daniel Copeland, a brother of Melvin and Alfred, started
a basket factory on the east branch, and continued business until
Mr. Copeland 's death; after which Mr. Bartlett established a
factory in company with L. B. AVilliams, who subsequently re-
moved the business to Northampton.
Then were three common country stores : The old Wade
store was carried on by Lyman Dimock and Harvey Hannum,
under the style of Dimock and Hannum; the old Palley store
came into the posse.ssion of Daniel Collins, .jun.. and Jabin B.
Williams, under the style of Collins and Williams, about 1840,
and later the business became J. B. Williams and son, and then
Williams and Clark ; and about 1845, a store was built on the
east side of the river at the end of the bridge, and the firm was
Munson Clark, and later Charles Munson.
About 1847, Samuel T. Lyman set up a stove store in con-
nection M'ith a tin-shop.
Chester A. Dewey, who came from Hartford, Conn., opened
a boot and shoe store.
The village tailors were N. Samuels, who did a paying
business; and about 1845, William S. Tinker opened a tailor's
shop and continued in the business until after the village was set
off to Norwich.
Chester Village was a business center for a large territory,
reaching not only into Chester, but into Norwich and Worth-
( :177 )
on; COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
iiiL!t(in Mild ( lirsliTlifld :inil .Miiii1i;(iiiii'i-_\- niiil HUiiidfnrd anil
Kiissell, ciiiclly Ix'cjiiisc of its (•iiiivcnii'iit railroad shipping
facilities.
Diiriii': \hv time tVoiii al)out liS4:i to the time of the civil
wai'. tliiMc wiTc ill this village, consideriiii;- its population, an un-
usual iiiiiiilici- ol' iMi'ii of more than ordinary ability, iioteutial fac-
tors in the social, i-cjiirious. and iiitciicctiial life of the place, a.s
well as in ils liiisiness pids])i'iity. It must be remembered that
this village was on the liordei' of Hlandford and at the southeast
corner of Chester and the southwest corner of Norwich; that the
\-otini;' |io|)iilali()n was dist ribiiti'd lietweeii these three towns;
that the .school house was in the centre of the village, and the
money for the suiijxu't of schools came from three different towns.
This proved moi-e oi' less embarrassing to the inhabitants, and
about 1850 eti'ort was made to establish a new town by taking ter-
ritory from these dill'erent towns. This was bitterly opposed by
the towns of Chester and Norwich, .\ftei- two or three inefifeetual
efi'orts before the legislature, they finally asked that the territory
including tin' village be annexed to Norwich. By an act of the
legislature. May 25, 1853, parts of Blandford and Chester were
annexed to Norwich, and the name was changed from Norwich to
Huntington. .March 1), 1855. From the time of this annexation
Chester village became a part of the county of Hampshire, and
the name Chester village a thing of the past.
Clnslrr Factorics.—The village known as Chester Factories,
now the village of Chester, is located in the southwesterly part
of the town. This part of the town was not nnieh settled until
aftei- the revolutionary war. The village received its name from
a glass factory incorporated in 1814. The incorporators of the
"Chester ftlass Company "" were Jesse Famam, Harvey Cham-
pion, John Dewey, Charles Douglass, Thomas ^Mather. David
King, Lester King, Benjamin Ha.stings and others. This enter-
prise did not survive long after the elo.sc of the war with Great
Britain. The fii-st mills operated at Chester Factories were saw
mills and grist mills. Tanning business was carried on success-
fully for many years: the first one is said to have been put in
operation in the early part of the 19th century by Spencer Clark,
( 378 )
OCh' COUNTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
who after opci-atin;-' it a few years sold out to Col. Edwai'ds of
Xorthaiiipton, and later it came iuto the hands of Edmund
Hubbard, and it was in the Hubbard family for many years.
Tlie Hubbards were succeeded by Loring and Leach. Loring
and Leach were succeeded by Nelson and Rice. George D. Hap-
good was associated in the business with Loring and Rice and at
last became the owner, carrying on the business under the name
of George D. Hapgood & Son until it was finally given up. The
plant is now used by the Emery Co. as a part of its works. The
tanning business was closed out several years ago
In the early part of the 19th century before the ""Western
Railroad," so called, was built,, Isaac Stevens established a
tavern, which later became the property of Col. Henry, who
enlarged the building, and about 1840 sold out to Joseph Lazell.
who kept the hotel for many years. It is now owned by AVilliam
H. Day.
The first store established in Chester Factories was started
by "William Shepard and Hiram Barber, who carried on business
under the name of Shepard & Barber. About 1840 David
Cannon bought out Barber's interest, and the firm became
Shepard & Cannon, and subseqiienth' Da^id Cannon became sole
owner for a short time, when he took in a partner and the firm
became Cannon & Heath: but finally the store passed into the
possession of Timothy Keefe. who carried on the business suc-
cessfully for many years, and it is now carried on by his son,
James Keefe.
The main river, west branch of "Westfield river, and the
many brooks that flow down the mountains and into it at and
in the vicinity of Chester Factories, the most important of which.
Walker brook, flows from a southwesterly direction and enters
the main river in the village, afford abundant water power.
Many saw mills were started in the early part of the 19th centuiy
on these streams, even before the railroad was built, and several
other kinds of business were started besides the tannery. Tim-
othy Fay made pocket-combs of wood, which were in common
use in those days: nearly every man and hoy carried a pair of
pocket-combs. These combs were also made by Edwin "\^"ilcox,
( 380 )
ovii rorxTY axd its people
who also made bedsteads and had a saw mill as a part of his
establishment, and also made cardboards.
A man named AVillcutt had a turning shop and made bob-
bins. Another named Willeutt manufactured padlocks.
Erastus Fay owned and o[)erated a saw mill on Walker
brook. Col. Samuel Hcni-y established a grist mill on Walker
brook early in tin- Ktth century. He was succeeded in the busi-
ness by Henry D. Wilcox, and later the mill was owned and
opei-ated by Hiadford W. Palmer, and it is now carried on by
William Gam well.
The tannery was located on the same brook, as was also the
saw mill and bedstead factory of William Fay. Another bed-
stead factory was located on the main river and carried on by
Timothy Keel'e. The hillsides and the mountains in the vicinity
of Chester Factories are heavily wooded with maple, beech, birch
and other timber suitable for the industries above named; and
the buiidin>i of the lailroad gave new impulse to all kinds of
business in this vicinity.
The extension of the railroad that had been opened from
Boston to Sprintrfield was called the Western railroad. The
grading of this i-oad was i)ut under contract in 1838. The run-
ning of ears from Springfield to Chester Factories was begun
IMay 24. 1841, and thence to the sunmiit at Washington the fol-
lowing September. The heavy part of the grade to the summit
begins at Chester Factories, ami it necessitates keeping addi-
tional locomotives to help trains u]) to the summit, and this neces-
sitates an engine house and additional help tx) operate them.
Chester Factories was the half-way station between Springfield
and Pittsfield. All trains stopped here, and in many respects
it is one of the important stations on the road. For many yeai-s
there was but a single track. For many years a refreshment
table was kept at the station, and all trains stopped long enough
for pa.ssengers to lunch.
About the time the railroad began operation T>. JI. and A. C.
Root built a store near the railroad station and did a successful
business. The store is now carried on by George Pease.
.\t the present time there are about half a dozen stores in
Chester Factories, besides a drug stiu-e. The village is a business
( 382 )
THE TOWN OF CHESTER
centre foi' parts of Chester. ^liddlefield, Beeket, Blandford and
Otis.
In Dr. Edward Iliteheock's report of the geology of Jlassa-
chusett.s. published in ISil. he states, on page 194, that "In the
western part of Chester, near the bed of serpentine and soapstone
already described, not far from the Western Railroad, are sev-
eral beds of magnetic oxide of iron." Dr. Herman S. Lucas,
who came to Chester Factories and began the practice of his
pi'ofession in 1844, became interested in mineralogy. It is alto-
gether probable that he was familiar with Dr. Hitchcock's report
and w-ith the statement above quoted referring' to magnetic iron
in Chester. Dr. Lucas discovered this vein about 1850, or per-
haps earlier, and specimens of it were on exhibition at the rail-
road station at Chester Factories. Specimens of it were sent to
the iron furnaces at Stockbridge and Lenox, but it failed to w'ork
as iron ore. About 1863 Dr. Lucas and his brother, John E.
Lucas, in company with Henry D. "Wilcox, attempted to work
it iu a blast furnace, but the experiment was unsuccessful. Soon
after this the property passed into the hands of a Boston com-
pany represented by John B. Taft, and in which Dr. Lucas was
interested. It was while in the hands of this company that this
vein of supposed magnetic iron was discovered to be emery. I
(juote from Prof. Emerson's Gculogy of Old n<imps}iire Couiity
the following: "The credit of the discovei-y and its first an-
nouncement belongs to D. ('. T. Jackson. I remember how
Prof. Shepard, when taking my college class tiirough the cabinets
in 1865. stopped at the old state geological collection made by
President Hitchcock during his survey of Massachusetts, and
took down the specimen of magnetite collected from the Chester
bed anil pointed out to us the emery which it contained, to show
us how near Dr. Hitchcock had l)een to numljcring this among his
many discoveries.'' This (piotation is deemed necessary to cor-
rect a general impression prevailing in Chester and vicinity that
Dr. Lucas made the discovery that this vein was emery. Dr.
Jackson's discovery gave I'ise to the emery mining, and in 1868
the Hampden Emery eomi)any was formed, in which Dr. Lucas,
S. A. Bartholomew and Dr. Jackson were interested. A few
( 383 )
on? COINTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
j'ears later tliis uompany made a convej'ance to the Chester
Iron . company, afterwards tlie Cliester Emery company, a
stock company controlled by fhuiics T. Ames of Chicopee'. Out
of this conveyance and the conduct of the old company touch-
ing a vein further west, which it claimed and persisted in work-
ing, arose a lawsuit, the result of which was that the vein came
into the hands of the Chester company and was worked by it,
extensive buildings being erected and expensive machinery pur-
chased. In 1879 thirty-five men were employed and 210 tons
of emery were produced, valued at $20,000.
After the death of Mr. Ames the whole property, said to
have cost .$80,000, was purchased by Dr. Lucas for $12,000.
The doctor contmued the business in his own name, using
Turkish emery, until Jlay 1, 1878, when Nathan Harwood was
associated with him, and they continued in business for several
years. Lucas and Ilarwood have both died recently. But the
emery works are still a leading industry in Chester.
The working of granite obtained in the town of Becket and
transported to Chester Factories over a spur railroad recently
put in, is another important industry.
Another industry is the grinding of quartz for use in the
manufacture of porcelain.
Churdies in Chester Factories.— The Second Congregational
church in Chester is located in Chester Factories, and was or-
ganized in November in the year 1844, and the meeting-house
was built under arrangement similar to that under which the
meeting-house was built at Chester Village. The Congregational
pastors have been Rev. Hubbard Beebe, from 1844 to 1846 ; Rev.
Perkins K. Clark, from May. 184fi. to :May. 1849; Rev. D. Wil-
liams, from Jlay, 1849, to ilay, 18.50; Rev. John C. Strong, from
May, 1850, to August, 1853 ; Rev. D. D. Osgood, 1853 ; Rev. Hugh
Gibson. 5 months in 1855; Rev. Z. Whitmore. from 1856 to April,
1863; Rev. Selah [Merrill, from May. 1863, to ]\rarch, 1864; Rev.
John Mills, from April, 1864, to June, 1864; Rev. Selah Jlerrill,
from June. 1864, to September, 1864; Rev. John Mills, from
October. 1864, to June, 1865; Rev. Edward A. Smith, from
July. 1865. to ISlay, 1874; Rev. Cyrus B. Whitcomb, from August,
( 384 )
THE TOWN OF CHESTER
1S7-1, to August. 1875 : Rev. Charles H. Hamlin, from February,
1876. to 1879; Rev. Samuel W. Clark, from 1879 to April, 1880;
Rev. Alvin E. Todd, from October, 1880, to December, 1885;
Rev. Preston Barr, 1886 to 1887; Rev. Richard Scoles, from
March, 1888, to July, 1893; Rev. Thomas D. Murphy, from
November, 1893. to his death in 1901 : Rev. William S. Walker,
July, 1901.
"In 1800 and 1801, I\Iethodist classes were formed in
Chester numbering nearly 100 members, under the labors of
Ebenezer AYashburn and Billy Hibbard, who preached at the
house of Capt. Alexander, about two miles south of Chester
Factories. The region was then embraced in 'Old Granville
Circuit', and in 1802, other preachers were on the circuit, but
after this the classes gradually declined, and there was no preach-
ing for several years. From 1819 to 1842 Rev. Messrs. Andrew
McCune, Samuel Eighing, John Nixon, Jefferson Haskell, Eras-
tus Otis, Leslie. Estin, Mayo. Shepard, Nichols, Hawks, Moulton,
Lewis, Cnshman, Niles and Shedd were on the circuit. At the
latter date the people of Chester Factoi-ies were generally Bap-
tists. In 1843 Rev. A. A. Farr became the pastor at that village,
and the church was transferred to the Troy conference. The
same year a union church edifice was built, the same edifice now
occupied by the Second Congregational church, and the town
joined in the building for the purpose of using the basement for
a school house, and it is still used for that purpose. And while
the Methodist society was in occupation of this building, Rev.
IMessrs. Kinsman, Atkinson. S. Mattison and A. C. Hand were
the preachers. The accommodation becoming too small, the
Methodists built a church by themselves, which was finished and
dedicated in 1847. the church, in the meantime, having gone
back into the New England conference. About the time of the
building of the house, the Wesleyans and Baptists ceased to have
preaching. The succession of pa.stors following Mr. Hadd is
Rev. J. B. Bigelow. 1845; Rev. A. S. Flagg, 1846; Rev. I. Marey,
1847 and 1848 : Rev. Farris Wilson, 1849 ; Rev, Mr. Woodbury,
1850; Rev. G. E. Chapman, 1851-52: Rev. E. S. Best, 1853; Rev.
C. Wait, 1854-55; Rev. C. W. Merryfield, 1856; Rev. John Cad-
35-3 ( 385 )
OIK COUNTY A\D ITS PEOPLE
well, 1857 ; Rev. John Noon, 1858 ; Rev. F. Fisk, 1859-60 ; Rev.
E. D. ^Vinslow, 1861 ; Kev. L. N. Clark, 1862 ; Rev. George Hewes,
1863; Rev. William D. Bridge, 1864; Rev. E. J. Moore, 1865-66;
Rev. J. P. Bassett, 1867; Rev. J. AV. Fenn, 1868; Rev. William
Gordon, 1869-70-71; Rev. L. A. Bosworth, 1872-73; Rev. E. Bur-
liugluim, 1874-75; Rev. J. B. Bigelow, 1876-77; Rev. A. R.
Nichols, 1878; Rev. P. M. Miller, 1879; Rev. John Galbraith,
1880-81; Rev. P. George, 1882; Rev. AVilliam P. Blackmer,
1883-84; Rev. C. H. Walters, 1885-86; Rev. S. A. Bragg, 1887-88;
Rev. B. P. Kingsley, 1889-90-91 ; Rev. W. H. Doekham, 1892-93 ;
Rev. Robert Smith. 1894-95; Rev. A. Beal, 1896; Rev. J. A.
Botcher, 1897-98-99 ; Rev. T. J. Judge, 1900-1901.
In February, 1854, at the time of an intense excitement on
the subject of temperance with a crusade against liquor sellers,
the ;Methodist meeting-house was blown up with powder in
revenge for the part taken bj^ leading members of the Methodist
church. The building was repaired so as to be reopened on the
6th of the following August. At that time the church member-
ship was about fifty.
Burial Places.— The first was at Chester Centre within the
8-aerc plat laid out "for a meeting-house place, training field
and burial place." The first meeting-house was erected in 1767,
and the burial ground was established when the first grave was
made, and that was the grave of Abigail, wife of John Smith,
who died August 12, 1767. This cemetery has been in constant
use from that day to this. Within a few years past it has been
greatly improved and is in excellent condition. There is one at
North Chester, one at Littleville, one between Dayville and
Littleville, one near the Bromley place on the road from Norwich
Bridge to Chester Centre, one in the Ingalls neighborhood, the
Bell family burial lot, the old cemetery at Chester Factories,
still in use. and the Pine Hill cemetery recently established.
Schools.— Tbeve are nine school houses in the town, one
at the Centre, one at North Chester, one at Littleville, one in
the Bromley neighborhood, one north of Chester Centre, one
in the Ingalls neigliborhood. one at the :\rica :\Iills on the river
road from Huntington to Chester Factories, one at Round Top,
and two at Chester Factories.
( 386 )
THE TO^yN OF CHESTER
The public schools have always been well looked aftei- in
•Chestei". Expenditures for schools during the past year amounted
to about $6,600.
There is a public library at Chester Factories containing
2,634 volumes. The trustees are Timothy Keefe and Frank Fay.
The village of Chester Factories is equipped with a good
"water service, and with an electric light service.
There are two hotels, the old hotel now kept by William H.
Day. and the White hotel near the railroad station, kept by
"William R. White.
Lairi/ers.— Marshall Wilcox, when a young man and located
in Otis, had an office in Chester and spent a portion of each
week here. He was succeeded by Henry D. Filley, a son of Lester
Filley of Otis, one of the well known lawyers of Berkshire
•county.
Franklin D. Eichards was there several years in the fifties.
He was succeeded by Edward H. Lathrop, who came to Chester
^bout 1861.
Clayton D. Smith, a native of Chester, has been located at
Chester Factories several years.
PJnjsicians. — Dr. Heman S. Lucas settled in Chester as a
practicing phj-sician in 1844. Since that date the following
named physicians have practiced in Chester Factories : Dr. Hill,
Dr. Brewster, Dr. Fay, Dr. Fiske. Dr. Couch. Dr. Howe.
The physicians now in practice are Dr. Howard E. Wilson,
Dr. Oscar J. Shepardson and Dr. Markham.
In Barber's "Historical Collection of iMassachusetts ", pub-
lished in 1839, is the following touching Chester: "Population,
1,290. In 1837 there were 2 cotton mills ; cotton spindles, 1,690 ;
cotton goods manufactured, 225,000 yards ; value, $22,075 ; males
employed, 13 : females, 22. There were 1,055 Saxony sheep,
2,495 merino, and 170 of other kinds of sheep; average weight
of fleece, 2 and three-fourth pounds; value of wool produced,
$5,817.38; capital invested, $11,347. There were 3 tanneries;
hides tanned, 33,500; value of leather tanned and curried,
$10,900: the value of window blinds manufactured, $15,000;
males employed. 14: females, twenty-six".
( 387 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Pojndalion. -In 1776, 405; 1790, 1,119; 1800, 1,542; 1810,
1,534; 1820. 1,526; 1830, 1,407; 1840, 1,632; 1850, 1,521; 1860,
1,314; 1870, 1,256; 1875, 1,396; 1880, 1,473; 1885, 1,318; 1890,
1,295; 1895, 1,429; 1900, 1,450.
CIVIL LIST OF CHESTER
Representatives to the General Court. — 1115, Enoch
Shepard; 1780, Timothy Lyman: 1782, Jesse Johnson.
February 21, 1783, the name of the town was changed from
Murrayfield to Cliester, and the representatives elected after
that until 1812 were: Keuben Ilatton, Elijah Blackman, John
N. Parmenter.
Selectmen Prior to tin Division of M^(r ray field. — 1766-67,
Timothy Smith, Jolin Smith, Malcom Henry ; 1768, Caleb Fobes,
Timothy Smith, William I\niler: 1769. Ebenezer Meacham, James
Hamilton, Abnor Smith; 1770. -lolm Kirtland, Timothy Smith,
David Scott; 1771. Timothy Smith. Samuel Matthews, Edward
Wright; 1772, ,Mak'om Henry. David Shepard, John Kirtland;
1773. ^lah-om Henry. John Kirtland, David Shepard, Abner
Smith.
Toirn (,7crAs. — 17iili. Malcom Henry; 1768. John Smith;
1771-4. David Shepard. The act setting off the district of Nor-
wich was pa.ssed June 29. 1773, and on the 16th of August fol-
lowing a town meeting was liehl in ilurrayfield, at which
vacancies in town offices caused by such division of the town were
tilled, and tlie boaiii of selectmen lor the remainder of the year
stood thus- :\Ialc'om Henry. David Shepard. Abner Smith, Win.
Campbell: 1774-75, Jesse Johnson. James Hamilton, David
Shepaid; 177(i, David Shepard, James Hamilton. Timothy Ly-
man: 1777. Knocli Shepard, James Hamilton, Timothy Lyman;
1778. Timothy Lyman. James Hamilton, John Blair; 1779, Jesse
Johnson, Timotliy Lyman, John Blair; 1780, Timothy Smith,
John Wniv. Jesse Jolinson : 1781, John Kelso, Samuel Jones,
Samui^l Bell ; 1782, John Blair, William Campbell. Jabez Tracy.
After the Name was Changed from Mvrrayfield to Chester.
— 1783. John Blair, William Campbell, Timothy Lyman; 1784.
Timothy Lyman, John N. Parmenter, William Stone; 1785,
( 388 )
THE TO^VN OF CHESTER
William Campbell, Timothy Lyman, Gersliom Rust; 1786, Elijah
Blackmail, Timothy Lyman, Noadiah Seaward; 1787-88, James
Hamilton, Nathan Wright, William Sizer ; 1789, Timothy Lyman,
James Hamilton, John Elder; 1790-91, David Shepard, Timothy
Lyman, John N. Parmenter; 1792, Timothy Lyman, Ephraim
Miller, John N. Parmenter; 1793, John N. Parmenter, Timothy
Lyman, Eleazer Wales; 1794, Timothy Lyman, Abraham Day,
John N. Parmenter; 1795, David Shepard, Timothy LjTiian,
Abraham Day ; 1796, John N. Parmenter, Timothy Lyman,
Jason Wright : 1797, David Shepard, Ozias French, Ephraim
]\Iiller; 1798. Jnda Willey, Elisha Wilcox, David Shepard,
Zadock Ingall. William Toogood; 1799, Samuel Bell, Jason
Wright, Juda Willey; 1800-4, Asa Slayton, William Elder,
Simon C. Holland; 1805. William Elder, Sylvester Emmons;
1806, Asa Slayton, Jacob Day. Samuel Bell ; 1807, Samuel Bell,
Seth Phelps. Silas Freeman; 1808. Samuel Bell, Sylvester Em-
mons. Silas Freeman, jr.. Silas Kingsley. Daniel Smith; 1809,
S.vlvester Emmons, John N. Parmenter. William Wade; 1810,
Sylvester Emmons. John N. Parmenter, William Taylor; 1811,
Sylvester Emmons. William Taylor. Horace Smith; 1812. Syl-
vester Emmons, William Taylor, Horace Smith ; 1813, William
Taylor, Horace Smith, William Wade; 1814 William Taylor,
Horace Smith. William Wade: 1815. Samuel Bell, John Ellis,
Samuel White; 1816, Samuel Bell. John P'Uis, Ebenezer Whip-
ple; 1817. Samuel White, James Nooney. jr.. Asa Wilcox: 1818,
Samuel White. James Nooney. jr.. Asa Wilcox; 1819. Sylvester
Emmons. Asa Wilcox, James Nooney, jr. ; 1820, Sylvester Em-
mons, Asa AVilcox. Sylvester Belden; 1821, Asa Wilcox, Sylvester
Belden, Isaac Whipple; 1822, Isaac Whipple, James Nooney,
jr.. Charles Collins; 1823, Isaac Whipple, James Nooney, jr.,
Charles Collins; 1824, Isaac Whipple, James Nooney, jr., Charles
Collins; 1825. Charles Collins. Samuel B. Stebbins. John Hamil-
ton; 1826, Charles Collins, John Taylor, James Elder; 1827,
James Elder, Timothy Lyman, Forbes Kyle ; 1828, Forbes Kyle,
Moses Gamwell. AVilliam Henry; 1829. IMoses Gamwell, Samuel
B. Stebbins. Norid p]lder; 1830. William Shepard, Lewis Collins,
William Henry; 1831, William Henry, John Hamilton, Jonas
( 389 )
ULR COi.MY AM) ITS PEOPLE
PaniK'titer ; 1832, Jonas Parnienter, Hector Campbell, "William
Shepard ; 1833, Jonas Parnienter, Hector Campbell, Otis Taylor^
1834, Jonas Parnienter, Hector Campbell, Otis Taylor; 1835,
Jonas Parnienter, Hector Campbell. Otis Taylor; 1836, Samuel
Bell, Hector Campbell, Thomas F. Plunkett; (Plunkett moved
out of town and Jonas Parnienter succeeded.) 1837, William
Shepard. Sanniel Bell, Isaac Stevens; 1838, Samuel Bell, Isaac
Stevens. AVilliam Moore; 1839, Isaac Stevens, William ]\Ioore,
Reuben L. Bromley; 1840, Forbes Kyle, Reuben L. Bromley,
Samuel Henry: 1841. Jothani Clark. Samuel Henry, Adam Ham-
ilton; 1842, Jonas Parnienter, Cheney Ingall, Camden H. Bab-
cock; 1843, Cheney Ingall, Benjamin Little, Rufus Tinker; 1844,
Samuel Bell. Jonas Parnienter. Eli Knox: 184.5. Jabin B. Wil-
liams, Foi-lies Kyle, Joshua Bemis: 1846, David Smith, Camden
H. Babcock, Leverett Knox; 1847, Cheney Ingall, Daniel Fry,
Edwin AVileox; 1848, Daniel Fry. David Cannon. David Smith;
1849-50, Daniel Fry, David Cannon, David Smith, Jonas Par-
nienter, Ely ^Yilcox ; 1851-55, Abner Sampson, John Bemis, Ely
Howe, Samuel Stebbins, David Smith. Alvan Rude, Henry
Dewey, Adam Hamilton; 1856, Albert E. AYright, B. B. East-
man, Silas P. Searl; 1857, David Smith, 0. W. Gibbs, Joshua
Bemis; 1858. David Smith. Charles AY. Knox, Joshua Bemis;
1859, David Smith. Charles AY. Knox. John Carrington; 1860,
David Smith, Joshua Bemis, Samuel Stebbins; 1861-62, Charles
W. Knox. Joseph C. Kelso. E. D. Ormsby; 1863, E. D. Ormsby,
Charles AY. Knox, Alfred S. Foot; 1864, Charles AY. Knox,
Alfred S. Foot. Joseph Kelso ; 1865, Charles AY. Knox, George
C. A\'illiams. B. B. Eastman; 1866-7, Charles A\'. Knox, Charles
AI. Bell, George Taylor; 1868, Charles AY. Knox. Charles AI.
Bell, Amos S. Cone; 1869, Charles AI. Bell, Amos S. Cone. Ely
AYilcox; 1870. Charles AY. Knox, David Smith, Joshua Bemis;
1871, Henry D. AYilcox, David Smith. Amos S. Cone; 1872,
Charles AY. Knox, Charles M. Bell. Amos S. Cone: 1873, James
King. E. F. Pease, Amos S. Cone; 1874, Charles AY. Knox,
Charles :\I. Bell, Amos S. Cone: 1875-6, Charles AY. Knox,
Alpheus AYillcutt. Amos S. Cone; 1877-8. Charles AI. Bell,'
Alpheus AYillcutt. J. IT. Fiske; 1879. Charles H. AYarner, George
( 390 )
THE TOWN OF CHESTER
H. Hapgood, Jason H. Piske; 1880, Charles H._Knos, Charles
M. Bell, Stephen W. Moore; 1881, James A. Jones, Alpheus
Willcutt, Amos S. Cone ; 1882, Charles H. Knox, Alpheus "VVill-
cntt, Amos S. Cone; 1883, Charles H. Knox, Alfred S. Foot,
Joshua W. Bemis; 1884-5-6, Charles H. Kuox, Alfred S. Foot,
Joshua W. Bemis; 1887, Charles H. Knox, Moses Clark, Joshua
W. Bemis; 1888, Charles H. Knox, Moses Clark, Joshua W.
Bemis; 1889, Major A. Snow, Moses Clark,. Clarence M. Woods;
1890-1, Major A. Snow, Moses Clark, Joshua W. Bemis; 1892,
Moses Clark, Major A. Suow, Clarence M. Woods; 1893, Llajor
A. Snow, Clarence M. Woods, Edward L. Higgins; 1894, Clayton
D. Smith, Clarence M. Woods, Edward L. Higgins; 1895-6,
George H. Hapgood, Edward L. Higgins, Clarence M. Woods ;
1897, George H. Hapgood, Clarence M. Woods, Charles Z. Ingall ;
1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, George H. Hapgood, Clarence M. W^oods,
Charles Z. Ingall.
Town Clerks After Division of the TowiL — mi-T, Sanuiel
Matthews: 1777-98, David Shepard; 1798-1806, Gideon Mat-
thews, jr.; 1806, Sylvester Emmons; 1807-9, Martin Phelps;
1809 to 1815, Anson Boise; 1816, Samuel Phelps; 1817, William
Henry; 1818, Isaiah L. Baker; 1819 to 1825, William Henry;
1826-27-28, Ashael Wright; 1829-30-31, Hector Campbell; 1832-
33-34-35-36, Forbes Kyle; 1837-38-39-40, Otis Taylor; 1841,
David B. Tinker; 1842, Otis Taylor; 1843, George Whitney;
1844, Otis Taylor; 1845, George Whitney; 1846, Otis Taylor;
1847-48, Aurelius C. Root ; 1849, Henry D. Filley, who died and
was succeeded by Aurelius C. Root; 1850 to '52, Otis Taylor;
1853, John B. Elder : 1854, Camden H. Babeock ; 1855, John B. ,
Elder; 1856, Charles W. Knox; 1857, Franklin D. Richards;!
1858, Otis Taylor; 1859-60, Camden H. Babeock; 1861-2, Chris-
topher C. Campbell; 1863 to 1871, Timothy Keefe; 1872 to 1902,
George N. Cone.
The list of Chester men who served in the civil war, so far
as can be ascertained, is as follows: Samuel L. Atwood. 31st
Mass.; Joseph S. Bemis, 34th Mass.: Edward D. Bemis. 62d
N. Y. ; Edson D. Bemis, 31st Mass.; Watson Carr, 27th IMass. ;
Eli Carter, 36th N. Y. ; Wilman W. Clark, 31st Mass.; Andrew
( 391 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Crow, 10th ]\Ias.s.; Frank J. Childs, 10th Mass.; Franklin AV.
Dewey. 10th I\Ia.ss. : Oscar D. DeWolf, surg., 1st Mass. Cav. ;
D. Albert Fairfield, :34th Mass.; George Garland, 10th Mass.;
Peter E. Herbert, 10th Mass.; George W. Howe, 10th Mass.;
Luke Ilavey. :31st IMass. : Martin Kennedy. 22d Mass.; William
.Meaehani, 10th Ma.ss. : Micliael McGratty, :34th Mass.; Dwight
]\ralli.son, :37th Mass.; Elijah Meachani, 34th Mass.; Edwin 0.
Messenger, 10th ]Mass. ; Lester H. Quigley, 27th Ma.ss. ; Charles
Pay, 46th ;\lass. : Edward E. Quigley, 31st ]\Iass. ; George F.
Smith, 31st Mass.; Henry Talmage, 31st Mass.; George W.
Truell, 27th :vrass. : Henry Town, 99th N. Y. ; Henry H. Weeks,
27th Mass. ; E. D. Winslow, chaplain, 19th IMass. ; George Riley,
unknown; Zachariah Longley, 10th Mass.; Samuel Ladd, 27th
Mass. ; Henry Robinson, 27th IMass. ; Charles H. Smith, 27th
Mass. ; Henry Raftis, 27th ilass. ; Harrison Moore, 41st Ohio ;
Dennis Coffin, 46th Mass. ; Joshua W. Bemis, 46th ]\Iass. ; Oliver
C. Burr, 46th JIass. ; Cyrus L. Belden, 46th Mass. ; Lanson P.
Carter, 46th IMass. : Joseph Chartier, 46th IMass. : Henry E.
Dimoek, 46th iMass. ; William C. Dunham, 46th IMass. ; Edward
Dewey, 46th Ma.ss. ; William K. Jackson. 46th Mass. ; James
Keefe, 46th IMa.ss. ; Francis Otis, 46th Mass. ; Albert H. Sander-
son, 46th IMass.: Charles F. Smith, 46th IMass.; George W.
Wright, 46th ilass. W. H. Waterman, D. B. Richmond, Edward
Fitzgerald, Samuel Pease, Daniel Dowd, Joseph T\niipp]e,
Tliomas Connors. James Seanlin, Horatio Holmes. John IMoore
and William I\L Wright who died in Andersonville prison.
Sohlicrs of (he R< vohilionary irar.— The town of Chester,
then Murrayfield, was staunelily loyal to the cause of Independ-
ence as has been shown in an early part of this history. The
minut(>men who marched to Cambridge from I\Iurrayfield in Col.
Seth Pomeroy's regiment in April, 1775, were David Shepard,
James Clark, Gershom Rust, John ]\rclntire, Russell Dewey,
George Williams. Nathan Wright. Benjamin Wright. John Blair, |
Asa Gould, Benjamin Eggleston, James Geer, Archelus Ander-
son. The men who enlisted and went in Col. David Brewster's
regiment. 9th Continental. April 24, 1775, were Capt. Malcom
Henry, Sergeant William French, William Spencer Smith,
( 392 )
THE TOWN OF CHESTER
Joseph Henry, William Foot, John Elder and Ezekiel Snow,
and they were discharged the following October. John Laccore,
David Blair, George Black, William Moore, Thomas Elder and
TTToinas Smith were in service a short time. In 1776 David
Bolton. William Smith and Eli W^oolworth went into service in
Col. Dike's regiment. October 21, 1776. the men named below
.joined Col. John jMosley's regiment and marched to Mount In-
dependence under command of Lieut. Col. Timothy Robertson:
Enoch Shepard, captain; William Campbell, lieutenant; Ger-
shom Rust, John Mclntire, Nathan W^ right, sergeants; John
Elder, coi'poral; Edward W^ right, fifer, and the following
privates: Alexander Partridge, James Bentley, Ebenezer Place-
man, Allen Geer, Thomas Elder, William Elder, Ebenezer
Stowe, John Smith, Lemuel Laccore, Abner Smith and Jonathan
Wait. Their term of service was 28 days.
March 1, 1777, Jehiel Eggleston and James Fobes enlisted
for three years or during the war. Patrick King enlisted Decem-
ber 19, 1778; Elijah Brewer enlisted in July, 1780; Joseph Win-
ter, Francis Thomas and Ebenezer Smith enlisted July 19, 1779,
for nine months. John Thompson was drafted and went into
Col. Mosley's regiment. In 1780. John Carlile, William Carlile,
Alexander McCullen. William Harris, Timothy Smith, Jesse
Wright. Elijah Brewer, James Moore, Daniel Babcock, Abra-
ham Converse, Isaac Converse, Jude Jones, Samuel Woolworth,
Nathan Matthews, Nathaniel Babcock and Primus Hill served
for six months. Another list of six months men are Joseph
Gilbert, Patrick King, Leonard Pigue, Noah Wilson, Moses Barr,
John Carlile, William Carlile, Alexander McCullen, Joseph Win-
ter, Timothy Smith, Jesse Wright and William Harris. Justin
Rust, Samuel Rust, Quartus Rust, Edward Taylor, Ai'chelus
Andei-son, Elijah Stanton, Alexander Mecla, John Curtis, Elijah
Brown, enlisted in 1781.
( 393 )
CHAPTER XI
THE TOWN OF HOLLAND
lu 17.31 a considerable tract of land on the eastern border of
Ilaiiip.shire county, on which settlement had been made during
iIk- twenty-five years preceding that time, was made a provisional
jurisdiction by the name of Brimfield. This territory was in-
corporated as a town in 1731, and as settlement afterward in-
creased the creation of other districts became necessary. In 1762
the south half of Brimfield, as then constituted, was formed into
a district by the name of South Brimfield, and in 1766 this south-
ei-u region was itself divided into east and west parishes. On
August 23, 1775. these parishes were incorporated into a town
by the name of South Brimfield, and thereupon became a civil
division of the county.
lint it appears that the creation of the town soon gave rise
to many inconveniences on account of the situation of the lands,
and the welfare of the inhabitants demanded another division
of the new territory. This Avas accomplished in 1783, when, on
July 5. the general court passed -'An act to incorporate the east
parish of South Brimfield into a district by the name of Hol-
land." the effective portion of which act reads as follows:
•■Whereas the inhabitants of the east parish in the said South
Brimfield have represented to this court the many inconveniences
they labor under, arising from their connection with said South
Brimfield: for remedy thereof.
"Be it enacted." etc.. "That all the lands and inhal)itants
of South Brimfield aforesaid lying and being on the east side of
the county road leading from Brimfield to Union, in the state of
Connecticut, called and known as the South Meadow road there,
( 394 )
THE TO^yN OF HOLLAND
be and is hereby incorporated into a separate district by the
name of Holland, and invested with all the powers, privileges
and immunities that districts in this commonwealth are entittled
to according to law. or do or may enjoy." The act also directed
Abner Morgan, justice of the peace, to issue his warrant to some
principal person in the new district for the purpose of assem-
bling the inhabitants in meeting for the election of officers.
Under the law the district was to all intents and purposes a town,
except that it was not entitled to a separate representative in the
general court ; and this right was not gi-anted until May 1, 1836.
Geographically. Holland occupies the extreme southeast cor-
ner of the county ; being bounded on the east by AVorcester coun-
ty and on the south by the Connecticut line. The central part of
tiie town is 69 miles distant from Boston, 28 miles from Spring-
field, and 12 miles from Palmer. Although its inhabitants are
allied to the people of the adjoining towns in Hampden county,
their associations are largely with those of Sturbridge on the east
and Union on the south. These are the natural and most con-
venient trading places; for Holland is remotely situated from
Springfield and other county markets, and communication with
them is attended with many inconveniences. This situation
always has worked adversely to Holland interests, as a Hampden
town, and while various remedies have been suggested to relieve
existing conditions none has been carried into effect, and the
townsmen, consulting their per.sonal interests, naturally turn to
the localities east and south of them.
Sctnement.-The early settlement of Holland was accom-
plished while the territory formed a part of the mother town of
Brimfield. and when the latter was divided that wliich now
constitutes this town contained nearly 300 inhabitants. However,
in treating of this interesting portion of the town's history, it is
difficult to separate Holland from Brimfield, for much that might
be said of the latter naturally applies to the former. But it
may be said, without fear of contradiction, that for more than
a century Holland has been regarded as one of the most inde-
pendent "jurisdictions of the county, and from the period of its
earliest occupancy its people have been noted for their truly
( 396 )
OUR COUNTY AM> ITS PEOPLE
democratic customs iu domestic life. This is to their honor, for
here the people ever have struggled against difficulties and have
not received the recognition nor advantages to which they were by
right entitled. Still the town has pros[)ered and its inhabitants
by personal elfort have established and maiiitained institutions
worthy of larger towns.
According to recognized authority. I lie pioneer of Holland
was Joseph Blodgett, one of the original proprietors and for
"^^B
ilolUiiul I'uiul
many years one of it.s foremost men. When the proprietors made
a division of their lands. Mr. Blodgett drew lot No. 67. This
drawing was contirnied by the general court in 1732, yet the
jiioneer probably had established himself in the town as early
as 172o. In later years he took an active interest in local affains.
tilling several important offices, and he was equally earnest in his
endeavors in behalf of the clnirch. He was a surveyor a.s well
as farmer and the records make frequent reference to his work.
( 396 )
THE TOWN OF HOLLAND
His house was on the South Meadow road which led from Brim-
field to Union, aud which divides the towns of Holland and
Wales. Pioneer Blodgctt had several sous, one of whom, Jonas,
was the last surveyor and clerk of the proprietors of Brimfield.
He died in 1839 at the advanced age of 95 years. He was per-
haps more conspicuous in town affairs than his father, and was
one of the first board of selectmen, serving several years in that
office. The family name Blodgett has always been represented
in tlie town by men of character and integrity, and some of them
have been chosen to places of trust and responsibility.
When the pioneer led the advance of civilized white settle-
ment into this then remote part of Hampshire county, his action
was regarded as hazardous because of the dangers which were
supposed to attend life in the wild and almost unknown regions
of old Brimfield. But within a short time after Joseph Blodgett
had built his cabin and prepared a little tract of land for culti-
vation, other settlers began to come and occupy their lots, and in
the course of two or three years a little settlement had sprung
up. Among the comers of this period there may be mentioned
the names of John Webber. Ebenezer Wallis, Enoch Hides, John
Bishop, Jonathan and Robert Brown, nearly all of whom brought
families and shared with the pioneer the vicissitudes of life in a
new and unsettled region. These men were of sturdy New Eng-
land stock, some of them descendants of Puritan ancestors, and
the dangers and hardships of life in a wilderness region had few
terrors for them. The surnames of many of these first settlers
are still preserved in the town, and a glance at the records wll
show that some of them have attained to positions of importance
in local histoiy.
Continuing our narrative still further, mention may be
made of the names of Henry and Trenance Webber, who came
to Holland from Rhode Island about 1730, and who were descend-
ants of Henry Webber. They and their descendants in later
generations have been active factors in the history of the town.
Among others of that surname there may be recalled Frank
Webber. Rinaldo Webber. Samuel Webber, Adolphus Webber,
Loring Webber, William A. Webber, Ezra AVebber and Dwight
( 397 )
OUR COUMY AXD ITS PEOPLE
E. ^Vebber, each of whom did his full share in building up the
town and establishing a prosperous condition of affairs for his
own family, thus contributing to the general welfare of all the
town's people.
Since the earliest settlement the "Wallis family has been
favorably known in Holland history. Ebenezer seems to have
been the jjionecr. and David came about 1755. He w-as from
Woodstock, Connecticut, a blacksmith by trade and a farmer by
subsequent occupation. Among his children were several sons,
the names of Thomas, Jonathan, William and John being remem-
bered as of the number. Jonathan adopted the trade of his
father, and Thomas became a physician, one of the first in Hol-
land and a man of influence in the community. "William and
John Wallis were farmers. In the family of the pioneer Wallis
was a grandson, David by name, a son of David, jun., the latter
never having settled in this town. This younger David was a
soldier in the revolution, and after the war he married Persis
Kosebrook who bore him ten children. Like the "Webbers, the
"Wallis family have been prolific in Holland and their work has
been for good in all generations of their descendants.
Of the other early settlers in Holland whose names have been
mentioned little is known, and it is probable that some of them
soon left for homes in some other locality. James Marcy located
here about 1767, and was a farmer. Among his children were
several sons and daughters, the names of James, Jr., Elisha,
Da\-id, Job, Sarah and Betsey being recalled at this late day.
]\rost of these children grew up and married in the town and
were contributing factors in its best history. Benjamin Perrin
was an early settler about a mile south of the Centre. His sons
were John, Cyril and Hallowell Perrin. John married a daugh-
ter of Ichabod Goodell, also an early settler, and had thirteen
children. Later on he removed to Monson. Hallowell Perrin
was a farmer and tavern keeper, and a man of prominence in
early days. He, too, raised a large family, but the surname is
no longer known in Holland. Ichabod Goodell (the year of his
settlement here is not known) was a conspicuous figure in early
Holland history. He married into the Webber family and had
( 398 )
THE TOV,'y OF HOLLAND
lour children, Huldali, Polly, Persis and Jabez. The son eventu-
ally emigrated to New York state, where he taught school, and
through his excellent business capacity he acquired a fortune.
He never forgot his old home and in his will left $500 to the town.
ICliphalet Janes, the first clerk of the new district formed in
1783, was a farmer and o\\"Xier of a saw and grist mill, but when
aud whence he came is not known. In the same connection thei-e
maj' be recalled the names of William Belknap, an early farmer
and upright townsman; Asa David, who filled several offices in
the town and was especially prominent in matters pertaining to
the church. He also taught school and engaged in farming until
1793, when he removed from the town. Reuben Stevens was a
farmer and also a cloth dresser, and a useful man among the
early settlers.
Capt. Xehemiah IMay, another early and prominent settler,
was an officer in the revolutionary service and a man of much
influence in local town and church matters. He settled in the
south part of the town about 1764. Ebenezer Morris, the town
blacksmith, and it is said he was an excellent workman in his
time, married a daughter of Capt. May. Jonathan Cram is
remembered as a man of influence and as a successful farmer.
Joseph Bruce, who settled on the afterward known Howlett farm,
v/as regarded as one of the most eccentric characters in early
Holland history, yet he was a man of worth notwithstanding his
pecularities. John Policy was another early settler whose name
is frequently recalled as one of the town worthies more then a
century ago, and whose farm home lay on the old South Meadow
road between the east and west parishes. Gershom Rosebrook
was a farmer and lived east of the reservoir. His family name
was long preserved in the town.
In addition to those already mentioned among the early
settlers, we may still fui'ther recall James Frizzell, Humphi-ey
Cram, Jacob, Benjamin, Edward and Samuel Webber, John
Rosebrook, William and Asa Belknap, Jonathan Wallis, John
and James Anderson, Alfred Lyon, Daniel Burnett, Asa Dana,
John Brown. Jonathan Ballard and Eleazer Moore, all of whom
were conspicuous figures in town affairs about the time of the
( 399 )
UUli COLMY A.\D IIS I'EOl'LE
division of Brimfield and the creation of the new districts out
of its soiitiiern territory.
Tliose whose names are mentioned in preceding paragraplis
laid tiie foundation for the subseriuent growth of the town. They
bore tlie luirdsliiiis of life attendant upon the pioneership and
early settlement, hut notwithstanding all the disadvantages un-
der which tiK'y struggled they huilded well, and permanent bene-
fits thereby accrued to their descendants aiul all others who after-
ward came to dwell in liie region. There was something in
the character and quality of the lands to attract settlement, and
a comparison of records discloses that Holland in the early years
of its history grew as rapidly in population as any of the adjoin-
ing towns. Indeed, in 1790 the town had more than double its
present population, the number of inhabitants then being 428
as against 169 in 1900. This loss has not been through any fault
of the people and is attributable to the same causes which have
worked a like decrease in popiilation in all towns situated as is
this: and that, the tendency of later generations of young men
and women to abandon the farms for the pleasures of life in the
connnercial centers.
The various fluctuations of population in Holland are seen
in the following extracts from the census reports: In 1790 the
inhabitants lumibered 428 ; 1800, 445 ; 1810. 420 ; 1820. 453 ; 1830.
453; 1840. 423; 1850, 449; 1860, 419; 1865, 368; 1870, 344; 1875,
334: 1880. 302: 1885. 229; 1890, 201; 1895, 199; 1900. 169.
Civimistory.—The early civil history of Holland is narrated
on preceding pages and it is stated how South Brimfield was
created and the east and west parishes of the latter eventually
were made separate and distinct towns. The creation of the dis-
trict of Holliiud in 1783 was necessary for the convenience of its
inhabitants and while not then accorded full toAxni powers the
civil organization was made complete in that year. The act of the
legislature directed Abner Morgan, justice, to issue his warrant
to some principal person in the district pi'oposed to be incor-
porated, and Joseph Bruce was selected for that purpose. The
first town meeting in pursuance of the warrant was held July 24.
1783, on which occasion Mr. Bruce acted as moderator. Capt.
( 400 )
THE TOWN OF HOLLAND
Nehemiah May, Joseph Blodgett and Alfred Lyon were chosen
selectmen, and Eliphalet Janes, town clerk. -A full board of
officers were chosen and then Holland began making civil history.
The succession of selectmen is as follows :
Selectmen.— nS3, Nehemiah May, Joseph Blodgett, Alfred
Lyon : 1784, William Belknap, Daniel Burnet, Jonathan Cram ;
1785, Jonas Blodgett, Daniel Burnet, Nehemiah May; 1786,
Joseph Bruce, Daniel Burnet, William Belknap ; 1787, Jonas
Blodgett, Asa Dana, Wm. Belknap; 1788, David AYallis, Asa
Dana, Wm. Belknap ; 1789, David Wallis, Asa Dana, John
Policy ; 1790, Wm. Belknap, Alfred Lyon, John Brown ; 1791-93,
Wm. Belknap, Asa Dana, David Wallis; 1794, Alfred Lyon,
Ichabod Goodell, David Wallis; 1795, Alfred Lyon, Wm. Belk-
nap, David Wallis; 1796, Joseph Bruce, John Policy, Halowell
Perrin; 1797-8, David Wallis, John Policy, Wm. Belknap; 1799,
David AVallis, Gershom Rosebrook, Rinaldo Webber; 1800, Wm.
Belknap, Ichabod Goodell, Rinaldo Webber ; 1801, David Wallis,
Ichabod Goodell, Jonathan Ballard ; 1802, David Fay, Ichabod
Goodell, Ebenezer Morris; 1803, Jacob Thompson, Ichabod
Goodell, Ebenezer Morris; 1804, Jacob Thompson, Ichabod
Goodell, Rinaldo Webber; 1805, Jacob Thompson, John Policy,
David Wallis; 1806-07, Zerial May, John Policy, David Wallis;
1808, Ebenezer Morris, Ezra Allen, Ezra Webber ; 1809, Ebene-
zer Morris, Jacob Tliompson, Samuel Webber; 1810, David Wal-
lis, John Weaver, Ezra Webber; 1811, Edward Blodgett, James
A. Lynn, Wm. Putnam ; 1812, Edward Blodgett, James A. Lynn,
Reuben Stevens ; 1813, Edward Blodgett, Ezra Webber, Leonard
Morris; 1814, Cyril Perrin, James A. Lynn, Edward Blodgett;
1815, John Weaver, David Wallis, Ezra Allen ; 1816, John Weaver,
Ezra Webber, Edward Blodgett; 1817, Benj. Church, Preeland
Wallis, John Wallis; 1818, Samuel Webber. Preeland Wallis,
Reuben Stevens; 1819-20, Samuel Webber, Elbridge G. Puller,
David B. Dean; 1821, Samuel Webber, Preeland Wallis, David
B. Dean; 1822, Benj. Church, Preeland Wallis, David B. Dean;
1823. Isaac Partridge, Preeland Wallis, John Wallis; 1824-25,
David B. Dean, Preeland Wallis, Benj. Church; 1826, Adolphus
Webber, Preeland Wallis, Loring Webber ; 1827, Reuben Stevens,
26-3 ( 401 )
on; VOVMY AM> ITS PEOPLE
David H. Dean. Loriii^' Webber; 1828, Leonard M. Morris. Jolin
Wallis, Baxter Wood; 1829-:{1, Freeland Wallis, David B. Dean,
Willard Weld ; 1832, Adolphus Webber, Loring Webber, Willard
Weld; 1833. Willard Weld, Adolphus Webber, Elbridge G.
Fuller: 1834, Freeland Wallis, Adolphus AYebber, LjTuan Gould;
1835, Freeland Wallis. Willard Webber, David B. Dean; 1836,
Freeland Wallis. L.vnian Gould, Gilbert Rosebrook; 1837, Wil-
lard Weld, Horace Wallis. Tsaae W. W^ood; 1838, Willard Weld,
Horace Wallis. Freeland Wallis: 1839, AYillard AVeld, Levans
JlcFarlin, Freeland Wallis; 18-40, Adolphus Webber, Horace
WaUis, Grosvernor ]\Iay; 1841, Adolphus "Webber, David B.
Dean, Warren A. Wallis; 1842, Freeland Wallis. David B. Dean,
Harrison Allen; 1843, Adolphus Webber, Willard Weld, Uriah
P. Jlarc.v ; 1844, David B. Dean, Adolphus Webber, Harrison
Allen; 1845, Freeland Wallis, Nehemiah Underwood, Eleazer
Moore; 1846, William A. Webber, Nehemiah Underwood, Harri-
son Allen; 1847. John'Wallis, Stephen C. Weld, John B. Gould
1848-4!). William A. Webber. Warren A. Wallis, William Frizell
1850, Nehemiah Underwood, Uriah P. Marcy, John P. Gould
1851, Benj. F. Wilson, Alvin Goodell, John Wallis; 1852, Elea-
zer ]\roore, Warren A. AVallis. John Wallis: 1853. AVni. A. Web-
ber, Nehemiah Underwood. KosweU A. Blodgett ; 1854, Nehemiah
Underwood, William A. Webber, Uriah P. Marc.v; 1855, Alvin
(loodell. Eleazer iloore, George L. Webber; 1856-57, Wm. A.
AVebber, Warren A. Wallis, Clement B. Drake; 1858, Wm. A.
Webber., Harrison Allen, Wm. H. Harris : 1859, Warren A. Wal-
lis; Geo. L. Webber, Eleazer IMoore: 1860, Ferdinand L. Burley,
Clement B. Drake, Wm. A. Harris: 1861, Ferdinand L. Burley,
Wm. A. Webber, AVarren A. Wallis ; 1862, Ferd. L. Burley, Geo.
L. Webber, AVarren A. AA^allis; 1863, AVm. A. AA'ebber, Horace
AVallis. R. A. Blodgett: 1864. Ferd. L. Burley, Uriah P. Marcy,
J. Ballard: 1865. AVm. A. AA'ebber. Clement B. Drake, J. A.
AVebber: 1866-70, AVm. A. AVebber, Clement B. Drake, Uriah P.
;Marcy: 1871-72, Freeman B. Blodgett, Harrison Allen, Uriah
P. 'Slimy; 1873, Clement B. Drake, F. B. Blodgett. AA^m, S.
AVallis: 1874, AVilliam A. AVebber, Freeman B. Blodgett, R. A.
Blodgett: 1875. AVm. A. AVebber. F. B. Blodgett, Wm. S. AA'allis;
( 402 )
THE TO^YN OF HOLLAND
1876, Uriah P. Marcy, F. B. Blodgett, Prank Wight; 1877-78,
AVm. A. Webber, Freeman B. Blodgett, Henry Vinton; 1879,
George L. Webber, Henry Vinton, Francis Wight ; 1880, George
L. Webber, Francis Wight, A. L. Roper; 1881, George L. Webber,
Freeman B. Blodgett. A. L. Roper ; 1882, Francis Wight, F. B.
Blodgett, A. L. Roper; 18S3, Francis Wight, Wm. L. Webber,
R. A. Blodgett- 1884, Francis Wight, R. A. Blodgett, A. L.
Roper; 1885, Francis Wight, R. A. Blodgett, Henry Vinton;
1886, R. A. Blodgett, A. L. Roper, George L. Webber; 1887,
George L. AVebber, Wm. S. Wallis, Freeman B. Blodgett; 1888-
89, George L. Webber, Wm. S. Wallis, F. B. Blodgett; 1890,
Francis Wight, R. A. Blodgett, Wm. S. Wallis; 1891-2, Francis
AVight, Wm. S. Wallis. Freeman B. Blodgett; 1893, George L.
Webber, John S. Glazier, H. E. AVallis; 1894, Geo. L. Webber,
H. E. Wallis, Francis Wight: 1895, F. B. Blodgett, Francis
Wight, Wm. S. Wallis; 1896. F. B. Blodgett, Wm. A. Webber,
B. C. Bennett; 1897, F. B. Blodgett, D. E. Butterworth, B. C.
Bennett; 1898, F. B. Blodgett, A. F. Blodgett, D. E. Butter-
worth; 1899. F. B. Blodgett, L. M. Howlett, H. E. Vinton; 1900,
A. F. Blodgett. L. M. Hewlett, C. A. Webber; 1901, L. M. How-
lett, C. A. Webber, Francis Wight.
The succession of tlie town clerks is as follows : Eliphalet
Janes, 1783-86; William Belknap. 1786-89; Da\'id Wallis, 1789;
AVilliam Belknap. 1790-94; Asa Dana, 1794-98; Jonathan Bal-
lard. 1798-1803 ; David AVallis 1803 ; Ezra Webber, 1804-9 ; James
A. Lyon, 1809; Ezra Webber. 1810; James A. Lyon, 1811-13;
Reuben Stevens, 1814 ; Freeland Wallis, 1815-19 ; David B. Dean,
1819-23: Luther Brown, 1823; David B. Dean, 1824; Freeland
Wallis, 1825-27; John Wallis 1828; Samuel Frizell, 1829-33;
Freeland Wallis. 1833-36; Elbridge Fuller, 1836; John Dixon,
1837; John Wallis. 1838-41; John Di.xon, 1841-42; William A.
W^allis. 1842-46; AVarren A. AVallis, 1846; William A. Robbiu.s,
1847-53; AVarren A. AVallis, 1854-55; Freeman B. Blodgett,
1855-62; Francis AVight. 1862-65; Frank E. Kinney, 1865-73;
Freeman B. Blodgett, 1873: Frank E. Kinney, 1874-89; AVm.
L. AVebber, 1890-1900 ; Arthur F. Blodgett, 1901— now in office.
The present town officers are as follows ; L. IM. Howlett, C.
A. Webber, Francis AVight, selectmen; Arthur F. Blodg'.'tt, town
( 403 )
OUB COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
ckrk; Lewis 1). Diiraiit, auditor: Artlnir F. Blodgett, treasurer;
Carl F. Ilowlett, collector; F. B. Blodf,'ett (clim.), Henry E.
Vinton, Charles A. Webber, assessors ; overseers of the poor, the
selectmen; constables, Oliver L. Ilowlett, Arthur F. Blodgett;
cemetery commissioner. Freeman B. Blodgett; board of health,
the selectmen; chief of police, Oliver L. Howlett; justice of the
peace, William L. Webber.
Holland was so named in allusion to Charles James Fox,
Lord Holland, a member of the British parliament during the
revolution and one of the few earnest cliainpions of American
rights in that body.
From the earliest years of its history this has been an agri-
cultural town. The land surface is rolling and in places is quite
hilly, yet there are few areas which are unfit for cultivation.
Under pro])er tillage the farms (and the town abounds in good
ones) yield well and through intelligent effoi't many husband-
men have acquired a competency. The hill lands produce abund-
ant crops of grass and afford excellent pasturage. During the
stage coach era the people prospered and farmers found a
ready market for the product of their lands. The old South
Meadow road then was a thoroughfare of great importance and
travelers were passing daily through the town; but when the
r-ailroads compelled the stages to cease operations that which for
years had been of the greatest benefit to the people was taken
away. In the dispensation of public improvement enterprises
Holland never was favored with a railroad, and being remotely
located from the county seat its inhabitants have turned to other
commercial centers for conveniences of trades.
But notwithstanding the disadvantage of situation, Hol-
land previous to about a quarter of a century ago was quite a
bus}- town, and in its little trading center considerable business
was carried on. Let us brieflj- refer to some of these old-time
interests. As early as 1785 a store was opened by a Mr. Brown
(probably Robert or John). A little later Alfred Lyon kept
a stock of goods and a tavern near the reservoir dam. Still later
Isaac Partridge had a store about half a mile south of the Centre.
Among other and subsequent merchants there may be recalled
( 404 )
THE TOWN OF HOLLAND
the names of Chase & Ward, Luthei- Brown, Dr. Josiah Converse,
Sewell Glazier, Clement B. Drake, Elisha Kinney, Willard Weld,
Orlando Anderson, Lynn & Co., Jonathan Sikes, John Carpen-
ter and others. These stores, particularly those in existence
between 1810 and 1850, did a thriving business, but when much
of the trade was attracted to other localities they naturally de-
clined until Holland people found themselves under the necessity
of traveling outside for needed household supplies.
In 1784 the town licensed David Bughee to keep tavern,
and from that time a hotel generally has been maintained here.
Alfred Lyon kept public house in connection with his store near
the reservoir. About 1812 David Marcy built the Holland hotel
and kept the same about two years. The later proprietors were
John Webber, Mr. Bridgeman, Allen Tiffany, Mr. Harris, Luther
Brown, E. G. Puller, Baxter Wood, Mr. Benson, Elisha Kinney
and Frank E. Kinney, about in the order mentioned. The fii'st
resident phj-sician was Dr. Thomas Wallis, who in later years
was followed by Drs. Seth Smith, Ichabod Hyde, David B. Dean,
Joshua Richardson, Chileab B. Merrick, Josiah Converse and
Abial Bottom, the latter, however, having removed to Wilbra-
ham and practiced from that town. The present physician of
Holland is Dr. Josiah G. Willis.
From what has been stated in preceding paragraphs it must
be seen that at one time Holland had important business interests
and as a producing town it held a place of prominence in the
county. About 1803 Josiah Hobbs started a tannery in the south-
west corner of the town and carried on business with fair success
for many years. In 1828 Jedediah Healey succeeded to the
property and continued its operation several more years. After-
ward the building was converted into a dwelling house, and there
George Haradon made boots and shoes. About the beginning of
the last century two men named Paddock, father and son, the
latter named Jolm, started a furnace about half a mile below
the reservoir dam and began the manufacture of iron from ore
mined in the vicinity. Another similar industiy for a time was
conducted in the town and was located where afterward stood
the Fuller cotton factory. Still another old interest wfis the
( 405 )
oni COUXTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
factory I'or the mauufacture of cut uails, which was operated
several years beginning about 1830. About the year last men-
tioned Elbridge G. Fuller built a mill and carried on a cotton
cloth works on the road leading from Holland to East Brimfield.
In its day this was an important industry in the town, but about
1855 the buildings were destroyed by fire and wei-e not replaced.
About the same time (1830) John C. Butterworth began the
manufacture of cotton batting in a building erected for that pur-
pose. Leander Bradd afterward succeeded to the business and
continued it several years. In the same building Mr. Fuller
nutde caudle wicking, but about IS-l-t this old faetorv was burned.
Holland Church
IloUand viUayc, where is located the post-office,' also the
other business places of the town, is a small hamlet of a dozen
or more dwellings and a like number of small shops, but not
at any time has the place contained more than one hundred in-
habitants. Here, too, is the seat of town business, the clerk's
office, the public school, the Holland library and the Congrega-
tional church. Previous to 1860 it was a village of much local
prominence, but with the constant decrease in population its
interests have likewise declined. The present interests of the
( 40G )
THE TO^YN OF HOLLAND
town may be noted substantially as follows : Freeman B. Blod-
gett, boot and shoe maker and mason; A. J. Bagley and Anson
AVilliams, carpenters; John D. Barney, cider mill; D. E. Bntter-
worth, saw and grist mill ; the Holland hotel ; William L. Webber,
justice of the peace and postmaster; D. E. Webber, painter; Dr.
Josiah G. Willis, physician and snrgeon ; the Holland public
library, ^Mrs. C. F. Hewlett, librarian, and Francis Wright,
Oliver L. Howlett and Freeman B. Blodgett, trustees.
The town has but one public school, with an average yearly
attendance of about 15 pupils. According to the latest published
i-eport, Holland has 88 children between the ages of 5 and 15
years, for whose instruction one teacher is employed eight
months in the year. In the last year the amount raised by town
tax for the support of the school was $225; expense of super-
■^Tsion was $25 : expense for books and supplies, $32.22. The
town 's share of the school fund is about $455, and the local fund,
the income from which can be used for school maintenance, is
$222.22. The school committee for the present year comprises
Arthur F. Blodgett (chm.), Charles A. Webber and Francis
Wight.
In 1783 the town comprised four school districts and for
many years thereafter four schools were maintained. In 1800
the districts were reduced to three, and were so continued iintil
the decreasing population of the town generally necessitated a
still further reduction in the districts. Under the present dis-
position of school interests, with a scattered population of less
than 200 persons a transportation system is employed in convey-
ing children to and from school. Holland is one of the townis
in Hampden county which is not under the supervision of a
school superintendent.
Long before Holland became a town and even while its
territory formed a part of South Brimfield the inhabitants, ever
mindful of their spiritual welfare, established a society for
regilious worship and supported the same at the expense of the
town. For several years services were held in the dwellings of
devout members of the flock, and Rev. Mr. Conehelin acted as
their spiritual guide. Then a meeting house was built, the first
( 407 )
OUR COUNTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
in the region, and stood on the South Meadow I'oad, not far from
the foot of Rattlesnake mountain. This edifice served the needs
of the worsliipers for many years, and was followed by a second
house of worship which stood near the center of the town and
was a more pretentious structure than its predecessor. This
building, however, was removed to Connecticut and was replaced
with the meeting house which was burned in 1858. The pi-esent
churcli edifice was erected in 1859.
The church itself was organized in 1765, with three consti-
tuent members, and in later years it grew in strength and in-
fluence until it became self-supporting and was regarded as one
of the permanent institutions of the entire region. The first
pastor was l\ev. Ezra Iveeves, whose ministry here continued
from 1765 to 1818, when he died. He was followed by Rev.
Enoch Bui-t and the latter, in turn, by Rev. James Sanford, who
filled the i)astorate from 1827 to 1843. In later years the pas-
torate frequently has been vacant and the pulpit has been sup-
plied by various ministers of the church; but the soeiet^y never
has lost its identity, although the decrease in population in the
towii lia.s made serious inroads on the membership. At the
present time, and for the last five years, Rev. Josiah G. Willis
has been pastor. The congregations generally are far greater
than tlu> number of communicants in the church. Among the
earliest deacons there may be recalled the names of Moses Lyon,
Humphrey Crowe, James Frizell, S. BaUard, David Wallis and
Samuel Webber, nearly all of whom were chosen previous to
1800.
In the early years of the last century several Baptist fami-
lies made homes in the town, and naturally soon sought to estab-
lish a church of their denomination. The society was formed
June 6, 1817, and on the more formal church organization twenty
persons became constituent members. Samuel Webber and
Walter Lyon were the first deacons. The first pastor was Rev.
Joseph Glazier, followed by Rev. Washington Munger. For a
time the church was reasonably prosperous, but soon after 1840
it began to decline and before 1850 had passed out of existence.
The meeting house was built in 1819-20, and was afterward
transferred to the town.
( 408 )
THE TO^VN OF HOLLAND
lu treating of the early history of Holland considerabln
attention has been given to recollections of the pioneers, with
frequent allusion to their children and descendants who wero
figures in town life a century ago. But thei'e have been other
factors in local history who are deserving of at least a passing
mention. We refer to men who were the real factors in Holland
history during the last quarter of a century, many of whom
served in official capacities, but all contributing factors in the
most interesting history of the locality. In this connection we
may recall the names of Elisha and Frank E. Kinney, hotel
proprietors one after the other; Warren A. Wallis, Stephen
Agard, William A. Webber, James A. Webber, Uriah P. Marcy,
Orrin W. Brown, Edward Blodgett, Lewis C. Howlett, Henry
Vinton, R. A. Blodgett and George L. Webber, all of whom were
thrifty farmers, many of them descendants of pioneer stock,
and all upright citizens whose example is worthy of emulation.
In the same category we may also include T. D. Butterworth,
the saw and grist miller, and Rev. John Carpenter, the former
pastor of the church and the spiritual advisor of the town's
people.
Among the present day factors in Holland history we may
mention the names of Freeman B. Blodgett, Edward R. Morse,
Henry E. Vinton, William L. Webber, H. H. Bradeau, Henry
J. Switzer, Edwin P. Damon, B. C. Bennett and Richmond
Young, all farmers and successful men; D. E. Webber, the
painter ; 0. W. Williams, the mechanic ; William Lilley, the mail
carrier; Andrew J. Bagley, the carpenter; Oliver L. Howlett,
the lumberman, and Rev. Josiah G. Willis, the clergjrman and
pastor of the Congregational church. These are a few of the
more prominent men of Holland of to-day, they who are the real
figiires in its history.
( 409 )
CHAPTER XII
THE TOWN OF LONGMEADOW
The history of the town of Longmeadow must in most of its
essential featui-es include that which pertains to the present
town of East Longmeadow, so recently set off from the parent
municipality, no line of demarkation being practicable up to
the time of the official separation of the two portions of the
original town.
As originally incorporated the town of Longmeadow con-
sisted of a strip of territoi\y about seven miles in length from
east to west and of about half that breadth, from north to south,
set off fi-oiu the town of Springfield. It was bounded north by
Springfield, west by the Connecticut river separating it from the
town of Agawaui, south by the state line of Connecticut, and
east by tliat portion of the town of AVilbraham which was in 1878
incorporated as the town of Hampden. The area of Long-
meadow was originally a little less than twenty-five square miles,
or IG.OOO acres.
The name of the town was derived from the long, fertile
plain bordering the east margin of the Connecticut river, which
in the early days of the settlement was spoken of as "the long
meadow." This plain or meadow is nearly a mile in width,
practically level, very rich in soil, but so slightly raised above
the river level as to be in danger of overflow in time of high
water. To the eastward rises a plateau some sixty or eighty feet
higher than the meadow, along which, from north to south, runs
the principal street of the town. Still to the eastward comes a
stretch of more broken laud, of little agricultural value, which
has been allowed to remain in forest or largely unimproved;
wliilp the easlern portion, now embraced in the town of East
( 410
THE TO^YN OF LONGMEADOW
Lougmeadow, somewhat diversitied aud slightly hilly, presents
a fair degree of fertility. Here, also, are located the extensive
red sandstone quarries to which the eastern village has in large
measure been indebted for its business interest and material
prosperity. Within this limited area there is, therefore, a wide
range of physical characteristics and qualities, from almost
absolute sterility in the middle section to geological wealth and
productive farming lands on the east, and to the extremely rich
and fertile bottom lands on the west.
It was natural that "the long meadow," situated but a few
miles below the settlement at Springfield, early attracted the
attention of the pioneers. Its soil was rich, and easily cultivated ;
they had few utensils for working the land, and those few were
crude and simple. The "teeming acres" invited, and the set-
tlers responded. As early as 1644, within eight years after the
first settlements at Springfield, three families — those of Benja-
min Cooley, "Quartermaster" George Colton and John Keep-
decided to locate on the long meadow. Others followed, and the
little colony grew apace, although its interests and relations in
matters of religion and civil government remained with the
parent colony.
Thirty years had passed in this manner, when the outbreak
of King Philip's war in 1675 rendered the position of these
isolated settlers one of great peril. A large part of Springfield
was burned, and all the region northward was filled with desola-
tion and with mourning for those slain by the treacherous
savages. All through the winter which followed the inhabitants
of the meadow remained in their homes, knowing that bauds of
hostile Indians were lurking in the ueigliborhood. They dared
not even make the journey necessary to attend church in Spring-
field—a deprivation so keenly felt that on the 26th of March,
1676, no hostilities having occurred for a considerable time, a
party of eighteen men, women and children, accompanied by a
small guard of armed men, set out to attend public worship. As
they reached Pecowsic brook a band of hostile Indians b^irst
njion tliem, killed John Keep, his wife and infant child, wounded
some others, and took a few members of the party away captives.
( 411 )
OUK COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
.Mr. Keep was one of the original settlers on the meadow, and
was a leader in the community, being one of the selectmen of
Springfield. Fortunately for the little settlement, it escaped
further disaster of this uatiire, the war being carried on to the
nortliward and in the eastern portions of the province.
With all of the advantages, it soon became apparent that the
meadow was not adapted to permanent habitation, owing to the
danger and annoyance accompanying the annual rise of the
river. In seasons of high water the lands were frequently in-
undated, and in the year 1695 a flood of unusual height drove
the families from their homes, most of them seeking shelter in
Springfield jiroper. In 1703 they petitioned for permission to
remove from the meadow to the higher ground lying to the east,
and this petition was granted, the town voting to give for this
purpose "the lajid from Pecowsie brook to Enfield bounds, and
from the hill eastward of Long meadow half a mile further east-
ward into tlie woods." Upon the territory thus ceded the present
main street of Longmeadow was laid out. land was assigned to
the settlers, and i)reparations were made for the removal. This
did not take place, however, until 1709, when all of the families
moved to the new allotment, nearly at the same time.
Up to this time, and for a few j-ears longer, the dwellers in
Longmeadow had regarded themselves as merely an outpost of
the town and parish of Springfield, and for another seventy
years no movement looking toward an independent incorpora-
tion was attempted; but for the purposes of public worship,
then esteemed so important a duty, the distance of the village
from the parent settlement was regarded as too great, and in
1713 a petition was presented to the general court at Boston for
incorporation as a parish or precinct. This action was approved,
and Longmeadow became the Third parish of Springfield, the
preamble to the act of incorporation reading thus: "Pro^-ince
of the Massachusetts Bay : At a session of the Great and Gen-
eral Court or As.sembly, held at Boston, February 10, 1713, it
being represented that the petitioners, inhabitants of that part
of the town of Springfield commonly called Longmeadow
(although not fully up to the number of forty families) is of
( 412 )
THE TOWN OF LONGMEADOW
good and sufficient ability to maintain a minister, and sometimes
cannot, with any convenience, attend the public worship at the
meeting-house that now is in said town, by reason of the great
distance from it: Ordered that the prayer of the petition be
granted; with the provision, however, that in due season the
petitioners should provide themselves with 'a learned and ortho-
<lox minister, and agree to raise and pay the sum of £50, at
least, annually, for his support."
The inhabitants of the new precinct were further required
to "pay to the maintenance of the ministry in the other part of
the town as formerly until they are provided with a learned
orthodox minister", and the bounds of the Longmeadow parish
were thus described : "To be bounded northerly by a line to
be drawn from the mouth of Pecowsic brook, so called, where it
falls into Connecticut river, to the province's land, parallel to the
line of the southern bounds of the said town of Springfield,
westerly by Connecticut river, southerly by the town of Entield,
and easterly by the province's land.''
The erection of a suitable house of worship and the settle-
ment of a minister became at once the important work of the
new parish, and the existing records .show that steps were taken
to at once carry out the conditions of the incorporation. On the
26th of April, 1714, it was voted in a precinct meeting: "To
proceed in building of a meeting-house, and to accomplish it so
far as to raise, shingle and clapboard the same by the first day
of Janviary next ensuing. " It was also voted "that the meeting-
house should be built thirty-eight feet square if the timber that
is already gotten will allow it: or, if this timber be too scant, to
make it something le.ss." The committee appointed to "provide
workmen and materials to carry on the work" consisted of
Nathaniel Burt, Jr., Samuel Keep, Thomas Hale, Thomas Colton.
Jr., and Samuel Stebbins.
At a meeting held on the 11th of October of that year—
"Honored Col. Pynchon being chosen moderator for said meet-
ing, and for all such meetings when present among us"— it was
voted that the committee "should proceed to provide for and
to lay the floor, and do some part of the walling and to set up
( 413 )
OiK COiMY AXD ITS PEOPLE
the dooi'.s and other necessaries of the meeting-house for our
meeting in it." The buikliug was not completed until near the
close of the year 171C, though earlier used as a place of worship.
About this time an agreement was made "with Margaret Cooley
to sweep the meeting-house for one year from this date, and to
give her seventeen shillings if there be no work done in the
meeting-house ; for eighteen shillings if there be any consider-
able.'" During 1744, after some sixteen years of discussion, a
bell was procured for the church. For several years, earlier in
the historj' of the precinct it appears that the worshipers had
been summoned at the proper time by the beating of a drum.
The first pastorate of this church was in eveiy way a notable
one. The church interests were considered of the first importance
in the community: it was for their furtherance that the precinct
had been created, and the pastor called to minister to the inhabit-
ants must of necessity become a central figure among them. It
was voted at a meeting held September 30, 1714, to call a minis-
ter, and tlie committee entrusted with this delicate duty were
cautioned "in the first place to take advice of the Elders in
order to i)rocure one suitable for us." The call was extended
to Rev. Stephen Williams, a son of Rev. John Williams of Deer-
field, by vote of the parisli. ^March 7, 1715; but the fact that his
ordination did not occur until October 17 of the following year
shows that iniiiortant measures were then carried through with
care and delil)eration. The ordination was not only an impor-
tant event in tlie community, but it brought together a most
notal)]e assembhige of reverend gentlemen from the region com-
prising tlie line of .settlements in the Connecticut river valley
of Massachusetts. The ordaining council consisted of Rev. Wil-
liam Williams of Hatfield, who preached the ordaining sermon,
Rev. John Williams, father of the minister ordained. Rev. Solo-
mon Stoddard of Northampton, Rev. Edward Taylor of West-
field, and Rev. Daniel Brewer and Rev. John Woodbridge of
Springfield— the latter being the fir.st pastor of the parish on
the west side of the river, in what is now West Springfield.
Rev. Mr. Williams preached his first sermon at Longmeadow
as a ciuiilirlnt.. \,.VH„il.,.r 4. 1714. when but a few months over
( -114 )
THE TO^yX OF LONGMEADOW
twenty-one years of age, but he had already passed through
varied and in some cases thrilling experiences. During "Queen
Anne's war'', early in 1704, when eleven .years of age, he was
captured, with his father's entire family, at the taking of Deer-
field by the Indians, and was taken to Canada, where he was held
a prisoner for more than two years. CTraduating from Harvard
college in 1713, he taught school in Hadlej' for a year before
entering the ministry. His pastorate was probably the longest
on record, continuing unbroken until his death, June 10, 1782,
in the ninetieth year of his age, and the sixty-sixth year of his
ministry. During this time he was thrice appointed a chaplain
in the colonial armies, serving with the same fidelity which
marked his position among the members of his beloved parish.
The degree of Doctor of Divinity was bestowed upon him, most
worthily, by Dartmouth college in 1773.
It is interesting to note, bearing in mind the limited mem-
bership of the parish, the liberal provision made for their pastor.
It was voted to allow him £200 as a settlement fund, £50 a year
to be paid for four years, with an annual salary of £55 for five
years, to be after that increased at the rate of £5 a year "for
ten years if his necessity calls for it, and then to pay him half
his rate in grain at current money price." In many instances'
special sums were voted him on account of sickness in his family
or other causes, such as the high price of provisions; while the
pastor, on the other hand, appears to have given releases in cases
where the parish found it difficult to meet the full measure of
their obligations.
A touching experience in his life occurred in the early sum-
mer of 1761, when his sister Eunice, four years his junior,
visited him. She had been taken captive at Deerfield with the
rest of the family, but remained in Canada when the others
returned to IMassachusetts. All efforts for her redemption failed
and she became in habit and disposition an Indian, forgetting
her native language, and marrying an Indian chief who adopted
the name of AVilliams. AYhen on this visit the party, consisting
of the sister, her husband, a daughter and others, reached Long-
meadow, they encamped in Indian style in the orchard near the
( 415 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
parsonage, but were unable to carry on any conversation until
an interpreter could be secured from Sunderland. Then for a
few days the brother and sister communed; but nothing could
induce the woman to forsake her adopted people, or renounce
till' lioman Catholic religion which she had embraced.
The pastorate of Mr. Williams covered nearly all of the
revolutionary war period, and the stress to which the people
.vere subjected by the depi'eciation of the continental currency
is shown by the fact that for tlie year 1780 it was voted to make
his salary £4,500. As a part of tliis amount was paid in grain,
the prices at which this was reckoned will throw much light upon
the situation. Indian corn was rated at $38 a bushel, wheat was
$84, pease the same, and barley $50.
A movement for elevating the precinct to the dignity of an
independent townsliip was agitated as early as 1741, and a com-
mittee was appointed to consider and report on the desirability
of the proi)osed change ; but their report, adverse to the proposi-
tion, was accepted b}' the precinct, and the matter rested for
thirty years. In 1772. however, the subject was again taken up,
more earnestly, and petitions were presented to the town of
Springfield and to the great and general court, looking to that
end while the members of the parish several times expressed in
their meetings the desire for a separate incorporation. On the
17th of January, 1774, Springfield voted its consent to the pro-
posed separation, under certain conditions, the precinct accepted
the conditions, and a conuuittee was appointed to present the
request of the parish to the legislature; but the long and terrible
war for independence of the colonies was at hand, and during its
stress all thought of a separate town government for Long-
meadow seems to have been held in abeyance. On the 23d of
August, 1781, another vote was taken to determine whether the
parish still desired a separation, and was "passed in the atfirma-
tive." A little more than two years later, on the 13th of October,
1783, the great and general court pa.ssed the act of incorpora-
tion, Longmeadow being thus tlie first town in the state, and
perhaps in the country, incorporated after the formal acknowl-
edgment of the independence of the colonies. The bounds of
( 416 )
THE TO^yN OF LONGMEADOW
the town were identical with those of the parish, except that on
the east the town of Wilbraham had been incorporated, and
formed the boundary in that direction. The name of "Loug-
ineadow, " which had been adopted for the settlement and for
the precinct, was continued for the town, and has remained tm-
changed to the present time, although the subject of a different
name has occasionally been agitated, and a change of name has
twice been voted in town meeting. In 1812 the name of
"Lisbon" was thus adopted, but the movement in its favor came
to naught through another town in the state already bearing that
name; in 1825 "South Springfield" received the popular vote,
but the action was reconsidered two weeks later.
The first town meeting was held November 13, 1783, under
a warrant issued by John Bliss of Wilbraham, justice of the
peace. The moderator was Col. Gideon Burt, and the following
principal officers were chosen ; Town clerk, Jonathan Hale, Jr., ;
treasurer, Nathaniel Ely ; selectmen, David Burt, Moses Field
and Jonathan Burt; assessors, Gideon Burt, Moses Field and
Jonathan Burt, 2d. The principal officers of precinct and town,
from 1714 to the present year, and representatives to the great
and general court down to 1812, are as follows :
Committee of the Precinct. — \1\A:, Col. John Pynchon, Capt.
Thomas Col ton, Joseph Cooley, Nathaniel Burt, George Colt«n;
1715, Col. John Pynchon, Capt. Thomas Colton, Nathaniel
Burt, Jr., Samuel Keep, George Colton; 1716, Col. John Pyn-
chon. Sergt. Joseph Cooley. Corp. Nathaniel Burt, Samuel Keep,
Thomas Bliss, 2d; 1717, Col. John Pynchon, Thomas Colton,
Nathaniel Bliss, Ephraim Colton, Jos. Cooley; 1718-19, Ephraim
Colton, Joseph Cooley, Thomas Bliss, 2d; 1720, Joseph Cooley,
Samuel Keep, Samuel Stebbins; 1721, Ephraim Colton, Thomas
Hale, Samuel Stebbins; 1722, Ephraim Colton, Ensign Keep,
Samuel Stebbins; 1723, Thomas Bliss, 2d, Samuel Stebbins, Sam-
uel Cooley; 1724, Samuel Keep, Samuel Stebbins, Thomas Bliss,
3d; 1725, Nathaniel Bliss, Jr., Eliakim Cooley, Jonathan Ely;
1726, Eliakim Ely, Nathaniel Bliss, Jr., Thomas Hale; 1727-8,
Eliakim Cooley, Jonathan Nash, George Colton; 1729, Thomas
Colton. Eliakim Cooley, Jonathan Ely; 1730, Nathaniel Bliss,
27-3 ( 417 )
on; ((HXTY AXD rrs; rEOPiE
Jr., "William Stebbiiis, Samuel C'ooley; 1731, Thomas Bliss, 2d,
Thomas Bliss, 3d, Ehenezer Colton ; 1732, Samuel C'ooley, Thomas
Bliss, 3tl, Timothy Nasli; 1733, Thomas Bliss, 2d, Nathaniel Bliss,
Jr., Thomas Colton; 1734, Samuel Colton, Samuel Cooley, Timo-
thy Nash: 1735, Ebenezer Bliss, 1st, John Colton, John Cooley;
1736, Ephraim Colton, Thomas Colton, Ensign Stebbius; 1737,
Timothy Nash, Samuel Cooley, John Burt, 2d: 1738, Thomas
Field, Thomas Colton. Simon Colton : 1739. John Cooley. Thomas
Bli.ss, Uavid Burt, 2d ; 1740, Jonathan Stebbins. Ephraim Colton,
John Colton; 1741, Isaac Colton, Nathaniel Bliss, John Cooley;
1742, Henry Walcott, Nathan Burt. Jr., John Colton; 1743,
Samuel Cooley, Joshua Field, Isaac Colton: 1744, "William Steb-
bins, Ephraim Colton, Jr., Samuel Keep, Jr. ; 1745, Ephraim
Colton. John Colton. Jonathan Stebbins: 1746. Nathaniel Burt,
Jr., Simon Colton, David Burt, 2d: 1747-9, Simon Colton, Da\'id
Burt, 2d, Nathaniel Burt, Jr. ; 1750, Simon Colton, David Burt,
2d, Nathaniel Ely; 1751, Nathaniel Burt. Simon Colton, Nathan-
iel Ely; 1752-3, Nathaniel Ely, 2d, Josiah Cooley, David Burt,
2d; 1754, Josiah Cooley, Nathaniel Eh-, 2d, Aaron Colton; 1755,
Moses Field, Nathaniel Ely, Aaron Colton ; 1756, George Colton,
Simon Colton, David Burt ; 1757, Josiah Cooley, Jonathan Hale,
David Burt; 1758, Jloses Field, Matthew Keep, Josiah Cooley;
1759, Kiehard "Woohvorth, Eleazer Smith, Nathaniel Ely; 1760,
Josiah Cooley, Jonathan Hale, Eleazer Smith: 1761, Nehemiah
Stebbins, David Burt, Noah Hale; 1762, Ebenezer Bliss, 3d,
Josiah Cooley, Abner Bliss: 1763, Aaron Colton, Jonathan Hale,
]\Ioses Field; 1764, Nehemiah Stebbins, Simon Colton, Eleazer
Smith; 1765, Moses Field, Ebenezer Bliss, 2d, David Burt, 3d:
1766, Samuel ^MUiams, Eleazer Smith, Nehemiah Stebbins;
1767, Simeon Colton, Nathaniel Ely, :Moses Field: 1768, Nehe-
miah Stebbins, Aaron Colton, David Burt, 3d: 1769, Ebenezer
Bliss, 3d, David Burt, 3d, Nehemiah Stebbins: 1770-71, Samuel
"Williams, Ebenezer Bliss, 3d. Jonathan Hale. Jr.: 1172. Samuel
Williams. Aaron Colton. Nathaniel Burt; 1773, Jonathan Hale,
Jr., Samuel Williams, David Burt, 3d ; 1774. Richard "Woohvorth,
Sanuiel Colton. Aaron Colton; 1775. Jonathan Hale, Jr., Ebene-
zer Bliss, 3d, Aaron Bliss; 1776. Nathaniel Burt, Caleb Cooley,
( 418 )
THE TOM^N OF LOXGMEADOW
Elijah Burt, Silas Hale, Stephen Keep; 1777, Samuel Colton,
Nathaniel Burt, Richard Woolworth, Ephraim Brown, Jonathan
Burt, 2d; 1778, Nathaniel Burt, David Burt, Elijah Burt; 1779,
Samuel Williams, Henry Colton, Silas Hale, Nathaniel Ely,
Ebenezer Colton ; 1780, Samuel Keep, Nathaniel Burt, Nathaniel
Ely, Jr., Jonathan Burt, 2d, Josiah Cooley; 1781, Nathaniel
Burt, Elijah Burt, Israel Colton, Josiah Colton, Jonathan Hale,
Jr. ; 1782, Jonathan Hale, Jr., Josiah Cooley, Silas Hale, Azariah
Woolworth, Abner Colton; 1783, Festus Colton, Josiah Cooley,
Samuel Keep, Elijah Burt, Abner Hale.
Selectmen. — 1783-4:. David Burt, Moses Field, Jonathan
Burt ; 1785-6, Moses Field, Jonathan Burt, Samuel Keep : 1787-8,
Moses Field, William Stebbins, Jonathan Hale, Jr. ; 1789, Jona-
than Burt, Jabez Colton, Jonathan Hale, Jr. ; 1790, Jabez Col-
ton, Jonathan Burt, Nathaniel Ely, Jr. : 1791-3, Hezekiah Hale,
Jonathan Burt, Nathaniel Ely, 2d; 1794-6, Jonathan Burt, 2d,
Hezekiah Hale, Gideon Burt, vice Jonathan Burt, deceased ;
1797-9, Hezekiah Hale, Elijah Burt, Nathaniel Ely, Jr. ; 1800-01,
Hezekiah Hale, Joseph W. Cooley, Gideon Burt ; 1802-3, Heze-
kiah Hale, Joseph W. Cooley, Nathaniel Ely: 1804-6, Joseph W.
Cooley, Calvin Burt, Ethan Ely: 1807-12, Alexander Field,
Ethan Ely, Joseph W. Cooley: 1813-14, Alexander Field, Ethan
Ely, Stephen Taylor; 1S15, Ethan Ely, Alexander Field, Joseph
W. Cooley: 1816, Ethan Ely, Alexander Field, Seth Taylor;
1817, Ethan Ely, Alexander Field, Joseph W. Cooley; 1818,
Joseph W. Cooley. Ethan Ely, David Booth; 1819, Joseph W.
Cooley, Oliver Dwight, Ethan Ely: 1820, Ethan Ely, Oliver
Dwight, Elijah Colton; 1821, Oliver Dwight, Oliver Bliss, Elijah
Colton; 1822-3, Oliver Dwight, Oliver Bliss, Alexander Field;
1824, Seth Taylor, Elijah Colton, Joseph W. Cooley ; 1825, Seth
Taylor, Elijah Colton, William AVhite; 1826-9, Herman Newell,
Burgess Salsbury, Joseph Ashley; 1830, Elijah Colton, Ethan
Taylor, Stephen Ashley; 1831, Stephen Ashley, Burgess Sals-
bury, Elijah Colton; 1832, Elijah Colton, Burgess Salsbury,
AVilliam White; 1833-4, Burgess Salsbury, Gad 0. Bliss, Oliver
Dwight: 1835-6, Burgess Salsbury, Gad 0. Bliss, Lorin Burt;
1837, Burgess Salsbury, Gad O. Bliss, Elijah Colton: 1838, Gad
( 419 )
Ol'R COrMY AM) ITS PEOFLE
0. Bliss, Elijah Colton, Etliaii Taylor; 1839, Oliver Dwight,
Gad 0. Bliss, Willis Phelps ; 1840, Gad 0. Bliss, Simeon Newell,
Stephen Ashley: 1841, Gad O. Bliss. Simeon Newell, Willis
Phelps; 1842, Simeon Newell, Willis Phelps, Joseph JIcGregory;
1843, Lorin Burt, Dimond Colton, Joseph McGregory; 1844,
Lorin Burt, Joseph JleGregory. Simeon Newell; 1845-6, Simeon
Newell, Lorin Burt, Daniel Burbank; 1847-8, Alford Cooley,
Warren Billings, Simeon Newell ; 1849-50, Alford Cooley, War-
ren Billings. Oliver Dwight; 1851, Alford Cooley, Elias Coomes,
Kandolph Stebbins; 1852-3, Alford Cooley, Stephen T, Colton,
Randolph Stebbins ; 1854, Kandolph Stebbins, Stephen T. Colton,
William Iligley; 1855, Stephen T. Colton, Alfred Taylor,
Sumner W. Gates; 1856-7, Stephen T. Colton, Alfred Taylor,
Lucius C. Burt; 1858-9, Stephen T. Colton, William Burt,
Lucius C. Burt; 1860-62, Stephen T. Colton, David Lathrop,
Abel H. Calkins; 1863-5, Stephen T. Colton, Dav-id Lathrop,
Horace Hills ; 1866, Stephen T. Colton, Charles S. Newell, Geo.
W. Gould : 1867, Stephen T. Colton, Charles S. Newell, Randolph
Stebbins; 1868, George AV. Gould, Charles S. Newell, Abel H.
Calkins; 1869-70, Charles S. Newell, George W. Gould, Ralph
P. Markham; 1871-3, Charles S. Newell, John C. Porter, Edwin
Endicott; 1874, Charles S. Newell, Edwin Endicott, Abel H.
Calkins : 1875, Chas. S. Newell, Edward P. Tabor. Abel H. Cal-
kins; 1876, Charles S. Newell, Edward P. Tabor. Edwin Endi-
cott; 1877, Charles S. Newell, Edward P. Tabor, Abel H. Calkins;
1878-79, Charles S. Newell, Edward P, Tabor, David Lathrop;
1880-82, Charles S. Newell, Edward P. Tabor, Abel H. Calkins;
1883, John C. Porter. John A, :\IcKinstry. Henry Hall; 1884-9,
John A. :McKinstry, Henry Hall. John C. Porter; 1890-91,
Henry Hall. John C. Porter, Frank B. Allen; 1892, Henry Hall,
John C, Porter, Edward P. Tabor; 1893. Frank B. Allen, John
C. Porter, George B. Robinson; 1894, Frank B. Allen. William
C. Pease, Charles S. Newell ; 1895, Frank B. Allen, Charles S.
Newell, John A. :McKinstry; 1896. Charles S. Newell, John A.
JIcKinstry. Charles S. Gates: 1897-8, Charles S. Gates, Frank
B. Allen, Thomas D. Watters: 1899-1900, Charles S. Newell,
Charles A, Birnie, Walter Bliss; 1901. Edward S. Brewer,
Thomas D. Watters, Harry G. Webster.
( 420 )
THE TO^yN OF LONGMEADOW
Precinct CierAs.— 171(3, Jouatliau Ely; 1717, Samuel Steb-
bins; 1718-51, Jonathan El}-; 1751-75, Jonathan Stebbins;
1775-83, Jonathan Hale, Jr.
Town Clerks.— nS'3-91, Jonathan Hale, Jr.; 1791-3, Daniel
Stebbins; 1793-1813, Jabez Colton; 1813-20, Chester Woolworth;
1820-51, William "White; 1851-3, David Booth; 1853, Dimoud
Chandler; 1854-6, Henry J. Crooks; 1856, James L. Pratt;
1857-89, Oliver AVoleott; 1889-94, Fred W. Lathrop; 1894,
William B. Medlicott ; 1895-1901, William F. Emerson.
Eeprcsentatives.—llSi, Nathaniel Ely; 1785-6. Gideon
Burt; 1787, Elihu Colton ; 1788-9, W^illiam Stebbins; 1791-2,
Jabez Colton: 1794-5, Gideon Burt; 1800, Hezekiah Hale; 1801,
¥:■'
[
Longmeadow Town Hall
Gideon Burt ; 1802-3, Nathaniel Ely ; 1804, Hezekiah Hale ; 1805-
12, Ethan Ely.
State Souitors.—lSoG, Gad 0. Bliss; 1863, Thomas L.
Chapman.
Members of State Constitutional Convention. — 1S'20, Calvin
Burt; 1853, Gad 0. Bliss.
The full list of town officers for the year 1901 is as follows:
Town clerk, treasurer and agent of board of health, William F.
Emerson; selectmen, assessors, overseers of poor and board of
health, Edward S. Brewer, Thomas D. Watters, Harry G. Web-
ster: auditor, William JI. AVillard; collector, Charles S. Allen;
421 )
OUR COUNTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
constables, William F. Sullivau, James Ward; highway sur-
veyor, Charles P. Wai-d ; water eommissioners, Charles A. Birnie,
Thomas D. Watters, Walter Bliss, William F. Emerson, clerk;
cemetery commissioners, William F. Emerson, Charles S. Allen,
Edward P. Tabor; i)ark commissioners, William C. Pease,
William S. Bacon, Gottlieb A. Baer; sinking fund com-
missioners, William C. Pease, Charles S. Allen, Thomas F.
Cordis; chief of fire department, Thomas D. Watters; school
committee, Levere C. Fay, JMrs. Lucy J. Smith, William B.
]iIedlicott; superintendent of schools, Mary L. Poland of Spring-
tield : jirineipal of grammar school, Lucia B. Carver; trustees of
public library, Edward F. Hayes, ;\Irs. Charles S. Gates (libra-
rian), Mrs. Lucy J. Smith.
There is abundant evidence that in the days of warfare and
peril which tried the American colonies so severely, during much
of the first part of the eighteenth century, the inhabitants of
Longmeadow bore their part in a brave and creditable manner.
Unfortunately no separate records were kept for the parish, and
the men from the southern precinct merely stood to the credit
of Springfield. It is possible, however, to name a trio of officers
who served with distinction. Rev. Stephen AYilliams, the first
pastor of the church, was three times commissioned as chaplain
in the colonial armies, and there can be no doubt of the quality
of the service which he rendered. The tomb.stone of Capt. Isaac
Colton, who died in 1757. in his fifty-seventh year, bears record
that he "had a military genius, commanded a company at Louis-
hnviz in 17-42: was respected and iiseful at home; was a man of
prayer." Similar testimony is borne by the stone which marks
the grave of Lieut. Nathaniel Burt, "who was slain at the mem-
orable battle near Lake George, September 8, 1755, when his
colonel and othei- brave officers fell, yet a signal victory was
obtained over the enemy." The reeord adds that he was "a
deacon of this church, an exeiii])lary chi'istian, a man of public
spirit, and a good soldier, well beloved at home and in the army.
A concern for pure religion caused his going into the military
service. He died in his forty-fifth year." Other military titles
borne by Longmeadow men during this period were doubtless
won by faithful service in the field.
( 422 )
THE TOWN OF LOXGMEADOW
The precinct still remained a portion of Springfield during
the revolution, although aspiring to become a town, so that its
military history is in general inseparable from that of the parent
nuuiieiiiality. There is preserved, however, the muster roll of
the "Longnieadow minute men" who marched away for service
April 21, 1775, on receiving report of the battle of Lexington
two days before. This promptness of action well illustrates the
spirit of the times and of the community, though the company
was but small, comprising only twenty-three officers and en-
listed men, as follows:
The Old Colton Place
First Lieutenant (acting Captain) David Burt; Second
Lieuteiumt Jonathan Hale ; Sergeants Ebenezer Colton and
Samuel Keep ; Corporals Nathaniel Ely and Josiah Cooley ; Abner
Colton, Oliver King, John Colton, Xehemiah Kumrill, Ebenezer
Bliss. 2d, Thomas Stebbins, Aaron Bliss. Samuel ^Morgan, Samuel
Smith, James Parker, David ^Vhite, (iad Lamb, John Ackley,
Ebenezer Stebbins, Eli.jah Burt, Samuel Burt, Kidiard Wool-
worth.
( 423
Orii COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Before the close of the long struggle most of the able-bodied
men of the parish had drawn sword or shouldered musket
in the cause of liberty, and the people had borne their share of
tlu' burdens incident to the strife. Their joy at the final outcome
was proportioned to the stress which they had borne during the
years of trial.
. There was a sliarp division of sentiment in the town regard-
uiix Ihe Shays n'bcllinii. and the leader of that movement had a
consideral>]e following, although it is probable that a majority
were in favor of the government. Like most New Englanders,
they had no sympathy with the war of 1812, and did not hesitate
to put themselves on record by votes condemning many of the
measures thought necessary by the federal government. Some
men were drafted from the town, however, and the names of
Levi E. Taylor and Sabin Burt are recorded as having been thus
distinguished. When the war closed and peace had been declared,
the inhabitants gave free expression to their joy, ringing the
church bell with such vigor that it was cracked and ruined, neces-
sitating the apjii-opriation of a considerable sum for the pur-
chase of a new bell.
In the war of the rebellion, 1861-5, however, the sentiment
of tlie town was strongly loyal. Like every other town in the
county, Longmeadow I'urnished more than its quota under the
various calls for trooj)s dui'ing the four years' continuance of
the war. besides making generous provision for the care of volun-
teers' families and other incidental expenses of the war.
As the motive which originally impelled its settlers was
agricultural, pastoral pursuits have held the first place in the
activities of the residents of the town, especially in that section
now known as Ijongmeailow. In fact, the plan of the settlement
was such as to ])reclude any other idea than that of an agricul-
ttiral connnunity. with such simple allied industries as were
necessary for the comfort and convenience of the people. The
broad village street, twenty rods in width, converted from a
sandy waste into a vi.sta of greenness and beauty, the generous
allotment of the central lands, running far back from the street,
the air of repose and (|uiet which has survived with so little im-
( 424 )
THE TO\yy OF LONGMEADOW
pairment through nearly two centuries of development, with
the wide meadows extending to the river on one side and to the
forest on the other, combine to foi'm an embodiment of well-
pi'eserved pioneer wisdom, embodied in a permanent community
in a measure seldom met. even in the earlier New England set-
tlements.
"With the exception of the saw mills, grist mills and black-
smith shops natui'ally pertaining to the early settlements, the
manufacturing interests of Longineadow have never been ex-
tensive, or very important. The first of any consequence appears
to have lieen the manufacture of gold spectacles and gold and
silver thimbles, which was begun by Dimond Chandler about
1838, and carried on for some ten years, when he sold out to
Colton & HoUister. Various other parties have since carried
on the business in a moderate way, but it is now extinct. After
disposing of this industry Mr. Chandler started in 1848 the
maniifaeture of buttons, presently taking in as partners Nelson
C. Newell and his brother, Sanuiel R. Newell. Within eight
or ten years the industry had grown so that employment was
given to some forty or fifty hands, when it was removed to
Springfield, where it is still carried on. At the mouth of Pe-
cowsic brook some manufacturing has been done, a small pistol
factory being at one time operated there. Later a papier-mache
plant turned out pails, basins, globes and various other articles,
but the business did not long continue.
While the central thought in the incorporation of Long-
meadow parish was that of religious worship accessible to the
dwellers in the settlement, the important matter of education
was not overlooked or neglected. No sooner had a church been
provided than the matter of a school house was taken ud, and
a structure for that purpose was soon erected on the village
green to the north of the church. This served the needs of the
community until 1791, when a brick building of peculiar design
was erected somewhat further south on the green, where it re-
mained until destroyed by fire in 1851. The appropriations for
school [turposes during the prcciiu't jieriod were made by the
town (if Springfield in coiiniHin with thusr foi' the other schools
( 425 )
orn rorxTY axd its people
in the town limits; but there is no doubt that the children of
Lon<,'nieadow received their share of the appropriations in the
provisions made for that part of the town. In 1784, the year
following the incorporation of Longmeadow as a separate nranic-
ipality, the school appropriation was £40, and the amount in-
creased yearly with the growth and development of the town.
New districts were created and provided with school houses, as
the need became apparent. From the early town records it
api)ears that in several eases the bviildings were constructed by
the inhabitants of the district, at their own expense, the cost
being afterward reimbursed by the town. From that time to
the present, the needs of the town schools have been generously
met; and lhiiUL;h no educaticmal institutions of wide scope have
been founded within the town limits, that the needs of the town
children have lieen well considered is amply attested by the
(luality of citizenship produced.
The early history of the First Congregational church has
already been told in the story of the precinct period, neither of
which can lie dissociated from the other during the long period
covered by the ministry of Rev. Dr. "Williams. His death oc-
curred June 10, 1782, and before the settlement of his successor
important events occurred in the history of the community and
of the nation. The war of the revolution ended in 1783 by
recognition of the independence of the colonies, and in the
autumn of that year the precinct became a town. For more
tliaii three years the church was without a settled pastor, though
its pidpit was doubtless supplied during this interval. But on
the 17th of December. 1785, Kev. Richard Salter Storrs, who
had graduated from Yale college in 1783, was ordained as the
successor of Rev. Dr. "Williams. His was an able and successful
jiastorate, and continued until terminated by his sudden death,
October 3, ISlf). It will be observt'd that the two pastorates of
these ministers extended over one hundretl and three years in
the history of the parish and town, and represented more than
a hundred years of actual service. Pi-obably this is a record
unequaled in the history of the country for two successive pas-
torates. The succeeding pastors were Rev. Baxter Dickinson,
( 426 )
um COLMY A.\J> ITS PEOPLE
i'roni 18:23 to 1829, Rev. Joiiatlian B. Condit, from 1831 to 1835,
Kev. Hubbard Beebe, 1837 to 1843, and Rev. Samuel AYolcott,
1843 to 1847.
In 1850 bepan another pastorate of notable length, Rev.
John Wheeler Harding being installed on the first of January,
and ministering to the people of his church and parish with
great ability, fidelity and acceptance until 1891. With the pos-
sible exception of Rev. 'Mi-. Beebe, all of these pastors received
the degree of D. D. Rev. Stephen G. Barnes, Lit. D., was the
pastor from 1892 until 1901, and the present incumbent. Rev.
Henry Lincoln Bailey, began his pastorate October 1, 1901.
In the original plan of the settlement the church building
formed the center of the village of Longmeadow, standing on
the green which occupied the central portion of the wide street,
an honor in which only the school house was permitted to share.
A new building, .just north of the original structure, was erected
in 1767-8. and was used until 1828, when it was extensively re-
modeled and improved. Nearly a half-century later another
change was made when the building was removed from the
central .site which it had occupied thus far and placed upon that
portioa of the burial ground grant abutting upon the street. This
location was directly east of the original church site, a lot in
the center of the village having been assigned for burial pur-
poses. Placed upon the new site, the church was again thor-
oughly remodeled, within and without, and thus, new in detail
but bearing still the sacred associations of nearly a century and
a half of worship, "the old church" stands in the heart of the
village, "the westering sun" casting the shadow of its spire over
the accumulated graves of nearly two centuries.
St. ^Mary's Catholic church is the outgrowth of a mission
which may be said to have been established in October, 1870,
when mass was said for the first time in the history of the to^vn
in what is still the church building, and had formerly been a
spectacle factory. The officiating priest was Rev. Patrick Healy,
then acting pastor of the Catholic church in Springfield. For
thirteen years monthly service was held in this manner, until,
in IfiSS. the Catholic churches in both of the Longmeadows
( 428 )
THE TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW
were made missions of St. William's church in Mittineague. In
1894 they were created a parish. Both have been continuously
under the care of the same pastor, the list of incumbents being
given under the heading of East Longmeadow.
A moderate-sized public library of 2,250 well-selected books
was established in 1895, and is under the charge of a board of
trustees chosen by the town.
The population of the town as reported by the national
census of 1850 was 1,252; in 1860 it had increased to 1,376; but
in 1870 showed a slight falling off, to 1,342. The figures for
1880 were 1,401, and the next decade witnessed a remarkable
growth, bringing the total up to 2,183 for 1890. The setting off
of East Longmeadow in 1894 brought the population of the old
town down to 620, as shown by the state census of 1895; but
the national census of 1900 showed an increase to 811. The
present area of the town is 11.2 square miles, a little more than
one-half of the original territory having been set off as East
Longmeadow.
CHAPTER XIII
THE TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW
The territory comprised within the limits of the present
town of East Longmeadow is more diversified than that of the
mother town, from which the separation has so lately taken place.
In the eastern portion hills of moderate elevation are frequent,
several of these containing valuable quarries of red sandstone,
of great extent. In most other portions the soil is fairly fertile,
and compensates well the intelligent labors of the husbandman.
The meadows and orchards are attractive, and the grazing lands
are desirable, the whole region being especially adapted to dairy-
ing purposes, which have always held prominent place in the
town's economy.
After the early settlements began to take form, this region
was known as "Inward Conunons," it being a portion of the
( 429 )
01 R COI XTY AM) JTS I'EOrLE
large territory included in the Springfield grant, and was used
iu common, if it can be said to have been used at all. In fact,
in the early days it was eniiihatieally "a land unknown." being
heavily covered by forest and abounding in game, deer, bears
and wildcats. P\^athered game, including wild turkeys, was also
abundant. Gradually, now and then a daring pioneer penetrated
the wilderness, secured a grant of land, and cleared a home site.
The records of such settlements are extremely meagre. The
first settlers from Longmeadow Street ai>pear to have been
1
t
1
A
a;
wL -^ «
t\\<
t:t
F^^??,^
♦
:>■ .-
Au Ea.si l.iji
l^Un.'<l.l...\ Iv
Jonathan Burt and his brother Elijah, with Silas Hale; but they
do not appear to have located on "the Commons"' until about
1740. The distribution of these lands among the people of
Springfield, some time i>revious. made easy the development of
this ])ortion of the Longmeadow parish. This distribution was
brouirht about by the acts of Edmund Andros, who in
1686 had been appointed by the crown as "Governor of New
England,"' in setiuestering undivided land or "Commons" cou-
( 430 )
THE TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW
ueeted with some of the settk'iiients. Through fear that this
course might be i^ursued in the ease of Springfield, and that
through the revocation of the cok)ny"s charter, then threatened,
the lands might revert to the crown, the commons were laid out
in sections and were equitably allotted in regular form to the
several families then resident in the township. These remote
holdings, however, were generally held of little value, and the
enterprising young man who desired to "lay out a farm"' could
easily do so through the purchase of a few adjoining sections, or
bj' exchange with other j^roprietors.
It was in this way that the settlement of this portion of
Lougmeadow was principally developed, and the connection
between the two sections of the parish and town long remained
close and friendly. Intermarriages were common, and the old
chiirch on the village green remained for many years the JMecca
to which the residents of the eastern portion turned their steps
on the Sabbath, traversing, on foot and by all the means of con-
veyance then known to their civilization, the miles of forest
which separated, and in a measure still separates, the two com-
munities.
Until about 1820 the town meetings were held at West
Longmeadow, as the original village came to be familiarly called;
but at that time the growing population and important interests
of the East village led to an arrangement by which the annual
meetings were held alternately in the two sections. In 1882 a
commodious town hall was provided for the use of the East
Longmeadow meetings, occupying the upper stoiy of a new
school building, very properly constructed of stone from the
village cpiarries.
Meantime, with the lapse of years there had developed the
want of harmony inevitable from the diversity of interests and
the geographical separation of the two villages. The commer-
cial relations of each section were with the city of Springfield,
with which each had independent connection by railroad and
other lines of travel, while the two portions of the town remained
almost as efi^^ectually divided as Ihey had been from the days of
original settlement. Tender tliese conditions separate town gov-
( 431 )
on; cor.\ry a.\d its veovle
crnnienls were \\w loj.'ical outcome, and after years of discussion
and preliminary work the separation was made by tlie state leg-
islature of 1894. the act to take effect on July 1 of that year.
The act, which was approved May 19, 1894, thus describes the
boundary line between the two towns: "Beginning at a stone
monument on the boundary line between the town of Long-
meadow and the city of Springfield, at a point where said
boundary line intersects the westerly line of White street, and
running tlience south five degrees east to a stone monument on
the Connecticut state line, and at an angle in said state line,
which monument is located about seventy-five rods west of the
point where the west branch of Freshwater brook crosses said
Connecticut state line/'
At the election of officers which followed, these were chosen
for the remainder of the then current year : Clerk and treasurer,
0. Louis Wolcott; selectmen. George B. Robinson, John P.
AMiitaker. Edward S. Ellis. At the election of 1895 Mr. Wolcott
was again chosen town clerk, while AYilliam H. Hall, John L.
Davis and Ethan Hancock were made selectmen, and at each suc-
ceeding election up to the present year (1901) they have been
re-elected. In 1901 Arthur G. Crane was elected town clerk,
succeeding Mr. Wolcott. The full board of town officers for that
year follows: Town clerk and treasurer, Arthur G. Chase:
selectmen, assessors, overseers of the poor, board of health and
fence viewers, William IT. Hall. John L. Davis, Ethan Hitch-
cock: auditors. Frank H. Whitaker. Frank A. Crane: collector,
Arthur Geldard: constables, Henry Hellin, Billings Cooley;
special police. Frank A. Champlin. Herman Tower: cattle in-
spector, John L. Davis; hiirhway surveyor. Asher Markham;
school conunittee, Charles H. Bugbee, 0. Louis Wolcott. Ethan
Hancock : superintendent of schools, Mary L. Poland of Spring-
field: trustees of public library. 0. Louis Wolcott. Da\'id D.
Durantaye. Mrs. 0. C. Hunn: librarian, Mrs. Lucy Coomes.
While the old church on Longmeadow Street remained for
sixty years the place of worship of all the people of the town,
a diversity of religious belief began to manifest itself in East
Longmeadow about the first of the «iineteenth century. In the
( 432 )
THE TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW
sontheasteru corner of the town there resided at the time men-
tioned several families with Baptist views, and that portion of
the town was familiarly referred to as "Baptist Settlement."
These people for a long time worshiped with their Connecticut
neighbors in Enfield, but in 1807 they petitioned the Baptist
church of that place and the Congregational church of Long-
meadow for permission that "Elder George Atwell officiate with
them as a preacher of divinity one-half of the time." This peti-
tion was granted, and religious services were held there until
181S. as a branch of the Enfield church, when on the 23d of
June the First Baptist church of East Longmeadow was estab-
lished with appropriate exercises. The First Baptist society
had been organized January 13, 1816, and was incorporated
February 8, 1819. It was discontinued as an incorporated body
IMarch 31, 1873. The several pastors of the church, with the
year of settlement or ordination, have been as follows: Rev.
George B. Atwell. 1821-5; Rev. John M. Hunt, 1835-40; Rev.
Moses J. Kelly. 1842; Rev. F. L. Bachelor, 1843; Rev. Mr.
Farrar, 1846; Rev. N. W. Minor, 1848; Rev. Nicholas Branch,
1853; Rev. A. S. Lovell, 1858; Rev. Levi H. Wakeman, 1862;
Rev. T. O. Judd. 1867; Rev. H. G. Gage. 1873; Rev. William S.
Phillips, 1875; Rev. O. R. Hunt, 1877; Rev. L. H. Copeland,
1882; Rev. F. B. Joy. 1887: Rev. N. D. Parsons, 1888; Rev. R.
S. Mitchell, 1891; Rev. AVard Fisher, 1897; Rev. W. L. Giles,
1897; Rev. Robert H. Carey, 1899, the present pa.stor. The
house of worship occupied by this church is located near the
southeastern corner of the town, in what has long been familiarly
known as "Baptist District." It was built about 1830, but has
since been remodeled, and under the efforts of the present pastor
has been again thoroughly renovated. The church is now in a
"prosperous condition.
After worshipping with the parent church at Longmeadow
village for almost ninety years, the Congregationalists of P^ast
Longmeadow began about 1825 to consider the matter of a church
in their own village, and on the 16th of June, 1827, the society
was incorporated under the name of "Proprietors of the Meeting
House of the Third Religious Society in Louginradnw. " Tlic
28-8 ( 433 )
(Hi: cor STY asd its people
title was chantii'd to '"Tliinl lu'ligioiis Society in Loiignieaduw."
in 18:30, aud in 1895 to "First Congregational Society of East
Longinciulow." The chui'c-h was organized on the 22d of April,
18:211, as the Second Congregational church in Longuieadow, the
name being changed in 181)5 to "First Congregational Church
of Hast Longuieadow." A house of worship was erected on the
hill overlooking the village, at a cost of $:i,500, in 1828, and was
dedicated in November of that year. In 185!) the structure was
moved down the hill into the village and extensively remodeled,
forming the present church building. The former site was
The Center " — East Lougmeadow
adopted for a parsonage. The first pastor installed was Kev.
Calvin Foot, who was installed April 15, 1831, and dismissed
July 8, 1835. His successors have been : Rev. Martyn Tapper,
1835-49; Rev. "William E. Dixon, 18.52-4; Rev. Joshua R. Brown,
installed December 13, 1854, died September 7, 1858; Rev.
Alfred B. Feabody, 1860-67; Rev. Alfred I. Dutton, 1869-85;
Rev. Robert C. Bell, 1885-92: Rev, Albert D. Smith. 1892-6: Rev,
John A, Hughes, 1806-7: Rev. Harry C. ]*IeKnight. 1898-1901.
A Methodist Episcopal church was organized in June, 1853,
Rev. David K. Merrill being the preacher in charge. In the same
( 434 )
THE TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW
year a church building was erected aud dedicated, aud is still
iu use, having been thoroughly renovated in 1880. A parsonage
was erected iu 18(i0, and it is worthy of mention that all the
church property is free from debt. Apart from supplies by
notable clergymen from Wesleyan academy at Wilbraham and
residents of Springfield, the pastors have been as follows: Rev.
David K. Merrill, 1853-4; Rev. Rodney Gage, 1855-6; Rev. Jonas
M. Clark. 1856-7; Rev. Randall Mitchell, 1860-2; Rev. Thomas C.
Pratt, 1862-4 ; Rev. William Rice, 1864-6 ; Rev. Henry T. Eddy,
settled in April, 1866, died in September of that year; Rev.
Guilford D. Brown, 1866-8 ; Rev. Joseph Candlin, 1868-71 ; Rev.
J. W. Lee, 1871-2; Rev. William Wignall, 1872-4; Rev. N. P.
Stevens, 1874-5 ; Rev. John Cadwell, settled in April, 1875, died
in January, 1876; Rev. Joseph Scott, 1876-8; Rev. Jacob W.
Price, 1878-9 ; Rev. Ichabod ]\Iarcy, 1879-82 ; Rev. I. H. Gaylord,
1882-4; Rev. W. M. Hubbard, 1886-8; Rev. I. H. Gaylord, 1888-
90 ; Rev. Isaac S. Yerkes, 1890-93 ; Rev. W. H. Adams. 1893-5 ;
Rev. E. C. Bridgham, 1895-8; Rev. W. T. Hale, 1898-1900; Rev.
Wallace T. ]\Iiller, 1900.
The Roman Catholics of East Longmeadow began holding
meetings in the town hall about 1883, and built a modest church
in 1887. Avith a seating capacity of 300. In 1895 the house which
had formerly been the Congregational parsonage, with two acres
of land, was purchased for a parish house, aud was fitted up
for occupation as such. Until 1894 the church, known as St.
Michael 's, was, like that at West Longmeadow^, a mission of St.
William's church at ilittineague ; but in the year named the two
churches in Longmeadow were formed into an independent
parish, and so continue at the present time. The pastors in
charge have been as follows : Rev. Patrick Healy (monthly mass
at West Longmeadow only), 1870-83; Rev. E. Pelletier, 1883-5;
Rev. J. E. Campeau, 1885-8; Rev. J. H. A. Biron, 1888-90; Rev.
Frederick Bonneville, 1890-93; Rev. Humphrey Wren, 1893;
Rev. Anthony Dwyer (the first resident pastor), 1894-1900;
Rev. John P. Hackett, 1900, now in charge.
The East Longmeadow public library was established in
the winter of 1896-7, and now contains about 1,200 volumes,
( 435 )
0(7.' COrXTY AM) ITS L'EOi'LE
with some 450 patrons. The expense of running the institution
is met by an annual appropriation from the town, while some
assistance in the way of furnishing books is received from the
state library eonnnission, and by the contribution of friends.
The direction of the library is in the hands of a board of three
trustees and a librarian, whose names appear in the list of town
officers.
Apart from its agricultural interests. East Longmeadow
owes its development principally to its valuable quarries of red
sandstone, which have given to the town a wide fame. This
stone underlies a considerable portion of the town, and has been
quarried from the time of the early settlements. At first the
stone was considered common property, and up to the beginning
of the nineteenth century the party who discovered "a ledge"
was considered to hold first title to work the same, even though
located upon the land of another. But for the past 100 years
the several quarries have, under the law, been held and operated
by the owners of the land, or iinder lease from them. The stone
has been shipped to all parts of the country, and has been used
in many public buildings and other works. Much of it has been
used in the Uuited States armory buildings at Springfield, and
from these quarries was taken the stone for the foundation of
the formidable iron fence which incloses the armors- grounds.
In eai-ly times it was used for gravestones, and is still employed
to some extent in monumental work. "Wider use obtains, how-
ever, as a material for public buildings and fine private resi-
dences, many of which, in all sections of the country, have been
constructed from the product of these quarries. Among such
buildings may be mentioned the Pierce building. Estey Organ
company's luulding. Youth's Companion building, new Trinity
church, and residences of Oliver Ames and C. A. "Wliittier, at
Boston: Harvard university gymuasi)nu. Law School building
and Sever hall. Cambridge: Yanderbilt hall. Walch hall. Phelps
memorial. Osborne memorial and Bi-Centennial building at Yale
college. New Haven. Conn.: Waldorf-Astoria hotel. Teachers'
college. Tnion League club house. St. James' Episcopal church,
Holy Trinity church, St. Agnes' church, Berkeley lyceum and
( 4.S6 )
THE TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW
New York Athletic club building, New York city; Brooklyn
Eagle building, Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Grouse memorial building,
Syracuse, N. Y. ; the library, dormitory and Commencement hall
at Princeton university, N. J. ; the office buildings of the New
England and New York Life Insurance companies at Kansas
City, Mo.; New York Life Insurance company's building at
Omaha, Neb. ; Howard Memorial library, New Orleans, La. ; and
the Ames memorial monmnent in Wyoming, not to mention a
multitude of other well known structures.
The color of the stone varies in the different quarries, con-
sisting of sandstone, the Kibbe red, so called, and light brown
stone. Some of the quarries have been operated for a hundred
years, in a systematic way, and even longer than that, in a hap-
hazard manner prior to the definite establishment of property
rights in the stone. The more widely known of the qviarries are
the Taylor, Salisbury, McGregory, Billings, Kibbe, Pine Kibbe,
Worcester and Maynard. The largest industry is carried on
by the Norcross Brownstone company, organized early in 1901,
succeeding to the business which had for twenty-seven years
been condiicted by the firm of Norcross Brothers. They employ
more than a hundred hands, and have a fine new plant beside
the tracks of the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad
for sawing and dressing stone for tlie trade. A large business
is also done by the firm of James & Marra, with offices at Spring-
field, who employ an average of seventy-five men, and have a
yearly output of about 12,000 tons of high-grade stone. Ap-
parently the supply is inexhaustible, and the business gives
promise of still increasing magnitude.
The area of the town is 13.4 square miles, and its population
at the time of division, as shown by tlie state census of 1895, was
1,591; but in 1900 the national census showed a falling off to
1,187.
( 437 )
CHAPTER XIV
THE TOWN OF RUSSELL
Ou February '26, 17!l2, in response to a petition from a
number of inhabitants in that part of the towns of AVestfield and
Montgomery which lay south of the main branch of Westfield
river, the legislature passed an act creating a new town in
Hampshire county, naming the jurisdiction Ilussell. Tradition
says that the name was given in honor of a prominent citizen
of Boston, who was closely associated with public events, and
who, in consideration of the honor thus bestowed upon him,
promised to donate to the first church society of the new town
a bell for use in calling the settlers to worship.
The incorporation of another town in this part of the county
seems to have been a necessity, for the settlers here were at
much inconvenience in transacting business of a public nature
at the seats of Westfield and ^loiitgomery ; therefore the general
court conferred on the inhabitants full town powers, including
authority to elect a representative to the legislature. This was
not a favor but a right to which the settlers were entitled, for
their number on the territory set off aggregated about 400 per-
sons. "Were the town records perfect an interesting narrative
might be made setting forth the names of nearly all the heads
of families who constituted the first settlers, but in Russell, as
in many other of the old towns whose history dates back more
than a century, the people had greater regard for the comfort
and well-beinc of their families than for the formalities of strict
attention to public records. This remark, however, must not
be taken as a reflection u])on our forefathers in Russell, for in
few towns are the records found complete.
( 438 )
THE To^\'y OF nrssELL
Tradition informs lis that Kussell was settled largely by
people from AYestfield, and that originally they came to the
country west of the Connecticut from the eastern portions of
Massachusetts and also from the Connecticut colonies. A few
of theiii traced their ancestry to the time of the Puritans, while
the majority were descended from the sturdy New Englanders
who came into the new world at a later date, and Unding the
eastern plantations thickly settled, naturally turned to the more
remote localities where lands were cheaper. At the time this
upper valley of Westtield river had become known and some
attempt at settlement had been made. After a few families had
located here the region took the name of "New Addition", the
same as was applied to ^Montgomery, and was so known iintil
the incorporation of the town in 1792.
It is claimed that the pioneers of Russell were two brothers
named Barber, and a Jlr. Gray, who located and made the first
improvement on what was known as Glasgow mountain, but
whence they came, how long they remained, no past chronicler
of Eussell history furnishes us any clear light. But following
them closely there came to this vicinity a band of sturdy settlers
who cleared the lands and opened the way for later arrivals.
They came chiefly from Westfield and among them were men
and families of Scotch-Iri.sh birth and parentage, strong, deter-
mined men and women who were resolved to make for themselves
comfortable homes in the new locality.
Having recourse to old records and various accounts relat-
ing to early life in this vicinity, we are able to repi-oduce these
names as representing substantially the earliest settlers in Rus-
sell: Isaac Palmer, Elias Parks, Levi Bishop, John ilallory,
Ozias Finney, Isaac Bronson, John Hawley, Abraham Bradley,
Dr. Stebbins. Titus Doolittle, Daniel Mallory, Andi'ew IMallory,
Samuel \Yilliams, Thonias Field, Jacob Loomis, Robert Hazard,
Able Tuttle, Newman Bishop, Benjamin Todd, Stephen Hughes,
Silas Noble, Benjamin At water, Joel Atwater, Richard Russell,
Samuel Chapman, Seth Gridley and Jesse Newton. And there
were others, probably as early in their settlement as any who
are mentioned, but through the lapse of a century their names
have been forgotten.
( 439 )
ol i: col STY AM) ITS PEOPLE
The suiiiaiiie Palmer has long been known in Kussell his-
tory, both in town ad'airs and also in the substantial development
of file land. Isaac Palmer left four sons. S(juire, Loren, Elijah
and Keuben, whose descendants are yet in the town and county.
A glance at the civil records will show how the representatives of
this sui-name have been prominently identified with Russell his-
tory. The surname ilallory had at least three representatives
among the early settlers, and from them sprung a considerable
number of descendants, although the pioneers are gone and the
later-day generations have become scattered through other
localities.
The Parks family through all generations from the time of
Elias, the pioneer, who is believed to have settled here about
the time of the revolutionary war, have been conspicuously
identified with the civil and social history of the town. Elias
Parks was selectman in 1810, and one of the family name now
holds that office, and is, as well, engaged in industrial pursuits.
Nelson D. Parks was county commissioner from 1858 to 1864.
Levi Bishop had five sons— David, Aaron. James, Charles and
Levi, .inn.. — from whom have come the later men of the Xovra
bearing that name. Robert Hazard left no descendants. Isaac
Broiison iiad several sons, among them being Allen. John and
Harvey, l)ut the surname now is not numerously represented in
Russell. Titus Doolittle, himself a quiet, earnest plodder. along
life's path, was not specially active in public affairs, yet he pro-
vided well for his family. One son attained a seat on the bench
of the courts in Vermont, and another entered the legal profes-
sion in tliis state, practioing in Hampshire county.
The Bishops, descendants of Newman Bishop, at one time
were numerous in the town, and Newman, junior, attained nearly
his hundredth year. The pioneer Bishop left thi-ee sons, Jere-
miah, Alva and Newman, jun., whose descendants are now
scattered through western Hampden county. Samuel Williams
had five sons, all of whom, save one, removed to other localities.
Jacob Loomis had six sons, Jacob, Hubbard, Josiah, Caleb,
Lyman and Solomon. Abel Tuttle had four sons, Abel, Ljonan,
Almon and Daniel, thi-ou-^h whom the family name has been
( 440 )
TEE TOWN OF RUSSELL
perpetuated in the county. Stephen Hughes had four sons,
John, Stephen, Henry and John (2d), none of whom left chil-
dren. Benjamin Atwater left children, among them being
Harris, Titus and Noah. Benjamin Todd, one of the pioneers
of the town, was an old revolutionary patriot and served with
Gen. Israel Putnam. He had four sons and three daughters,
but the family name now has few representatives in the county.
Silas Noble was a worthy settler, a man of influence in early
Russell history and one whose surname has always maintained
a high standing in western Hampden county. Silas' sons were
Silas, jun., Roland, Reuben, Albert and Seth; and he also had
three daughters. Richard Russell was the worthy head'of a large
family, there being five sons— Thomas, Simeon, Almon, Abel and
Yale, the descendants of some of whom are yet in the county.
Joel Atwater 's family was quite large but now has few repre-
sentatives in this locality.
Samuel Chapman, who is mentioned among the early settlers
in Russell, was father of the late Chief Justice Reuben Atwater
Chapman, of the Supreme ju-'^cial court. Judge Chapman was
born in Russell and attained a higher position in public life
than any other of our townsmen. A more extended reference
to his life and career will be found in an earlier chapter of this
work. Jesse Newton, of whom incidental mention has been
made, was another of the prominent early settlers here. He
had three sons — Elias, Ezra and Robert. This surname now
has few representatives in this part of the county.
Present citizens of Russell will recall many of these old
family names and perhaps a majority of those of the present
generation of factors in the town's history can trace their an-
cestry to one or more of the settlers whose names are recorded
on preceding pages. The claim is not made that the list is
complete, or is as full as it should be, but in Russell the en-
quirer after events of early history encounters a nunil)er of
adverse conditions, and few indeed are the instances in wliich
reliable information can be secured relative to the year in which
settlement was begun by the pioneers. In the early history of
Westfield frequent allusion to these settlers will be found, for
( 441 )
OUR COUMY A.\D ITS I'EOl'LE
wiiat now is Knssell origiiiiilly was lar;j;\'Iy within tlie limits of
that town.
It innst be seen, however, that settlement in this locality
dill not beyrin nmeh earlier than the closing years of the last
French wars, and when once undertaken the number of settlers
increased so I'apidly that the creation of a new town became
necessary. At the time of the first federal census the inhabitants
here were enumerated as residents in Westfield and Montgomery,
but in 1800 the number of persons living in Russell was 431.
The subseciuent growth and ultimate decline in population in
the town, as shown by the census reports, has been as follows:
1810, 422 ; 1820, 491 ; 1830, 507 ; 1840, 555 ; 1850, 521 ; 1855, 677 ;
1860, 605; 1865, 618; 1870, 635; 1875, 643; 1880, 823; 1885, 847;
1890, 879; 1895, 846; 1900, 793.
From this it is seen that the maximum population was at-
tained in 1890, since which time the total decrease has been less
than 200. a somewhat remarkable fact when the town is placed
in conijiarisou with others in the county. This indicates a
healthful condition of affairs at all periods of the town's history,
and j)articu]ar]y during the last twenty-five years. In fact there
are few abandoned or neglected farms in Russell, while within
the boundaries of the town are at least three manufacturing
interests of importance. Skirting the town on its northeast side
is the Boston and Albany railroad, the operation of which has
benefitted all local interests. Pi-evious to the construction of the
road Russell was a station of some consequence on the route of
the Eighth turnpike corporation, which extended from "West-
field into the Xovm and thence to Falley's store in Blandford.
One of the first highways laid out in this locality was that
opened during the early years of the revolution and led west
from Springfield through ^Yestfield, entei'ing the southeast
corner of Russell in the neighborhood of Glasgow mountain, the
latter more recently called Little Tekoa.
In connection with the settlement, growth and civil history
of Russell we find no events of great importance. For more
tlian a century the 8,340 acres of land comprising the town have
lieen devoted chiefly to agriculture. The town has many excel-
( 442 )
Oil: vol STY .\M> ITS TKOI'LE
lent farming areas aiul thu hill tops generally att'ord excellent
pasturage for cattle. Lumbering, too, has been a leading pur-
buit for many years, the numerous streams furnishing abundant
water power for opei'ating saw mills, while the I'ailroad atl'ords
ready access to profitable markets.
Whatever there is of revolutionary history in the town is
nai'raled in the general chapters, and tluriiig the war of 1812-15
the sentiment existing among the iiilialiitants here was in accord
with that in nearly all other towns in the county. John Car-
rington and Lyman Holmes are credited with having entered
the service from Kussell during that struggle, and in the war
of 1861-.3 more than fifty men enlisted from the town.
Civil II islonj. — For several years previous to the incorpora-
tion of the town the inhabitants of this part of Westfield and
IMontgomery sullercd many inconveniences by reason of their
remote situation from the seat of town business, and for remedy
thereof they petitioned the general court with result in the pas-
sage of the act of Fel)ruary 25, 1792, creating the new town of
Russell. Soon afterward a warrant was issued for the first
meeting for the election of officers, and thereupon the various
positions were properly filled. However, no record is found to
show who were the officers for the first year. Beginning with
119'.] the succession of selectmen and town clerks is as follows :
Sclccimeii.—llD'S, Samuel "Williams, Nehemiah Carter,
Lovewell Thomas; 1794, Isaac Palmer, Joseph IMitchell, Titus
Doolittle; 1795, Isaac Palmer, Joseph Mitchell, Sdas Noble: 1796,
Joseph Jlitehell, Reuben Parks, Samuel WiDiams ; 1797, Samuel
Williams. Joseph ^litchell. Lovewell Thomas; 1798-1800, Samuel
Williams. Reuben Parks, Silas Xoble; 1801-02, Samuel Williams,
Jacob Loomis, William Stancleft; 180.3, Jacob Loomis, Levi
Bishop. Isaac Palmer; 1804, Silas Doolittle, Levi Bishop,
Stephen Hughes; 1805, Stephen Hughes, Isaac Palmer, Silas
Noble; 1806, Thomas Day, Silas Noble, Stephen Hughes; 1807,
Stephen Hiighes, Jacob Loomis, Elias Parks; 1808, Dudley Wil-
liams. Abel Tuttle, John Gould; 1809, Daniel Sherman, Elias
Parks. Henry Parks; 1810, Stephen Hughes, Elias Parks, Daniel
Sherman; 1811, Stephen Hughes, Levi Bishop, Titus Doolittle;
( 444 )
THE TOTTW OF RUSSELL
1812. Elias Parks, Enoch Stiles, James C. Carter; 1813, Elias
Parks, Daniel Sherman. Moses Allen; 1814, Levi Bishop, John
Gonld. jiui., Dudley Williams; 1815, John Gould, James C. Car-
ter, Elias Parks; 1816, Elias Parks, Dudley Williams, Roland
Parks; 1817, Stephen Hughes, John Gould, Jeremiah Bishop;
1818, Jacob Loomis, Levi Bishop, Roland Parks; 1819, Roland
Parks, Henry Parks, Jeremiah Bishop; 1820-25, Roland Parks,
John Gould, Abel Tuttle, jnn. ; 1826, Roland Parks, Abel
Tuttle. jun.. Reuben Bradley; 1827, John Gould, Abel Tuttle,
jun., Roland Parks; 1828-29. Zachariah Dickinson, Reuben
Bradley, George Williams; 1830, John Gonld, Abel Tuttle, jun.,
Roland Parks; 1831-32, John Gould, Abel Tuttle, jun., Linus
Dickinson ; 1833, Chauncey W. Morse, James Bishop, Benjamin
Bennett ; 1834, Chauncey W. Morse, Justin Loomis, Benjamin
Bennett; 1835, John Gould, Abel Tuttle, jun., Benj. Bennett;
1836, Benjamin Bennett, Jeremiah Bishop, Justin Loomis ; 1837,
Chauncey W. Morse, Albert Noble, Jeremiah Bishop ; 1838, John
Gould, Benjamin Bennett, James Bishop; 1839. Roland Parks,
Justin Loomis. Noah Atwater; 1840, Roland Parks, Benj. Ben-
nett, William D. Mallory; 1841, Charles Tinker, James Loomis,
Jabez Clark; 1842. Roland Parks. Daniel Pry, Benjamin Ben-
nett: 1843, Daniel Fry, John Dickinson, Benj. Bennett; 1844,
Roland Parks, John Dickinson, Allen Bronson ; 1845, Benj.
Bennett. Bradford W. Palmer, Jules Bedortha ; 1846; Benj.
Bennett, Nelson D. Parks, Lyman Parks; 1847, Bradford W.
Palmer, Newman Bishop, Nelson D. Parks ; 1848, Roland Parks,
Newman Bishop. Nelson D. Parks; 1849. Roland Parks, Justin
E. Loomis, AVilliam W. Cosby; 1850, Newman Bishop, jun.,
Marshall N. Fales. Lucius P. Bishop; 1851, Nelson D. Parks,
Bradford W. Palmer, Henry K. Loomis; 1852, Bi'adford W.
Palmer, David Parks, William L. Dickinson; 1853, AVilliam W.
Cosby, Noah Atwater, Lucius P. Bishop ; 1854, Newman Bishop,
jun.. Bradford W. Palmer, William L. Dickinson; 1855, Simeon
ILallory, Sheldon Bronson, Stanton S. Clark; 1856, Simeon Mal-
lory. Benj. Bennett, Joseph Osborn ; 1857, Newman Bishop. A.
J. Bradley. Horace Parks; 1858, Newman Bi.shop, A. J. Bradley,
Stanton S. Clark; 1859, Roland Parks, Benj. Bennett, Dexter
( 445 )
Ol'Ii COUMY AM> ITS PEOPLE
Parks: 186U, Xelsnu I). Parks. William Holmes, F. H. Bishop;
1S61, Nelson D. Parks, Henry A. (iould, Edwin A. Russell;
1S()2, Nelson D. Parks. Allen J. Mallory, Horace Heath; 1863,
Nelson D. Parks. Dexter Parks. Edwin A. Russell; 1864. Roland
Parks. Dexter Parks. Dwight S. Bronson; 1865, Roland Parks,
Edwin A. Russell. \Villiam Pomeroy; 1866-67. Nelson D. Parks,
Simeon IMallory. Lyman Sliurtleft'; 1868. Nelson D. Parks.
Simeon ]\lallory. A. H. Lewis; 186!t, Nelson D. Parks, Simeon
]\Ialloi-y. \Viliiam Holmes; 1870, Simeon ]\Iallory, Horace Parks,
William Holmes; 1871. Hoi-aee Parks. AVilliam Holmes, ilarviu
Wi'i^.'ht ; l><7'_'-7:'). Horace Parks, William Holmes, Robert
Pilrher: 1^7-^. Horace Parks, Roland Parks, "Wilbur 0. Merrill;
ls75, Horace Parks. George T. Bryant. Leonard P. Palmer;
1876. Horace Parks, F. E. Bushnell. AVilliam Holmes; 1877,
Horace Parks. F. E. Bushnell. Roland Parks: 1878. F. E. Bush-
nell, Dexter Parks. L. B. Palmer; 1879-80, Horace Parks, AVil-
liam Holmes, Robert Pitcher; 1881, Horace Parks, I\Iarvin
Wright, Leonard P. Palmer; 1882, Horace Parks, AVilliam
Holmes. Albert L. Quanee: 1883, Arthur S. Parks, Albert L.
Quance. :\larvin Wright: 1884. Arthur S. Parks. John H. Fen-
ton. Bradford W. Palmer: 1885, Arthur S. Parks. Jar\-is W.
(!ibl)s. William Holmes; 1886, Henry S. Eldridge. Albert L.
Quance, George H. Allen: 1887, Eugene D. Parks. Frank Gur-
ney. George H. Allen : 1888. Eugene D. Parks, Albert L. Quance.
George H. Allen; 1889, Jar\-is W. Gibbs, Albert L. Quance,
George H. Allen: 1890. Horace Parks, Albert L. Quance. AVil-
liam Holmes; 1891. E. I. Webster. Albert L. Quance, George H.
]\rortimore: 1892. Albert L. Quance. George H. IMortimore, Wil-
liam Holmes: 1893-94, Albert L. Quance, George H. Mortimore,
Rol)ert L. Parks: 1895, All)ert L. Quance, Robert L. Parks.
William Holmes: 1896. Albert L. (,)uance, Theodore H. Clark.
Wm. Holmes: 1897-98. Albert L. Quance, Homer B. Fletcher.
George H. Allen: 1899. Albert L. Quance, John J. Brennan.
Homer B. Fletcher; 1900. Albert L. Quance, John J. Brennan.
Eugene D. Parks; 1901. Eii-rcne D. Parks, John J. Brennan,
George H. Allen.
Toio) r/o-A-.v. — Robert liazzard. 1793-96; Joseph :\ritchell,
1797: Robert Haz/ard. 179.^; Levi Chapman. 1799-1805; Isaac
( 440 )
THE JO irx OF LTSSELL
Palmer, 1806-10 : Dudley Williams, 1811 ; Isaac Palmer, 1812-17 :
Dudley "Williams. 1818-19 ; Isaac Palmer, 1820-25 ; Reuben Brad-
ley, 1S26; Reuben Palmer, 1827-30; Linus Dickinson, 1831-32;
Jeremiah Bishop, 1833; John Dickinson, 183-4-36; Zaehariah
Dickinson, 1837-38; James Bishop, 1839-40; John Dickinson,
1841-42; Wm. D. Mallory, 1843-44; Roland Parks, 1845-46;
Lucius P. Bishop. 1847-48; Nelson D. Parks, 1849-50; Justin E.
Loomis, 1851-52 ; H. L. Gridley, 1853 ; J. AY. Gibbs, 1854 ; Joseph
Gridley, 1855-57; J. W. Gibbs, 1858; Horace Parks, 1859-60;
Roland Parks. 1861-64; Joseph Hutchinson, 1865; Nelson D.
Parks, 1866; Howell Parks, 1867-69; S. F. Root, 1870; R. AY.
Parks, 1871; Henry L. Goodrich, 1872; J. B. Smith, 1873; E. E.
Gibbs, 1874; George T. Bryant, 1875; Henry L. Goodrich, 1876-
81 ; Arthur S. Parks, 1882 ; Henry L. Goodrich, 1883 ; Arthur S.
Parks, 1884; Frank Gurney, 1885-88; J. Henry Spencer, 1889-
92 : Sanuiel C. AYarner, 1893 ; Eugene D. Parks, 1894-95 ; Homer
B. Fletcher, 1896 ; Eugene D. Parks, 1897-1901.
Town Officers, 1901— 'E. D. Parks, George H. Allen, John J.
Brennan, selectmen, overseers of the poor, assessors and board
of health; E. D. Parks, town clerk; R. L. Parks, H. C. Parsons,
auditors ; Horace E. Clapp, treasurer and collector ; S. S. Shurt-
lett". highway surveyor; AY. S. Lincoln. AYm. Pomero.y, cemetery
commissioners; Milton S. Thompson, John J. Galvin, Arthur
Scott, school committee ; Mrs. A. AA''. Goodrich, librarian ; A. AY.
Goodrich, John H. Bigger, J. B. Tucker, trustees of Russell free
public library; A. E. Abbott, T. H. Clark, Eugene D. Parks,
Robert L. Parks, justices of the peace.
Villages and Hamle ts.—'Pvewioua to the construction of the
Boston and Albany railroad the only trading place in the town
was at Russell, which was more frequently called the Centre.
Since the town was founded a store has been kept here, and since
the railroad was opened a hotel has been in operation. AVhen
the road was built the thoughtful residents along the street lead-
ing from the station to the. center of the hamlet set out trees on
both sides, for at that time there were indications that Russell
would be a village of considerable importance. This hope was
only partially realized, but in the course of time the main street
( 447 )
on; col XTY AM) ITS I'EOl'LE
becaiiK' ciiic of llic iiKist beautifully shaded thoroughfares in the
county, and is so rc-iavded to-day. For uiauy years the plaee has
beeu well provided with business interests, yet it is doubtful if
these were ever more substantisd than at the present time, unless
we except tlie period during which Russell was a station on the
line of the old turnpike road leading: ea.st and west across the
state. A few of the older residents, contemporaries of such men
as Horace Parks and Joseph Cridley. will recall this old yet
enjoyable period of our history, but the recollections of our pres-
IliL;!. linaKf— Faiilielil
I'Ut middle-aged men tlate generally from the opening of the
railroad and the building of a depot at Russell. IMr. Parks was
stiition agent here rorty-lwo years, and liis sou now holds that
position.
The j)riiicipal i)usiness interests dl' Russell at the present
day comprise the stores kept by T. II. Clark and Henry B.
Martin, both of wliich are well-stocked general establishments;
the attractive and well-appointed hotel kept by John Chaplin;
tlie usual number of small shojis found in all country villages,
( -148 )
TEE TOWN OF RUSSELL
and the brick and tile works, the latter an industry of much
importance in the locality. The Blandford brick and tile works
has been a local interest for twelve or fifteen years, but originally
was located in the town of Blandford, from whence comes the
greater part of the raw material now used. The works are
operated with Worcester capital, employ local wage earners, and
under the capable management of W. S. Lincoln comprise one of
the best business concerns of the town.
Fairfield is the name of a small hamlet on Westtield river,
about two and one-half miles below Russell Centre, in a locality
formerly known a.s Salmon Falls. This place first gained promi-
nence about twenty-five years ago, when the Jessup & Laflin
Paper company built works and began the manufacture of paper
on an extensive scale. The company has since been in successful
operation, although changes have been made in its management,
and it now is known as the Woronoco Paper company. The
other business interests in this locality comprise the hotel (in a
delightful situation and a most popular resort for hiinting, fish-
ing and outing parties) kept by Alfred Cosby, and the large
general store owned by J. T. Beede, who also is postmaster.
The Chapin & Gould paper mills are located up the river
toward Huntington, about two miles above Russell village, and
have been one of the principal industries of the town since 1858.
The plant here is owned and operated with Springfield capital
and employs local woi'kmen chiefly.
In addition to these interests there are several others of less
note which may be mentioned without regard to special location.
They are the charcoal works of the Richmond Iron company; the
glove and shii't works, of which W. B. Shelley is manager; the
grist and saw mills of Alfred Keeler; the lumbering interests of
E. D. Parks & Co., and the saw mill of A. B. Pendleton. In the
town John Flack is blacksmith; Frank Hathaway, provision and
fish dealer; S. L. Bronson. hay and feed dealer, and Oeorge H.
Mortimer, provision dealer.
Churches.— The ecelcsiastieal history of Russell has been
uneventful, and of the various societies which from time to time
have found a lodgement in the town only two have miantained a
29-3 ( 449 )
ori! rorxTY am> its peoi'LE
permanent existfiict.'. Tlic Baptists, aa olVshoot from tlie church
at Westfield, appear to have been first on the ground and phvuted
their society here in 1786, under the name of the First Baptist
cluirch of Russell. A house of worship was built in 1792, but
about 1810 the society dissolved, only to be re-established in
1816, with Elder Asa Todd as pastor. The old meeting house
was burned in 1820 and was replaced with a new one in 1826.
The present edifice was erected in 1853. The present pastor of
this church is Rev. John II. Bigger.
A Congregational society and church were organized in
Russell ill Xoveiulier, 1800, by Rev. Joseph Badger, but after
.M. I hodist Church— Russell
about thirty years of struggle against adversity in various forms
it pas.sed out of active existence and its members affiliated with
the Baptist and Methodist societies. About 1820 the Congrega-
tional and Methodist .societies built a union meeting house, but
the structure was torn down in 1880.
The Jlethodist Episcopal society came iiito life in the town
about 1818 and maintained a varied existence thereafter for
many years. \Vlieu the Congregational society dissolved it
gained added strength, but had no regular house of worship
between 1830 and 1869. when the church edifice at the Centre
was erected. Since that time it has grown in strength and
( -150 )
THE TOWN OF BVSSELL
influence, and now ranks with the best of its denomination in
any of the outlying towns. The present pastor is Rev. E. H.
Wej'ant.
»S'c7(oo/a-. — Little can or need be said of the general .system
of education employed in this town. It always has been in con-
formity with the broad and liberal scheme prescribed by the
state laws, and in excellence is in full keeping with that employed
in other towns. The records give us little light on the subject
of early schools, yet it is known that one of the first measures
adopted by the new town was a vote to maintain schools in each
of the established districts. The latter have been changed from
time to time, as occasion reijuired, the number being increased
or reduced according to the population of the town; but at no
time has there been a tendency to lower the standard of effi-
ciency.
As now disposed, the town comprises eight school districts,
and for school maintenance about $2,200 are annually raised by
local tax. The town's share in the school funds is about $495
each year. Eight schools are supported and eight teachers are
employed. The sclwol census shows about 1-KI children between
f) and 15 years of age. The annual school expenses aggregate
about $2,500.
During the more than a century of its history, Russell has
produced many strong and influential men, and has sent to the
legislature, and elsewhere in public station, some of the best
material the county has ever furnished. The late Chief Justice
Chapman was boi-u and spent his young life in Russell, and was
perhaps the most distinguished of the town's contribution to
high office. Among the other notable men of the town there may
he recalled tlie names of "Siiuii'e" Newman Bishoj), son of
Newman Bishop, Sr.. a revolutionary patriot : Benjamin Bennett,
a .substantial farmer years ago on Russell mountain in the
south part of the town; Abel and Thomas Riissell aiul Noah
Atwater, all old-time prosperous fai'mers; Robert Parks, son of
Elias Parks, the iiioneer, and father of Horace Parks, the latter
now one of Russell's oldest citizens; Roland Parks, the old select-
man; Nelson D. Parks, who died in Huntington, was for several
( 451 )
OVR COUMY AND ITS FEOPLE
years county coniniissiouer, at one time was revenue collector,
and was for several years justice, many cases being tried before
liim ; William Ponieroy, wlio died in 1901 ; Jarvis Gibbs, merchant
at Russell more than twenty-five years ; Jphu Gould, one of the
foremost men of the town in his time, and who died in the west;
Reuben Palmer, Linus Dickinson, Simeon Mallory, John Dickin-
son, all prominent local characters in their time ; William Crosby,
who built the now known Horace Parks residence; Justia
Loomis, a man of means and business capacity ; Lyman Bradley,
father of former Sheriff A. M. Bradley ; James Bishop, .a sub-
stantial farmer on Russell mountain, and others whose names are
now lost.
In like manner it is proper to refer briefly to some of the
principal factors in Russell history at the present time, and in
this connection we may mention the names of such men as Albert
L. Quance, who had charge of the work of construction of the
admirable state road between Fairfield and Russell ; Horace
Parks, a veteran in piiblic affairs in the town and now one of its
oldest citizens; Robert Tj. Parks, the station agent and usual
moderator in town meetings; J. T. Beede, the merchant at
Fairfield: Alfred Cosby, the landlord at Fairfield; W. S. Lin-
coln, superintendent of the brick and tile works; Eugene D.
Parks, town cleric and thorough business man: Sidney F.
ShurtletV. former surveyor of higliways: T. H. Clark, the Russell
niereliant and postmaster; G. II. Allen, farmer near Fairfield;
S. F. Stepliens, substantial fai-iiier: "William ^lortimei", an en-
terprising and successful farmer and cattle dealer; ]\L S.
'I'liompson. chairman of the school committee ; Henry Griffin,
the railroad "section boss"; Joseph Gridley, one of the oldest
men in the town, and a native ; Henry G. ^Mortimer, farmer and
cattle dealer. Still other names might be added to this list, but
none that are here mentioned should be taken away.
( 452 )
CHAPTER XV
THE TOWN OF TOLLAND
In 1754 the colonial government of Massachusetts Bay estab-
lished the old plantation of Bedford' as the district of Granville,
and in 1775 the general court conferred on the jurisdiction full
town powers. Under these names and with an extensive terri-
tory the early settlement of the region was accomplished, and so
rapidly did the planters from the east possess themselves of the
high and fertile lands of the locality that the territory was
divided into parishes for the convenience of the inhabitants and
took the names, respectively, of East, Middle (or Centre) and
West parish.
On June 14, ISIO, at a time when the West parish contained
almost 800 inhabitants, the legislature passed an act to divide
the town of Granville, which act reads in part as follows: Be
it enacted, &c., "That the West parishvin (Jranville, in the county
of Hampshire, as known by its present Ijounds, be and hereby is
incorporated and established as a separate town by the name of
Tolland, with all the powers and privileges, and subject to all
the requisitions of other towns, according to the constitution and
laws of this commonwealth."
Tolland occupies a position in the extreme southwest corner
of Hampden county, the Connecticut state line bounding the
town on the south, while on the west lies Berkshire county.
Throughout this entire region the land surface is broken by
irregular ranges of hills, some of which have an altitude varying
from 1,200 to 1,500 feet above tide water. Indeed, it is said that
Tolland, with the possible exception of Chester, has some of the
highest elevations in the county, but notwithstanding the rugged
character of its sui'face the town has few areas of land unfit for
( 453 )
oil! COl wry AM) ITS PEOPLE
cultivation, and the liills i'miiisli an ahundanee of grazing lands
and also produce- a superior (luality of hay and grain. More
remotely distant from the county seat than any other town, and
having no streams of sulificient size to raft logs or lumber to
market, Tolland still has large tracts of forest lands, some of
which have not been touched by the woodman's axe.
Sr.(tl(t)i(iif. — '\\'h\]e this part of Ilami)shire county was
known as the plantation of Bedford, its .settlement was begun
by pioncei's from the east, while a few of the Durham colony who
settled the ^liddlc parish of (Jranville gradually found their way
over into the hill regions of the West parish. No reliable record
is found to inform us who was the pioneer of the town, and the
present generation of inhabitants have no traditions on this sub-
ject. Still, it is known that some time about the year 1750 a
number of families came to the locality, j-.ureha.sed lands and
made settlements. Of this number there is handed down to us
the name of Jabez Rogers, a worthy man and the progenitor of
a large family of ten sons and two daughters. These children
were Leonard, Jabez, Sanuiel, Nathaniel, Asa, Percy, Russell,
JIartin, Dwyer, John, Lucy and Sarah, from whom, by their
marriages in subsei|uent years, has sprung a considerable pro-
portion of the town's population.
Thomas Twining was another of the tirst settlers, and was
the pioneer of that well known family of the town in all later
years, who have been such prominent faetoi-s in local history.
The .sons of Thomas were William and Stei^hen, and he also had
three daughters. One of the latter married Joseph AVolcott, of
Sandisfield; anothei- nuirried ("hauncey Fowler and lived and
died in Tolland: and the third married a 'Mr. Gorham and settled
in the west. Eli.iah Twining, brother of Thomas, also was an
early settler, if not one of the tirst colony. TTis eight children
were William, Eleazer, Fhith. Lewis, Ju(hih, Timothy, Susan and
Lois, from whom have descended some of the best families of
Tolland, although not all of them spent their lives here.
Titus Fowler was one of the tirst settlers and also was one
of the foremost men in the original colony. In his family were
six children. John. Chauncey. Titus. Eliza, Catharine and TTan-
( 454 )
THE TOWN OF TOLLAND
nah, a portion of whom always lived in the town, but others, and
some of the descendants of nearly all of them, settled in other
parts of the country. Ebenezer Harding, also of the first colony
and a most worthy man, was one of the few first colonists of
whom little is now known. He left children and his surname
always has been preserved in the town. Marvin ]\Ioore was still
another settler of whom little is recalled in the way of personal
remembrance. David Slocum's descendants are still active
factors in Tolland history, and they have .just pride in their
family ancestry, for if local tradition is reliable the pioneer
Slocuni was a man of inHuenee in the atifaii's of the west parish.
In the family of Pierce Marshall, another of the original sixteen
settlers, were five sons, Pierce, George, Samuel, Dudley and
Gaius, and the descendants of some of them are still living in the
town.
James Hamilton, whose family name has been known in all
succeeding years, was another of the earliest settlers in the old
west parish. His sons were John, Robert, Thomas, Henry,
James and Samuel, nearly all of whom in turn raised families,
although few indeed are now in Tolland to represent them.
The Granger surname is better represented, and by some of the
best stock in the town, for George W. Granger, grandson of the
pioneer of the family, was for many years one of Tolland 's best
men, and for years was chaii"raan of the selectmen. The pioneer
was Abraham Granger, a good, worthy man, much respected by
his fellow townsmen. In his family were two sons and three
daughters, the former being Launcelot and George W. C! ranger.
John i\Ianchester, who came here in 1750 with the first colony, is
not directly represented in the present generation of the town's
people, his children having settled in other localities, some in
Connecticut and others in the far West. Pioneer Manchester's
sons were AVilliam, John, Shadrach and Samuel. Of his daugh-
ters, one married and spent her life in the town, but the others
removed to new localities in the west many years ago.
Among the other original colonists of the west parish there
may be recalled the names of Samuel Hubbard, James Barlow,
Moses Gough, David Fowler, and also John, Robert and Thomas
( 455 )
oil! COUNTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
llainiltoii, who were grown sons of James Hamilton and came
with their fatlier at the time the colony was planted in or about
1750. These, so far as present records and obtainable informa-
tion tend to show, were the first settlers in the west parish of
(iraiiville. a part of the old plantation of Bedford, and now
known as the town of Tolland. It was full three-score years
after their settlement was made that Tolland became a town, and
many of the founders never lived to see the change in jurisdic-
tion. They came about the middle of the eighteenth century to
a rugged wilderness country, drawn by the ever restless spirit of
emigration which infected all the eastern colonies about that
time; but the principal inducement which attracted them was
the cheapness of the lands offered by the proprietors of the
Bedford plantation. Following them came others, some from
the eastern towns of I\Iassachusetts and others from the shore
country of Connecticut, and notwithstanding the disadvantages
under which they labored and the multitude of hardships of life
in the new locality, their work was well done, and they, the first
settlers of Tolland, contributed a full share in establishing the
mother town as one of the most populous and important civil
divisions of old Hampshire county. This is no idle boast, for it
is a fact that in 1790 the town of Granville contained 1.979 in-
habitants, while Springfield, including what now is Chicopee,
had 1.574 inhabitants. In 1800 Granville had 2.309 inhabitants,
and the iiresont county seat of Hampden had 2.312 inhabitants.
\M\en Tolland was set off from Granville in 1810 the new
town took from the mother territory more than one-third of her
lands and a like proportion of the population : from which we
may ]M-operly infer that the old west parish was as well settled
and developed as any portion of the original town. At that
time the territory comiM'ising Tolland had attained its greatest
population, and in all later years, with few exceptions, the
innnber of inhabitants has steadily decreased. However, let us
liave recourse to the statistics of the census and note the changes
in the town's population : 1810. 798 ; 1820. 692 : 1830. 723 : 1840,
627: 1850. .594: 1860. 596; 1865. 511: 1870. 509: 1875. 452: 1880,
452; 1885. 422; 1890. 303; 1895. 309; 1900, 275.
( 456 )
THE TOWN OF TOLLAND
In accordance with the provisions of the incorporating act,
one of the magistrates of Granville issued his warrant for the
first town meeting in the new jurisdiction, and thereupon the
organization was made complete. A full board of officers was
elected, and from that time the records, except those of births,
marriages and deaths, have been carefully preserved. Having
recourse to the clerk's books, we are able to furnish a complete
list of the selectmen and town clerks from the organization of
the town to the present time.
Selectmen.— ISIQ, James Hamilton, Perez Marshall, William
Twining: ISll. James Hamilton, Jabez AYright, John W. Bab-
cock; 181-2. John W. Babcock. Hull Slocum. Caleb Birt; 1813,
James Hamilton, Perez Marshall, jun., Hull Slocum; 1814, Perez
Marshall. Nathan Hall. William Twining. 1st; 1815, James
Hamilton. ^Merrin jMoore, Eleazer Slocum; 1816. Capt. Allen
Bidwell, Henry Hamilton, jun., Eleazer Slocum; 1817, Capt.
Allen Bidwell, Warren Gates, Abraham Granger; 1818, Perez
Marshall. Selah Butler, AVarren Gates: 1819, Abraham Granger,
Charles Reming-ton, Samuel Hamilton; 1820, Samuel Hamilton,
Abraham Granger, William Twining, 2d; 1821, John Hull,
Walter Babcock, Josiah Remington : 1822-23. Josiah Remington,
Joel Humphrey, John Rogers ; 182-4, Josiah Remington, Joel
Humphrey. Archibald Wright ; 1825, Archibald Wright, Samuel
Hamilton. Allen Bidwell: 1826. Samuel Hamilton. Ai-ehibald
Wright. William Twining, 2d; 1827, Sauuiel Hamilton, Xoah
Shepard, AYarren Gates; 1828, Josiah Remington, Israel Carrier,
George AY. Granger; 1829, Josiah Remington. George AY. Gran-
ger, Waltei- AY. Babcock; 1830, Samuel Hamilton, Eleazer Slo-
cum, Alanson Hubbard; 1831, Leonard Cowles, Launcelot
Granger. Sauuiel Hall; 1832, Launcelot Granger, Leonard
Cowles, Arch. AYright; 1833, same as 1832; 1834, George AY.
Granger. Lyman Twining, Loyal Humphrey; 1835, LvTnan
Twining. Leonard Cowles, Chester Chapman: 1836, Chester
Chapman, Oliver E. Slocum, Arial Frost: 1837, Leonard Cowles,
Lyman Twining, George AY. Granger; 1838, Lyman Twining,
AA'illiam E. Barnes, Lester ]\larshall ; 1839, AYilliam E. Barnes,
Hull T. Slocum, Alonzo Marshall: 1840, George AY. Granger,
( 457 )
Oi'H COUNTY AXf) ITS PEOPLE
James Hunt, Bennett Palmer; 1841, George \V. Granger, Leon-
ard Cowles, ^Villiam C. Nye; 1842, Leonard Cowles, Wm. E.
Barnes, layman Twining; 1843, Leonard Cowles, Lauucelot
Granger, Slilcs Sloeiini; 1844, George \V. Granger, William Nye,'
Franklin Harvey; 184"), (ieorge \V. (irangci'. Oliver E. Sloenni,
Chester Chapman; ]84(i. Wm. E. Barnes, Lyman Twining, Peiez
M. Fowler; 1847, Liicicn Ildti-hkiss, Shadrack Manchester,
Aion/.o Miller; 1848, Lueien llotchkiss, (ieorge W. (Tranger,
Oliver E. Slocum ; 1849, Lueien Hotehkiss. X. E. Slocum, Hiram
C. Brown; 1850, William E. Barnes, Noah B. Nye, Nathan E.
Slocum: 1851, Daniel Spring, Noah B. Nye. Edward L. Tinker;
1852, George W. (J ranger, Oliver E. Slocum, Fowler T. Moore;
1853, Fowler 'Y. Moore, Leonard Cowles, William Tinker; 1854,
Fowler T. ^Moore, Oliver E. Sloeum, Amos L. Hull ; 1855. George
W. (Ji'anger, Noah B. Nye, Lyman Twining; 1856,Lyman Twin-
ing, Noah B. Nye, Edward L. Tinker; 1857, Rufus Smith, Lyman
Twining. Philander F. Twining; 1858, Philander F. Twining,
Hiram C. Brown. Samuel Hamilton, jun. ; 1859, Philander F.
Twining, Samuel Hamillcm. jun., Daniel Spring; 1860, Philan-
der F. Twining, Samuel Hamilton. George W. Granger; 1861,
Philander F. Hamilton, Daniel Spring. Edward L. Tinker, .jun.;
18()2. Hiram C. Brown, Lyman Twining, George W. Granger;
1863-64. Philander F. Twining, Lyman Twining, George W.
(iranger: 1865, (ieorge W. Granger, Philander F. Twining,
Nathan E. Sloeum; 18(i6, George W. Gi'anger, Philander F.
Twining, Samuel C. Marsliall; 1867, George W. Granger, Noah
B. Nye, Nelson B. Twining; 1S68, George "\V. (xranger. X. B.
Twining, Samuel C. Marshall ; 1869, N. B. Twining, Samuel C.
:\Iarshall, Charles N. iMarshall ; 1870-71, LaFayette Granger,
Julius P. Hall. George L. ^Marshall; 1872-73, Nelson B. Twining,
George L. Marshall, F. S. Hale; 1874, Geo. W. (^ranger. Samuel
C. ^Marshall, W. F. Hale; 1875, Fowler F. Moore, Samuel C.
JIai-shall. E. D. Tjarkin: 1876-77. George AV. Clranger, Nelson
B. Twining, Wellington Hale: 1878, George L. JIarshall, Julius
P. Hall. Fowler F. Moore; 1879, George W. Granger, Wellington
F. Hale. Oliver E. Sloeum. jun.; 1880. Oliver E. Slocnm. jun.,
Erastus D. Larkin. Franklin H. Pratt; 1881, Oliver E. Slocum,
( 458 )
THE TO^\^N OF TOLLAND
jiiii., Orrison E. Snow, Franklin H. Pratt; 1882, Wellington F.
Hale, Erastus D. Larkin, Charles X. Marshall; 1883. Oliver E.
Slocuni, jun., Orrison E. Snow, Chas. N. Marshall; 1884, Oliver
E. Slocuni, jun., Wellington F. Hale, Franklin H. Pratt; 1885,
Oliver E. Sloeuni. Wellinoton F. Hale, Erastus D. Larkin; 1886,
Oliver E. Sloeuni, Wellington F. Hale, Watson I. Hale; 1887,
Wellington F. Hale, Erastus D. Larkin, Frank R. Moore; 1888,
Wellington F. Hale, Frank R. IMoore, Erastus D. Larkin ; 1889,
same as 1888; 1890, Wellington F. Hale, Samuel C. Tififany,
Marshall ^Miller; 1891, Wellington F. Hale, Frank R. Moore,
Watson I. Hale: 1892, Wellington F. Hale, Samuel C. Tiit'any,
Giles H. Farnham; 1893-95, Oliver E. Slocum, Samuel C. Tif-
fany, Eugene M. Moore; 1896, Giles H. Farnham, Eugene M.
Moore, Luke R. Moore ; 1897, Oliver E. Slocuni, Wellington F.
Hale, Erastus D. Larkin; 1898, Charles N. Marshall. Eugene
M. Moore, John M. Hayes; 1899, Oliver E. Slocum, Wellington
F. Hale, Prank B. Deniing; 1900-1901, Oliver E. Sloeum. John
R. Rogers, Frank B. Deming.
Town Clerks.— Henry Hamilton, .jun., 1810-14; Samuel
Hamilton, 1815-16; Henry Hamilton, 1817-18; Allen Bidwell,
1819-20; Henry Hamilton, 1821-26; John Rogers, 1827; Henry
Hamilton, 1828-29; Edward L. Tinker, 1830-32; Alanson Hub-
bard, 1833-34; Joseph D. Slocuni, 1835; Leonard Cowles, 1836;
Roger Harrison, 1837-41 ; Alfred Webber, 1842-44; Rufus Smith,
1845-49; William W. Harrison, 1850-55; Samuel Hamilton, jun.,
1855-60; Rufus Smith, 1861; Samuel Hamilton, 1862; William
H. Harrison. 1863-73; F. R. Moore, 1873-76; Homer P. Twining,
1876-79; Wilbert Munn, 1880-1901.
The town officers of Tolland for the year 1901 are as follows :
Oliver E. Slocum, John R. Rogers, Frank B. Deming, selectmen,
as.sessors, overseers of the poor and board of heallh; Wilbert
Munn, town clerk, continuously since 1880; Pliilip L. C. Slocum,
auditor; Wilbert ]\runn, treasurer; John R. Rogers, Irving G.
Chapel, collectors; F. B. Deming, highway commissioner; Irving
G. Chapel, constable ; Wilbert Munn, justice of the peace.
For a century and a half Tolland has been an agricultural
town, and in response to patient endeavor on the part of hus-
( 459 )
OUR COUNTY A\/> ITS I'EOPLE
bandnien its lands have been made to yield exceedingly well
considering the generally hilly character of the region. Cattle
and dairy prodncts are the chief stai)Ies, yet in hay and grain
good annual crops are harvested. Many years ago an attempt
v>as made to grow tobacco in the town, and while the effort was
not a failure it did not meet with the success which was hoped
for. In many other ways tlie people have been progressive and
euteri)rising, and have been strenuous in their endeavors to main-
tain the town's population despite the wide-spread inclination
of the younger element to abandon the home farms (where at
least a comfortable living was a.ssnred) for the greater pleasures
and less arduous work of occupations in the cities and large
villages. This great exodus of strong young manhood from the
rural localities began about twenty-five years ago, and has been
kept up to the present day; and as its result almost every out-
hnng town in the counties of this state (and many other states
as well) has thereby lost much of the best element of its popula-
tion. The theory is a mistaken one, the principle is wrong, the
results are disastrous, yet the desire for city life and its alluring
pleasures seems too strong to resist, hence the old home farms
where our forefathers dwelt and were comfortable must suffer
neglect and consequent loss in value.
Tolland never has been noted for its manufactures and
while lumbering operations always have been carried on with
more or less j)erseverance the distance to profitable markets has
precluded the possibility of extensive efforts in that direction.
Previous to about twenty years ago a small tannery was oper-
ated on Farmingtcm river by Albert Hull, and a fi;rniture
factory was for a time carried on in the north part of the town
by Charles N. jVIai-shall, who now is engaged in business as a
lumberman. Something more than thirty years ago the people
here became thoroughly interested in a railroad enterprise, which
was promised by an incorporated company, but through some
cause the project was abandoned, greatly to the discouragement
of all the townsfolk. The chief industries of the town at the
present time are the saw and shingle mills owned by H. B. Dem-
ing, C. "W. Ives, Abner Johnson. AV. X. Rowley, C. B. Soule and
( 460 )
TEE TOWX OF TOLLAND
H. W. Soule ; the eider mills of A. H. Case and C. H. Moody, and
the Inmbering operations of Mr. Marshall.
The pleasant little hamlet called Tolland, originally known
as West Granville, occupies a central position in the town, and
is sixteen miles distant southwest from Westfield by stage route.
It has no mercantile interests of consequence, the inhabitants
trading almost wholly in adjoining towns. The few interests
centered here, or having an existence in Tolland, are the black-
smith shop of Wilbert Munn, who also is the town clerk and a
justice of the peace-, the post-ofSce (Alice A. Harrison, post-
ToUand Center
mistress), and the shoe shops of N. 0. Cliaii'ee, J. C. Hodges
and F. H. Pratt. The institutions are the free town library
(Wilbert Munn, librarian, and Oliver E. Sloeum, E. M. Moore
and L. R. Moore, trustees) ; the public school (Oliver E. Sloeum,
chairman; I\Irs. T. G. Chapel and John R. Rogers, school com-
mittee) ; and the Congregational churcli.
The Congregational church of Tolland dates its history from
1795, when a few of the scattered inhabitants gathered together
and organized a society in the third or west parish of Granville.
( 461 )
on; coryrv asd its i'Ijoi'LE
III llie course of a year or two the little flock succeeded in build-
ing a meetinir house and all the inhabitants of the parish "ratli-
ered within the edifice evei-y Sabbath day for public worship.
Rev. Roger Harrison was the first pastor here, installed as such
in 1798 and continuing his connection with the society until
1822. The church never was strong in numbers and has not been
able to support a resident pastor at all times, hence West Gran-
ville and Tolland were united under one pastorate. The present
church edifice was erected in 1842. The present pastor is Rev.
(Jilbcrt A. Curtiss. The niembershi]) numbers 32 persons. A
Baptist society was formed in the "south ((uarter" (a distin-
iruishing name") of the town about 1830, but it never gained suffi-
cient strength to erect a house of worship or to maintain a
[)ermanent existence.
The public school arrangement of Tolland was made while
the town constituted the west parish of Granville, therefore
when this town was set off the work of redistricting was the
most important duty that devolved upon the school committee.
The records for this j)eriod of the town's history are imperfect,
and we have no ilefinite knowledge of what was done in regard
to tiie schools prior to 1849. Under the present disposition of
school interests in the town tlie territory comprises five districts,
each with a school house, while according to the last published
rei>ort of the conunittee the number of children of school age in
the town is but (i8. Five teachers are employed annually. The
town has no superintendent of schools, the duties of that office
being pei-foriiied l)y the seliool committee whose names are given
in a preceding paragraph.
Notwithstanding the disadvantages of remote location and
the absence of large commercial enterprises, Tolland has pro-
duced many men of strength and integrity of character. This
element of progressive population has not been confined to the
early generations of the town's people, but during the last half
century there have been many earnest factors in domestic and
jtublie life in the town. In this connection there may be recalled
the names of such men as the late G. W. Granger, Alonzo ]\riller,
Daniel Spring. Alonzo ISfarshall. George L. ^Marshall. Oliver E.
( 462 )
THE TO^V^^ OF WALES
yiocuni, E. D. yiocuni, E. D. Moore, P. F. Twining, N. B. Twin-
ing, H. C. Bvown, Samuel Hamilton, N. E. Slocum, Henry
Hamilton, Edward L. Tinker and Fowler F. Moore, nearly all
of whom were born in Tolland, some of them descendants of
pioneer stock, and all men of excellent character and moral
worth, an honor to any town. And among the men of the present
day there are many whose names are worthy of mention in these
pages; such men as 0. E. Slocum, farmer; Wilbert Munn,
mechanic, town clerk and justice of the peace; H. W. Soule,
lumberman ; J. R. Rogers, farmer and selectman ; Giles Farnham,
mechanic: J. D. Hall, farmer; F. B. Twining, farmer and lum-
berman; F. H. Pratt, farmer; M. S. and H. H. Marshall, farmei-s;
O. E. Slocum, farmer; E. M. Brown, farmer; C. B. Soule, lum-
berman, and P. S. Hale, farmer.
CHAPTER XVI
THE TOWN OF WALES
A little more than a century and three-(iuarters ago, there
was a large territory lying east of the town of Springfield which
was described as "common land," a part of the public ilmiiain
under the crown and subject to the immediate authority of the
Kiyal governor of the ilassachusetts Bay. Sometime during the
early part of the eighteeuth century a number of adventurous
whites had established themselves in various portions of this
tract, and the locality being found desirable for colonization, it
soon passed under the proprietary ownership, resulting in the
formation of a plantation adjoining Springfield and auxiliary
thereto.
The plantation was established in 1722, and in less tiian ten
years afterward the territory was incorporated into a town liy
the name of Brimfield. During the ne.xt thirty years a large
])art of the available lands were well settled by people who came
( 463 )
OIB COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
from the eastern settleiiifiils. while tlie old towu of Springfield
furnished a fair eontiniiciit of the rajjidly increasing population.
In 1742 a part of the i)lan1ation on the east was set otf to fonn
"Western, ;iiid in 17(j(i another iiorlion on the west side was in-
corpoi-ated as a district anil called ^Jonson. In 1762 the remain-
ing territoi-y was divided and the south ludf was called the
district of South Brimfield. On February 21, 1766, the latter
district was divitied into East and West pai-ishes, the old South
Jleadow road leading from Brimfield south into Connecticut
being the boundary line between them. August 23, 1775, the
district of South Brimfield was made a town by a general act,
and, July 5, 1783, the former East parish was made a district
by the name of Holland. After this separation all the remaining
part of South Brimfield was continued under that designation
until February 20, 1828, Avhen its name was changed to Wales.
Settlement in old Brimfield is believed to have begun soon
after 1700, and probably a quarter of a century passed before
an adventurous pioneer made a permanent location in the South
Brimfield region. Over in Holland there was no attempt at
occupation and improvement until after 1730, but in Avhat is
now Wales Anthony Xeedham and John Bullen chose their lots,
built their cabins, and l)rought their families in 1726 or '27. If
local tradition is reliable pioneer Needham was a man of much
determination and the worthy leader of the vanguard of civiliza-
tion in the town. He is said to have had eleven children, and
one of his sons, Captain Anthony Xeedham, rendered excellent
service during the revolution. He was the first representative
of South Brimfield in the general court. The pioneer himself
died in 1763. Pioneer Bullen spent his life in the town, but in
later years his descendants became widely scattered. In the
drawing of lots under the proprietory Xeedham secured "Lott
29", and Bullen "Lott 28", the former just west of what is
sometimes called Wales pond, and the latter adjoining it.
If other settlers came into the town about the time that
pioneers Needham and Bullen located here there is no present
record of the fact. The belief is that the pioneers -wex'e on their
lands something more than a year before other settlers began
( -164 )
THE TOWX OF WALES
to arrive, although the proprietors were constantly sending pros-
pectors into the region with a view to settlement. Some of
these remained here and bought land, but others came and soon
departed. At this late date, nearly two centuries after the events
took place, it is ditticult to determine accurately who were the
earliest settlers in the south half of the old mother town of Brim-
field. However, having access to town records, old papers and
other documents, we are able to recall the names of many of the
early settlers in what now is Wales. In these researches we find
the names of ]Munger, whose earliest representatives in this
locality were Nathaniel, Elnathan, Samuel and Joseph Munger,
names afterward well known and highly respected in the civil
and social history of the town. This family in Wales annals
dates from about 1728. Then there was Rev. Ebenezer Moulton
and his brothers Samuel and John, who came here in 1728.
Elder IVIoulton founded a Baptist society here in 1736, and served
as captain in the French and English war in 1755. These fami-
lies came to Brimfield from Salem and prol)ably were accom-
panied by other settlers whose names cannot be recalled.
In glancing over old records we find the surnames of Hovey,
Jordon. Johnson. ^Morgan, Collins, Shaw (Seth and Joshua),
Gardner (Humphrey Gardner removed from Palmer to South
Brimfield as early as 1736), Captain Trustrum Davis (a settler
here in 1732 and an officer in the French wars), Thomas Green
(1737), Robert Green (1748), Wm. Carpenter (1740), Ichabod
and Joel Rogers (representatives of a family of nmch prominence
in the later history of Wales. Joel Rogers represented the town
in the general court in 1797, and was in many respects one of the
foremost men in the town in his time"!, William Felton (an Irish-
man and probably the pioneer of his nationality in Wales),
Shubael Dimmick (settled here about 1750 and erected one of
the first saw mills in the locality), Capt. Daniel Winchester
(came from Roxbury previous to 1760, and was an influential
personage in town affairs, a delegate to the provincial congress
in Salem in 1774, representative in the general court, and in
business life a store-keeper in South Brimfield), ('apt. Asa Fisk
(who came from Hampton, Conn., in 17(i2, and conducted a
30 3 ( 465 )
OUR COUNTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
tavern as well as a large farm), Oliver Wales (who came into
the town in 1766 from Union, in Connecticut), Elijah Wales
(brother of Oliver), Rev. James Mellen (the second pastor of
the Baptist church, and whose settlement here dated 1765 ) , Rev.
Elijah Coddington (who followed Elder Mellen in the pastorate),
Asa Houghton (settled here 1779, represented the town in 1784
and died 18-2!)).
Ill addition to those mentioned in preceding paragraphs,
and who perhaps wei'e the most prominent men of the town in
their time, we may recall still other early settlers whose names
are equally worthy of notice, although their work consisted in
developing the resources of the region rather than in public
service. AVe now make especial reference to such charactei-s in
local annals as James C. Royce (whose surname is still known
in Wales). Darius Jlunger. John ^Munger, Nehemiah ]\ray (a
conspicuous character in Holland history), Dr. James Lawrence
(the pioneer physician), Hvniiphrey Crane. Thoma.s Bond,
Jonathan Crane. Abel Allen, Joseph Gardner. David Needham,
Samuel Shaw. J(>siah Gardner. Benjamin "Winchester, and others
whose names have lieen lost with the lapse of years, all of whom
were factors in history i)revious to the beginning of the nine-
teenth century and many of whom were the ancestors of residents
in the town at the opening of the twentieth century. Indeed,
for more than one hundred years this town, whether known as
South Brimfield or Wales, has been noted for the substantial
character of its inhabitants, and glancing backward through the
last century we discover that it has furnished its full quota of
strong men who have been contributing factors in the civil and
political history of Hampden county.
In many respects the early settlers in South Brimfield were
an independent and courageous people, and the action of the
pi-oprietors of the lands, and also that of the government of the
mother town, was not wholly agreeable to them. Therefore they
paused the division of the territory and the ereation of their
o\ni town, then comprising the East and West parishes. And
even later there was something in the administration of affairs
in the new jui-isdiction which was not suited to their condition
( 466 )
THE TOWN OF ^^^ALES
aud situation in life, hence, on September 5, 1774, it was voted
to "choose twelve men as a court of justice and'fionor to deter-
mine all controversies" that might afterward arise in the dis-
trict. This domestic judicial body comprised Capt. Nehemiah
May, Jacob Howe, Nathaniel Hunger, Asa Fisk, Anthony Need-
ham, Daniel AVinchester, Thomas Parker, Jonathan Wallis,
Benjamin Blodgett, Edward Webber, Abel Allen and Joel
Rogers, six numbers being selected from the inhabitants of each
parish. The "court", however, was of brief duration, for in
1783 the East parish became a separate district and elected its
own officers, except the representative. One of the objects of
this court of twelve members was the equable administration of
town affairs and the fair division of offices between the parishes.
In 1774 the East jjarish sought a division of the territory on
account of many inconveniences to which they were put, and
again in 1779 the measure was advocated. In 1783 their en-
deavors were rewarded, the separation was granted, but there-
after for many years the towns of Holland and Wales united
in electing a single representative to the legislature.
Previous to the organization of Hampden countj' (1812)
the following representatives of the joint district were elected
from Wales: Anthony Needham, 1775; David Bullen, 1780;
Asa Houghton, 1784: Daniel AVinehester, 1785 and '87; Darius
Hunger, 1786 and '90, 1794-95 ; Asa Fisk, 1788-89 ; Joel Rogers,
1797; Oliver Wales, 1800-01; Josiah Gardner, 1804; John
Hunger, 1805 ; Royal Wales, 1810-11. In the Hampden civil list
in another part of this work may be found the subsequent repre-
sentatives from Wales.
In speaking of the prominent characters in South Brimfield
and Wales histoiy it may be noted that in the provincial con-
gress convened at Salem in 1774, this town was rei)resented by
Capt. Daniel Winchester. In the Cambridge convention in 1779
to adopt a constitution for the commonwealth, the town was
represented by William Carpenter. In the Hatfield convention
in April, 1781, and the Hadley convention in February, 1782,
to devise means for the common defense and maintenance of
troops then in the field, the town was represented by delegate
( 467 )
OIR COrSTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
Joel Rogers. In tlu' emiiily c-onventioii held at Hatfield, August
22, and at Hadley, Noveiiiber 7, 1786, and also at the state con-
vention at Boston in January, 1788, to devise means to relieve
the extremities of the i)eople caused by the war, this town was
represented by Asa Fisk. In the peace party convention held
in Northampton, July 14, 1812, this town, a majoi-ity of whose
people were decidedly of federalistic tendencies, sent Darius
Plunger as its delegate.
Civil History. — The organization of the town in pur.suanee
I of the act of the legislatui'e, the detail of whieh is set forth in
an earlier paragraph, was accomplished witli little difficulty.
Tlie act authorized .justice of the peace Josiah Dwight to issue
his warrant to some i)rincipal inhabitant (Jonathan Burk) of
the new district, and to assemble the townsmen at the house of
settler John Bishop for the purpose of electing officers. The
meeting was held October 5, and Humphrey Crane acted as
moderator. The succession of selectmen and town clerks follows :
Selectmen. — llG'I-f^^. Humphrey Needham, H\unphrey
Crane, Anthony Needham. Nehemiah ]\Iay, John iloultou; 1766,
Joseph Blodgett, Anthony Needham. John IMoulton, James Law-
rence, Samuel Miniger; 1767, Joseph Blodgett, James Lawrence,
Humphrey Needham; 1768, Humphrey Crane, Humphre.v Need-
ham, Dr. James Lawrence: 1769, Humphrey Crane, Joseph
Blodgett, .iun., Edward Webber; 1770, Humphre.v Crane, Joseph
Blodgett, .iun., Anthony Needham; 1771, Asa Fisk, Joseph Blod-
gett, jun.. Nehemiah ^May; 1772. Anthony Needham, Daniel
"Winchester. Nehemiah 'May. 1773, Anthony Needham, Asa Fisk,
Nehemiah ^lay; 1774, Anthony Needham, Daniel Winchester,
Humphrey Crane; 1775, Anthony Needham. Asa Fisk. Hiun-
phrey Crane; 1776, Humphre.v Crane, Daniel Winchester,
Anthon.v Needham, .Joseph ^huiger, Edward Webber; 1777,
Daniel AVinchester, Nehemiah Alay, Jonathan Wallis; 1778,
Nehemiah ^lay, Sherebiah Ballard, Ben.]. Blodgett; 1779,
Tliomas Bond. Darius JMunger, William Belknap, Abner Need-
ham, Joseph Needham : 1780, Jonas Blodgett, Wm. Belknap,
Darius ilunger, Jonathan Crane, Joseph Needham ; 1781, Jonas
Blodgett. Wm. Belknap. Darius Plunger. Alfred Lynn, Joseph
( 468 )
THE TOWN OF ^VALES
Needham; 1782, Joel Eogers, Wm. Belkuap, Abner Needliam,
Abel Allen, Joseph Plunger; 1783, Joel Rogers, Wm. Belknap,
Joseph Needham, Abel Allen, Darius Mimger; 1784, Darius
Munger, Joel Rogers, Joseph Needham; 1785, Samuel Winches-
ter, Darius Muuger, Asa Houghton; 1786, Joel Rogers, Darius
Hunger, David Needham; 1787, Joel Rogers, Darius Jlunger,
Daniel Munger; 1788, Joel Rogers, Asa Fisk, Daniel "Winchester;
1789, Joel Rogers, Asa Fisk, Darius Munger; 1790-92, Darius
Munger, Joel Rogers, Asa Fisk; 1793, David Needham, Joel
Rogers, Daniel Munger; 1794, John ifunger, Joel Rogers, Daniel
Munger; 1795, John Munger, Joel Rogers, Darius Munger; 1796,
Darius IMunger, Joseph Gardner, John ilunger, David Needham,
Sanuiel Shaw ; 1797-98, Darius ]\Iunger, Josiah Gardner, John
Munger; 1799, Nathan Wight, Oliver Wales; 1800, John Munger,
Nathan Wight, Benj. Winchester; 1801, David Needham,
Stephen Needham, Asa Fisk, jun., Asa Houghton, John Shaw;
1802, John Munger, Nathan Wight, John Shaw; 1803, Darius
Munger, Joel Rogers, Asa Fisk; 1804, Darius ]\Iunger, John
j\Iuuger, Oliver Wales; 1805, Darius Munger, Cyrus Munger,
Stephen Needham ; 1806-10, John ]\lunger, Cyrus Munger,
Stephen Needham; 1811, Asa Fisk, jun., James L. Wales, John
Shaw; 1812, Jesse Moulton, Chai'les Gardner, Cyrus ]Munger;
1813, Jesse Moidton, Amasa Plunger, Stephen Needham; 1814,
Jesse Moulton, Timothy Fenton, James W. Needham; 1815, Jesse
Moulton, Timothy Fenton, James L. Wales; 1816, Charles Gard-
ner, Timothy Fenton, Alvin Needham; 1817, Alvin Needham,
Timothy Fenton. Alfred Needham; 1818-20, Alvin Needham,
John Smith, Alfred Needham; 1821, James L. Wales, Francis
Miller, Alfred Needham; 1822, James L. Wales. Alvin Needham,
John Smith ; 1823, James L. Wales, John Smith, Alfred Need-
liam; 1824, James L. Wales, Alfred Needham, Orrin Wales;
1825, Alvin Needham, Jolm Smith, William Thompson; 1826,
James L. Wales, John Smith, Wm. Thompson; 1827, Alfred
Needham, John Smith, James Babeock; 1828, James L. Wales,
John Smith, Alfred Needham; 1829-30, James L. Wales, John
Smith, Francis Miller; 1831. John Smith, Charles Gardner,
James Babeock; 1832, John Smith, Whitman IMunger, James
( 460 )
OVR COUMY AND ITS PEOPLE
Babcoek; 1833, John Smith, AVhitmaii Munger, Alfred Need-
ham; 1834, James L. Wales, Charles Gardner, Alfred Needham ;
1835, John Smith, Aaron Shaw, Alfred Needham; 1836, Charles
Gardner, Aaron Slunv, Oliver Wales; 1837, James L. Wales,
Absalom Gardner, Elijah C. Babcoek; 1838, James C. Royee,
Absalom (Jardner, AVhitman Muntier; 1839, James C. Royee,
Absalom (iardiier, John White; 1840, Absalom Gardner, James
C. Royee, Ames Walbridjj:e, Jolin White; 1841, Absalom Gard-
ner, Ferdinand L. Burley, Nathan Palmer ; 1842, Luther Parker,
Horace Gardner, Nathan Palmer; 1843, Absalom Gardner, Fer-
dinand L. Burley, Ames Walbridge; 1844, Horace Gardner, "Wm.
Thompson, Ames Walbridge; 1845, Absalom Gardner, L. B.
Wight, Alvan Andrews; 1846, Leonard P. "Wight, James C.
Royee, Eseck Luther; 1847, Leonard P. AYight, James C.
Royee, A. A. Needham; 1848, Absalom Gardner, Horace Gard-
ner, C. D. Brown; 1849, Absalom Gardner, N. H. StoweD, C. D.
Brown; 1850, Absalom Gardner, N. H. Stowell, James
C. Royee; 1851, Absalom Gardner, Warren Shaw, Silas Perry;
1852, Alfred Needham, Alvin Andrews, Arbey Squier; 1853,
Absalom Gardner, David B. Needham, Eli Gardner; 1854, Ab-
salom Gardner, David B. Needham, Ferd. L. Burley; 1855,
Absalom Gardner, Adams Stewart, Samuel B. Perry; 1856, Ab-
salom Gardner, Nathan Palmer, Warren Shaw ; 1857-58, Absalom
Gardner, Nathan Palmer, Samuel L. ^loulton; 1859, Warren
Shaw, Wm. L. Needham, S. V. R. Smith ; 1860, W'arren Shaw,
Friend C. Smith, Warren Needham; 1861, Warren Shaw, S. V.
R. Smith, William L. Needham : 1862, Absalom Gardner, Eden
D. Shaw, S. V. R. Smith; 1863-64, Absalom Gardner, C. D.
Brown, Warren Shaw; 1865, Julius M. Lyon, J. C. Burley, F.
C. Smith; 1866, Ferd. C. Burley, C. D. Brown, S. B. Perry;
1867, Ferd. L. Burley, C. D. Brown, J. M. Lyon; 1868-69; Ferd.
L. Burley, Warren Needham, David F. Parker; 1870, Ferd. L.
Burley, Warren Needham, A. B. Johnson : 1871, J. M. Lyon,
Wm. L. Needham, F. L. Coburn : 1872, Absalom Gardner, War-
ren Needham, F. L. Coburn; 1873-74. Ferd. L. Burley, William
Tj. Needham. F. L. Coburn; 1875. Ferd. L. Burley. Wm. L.
Needham, George O. Henry: 1876. F. C. Smith. Geo. 0. Henry,
i 470 )
THE TOWN OF WALES
A. B. Johnson; 1877, Frank A. Royce, G. H. Needham, A. B.
Johnson; 1878, George H. Needham, J. M. Lyon, A. B. Johnson;
1879, J. M. Lyon, A. B. Johnson, F. S. Gardner; 1880, Warren
Shaw, David Shaw, W. L. Needham; 1881, F. L. Burley, F. M.
Royce, W. L. Needham; 1882, R. L. Boynton, AV. L. Needham,
P. W. Moore; 1883, A. B. Johnson, J. iL Lyon, F. A. Royce;
1884, F. A. Royce, A. B. Johnson, Nathan Green; 1885, F. A.
Royce, C. C. Smith, J. C. Burley; 1886, F. A. Royce, C. C.
Smith, W. Royce; 1887, W. Royce, R. L. Boynton, David Shaw;
1888, J. M. Lyon, F. A. Royce, David Shaw; 1889, J. M. Lyon,
LeRoy Sqiiier, H. A. McFarland; 1890, 0. P. Royce, LeRoy
Sqiiier, H. A. McFarland; 1891-92, 0. P. Royce, W. E. Need-
ham, Nathan Green; 1893-95, 0. P. Royce, W. E. Needham, W.
A. Lyon; 1896, O. P. Royce, J. H. Loudon, J. C. Burley; 1897-99,
0. P. Royce, G. :M. Stewart, J. H. Loudon ; 1900, J. H. Loudon,
F. M. Royce, A. A. Hubbard; 1901, 0. P. Royce, J. H. Loudon,
A. A. Hubbard.
Town Clerks. — C apt. Joseph Blodgett. 1762-63; Humphrey
Crane, 1764 ; Jeremiah Needham, 1765 ; Joseph Blodgett, 1766-
67; Humphrey Crane, 1768; Joseph Blodgett, 1769-74; Joseph
Needham, 1775-76; Abner Needham, 1777-80; David Bullen,
1781-84 ; Abner Needham, 1785-86 ; Darius Munger, 1787 ; Abner
Needham, 1788-90; Oliver Wales, 1791-1803; Elijah Coddington,
1804-05; James Smith, 1806-7; Jesse Moulton, 1808-14; Wm. W.
Thompson, 1815; Alfred Needham, 1816-33; Elijah C. Babcock,
1834; Aaron Shaw, 1835-36; James C. Royce, 1837-39; Leonard
B. Wight, 1840-42 ; Nathan D. Wight, 1843 ; Absalom Gardner,
1844; Austin L. Rogers, 1845-47; Naham H. Stowell, 1848-50;
Ferdinand L. Burley, 1851-54; George H. Needham, 1855; Joel
H. Rogers, 1856-59; George S. Rogers, 1860-73; Herbert H.
Haradon, 1874-75: George S. Rogers, 1876; Frank L. Smith,
1877; Herbert H. Haradon, 1878; Ozro P. Royce, 1879-88; A.
A. Hubbard. 1889 ; Ozro P. Royce, 1890-1901.
Town Officers, 1901. — Ozvo P. Royce, A. A. Hubbard,
Joseph A. Loudon, selectmen, overseers of the poor and board
of health: Ozro P. Royce, town clerk; B. S. Baker, C. G. Need-
ham, auditors: Willis Chamberlain, treasurer; T. J. Hynes, col-
( 4~1 )
Ol U col WTY AM) ITS J'KOJ'LE
k'ctor; W. E. Needhaiii, Win. Peek, W. \V. Eager, assessors;
LeHoy Squier, C. (i. Thompson, constables; Ozro P. Royce,
Georyre M. Stewart, Herbert A. MeFarlaud, justices of the peace;
Dr. E. F. Ross, Anna Thompson, Mrs. "Wm. INIeKinnoii, trustees
Wales public library; Willis ('hamberlain, librarian.
Wales for many years has been noted for the substantial
ehaiMcter of its inhal)itants and also for the stability of its
inslilutions and population, (ienerally speaking, it is an agri-
eultural town, with just enough of industrial enterprise to
The Village Fountain
employ tiie surplus labor element of the locality. Lumbering
for many years has been an established occupation for several
of the townsmen. In 1776, when the colonial census was taken,
South Brimfield (including what now is Holland) contained 850
inhabitants. The later changes in population, as shown by
census statistics, have been as follows: 1790, 606; 1800. 774;
1810, 64;-); 1820, 683; 1880, 66;3: 1840, 686; 1850, 711: 1855, 713;
1860, 677; 1865, 696; 1870, 831; 1875, 1,020; 1880, 1,030; 1885,
853; 1890, 700: 1895, 783; 1900, 773.
( in )
THE TOV^'N OF WALEH
From this it is seen that Wales, unlike many of the outlying
towns of the county, attained its greatest population in 1880, a
time when other civil divisions in the region were rapidly de-
creasing in number of inhabitants with a corresponding decline
in local interests; biit fortunately for AVales, the lands which
comprise its 10,000 acres area are of a superior quality and
yield well in response to the persevering efforts of the husband-
man. ^Moreover, the people always have been loyal to their
town, taking especial interest in maintaining the fertility of the
soil and guarding carefully the welfare of their youth. This is
known as one of the progressive towns, with fixed and permanent
institutions, and notwithstanding the decrease in population of
the last twenty years, few of the established interests have been
abandoned.
This spirit of loyalty to the town is not of recent origin,
but dates back to the days of early settlement, and in subsequent
years its manifestations have been frequent. Between 1754 and
1763 a number of the townsmen enlisted under the American
flag and took part in the closing wars with France. During the
revolution a patriotic spirit was displayed in old South Brim-
field, and on the call to arms no town made a more generous re-
sponse with troops, arms and supplies, also with provision for
the payment of bounties to encourage enlistments to the full
e.xtent of the town's quota.
Through the assistance of Leon H. Thompson, the writer is
able to furnish a reasonably complete list of the men of South
Brimfield (Wales) who served during the revolution, viz.:
Daniel Giles, Joseph Gardner, Charles Gardner, Amos Green,
Aaron Green, Ames Walbridge, Anthony Needham, Stephen
Needham. David Needham, Paul Stewart, William Carpenter,
]\Ialachi Nichols, Capt. Daniel Winchester, Ilezekiah Fisk, Asa
Fisk, David Davis, Samuel Davis, Kobei-t Andrews, Ludim
Andrews, Ezekiel Willis, Cyrus ilunger and Ebenezer Moulton.
Othniel Brown, who entered the naval service, was a native of
Rhode Island, but lived and died in this town. Isaiah Blood,
who enlisted from Charlton, IMass., also is buried here. Nehemiah
Needham, a soldier of the French and Indian war, was a private
( 473 )
orn roT'XTY axd /rs' rEoriE
under Capt. Ebeuezer iloultoa in the expedition to Crown Point
in 1755.
During Shays' rehellion tliure wn.s niucli local interest in
occurring events, and tradition says that the prevailing discon-
tent was felt in the locality. During the war of 1812-15 public
sentiment favored the federal oi' peace party, and whatever
there was of feeling in the town at the time, it was quietly settled
in tavern discussions, where the worthies were accustomed to
congretrate and debate serious (|uestions. In the war of 1S61-5
Wales, oil the street
the town furnished more than sixty meu for the several com-
panies recruited in part in this locality, while a number of ^Yales
enlistments were in Connecticut regiments.
Wales ViUagc — Jn accordance with an old custom of our
earliest New England ancestors, the tirst settlers in South I5riin-
field established their trading center along the principal tlior-
ouL'hfare leading through the town. From the days of pioneer-
ship to the present, the village called "Wales has comprised the
almost continuous I'ow of dwellings, stores and other sti'uctures
( i^i )
THE TOWN OF WALES
incident to such municipalities, scattered along the main road
leading from Brimtield to Stafford, Connecticut, being more than
a mile in length, although the population here has not any time
exceeded 400 persons. "The Street" is an interesting locality
in the history of the town, although as a business center it did
not attract attention until after 1825. In this vicinity the
pioneers settled, and here also the first store, tavern and meeting
house were established, some of them considerably more than a
century ago.
"Wales is believed to have been a post station about 1800, and
it is said that Oliver Wales was the first postmaster. He was
followed by Daniel Green, James C. Royce, Leonard B. Wight,
Joel H. Rogers, Absalom Gardner, Philip Snow and Warren
Shaw, about in the order mentioned. The first physician was
Dr. James Lawrence, who practiced from 1746 to 1778. Then
followed Dr. Dudley Wade, 1779-83; Dr. Abel Sherman, 1883-86;
Dr. Jeremiah Round. 1881-89 ; Dr. David Young, 1790, and later
a storekeeper; Dr. Ferdinand Lethbridge, 1805-11; Dr. Thad-
deus Fairbanks, 1811-15; Dr. Daniel Tiffany, 1812-22; Dr. Aaron
Shaw, 1813-45 ; Dr. John Smith, 1815-67. However, this element
of the town "s history is treated in another chapter.
Neither record nor tradition gives us any definite informa-
tion as to the early business interests in Wales, yet it is under-
stood thai the people were provided with the necessaries of life
within their own town, for the south half of old Brimfield was
settled by an independent and self-supporting class of men. It
is known that a store and tavern were established here previous
to 1795, and while a public house has not been maintained cou-
timiously, there has not been a time within Ihe last humlred
years when Wales was without at least one good store. 'I'wciity-
five years ago the town had four large general stores, but tliat
was when six woolen factories were in full operation, as well as
a box shop and a silk mill. At that time, too, Wales had more
than 1,000 inhabitants and enjoyed especial jirominence as a
manufacturing center.
In the early years of the century just passed there was some
small attempt at uunnifaeturing, wagons and occasionally car-
( 475 )
on; corxTY axd its i'eople
riages, iai-iii tuols and vaiious articles of wearing apparel, chiefly
hats. bt'iii'T the main products. Between 18:W and 1842 the
manufacture of boots and shoes was an established industry, the
product for the business year of 1886-7 being valued at more
than i}<27.onO. For the year ending March .31, 1854, a total of
40,00U pairs of boots and shoes was made in the town, and in
the next year the product amounted to more than 33,000 pairs,
valued at $27,735. The men engaged in this special manu-
facture were Jonathan G. Royce, George H. Xeedham, Dwight
W. Ellis, Erasmus D. Shaw and Chauncey D. Brewer. A glance
at the early settlement history in another part of this chapter
will disclose that several of these once prominent manufacturers
were descendants from pioneer stock, and therefore it may be
inferred that the boot and shoe industry of former years was
originated in the town and was not an importation, although it
was the means of a considerable addition to the town's popula-
tion.
Al)out 1847, at a time when boot and shoemaking was com-
paratively ([uiet, Harlan G. Dunham began the manufacture of
cotton batting on ]Mill brook in a building which for several
years previously had been occupied for various purposes. In
1855 ^Villiam P. Osborn started a wicking factory, but not meet-
ing with hoped-for results, Osborn & Needham in 1857 turned
the woi'ks into a plow handle and farm implement shop. A
shingle mill was added in 1858 and a saw mill in 1860. Mr.
Osborn having sold his interest in the works, AVm. H. Lane suc-
ceeded ^Ir. Needham in 1863. and in 1865 the plant and power
passed into the hands of Elijah Shaw, who perhaps more than
any other single person was identified with the industrial liis-
tory of the town. Sha^\■^■ille was so named in allusion to him.
For many years the town enjoyed especial prominence in
the manufacture of cloths of various grades, satinets, doeskins
and cassimeres being the leading pi-odiicts. Several of the fac-
tories were located in the upper end of the village, Shawville, as
best known in local designation. Among these interests were
the works of the Shaw Mfg. Co., first started in 1847 and en-
larged twice in the course of the next ten years. The once well
( 470 )
THE Toyyy of wales
known "Dell Mill"', the largest building in the town, was erected
in 18H0-fil by Elijah and Aaron Shaw, and was used for the
manufacture of woolen cloths. The building was biirned in
1870, and in 1873 a large flouring mill was built on the site. The
"Eden Shaw" mill was built at the upper village, near the Dell
mill, in 1864-5 by Eden D. and Aaron Shaw, and produced doe-
skins from 1866 to 1869, and later made cloths of various kinds.
In the same locality also the "Heagan" mill was built and put
into operation in 1865-6 by Elijah Shaw, and turned out a
superior grade of cassimeres. The "Valley mill", also in this
vicinity, originally was a saw mill and box factory, and in 1872
was converted into a cloth mill \inder the proprietorship of
Elijah Shaw. Later on the building was leased to Samuel
Hodgson.
When the business of cloth manufacture was at its height
in the town, about 350 workmen were regularly employed, but
when there came the general tendency of manufacturing interests
to center in the large cities, the greater industi'ies of "Wales
gradually declined, and those who had been connected with their
operation found employment elsewhere. At the present time
"Wales has two cloth mills in oi>eration. owned respectively by
J. H. Loudon and H. E. Shaw.
Almost a century and one-half ago. in 1752, settler Phineas
Durkee started a small tannery and established an industry
which was maintained in the town until cpiite recently. Later
proprietors in the same business were Robert Durkee, Robert
Andrews, Aaron AVinchester, John Sabin and Zeuo Farrington,
the latter having conducted the tannery longer than any of his
predecessors. Zeno Farrington. Jr., started an extensive tan-
nery in 1853, and at times finished as many as 3,000 sides of
leather and calf skins each year. Among the other proprietors
whose names are to be mentioned in connection with the old-time
industries of the town were Bela Tiffany. Oliver Wales and
Hiram Watkins, who in 1828 and 1829 erected buildings for
the manufacture of woolen cloths ; and among those who in later
years were directl.y concerned in the enterprise were R. P. Wales
and John W. Bliss. The plant last mentioned was burned in
( 477 )
OUR COUMY AXD ITS PEOPLE
1837, but was rrlniilt two years later l).v John W. Bliss, Royal
and James L. Wales. In 1840 this concern was resolved into
the ""Wales Manufacturing Company", and satinets were added
to the products of the works. In 1865 the mill was sold to tlie
Rogers Bros. (Joel II., LaFayette and Clinton Rogers), who, in
turn, sold out to the Shaw Mfg. Co. (the latter having been
incorporated in 1848), large producers of cassimeres and doe-
skin cloths of superior grade. The first mill (built in 18-47)
operated by the Shaw Mfg. Co. was located near the center of
the village.
In the course of time these industries began to lose some-
thing of their prestige, and as the tendency toward the large
manufacturing centers gradually increased, the local concerns
suffered a loss of business. Still, in Wales cassimeres are yet
produced by the proprietors whose names have been noted. In
addition to these interests the village has a soap and candle
factory, of which Boynton & AVilliams are proprietors, and a
saw mill owned by E. L. Needham. The other business interests
here may be noted as follows: Frank Town, carriage maker
and blacksmith: Herbert A. IMcFarland. auctioneer; IMerrick
Converse, boots and shoes; E. & E. Lanphear. notions; Willis
Chamberlain & Co., Frederick M. Koyce and Ozi-o P. Royce,
general merchants; Peter Gaudette, proprietor Wales hotel; J.
C. Burley. insurance agent: E. L. Needham. lumber manufac-
turer and dealer: E. E. Lanphear, postmaster; Dr. Ellsworth F.
Ross, physician and surgeon : John Royce, pro\nsion dealer : A.
F. Fisher, stoves and tinware; C. G. Thompson, undertaker;
George Dimmick, proprietor of stage line: E. Belding. Peter
Gaudette, W. G. Parker, stable keepers.
C/n<rc/(es.— The ecclesiastical history of Wales during the
last century has been interesting, and the town has been the
abiding place of as many denominations as any other similar
civil di\-ision of the county can boast; yet among the several
societies organized from time to time only two can show an un-
broken record of continued, healthful existence.
In the early history of the town the settlere appear to have
comprised both Congregationalists and Baptists, the latter per-
( 4rs )
THE TO^VN OF WALES
haps prevailing in point of numbers. The mother church natur-
ally was Congregational and was established in Brimfield, and
when the town was di\-ided the district set oft' organized its own
church. In ITti;^ the town voted to build a meeting house, and
also voted to hire Ezra Reave to preach to the settlers. But it
appears that soon after this time certain disturbances entered
into the councils of the society aud resulted in the formation of
the East and "West i^arishes. The meeting house itself was par-
tially completed, but later on after the parish division it was
torn down and removed from the towu. This was virtually the
end of the Congregational church in Wales, and those of the
settlers who preferred that denomination joined with the society
in the East parish. In 1819 an effort was made to re-establish
the church, b^it the attempt was only partially successful.
The devout Baptist worshippers of this part of old Brimfield
organized themselves into a society aud built a meeting house
about 1760. Originally these settlers were Congregationalists,
but separated from the mother church and styled themselves
Anabaptists as earlj- as 1734. They gained strength and in 1736
formed their society, with Ebenezer Moulton as spiritual guide
and minister. Settlers Joseph Hovey and Benjamin Johnson
were the first deacons. Soon after this dissentions worked ad-
versely and caused a division in the church, but in 1771 a reor-
ganization was effected and the society became established on a
permanent basis. In 1760 a meeting house was erected and was
occupied until 1802, when it was removed and gave way to a
larger union edifice, the latter provided for occupancy by the
Baptists, Universalists and Congregationalists. In 1773 Elder
Elijah Coddington— "Father" Coddington— was installed as
pastor and continued in that relation fifty-three years. Follow-
ing him the early pastors in succession were Revs. Joshua
Eveleth, 1826-29; John M. Hunt, 1829-30; Tubal Wakefield,
1834-36; George Mixter, 1836-42: Warren Cooper, 1842-43;
Volney Church, 1843-48; and in later years Samuel R. Allard,
Henry II. Hazelton, Sylvester Barrows, Asa A. Robinson. Wil-
liam S. Phillips, Moses Curtis, Justin Aldrich, Lyman Partridge,
Edwin J. Stevens, Charles A. Cook. John Shcpardsnn and others
( 479 )
ori! COIXTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
of still iiKirc i\'cent date. Thf present pastor is Rev. Walter
I'ersey, under whose eare the ehureh is in a healthful eonditioii,
with a present membership of nearly 150 jiersons.
rniversalism in Wales dates almost from the years of early
settlement, althouijh it was not until about 1780 that the first
society was formed in the town. This church never has been
strong in the locality, and the frequent attempts to establish a
permanent organization have not met with marked success.
Soon after 1820 an earnest attempt was made to foixud a Chris-
tian society and ehureh in Wales, but without permanent results.
A societv of Advent ists was informally organized .soon after
Tlie street near tlie Methodist Church
1840. but as a religious body it attracted little attention among
the townspeople.
^Methodism in Wall's dates its history from the year 1830,
when the first society of that church was formed liere, and was
placed under the jiastoral care of Rev. Horace Jloulton. From
that time the church has been progressive and has extended its
infiuenee and work throughout the region. The house of wor-
ship was built in 18.J2 and has been occasionally repaired and
remodeled. The present pastor is Rev. George L. Camp.
The fii-st burial ground in what now is Wales was laid out
in pursuance of a vote of the town of Brimfield. September 5,
( 480 )
IRE TOW'S OF WALES
1732, and included one and one-half acres of land on the south-
east side of the South pond. The second burial ground, located
north of the i)ond, was donated to the town April 2, 1792, by-
Anthony Needhani. In 1813 more land was added to the plot
by the town, and for more than half a century this was the
recognized cemetery of the region. The "New Burying Ground"
was laid out in 1841. In addition to these cemetery tracts
mention may be made of that located on Shaw hill, in the npper
part of the village, which was donated to the public by Julius
j\I. Lyon, and of the Walker burial plot in the southwest part of
the town.
Schools.— As early as 1766 the town made provision for the
maintenance of a school and the establishment of a district in
charge of a prudential committee, and in 1772 a grammar school
was started in compliance with the colonial laws. In 1799 the
town was divided into four districts, which number has been
maintained for more than a century. Including the grammar
school, "Wales now has six schools, and for their support raises
annually by tax more than $1,500. The town receives from the
public school fund about $560 yearly, while the total expense of
maintenance is about $1,700. The school census shows a total
of 155 children of school age in the town, for whose instruction
six teachers ai-e employed.
The town school committee compi'ises H. A. jMcFarland,
chairman; J. H. Loudon and H. E. Shaw; superin+p'ident. Albert
Robinson ; principal of the grammar school, William T. Jack.
During the period of its history Wales has produced many
strong, substantial and influential men, the benefits of whose life
work have been felt beyond the borders of the town itself. In
this honorable list let us place the names of those who are no
longer living but whose records are still proudly referred to in
local annals. We refer to such men as the late Absalom Gard-
ner. Royal P. Wales, Dr. John Smith, Luther Pai-ker, J. H.
Rogers, J. G. Royce, J. C. Royce, Joel Rogers, Elijah Shaw. J.
M. Lyon, Warren Shaw, F. L. Burley, Jonathan Needham and
Adam StcM'art. This list might be enlarged, but the above will
suffice. And if asked who are the leading men of the town to-
31-3 ( 481 )
on; (or.xTY am> its peoi'le
(lay. till' iuiswer would In- H. E. Shaw, Joseph H. Loudon, A.
A. Iluhhard, (i. IS. Ko^ers, Willis Chamberlain. F. M. Royee,
K. L. Xeedhani, J. C Burley, H. A. McFarlaud, W. E. Needham,
Dr. E. L. Ross. T. J. Hynes, G. IM. Stewart, W. W. Eager, 0. P.
Royee, ami pei'hai)s a few iiaines iiiiirht lie added to this list.
CHAPTER XVII
THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
The geographical position of the city of Chicopee is near
tlie center of the northern line of Hampden county. Its terri-
tory is bounded on the north by the towns of South Hadley and
Grauby in the county of Ilamj^shii-e, east by the town of Ludlow,
Hampden county, south by the city of Springfield, and west by
tlie town of West Springfield and the city of Holyoke, from
which it is separated by the Connecticut river. The territorial
area amounts to 25.7 square miles, or about 16.000 acres, and
the surface is either nearl.v level or slightly rolling. In some
sections the blutYs overlooking the streams rise to the dignity of
low ranges of hills. The Chicopee river, which enters near the
southeastern angle, divides the territory into two unequal por-
tions, running diagonally to the Connecticut river, into which it
empties. In its passage thi-ough the cit.v limits this river has a
fall of seventy feet, furnishing valuable power, which has been
utilized at Chicopee Falls and Chicopee Center for the impor-
tant manufacturing industries wliieh have been the principal
factoi-s in the city's development.
Originally the territory now comjirising the city of Chicopee
formed a part of the town of Sprinirfield, and so continued under
the names of Cabot or Cabotville. Chicopee Falls or Factory
Village, and Chicopee Street, until created a separate town by
act of the ]\Iass.nchusetts legislature in 1848. Settlements began
on the Chicopee river, however, within a very few years after the
( 482 )
THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
settlement of Spriugtiekl proper, probably not later than the
year 1640. The first of the settlers were probably Henry Chapin
and his brother Japhet, sons of Deacon Samuel Chapin, who
came to Springfield in 1642, and whose statue by St. Gaudens
stands in one of the parks in that city. The first contract for a
deed of land in this territory was executed Jlarch 9, 1659, by
John Pynehou of Springfield, who covenanted to convey "to
Henry Chapin 200 acres of land on ye Chickkuppy river, to run
fi-o ye hills on ye east side to the (jreat river (Connecticut) on
ye west, and on the south it is to be bounded by and join to the
Chickkuppy river,— oidy one twenty-five acres, or thirty, being
llip I Mil ( liaiiin JiiPini'stead, Cliicopee Srn-et
by Chickkuppy river, about the place which shall be judged best
for a warehouse, is to be taken out and excepted out of the
parcel; yet so as to be 200 acres is to be made up there together.
Also, Henry is to have half of ye upper Island, which is to be as
equally divided as can be, and also he is to have five acres of
mowable meadow at the lower end of the mixmeadow." For
this sizable tract of land the grantee was to make payment in
wheat, in four annual installments, at the current prices, the
amount of the purchase price being twenty pounds sterling. The
land thus conveyed seems to have comin-ised a considerable poi--
tion of what has been and still is known as Chicopee Street, but
( 483 )
01 .R COUXTY A.\D ITS PEOPLE
Mr. Chapin built his house on the south side of the river— per-
haps for the sake of more convenience in reaching the strong
houses at Springfield in case of Indian troubles.
In fact, the natives had by this time become troiiblesome,
and more or less open hostilities existed for many years. About
the same time a settlement was made at Skipmuek, some distance
above Chicopee Falls, where a few families located, but were
often obliged to take refuge in the old fort at Springfield. Dur-
ing this period of general peril a part of Springfield was burned,
and there were massacres and battles further up the Connecticut
river ; but the settlers along the Chicopee did not suffer seriously,
though the men were constantly under arms, even in making
their way through the wilderness to attend public worship, while
the women were also trained in the use of weapons. The com-
parative immunity of these isolated families is the more notable
from the fact that the region bordering the Chicopee river had
been a favorite resort for the red men, as is attested by the dis-
covery of Indian relics there within comparatively recent years.
Japlict Chapin settled further to the north, near the Wil-
limansett end of Chicopee Street, where a large tract of land had
been secured by his father, his coming to the locality being a
little later than that of his brother. The two brothers became
the fathers of eight sons, who lived to an average of eighty years,
and these eight in turn were the fathers of eighty-seven children,
most of whom were sons, so that the Chapin family became very
numerous and influential in the al¥airs of this portion of Spring-
field. Many of their descendants are still residents of Chicopee,
while others have carried the name with high honor to various
portions of the country.
Cultivation of the laud on the south side of Chicopee river,
jiear the junction of that stream with the Connecticut, is said to
have begun as early as 1645, fourteen years previous to the sale
of land to Henry Chapin. but no highway connecting the section
with Springfield appears to have been established until 1665. In
•Ianuar>' of that year Nathaniel Ely and Rowland Thomas, who
had secured a grant of land on the soiith side of the Chicopee
livfr the previous summer, were appointed to lay out a suitable
( 484 )
THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
highway leading from a practicable ford of the Chicopee river
to Springfield, and thus giving couuectiou with the settlers on
the north side of the river. Their report, which was accepted
by the Springfield selectmen February 5, 1665, thus described
the route of their choice: "'AVe do conceive that the common
way over Chiccupee river should go above the Islands about 20
rod, where the Indians common wading place was formerly, or
a little higher, and so from thence to run up the river on this side
ye river about 20 rod or more, and then to turn off in the vacant
ground betwixt Rowland Thomas and Nathal Ely's land into
the Pine Plain, and so to the town. This highway to be in
breadth from Chicupee river to the brow of the hill, which is
7 or 8 rod, and where it turns off from the river, there to be 20
rod broad." "The Indians' common wading place" here men-
tioned was near the site of the present mills of the Dwight
Manufacturing company, and the route of the "highway" thus
laid out has remained practically unchanged to the present day.
At the mouth of the Chicopee river and in that vicinity fish
were abundant, especially shad and salmon in their season, and
tradition preserves some remarkable "fish stories,'' with a
stronger presumption of foundation on fact than usually
attaches to similar narratives. It is certain that the rivers fur-
nished the early settlers of the entire Connecticut valley with a
generous and important portion of their food supply. Prom the
early records it appears, however, that the fishing privileges were
regarded as town rights, and were granted in the form of per-
mits or licenses to the residents. But it is not probable that
heavj' penalties were attached to those who indulged without the
formality of a license. In the early part of the eighteenth
century fish were still so abundant and clieap that at the river
salmon were sold for si.x pence each, and shad for one-half a
penny.
The original deeds and grants of land were sometimes de-
cidedly indefinite a.s to "metes and l)ounds," hut tliey were
ratified by the town, either in town meeting, by action of the
selectmen, or of a eonnuittee especially appointed for the pur-
pose, so that very few disputes required settk^inent by the courts.
( 485 )
OiR COi.MY A.\D ITS PEOPLE
Originally tlu' hiiul had bci'ii ixiuiilit IKmi tlu' Indians in a man-
ner and a1 a iirice entirely satisfactory t" them, so that peace
existed nntil the outbreak of King Philip's war. Even then the
only serious trouble occurred at Skii)mnek, where two soldiers,
Aaidii l';iisoiis and Heii.jah Hubbard, were killed, as was also
one child. A few others were wounded and one or two persons
were made piisoners.
'l"he settlement of what i< now the villaiie of Willimansett
did not be^iii until 1720. when a house was built there by Land-
loi-d Abel Chapin of (_'hicopee Street. ^lany years passed before
any fui-tiier settlements were made there, but by the time of
the i-evolu1ion houses had been built by Collins Brown. Eleazer
AV right, (iillis Fiiuk and Rev. John Pendleton, a Baptist min-
ister. .\fter the independence of the colonies had been secured
other houses were built from time to time, and i;radually the
village grew up.
The military record of Cliieopee previous to the war of the
rebellion is embodied in that of the town of Springfield, but there
is abundant evidence tliat in all the trials through which the
colonies passed in the early wars, and until the independence of
the cokmies hail been secured, the sons of Chicopee bore well and
honorably their part. Unfortunately, the full list of those who
served in the various wars is not available. In the French and
Indian war the several villages of the present city furnished
(piite a number of officers and enlisted men. including Captain
(afterward Colonel) Abel Chapin, Ensign Closes Chapin. who
was taken prisoner at the battle of Lake George in 1757 : Edward
Chapin, clerk of Captain Hitchcock's comi)any, and Caleb
Chapin, who was killed at Lake Oe(u-ge. All of these were from
Chicopee Street. The same locality may also claim credit for
the brave Captain Elisha Chapin. who shortly before this time
7'enioved from Chicoi)ee Street to the northwestern portion of
the state. In 1754 he was connnanding officer of Fort ^lassachu-
setts. on the Hoosac river, and July 17. 1756. while working in
the fields, was captured by the Indians, taken near to the fort,
and tortured to death in the sight' of his family, who had sought
the protection of the fort, which the savages had vainly attacked.
( 486 )
THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
"When the struggle of the colonies with the mother country-
broke out at Lexington, messengers were sent to the settlements
on the Connecticut for soldiers, and sixty-two men from Spring-
field responded on the moment, of whom Chieopee furnished
Jacob Chapin, Israel Chapin. Phinehas Chapin, Eleswar Chapin,
Jr., Solomon Chapin, Joseph Chapin, Jr., Gad Horton, John
Stedman, and Phinehas Stedman. In a company which marched
to Ticonderoga later in the war under Captain Abel Chapin
were Moses Bliss, Benoni Chapin, Ezekiel Chapin, Zerah Chapin,
Ebenezer Burbank, Eleazar Wright, Thomas Prink, and Collins
Brown. In a regiment commanded by Colonel Woodbridge,
Captain Ephraim Chapin led a company, in which were Paul
Chapin, Japhet Chapin, Seth Chapin, David Chapin, George
Chapin, Jacob Chapin, John Frink and Ebenezer Jones.
The terrible depression following the close of the revolu-
tionary war brought on the Shays rebellion, which for a time
threatened serious trouble for the government of Massachusetts,
though happily but little blood was shed and no serious results
followed, the insurgents realizing the rashness and hopelessness
of their position, and scattering to their homes after the first
passage of arms at Springfield. During the brief life of the
insurrection, Chieopee was headquarters for one company of the
rebellious force, who, in lieu of barracks, took possession of the
covered bridge which had been built across the Chieopee river
some nine years before. Learning of the defeat of their com-
rades on Armory hill in Spi'ingfield, they dispersed in all direc-
tions without the formality of a "muster out."
For many years Chieopee Street remained the most import-
ant of the villages. Its lands were the most desirable for farming
purposes, its residents were prosperous, and its general charac-
teristics were attractive. There were located the village tavern,
stores and post-office, with such shops and small manufactories
as naturally developed to meet the needs of the people. But
this pi'estige gradually gave way as the fine water powers on
the Chieopee river were utilized, and the villages of Cabotville
(Chieopee) and Chieopee Factory (Chieopee Falls) increased-
in population and in social and commercial importance. With
( 487 )
or/,' COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
this growth there very naturally caiiie the desire for independent
yovoiniiieiit, which slreiigtlieiied as the years went by and the
material interests of the C'hic()i)ee end of the town became larger
and more prosperous, and in a measure less directly connected
with tiiose of S[)i'ingfield proper.
By lb45 the total population of Springtield had grown to
some 18,000, nearly 8,000 of whom belonged to the Chicopee
section. The Chieopeeans were anxious for a separate town gov-
ernment—the southern portion of the town desired a city
charter with the territorial limits unbroken. Neither faction
Historic Hou.se in "Johiinv Cake Hollow," Chicopee Falls
was able to secure its wishes through the medium of the town
meeting, and nuich bitterness of feeling was the result. The
<luestion of division was one of the important articles in the
town meeting of 1848, and was decided in the negative by a vote
of about three to two— reju'esenting closely the voting strength
of the two sections. But the matter was taken up by the legisla-
tui-e, and an act incorporating the town was passed on the 25th
of April of that year. The boundary line between the two towns
was thus described in the act of incorporation :
( 488 )
THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
Beginning at a stone moumneut by two oalv trees standing
together on the bank of Connecticut river near to and northerly
of the house of Edwin Spooner, and running thence westerly
by a line at right angles with the river to the easterly line of
West Springfield, thence returning to said stone monument and
running thence northeasterly a straight line to a stone monument
standing on the southerly bank of Chicopee river at or near the
westerly extremity of "Birchem Bend" of said river so called,
thence the same course to the thread of said Chicopee river, and
thence easterly by the thread of said river to a point opposite
the southeast corner of the town of Ludlow, and thence to the
said corner of Ludlow.
The new town government was organized at a meeting held
at Cabot hall in Chicopee May 17, 1848. and this list of officers
was chosen :
Selectmen, Sylvanus Adams. Harmon Rowley, Ezeldel
Blake, Amos W. Stockwell, Adolphus G. Pai-ker; assessors, Syl-
vester Allen, Amaziah Bullens, Harmon Rowley; school com-
mittee. Rev. Jonah G. Warren, Rev. Eli B. Clark, Rev. Robert
Kellen ; overseers of the poor, Clark Albro, Andrew Hubbard,
Phineas Stedman ; surveyors of highways, Jacob P. Brown,
Sidney Chapin, Joseph B. McCune; pound keeper, Almon Nel-
son ; constables, Sylvester Churchill, William Wheeler, Benjamin
F. Willard, William L. Bemis, John C. Bartlett, Simeon B.
Fairbank, George Mosraau, Amory Doolittle, Alfred Warriner,
Luther Pierce, Andrew Hubbard, William R. Kentfield; meas-
urers of wood and bark, ]\Iadison E. Willey, Benjamin E. Bal-
lard. Sylvester Allen, Closseu Pendleton, Phineas Stedman,
Emilus E. Albro, George S. Taylor, John E. Carpenter, Andrew
Hubbard. Varnum N. Taylor, Otis Chapman, Elijah P. Kimball,
Nathaniel Cutler, Amaziah Bullens: sealers of leather, Adolphus
G. Parker. Joseph W. Hitchcock, Andrew Hubbard; board of
health. Clark Albro, Andrew Hubbard, Phineas Stedman, Dr.
John R. Wilbur. Dr. Daniel K. Pearson; fence viewers, Lysander
Chapin. Caleb S. Chapin. Edward S. Robinson, Orrin Fuller,
Lyman Van Horn. Norman Day: surveyoi-s of lumber. Veranus
Chapin, Benjamin Parsons. Sylvester Allen. Joseph Clough,
( 489 )
Oili' vol STY ASl> ITS PEOPLE
Kiehard Johnson, Francis Moore, Noruiau Chapin ; sealer of
weitrhts and uieasures. William G. Bliss; field drivers, Oliver P.
I'inney, Varnnni X. Taylor, Sanuiel P. Clough, Frederick A.
Barber, Ebenezer Bartlett, Levi Cliapin, Titus Chapin, Beuning
Leavitt, James Wells, Ezra H. Corning, Benjamin B. Belcher,
Royal Wyatt, Abel Chapin, Luke W. Kimball, Jonathan C.
Bowker, Henry Moore, Aloristan Wait, Robinson Brock ; tithing-
men, Charles P. Collins, Horatio Colton, Levi C. Skeele, Alex-
ander H. Childs. Sylvanus Adams, James Kervin. Patrick
Gorman, Luther Streeter, Davis Dunham, David IL Butterfield,
Cyrus Spaulding, Benjamin H. Ellis, Lemuel H. Brigham, Cyril
A. Southworth, James L. Sikes, Lucius E. Ladd. William !\Ie-
Dermott, Ralph White, Josiah Osgood, Lester Dickinson, William
Blake, Harvey Robinson : committee on school district bounda-
ries, John Wells, Edward Renney, Phineas Stedman.
The act of incorporation provided for the distribution of
the surjdus revenue between Chicopee and Springfield in the
proportion of 37 per cent to the former and 63 per cent to the
mother town, which would indicate the compai-ative taxable
valuation of the two sections. The population, how-ever, was
more evenly divided, the national census of 1850 showing 8.291
inhabitants in Chicopee, against 11,766 in Springfield. In 1860
—doubtless owing to the hard times of 1857, which seriously
affected manufacturing interests— the census figures for Chi-
copee fell to 7,261 : but in 1870— notwithstanding the stres.s of
the civil war— they had increased to 9,607, and the sub-sequent
repoits have been as follows: 1880, 11,286; 1890, 14,050; 1900,
19,167. The assessed valuation of the city at the latter date was
approximately i};10.000,000. Prior to 1890 the census reports had
shown a popidation entitling to a city charter, and during that
year the necessary steps were taken for changing the form of
government. Elections were held in December, and on January
1, 1891. the city was duly inaiigurated, with George S. Ta.vlor
as the first mayor. T'ntil 1897 the form of government elosel.v
resembled that of Springfield, consisting of a board of aldermen
comprising one member from each of the seven wards of the
eit.v. and a eonnnon council of two mciiilicrs from each ward. In
( 490 )
THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
1897 a new charter was adopted, which, in connection with some
minor changes, vested the legislative power in a single body of
seventeen aldermen— one from each ward and ten "at large,"
live of whom are elected annually for two years. The incum-
bents of the principal ofifiees, from the creation of the town to
the present time, under both forms of government, have been
as follows :
TOWN GOVERNMENT
ScJectmcn. — lS-iS, Sylvanus Adams, Harmon Rowley,
Ezeldel Blake, Amos \V. Stockwell, Adolphus G. Parker; 1849,
Sylvanus Adams, Orange Chapin, Bildad B. Belcher, Ezekiel
Blake, John Wells; 1850, John Wells, Nathaniel Cutler, Giles
S. Chapin, Bildad B. Belcher, Lucius E. Ladd; 1851, Charles
R. Ladd, Giles S. Chapin, George S. Taylor; 1852, Charles R.
Ladd, George S. Taylor, Abner B. Abbey, John Herrick, Mar-
shall Pease ; 1853, George S. Taylor, Benning Leavitt, Abner
B. Abbey. John Herrick, Marshall Pease; 1854, Nathaniel Cutler,
Benning Leavitt, Timothy W. Carter, Austin Chapin, John H.
Smith; 1855, Titus Chapin, John E. IMarsh, Caleb S. Chapin,
William E. West; 1856, Otis Chapman, Andrew Hubbard, David
F. Randall, John A. Denison; 1857, Otis Chapman, Benning
Leavitt, Sidney Chapin, Andrew Hubbard, William H. H. Con-
ner; 1858. Otis Chapman, Giles S. Chapin, John E. Marsh,
Thomas A. Denison, J. Henry Churchill; 1859, Otis Chapman,
John E. ]\rarsh, Thomas A. Denison, J. Henry Churchill; 1860,
Otis Chapman, J. Henry Churchill, Theodore Williams, Lucas
B. Chapin, Thomas A. Denison; 1861, Otis Chapman, Lucas B.
Chapin. Daniel Knapp, William Thayer, Silas Mosman ; 1862,
Otis Chapman. Lucas B. Chapin, Daniel Knapp, William
Thayer, Silas ]\Iosman; 1863, Otis Chapman, Lucas B. Chapin,
Daniel Knapp, Edgar T. Paige. Silas Mosman; 1864. Sylvester
Adams. Phineas Cadwell, William R. Kenttield, Henry S. Her-
rick, George H. Knapp; 1865, George H. Knapp, Henry S.
Herrick. Russell S. Furney. Simon G. Southworth, Charles S.
Stiles; 1866, AVilliam R, Kentfield, Russell S. Furney. Simon
G. Southworth, Milo A. Taylor. Benjamin H. Stedman; 1867,
William R. Kentfield, Milo A. Taylor. Simon G. Southworth,
( 491 )
orii' corxTY axd its people
Benjamin II. Stedman, Bailey West ; 1868, William R. Kentfield,
I\Iilo A. Taylor. Simon G. Southworth, Benjamin H. Stedman,
Bailey West; lS6i), William R. Kentfield, Simon G. Southworth,
Josiah B. Fuller, William Blake, Marshall Pease; 1870, Thomas
A. Denison. Josiah B. Fuller, IMarshall Pease, Edgar T. Paige,
James E. Taylor; 1871, Josiah B. Fuller, Jlarshall Pease, Edgar
T. Paige, Erasmus Stebbins, John R. Wilbur; 1872, Josiah B.
Fuller, I\lar.shall Pease, Edgar T. Paige, John R. Wilbur, Henry
II. Harris: 187.3. C. M. Kendall. Marshall Pease, S. D. Stoddard,
John R. Wilbur, Henry II. Harris; 1874, C. M. Kendall, Mar-
shall Pea.se, S. D. Stoddard. John R. Wilbur, Patrick Rourke;
1875, C. jM. Kendall. John R. Wilbur, Giles S. Chapin, George
jr. ISIorton. Patrick Kourke: 1876, John R. Wilbur, Giles S.
Chajiin, George il. Jlorton, Patrick Rourke, Warren S. Bragg;
1877, John R. Wilbur. Edgar T. Paige, Patrick Rourke, Warren
S. Bragg. William White; 1878, William R. Kentfield, Silas
IVIosman, Edgar T. Paige. Terrence Hogau, William White: 1879,
Silas Jlosnian. (ieorge M. Morton, Terrence Hogan. William
White. Xorris K. Wood; 1880, Silas jMosman. IMichael Dunn,
Terrence Hogan, William White, Norris R. Wood: 1881, Silas
Mosman, Jonathan R. AYhittemore, Terrence Hogan, Amos W.
Page, Charles E. Crehore; 1882, Terrence Hogan, Simeon A.
Jacobs, Norris R. Wood, Amos W. Page, Charles E. Crehore;
1883. Amos W. Page, Simeon A. Jacobs, Norris R. Wood, Patrick
Kourke, Charles E. Crehore; 1884, Amos W. Page, James J.
Regan, George AV. Gibson, Frank H. Morton, Charles E. Cre-
hot-c: 1885. Emer.son Gaylord, George W, Gibson, Amos W.
Page, Dennis Murphy, IMorris R. Wood ; 1886, Emerson Gaylord,
George W. Gibson, Nelson AMiittier, Locero J. Gibbs, Norris R.
Wood; 1887, Emerson Gaylord, George W. Gibson, Charles A.
Bryant, Locero J. Gibbs, Daniel Dunn; 1888, Emerson Gaylord,
George W. Gibson, Charles A. Bryant, George A. Edgerton,
Norris R. Wood; 1889, Emer.son Gaylord, Norris R. Wood,
George W. Gibson, William White, Ansel F. Wildes-, 1890,
Emerson Gaylord, Norris R. Wood, George W. Gibson, George
D. Eldredge. Ansel F. Wilde-s.
Toini Clerk an<} Treasurer.— WWWnm L. Bemis, 1848-54;
( 492 )
TEE CITY OF CHICOPEE
Jonathan R. Chikls, 1854-6; Moses W. Chapin, 1856-7; Lester
Dickinson, 1857-82 ; John D. White, 1882-^*0.
CITY GOVERNMENT
3Iaijors. — George S. Taylor, 1891; AVilliani AV. McClench,
1892; Henry H. Harris, 1893; William M. E. Mellen, 1894;
Andrew Gale, 1895; Alexander Grant, 1896; George D. Eldridge,
1897-8; Dennis Murphy, 1899-1900; James H. Loomis, 1901.
City Clerk and Treasurer.— John D. White, 1891-1901.
.4?f/f™(e)). — 1891— Ward 1, William M. E. Melleu; 2, Fred-
erick B. Doten; 3, Irving H. Elmer (president); 4, Frank H.
Morton ; 5, William 0. Kentfield ; 6, Henry P. Moriarty ; 7, Mar-
shall J. Bannister. 1892— Ward 1, William M. E. Mellen
(president); 2, Frederick B. Doten; 3, Irving H. Elmer; 4,
George E. Carter; 5, Andrew Gale; 6, Henry P. Moriarty; 7,
Marshall J. Bannister. 1893-W^ard 1, Michael C. Collins; 2,
Alexander Grant; 3, Irving H. Elmer; 4, Justin P. Woodworth;
5, Andrew Gale (president) ; 6, Peter C. Garrity; 7, E. Ashwell
Bardwell. 1894-Ward 1, Edward A. Rourke; 2, Charles A.
Wilson; 3, Charles M. Bixby; 4, Lorenzo D. Sanborn (presi-
dent) ; 5, George W. D. Lyon; 6, Thomas J. Bowen; 7, Robert
E. Alben. 1895— Ward 1, John J. Hogan; 2, Fred M. Gilbert;
3, Charles M. Bixby; 4, Lorenzo D. Sanborn (president); 5,
George W. D. Lyon; 6, Thomas J. Dillon; 7, Edward S. Day.
1896— Ward 1, John J. Hogan; 2, Pred M. Gilbert (president) ;
3, Frank P. Ludwig; 4, Francis M. Bennitt; 5, Charles A.
Bogardus ; 6, Thomas J. Dillon ; 7, Edward S. Day. 1897— Ward
1, John J. Hogan (president) : 2, Zachary T. Damon; 3, Alfred
L. Chapin; 4, Luther White; 5, Charles A. Bogardus; 6, Thomas
J. Dillon; 7, Edward S. Day. 1898-Ward 1, Edward O'Con-
nell; 2, Clarence J. Wetsel; 3, Edward A. White; 4, Woodman
S. Page; 5, Eugene P. Russell ; 6, James A. O 'Rourke; 7, Jasper
S. Harris; at large, Frank X. Deroin, Omer Guimond, Amos 0.
Kinney, William P. O'Neil, James 0. Stone, Patrick J. Griffin,
Richard P. Riley. Wilfred St. xVmour. Albert E. Taylor, Luther
AVhite (president). 1899-Ward 1, Edward 0 'Council ; 2,
Clarence J. Wetsel; 3, Edward A. White; 4, Oliver E. Smith;
( 493 )
or/,' ror.MY axd its people
5, Wiiifield S. Davis; (i, James A. O'Kourke; 7. Edward Breek;
at lariie, Frank X. Deroiu, Omer Giiimond, Amos 0. Kiimey,
William F. O'Neil, James 0. Stone, Patrick J. Griffin, Charles
F. .McDevitt, Loccro J. <;iiilis. Albert E. Taylor, Luther White
(president). 19(H)— Ward 1, ^Michael F. Walsh; 2, Amos 0.
Kinney: H, Frank L. Simi)son: 4. Dnffield .Miles; 5, Frank E.
Smith; 6, Michael J. Dillnn: 7. Fi-ank A. Rivers; at large, Frank
X. Deroin, Omer (iuimoiul, Fred I\l. Gilbert, James F. O'Brien,
Charles I. Sciijiture, Patrick J. Griffin, Charles F. McDevitt,
Locero J. Gibbs, Albert E. Taylor. Luther White (president).
19m_Ward L :\Iiehael F. Walsh; 2. Charles R. Price; 3, Frank
L. Simpson: 4. Chai'les J. Seaver; 5, Frank E. Smith; 6, Michael
J. Dillon: 7. Frank A. Rivers; at large, Frank X. Deroin, Omer
Guimond, Fred ]M. (iilbert. James F. O'Brien, Charles I. Scrip-
ture, Frank O. Cook, John J. Reddy, Locero J. Gibbs (presi-
dent), Peter C. (iarrity, Adolph Xantais.
Common Council.— 189] -Wavd 1, Michael C. Collins,
Patrick F. Cronin; 2, Charles B. Wells, Chester H. Ballard
(president) : 3, James C. Buckley, Henry S. Herriek; 4. George
R. Carter, Henry 11. Harris; 5. George W. D. Lyon. IL Smith
Xewell; (i. John Jl. A.sh. John J. Whaleu ; 7, Jasper S. Harris,
Herbert B. Burnham. 1892-Ward 1. Michael C. Collins,
Patrick F. Cronin; 2. William D. ilanchester. Chester H. Bal-
lard (president); 3, James C. Buckley, William F. Hall; 4,
Lorenzo D. Sanborn, Henry IT. Harris; 5. Fred L. Hinkley. H.
Smith Xewell; 6. John JI. Ash, John J. Whalen; 7, Hiram J.
Young, Herbert B. Buridiam. 1893— Ward 1, Edward O'Con-
nell, Dennis E. Sullivan: 2. William P. Hadley, Charles Wilson;
3, Abi.iah Hastings, Henry Lilley; 4, Lorenzo D. Sanboru (presi-
dent), Luther White; 5, Fred L. Hinkley, AVilliam H. Hamilton;
(i ,Wi]liam H. Trumbull. I'atriek Welch: 7, Edward Breck. James
O. Stone. 1894- Ward 1. E-lward O'Connell, Dennis E. Sulli-
van : 2. William P. Hadley, Fred I\I, Gilbert ; 3, Abijah Hastings,
Alfred L, Chapin ; 4, Merrick L. Fuller. Luther White (presi-
dent); 5, J. Xapoleon L'Amoureux. Eugene F. Russell; 6,
Eugene H. :\IcCarthy, John T. Moriarty ; 7, Xathan W. Loveland,
David :\IcKay. 1895— Ward 1, Michael J, Foley, Dennis E.
( 4i>4 )
THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
Sullivan; 2, Zachary T. Damou, Johu H. Gregg; 3, Frank P.
Ludwig, Abijah Hastings; 4, Albert E. Taylor, Luther White
(president); 5, J. Napoleon L'Amoureux, Zebina E. Leonard;
6, Daniel J. DriscoU, Eugene H. McCarthy; 7, Samuel Beaulieu,
Eugene Legare. 1896— Ward 1, Michael J. McLane, Eugene A.
Sullivan; 2, Zachary T. Damon, John H. Gregg; 3, George J.
Morse, Abijah Hastings; 4, Woodman S. Page, Luther White
(president) ; 5, H. Gordon Forbes, Leon Petit, Jr.; 6, Daniel J.
DriscoU, James A. 0 'Rourke ; 7, William R. Weaver, Nathan W.
Loveland. 1897— Ward 1, Cornelius J. O'Brien, Edward 0.
Wood; 2, Herbert S. Martin, Clarence J. Wetsel; 3, Abijah
Hastings, George J. Morse ; 4, Fiederick W. Heathcote, Worden
S. Page (president); 5, Leon Petit, Jr., Albert E. Taylor; 6,
Thomas F. Mahoney, James A. O "Rourke; 7, Alexander Finlay-
son, William R. Weaver.
Asses.iors.— 1891-6, Dwight L. Shaw, James Flint, Patrick
Rourke; 1897-9. James Flint, Patrick Rourke, Paschal J. Newell;
1900, James Flint, Patrick Rourke, Louis Beauregard; 1901,
Patrick J. Enright, Patrick Rourke, Louis Beauregard.
Oversi'ers of Poor. — 1891-2, Norris R. Wood, Dennis Mur-
phy, William F. Smith; 1893, E. Ashley Bardwell, Dennis
Murphy, Wilbur F. Smith; 1894-5, Norris R. Wood, Dennis
I\Iurphy, Wilbur F. Smith; 1896, James Flint. Dennis .Alui-phy.
Wilbur F. Smith; 1897-8. Wilbur F. Smith. Dennis JMurphy.
Lorenzo D. Sanborn; 1899, Dwight M. Cook. Willnii' F. Stiiitli.
Jeremiah Kirby; 1900-1901. Wilbur F. Siiiilh. Dwight M. Cook,
Charles J. O'Brien.
City Plnjskiar,.— 1891, Francis F. Parker; 1892-3, Charles
H. Pi'indle; 1894. Michael H. Lynch; 1895, Frank X. Deroin;
1896, Samuel E. Fletcher: 1897, H. Gordon Forbes.
City Engincc i:-lS91-1901, Frank P. Cobb. ■
Cifn f^oJicitor. — 1892, George :M. Stearns; 1893-1901, Lora-
nus E. Hitchcock.
Chief of /'o/iVc — 1891-3. Johu E. Conner; 1894, George
McQueen; 1895, William Blake; 1896-7, John E. Conner; 1898
ftitle changed to Maishal of Police). Johu E. Conner; 1899,
John J. Hogan; 1900, Richard F. Kiley; 1901. Charles F.
Kendall.
( 49.T )
OLN COL. MY A.\l> ITS ['FAJl'LE
Siiixrinhitdnil of iStncls.-lSn-2, Edward W. O'Brien;
1893-6, Charles E. Crehore; 1897-8, Maurice Kennedy; 1899-
1900, Edward W. OHrien: 19U1, :Maurice Kennedy.
License Commissioners.— lSm-7, Fred L. Hinkley, Dennis
G. Canty, Henry II. IIarri.s; 1898-9, James E. Higgins, Dennis
Canty, Henry II. Harris: 1900, Frederick J. Chapin, Frederick
M. Nichols. Euueiie M. Sullivan; 1901, Frederick J. Chapin,
Patrick P. :Murphy, Joseph T. Lod<ie.
The four years of civil war from 1861 to 1865 severely
tested the resources and patriotism of the town, but neither was
found wanting. The p()i)ulation of Chicopee at that time was
something under 8.000, and the military quota was small in
jiroportion, owing to the large number of women employed in
the cotton mills and similar manufacturing industries. But the
town heroically responded to every call, and when recruiting
stopped in 1865 had furnished forty-eight more men than were
due as its quota under all the calls which had been made. The
((uality of its soldiers was excellent, showing that the martial
spirit of the fathers, which had helped in former days to make
the enviable record of Springfield, dwelt strong in the hearts
of the sons. In material ways the devotion of the people was
even more strikingly shown. Generous contributions were made
for the assistance of sick, wounded and needy soldiers, and at
the close of the war a fund of some $10,000 was still on hand
for this most noble charity. By wise forethought this surplus
was formed into a fund, the income of which might be applied
to the relief of needy veterans and their dependent ones, and
for that object it is still available, carrying gladness and cheer
to many a home which otherwise unist find relief through a less
gracious charity.
Agrictdtural jnu-suits have never been of great importance
to Chicopee in a conuuercial sense, though the fertile lands in
the Chicopee Sti-eet section have given good returns for the
hu.sbandman, and to this fact was due the early development of
that region. Elsewhere within the present city limits the soil is
mostly of little value for tillage purposes.
The manufacturing!: interests of Chicopee naturally had
their beginning on Chicopee Street and were of the simple sort
( 496 )
TEE CITY OF CHICOPEE
common to most of the early settlements. A saw mill was built
near the south end of the Street in 1791, and a blacksmith shop
was established a little later. Boot and shoe making was car-
ried on to some extent for oiitside trade in the early part of the
nineteenth century, Otis Skeele being the first manufacturer.
He established a shop at Willimansett after having carried on
the business on Chicopee Street, and some time later he was
succeeded by A. G. Parker. Both of these establishments mar-
keted boots and shoes in Hartford and New York. In 1853 Mr.
Parker took his son, Josiah A. Parker, into partnership, and the
business was removed to Chicopee Center a little later, where
it was carried on until about 1885. Brick making was also a
profitable industry, Giles S. Chapin being the pioneer and fur-
nishing brick for many of the factories and other buildings at
Chicopee Center, as the village there developed. The making
of friction matches was started in 1835 by Chapin & Phillips,
their establishment being the first of the kind in the country
and perhaps in the world. The business grew to eonsidei'able
proportions, and at least twenty people were employed at one
time. The industry passed into other hands after a few years
and was finally removed from the town. Broom making was
also for a considerable time one of the active interests of the
place. The "Willimansett jManufacturing company was organ-
ized in 1831 for the making of machine cards and small hard-
ware, pi-incipally carpenters' tools. Previous to this time all
such articles had been imported, and were very costly. This
company developed a business which at one time employed a
hundred men and did much to make a name for American hard-
ware. Bemis & Sheffield were the agents, and after a time
removed the industry to Springfield, where it is still continued
under the name of the Bemis & Call Hardware and Tool com-
pany.
The excellent water power, easily available, a1 thr falls of
the Chicopee river, early attracted the attention oT manufac-
turers, and gave to the locality the name of Chicoi)ee Factory
Village, by which it was long known. ]\Ietals, wood and metal
in combination, and cotton goods have formed the principal
32-3 ( 497 )
Oi I! cor STY AXD ITS I'EOtLE
lilies of product, and in tlicsc a large variety of articles have
been turned out. Iron manulactuie was the first industry to
demand attention, ami as early as 178B land and water power
were leased in jjcrpetuity to James Hyers and William Smith
of Springfield, on the condition that they should within two
years erect iron works for the manufacture of hollow ware. The
ore was taken from a lean vein a short distance above the dam
on the same side of the river. The property was sold to Benja-
min Belcher, Abijah Witherell and William Witherell. in lSi)l,
and four years later ;\Ir. Belcher bought the interests of his
partners and continued the business of iron founding until his
death in 1833. His three sons, Benjamin B., John "\V., and Bildad
B.. carried on the business until 1846, when John W. Belcher be-
came sole proprietor, and began the manufacture of agricultural
implements. During the next thirty years the firm name under-
went several changes, Jonathan R. and John R. Whittemore
being members of the firm from 1851 to 1875, and George L.
Squier from 1852 to 1857. In 1875 the firm name was changed
to B. & J. "\Y. Belcher and so continued until June 1. 1889. when
the business of the firm was discontinued.
The Belcher & Taylor Agricultural Tool company is the
outgrowth of an enterprise established by Mr. Bildad B. Belcher
after his withdrawal from the business inherited from his
father. AVith two others he erected works on the south side of
the river, in 1852. became sole owner in 1854. and was burned
out in 1860. The works were re-established on the north side of
the river, and in 1863 Jlr. George S. Taylor became a partner
uniler the firm name of Belcher & Taylor. During November,
1864, the business was incorporated under the present title, with
Mr. Belcher as president and Jlr. Tayloi- as treasurer. The latter
has continued in office to the present time, but there have been
several changes in the presidency. John Wells, Elijah Blake and
E. O. Carter having been among the incumbents. The capital
stock is $50,000. and the present board of oflficers consists of
William P. McFarlaud, president : George S. Taylor, agent and
treasurer; Frederick N. Witherell, secretary. Andrew Gale,
superintendent.
( 498 )
THE CITY OF CIIICOPEE
The Chieopee Manufactui-iiig company was incorporated in
1S22, as the Boston and Springfield Mamifacturing company,
with a capital stock of $500,000. The local parties in interest
were the brothers Jonatlian and Edmund Dwight, who pur-
chased of Benjamin Belcher the entire water power and land
at the Falls, the title to the water power still remaining vested
in the corporation which they organized, in connection with
Boston capitalists. The dam, canal and mills were begun the
following year, and by 1826 three mill buildings and a bleachery
had been completed. In 1828 the corporate name was changed
■^^^
_ii,,iaSi»i=^;aa»a-i-
A View of tlie Dam— Cliicopee Falls
to the present designation, and us the business develoiied the
capitalization was gradually increased until it is now $1,000,000.
The product of the mills has been principally cotton Haunels aud
sheetings, and an average of more than 1,000 hands are em-
ployed. The present otBcers of the corporation are : President,
E. B. Beebe: treasurer, G. A. Silsbee, both of Boston; ageut,
Henry A. Bailey.
The Massachusetts Arms company was organized in ISoO
with a capital stock of $70,000 for the manufacture of firearms
( 490 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
ami iiiaeliinery, and muler the agency of Mr. T. AV. Carter
began the making of revolvers. After a time this was decided
to be an infringi-ment of the Colt patents, and the company
took up the manufacture of other weapons, being engaged dur-
ing the war period from 1861 to 1865 in turning out Maynard
bi-eech-loaders for the use of the United States cavalry. After
the close of the war the business was purchased by Mr. Carter,
and was carried on })y him until sold to the Lamb Knitting-
Jlachine Manufacturing company in 1876.
The J. Stevens Arms and Tool company was incorporated
in 1886 with a capital stock of $40,000, to continue the business
established in 1864 by J. Stevens & Co., in the manufacture of
the Stevens breech-loading arms and various small tools and
appliances. The present board of officers consists of Irving
Page, president and treasurer, and G. E. Page, secretary.
The Lamb Knitting Machine company was incorporated in
1867 with a capital stock of $100,000; was reincorporated in
1893 as the Lamb Manufacturing company, with a capital of
$500,000; and again reincorporated in 1900 with a capital of
$40,000. During the first period Mr. Timothy W. Carter was
the president ; during the second organization, when the manu-
facture of bicycle and other goods was carried on, Mr. A. G.
Spalding was president. The present board of officers consists
of Robert Russell, president; Frank D. Howard, treasurer and
manager. A principal part of the business of the corporation
has been the manufacturing of knitting machines under the
patents of L AV. Lamb.
The Overman AVheel company, with a capitalization of
$250,000, was organized in 1882 by A. H. Overman, at Chicopee,
and a few years later built extensive shops at Chicopee Palls,
where the man\ifacture of the Victor bicycle was carried on for
a dozen years, on a very larire scale. The company went out of
business about 1897.
AVith niuiierous minor enterprises, these have been the cen-
tral industries of the village of Chicopee Falls during the
century of its existence. Jlost of them have been of a character
to ref|uiro the service of intelligent and capable workmen, and
( 500 )
THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
the standard of the population has been well maintained, socially,
morally and intellectually.
Manufacturing at Chicopee Center, then Cabotville, began
about 1810, when AVilliam, Levi and Joseph Chapin erected a
small mill into which were put two carding machines and two
spinning frames. These proprietors purchased cotton at eleven or
twelve cents a pound which they carded and spun. It was woven
into cloth on the hand looms which were then to be found in
many houses, and the cloth thus produced sold at thirty-iive to
forty cents a yard. Even the simplest of cotton fabrics were at
that time decided luxuries. Another mill of similar character
seems to have been operated for a short time by a Mr. Pinney,
but the introduction of machinery into cotton manufacturing-
soon drove establishments of this kind out of business.
The Dwight iManufacturing company is the direct successor
of the first manufactory established at Cabotville. In 1830 the
water power there, then known as the "lower privilege,"
was owned by the Chicopee IMauufacturing company, who had
recently begun operations at the Falls; but in 1831 the Spring-
field Canal company, largely composed of stockholders in the
Chicopee, organized with a capital of .$90,000 and bought the
interests of the parent company at Cabotville. John Chase was
chosen as agent for the new corporation, and entered upon his
duties with great energy and ability. During 1832 a dam was
built across the Chicopee river and the canal for carrying water
to the proposed mills was constructed, as well as a small nmchine
shop for building machinery to be used in cotton manufacture.
Sites and power privileges were sold to various corporations and
firms as required. The Cabot jManufacturing company was the
first on the ground, being organized in 1832 with a capital stock
of $400,000, for making cotton goods. Their first mill was put
in operation in the summer of 1834, and another mill in the year
following. In 1836 and again in 1839 the capital stock was
increased .$50,000, making a capitalization of a half-million.
The Perkins mills was incorporated in 183G with a cajiital stock
of ,$400,000. built their first mill that year and another the year
following, their capital stock being likewise twice increased by
( 501 )
;.^
:jty
-:t1^.
m^
'V'K
■'' 1
THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
$50,000. In 1852, by an act of the legislature, these companies
were consolidated under the name of the Perkins mills. Mean-
time the Dwight ilanufacturing company had been incorporated
in 1841 with a capital stock of $500,000, which in 18-43 was in-
creased to $700,000. Their first mill had already been built by the
canal company, but another was added soon after the incor-
poration, and a third in lS-44. In 1856 the Perkins mills and
the Dwight company were consolidated, retaining the name of
the latter, and the seven large mills passed under one management.
The company is now capitalized at $1,200,000, and the officers
ai-e: President, T. Jefferson Coolidge; treasurer, J. Howard
Nichols, both of Boston ; agent, Louis Aumann.
The Ames ^Manufacturing company was incorporated in
1S34 with a capital stock of $30,000. It was named for X. P.
Ames, an edge-tool manufacturer who came from Chelmsford,
]Mass., to Chicopee Falls in 1829, with his sons, N. P. Ames, Jr.,
and James T. Ames. In 1831 thej' began the manufacture of
swords for the United States government, in which industry
they at once took a high rank. In 1834 the works were removed
to Cabotville and the corporation formed, and two years later
they began the manufacture of bronze cannon, for wliich they
became equally famous. In 1841 the property of the Chicopee
Falls company was bought and the works were removed to that
village, the capital stock being increased to $75,000; but four
years later the property of the Spring:field Canal company was
liought and the business returned to Cabotville, with an increase
in the capital to $200,000. Prior to the war period the company
had in successful operation an iron foundry, turning heavy east-
ings, machinery, and the like, as well as a plated ware depart-
ment, in addition to the manufacture of swords and cannon.
During the war of the rebellion its government work occupied
the energies of the company, and in the succeeding years much
attention was given to the protiuction of high grade bronze
work for monuments, memorial tablets, and the like. In 1881
the Ames Sword company was organized with a capital of
$150,000 for carrying on the business of sword manufacture and
sale; the present officers of the company being: President, John
( 503 )
in i: col XTY AM) ITS I'HOPLE
D. Bryant; treasurer, Gaiiialii'l Hraill'ord. both of Boston;
.supeiiutendent, Chai-les A. Buckley. The business of brass
l'ouii(liii)^ is now owned and conducted bj' James C. Buckley,
untler the name of the Ames Foundries.
The Gaylord Manufacturing company was formed in 1863,
at the heiiilit of tlie civil war, with Emerson Gaylord as president,
for the pui'pose of manufacturing military equipments of leather.
The niaiuifacture of cabinet locks was added, and at the close
of the war, when the demand foi- military goods fell off, the
buisness of the Chicopee Malleable Iron company was bought
and incoi'poraled. About 1875 the manufacture of swords was
taken u]), and carried on for several years with great success,
special attention being given to fine goods for society use and
presentation jiurposes. Later on the business w-as discontinued
and the company dissolved.
Of the later incorporated industries, now in business, the
following may be regarded as the more important: Overman
Automobile comi)any, manufactures of automobiles; incor-
porated, 1900; capital stock, $250,000. President A. H. Over-
man; treasurer, William R. Warren; secretary, D. E. Rianhard.
Olmsted & Tuttle company, dealers in cotton waste and manu-
facturers of mattresses, comfortables, etc. ; business established
in 1840, incorporated 1888 ; capital $100,000. Frank E. Tuttle,
president, treasurer and secretary. Fisk Rubber company,
manufacturers of nibber tires for bicycles, carriages and
automobiles; incorporated in 1898; capital $33,000. Hariy G.
Fisk, secretary and treasurer. Metric Granule and Tablet com-
pany, chemists; incorporated 1896; capital $20,000. President,
C. W. Jordan ; treasurer and manager, Dr. Edward D. Chapman.
The Taylor, Bramley company, manufacturers of knit goods;
incorporated 1898; capital $20,000. President, H. Lee Mallory,
Brooklyn. N. Y., ; secretary and treasurer, Albert E. Taylor.
Chicopee Falls Wheel company, manufacturers of bicycles;
incorporated 1888; capital stock $12,000. President, H. S.
Boyd, vice-president, Francis I\I. Bennitt; treasurer and man-
ager, C. C. Abbey. Burtworth Cai-pet company, manufacturers
of carpets; incorporated 1893; capital stock $10,000. President,
( 504 )
THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
George "VV. KimbiiH, Springfield; treasurer, F. B. Strickland.
The 8. Blaisdell. jr., company, dealers in cotton and waste;
incorporated 1893; capital stock $5,000. President and treas-
urer, C. M. Blaisdell; vice-president and secretary, G. A. Blais-
dell.
The Coburn Trolley Track Manufacturing company, incor-
porated in 1888 with a capital stock of $150,000, formerly doing
business in Holyoke, removed to the Willimansett district of
Chicopee in 1900, having purchased convenient grounds adjoin-
ing the railroad tracks and erected a fine suite of buildings for
the carrying on its business.
The matter of lighting the manufacturing establishments
early became an important one, and in 1849 a gas company was
organized at the Center, the four leading companies uniting to
furnish the capital. After the absorption of the other cotton
manufacturing companies by the Dwight, the ownei^ship of the
gas works rested with that company, and provision was made
for supplying factories, stores, offices and dwellings with gaslight.
But in 1897 a movement was made which resulted in the forma-
tion and incorporation of a new company, known as the Chicopee
Gas Light company, with a capital stock of $92,500. The officers
are: President, Richard S. Storrs of New York; treasurer, Frank
S. Butterworth ; vice-president and clerk, Luther White ; superin-
tendent, Charles H. Nutting.
The electric lighting plant is owned by the city, and is under
the charge of a manager appointed by the mayor, George E.
Stebbins being the present incumbent.
The first general water supply was brought to the then
village of Cabotville in 1845 through pipes laid from the higher
ground to the south of the village by Charles W. McClallan and
R. E. Bi'inis. Springs and wells furnished the source of supply,
and this simple system was found adequate for thirty years, it
having near the end of that period become the property of
Mr. McClallan, following the death of Mr. Bemis. In
1876 arrangements were made to increase the supply by taking
the flow of certain pure-waler brooks just east of the Chicopee
line, within the limits of Springlield. In the following year a
( 505 )
OLN COUMY A.XJJ ITS PEOPLE
company with a capital stock of $50,000 was organized as the
Chicopee "Water company, with Mr. ilcClallan as president, and
a system of pipes was laid for supplying manufacturers, resi-
dents, and the fire service. The supply thus secured, which was
furnished by gravitation, proved adequate until 1886, when a
pumping station was erected at the junction of South and
Springfield streets. In 1892 steps wei-e taken for the inaugura-
tion of an adequate water service for the entire city, to be
operated under the direction of a board of water commissioners,
and this innovation was carried through during that and the
following years. The property of the Chicopee Water company
was secured by the city, to avoid any conflict of interests, and a
supply more suitable in volume and in quality was secured by
damming Cooley and ilorton brooks, within the city limits, an
ade<iuate system of mains and pipes being laid. A wrought-iron
stand-pipe si.xty feet in height and with a capacity of more than
a million gallons was erected on Keating 's hill, and first-class
pumping engines of liberal capacity w^ere also installed. The
property of the "Willimansett "Water company, organized in
1892, was likwise purchased by the city, thus bringing the entire
water-supply system of the city under a single management.
The board of water commissioners for 1901 consists of Patrick
Kourke, chairman. Frank H. Morton and Andrew Gale. George
E. Carter is superintendent.
The banking interests of the city of Chicopee are embodied
in one national bank with moderate capitalization and two
savings banks— one of the latter located at the Center and the
other at the Falls. All of these are in good condition, and the
amount of savings on deposit speaks well for the thrifty charac-
ter of the working men and women of the city. This trait is still
more strongly shown by the fact that much of the iinancial
business of Chicopee is done with Springfield institutions, owing
to the size and strength of the latter and the proximity of the
two cities.
The First National bank of Chicopee was chartered under
Massachusetts state laws as "Cabot Bank," January 24. 184.5,
and organized on the first of March of that year with John
( 50G )
THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
(base as presidc-nt and Gilbert AValker as easbii'r. Tbe capital
stock was fixed at .$150,000, and has i-emained unchanged to the
present time. It was reorganized as a national bank, under the
jtresent title, in I860. The bank's surjjlns now amounts to
$78,400, and the present board of officers comprises: President,
Joseph A. Carter -. cashier, Frederick B. Doten ; directors,
Thomas C. Page, James L. Pease, Frederick B. Doten, Joseph A.
Carter, Luther AVhite, John B. Wood, Irving H. Page.
The Chicopee Savings bank was organized in 1854. Jerome
Wells was the first president, and served for twenty years, being
succeeded by George D. Robinson in 1S74, and by Emerson Gay-
lord in 1878. With all of these Henry H. Harris served as
treasurer. The bank has now in round numbers $1,100,000 in
deposits, representing the accounts of 2.400 depositors, being
an average of nearly $460 each. The officers are: President,
John B. Wood; vice-presidents, Joseph A. Carter, Frederick B.
Doten, Albert J. Jenks, George A. Edgerton; secretary, Luther
White; treasurer, Russell L. Scott.
It was not until [March 20, 1875, that the Chicopee Falls
Savings bank was incorporated, on the petition of forty-one
prominent citizens of that village. Josiah W. Osgood was chosen
the first president, with (ieorge S. Taylor. Thomas C. Page and
William J. Sawin as vice-presidents, Edgar T. Paige as secretary,
and Andrew P. Chapin as treasurer. The bank now has de-
posits of about $619,000. The present board of officers com-
prises: President, George S. Taylor; vice-presidents, Thomas C.
Page. William P. ]\IcFarland. Andrew Gale; clerk and treasurer,
Henry J. Boyd.
AVhile the early history of educational matters within the
limits of the present city is very meager, it is evident that but
little attention was given to the establishing of public schools
until after the commencement of the nineteenth century, and
even during the first quarter of that century the educational
interests of the common people seem to have received but little
consideration. In 1812 two school districts were laid out by
the Springfield tOM-n authorities, and were designated as No. .3
and No. 5. The latter included the settlement of Skipni\ick.
( 50: )
oil! COrXTY AND ITS PEOPLE
and there a school house was built about this time, twenty by
thirty feet in size, having two small windows for lighting pur-
poses, and a large stone fireplace for warming the room in winter.
A board attached to the wall at an angle and faced by a rude
bench on which the scholars sat served as desk for the older
pupils, while the younger children sat on similar benches in the
middle of the room, without the desk attachment.
With the construction of the large manufacturing plants
came more practical measures for schooling, whose importance
was fullv realized bv the manufacturers. In fact, we find some
I )M High School — Chicopee Falls
of the noted men of the community of later years giving their
services as teachers during the early portion of the manufactur-
ing development. Among the men who thus served appear the
names of John AV. Belcher, Ezekiel Adams, Bildad B. Belcher,
Elihu Adams, Samuel Alvord, and a little later George D. Rob-
inson. In the fall of 1845 the Boston and Springfield ^Manufac-
turing coni])any build a brick school house on Church street at
Chicopee Falls, which they presented to the district. It was
originally of one story, but another was added a little later,
giving a seating capacity of 150. This was near the site now
( 508 )
THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
ocoui^ied by the Church street grammar school, originally
erected twenty years later. A little later a school house was
built on tlie north side of the river at the Falls for the use of
the children of district No. 3, which was torn down and replaced
by a brick building in 1846. This in turn gave place to the
commodious building now in use in that portion of the city.
The first building at Cabotville, or Chicopee Center, was erected
about the same time as that at Skipmuck, and was of a similar
^^yprtfCT^aawMf.' awiy«
.^
A Cliicopee Falls School Building
type, though somewhat superior. In 1834 a brick building was
erected on School street at a cost of $2,000, and in 1842 one for
the higher departments, and afterward used for the Center high
school, was completed. In 1846 brick buildings were erected at
Willimansett and on Chicopee street.
The first town school report was made in 1849, the year
following the separation of Chicopee from Springfield. It
showed eight school districts with twenty schools, ten of which
( 509 )
OUR COrMY AXD JTS PEOPLE
were at Chicopee Center aii<l imir at the Falls. District No. 8,
however, had but one scholar, and that one attended school in
Granby. Thirty-three teachers were employed, eight of whom
were n.eij, their average monthly salaries being $37.35, and that
of the women teachers $14.20. The number of children of school
age— four to sixteen— in the town was 1.698, and the average
attendance in summer 942. in winter, 1,076. The growth of a
half century, as indicated by the 1900 school i-eport, shows an
interesting development. Tiiere are now fourteen school build-
ings in use in the citv. including the high school building erected
The New Hii?li Scliool
in 1890 on Front street, midway between the Center and the
Falls, and the Belcher building on East street. Falls, completed
and occupied in 1900. The school census of 1899 showed 3.072
pupils between five and fifteen years of age, and the enrollment
of the ]iublic schools (parochial schools not included) was 2,392.
Sixty-five teaehei's were employed, and the total amount ex-
pended for the support of the schools, not includiug repairs,
amounted to .$50,000 in round numbers. The estimated value
of the school property was $220,000. Evening schools were also
( 510 )
THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
held in each of the principal sections of the city, at which the
enrollment included 471 names.
The Chicopee City library, now a most creditable institu-
tion, had its origin in the Cabot institute, a literary club, incor-
porated in 1846. With funds secured from the several corpora-
tions and from appreciative individuals, the institute was able
during- the seven years of its existence to accumulate a library
of about 900 volumes. In 1853 it was voted to donate this
collection to tlie town, provided the town would agree for ten
years to appropriate annually $100 for new books and to meet
the incidental expenses of the library. The offer was accepted
and the provisions were carried out in good faith. At the ex-
piration of the ten j-ears the supervision of the library was
vested in a connnittee to be chosen annually by the selectmen.
Under the citj' government the affairs of the institution are
entrusted to a board of three trustees, one of whom is elected
annually by the aldermen to serve for three yeai's. On tlie
completion of the town hall the library was transferred to a
room therein set apart for the purpose; and on the 7th of April,
1884, it was made free to the residents of Chicopee, a nominal fee
of fifty cents having been previously charged for the privilege
of enjoying its advantages. In 1891, the city luill aceonuiioda-
tions having been outgrown, a lot next to the city hall, with a
brick dwelling upon it, was bought as a library site, the house
being remodeled to meet the purposes of a libi-ary building until
such time as the city should be able to provide a more adequate
structure. The annual appropriation is $3,200; there are now in
round niimbers 21,000 volumes in the library, and branches have
been established at Chicopee Falls and Willimansett for the
benefit of residents in tho.se sections. IMiss Anne .\. Smitli is
librarian, with four assistants.
Chicopee has never been a successful field for local news-
papers, and though having a poi)ulation of practically 20,000.
no paper is now published within its limits. This fact is, of
course, largely due to the proximity of Springfield, and the
thoroughness with which the field is covered by the excellent
journals of that cit.v. Sevei'al newspajier enteri)rises liave been
{ 511 )
THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
inaugurated, some of which have been maiutaiued by earnest
effort for respectable periods. The first was the Cabotville
Chronicle and Chicopee Falls Advertiser, established in Janiiary,
1840, by Thomas D. Blossom. It was leased in lSi4 by John L.
Hall and 0. Bntterfield, who changed the name to the Mechanics'
Offering, but was soon taken back by Mr. Blossom, who continued
the publication until the spring of 1846. A new paper by the
same name was shortly after started, and with several changes
in ownership and management was continued until 1850, the
name being changed to the Cabotville I\Iirror and later to the
Springfield Mirror. The Chicopee Telegraph was published by
J. C. Stoever & Co. from 1846 to 18.53, and the Chicopee Weekly
Journal, which appeared soon after the suspension of the
Telegraph, was continued, under various owners, until 1862. In
the early part of 1896, McPhee & Shattuek established the
Chicopee Herald, first as a weekly and after a few months as a
daily ,and continued its publication until the autumn of 1898,
when the enterprise was discontinued.
The First Congregational Church.— The Chicopee settlers
attended religious worship at Springfield, except when occa-
sional services were held at the houses of some of their number,
for many years. In 1749, as the precinct had attained a popula-
tion of forty voters, they began to consider the matter of a
separate religious parish; but the Springfield members were
reluctant to grant the request of the Chicopee residents, and re-
fused the petition when it was presented. The following year,
1750. a petition was sent to the general court at Boston, Japhet
Chapin going down in October of that year to urge the cause
of his people. Tlie First parish at Springfield sent a conmiittee
in opposition. After hearing both sides the general court re-
ported favoralily upon the application and the parish was organ-
ized, as the Fifth or North parish of Springfield, consisting of
the territory now covered by Chicopee Street, "Willimansett,
Holyoke and part of Chicopee Center. Measures were at once
taken for the building of a meeting house 42 by 33 feet in size,
the work was done by volunteers from the parish. Tlie frame
was raised June 5, 1751, and religious services were held Sun-
3H-3 ( 513 )
OVR COLXTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
(liiy, July L*l, oT that year. althdUiih the l)iiil(ling was far from
completion.
In October. 1751, measures were taken to settle a pastor,
and Kev. John JIcKinstry was engaged "to preach to us for a
((uarter of a year." At the end of that time it was voted to
settle the candidate as a permanent pastor, and September 24,
1752, he was ordained to the position, which he held for sixty-one
years, although doing active pastoral duty for only thirty years.
Rev. Mr. IMcKinstry died in 1813, but there had been no i-egular
religious services in the parish for thirty years preceding his
Chicopee iStreel
death, and it was not until April 28, 182-4, that another pastor
was ordained and installcil in the person of Rev. Alexander
PhaMiix. One of the conditions of his settlement was the repair-
ing of the old meeting house or the building of a new one. The
latter measure was decided upon: the structure was erected in
1825 and dedicated Janiuiry 4, 182(5. Mr. Plurnix's pastorate
continued until 1835, and the subsequent pastors have been:
Hbcnezer B. Wright, 1835-0; Eli B. Clark. 1839-75; William E.
DicldiLson, 1870-87: Rev. Collins G. Buruham. 1888-1901.
( 514 )
THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
The Second Congregational church was organized July 3,
1830, as the Pii-st Congregational church of Chicopee Factory
Village, Rev. George Nichols as a missionary being the first
preacher. A society was organized October 11, 1832, with many
of the substantial men of the place as members, and the church
building was erected the following year, on the site now occupied
at the corner of Church and Court streets. The structure was
rebuilt in 1859, a spire being added and vestry rooms provided
in the basement. The first settled pastor was Rev. Dorus Clark,
who was installed ilarch 4:, 1835, and served for five years. His
successors have been: Rev. Ebenezer P. Rogers, 1840-43; Rev.
Frederick A. Barton, 1843-6 ; Rev. Stephen S. U. Greeley, 1846-
51; Rev. William Wright, 1852-4; Rev. Richard B. Thurston,
1855-8; Rev. Frederic Alvord, 1858-61; Rev. Roswell Foster,
1863-7 ; Rev. Joshua T. Tucker, 1868-77 ; Rev. Samuel J. Austin,
1877-83; Rev. Rufus P. Hibbard, 1886-8; Rev. William G. Poor,
1889-93 ; Rev. H. G. Pillsbury, 1895, yet in service.
The Third Congregational church is situated at Chicopee
Center, and was organized with l)ut eighteen members, October
16, 1834. The society was formed March 2, 1835. The erection
of a church building was begun in 1836, the structure being
completed and dedicated the following year. It is recorded that
one influential member of the society, Nathan P. Ames, con-
tributed $5,000 toward this building, which must have been
much the larger part of its cost. This structure was u.sed for
over thirty years, until 1868, when it was taken down and re-
placed by a new building, dedicated February 15, 1870, occupy-
ing the same site. The first pastor. Rev. Sumner G. Clapp, was
installed April 26, 1837, and served until January 22, 1850.
His successors in the pastorate have been: Rev. George H.
Oviatt, 1850-55; Rev. L. H. Cone, 1857-67; Rev. Edwin B.
Palmer, 1869-75; Rev. William L. Gaylord, 1875-82; Rev.
Charles S. Murkland, 1884-6; Rev. Burton W. Lockhart, 1889-
93; Rev. Charles Pease, 1895-8; Rev. Herbert P. Woodui, 1899,
the pi-esent pastor.
The Methodist Episcopal church. Chicopee Falls, was proba-
bly the first religious body organized at that village, though its
( 515 )
OCR COCMY AM) ITS PEOPLE
records are incomplete during its first half-century of existence.
As early as 1822 a body of worshipers of that faith organized
and held meetings— first at the house of one of their number, and
later in a brick school house on Church street. A modest house
of worship was erected at the corner of Broadway and East
street about 1829. A larger church was built on the same site
in 1841 and dedicated the following year, and is still in use,
having since been remodeled and greatly improved. The pastors,
so far as their names and terms of service can be definitely
traced, have been as follows : Rev. E. Otis, 1833-5 ; Rev. A.
Tailor, 183.5-6; Rev. Ebenezer Blake, 1836-8; Rev. Pardon T.
Kennedy, 1838-9; Rev. L. "\V. Blood. 1839-40; Rev. Windsor
AVard, 1840-11 ; Rev. Thomas :\Iorey, 1841-2; Rev. Philo Hawkes,
1842-3; Rev. Freeman Nutting, 1843-5; Rev. David Sherman,
1845-7; Rev. Robert Kelleu, 1847-9; Rev. James Porter, 1849-50;
Rev. Windsor Ward, 1850-51; Rev. Charles Noble, 1851-3; Rev.
David H. Sherman, 1853-5; Rev. Benjamin F. Green, 1855-7;
Rev. John AY. Lee, 1857-8; Rev. Albert D. Vail, 1858-60; Rev.
Rodney Gage, 1860-61 ; Rev. J. Oramel Peck, 1861-3 ; Rev. J. S.
Thomas, 1863-5 ; Rev. J. H. Jlansfield, 1866-7 ; Rev. C. T. John-
son, 1867-8; Rev. E. W. Virgin, 1868-70; Rev. 0. W. Adams,
1870-72 ; Rev. Fayette Nichols, 1872-5 ; Rev. C. F. Ely, 1875-6
Rev. Albert C. :Manson, 1876-9; Rev. David S. Cole, 1879-82
Rev. L. W. St<aples, 1882-5; Rev. George H. Cheney, 1885-8
Rev. Garrett Beekman, 1888-91; Rev. Arthur W. TerriU, 1891-2
Rev. N. B. Fiske. 1892-5; Rev. AVilliam C. Townsend, 1895-8
Rev. Austin H. Ilerrick. 1898-1901.
The Central I\Iethodist Episcopal church was organized in
August, 1838, with but eighteen members. The house of worship
on the east side of Perkins street, near School, was erected the
following year, and six years later was enlarged. The present
name has been in use since 1882, the church, from its location,
being previous to that time known as the Perkins Street Meth-
odist Episcopal church. The first pastor was Rev. Edmund S.
Potter, from 1838 to 1840, and his successors have been : Rev.
:jrosely Dwipht, 1840-42: Rev. Ephraim Scott, 1842-3: Rev.
Benjamin F. Lambert, 1843-4; Rev. Daniel F. Bannister, 1844-6;
( 510 )
THE CITY OF CHICOFEE
Rev. Loranus Crowell 1846-8 ; Rev. James Porter, 1848-50 ; Rev.
Lorenzo R. Thayer, 1850-52; Rev. William Rice, Jr., 1852-4;
Rev. AVilliam H. Hatch, 1854-5; Rev. J. C. Cromack, 1855-7;
Rev. Justin S. Barrows, 1857-9 ; Rev. Isaac Smith, 1859-60 ; Rev.
John C. Smith, 1860-62: Rev. Pliny AVood, 1862-4; Rev. J. C.
Hanaford, 1864-7; Rev. E. A. Manning, 1867-70; Rev. Daniel
Richards, 1870-73; Rev. Pliny Wood, 1873 (preached one month,
went to Europe for his health and died in Munich) ; Rev. J. A.
Bartlett, 1873-4 ; Rev. Justin S. Barrows, 1874-6 ; Rev. Edward
S. Best, 1876-9; Rev. Albert Gould, 1879-82; Rev. Austin H.
Herrick, 1882-5 : Rev. Charles H. Hanaford, 1885-8 ; Rev. George
H. Clark, 1888-93; Rev. Charles M. Hall, 1893-5; Rev. George
F. Durgiu. 1895-6; Rev. R. E. Bisbee, 1896-9; Rev. William A.
Wood, 1899, the present ineumbent.
The First Baptist church and society were organized at
Chicopee Falls, November 28, 1828, with but seventeen members,
and for three years the society was served by various preachers,
no regular pastor being engaged. A house of worship was erected
in 1832, being removed to Market street in 1850, where it was
enlarged and much improved. A new church was built in 1877,
at the corner of Belcher and Springfield streets, at a cost of
$16,000, and was dedicated in February, 1878. The settled
pastors have been : Rev. Moses Curtis, 1833-5 ; Rev. Joseph il.
Graves, 1835-8; Rev. Robert F. Ellis, 1838-45; Rev. Rufus K.
BeUamy, 1848-82 ; Rev. James P. Hunter, 1883-6 ; Rev. Isaac H.
Gilbert, 1887-9: Rev. L. L. Hobbs, 1890-94; Rev. Darius H.
Stoddard, 1894-9; Rev. Norman North Bishop, 1900, present
pastor.
The Central Baptist church, originally known as the Third
Baptist church of Springfield, was organized at Chicopee Center,
then known as Cabotville, July, 15, 1835, with twenty-one mem-
bers. The brick church now occupied, at the corner of School
and Cabot streets, was erected iu 1838, and was dedicated
February 7, 1839. The first pastor, during the period when
the parish was without a church building, was Rev. Pierpont
Brockett, from 1836 to 1838. Rev. Jonah G. Warren was in-
stalled at the dedication of the church, and served with much
( 517 )
OUR COUMY AND ITS PEOPLE
success for ten years, to February 11. 1849. The succeeding
pastors have been: Rev. Benajah Cook, 1849-50; Rev. C. Billings
Smith, 1851-2; Rev. Warren Lincoln, 1853-7; Rev. George E.
How, 1857-62 ; Rev. SI. L. Bickford, 1863-6 ; Rev. A. M. Higgins,
1867-70; Rev. G. R. Darron, 1870-71; Rev. A. DeP. Palmer,
1872-4; Rev. G. W. Fuller, 1877-80; Rev. George W. Davis,
1882-9; Rev. Thomas DeGruehy. 1890-93; Rev. Clifton K.
Flanders, 1895-8; Rev. Eben C. Stover, 1898, now in charge.
Grace Episcopal church was organized April 6, 1846, and
the first church building was erected on Cabot street, near
School, in 1848, and -was consecrated in May of that year. It
was partially burned in 1872, and was not rebuilt until 1885,
when the present structui'e at the corner of Springfield and
Pleasant streets was erected. The parish has been much of the
time without a .settled rector, those who have served, with the
exception of unimportant periods of supply, having been as
follows: Rev. Charles Fisher, 1846; Rev. Andrew Croswell,
1847-9: Rev. Caleb Dow. 1849; Rev. E. F. Remington. 1849-51
Rev. Edward Jessup, 1853-4; Rev. William H. Munroe, 1856
Rev. Andrew Croswell, 1857-8; Rev. AV. B. Colburn, 1860-62
Rev. M. A. Johnson, 1866-7; Rev. E. E. Atkinson, 1888-9; Rev.
Newton Black. 1895, now in charge.
The Unitarian church was organized November 21, 1841. the
society having been formed diiring the preceding March. A
brick chin'ch building was erected the following year, and oc-
cupied until 1893, when the present house of worship on Grape
street and Fairview avenue was dedicated. The pastors have
been: Rev. Charles A. Farley. 1841; Rev. John A. Buckingham,
1842-3: Rev. Crawford Nightingale, 1845-51: Rev. Ephraim
Nute. Jr., 1851-5 ; Rev. Samuel Pettes. Jr., 1855-60 : Rev. Samuel
C. Beane, 1862-4; Rev. John AV. Hudson, 1865-6; Rev. Cah-in
Stebbins, 1866-9; Rev. Robert R. IMcLeod, 1870-71; Rev. I. F.
Porter, 1872-82: Rev. C. W. Heiser, 1S82-6; Rev. Edwin F. Hay-
ward, 1888-9: Rev. Solon Laner. 1891; Rev. Cary F. Abbott,
1893-7: Rev. AVilliam W. Peck, 1897, now in charge.
A ITniversalist society was organized February 27, 1835,
and preaching services were held regularly, though a chiirch was
( 518 )
TEE CITY OF CHICOPEE
uot formed until October 20, 1840. The church building was
erected on the south side of Market square in 1836, being dedi-
cated in October of that year. It was built by a Mechanics'
association, the title being afterward secured by the Universal-
ists. Services were suspended in 1883, and the church property
was sold a little later. These were the pastors during the exist-
ence of the church : Rev. Charles Spear, 1835-6 ; Rev. W. H.
Fernald, 1836-8; Rev. A. A. Folsom, 1838-44; Rev. George W.
Gage, 1844-5; Rev. Samuel Bennett, 1845-6; Rev. Zeuas Thomp-
son, 1846-8; Rev. W. R. G. Mellen, 1848-51; Rev. Uriah Clark,
old Universalist Cliurch
1851-2; Rev. Avery Denison, 1853; Rev. C. H. Webster, 1853-5;
Rev. J. K. Karcher, 1855-6 ; Rev. B. V. Stevenson, 1857-68 ; Rev.
Clarence Fowler. 1868-9; Rev. John E. Davenport, 1870-72; Rev.
Theodore L. Dean, 1872-4; Rev. J. Riley Johnson, 1874-G; Rev.
J. H. Weeks, 1877-80 ; Rev. G. W. Pierce, 1882-3.
The Church of the Holy Name of Jesus is the dii-ect outcome
of the early Roman Catholic labors in the Chieopee section.
Father James Fitton ('(mdiu-ted the tirst .services as early as 1831,
when his congregation Cdnsistcd of thirty people in a population
of something over two thousand. In that year the work of build-
( 519 )
on: cor. MY axd its I'EOPLE
inj; a dam across C'liicopee river and digging the canals for
utilization of the water ]i<)\ver was begun, and brought to the
scene numerous laborers of the Catholic faith. For some years
services were held from time to time in the homes of the people
or in other available places, until a congregation was organized
in 1838, and placed in the care of Kev. John Brady of Hartford,
Conn. In 18:!!) a building site was secured on Pleasant street,
the corner-stone of a church was laid the following year, and
the interests of the parish were committed to Rev. John D.
Brady, who came from Salem, ]Mass. It was not until Septem-
ber 29, 1843, that the church, a brick structure, w^as ready for
dedication as St. IMatthew's church. In 1845 Rev. Bernard
O'Cavanagh became assistant to Father Brady, and the two
priests cared for the religious interests of all the Catholics in
the four western counties of the state. Father Brady died in
1847, and was succeeded for two years by Rev. James Strain.
Rev. "William Blenkinsop was the pastor from 1849 to 1864,
during which time, to meet the needs of his growing congrega-
tion, he liuilt a large church on the opposite side of the street.
This was dedicated ]May 29, 1859, under the present name. Rev.
Pat lick Ilealy was the pastor from 1864 until his death in
January, 1889. In 1867 he built the convent of the Sacred Heart
of ]Mary and established parochial schools for the parish. In
1881 the boys' school and the monastery for the Brothers were
built. Father Ilealy was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Henry L. Robin-
son, who served as pastor until his death in 1894, when Rev.
John J. ^IcCoy, the present incumbent, a.ssumed the rectorship.
St. Patrick's chui-ch at Chicopee Falls had its beginning in
a Sunday school established there about 1850 by Rev. James
Strain, then piistor at Chicopee. Tliis continued until 1870,
when Rev. Patrick Stone, assistant pastor at Chicopee, under-
took the task of securing for the worshipers at the Falls a church
of their own. The funds were raised, the edifice was built, and
on tlie ]5th of December, 1872, was dedicated under the above
name. A parish rectory, now the convent home for the Sisters
of St. Joseph, was built during the same year. Father Stone
was made pastor, and still holds the position, after practically
( 520 )
TEE CITY OF CHICOPEE
thirty years of ser\'ice. The assistants have been : Rev. Michael
J. Miu-pliy, 1874-84; Rev. Martin JIurphy, 1884-6; Rev. James
McLaughlin, 18S6-9 ; Rev. Richard Healy, 1889-93; Rev. John
J. 0']\lalley, assigned January 1, 1894, is the present incumbent.
In 1880 a site was bought on Columbia street, on which were
built, in 1881, a new rectory and the parish schools. In 1890,
in connection with other important improvements on the parish
jn-opei'ty. the church was greatly enlarged, and in 1897 it was
furnished with a $4,000 organ.
The Church of the Assumption at Chieopee is the religious
home of the French-speaking Catholics of the citj- of Canadian
oi-igin or parentage. Until 1885 it was a mission, having been
served first by Father Dufresne of Holyoke, then by Father
Landry of Indian Orchard. Its first resident pastor was Rev.
Everest Pelletier, who was appointed in 1885 and served until
his death in I\Iay, 1893. Lender his pastorate the parish pros-
pered and grew materially, and a frame church of moderate
capacity was built. The original parish chapel built by Father
Landry was converted into a comfortable rectory. His successor
was Rev. Frederick Bonneville, the present pastor, who has re-
modeled and greatly improved the parish church and other
buildings.
St. Stanislaus' church at Chieopee was organized for the
benefit of the Poles, who began coming to the city in 1880. In
1890 Rev. Francis S. Chalupka of Webster was entrusted by
Bishop O'Reilly with the task of organizing a Polish congrega-
tion. "Work on a church building was begun in 1891, but it was
not until October, 1895, that the structure was dedicated. In
February of that year Father Chalupka settled at Chieopee as
resident pastor, and thenceforth regular services were held, al-
though the unfinished building had been in use for a considerable
time for the religious purposes of the parish. Schools were
established in 1897, and in 1898 the parish property was en-
larged by the pui'chase of twelve house lots adjoining the church
site. Father Chalupka still remains in charge of the pastoral
work, and his assistants have been: Rev. John Conlin, 1892-3;
Rev. James Cruse, 1895-6 ; and Rev. Venceslaus Lenz, the present
assistant.
( 521 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
St. Joachim's churcli at Chieopee Falls was organized for
the benefit of the Fieneh-spealung Catholics of that village, in
1893, by Rev. Alexis Delphos, acting under authority of Bishop
Beaven, who recognized the necessity of giving those people more
immediate church interests than they were able to enjoy through
the Church of the Assumption. The organization was promptly
effected, and a church structure was erected, which was dedicated
November 18, 1894. The DeSti'Ue homestead was purchased in
189.3, and the family mansion thereon has been adopted as the
parish presbytery. In 1895 Rev. Emile St. Onge came from
Worcester as assistant pastor, and remained some four years.
The Catholic church at Willimansett and chapel at Alden-
ville are the results of etforts put foi-th by Rev. John J. McCoy
of Chieopee in the autumn of 1894. assisted by Father Delphos—
the former organizing the English-speaking and the latter the
French-speaking people. A little hall was hired on Olivine street,
Willimansett, fitted up as a chapel, and designated Notre Dame
des Victoires, where the first mass in the village was said on
Christmas morning of 1894 by Father McCoy. From that time
regular services were held until September, 1897, when Rev.
Hormisdas Hamelin was made resident pastor. During the
following year he built a brick church on Chieopee Street at
"Willimansett and a frame chapel at Aldenville, both of which
were dedicated by Bishop Beaven October 30, 1898. The church
is now known as the Church of the Nativity. Father Hamelin 's
curates have been Rev. Peter Higgins and Rev. Michael Walsh.
( 522 )
CHAPTER XVIII
THE TOWN OP AGAWAM
The town of Agawam lies on the south line of Hampden
county, west of the Connecticut river and south of the Agawam.
Being bounded on two sides by rivers and on the west by the
towns of Westfield and Southwiek, its outlines are decidedly
irregi;lar except on the south, where the state line gives a direct
course. The total area comprises a fraction less than twenty-
five square miles. Its extent from north to south and from east
to west is nearly equal, so that, notwithstanding its irregularity
of outline, the town presents geographically a compact and well-
defined section. The broad flow of the Connecticut on the east
separates it from the town of Longmeadow, and for a very short
distance from the city of Springfield; the winding course of the
Agawam gives equally positive definition of the northern line,
where Agawam is separated from the parent town of West
Springfield so uncompromisingly that the village of IMittineague,
which lies on both sides of the river, belongs in, part to each of
the towns. On the west the division runs on or near the summit
of the extensive trap-rock range.
This range gives the highest elevation of the town, Proven's
hill rising to a height of 665 feet above the normal level of the
Connecticut river. Other hills of somewhat inferior altitude
are within the limits of the town. Mount Pisgah and Liswell hill
being located near the village of Feeding Hills, with Buck hill
further toward the Connecticut line. In the northwestern por-
tion of the town, along the Agawam, the scenery is rugged and
picturesque, the stream for much of the distance making its way
through and around the base of compact hill ranges. Approach-
ing the Connecticut river, the contour softens into broad and
( 523 )
OVU cor MY AND ITS PEOPLE
fertile meadows, so low in portions tliat the grounds are liable
to extensive overflow at time of high water in the rivers.
Although it may justly claim to have been among the
earliest settled plantations of AVestern Massachusetts, Agawam
did not become an independent town until 1855— less than a
half-century ago: so that its exclusive history is a brief one.
For more than a ccntui-y it was a portion of the town of
Springfield, until in 1774 all that part of the town lying west
of the Connecticut was created a separate town by action of the
legislature, not at all against tlie wishes of its residents. This
made Agawam, as the region had long been designated, a part
of the town of AVcst Springfield ; a relationship which continued
for more than eighty years, until the incorporation as a separate
town, ilay 17, 1855.
Yet Agawam may properly be considered the mother of
Springfield plantation. Within its present borders the first
settlement or location was made in the spring or sunnuer of
1635. At that time certain parties located at Roxbury and other
settlements in the vicinity of Boston having petitioned for
permission to settle on "the great river," as the Connecticut was
familiarly known, and their petition ha^^ng been granted under
condition that they remain within the jurisdiction of the Prov-
ince of i\Iassachusetts Bay, exploring parties were sent out to
choose suitable locations. Some of these selected the site of
Hartford and other points now within the state of Connecticut,
while two of their number, Messrs. "Woodcock and Cable, con-
tinued north until they reached the confluence of the Connecticut
and Agawam rivers. Probably they ascended "the great river"
on its western side until their further progress was bai-red by the
Agawam, and being impressed by the fertile meadows among
which they found themselves and which had been cultivated to
some extent by the Indians, they fixed upon that spot as the site
for their proposed town. At any rate, they built a rude house,
which was occupied for some mouths. But being warned by
the Indians that the lands here were liable to inundation, the
site was abandoned, and when the settlement was made the fol-
lowing year it was upon the higher ground on the east side of the
{ 524 )
TEE TOWN OF AGAWAM
river. But the name of "Agawam" was transferred to the new
site, and the entire grant, twenty-five miles square, was known
by that name until in honor of William Pynchon its designation
was changed in 1640 to "Springfield"— the name of Mr. Pjni-
ehon's home in England. But the territory now constituting
the town of Agawam retained its original appellation as a local
name, and very properly adopted it on being incorporated as a
town.
The Agawam territory was probably designated as a part
of the "outward commons" of Springfield very soon after the
settlement. In 1638 it was voted that it should be lawful for
any Springfield man to put over horse, cows, or younger cattle
on the other side of the river until the first of November, and
the name of "Feeding Hills" village doubtless comes from the
use thus made of the unoccupied lands. But it was twent.y-five
years after the visit of Woodcock and Cable before a permanent
settlement was made south of the Agawam river. In that year
grauts were made to Thomas Cooper, Abel Leonard, and Thomas
jMerriek. The lands thus granted, and those later acquired by
Messrs. Cooper and IMerrick, were sold to Ahram Burbank, from
Suffield, Conn., in 1764; but the Leonard family has always been
a strong and influential one in Agawam. Gradually the number
of settlers increased, and the religious interests of the community
largely molded those of municipal nature. The separation into
religious parishes, generally speaking, prepiared the way for the
more complete separation involved in the setting off of new towns
from the parent territorj\ The unwieldy area of Springfield
invited early division, and town after town was created, as the
population increased and local interests demanded local adminis-
tration. In 1773 the great and genei'al court took the matter of
further division into their hands, and set off all the remaining
region west of the Connecticut as the town of West Springfield.
This included the present territory of Holyoke, West Spring-
field and Agawam, extending from the Connecticut state line to
the present south line of Hampshire county, an area of sixty
square miles. This arrangement remained unchanged for more
than seventy-five years, until 1850, when "Ireland Parish" was
incorporated as the town of Holyoke.
( 525 )
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
A little later tlie people of Agawam, now considerably over
1,000 in number, also aspired for an independent government,
and on i\Iay 17, 1855, the Massaeliusetts legislature passed an
act for tlie incorporation of the town of Agawam, to comprise
"all that part of tlie town of West Springfield which lies south-
erly of the line conuiiencing at the north mouth of the Agawam
river, so called, and running westerly by the course and center
of said river to the town line of Westfield." The first town
meeting was held June 12, 1855, under a warrant addressed by
Samuel Flower, justice of the peace, to Lewis L. "Whitman, and
was held at the IMethodist church. Alfred Flower was chosen
clerk and treasurer, and Orson Swetland, James S. Smith, and
Ralph Adams selectmen, assessors, and overseers of the poor.
The full list of the incumbents of these offices from the date of
incorporation to 1901 has been as follows :
Selectmen, Assessors, and Overseers of the Poor. — 1855,
Orson Swetland, James S. Smith, Ealph Adams; 1856, Ralph
Adams, Samuel Flower, Grosvenor Marcy; 1857, Ralph Adams,
Justus R. Cooley, Samuel Flower; 1858, Ralph Adams, AVilliam
Roberts, Grosvenor Marcy; 1859, Ralph Adams, Charles Colton,
Horace E. Roberts; 1860-61, Charles Colton, Isaac Roberts,
Josiah Johnson; 1862, Charles Colton, Frederick A. Johnson,
Joseph Bedortha' ; 1863, Joseph Bedortha, John G. Freeland,
Joseph L. Smith ; 1864, Joseph Bedortha, Joseph L. Smith, Gros-
venor Jlarcy; 1865, Joseph Bedortha, John G. Freeland, Elijah
D. Allen ; 1866-7, J. Henry Churchill, James H. Ferre, Edward
K. Bodurtha; 1868, J. Henry Churchill, Asa Clark. Oscar A.
Parks: 1869, J. Henry Churchill, Oscar A. Parks. Edward K.
Bodurtha ; 1870, J. Henry Churchill, Oscar A. Parks, Joseph
Bedortha ; 1871, Joseph Bedortha, Jonathan W. Freeland Luke
C. Sheldon; 1872, J. Henry Churchill, Frederick N. Leonard,
Luke C. Sheldon; 1873. J. Henr.v Churchill, Reuben Dewitt,
Joseph V. Walcott: 1874. J. Henry Churchill, Ralph Adams,
'Kre(iui'iitl.v iu this I'lmptcr. ami also in various otiicr cliapters of tliis work,
writers liave spelled this surname Hedortlia and occasionally Bodortha, thus follow-
ine t]w example of early Sprinstield and West Springfield to\yn clerks. The name
properly spelled is Bodurtha. and has been known in o\ir county history for two
!lli.i ;i liiilf cetitTiries.
( 526 )
TEE TOir.V OF AGAWAM
Seth N. Bennett; 1875, J. Henry Churchill, Byron C. Roberts,
P:dward K. Bodurtlia; 1876, J. Henry Churchill, Lewis L. "WTiit-
mau, Edwin Leonard, 2d; 1877, J. Henry Churchill, Lewis L.
Whitman, Frederick N. Leonard; 1878, Lewis L. AVliitman, J.
Henry Churchill, Edwin Leonard, 2d; 1879, Lewis L. Whitman,
Oscar A, Parks, Edwin Leonard, 2d ; 1880, Edward K. Bodurtha,
Edwin Leonard, 2d, J. Henry Churchill; 1881, Edwin Leonard,
2d, Edward K. Bodurtha, Charles C. Wright; 1882-5, Edward
K. Bodurtha, Edwin Leonard, 2d, J. Henry Churchill; 188C-8,
Edward K. Bodurtha, Edwin Leonard, 2d, William H. Granger ;
1889-90, Henry E. Bodurtha, James F. Barry, Edwin Leonard,
2d; 1891-2, James F. Barry, Alson W. Allen, Edwin Leonard,
2d ; 1893, James F. Barry, Willis C. Campbell, Edwin Leonard,
2d ; 1894, James F. Barry, Albert H. Brown, Willis C. Campbell ;
1895, Henry E. Bodurtha, Albert H. Brown, James F. Barry;
1896, Henry E. Bodurtha, Edwin Leonard, 2d, R. Mather Taylor ;
1897-9, Henry E. Bodurtha, R. IMather Taylor, John H. Reed;
1900, Henry E. Bodurtha, John H. Reed, James F. Barry.
Town Clerk and Ti-easurer.— 1855, Alfred Flower; 1856,
Ashbel Sykes; 1857, Joel J. Bailey; 1858, Ashbel Sykes; 1859,
Josiah Johnson; 1860-64, Ashbel Sykes ; 1865, Charles C .Wright;
1866-67, Samuel Flower; 1868-87, Stephen H. Bodurtha; 1888-
1901, Dr. Judson W. Hastings.
For the year 1901 the full list of town officers is as follows :
Town clerk and treasurer, Dr. Judson W. Hastings; selectmen,
assessors, overseei's of the poor and board of health, Henry E.
Bodurtha, James F. Barry, John H. Reed; auditors, Fred A.
Sykes, John G. Freeland; collectors, Munroe Hayward, Dennis
M. Crowley, Daniel W. Corwin; constables, James M. Bean,
Willis C. Campbell, Elmer E. Mclntire, Frank J. Pomeroy,
Albert H. Brown, Amos Gosselin, Monroe Hayward, William H.
Tower, Albert E. Worthingtoii ; highway surveyors, Willis C.
Campbell, Horace B. Wordeu, Daniel L. White ; trustees Whiting
Street fund, Seth N. Bennett, Oscar A. Parks; cemetery com-
missioners, Robert Ely, Jr., Seth N. Bennett; sinking fund com-
missioners, William IL Granger, Edward K. Bodurtha, Oscar A.
Parks; school committee, Charles P. Davis, AVilliam H. Granger,
( 527 )
Ol'N cot STY AM) JTS PEOPLE
J. Arsene Roy, Fred A. Worthingtoii ; supei'intenderit of schools,
Francis S. Brick; library trustees, Kalph Ferry, S. Newell Smith,
Henry L. Tower; librarian, Enmia F. Pyne.
'['he record of the town for patriotic action is every way
creditable and worthy its New England environment. In
the revolutionary war, the district sent from its few scattered
families a worthy representation on the quota of Springfield.
The only experience of the town as a corporation during a serious
war period was iu connection with the rebellion, which came
upon the conntrj' almost before the people of Agawam had accus-
tomed themselves to the routine of local self-government. But
the response was uo less earnest and efficient. "With a popula-
tion not varying much from 1,700 souls of all ages and condi-
tions, the town sent 172 men to the war, or fully one-tenth of its
population. Of this number twenty-two gave their lives, either
in battle or from disease, a percentage of almost 13, and con-
siderably higher than the average death loss of all the troops
from the state. The number furnished to the Union armies was
ten in excess of all calls during the war. The amount of money
expended by the town reached nearly !f;23,000, exclusive of state
aid. The women of the commitnity were in no sense less devoted
than their husbands and brothers to the great cause of national
unity. A soldiei"s' relief society was formed in October, 1861,
and until the close of the struggle weekly meetings were held at
which lint, bandages, underclothing and various useful articles
for the soldiers were made and sent to the front ; while the society
also contributed about $1,000 in money for the same noble cause,
Argriculture has ever been the principal industry of Aga-
wain. The soil is fertile, especially in the extensive meadows
bordering the Connecticut river, and yields generously the grains,
vegetables and fruits adapted to the climate. Daii\ving
is also pursued quite extensively, the various farm products
finding ready sale in Springfield markets. As a result most of
the farmers are prosperdus, the evidences of which are shown
in their well-kept buildings and attractive fields. This pros-
perity is generously distributed. There are few large farms;
none extremely large, ^lost of the holdings are of moderate
( 528 )
TEE TOWN OF AGAWAM
extent, and in consequence utilized to the best advantage by their
owners, so that in the more fertile portions of the town there is
very little "unimproved" land.
In this connection it may be noted that the only organized
society in the town, at present, is a prosperous grange of the
Patrons of Husbandry, known as Agawam grange, No. 151,
of which H. Preston Worden is mastei", Mrs. Carrie L. Hayward,
secretary, and ]\Iiss Nellie Campbell, treasurer.
The manufactui-ing interests of Agawam began, as in so
many other early settlements, with the primitive saw mill— a
necessity in every community which sought to pass the "log-
house'' stage of its development. In 1665 a grant was made
unto Samuel Mashtield, Thomas Noble, Thomas Miller and Elizur
Holyoke, which in addition to permission for "ye setting up of
a saw mill on a brook below Ensign Cooper's farm, over Agawam
river," conveyed forty acres of land, "where they shall choose
it, near the place where the mill shall stand, not prejudicing any
of j-e inhabitants' property on the highway," also "thirty acres
of meadow within two or three miles of ye place, where they shall
find it most convenient for their iise; . . . and they are
not to be restrained of the liberty of the commons for all sorts of
timber for their use for sawing or otherwise." This was cer-
tainly generous encouragement for the "infant industry," and
there seems no doubt that the mill was built and put in operation
by the first of April, 1666, as required by the terms of the grant.
Other saw mills, grist mills, blacksmith shops, with one or two
brick yards probably comprised the range of the district's manu-
facturing interests for the first century and a half after the
original grants were made.
During or about the year 1810 the first steps were taken for
the manufacture of both cotton and woolen goods in a small way.
In the foi-mer, one Thomas Belden of Hartford associated him-
self with four Agawam men— Amos Ambrose, Jonathan Worth-
ington. John Norman, and Elijah Porter— and built a small mill
on the power formerly occupied by a saw mill in the south part
of the town, near the mouth of Three-mile brook. As was then
much the custom, the yarn was spun at the mill and sent out
34-3 ( 529 )
THE TO^y^■ of AGA^yAM
aiiioug the women of the vicinity to be woven on hand looms.
The business was continued intermittently, but not with marked
success, until 1S25, wheu the mill was closed. It was reopened
in 1832 by Leonard & Parmenter, then woolen manufacturers
at Agawam Center, by whom it was run for two years more,
when the plant was abandoned and the business removed. This
is said to have been the first cotton mill of any description started
in Western Massachusetts.
The first woolen manufactory in Agawam was a small mill
for carding and fulling, built very soon after the cotton mill, by
Justus and Calvin Bedortha. The proprietors did custom work
only until the breaking out of the war of 1812, when they took up
the manufacture of broadcloths ; but the business declined after
the close of the war, wheu the importation of foreign-made goods
was resumed. In 1840, after several changes had been made in
the proprietorship. Norton, Bedortha & Co., became the owners,
rebuilt and enlarged the mill, and made a success of custom work.
Fifteen years later— May 12, 1857— the present Agawam com-
pany was organized, with a capital stock of .$10,000. Stockinet
manufacture was taken up, and proved extremely successful
during the civil war. In 1875 the original wooden mill was
supplemented by a fine brick building. The capital stock is now
$50,000, and the company is officered by Bamuel Pyue, president
and agent ; Fred A. Sykes, treasurer.
About 18-10 Lyman Whitman took up the manufacture of
wall paper, occupying the old cotton mill building, and continued
in the industry for some ten years. In 1872 the Worthy Paper
company was organized and built a high-grade paper mill at
Mittineague, using power obtained from the Agawam river. For
thirty years this mill has maintained a first-class reputation for
the best quality of linen and ledger papers. While the nominal
capitalization has remained unchanged, the buiklings have been
enlarged from time to time, and improved machinery has been
substituted whenever available, so that tlie ea|)acity has been
materially enlarged. Charles Southworth is the president, and
Edgar S. Bliss, treasurer and manager.
The business of gin and whiskey manufacture carried on by
the H. Porter company, with Edson W. Lindsey as manager,
( 531 )
OIR COUNTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
originated more than a eentuiy ago, when E. Porter established
a plant on or near the present site in the south part of the town,
and began the industry of distilling peppermint. Later the
product was changed to potato whiskey, while for very many
years the name of the town was a household word through the
extensive use of "Agawam gin."
The matter of education has always received practical atten-
tion in Agawam, the money and care of the residents having been
given ungrudgingly for the promotion of schools, satisfactory in
number and of the best quality. The educational work has, how-
School Building — Feeding Hills
ever, been confined to the district and graded schools, no high
school or academic institution having been organized in the town.
An important step in relation to school buildings was taken in
1874, Avhen as the result of some controversy over the location
of a town hall it was voted to erect buildings for the accomoda-
tion of the higher school grades at Agawam Center and at
Feeding Hills, each to have a large hall in the upper story for
the accommodation of town meetings and other public gather-
ings. These were completed during the following year, and more
( 532 )
THE TO^yN OF AG AW AM '■
recently a handsome brick school building has been erected at
IMittineague, so that the scholars in all portions of the town have
good accommodations in these central buildings and the un-
graded schools conveniently located in the more sparsely settled
sections. Some fifteen teachers are employed, under the direc-
tion of a superintendent and the school committee of the town.
A free public library was organized in 1890, and has now
over 2,000 volumes of well-selected books. The advantages of
the library are free to all residents of the town over twelve years
of age, and a weeklj' delivery of books is made at the three prin-
cipal villages, giving equal facilities to all inhabitants.
For forty years after the first grants were made to settlers
in the Agawam district, the people there residing were obliged
to cross both the Agawam and the Connecticut rivers in order to
attend church; and, there being neither bridges nor adequate
boats, we must admire the strength of the religious spirit which
kept these people faithful to their principles. The dangers
encountered are well illustrated by the accident to the Bedortha
family, three of whose members— Reice, John, and the wife of
Joseph— were drowned in the Connecticut in 1683 by the over-
turning of the boat. One has but to recall this incident with
the tragic deaths of Longmeadow settlers a few yeai-s earlier,
also on their way to the Springfield church, to realize something
of the meaning of religious fidelity in those early days.
In 1695 the thirty-two families residing west of the Connecti-
cut river, numbering more than 200 members, took steps to
secure recognition as a separate parish, and in 1698 a church was
formed in what later became the town of West Spuingfield.
AVith this the Agawam families affiliated, on account of its con-
venience, and with it they remained identified until 1757, when
the territory now comprising the town of Agawam was set off as
the sixth parish of Springfield. This parish at that time com-
prised about seventy five families. The inhabitants were called
together in precinct meeting February 2, 1758, and after electing
Capt. Samuel Sliriek as moderator and Moses Leonard as clerk,
voted to raise £17 "in order to have the gospel preached among
Tis here." About a year later it was voted to build a meeting
( 533 )
■Ol'R vol Ml' AM) ITS PEOPLE
house "in the center of the present inhabitants, or as near as
may be," and a committee was appointed to determine the loca-
tion. In January, 1760, it was voted to build "at ye head of the
iirst branch beyond Ensign Reuben Leonard's"— a location now
pointed out at a fork of the roads on the edge of the plain be-
tween Agawam and Feeding Hills villages. The meeting house
was erected in the same year, and so far completed that it could
be used for holding services. Tlie church was organized on the
10th of November, 1762, and a week later Rev. Sylvanus Gris-
wold was ordained and installed as the first pastor of the Sixth
diurcli of Springfield. In 1774, when the town of West Spring-
field was created, the title was changed to the Second church of
West Springfield. The church was organized with nine members
in addition to the pastor-elect. — Samuel ]Merrick, Joseph
Bodurtha. Benjamin Leonard, John Leonard, Reuben Leonard,
Abel Leonard, Joseph Selden, Joseph Flower, and Jonathan
Bodurtha. Twenty others united by letter on the 28th of the
same month, some of the number being Baptists, each denomina-
tion agreeing to respect the convictions of the other regarding
baptism, and other points of .difference in belief and customs.
The pastorate of Rev. Jlr. Griswold extended over fiftj--
seven years until his death in 1819, and covered a variety of
experiences in connection with the church work. Although his
salary was small, being about .$225 a year, with use of a tract of
forty acres of land, the stress of the revolutionary war made its
payment diificult, and it is recorded that the pastor released his
people from their obligations to him. But other difficulties and
perplexities arose, among which it is probable that a want of
harmony bet wen the sections was a factor, so that about the year
1800 the precinct was again divided. Feeding Hills and Agawam
proper being made separate parishes. The former retained the
original name and the church building, which was taken down,
removed to the village and re-erected, but was left in an
unfinished state for twenty years. This stucture, by the way,
had a varied experience. For the first ten years it was used by
the mixed congregation of Congregationalists and Baptists, and
after the organization of a separate Baptist church the two
( 534 )
THE TOWN OF AG AW AM
bodies jointly used the same house of worship. In 1802 a
Methodist society was organized, and they also used the same
building. It was neatly tinished in 1821, and the joint
occupancy continued until the Congregationalists withdrew in
1834 and built their present house of worship, which was en-
larged in 1857, and has since undergone con.siderable change.
In 1855, at the incorporation of the town the church name was
changed to "P''irst Congregational Church of Agawam."
Following the death of Rev. Mr. Griswold, the church was
without a pastor until 1821, when Rev. Reuben Hazen was or-
dained, and for nine years served the Feeding Hills church as
well as that at Agawam, dividing his time in the pastoral work,
and preaching in the two pulpits on alternate Sabbaths. He
resigned the pastorate at Feeding Hills in IS'M) to devote himself
to the Agawam parish. His successors at the First church have
been : Rev. Harvey Smith, August 11, 1830, to June, 1833 ; Rev.
Horatio J. Lombard, June 8, 1834, to 1836; Rev. Calvin Foote,
December 21, 1836, to September 23, 1839 ; Rev. Dillon Williams,
June 30, 1841, to May 28, 1848; Rev. Stephen D. Ward, October,
1853, until his death, June 11, 1858; Rev. M. Harrington, 1859-
60; Rev. William M. Birchard, 1860-63; Rev. Lewis Grout, May
14, 18C4, to October 1, 1865; Rev. Charles S. S.vlvester, May 13,
1866, to April, 1879 ; Rev. A. W. Field, 1879-82 ; Rev. Thomas
:\r. Price, 1883-6: Rev. Jasper P. Harvey, 1887-9; l^>v. Egbert
N. Munroe, 1889-90; Rev. Frank L. Oarfield, the present pastor,
settled in 1892.
The Second Congregational cliurcli of Agawam, more com-
monly called the Agawam Congregatioiuil chui'ch, was created
by the division of the parish during oi- about the year 1800, but
it was not for almost twenty years that a church was organized at
Agawam Center. Directly after the separation, however, the
Agawam people procured the fi-ame of a meeting house from a
society at Suffield, Conn., wiiicli was erected on the common, and
was adopted as a pai'ish house, iiion(>y being voted by the parish
for its completion. It was some three years, however, licfoir its
dedication, after which it was used under mutual agreement by
Baptists and Congregationalists. tlic latter having a society,
( 535 )
OLL' COrXTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
though without a church organization. Matters ran along until
1819, when Capt. Timothy Allyn, Calvin Bedortha, and
Ebeiie/er AVyniau, members of the First church in AVest Spring-
field, requested dismissal and that they might be organized into
a church in Agawani. A council was held at the house of Capt.
Allyn on the first day of September, to consider and act upon the
matter. Kev. Kichard S. Storrs of Lougmeadow was the moder-
ator. It appears from the records of this conference that not only
was the Second church organized, but at the same time the church
at Feeding Hills, which had become too much reduced in member-
ship to maintain a minister, was reorganized, identical articles
of faith and covenant being adopted by the two bodies, to the
end that one pastor might be engaged to minister alternately to
the two churches. This plan was consummated in 1821, after
nearly two years of temporary pastoral supply, when Rev Reu-
ben S. Hazen was settled as pastor of the two churches, being
paid $250 annually by the Agawam church, and $190 by that at
Feeding Hills. This joint pastorate continued until 1830, when
Rev. I\lr. Hazen resigned the Feeding Hills charge to give all of
his strength and energy to the people at Agawam, where he
labored faithfully until I\Iay 17, 1843, when he was dismissed.
The second pastor of the church. Rev. Ralph Perry, who
came from Manchester, Conn., was ordained and installed Jan-
uary 3, 1844. His health failing, he was dismissed in 1846, but
on recovery he was again installed near the close of the following
year, and served the church faithfully and most acceptably until
August 26, 1874, when a severe accident sustained at a railroad
crosing in Springfield rendered him for a long time helpless. He
resigned in the spring of 1875, and was succeeded by Rev.
George H. Pratt of Glastonbury, Conn., who was invited October
1, 1875, to supply the church, and was settled a year later. His
pastorate was succcessful, but was terminated in 1879. For the
next twelve years no pastor was formally settled, but the
officiating clergymen were Rev. Allen Hazen, D. D., February
1, 1880. to April 1. 1882: Rev. Edward E. Lamb, from December,
1882, until his death, July 21, 1883; Rev. Charles L. Tomblen,
from April 1, 1884, to ]\lay 1, 1887; and Rev. F. M. Sprague,
( 536 )
OIK cor MY A.\l> J IS PEOPLE
Inim May, 1887, to (k-tober, 1891. Notwithstanding the
informality of these pastorates, ninety-three members were
added to the church diirinijr the twelve j-ears. The present pastor,
Kev. "Walter Kice, was called December 27, 1891, and was in-
stalled February :?, 1892. Duiin<r his pastorate sixty-five per-
sons have joined the church, anil its membership is now 177.
The church building was fitted with a belfry and steeple in
1833, and was removed to its present site in 1845, being
i-cmodelcd two years later. A chapel was built in 1868, and the
main buikliiisx was again remodeled, to its present form, in 1875.
The First Baptist ciiurcii was organized in 1790 by certain
persons of that faith who for that purpose withdrew from the
First Baptist church at AVesttield. by a letter dated January 9,
of that year. Eleven persons subscribed to the covenant at the
organization of the chuich, January 26. 1790— John Porter,
Stephen Bodurtha, Jonathan Pui'chase, Eaii Bancroft, Margaret
Purchase, Molly Worthington, ^lary Porter, Martha Purchase,
Abigail Palmer, Eleanor Bodurtha, Roxana Bancroft. It
appears that eaidier in the history of the community a small and
weak Baptist society and ehun-li had been organized, but both
had long before ceased to exist, and the only positive records re-
garding the matter show that Rev. Edward Upham was pastor
from 1740 to about 1749. On the 4th of ISIarch, 1790, the new
church extended a call to Rev. Jesse "Wightman. a licentiate of
the First Baptist church of (Iroton, Conn., to become the pastor,
and on the 29th of September of that year he was di;ly ordained.
The pastorate continued until his death, September 7, 1817. So
devoted was Jlr. Wightman to the work of his life that long after
he became unable to stand at the desk he was assisted to the pul-
pit, where, sitting, he would "address the assembled audience
in the most fervent manner." A serious dissension in the church
regarding the subject of singing occurred in 1814. and threat-
ened the life of the church itself. ^Fany withdrew, and obser-
vance of the communion was suspended for several months.
Through the earnest efforts of the pastor the trouble was finally
arranged, and an era of good feeling which began in 1815
induced a strong revival in tlie connnunity.
( 538 )
THE TOWN OF AG AW AM
Following the death of Rev. Mr. Wightman came a period of
depression, and no pastor was settled until 1823, although the
pulpit seems to have been supplied most of the time, Rev. John
Grant, Rev. David "Wright, Rev. B. JI. Hill and others officiating.
Rev. Thomas Barrett of Sharon, Mass., was called to the pastor-
ate in 1823, accepted, and .served faithfully for nearly seven
years until his resignation in 1829. During this time a remark-
able religious revival took place, and with it a revival in the pros-
pects of the church and society. In 1826 an old member of the
church. Asa Button, died and left a house and several acres of
land as a parsonage, of which I\Ir. Barrett, at his request, took im-
mediate possession. Soon after the subject of a meeting house
began to be agitated. For ten years meetings were held at the
houses of members or at school houses, and afterward the Bap-
tists held an interest in the parish house, which was also occupied
by the Congregationalists. In February. 1830, it was voted to
erect a building of their own, their interest in the parish house
being disposed of to the Congregationalists for $600. The com-
pleted structure was dedicated October 20 of the same year, Rev.
(Tustavus Davis, D. D., of Hartford, Conn., preaching the ser-
mon. A series of brief pastorates followed, these being the
names of the incumbents : Rev. Erastus Andrews, 1830-31 ; Rev.
John W. :\IcDonald, 1831-5; Rev. Pierpont Brockett, 1835-6;
Rev. Matthew Batchelder, 1837-40; Rev. William A. Smith. 1840-
41; Rev. Lester Lewis, 1841-6; Rev. John Cook, 1847; Rev. Asa
A. Robinson, 1848-52: Rev. Thomas Dowling, 1852-4; Rev. Ad-
dison Parker, 1855-64, when he died; Rev. George Colesworthj^
1865-9; Rev. E. P. Bond, 1870-73; Rev. A. H. Simons, 1874-83;
Rev. H. M. Heywood, 1884-9 ; Rev. S. A. Read, 1889-1899. Rev.
Frederic S. Boody is the present pastor. The location of the
parsonage w'as changed about the year 1865, when the old par-
sonage was sold and the house pureha.sed by Rev. Mr. Parker
during his pastorate, located near the church, was taken in its
stead. In 1883 the church building was extensively repaired and
improved ; and as an illustration of the spirit of Christian fellow-
ship between the denominations, it may be mentioned that dur-
ine- the repaii's the Baptists were offered and accepted the use
( 539 )
OVR COL STY AM) ITS PEOPLE
of the Congregational churfh, and when the repaired church
was reopened witli appropriate serviees, both congregations
united in the exei-cises.
A Methodist Episcopal church was established at Feeding
Hills as early as 1802. but the first forty years of its existence
were uneventful, and no records have been preserved. The
l)i'eaching during this time was doubtless principally by circuit
riders and casual supply. The church was reorganized in 1844,
and in 1851 a small, plain church building was erected. With
some improvements this served uutil 1900, when a small but neat
chui-ch building was completed and dedicated. In 1840 the New
England ]\rethodist Episcopal conference built a small church in
the south part of the town, where services were held for a few
j'ears \vith some regularity by Rev. David Taylor, a licentiate
who lived in the vicinity. No church was organized in that por-
tion of the town. The pastors who have been regularly assigned
to Methodist pulpits in what is now the town of Agawam, so far
as can lie ascertained, (serving other parishes also in some cases,)
is as follows : Rev. Amasa Taylor, 1836-7 ; Rev. William Taylor,
1838-9: Rev. Asa Niles, 1840; Rev. John Cadwell, 1841; Rev.
David L. AVinslow and Rev. Albert A. Cook, 1842 ; Rev. WiUiam
Fleming, 1843; Rev. Homer Clark, 1844; Rev. George W.
Greene, 1845; Rev. Ephraim Scott, 1846; Rev. George W.
Greene, 1847-50; Rev. W. A. Clapp, 1850; Rev. Ephraim Scott,
1851-2 ; Rev. George AV. Greene, 1852-3 ; Rev. John Moore, 1853 ;
Rev. D. Todd, 1854; Rev. R. ^Mitchell, 1855; Rev. Daniel Wait,
1856-7; Rev. John Cadwell, 1858; Rev. John ^Moore, 1859; Rev.
Osman W. Adams, 1861; Rev. N. J. Merrill, 1868; Rev. J. H.
Lord, 1871; Rev. N. J. :Merrill, 1873-4; Rev. A. Caldwell, 1875;
Rev. Jonathan Neal, 1878-80 : Rev. S. L. Rodgers, 1881-2 ; Rev.
F. T. George, 1883-4: Rev. H. W. Adams, 1885-6; Rev. A. C.
Godfrey, 1887-8; Rev. William Ferguson, 1889; Rev. S. L.
Rodgers, 1890-91; Rev. Charles Nicklin, 1892-4; Rev. H. G.
Buckingham, 1900-01.
St. William's Roman Catholic church, located in the Aga-
wam portion of the village of Mittineague, affords religious
privileges for the French-speaking Catholic people of the
locality. The first steps toward the formation of a congregation
( 540 )
TEE TO'^VN OF AGAWAM
there were taken March 6, 1873, when vesper service was held by-
Rev. Louis Gagnier of Springfield. Later a fine building site
was secured, 150 by 175 feet in size, on which, in 1876, the
church of St. William was erected. Until 1883 Father Gagnier
condiicted this branch as a mission of St. Joseph's church of
Springfield ; but at that time it was erected into the dignity of a
parish, with the churches in Longmeadow and East Longmeadow
as missions. Rev. E. Pelletier was the fii-st resident pastor, serv-
ing until his promotion to a pastorate in Chieopee in 1885. He
was succeeded by Rev. J. E. Campeau, under whom a house was
bouirht on Front street as a parish presbytery. Rev. J. H. A.
Biron succeeded to the pastorate in 1888, and died in 1890.
During the last year of his incumbency Revs. J. 0. Sylvian and
J. C. Allard served as his assistants. Rev. Frederick Bonneville
was his successor, i-endering good service from 1890 to 1893 when
promoted to a larger parish in Chieopee. Rev. Humphrey Wren,
with Rev. P. J. Hackett as assistant, served for six months to
January 1, 1894, when Rev. Joseph ]\I. A. Genest, the present
incumbent, was transferred from Southbridge to take charge of
the parish. He at once set about the improvement of the parish
property, and organized a parochial school of some fifty mem-
bers, for which school-rooms were provided in the basement of
the church.
Agawara is one of the few agricultural towns in the state
siiowing a steady growth in valuation and popiilation during the
past half century. At the time of incorporation it had in round
numbers 1,500 inhabitants. According to the national census
reports the number had increased to 1,698 in 1860, to 2,001 in
1870, to 2,216 in 1880, 2,352 in 1890, and to 2,536 in 1900.
( 541
CHAPTER XIX
THE TOWN OF HAMPDEN
Almost a hundred years after the colony at Springfield was
founded settlements were ilrst made on that part of the town
lands which were known as the "outward commons," on the east.
Nearly half a century before settlement was begun the proprie-
tors of the mother town had been compelled to survey and allot
the common lands on the east, under penalty of forfeiture to
the crown; and while the town thus saved the title no attempt
at improvement was made until 1730, when Nathaniel Hitch-
cock of Spring-field became the pioneer of what now is Wilbraham
and Hampden.
In 1741 tlie noi-th pai't of this territory was set off as the
"Fourth Precinct of Springfield," not having- the character and
full powers of a town jurisdiction, but as a parish settlement for
the separate maintenance of religious worship, for the good
people here had truly represented that they were at great in-
convenience in being compelled to joiiraey ten long miles to
worship in the meeting house at the old mother settlement in
Springfield. At that time there had been no pei'manent settle-
ment in what now is Hampden, but very soon afterward im-
provements began to extend southward toward the Connecticut
line. In 1768 AVilbraham took another advance step in civil
history and was set ofl: from Springfield with full town powers,
except in the election of a separate representative to the general
court.
Both tradition and authenticated records inform us that in
1741 Stepiien Stcbl)ins left his former home in Tjongmeadow and
established himself and family on the north bank of the Scantic,
within what now is Hampden. Following closely afterward there
( 542 )
THE JOir.V OF HAMPDEN
came others, all settling along the same stream, on both sides,
and in the course of a few more years a scattered yet well defined
colony was established here. Rev. Edward A. Chase in a pub-
lished historical address gives us reliable information concerning
the tirst settlers in Hampden, hence we have recourse to his
writings.
According to 'Sir. Chase, ];)ioneer Stebbins located where
Mortimer Pease now (1885) lives, while Aaron Stebbins, brother
of the pioneer, settled north of him, ".just north of the red
school house." Paul Lansdon, who brought the first four-
Hampden— the stream in the valley
Mdieeled wagon into the town, settled south of Stephen Stebbins
on the farm occupied in 1885 by Edward Bartlett. This farm
was "overplus land," and was secured by Langdon through tlie
aid of I\Ir. Pynehon. Abner Chapin came from Chieopee and
settled on the south side of the Scantic Lewis Langdon, sou of
Paul, built the first saw mill in 175t). ^Villiam King settled on
the land where now stands the Congregational church. The
premises afterward passed into the hands of Robert Sessions.
Wniiam Stacy settled on the mountain south of the Scantic,
( 543 )
OIR COUNTY A.\J> JTS PEOPLE
where Albert Lee now (1SS5) lives. Moses Stebbins, Comfort
C'liaffee, Jabez Hendrick, Daniel Carpenter, Henry Badger,
Isaac Morris, Rowland Crocker, Benjamin Skinner and Ezekiel
Kussell also were among the early settlers in the South parish,
and were located on the hills and in the valleys bordering on the
river. Robert Sessions, the pioneer head of one of the most
prominent families of South "Wilbi-aham in later years, settled in
the town in 1781.
AYithin a quarter of a century after the pioneer led the way
for civilized white settlement in this part of the mother town,
we find a flourishing colony had sprung up ; lands were cleared
and many fine farms had been opened for cultivation. Then
the settlers sought to establish regidar religious services in their
own community, but their first application to be set off and
established as a sejiarate parish met with the same fate as did
the petitions of "Williraham to Springfield in earlier years. In
1765 the inhabitants of the new settlement asked for money to
pay for the services of a minister during the next winter, but
the request was refused. In 1767 they sought to have preaching
among them at their own cost, but in this also they were unsuc-
cessful.
In 1772, Asa Chatl'ee, son of Joseph, on behalf of the in-
habitants of the south part of Wilbraham, presented a petition
asking that his people be set off as a separate town; but this
request, too, was denied, and it was not until 1778, after several
unsuccessful attempts, that the town voted to establish the South
parish. However, in 1780 this vote was reconsidered, and the
next year the inhabitants sought relief at the hands of the gen-
eral court. In the meantime the people of the north part had
become more considerate of the interests of their townsmen in the
south locality, and in December, 1781, voted to appoint a com-
mittee from out of the town to consider the method of dividing
the territory into parishes. This committee comprised John
Hale, Luke Bliss and William Pynchon, .iunior, whose report,
dated Springfield, February 21, 1782, in part said:
"It is the united opinion of the committee and which they
conceive will best accommodate the inhabitants of the several
( 544 )
THE T0^^^^' of hampden
parts of the town, that it be divided into two parishes, by the
name of the North and South Parishes, by a line coinciding with
the south line of the lot whereon Nathaniel Bliss, deceased, lived,
from the westward bound of said town to the ^Monson line: —
(with this exception) that the inhabitants of said town living
on the west from the top of the mountain to the south side of
Lieut. Thomas ilerrick's lot to the westward bounds of said
town, with their estates, be annexed to the North parish, and
that the inhabitants living east from the top of the mountain
from the south side of said Bliss" lot north to the south side of
the lot originally laid out to Jonathan Taylor's estate to Monson
line, be annexed to the South parish, with their estates," etc.,
reserving to the inhabitants along the boundary the privilege of
selecting the parish to which they would prefer to belong and
pay "rates."
In accordance with this division, an act of the general court,
passed June 20, 1782, created the North and South parishes of
Wilbraliam. making Thomas ilerrick and his lands a part of the
North parish, and David AVood, Jesse Carpenter and Jonah Beebe
and their lands a part of the South parish; and also providing
that Jolm Bliss. Esc(., issue his warrant to some principal in-
habitants in each parish warning them to meet and choose such
officers as "may be necessary to manage the affairs of the said
parishes."
The purpose of the new parish creation was the spiritual
welfare of the people in the south part of Wilbi-aliam. that they
might establish and maintain a se!)arate church aiul such local
government as they were authui-izetl to set up was foi' the espe-
cial ob.iect of building a house of worship and paying the ex-
pense of a minister, rather than the conduct of civil affairs in
the precinct. The early history of the parish was part and
parcel with the history of the church, and was continued as long
as the custom i)revailed of supporting religious worship at the
public or parish expen.se. Dnring the latter part of the
eighteenth century thr Sontii pai'isii had become well settled
with people whose religio\is lielief and form of worship was not
in accord with the doctrine of tlie in-ecinct church, and the estab-
85 3 ( 545 )
01 li COLXTY AXD ITS PEOPLE
lisliment of other societies led to the ultimate abandoiiinent of
the system of public support of the "orthodox" church, heuce
the gradual decline in authority of the "committee of the parish"
and other officers who were from time to time chosen to adminis-
ter its afl'airs. After the separation of church and civil govern-
ments in the North and South parishes, both societies supported
themselves as church bodies are now maintained, and thereafter
the name South parish was changed and became South Wilbra-
ham. It was so known until ilarch 28, 1878, when the territory
of the South parish. South Wilbraham. was regularly incor-
porated into a town by the name of Hampden.
The old South parish records serve to throw some light on
the early history of the region, and likewise furnish us the names
of many settlers in addition to those previously mentioned, yet
for further detail of early life and reminiscences in this locality,
the reader may have recourse to the history of Wilbraham, the
mother town, for there was no complete separation until within
a comi)ai'atively recent date. The first treasurer in the South
parish was Colonel John Bliss, who served from 1782 to 1784,
when he was succeeded by David Burt. The records also give us
the names of Cajit. Paul Lauiidon and Lieut. Samuel Sexton,
who served during the revolution and there gained their military
titles, as also did Col. Bliss. From the same source we obtain
the names of Enoch Burt. ]Moses Stebbins. jtuiior. Deacon John
Hitchcock, and Elizur Tillotson. junior, the latter one of the
earliest tavern keepers in the South parish, and whose application
for license in 1807 was refused on the ground that his public
house was not a benefit to the public. The remonstrance against
jMr. Tillotson 's petition for a license was signed by John Bliss,
Rol)ert Sessions. Confort Chafl'ee, jun.. "William Clark. Enos
Clark. Jonathan Flynt, Levi Flynt. Joseph IMorris. Edward
Morris, David Burt, Noah Sexton. "William Clark. Asa Isham,
Sanuiel Sexton. Walter Shaw, Jared Case. "William "Wood,
Lemuel Jones. Charles Sessions and Nathaniel B. Chaffee.
During the period of the last French and English wars, and
also during the i-evolution. Hampden under its original name
gained an enviable prominence, and by reference to the chapter
( 54rt )
THE T0^\^' OF HAMPDEN
relating: to Wilbraliani, there may be found the names of those
of the South parish who took part in those memorable contests.
Robert Sessions, who came into the town in 1781, was one of the
famous "Boston Tea Party," and is entitled to mention in these
pages. Moreover, he was the progenitor of one of the most
prominent families in the town, and one M'hose representatives
in ail subsequent generations have been active factors for good
in the civil, ecclesiastical and industrial history of the town.
From all which is stated on preceding pages it must be seen
that settlement in the South pai-ish was accomplished rapidly
after the beginning was made by pioneer Stebbins and his fol-
lowers. Indeed, it is a matter of unwritten history, yet worthy
of mention, that the lands of the South parish were found to be
more fertile and accessible and ecjually desirable for farming
purposes as those of the North parish, and, moreover, the south-
ern region did not appear to have been subject to the unequal
and questionable subdivision of lands which embarrassed the
settlers on the first allotted tracts of the outward conunons. The
land surface here is broken with high hills, in localities approach-
ing the magnitude of mountains, yet, comparatively, there is
little waste land: and few indeed ai'e the areas which are unfit
for cultivation.
Organizaiion and Cii'il Hialorij. — ln the early part of this
chapter the writer has traced somethins of the civil history of
the old South parish in connection with the general events of
settlement and growth. As has been stated, the imperfect and
limited parish organization was effected in 1782. which, altliough
sufficient for the time, gave no rights to its inhabitants outside
of church government, and even had the effect to prejudice tiie
parish in the distribution of civil offices in the town at lai'ge.
However, after the disappearance of the parish character and
the rise of South Wilbrahani, the latter region furnished the
mother town some of the best material ever called into office in
the jurisdiction, and also scut into public life some of the
strongest men the county has produced : and to-daj' the sons and
descendants of South AVilbi'aham and Hampden are found
among the foremost i)rofe.ssional and business men of the county
seat, as well as in uuiny other commercial centers.
{ 547 )
Oil! roiWTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
The act i)f the legislature eieatiiii: the t(]\vii was passed
March 28, 1878. The new jurisdiction comprised, substantially,
all which previousl.v had been known as South Wilbraham,
originally the old South ])ai-isli. The tii-st town meeting was
held April 8, 1878. and was warned by S. C. Spellman, justice
of the peace. "William K. Sessions was chosen moderator, and
the following officers were elected : William R. Sessions. Freeman
W. Dickinson. Patrick K. Wall, selectmen; Sumner Smith, town
clerk and treasurer; S. M. Stanton. Andrew Beebe. John W.
Isham. as.sessors: A. B. Newell, John N. Isham, Moses H. Warner,
school conunittee.
The succession of selectmen and town clerks is as follows:
.SV7fr7)»rN. — 1878-80. AVilliam R. Sessions, Freeman W.
Dickinson. Patrick K. Wall ; ISSl. Decius Beebe, Frank S. Smith,
Solomon ('. S|)ellman ; 1882. William R. Sessions, Decius Beebe,
Andrew Beebe: 188:^-4, Decius Beebe, Andrew Beebe, Lyman
Smith: 1885-6, Decius Beebe, Dr. George T. Ballard, Charles H.
Burleigh; 1887. William R. Sessions, E. H. Temple. William
Leach: 1888. Decius Beebe, George T. Ballard, Charles H.
Burleigh ; 1889, George T. Ballard. David R. IMeCray. John N.
Isham: 1890. George T. Ballard, David R. McCray, Charles H.
Burleigh; 1891. Sunnier Smith, S. P. Chapin, John Kenworthy;
1892, George T. Ballard. Charles H. Burleigh, John Bartlett;
1893, George T. Ballard. Charles H. Burleigh, Alpheus Peck;
1894, :\lortimer Pease, Charles H. Burleigh. X. :\r. Carew: 1895-
97. :\Iortimer Pea.se. Snmner Smith. N. M. Carew; 1898-99,
Mortimer Pease. X. 31. Carew. William J. Sessions; 1900, C. N.
Whitaker. X. il. Carew. William S. Hunt; 1901, George T.
Ballard. X. :M. Carew, William S. Hunt.
Toirn Clerks. — i^mnner Smith, 1878-89: John Q. Adams,
1890-92: J. W. [Mulrone.v. 1893; John Q. Adams, 1894-9.'*:
William M. Pease. 1899. resigned December 10. 1900. and John
(,!. Adams appointetl 1ci till the vacancy; John (^. Adams. 1901 —
now in office.
Totni Officers. 1901. — T>v. George T. Ballard (chairman).
Nelson M. Carew. William S. Hinit, selectmen, overseers of the
poor and lioard of health: John Q. Adams, town clerk and
( 548 )
THE To^y^ of hampden
treasurer: George A. Chapin, auditor: Charles I. Burleigh, John
J. Flynn, George C. Butterworth, assessors; William Leach,
Erwin H. Temple, Ernest W. Howlett, highway conimissioners :
Calvin Stebbins, Lyman Smith. John N. Isham, cemetery com-
missioners: Moses 11. AVarren. D. Lincoln JlcCray. school com-
mittee; Alonzo B. Newell, ilrs. Charles C. Chaffee, Stella Day,
trustees Hampden free public library; :\lrs. John Q. Adams,
librarian ;Epaphro A. Day. Sunmer Smith, justices of the peace.
The census reports show the fluctuations of population in
Hampden as follows: 1880, 958; 1885, 868; 1890. 831; 1895,
743: 1900, 782.
]\luch of the interesting early history of Hampden was
made while the town fonned a part of Wilbraham, yet it is a fact
that the little offshoot settlement down in the south part of the
older jurisdiction, located mainly on Scantie brook and border-
ing on the Connecticut line, from the early years of the century
to the time of the division in 1878, was the most busy, progres-
sive and prosperous portion of the whole region; and nuich
surprise often has been expressed that Hampden's people did
not earlier procure an act of incorporation.
Since the da.ys of pioneership. Hampden has been known
as an agricultural town, producing well in answer to the proper
and per.sistent efforts of the husbandman. Agricultural prod-
ucts generally, with few special crops, are raised, yet fur a time
tobacco was grown here with fair success.
Villages and Hamlets.— When the inliabitants of this local-
ity in old "\Yill)i-aham were granted a parish district, and after
they had estal)lished their meeting house in the most central
part of the settlement, their trading centei' became known as
South Wilbraham: and it was so called until after tlie creation of
the new town, when the name was changed to Hampden. The
church was the tirst institution to be established, then the school,
and afterward various business interests and a iiost-office. The
latter was opene<l about 1826, Dudley B. Post being the first
postmaster, followed in later years by Sanmel Beebe, Solomon C.
Spellman. William Spellman, Horton Hendrick and Staunton
M. Sullivan, in the <u-der mentioned. The present postmaster,
( 549 )
OUR COrXTY AM) ITS I'EOPLE
]\Iiitliiiis Casey, was aiipoiulcd during- the Cleveland administra-
tion and has since been continued in office, he being a faithful
public servant, performing his duties to the entire satisfaction
of the townspeople.
South AVilbraham first began to attract attention as a
manufacturing center soon after 1840, when Sumner Sessions, a
man of means, influence and public spirit, erected the first woolen
ijiilj and lea.sed it to Bradford & Seripter, but long before this
time tlie locality eujoye<l a certain moderate prominence as a
producing center. Let us refer briefly to some of these old-time
interests. According to recognized authority. Lewis Langdon,
in 1772. built a saw mill on the Seantic, about a quarter of a
mile below the site of the Hampden woolen mills, and a few years
later started a grist mill further down the brook. Subsequent
owners of similar industries were Benanuel Leach, David Burt,
and also a 'Slv. AVright. that of the latter being on the middle
brancii. T",arl.\- in the last century, a ^Ir. Bacon came over from
BrimHeld and built a grist mill on the site of the Hampden
woolen ]iiill, but soon sold out to Christopher Langdon. Later
owners of this mill and privilege were Jacob Wood, Hubbard
Arnold and William ilosely, the latter adding a saw mill to the
enterpri.se. The buildings were eventually burned and a wrap-
ping paper mill was erected on the site.
Another early saw mill proprietor was Charles Sessions,
whose plant was located where afterward was built the Lacou-
sic woolen mills. Caleb Stebbins, David Burt and Milton Burt
also Avere owners of grist or saw mills, the latter at one time
having both. Then, there were the old-time fulling, cloth and
cai-ding mills which once did a flourishing business on the Sean-
tic. One of the earliest of these was that run many years ago
by Walter Burt, and another was that of Jonathan Flint, which
stood just below the village bridge. Beriah Smith and his
brothers bought out Flint and carried on an extensive business
in cloth dressing. A short distance below the Smith works one
Hoper at one time had a clover cleaning mill, and in connection
therewith made chains for farm use. Paul Langdon and
William Kinsr. Iinth of whom were conspicuous figures in early
( 550 )
THE JOir.V OF HAMPDEN
South Wilbraham history, at one time conducted potasheries in
the town. Daniel and Joseph Chaft'ee and a Mr. West appear
to have been the early tanners in this locality when such indus-
tries could be carried on with a fair degree of success ; and much
of their product was sold to the shoe factories which once gave
AVales a special prominence in the county.
In speaking of the old-time business interests some mention
nuist be made of the once famous plow works which ilarcus
Beebe established along during the "fifties. Thi-ough his brothers
(all of whom were sons of ■' Squire" Beebe) who were in business
in the southern states, Mr. Beebe found a profitable market in
that region, and for several years before the war of 1861-5 he
carried on an extensive works here. The war, however, cut oft'
his market and soon afterward the business was discontinued.
Sometime before this paper making was an industry of consider-
able importance in the town, but all traces of the works now have
disappeared and the proprietors are almost forgotten.
As we have stated, in 1843 Sumner Sessions built the first
woolen mill in the town, and rented it to Bradford & Scripter,
who began manufacturing in 1844, with one set of machinery
and turning out a good quality of satinets. Levi Bradford's
connection with the concern was brief and on his retirement in
1847, the plant was operated by Luther E. Sage, William V.
Sessions and Samuel Beebe, as partners, and they, in turn, were
succeeded liy the firm of Scripter, Sage & Co. Under them the
capacity of the works was increased and tweeds, eassimeres and
doeskins were added to the output. In 1856 the business passed
under control of the South Wilbraham Manufacturing Co.,
incorporated with .$200,000 capital, and thereafter the output
was further increased. Later on the Lacousic Woolen Jlill
company succeeded the corporate company, and the business
was cdiiductcd liy Charles Parsons, who failed, then by Brown
& Chai>man. and still later by Hinsdale Smith under the imme-
diate control of his sou. The works were burned about eight
or ten years ago.
Next in order among large factories was the so-called Hamp-
den woolen mills, started by Eleazer Scripter in 1858, as the
( 551 )
oni VOiSTY AM) ITS PEOPLE
Raviiii- mill. 'l"he projjerty afterward passed to Lutlier Sa^e. who
did a heavy business thronjjhout the war, and who in 1867 or "08
built a mueh lar-rer factory. Later on the plant was carried on
by outside proprietors, nearly all having indifferent success until
the present nianagenient acquired control. It now is rented to
various j>arties and is operated as the Hampden ]Mills eonipany.
About 1865 the Scautic ^Yoolen ^Mill company, in which
Luther Sase was the moving spirit, erected a building and
engaged in the manufacture of fancy cassimeres for a period of
ten years. In 1875 Judson Leonard became proprietor, conti-
ued business and ultimately failed, and then was succeeded by
Kenworthy Bi-os. Still later the plant came to the present pro-
prietor. John Kenworthy, who operates it with success as a yarn,
blanket and cloth mills. Tn connection with the woolen indus-
tries of earlier yeai's. ]\Iortimer Pease for some time operated a
mill in jMeparing for re-carding the waste material of the larger
factories.
Although the village has had at least one good store for
almost a century, the names of the earliest proprietors are not
accurately recalled by our old residents. Going back fifty or
sixty years ago. Solomon (\ and William R. Spellman were
tradesmen in the village and carried a large business. In later
yeai's in mercantile pursuits there may be recalled the names of
Shaw and Chapman. John ('. Vinica. Russell Day & Co., C. I.
Burleigh & Co.. 'Mr. FuUei'. Sumner Smith, Eldridge Vinica,
lie Carty Bros., ilrs. Barnes and A. F. Ballard.
The present business interests may be noted about as
follows: D. F. Powers, blacksmith; Bernard \\'oodrut¥, boot and
.shoe maker -. Frank Crocker, cai'penter ; Edward Hitchcock, cider
mai;er: Edward P. Lyons, coal dealer: C. C. Chaffee, flour and
grain dealer; Drs. George T. Ballard and H. "Warner, physicians;
Jlathias Casey and Sumner Smith, general merchants: M. P.
Carmody, grist and saw mills; Jlrs. E. G. Vinica and J. Ryan,
grocers: ^frs. P. C. .Allen. ]iropr.. Allen house: ilrs. D. C. West,
propr.. Hampden inn: \V. S. Hunt, provision dealer: J. A. Ames,
stoves and tinwares; John Q. Adams, wheelwright: the Hamp-
den ]Mills Co.. and John Kenworthy. woolen goods manufacturers.
f 55-3 )
THE TO^\■N OF HAMPDEN
Scliools. — In tlie early history of this part of AVilbraliani we
learn that little real attention was given to the establishment of
public schools, except as the inhabitants of the South parish
made provision for the instruction of their youth after their
church was permanently founded. When the South parish was
created the subject of schools received more attention and the
territory was made to constitute districts under the general town
system. Tradition, M'ith some meagre records, inform us that
among the settlers here were several persons who taught early
schools, among the number being Moses and Stephen Stebbins,
Samuel Beebe, Samuel Henry, Marcus Cady, Sally Wilcox. Bet-
sey Sessions, Lydia Ames and others whose names at this time
are not recalled.
When Hampden was incorporated as a separate town, the
territory was divided into four districts, and ample provision
was made for the maintenance of a school in each. In .subse-
quent years the districts were occasionally remodeled, and now
the town has five districts witli a good school in each. Accord-
ing to the recent school census Hampden has 88 children between
the ages of 5 and 15 years, and for their instruction five teachers
are employed. There is annually raised by tax in the town the
sum of about .+1.-KI0 for the schools: about ^ISo are expended
in carrying pupils to and from school, and the total amount paid
each year for all school purposes is about .$1,800. Hampden
receives annually nearly $500 of the public school moneys.
Soon after 1840 a number of public spirited men in tliis part
of Wilbraham perfected a plan for the establishment of a school
of higher ^rade than that attained under the town system, and
to that end they devoted their enei-gies until old Hampden ;iead-
emy was founded in 1S44. The moneys necessary for this insti-
tution were raised l)y popular subscrii)tion and almost wholly
within what now is Hampden. The school was opened with
George Brooks in charge and soon found favor with the towns-
folk, drawing pupils from the Noi'th Wilbraham locality and
also from adjoining towns on the east and west. In the course
of time, however, the increasing efficiency of the public schools,
with granunar and high schools as provided for by law, worked
( 553 )
Oih' COV.STY .LXn ITS PEOPLE
ndversely "to the intfit'sls of the private iiistitiitii)ii ami led to
its abandoiinieiit ; Imt it survived many otliers of its class aud
was niaiiitaiiied until within a comparatively recent period. The
instuctors following principal Brooks were E. J. Howe, Charles
]\Iarsh, ilr. Bliss. Alonzo B. Newell aud i)erliai)s others.
C7n(rc7ifs. — The Congegational church— the mother church
— in South Wilbraham and Hampden, had its inception in the
primitive meetiuirs held at the houses of the settlers in this part
of the town soon after the pioneers entered into the region. In
the course of a few more years the inhabitants sought to establish
regular preaching services, but the people of the northern local-
Congi'egational Clnirch, Hanipdeii
ity wiiuld not consent to a separatimi i'roiu the old church. At
las! in ITS'J the South parish was duly constituted, and imme-
diately tlicreafter an informal' society for worship was formed;
a i)]ain, rough meeting house was erected in 1783, and in 1785
the church organization was perfected. For the next three years
the cliurdi had no settled pastor, the first regular incumbent of
that ottice having been Rev. Moses AVarren, whose service began
September 3, 1788, at which time there were 62 communicating
members, '^]v. "Warren's connection with the pa.storate contin-
ued until his death, February 19, 18'2!). and constituted a mem-
{ 554 )
THE 7'Oir.V OF HAMPDEN
orable period in the history of the ehuroli. Tlie later pastoi's
were Lucius W. Clark, installed December 9, 1829; James A.
Hazen, January 30, 1839; Hubbard Beebe, April 19, 1848;. E.
S. Skinner, May 19, 1853; James C. Houghton, 1855: John
AVhitehill. 1861: Edward B. Chamberlain, 1868; E. P. Root,
1876; Edward A. Chase, May 28, 1884. Mr. Chase was the au-
thorized historian of the church and delivered the address at the
centennial celebration, November 18, 1885. The address has
recently been published and widely circulated throughout the
town, hence a more detailed narrative history of the old South
^
B;i|itist Clmi'cli
]iarish church is unnecessary in this chapter. In tlie history of
the town and locality the church has always exercised an in-
fluence for good, has furnished strength to other religious so-
cieties, and .vet has i-etained a substantial membership. In 1834
the old meetini: house was removed from its original location to
the present site, and in the winter of 1868-9 the edifice was
thoroughly remodeled at a cost of $3,000. Later material re-
pairs were made in 1883.
The Methodist Episcopal 'church and society in South WW-
braham and Hampden dates its history from the year 1830, when
( 555 )
OiR COIMY AXD ITS PEOPLE
the class was resolved into an organized religious body, with a
considerable memljersiii]) drawn largely from the mother Con-
gregational churc-li an<l to a less extent from the ]Methodist ele-
ment of population which then had become settled in the locality.
Soon afterward a house of worshij) was erected, and fi-oin that
time Methodism has been a controlling factor in the religious
history of the town. The local chuich has a large membership
iind is constantly increasing in streniith and usefulness. The
present pastor is Rev. A. "W. Baird.
A Baptist society and chui-ch was organized in South Wil-
braham in 185.5, and drew its original membership' from the
church of the same denomination in ]\lonson, which about tluit
time was dissolved. A house of worship was erected and from
that time the history of the new church has been continuous and
progressive. The i)resent pastoi' is Rev. John Cameron.
The two cemeteries of Hampden were laid out, respectively,
in 1755 and 1876, the older being located about a quarter of a
mile from the center of the town, and comprising between two
and three acres of land. The new cemetery is just outside the
village proper, on the Stafford road. Both are under charge of
town cemetery commissioners.
Past and Preset /.—During the period of its histoiy. South
Wilbraliam and Hampden have produced a full quota of men
of brains and substance. In our reminiscences of pioneer days
in the South parish allusion is made to the men who prepared
tlie way, for the subsequent prosperity of the town in
all branches of domestic life, and it is our purpose now to
mention the names of other townsmen, who during the last half
century have been ])rominent factoi-s in accomplishing results,
but none of whom ai'c now living.
First there may be recalled William Vyne Sessions, farmer,
manufacturer, many years justice of the peace, representative
to the general court, and county commissioner one tenn. Sumner
Sessions, brother of AVilliam V.. was one of the foremost men
of his day. liberal and i)ublic spirited, builder of the first woolen
mill tli;il lii(>ui:lit large business interests to the town; a farmer
.aiul owiuM- of saw mill and other enterprises. "Squire'" Beebe
( 556 )
THE TO^y^' of hampden
was the local lawyer, the legal advisor of the townspeople;
himself not specially prominent in Hampden county legal
circles, but the father of several sons who achieved fame either
here or in other localities. Junius Beehe, the eldest son, went to
Ohio and became wealthy; Lucius became a southern cotton
dealer and gained a fortune ; Decins and Cyrus likewise attained
prominence, the former dying in Hampden; ^Marcus was the
plow manufacturer, of whom mention has been made. Eleazer
Scripter was one of the founders of the woolen industry here,
a trial justice and man of affairs in the town for years. Luther
E. Sage was another conspicuous figure in manufacturing circle,
himself the builder of a large woolen mill and a valuable factor
in town history.
Solomon C. Spellman was an early merchant, a prominent
old-time democrat, trial jiistice and justice of the peace, town
representative, deputy sheriff' and at one time special county
commissioner. He eventually removed to Springfield, but died
in Hampden. Charles C. Spellman, now of the Springfield bar,
is a son of the late Solomon C. Spellman. William P. Spellman,
brother of Solomon C, and his partner in business, was for many
years a prominent character in local history; was frequently
elected to town office and represented the town in the legislature.
He was a whig of the Fillmore stripe. Abner C. Burleigh came
into the town from ]\Ionson and began his cai'eer as a farm hand,
but later on he became a prosperous man and thrifty farmer.
Sullivan U. Stanton was a pi'ominent farmer and took an active
part in town affairs; was postmaster, town clerk, assessor and
selectmen.
F. K. Tyathi-o]) was a stalije-keeper here years ago, and also
was a factor in local politics |)revious to his removal to Spring-
field. Ralph S. and Silas W. Chaiiin are remembered as sub-
stantial farmers and model citizens of quiet life and liahits,
rather than as active figures in town affairs. John W. Langdou
— " Deacon" Langdon, as best known — was specially prominent
in the churcli and moderately so in public matters. He once
represented the town as the successful candidate of the know-
nothing i)arty. Carson K. Cone was a successful farmer. Walter
' ( 557 )
Oi'li COL STY AM) ITS FEOTLE
Hitchcock was a farmer, school commissioner, assessor aud town
representative.
Mention also is due to Levi Hitchcock, who died in Spring-
field; Isaac W. Leach, a successful man who accumulated a large
property; John R. West, carpenter and contractor, builder of
two of the lariTe mill structures; James Stanton, carpenter, who
removed to ^Minnesota : Beriah and Levi Smith, the former a
farmer and the latter a cloth dresser and proprietor of a carding
machine: Robert Sessions, junior, farmer, founder of the ileth-
odist PIpi.spocal church in the town, and father of H. M. and
Robert 0. Sessions, of Brookfield; James L. Fui'man; Deacon
John B. ]Morris. brother of Oliver B. IMorris of Springfield, a
man of information and influence, a whig and later an ardent
republican : Drs. ;\larcius Cady aud Abial Bottom, practicing
physicians hi^re and men of note in the town ; Loren Stacy, a
well-to-do faruier; A. 0. Thi'esher. who built kilns and made
charcoal here for the Hazard Powder company.
Among the more prominent characters in Hampden history
to-day, we may mention the names of Sumner Smith, the mer-
chant, who came to the mills here in the capacity of superintend-
ent ; Lyman Smith, an excellent citizen and prominent man ;
INfortimer Pease, whose name we have frequently noted ; Dr.
Ballard, present chaii'mau of the l)oard of selectmen and for
years one of its members : iMoses H. Warren ; Lucius A. Burleigh,
farmer: Charles H. and Chai'les L Bui-leigh: E. H. Temple:
Nelson ]M. Carew, eight years selectman; John N. Isham, a
prominent and successful farmer; William J. Sessions, one of
the largest taxpayers in the town, son of William R. Sessions,
the latter a native of this town, now residing in Springfield, aud
for twelve years secretary of the state board of agriculture;
William Leach, the highway connnissioner; David R. IMcCray.
a jirominent farmer aud former selectman : Patrick E. Wall,
once first selectman and a manufacturer; F. W. Dickinson, one
of the first board of selectmen in 1S78: John Bartlett. a success-
fvil farmer and the only remaining tol)ncco grower in the town:
Matthias Casey, merchant and postmaster: John Keuworthy,
the manufacturer and former selectman: John Q. Adams, town
clerk, and many others.
( 558 )
ATTENDIX
And they assembled all the congregation together, and they
declared their pedigrees, after their families by the home of their
fathers. — lumbers 1 : 18.
Now wlien William had come into Yarrow he sent forth
men into all his domains to gather into one volume the names
of all those in the land, showing their kinship among them
selves, their intermarriages, dates covering births and deaths,
and times of those given in wedlock. This did he not alone for
himself and his own day and period, but tliat posterity might
l;now of a certainty concerning those who had gone l)efore them.
And the list made a noble and goodly array in a l)Mlky volume.
— Hume's Uintory of England.
Appendix
WiLLAuii, Justice. Springfield. Mass., was
the sixth in descent from Major Simon
Willard. who was born at Iloismondon,
England, in lOO.j, came to America in H)34,
and was one of the founders of Concord,
Mass. He was a member of the Massachu-
setts general court, and commander of a
regiment of colonial troops in the early
Indian wars. The line of descent i-s as fol-
lows : (1) Major Simon Willard. (!') Jon-
athan, (3) Jonathan, (4) Lianiel, (5) Ruel,
(6) Justice. Justice Willard was born iu
Greenfield. Mass.. April J. 1700. son of
Ruel and Margaret (daughter of Samuel
Wells, of Greenfield, Mass. i Willard. He
was educated at New Salem academy and
at Dartmouth college, from the latter of
which he was graduated in 1811. He read
law at Albany, N. Y., and Greenfield, Mass.,
and after admission to the bar began prac-
tice of Ills profession at Springfield, Mass..
in 1814. He was collector of internal rev-
enue after the war ot lS12-l."i. publishir
and editor of the Hampden I'atriot about
five years, member of the general court in
1823, and of the state senate in 1825 ;
served as register ol probate from 18L*7 to
1850, was actuary of the Springfield Mu
luai Fire Insurance (^c and was an active
parlicipant in the promotion and buitdin.g
of the Western railroad and was a member
of the fiii-t board of directois thereof. Ir.
his public and pi-ivate life h-^ bore an un-
sullied reputation, and was one ot the
prominent factors in the uplniilding and
development of the city of Springfield. In
1810 he was married to Sally Lyman Bry-
ant, daughter of Capt. John Bryant, of
Springfield. Their family of children num-
bered nine — two sons and seven daughters
— ot whom the following are now living:
Charlotte Willard. of Springfield: .Mason
Willard of Longmeadow ; and Lt. Col. Wells
wailard. of the United States army. Mr.
Willard died in Springfield. April 11, lS(i4.
Kick, John Lovkli., Springfield, Mass,,
was born in Wcathersfield, Vt., I'ebniary 1.
1840, son of Lysander Mason and ("larlnda
Whllmore a'phani) Ulce. He was educated
in the common schools of his native town
and at Kimball union academy. Meriden,
X. H. He has been twice married : first, to
Marion Virginia Chellis, of Cornish. N. H.,
on January 8, 18t;7 : she died October 30,
1873, without issue. He was married, sec-
ond, to Clara Elizabeth Galpin, of Spring-
field, Mass.. October 2. 1870. Their chil-
dren are Allen Galpin Rice, liorn July 20,
1880 : Elizabeth Banlts Rice, born September
10, 1881 ; and Ellen Birnie Rice, born
April 11, 1883. John L. Rice Is the ninth
in descent from Edmund Rice (1). who was
born in Barlihamstead. England, in 1594.
lie came to America and settled in Sud-
bury, Mass., in 1038, sharing in the original
division ot land in that town. A wife and
seven children accompanied him from Eng-
land. Four of their children were born
later. His residence in Sudbury was on
the easterly side of Sudbury river, in the
southerly part of what is now Wayland.
He was a selectman in 1044. and also in
subseciuent years; deacon of the church in
1()48 and one ot thirteen to petition the
General Court for a new plantation, which
petition was granted jind the plantation
incorjiorated :is Marlborough, whitlier he
removed In ItJOO, sharing in the first divis-
ion of lands in that town. His English
wife, Tamazine. died In Sudbury. June 13,
l(w4. On March 1. 1i;.").".. he married Mer-
cie. widow of Thomas Brigham, of Cam-
bridge, Mass.. tlie progenitor of the New
England Brighams. He died in Marlbor-
ough, May 3. I(i03, and was burled at Sud-
bury: his widow, Mercle. married William
Hunt, ot Marlborough. In ll!li4, and died
I)e<eml)er 28, 1(103. Edward Rice (2), sec-
ond son of Kdnuind. was born In England
in IfilO. and liied In Marlborough. .Mass.,
August l.'i, 1712. Daniel Rice (31. third
son of Edward, was born November 8, 111(15,
In Sudbury, .Mass.. and died In Marlborough.
Mass.. December 8, 1721. Daniel Rice 2d
(4), first son of Daniel, was born In Marl-
borough. Mass.. June 3, 1)184, anil died In
Shrewsbury, Mass., In \''M. Jaliez Ulce
(51. sixth son of Daniel 2d. was born April
aG-3
( 561 )
APPENDIX
7. I";;"; no record of his dealh. but it oc-
curred later tliiin 1782. Steplieii Klce (6).
fourth son of Jabez. was born lu Marlbor-
ough, Mass.. June S. 1702, and died In
Reading. Vt. (whither he removed In 1786).
July 12. 1802. Uaven Klce (7). first son
of Stephen, was born in I'etershain. Mass..
October 25. 178(5. and died In West Wind-
sor, Vt., February (i. 18(58. Lysander Mason
Rice tS), (irst son of Haven, was born In
Reading. Vt.. November 11. 1812, and is
still living lu Springfield, Mass.. to which
place he came in 1881). on the death of his
wife In Weathersfield.Vt.. September 26,
1889, the only one of the ancestors who
ever lived in Hampden county. On the
maternal side. John L. Klce Is descended
from John I'pbam (1). who was born in
Somersetshire. Kngland. in 15!)6 : sailed
March 20. lOa.j. with his wife and three
children, from Weymouth. Kngland. and
settled in Weymouth. Mass.. where he was
"admitted a freeman" September 2, 163.5.
In 1648 he removed to Maiden, Mass.. where
he died February 2."), 1681. lie was many
times a meml>er of the General Court, and
a commissioner to treat with the Indians.
He was an active i)loneer in the settlement
of Weymouth. Maiden, and Worcester. He
was married in Kngland to Klizabetli Webb
about 1627: she died about 1670. and in
August. 1671. he married Catharine Hoi-
land, one of the original settlers of Wey-
mouth. No record exists of her death.
Phineas Upliam (2), third son of John, was
born In Weymouth. Mass., in 1636. and died
in Boston, in October. 1676. of wounds re-
ceived at the storming of Fort (^anonicus.
in the King rhillp war. where he was a
lieutenant In the Massachusetts forces.
John I pham (3). third son of Phineas. was
born in .Maiden, Mass.. December 9. 1666.
and died there June 0, 1733. Kzeklel t'p-
ham (4). third son of John, was born in
Maiden. Mass.. in 1700, and died in Stur-
bridge. Mass.. April 21. 1783 : he was a
captain In the provincial army in the
French and Indian war. 17.')5-61. Asa Tp-
ham (.1). third son of Ezeklel. was born In
Sturbrldgo. Mass.. May 18. 1736. and died
in W^athersfield. Vt.. September 13. 1828.
whither he had removed at the close of the
French and Indian war in 1763. Asa Up-
ham 2d (6). second son of Asa, was born
In Sturbridge. Mass., November 26. 1771.
and died in Weathersfield. Vt., July 24.
18."j8. He was the maternal grandfather of
John L. Uice. John Lovell Uice. after leav-
ing school, was engaged as a clerk in a
store in Cornish, N. II., until 1861, when he
enlisted as a private in the 2d N. H. Vols.,
was appointed captain of a company in the
16th Regiment on November 4. 1862, and on
September 20. 1863. was promoted to colo-
nel of the 7.jth U. S. Colored Infantry. He
was severely wounded, being shot through
the lungs at the first Bull Run battle, and
was reported dead ; funeral ceremonies were
held at his home, and he was deeply
mourned, the meanwhile he was suffering
in LIbby prison until January 3, 1862. In
December of the latter year he was ordered
to Louisiana, sharing in many of the ardu-
ous campaigns in that State, including the
siege of Port Hudson. He returned in
January. 1867. and took up his residence in
Springfield. Mass.. where he has since lived.
.Vfter being engaged in business for six
years, he served two years as inspector of
customs in Boston, devoting his spare time
to reading law and was admitted to the bar
on April 24, 1876. and has been in practice
in Springfield since. He has held many
positions of honor and responsibility and
has been active and prominent in the aflfairs
of the Grand Army of the Republic and the
Military Order of the Loyal Legion.
r;.\LBKAiTH, Sayward. p. o. Springfield,
Mass.. son of Frederick W. and Abbie (Say-
ward) Galbraith, was bom in Benecia, Cal-
ifornia. March 6. 1870. He came to Hamp-
den county with his mother and three
brothers in November. 1884. On May 23,
1894, he married Esther Frances Towne.
One child has been born of this union,
Helen, on June 9. 1897. Mr. Gaibraith's
first American ancestor was Jonas Clark,
the famous elder of Cambridge church,
where the records show him to have been
In 1642. He married July 30, 1650, and
died in 1699. aged eighty years. Jonas' son
Thomas was born in 1652. and died in
1704. He was made second minister of
Chelmsford. Mass.. October 17. 1676. The
records state : "Mr. Thomas Clark, minis-
ter, being seven weeks In the army at Nar-
ragansett and ofladating at the request of
the commander-in-chief during that time,
the (General) Court judgeth It meet to
grant him six pounds money to be paid by
the Treasurer." Thomas was graduated
from Harvard in 1670. By his wife. Mary,
( 562 )
APPENDIX
who died in 1700. he had four children :
Jonas, Thomas 2d. Elizabeth and Lucy.
Thomas 2d had a son, Thomas 3d, who mar-
ried Lydia Fletcher, and they had twelve
children: Thomas 3d, died June 9, 1823,
aged eighty years. Oliver, one of Thomas
3d's children, married Anna Huse, of Meth-
uen. She died in 1S15, leaving four
daughters, the second of whom. Elizabeth,
born in ISIO, married John S. S.iyward,
born in Xewburyport in 1S05, of Bangor,
Me. Abbie. daughter of John S. and Eliz-
abeth Sayward. was born at Bangor. Me.,
in 1845, married April 16, 1867, to Fred-
eric W. Galbraith. at Augusta. Me. Their
children are tour : Sayward. born March
6, 1870, at Benecia, California : Frederic
W., jr., born May 6, 1874, at Watertown,
Mass. ; John Sayward. born September 22,
1875. at Boxford, Mass. ; Archibald V.,
born September 20. 1877, at Boxford. Mass.
Frissell, George Xewtox, p. o. Hol-
yoke. Mass., was born in Peru, Berkshire
county, March 2G, 1847, son of Emerson
Scott and Sarah A. (Granger) Frissell.
He came to Holyoke in 18S0 as manager
for the J. S. Carr baking company, in whose
employ he remained until May 1. 1892,
when he engaged with Glenville C. Frissell.
as manager in his baking and ice cream
manufacturing business. In this position
he remained until July 1. 1901. when, with
William li. Frasier, he purchased the en-
tire interest of Glenville 0. Frissell and the
new firm is doing a very satisfactory busi-
ness. In 1873 Mr. Frissell married EIUi
A. Boutwell of Xorthampton, Mass. They
have three children, Ethel Louise, Laurence
Emerson and Bessie Irene Frissell. Ethel
Louise, on October 5. 1897. married J. Wil-
liam Carlson, of Arlington. New Jersey.
Bates. Everett Al.ixson, M. I), p. o.
Springfield. Mass.. was born in Daniel.son-
Tille( now Danielson). Conn.. September 14.
1860. He is descended from Clement Bates
and Anna, his wife. who. both at the age of
forty years, embarked at London for Xew
England, April 6, 1635, in the ship "Eliz-
abeth," and settled in Hingham. Mass.. In
September, 1635. His ancient dwelling
house was later known as the "Anchor
Tavern." The ancestors of Clement can
1)6 traced back five generations to 1485, in
Lydd, Parish of All Hallows. England, the
name then being Bate. Clement died In
Hingham, September 17, 1671, aged seven-
ty-six years. His brothers, Edward settled
at Weymouth, Mass.. and James at Dor-
chester, Mass. On the maternal side he Is
descended from William and Abigail Car-
penter, who settled in Reliobotb in 1638,
and whose ancestry in England is trace-
able back to 1300. Everett -\lanson Bates
was graduated from Yale in 1SS6 with the
degree of A. B.. and received his degree of
M. D. at the Harvard Medical school. On
July 25. 1900, he was married to Ellen
lUith Bowen. They have one child, Eliza-
beth Bates, born May 30. 1901. Dr. Bates
settled in Springfield. March 28. 1892.
CH.vpi-V, WiLLi.iM H0R.1.CE. p. o. Spring-
field. Mass.. is a direct descendant of Dea-
con Samuel Chapin (see the Chapin Gene-
alogy for complete details.) William
Horace Chapin married first. Miss Fannie
L. Stebbins. daughter of the late John B.
Stebbins. of Hampden county. They were
the parents of one daughter. Frances A. ;
he married, second. Miss Grace F. Ordway,
of Arlington, Massachusetts, by whom he
has had one son, Samuel Burnham.
Meekins. Emory (deceased), was born
November 1, 1837. in Conway, Mass.. son
of Truman and Polly (Packard) Meeklns.
Until he was fourteen years of age he lived
in Conway, attending school and doing a
boy's work on the farm. .Xt that time his
parents removed to Greenfield. .Mass.. where
he completed his schooling, and at the age
of seventeen entered the general store of T.
II. Root. In Greenfield, where he remained
until 1860. undergoing the hard appren-
ticeship of a clerk in a country store, but
showing such aptitude and business ability
that he was constantly promoted and won
the confidence and esteem of Ills employer.
January 1. 1S60. he removed to Springfield
and was employed In the store of A. F.
Williams, and later in that of Tlnkham &
Co. While In the employ of the latter
firm he enlisted In Co. A, 40th Regiment
Mass. Vols., and served a year In the field,
returning to his clerkship with Tlnkham &
Co., with whom he was soon taken Into
partnership : which connection existed until
March 15. 1875, when he formed a part-
nership with A. A. Packard — laying the
foundation of the later prominent and well-
known mercantile house of Meeklns. Pack-
ard & Wheat. Mr. Meeklns was n member
of the board of trustees of the Springfield
Institution for Savings, and n director In
( 563 )
APPEXDIX
the Mutual I'Ire Insurance Co. ; also a mem-
ber of the E. K. Wlkox Grand Army I'ost
and of the Nayasset and Wlnthroi) clubs.
lie was deeply Interested In religious work
In connection with the South church, and
was a trustworthy friend and upriKht citi-
zen, unostentatiously charitable and ciuletly
but Interestedly active In all measures lend-
ing to the public good. Mr. Meeklns was
married October 1. 1.SC7. to Sarah L.. daugh-
ter of Joseph Clark and Lucretla Colton
I'arsons, who .survives him, with one daugh-
ter. Grace I'arsons Meeklns. Mr. Meeklns
died May 19, 1900.
Dickinson. Fbaxcke \V.\i.nBN, p. o.
Springfield. Mass.. was born In Springlield.
April 19. 1S49. son of Klljah Walden
and Mary Abbott (Crossett) Dickinson.
Uls father was a native of lladley. Mass..
and his mother of .Northampton, Mass. ;
they came to Springfield In 1.S40. Francke
AV. Dickinson was educated in the public
and private schools of Springlield. and Is
well known as a funeral director. Un Jan-
wary 16. 1S":{. he was married to Katie
May Allgood. They have had three children
as follows : Kmma Allgood. died at the
age of ten years : Kthel May. now wife of
Kdward \V. Heattle. jr. : and Henry Walden
Dickinson, who died at the age of twenty
years. Mr. Dickinson has been a member
of the common council three years and its
president one year, president of the board
of trade one year, and is past grand regent
of the grand council. Koyal Arcanum,
of Massachusetts. He Is an ex-presldent of
the New Kngland Indertakers' association.
of the Massachusetts Vndertakers' assocla-
assoclatlon.
KiiiKH.VM. GlY. p. o. Springfield. Mass..
was born In Springfield. Mass.. Nov. 14.
l.'i(!4. son of William and Harriet (daughter
of Charles MerriamI KIrkham. William
KIrkham was a native of Newlngton. Conn.,
where the family were among the pioneers.
He learned the jewelers trade and came to
Springfield about 1S4S. where he was a
leading jeweler until his death In 1S71.
Guy KIrkham attended the public schools
of Springfield and St. Taul's school. Con-
cord. N. H . and look the three-years' course
In architecture at the Massachusetts Insti-
tute of Technology. Boston. 1S.S3-G. From
IKSt) to ISSS he was in the office of (Jilbert
& Taylor, architects. St. Paul. Minn., and
from ISSS to 1S90 In the olhce of Itenwlck.
Asplnwall & Uussell. architects, New York ;
all men of marked ability, eminent In their
profession. In 1S90 he came to Springfield
and was for a time in the office of Gardner.
I'yne & Gardner. In 1890-91 he went to
Kuroiie to prosecute his studies In Paris,
Uonie and Florence, and in ISOii returned
to Springfield and established his present
practice. lie was the architect of Wesleyan
academy gymnasium at Wiibraham. the
Home for the Friendless building on William
street, the Home for Aged Women. Chestnut
street, the William street public school, the
Smith A; Wesson offices, and numerous pri-
vate residences. In 1892 he married Grace
Freeman, daughter of George Dwight. jr.
They have one son. Philip Leffingwell. and
two daughters. L><trothy Dwight and Har-
riet Merriam.
Maiish. DiXiEL J., of Springfield, was
the Son of Michael Marsh U>orn In Hart-
ford. 1790. died in West Springfield, In
1847). who in 1840 came up the Connecti-
cut river from Hartford with his family
and effects In a fiatboat and settled in West
Springfield. In 1846 he was elected town
clerk and served in that capacity until his
death. His wife, whom he married, Janu-
ary 2S. 1828. was Catherine Allyn. daughter
of Col. Job Allyn. and a descendant in the
sixth generation of Matthew Allyn. of Hart-
ford. Tracing his ancestry still farther,
Daniel J. Marsh Is descended from John
Marsh (born in 1G18. died in 1688 1, who
emigrated from Branktry (now Braintree),
Essex county. England, in the early part
of the seventeenth century and settled in
New England. He subsequently removed
!o Hartford with Gov. John Webster and
Uev. Thomas Hooker. He married Anne,
daughter of Gov Webster. In 1642. Mich-
ael Marsh was the son of John and Susan
Bunce. the son of Capt. Hezekiah and Chris-
tian Edwards, the son of Capt. John and
Elizabeth Pitkins. the son of John and
Sarah Lyman, the son of John, the latter
the immigrant and ancestor of the family in
America. Harriet M. Gay, wife of Daniel
Jay Marsh, is a daughter of Noah D. Gay
and Mary Pomeroy Gay. the former being
a descendant In the sixth generation of
John Gay. who settled In Dedham in 1630.
The children of Daniel Jay and Harriet;
(Gay I .Marsh are Henry Daniel (born
March 6. 186.-.. married. March 16. 1896.
Anna F. I.illis. born .\ngust 22. 1873. died
( 564
APPENDIX
April 28. ISOS : children. .Tolin Atlierton aud
Harriet romeroy Marsli). and Oliver Ailyn
(born October 1."). 18(16, married Anna R.
Dwight : cliiidren. Elsie Dwiglit. Allyu Jay
and Caroline Marsh).
Haniel J. Marsh, treasurer of the .Spring-
field Five Cents Savings hauls of Spring-
field, was born at Hartford. Conn.. July
i:Tth. 1S37. in the year of the great finan-
cial panic. He completed his education at
the Wilbraham academy. He .started bus-
iness as a druggist clerk and afterward
was bookkeeper in a dry-goods store. In
1836 he went to St. Louis, where for three
years he was clerk and assistant paymaster
of the Northern Missouri railroad. He ran
the first passenger train as conductor from
St. Charles to St. Louis. After the com-
pletion of these two roads he returned to
Springfield to take a position in the Five
Cents Savings bank, where he has remained
ever since, being elected treasurer in 18.39.
Soon after the civil war broke out. Mr.
Marsh started a drill club which sent many
officers into the field. In 1862 this club
voted to enlist for nine months as Co. A.
46th Keg. M. 'S'. M. Mr. Marsh was ap-
pointed orderly sergeant and later lieuten-
ant on staff duty. The regiment was sent
to North Carolina, with headquai'ters at
Xewburn. where he was aid-de-camp aud
assistant adjutant general to Gen. Horace
C. Lee. He also served on the staffs of
Gen. John A. t)ix and Gen. Jolin G. Foster.
On the breaking up of the brigade l)y orders
from Washington, he was sent to North
Carolina with directions to take all tlie
convalescents from the different hospitals,
in all about 1.500 men, to their northern
homes. On his return after eleven months*
service, he resumed his old place in the
bank. Mr. Marsh has served as a director
of the Second National hank, from which
position he resigned in 1S!>1. and also as
councilman in the city government In IST.-i.
He was appointed on the park commission
In 188.">, and has been president of the com-
mi.ssion since 1886 : and upon him has prac-
tically devolved the burden of the develop-
ing of Forest park, which has few equals
in the country. He was treasurer of Hamp-
den Park association in ISVI-IST."! inclusive,
during which period some of its most suc-
cessful meetings were held. He Is also a
member of the N'ayasset club. Loyal legion
and the Wilcox Post. G. A. R.
Barney, Evekktt Hosmer. is a native of
Saxonville (Framingham), Mass., born De-
cember 7. 18.'!."!. son of Jarius S. and Har-
riet (Hosmer) Harney. On his father's
side he is a desceudaut in the seventh gen-
eration of Jacob Barney, who settled in the
Salem colony in 1634 : and on the maternal
side he is a descendant in the seventh gen-
eration of James Hosmer. immigrant (son
of Stephen and Dorothy), born in Hawk-
hurst. Kent county .England, in IGO.j, came
to America in 1634, and died in Concord,
in IGS.'i. Thus, on both sides Mr. Barney
is descended from some of tlie oldest and
best New England stock, and while he him-
self appears to have been the pioneer of his
family in our own Hampden county, his
business life and his unselfish devotion to
all the institutions and public interests of
our city have given him an extended ac-
quaintance throughtout the region.
Brewster, Hexrv JI.. p. o. Springfield,
was born at Northampton. Mass.. January
21, 1841. His fatlier was Jonathan Brew-
ster, born at Worthingtou. .Mass.. and his
motlier was Clarissa Alien, born at North-
ampton. He is in direct line from Elder
William Brewster, of .MayHower fame. On
July 18. 1861, Mr. Brewster enlisted In the
o'th .N. Y. Vols.. was wounded at
Fredericksburg. Va., December 11, 1862:
l)romoted to second lieutenant, first
lieutenant, captain, brevet major, and
resigned .Vugust I, 186,"). In 1884 he
was elected an alderman in Springfield.
He is president and treasurer of E.
Stebbins Mfg. Co. and treasurer ot Mll-
lett Core Oven Co., both of Bright-
wood. Mass. Mr. Brewster came to Hamp-
den county in 1S7S. July 18. At North-
ampton. Mass.. January 21. 1864. he was
married to Clementine S. Tanner, and they
have tlic following clilklreu : Emma Louise.
horn In Washington. 1>. C.. .March 15. I860,
died in New York, July !), 18(i6: Harry
Vincent, born In New York. .\UKUSt 7. 1867.
died in Springfield. January 24. IS'.i:! ; Min-
nie Emma, born In New York. January 31,
18711. married ICdmnnd 1". Miirsh. .\prll 8.
18!l(i. to whom was liorn one snn. Brewster.
December 21t. 1H!I6: Frank Edgar, born In
Ilaydenvllie. Mass.. November 12. 1871, died
in Springfield, Septemher 6, 18!>3.
Mi>u<:.VN, Nkwtdn, D. D. S.. p. o. Spring
field. Is descended on his paternal side from
Miles Morgan, the first setllor of Ihnt fum-
( 565 )
AFPEXDIX
lly in Hampden county. Xatbau Moiyan,
anolber ancestor, was a soldier In the Uev-
olutlonary army. On the maternal side. Mr.
Jlorgan Is descended from lienjamln Coolt-y
and Abel Cooley. the former having been
one of the early immigrants to America
and who died in 1G84 ; the latter having
been a first lieutenant In the Itevolutionary
army. Newton Morgan was born in West
Springfield. Mass., on the tv.ontyfifth of
October. 1S40 ; was educated in Uie public
schools and later In the Springfield I^ngiish
and Classical Institute and the Academy at
WeslDeid. He is a graduate of the I'hil
adeiphla Dental College, class of l(*<;ti-i;!).
On June 23. 1870, Mr. Morgan married
Esther J. Loomls. of Westfield. and they
have the following children : Mabel Anita,
born January 1'.), 1873; and Harold Loomis.
born December 4. 1875. Mr. Morgan resides
at 7 Lincoln street.
Ci>AKK, JAMF..S H., p. 0. Springfield, Mass.,
was born in New Hartford, Conn., on the
third of December, 1S4S. His father was
Lewis, a biaclssmith. born at Farmington,
Conn,, on the second of October, 1814; he
enlisted in Co. H. 104th Regt. N. Y. Vols, on
on the thirteenth of February, ISfil!, and
was honorably discharged March i:'.. 1803.
Lewis Clark's wife, the mother of James
n..was descended from Governor Webster,
of Connecticut. The other direi't Ciari; an-
cestors in America were James, a blacii
smith, the father of Lewis, born at Walling-
ford. Conn.. 1768. died at .Sand Lal;e. N. Y..
January 12. 1863 ; James Ward, a biacii-
smith. father of James, born at Walling-
ford. Conn.. 17(;."), died at Sand Lake. N. \'.,
March 7, 1841. was a soldier in the Con-
necticut Continental Army and received a
pension; Daniel, a sea captain, the father
of James Ward, was born at Wallingford.
Conn. .February 7, 1712, and died in the
same place August 17, 1774 ; Kbcuczcr. a
farmer, father of Daniel, was born in .\ew
Haven, Conn., November 20, 16.11, and died
at Wallingford, April 30, 1721, having been
one of the first settlers of Wallingford ;
James, father of F.benezer, was the first
American settler of the Clark family. He
signed the "Fundamental Agreement" at
the first settlement of New Haven and had
his "home lot" in the "sul)urbs quarter," on
the further side of the creek. This James
came from Fngland, and v»ms probably born
In Welles. James H. Clark, the subject of
Ihis sketch, was married July IG. 1873, to
.\nna J. Stebbins. Their children have been
as follows: Walter H., born December 25,
1875 : Harry Leroy, born December 0, 1880,
and died August 15, 1883 ; and Natalie,
born April l!l, 1885.
liR.iGG. Fbi;derick a.. D. D. S.. p. o.
Springfield, was born in Mllford, Mass..
October 1,3, 1852. and was educated .it th;>
Dean Academy. Franklin, Mass., and for
thirty years has been one of the leading
dentists of Hampden county. He married,
first, Ida E. Dudley, of which union two
children were born : M.iLel E.. wife of
.\rlliur Green, of Westfield. and Dr. Henrv
Willard. of Boston; and married, second,
Annie S. Keed. Of this branch of the
Bnig-g family, Ariel was the first to come
to America, having settled in Wrenth.im,
Mass.. in ] G50. Frederick A. Draggs great-
grandfather was a private in the battle of
Hunker Hill, where he was killed. His
grandfather was Col. Arial Bragg, who was
a n. ember of ilie first board of selectmen of
the town of Mllford. Mass. His father
manufactured shoes in Milford. having con-
tinued the business established by Col. Arial
Urag? in 1790. which business was success
fully conducted by the father and son for
over one hundred years. Dr. Bragg is a
brcther <f Judge Henry W. Bragg of Boston.
ESTABROOK; GFORGE KOWLAND. p. O.
Si)ringfield. was born at Hubbardston, Mass..
Octoiier !(. 1850. He was educated In the
Worcester public schools and the Worcester
Institute of Teclinology. graduating from
the latter institution in 1877. May 10,
1860, Mr. Estabrook married Mary Louise
Warren. They have had two children :
Ituth. born in 1887, died in infancy, aged
six months : and Louise Warren, born in
ISSO, ^H■. Esiabrook settled in Hampden
county in 1878. and has lived at 34 Avon
Place since 1892.
Chai'IX. Edward Tlixv. p. o. Spring-
field, is a lineal descendant of Samuel
Chapin. who took the freemen's oath in
Boston. June 2. 1G41, and came to what Is
now Hampden county in 1G42, He died
November 11. 1G75. His wife. Cisily. died
February S. 1GS3. These descendants then
followed: Japhet. born 1G42. died 1712;
John, born May 14. 1674. died January 1.
1750: Stephen, born May 20. 1718; Pliny,
iKirn July. 1764. died June 2. 1810; Pliny,
born May 12, 1810, died May 13, 1881 ; Ed-
( 5G6 )
APPENDIX
ward Pliny, our subject, born in Chicopee.
then Springfield. October 7, 1839. He was
educated in the public schools, married
Edna Harriet Kibbe on the sixth ot June,
IStiS. To this union have been born the fol-
lowing children : Emily Harriet, born April
17. 1867; James Edward, born October 30,
1SG9; Ida Pearl, born July 11, 1873, and
Horace Kibbe. born November 7, 1875.
BcsH, Gilbert Aldex, Springfield, Mass.,
was born in Enfield, Conn., June 7, 1819,
son ot Kut'us Bush, Jr. and his wife Sally
(AUin) Bush. He is descended from Jona-
than (1), born in 1650, died in 1739 in
Enfield, Conn. Jonathan (2), born in 1681
in Springfield, Mass., died in 1746 in En-
field, Conn. Aaron (3), born in 1717 in
Enfield, and died there in 1805. Rufus, sr.,
(41 born in Enfield in 1754, and died there
in 1840. Rufus, .ir. |5), born in Enfield in
1784, died in Springfield in 1862. Gilbert
Alden (6j, born in Enfield in 1819. Jona-
than, the first ancestor of whom there is
record, came to Springfield in 1678, where
he took the oath of allegiance the same
year- ; in 1680 he emigrated to Enfield,
Conn., becoming one of its earliest perma-
nent settlers. All his children, except the
oldest son. were born there. Kufus Bush,
sr.. great-grandson of the first Jonathan,
was a soldier during the Revolutionary
war — 1775 to 1778 — serving about two
years in all. and received a pension from
the United States government. His wife.
Huldah Alden. was a great-great-great-
granddaughter of John and Priscilla Alden.
of Mayflower fame ; therefore, the descend-
ants of Rufus Bush, sr.. are also direct
descendants of "John and I'riscilla." Gil-
bert Alden Bush received a common school
education and is a gunsmith by trade. He
was married on April 16. 1847, to Euphra-
sia M. Cooper, of Springfield. Their chil-
dren are Florence E., unmarried, and M.
Alice, married, with no children.
RoADSTii.iND, Alice M.^ude (Noble), p. o.
Springfield. Mass., was born in Westfleld,
Mass., February 20. 1861. Her parents
were Henry S. and Augusta W. (Brooks)
Noble. On December 31, 1885, she was
married to Charles J. Roadstrand. Her
brother. Harris Wells Noble, of Feeding
Hills, Mass., was born at West Suflield,
Conn., January 26, 1870, and was married
to Emma Nelson on October 8, 1891. Their
children are Walter Anthony Noble, born
May 27, 1802, at Spokane, Wash., and Fay
Albert Noble, born January 9, 1894, at
West Suftield, Conn. Among the early set-
tlers to whom Mrs. Roadstrand can trace
her ancestry on both sides are the follow-
ing : Christopher Avery and his only son,
James, came to America in 1630 and in
1649 James became a resident ot New
London, Conn. In 1656 he built a house
in what is at present Groton, Conn., and
was known as Captain James Avery ot
Groton. Fie was born in 1020 in England
and was married on November 10, 1643, to
Joanna Greenslade — Robert Allyn, born in
16U8, came to Salem, Mass., in 1637, and re-
moved to New London, Conn., in 1651, and
a few years later to Allyu's Point, now Led-
.vard. Conn. ; his wife's name cannot be
recalled ; he died in 1683. Thomas Noble,
of Boston, removed to Springfield in 1653,
an early settler of Westfield. He was mar-
ried November 1, 1660, to Hannah Warri-
ner. born August 17, 1043, in Springfield,
Mass. Thomas, died January 20. 1704.
Peter Brooks, born in Upton. Mass., June
23, 1803, removed to Westfield, Mass.. about
1850 : married November 29, 1827, to Emily
F. Woodward. He died at Westfield, Octo-
ber 19, 1872.
Shipley, Josei'ii Lucikn, p. o. Spring-
field. Mass., was born in Londonderry, N.
H., March 31, ]83fi. son of John and grand-
son of Amos Shipley. John Shijjley was a
native of Londonderry. N. II.. born April
10. 1809. and his wife was a daughter of
Capt. Joseph Dickey, a soldier in the war
of 1812, and ot Scotch-Irish descent. John
Shipley was a farmer and carpenter, was
a prominent man in his town, holding many
otfices. and serving two terms In the legis-
lature, lie died in January. 1875. and his
wife on April 10, 1886. Joseph L. Ship-
ley attended the common schools, and was
prepare<l for college at Kimball Academy,
Merlden. N. H. : he was graduated from
Yale in 1861. with an excellent record. For
two years he was principal ot Bacon Acad-
emy, at Colchester. Conn., and In 1863,
came to .Springfield as night editor of the
I!e|jubllciin. After three years' service on
this paper in this department, he went to
the Boston Journal, where three years was
spent on the editorial stalT of that paper.
After a year as managing editor of the
Republican at Scranton, I'm., and two years
as editor and half owner of the Register
( 5f,7 )
APPENDIX
and riiroiilcle of Allentowwn. I'll., early In
187*-. lu' weni to Taunton. Mass.. to assume
the mnnacenient of the Gazette, to remain
only till .\uj;ust of the same year, when he
accepted a call to take an editorial position
on the I'nlon at Sprlnglield. which connec-
tion e.vlsted for the next twenty years. In
1S81 he hccame editor and chief owner, and
throuKh his previous and subsequent man
aiiement the Inlon became one of the lead-
Inn Journals In the state. In 18!)^. owlnj;
to failing health, he was forced to dispose
of his Interests In the I'nion. In the fall
of 18!i:{. having regained his health In a
measure, he was elected to the legislature
and re-elected in 1.S'.I4. lie died suddenly
from heart disease on December 17. 1S!)4.
while at home In Sprlnglleld. .Mr. Shipley
was for many years an active member and
for some time one of the deacons of the
First church, a member and vice-president
of the Connecticut Valley Congregational
club, and slate delegate to the Congrega-
tional council in 188(!: he was a member of
the Winlhrop club and of The club, an
organization composed of a limited numljer
of literary men. and was a director of the
Massasoit Taper Manufa<-turing Co. of IIol-
yoke. Mr. Shipley was married on October
4. 1804. to .Margaret 11.. daughter of Capt.
Ilirnm Weeks, of Colchester. Conn.
Baii.kv. I'kteh Sii.viiPK. p. o. Springfield.
Mass.. was born In New York city. May .'il.
1841. a son of William K. and Jane
(Sharpe) Bailey. lie Is descended from
Uenonl Hailey (1). who was born in Bethel.
Conn.. Hi!>7. and died at the age of ninety-
six. S.-imtiei Bailey (2t. a lieulenant in
the Hiih Uegiment of Connecticut in 1776.
Noah Si:irr Bailey (.S). born In Norwalk.
Conn.. In 17i)o. William K. Bailey (4i.
born in Norwalk. Conn.. October HI. 1S17.
Peter S. Bailey (.")). Ills mother's ances-
tors were among the first settlers of Brook-
lyn. N. Y. I'eter SImrpe Bailey was cdu-
catwl In the public s<'hooIs of Brooklyn.
N. Y.. and at New Britain (Conn.), high
school. In September. 1801. he was ap-
pointed first lieutenant in ilie ;;7th Mass.
Inf:tniry and was dlscharge<l as <-aptaln in
January. lS(l."i. On October 1. IStiS. he was
married to I.avina I.. Johnson, of Nashua.
N. H.. who died December 12. 1880. On
June (1. 188.1. he was married to Ida V.
Shapielgh. who was born in Great Falls.
N. II.. June '.I. IS.'i'.t. They liave one son.
George William Bailey, born in Springfield.
May 21. 1884. Mr. Bailey came to Spring-
held in 1858 and has Ijeen treasurer and
secretary of the Hampden Savings bank
for thirty-two years. He is a member of the
military order of the Loyal Legion U. S.,
K. K. Wilcox Post No. 1(5. G. A. II.. was
commander of Springfield commaudery.
Knights Templar four years, and is an hon-
orary member of Hampden lodge. F. &
A. M.
Drxu.\u. Nahim (deceased), was born In
North Brldgewater. Plymouth county. .Mass..
in March. 1S06. son of Ebenezer and Re-
becca (Copeland) Dunbar. Xahum Dunbar
was descended from Robert Dunbar, who
came to America soim after the battle of
Dunbar, where he fought against the forces
of Cromwell, and. according to tradition,
sought safety here. He had a son James,
who took up land in North Bridgewater.
and the farm upon which Nahum Dunbar
was born is a part of the land which had
i>een held in the family name until a few
years :^o. when Emily Dunbar, who Inher-
ited it. married a Mr. Thomson, thus ex-
tinguishing the Dunbar name from its own-
ership. Through his mother. Rebecca
Copeland. Nahum was a lineal descendant
of John Alden and Priscilla Mullins. and
of John Winslow and Mary Chilton, all of
whom came to America on the Mayflower.
Kbenezer Dunbar, father of Nahum. when
a boy of eighteen years, enlisted in the
continental army when the Lexington
alarm reached Bridgewater. and fought In
several of the battles of the revolution.
Col. Lemuel Dunbar, an uncle of Ebenezer.
was commissioned commander of ail the
forces in Massachusetts Bay during the
French and Indian war. as is shown by a
parliamentary commission in possession of
the family. Nahum Dunbar was educated
in Bridgewater and Boston. %vhence he re-
moved to Sprlngtield and engaged In the
pattein-making business with Philos Tyler,
later selling out his share of the trade, but
still continuing in charge of tiie pattern-
making department of the AmerU-an Ma-
chine works. In March, lS:iii. Mr. Dtinbar
was married to Roxana Davis, and their
children were as follows ; Mar,v Austin and
William Frederick, who both died in In-
fancy: Mary Louise Dunl>ar. Edward Mor-
ris Dunbar, who was a physician in Hart-
ford. Conn., and died in 1S70 : Elizabeth
( 568 )
APPENDIX
Anna Dunbar, who was first married to
William S. Jewett. an artist, who died in
187J. and in 1877 she was married to J.
Howard Smith, of California ; and Arthur
Herbert, who died in Forquay, England, in
1872,
Downey, Ch.\rles John, M. D., p. o.
Springfield, Mass., was born in Granville,
Mass., Mareh 23. IStil). son ot'john F. and
Catherine (Loftus) Downe.v. John F. Dow-
ue.v was horn in County Kerry, Ireland, in
1832. and came to America in 184G. De-
cember 25. 1862, he was married in West-
field to Catherine Loftus, who was born in
County Clare, Ireland, in 183,5, and came
to America in 1851. Dr. Charles J. Dow-
ney was educated in the public schools of
Granville, a private high school, and was
graduated from the Westfield State Normal
school and from the I'niversity of Ver-
mont.
SW.\ZI:Y. W.4LTER W,. D. D. S., p, o.
Springfield. Mass.. was born in Springfield
in 18.50, son of George W. Swazey,
M. I)., a native of Exeter, N, H..
and Sarah E. Allen, his wife, a native
of Bath. Me. Dr. George W. Swazey was
the first and for many years the only
homoeopathic physician in this part of the
state, coming to Springfield from Newbury-
port. Mass., where he previously practiced,
in 1844. Dr. Walter W. Swazey is a den-
tist, a graduate of the Philadelphia Dental
college, and has practiced in Springfield
since 1873. In 1877 he was married to
Lydia 1>. Winne, of Albany, X, Y. Their
cliildren are Genevra W.. and Walter W.,
jr.. both born in Springfield.
Dexter, Henriett.i (Wilcox), p. o.
Springfield. Mass.. was born in Springfield,
daughter of Philip and Ezra Parma-
lee Wilcox. Philip Wilcox was a native of
Berlin, Conn., and came to Springfield in
1820. He was descended from Daniel Wil-
cox, one of the founders of Berlin in l<i3r,.
Mrs. Kliza Parmalee Wilcox was born In
Middletown. Conn., and was descended
from .lehu Burr, who came with William
Pvnchon to Springfield in 1030. Jehu Hnrr
was one of the three signers of the original
deed of Springfield. Init soon after coming
here was appointed tax collector for the
king for the Connecticut valley, and moved
to Danbury. Conn.: thence t.i Fairfield.
Conn. Aaron Burr, first president of Prince-
ton college, and Aaron Burr, vice-president
of the I'nited States, were descendants of
Jehu. Henrietta Wilcox was educated in
public and boarding schools and was mar-
ried to Jenness K. Dexter on October li.
1S75. Their children are lOrnest Jenness,
Philip Wilcox and Conrtland Wilcox Dexter.
Warren, Wii.i-iam Ciiai'IN, p. o. Spring-
field, Mass., was born in Wardsboro, Vt.,
Septeml)er 24. 1839, son of Dr. John Parker
and Lucy Maynard (Wheelock) Warren,
Dr. John P. Warren and his wife were both
natives of Wardsiioro ; he was born August
21. 17115. and she September 21). 17'.)8. The
doctor was a well-known and successful
physician in southern Vermont for many
years : he died in Brattleboro. Vt.. Septem-
ber 14, 1878, William Cbapin Warren WMS
educated in the district scliool and at Mon-
son academy, and is a wholesale dealer in
Hour and produce. He was married on
September IS, 1867. to Louise Towne -Fitts.
They have had seven children, four of
whom are now living, viz. : Robert Fltts
Warren, Katharine Louise (Mrs, James P.
Clark). Clifford Parker and Emily Ward.
Mrs. Louise T. Warren is a daughter of
Lewis L. and Emily (Ward) Fitts. Mr.
Fitts was born in Charlton. Mass., Decem-
ber 5, 1813. He was educated in the dis-
trict school and learned the carpenter's
trade, and later that of stair builder and
being for many years the only stair builder
in Western Massachusetts. He settled in
Springfield in 1841, and in 1842 was married
to Emily Ward, of Charlton. They lived
in a hoiise he built on William street until
the land was required for the William street
school house In r.»"i. when he removed to
Pearl street, where he died July 211, 11)01.
At the time of his death he was one of the
oldest residents of the city.
Itc .HERTS, John W.. p. o. Springfield.
.Mass.. was born in Pharsnlla, Chenango
county, N. Y-. October 31, 1862. With his
widowed mother, Mrs, Huldah T. Uoberts.
born In Fenner, X. Y.. March 1. 1836. jie
came to Hampden county In April. 1877,
and to Springfield In October, 18711. He
was educated In the common s<-hools of
New York and Massachusetts and later at-
tended the Coleman Business college. In
Newark, X. J. "n January 4, 1888, he
was married to Susie L, Alexander. They
have one child. Arthur C. Uoberts. born
January 21, 18!10.
( 560 )
AFPE}iDlX
KrcKUvND. IlAiiLiiiciGU llEATii. Spiing- bctli Ilills. Jonathan Auckland, barn about
fleUl. Mass.. was born at East Wiudsur. 171(i in Klllngton, Conn.. yi\ and Sybil
Conn.. Uctobei' 25, 1805, son of Cap!. lUiruliam. Alexander Buckland (5), born
Erastus and Sarah (Heath) lintkiand. in Ellington. Conn., in 1737, and Sarah
He was edncated at Washington (now Smith, of Xcw Haven. Conn., bora In 173S,
Trinity I lollege. from which he was Capt. Eraslus Kutkland (0), b'jrn in East
gradnated in 1S31, and attended Yale Windsor. Conn.. April 2. 1773 (or 1774),
I, aw siliooi in 1832 and l^.■!3. lie and Sarah Heath, born in I'last Windsor,
practieed his i>rofession a numljer of Conn.. April 10. 1775. Sarah Heath Buck-
.vears In Springfield, but on account of ill land was descended from John Osborn, of
health was obliged to practically abandon lOast Windsor, Conn., and Ann (JIdage. his
active practice. On November 5, ],S34, he wife; he was of Welsh origin, and died in
was married to Sophia Moseley. youngest 108<!. Sarah's father, Stephen Heath, born
daughter of Nathaniel Mosele.v, of Spring- in England May 25, 1750, died May 19,
field. They |)urchased a delightfully siu- IMii. East Windsor. Conn. Sophia Moseley
nted home on .North .Main street, just north I'.uikland. wife of H. H. Buckland. was a
of Seventh street. They had live children, direct descendant of John Aldeii li) and
two of whom died in infancy: the other I'riscilla. daughter of William Mullens, all
three being Edward Harlheigh Buckland, coming on the Mayflower to I'iymouth in
Almanzt.r Ames iiuckland and Anne Sophia 1(>20. as follows: Ituth Alden |2). third
Buckland. Harlheigh Heath Buckland daughter of John and I'riscilla. born about
died -Vugust 25. l.sii;. and his wife Sophia 1<;31, married John Bass, of Braintree (now
on September 10, 1897, Edward Harlheigh tjuincyi. Sarah Bass (3), born January
Buckland. the oldest son. was graduated 2'.i. 11572. married Ephraim Thayer. Ruth
from I'hiladeiphla Dental college. I'Vbruary Thayer (4), born April 1, 1704, married
28, 1885. and the Medical Chlrurgical col- John Capen. Sarah Capen (5), born July
lege, April IC. 1801. He settled in I'hila- 21. 1725. married Nathaniel Moseley. Aug-
delphla in the practice of dentistry. He ust 11. 1742. and settled in I'omfret. Conn,
was married to Elorence I'. Byers. eldest .Nathaniel Moseley. jr. (111. born December
daughter of Col. Charles I', and Emeline 22. 1743. married Itosauna Alwortii, Scp-
(Cox) Byers, November 2, lS(iO. They had tember 29, 17GS. Nathaniel Moseley (7),
three children, two of whom died in infan- son of Nathaniel, jr.. born June 20, 1771,
cy, and the eldest, Florence Cora, died married Electa Buckland, July 14, 1796.
February 21. 1895. Almanzor .\mes Buck- Sophia Moseley (8). ninth child and .voung-
land. the younger son of H. H. and Sophia, est daughter, married H. H. Buckland.
was associated with his brother Edward H. The .Moseley line is as follows: John Mose-
in the jewelry business in Springlield pre- ley (1) came from England in 1G20 and
vious to the latter studying dentistry. The settled at Dorchester; first wife. Elizabeth,
business was given up on account of the second. Cicely. Thomas Moseley (2), born
failing health of Almanzor and Edward's about 1630, married Mary Lawrence. Ebe-
ohange of business. Their store in the nezer Moseley (3). born September 4, 1673,
building of the Springfield Institution for married, first. Elizabeth Trescott. second.
Savings will be remembered by many, be- Hannah Weeks. .Nathaniel (41, born De-
cause of the sidewalk clock they erected in cember 1, 1715. married Sarah Capen.
front thereof. Almanzor died November 27, Nathaniel (5). born December 22. 1743,
1893. at his home, on State street. Anne married Rosanna Alworth. Nathaniel (6).
Sophia Buckland resides at the homestead. Iiorn June 20, 1771. married Electa Buck-
wliere her mothe:- livxl and died. 7.'!1 State huid. Sophia (7i, born March 19. 1815,
street. Harlheigh H. Buckland was de- married Harlheigh H. Buckland. The only
scended from William Buckland. of English living descendants at the present time are
descent (1). who resided in East Hartford. Edward Harlheigh Buckland, D. D. S., of
Conn., and was buried September 1, 1079. I'hiladelphia, and A. Sophia Buckland. 731
William litickland (2i. born about ](i2S. State street. Springfield, Mass.
and wife Elizabeth. They lived In Windsor. Tobky, Fr.ixk Ge:okge, p, o. Springfield,
Conn., where he died May 13. I(i91. Wil- Mass.. son of George and Lucina (Stod-
linni Itu.kland C, i . horn 1050. and Eliza- dardi Tobey, was born at the family home-
( 570 )
APPENDIX
stead on Slate street, the fifteenth of Jan-
uary, 1847. On the twenty-first of January.
1S75, he married Ednah D. Parker, of
Exeter, X. H.. and they have had the fol-
lowing children : Mary Lucina, born Jan-
uary 21, 1,S77, died March 12, 1886 ; Ilath-
orne Parker, born December ,">, lS71t, died
January 23, 1884. The first Tobey to settle
in America was Thomas, w^ho came to this
country in lij?.."!. Thomas married Martha
Knott, of yaudwich, Mass., in 1050. An-
other prominent ancestor was t'apt. Prince
Tobey. born at New Bedford. Mass., June
7, 1741, and died July 7, 1810. On the
fifth of January, 170.j, he married Jane
Delano, a great-great-granddaughter of
Philip De la Noye, a French protestant who
joined the English at Leydeu and arrived
at I'lymouth in the Fortune on August 9,
1021. Capt. Prince Tobey settled at Con-
way. Mass. The first Tobey to settle in
Hampden county was Elisha, born February
22, 1779, in Conway, Mass., and died June
29, 1840, at Springfield. He was the son
of Capt. Prince Tobey. On the twelfth of
August, 1S12, Jonathan Smith, jr., first high
sheriff of Hampden county, appointed Elisha
Tobey deputy sheriff. Elisha was a promi-
nent ilason, was first junior warden of
Hampden lodge. ISIS, and secretary of the
Morning Star Koyal Arch chapter. He first
married a Mrs. Gambler, of Philadelphia,
and of this union were born two sons and
three daughters. His second wife was Miss
Sophia Ferre. granddaughter of Enoch
Chapin, of Springfield. She was born In
17SS, and died in Springfield, August 24.
1859. Of this union there were si.-c sons
and four daughters born. His fifteen chil-
dren were Joseph, born March 12. 1802 ;
Jane, born February 4, 1804 ; Margaret,
born December 12, 1808; Mary, born Feb-
ruary 22, 1810; Henry, born March 31,
1813; Sophia Chapin, born April 19, 1815;
Elizabeth Goddard. born July 12, 1817. War-
ren Delano, born January 24, 1819 : George,
the father of the subject of this sketch,
born November 17, 1820, at Springfield, and
died December 21, 1S9S. at Ulandford.
Mass. : Josiah, born September 4. 1822 ;
Elisha. jr., born January 2ii, 1826 ; Sarah,
born September 18. 1827, and died Septem-
ber 30, same year ; Sarah Eliza, born Octo-
ber 27, 1828 ; Edward Everett, born Octo-
ber 17, 1832, and William.
DE.iXE, Wallace H., M. D., p. o. Spring-
field, Mass., was born in Canaan, Conn.,
-May 24, 1853, and was educated at Yale
college. He first settled in Hampden coun-
ty in 1877. at Blandford, where he re-
mained eighteen years. In December, 1895,
he removed to Springfield, where he now
resides, at 265 Union street. On his
father's side he is descended from the
Deanes who came from Germany and set-
tled in Canaan. Conn., in 1780. Dr.
Deane's mother was Mary Church, whose
ancestors came to Boston from England
shortl.v after the I'ilgrim colony was
founded. One of the most prominent of
her ancestors was Capt. Benjamin Church,
who was one of the most important Eng-
lish officers in King Philip's war, having
brought the contest to a successful issue,
Capt. Church lived near Boston and was
a leader in the stirring events of colonial
days. Commodore Perry — the hero of
"I'erry's Victory on Lake Erie" was a de-
scendant of the Churches. The commo-
dore's mother was a Church, and a sister
to Dr. Deane's great-grandfather Church.
He (Perry) it was who sent the famous
message to General Harrison, viz., "We
have met the enemy and they are ours."
Dr. Deane's great-grandfather Church was
in the French and Indian war and also
fought through the Uevolutionary war.
His Grandfather Church fought in the war
of 1S12-15.
Noitro-x. Henuv I.., p. o. Springfield,
Mass., was born April 1, 1871, in the town
of Canaan, Conn., son of John and Sarah
A. (Jones) Norton. John Norton was a
native of Great Harrington. Mass., where
he was connected with mining interests.
He removed to West Springfield In 1871,
and became identified with railroad Inter-
ests. Henry L. Norton was educated in
the public schools and studied practical en-
gineering under William H. Burrell. For
fourteen years he devoted his attention to
bridge building, and In 1897 organized the
firm of Collins & Norton, contracting engin-
eers and bridge builders. He Is a member
of the American society of civil engineers.
In 1879 he married Emma Frances, daugh-
ter of Lyman L, Kimball, of Ilevcrc.
Bk.mis. SirsiNKU A., p. o. Springfield.
Mass., was born In Putney, Vt., August 9,
1832. Ills father was a contnictor and
builder, and married Amanda Carlln. Sum-
( 571 )
Al'l'ENDIX
nor WHS edui'ated In tlie common schools
and leiirned the cabinet maker's trade. In
IK'il he came li> Sprlnglleld and engaged
In ciihhiet making, which business he soon
disposed of. and then was employed for
twelve years in the V. S. armory. In ISS.'J
he received a patent on a car box. for the
manufacture and sale of which he organ-
l7.e<l the Hemls I'ar I!ox Co.. of which he
Is the president. .Mr. ISemis Is also presi-
dent of the .Munder Klectrlcal works and
of the J. 11. lingers Carriage Co. In liSTU
he married Kiln M. Cliase.
I'Hiixir.s. Lkwis. p. o. Springfield. Mass..
was born In West Springfield. November L'l.
IS'.Ti. a son of Ivlijab (a native of the same
town) and Mary (Smith) I'hliliiis. and
grandson of Tliompson Plilllips. tlie latter
also a native of the town. Kor tliree gen-
erations the family iiave been prosperous
farmers in West Springfield. Lewis riiil-
lips was educated in the Westfield Nor-
mal school and. following in the footsteps
of his ancestors, he afterward engaged in
farming, having lived on his present farm
over forty years. lie also deals In real es-
tate to a limited extent. Mr. IMiiUips is a
member of the Hampden lodge. K. & A. M.
of Springfield : of the Springfield council.
K. & S. M.. and of Morning Star chapter. U.
A. M. He has been married twice : first,
to Lncinda I'ayne of Cavendish. Vt.. who
died leaving one son. Milton L., now of
West Springfield : and second, he married
Maria I). Watson of Blandford. who bore
him two children. Watson I,., and Hattle L.,
the latter now the wife of John J. Keed.
of lioston.
IHnxinc. .I.vmes Gardnkh, attorney and
counsellor at law. residing and practicing
In Springfield. Is a native of Itath, Maine,
born May :;.■>. 1857. and is a descendant
of the Maine family of l)unnings, who for
many years have been familiar characrters
In the history of that state. The ancestor
of the family was Andrew Dunning, born
In .\shburton. Devonshire. England. In l(!ti4.
and who Immigrated to America with his
family In 171S. settling on Mai]nolt bay.
town of Brunswick. District of Maine,
where he was a personage of influence and
of acknowledged Integrity and uprightness
of character. In religious faith and pref-
erence he was a devout Presbyterian. .T.ames
(!. Dunning ncqulred his early education In
the It.ith schools, graduated from the high
school In 1.S74. and for the next four years
was a teacher in the public schools of that
city. He then took up the study of law
and was graduated fiom the law department
of lioston university In 1S80. He came
to the Hampden bar In 1881, and since that
time has i)eeu engaged in active practice In
Springfield. He was a member of the school
committee six years. On June T>, 18S4. Mr.
Dunning married Sadie L. Potter, of Bath.
The children of this marriage are Harold
(J. Dunning, born .May 17. ISS."). and Kay
P. Dunning, born I)ecember 12, 1S8S.
Wi^isEU, Wai-tkk Itt I'EUT, M. D., physician
and surgeon, of Springfield, is a native of
York, Pa., born June 13, 1870. He is of
Herman extraction and is descended from
('onrad Weiser, who settled in Pennsyl-
vania in the seventeenth century. Dr.
Weiser acquired his elementary education
in the York public schools, graduating at
the high school in that city in 188,"J. He
graduated from tlie Philadelphia College
of Pharmacy (Ph. G.) in 18Si), and from
the University of Pennsylvania (M. D.) in
1802. Two years later he came to Spring-
field and since has been actively identified
with the practice of medicine in that city
and its vicinity. On September 8. 1.89G,
Dr. Weiser married Hattle L. Lamson. by
whom he has one son, Krank Hale Weiser,
l)orn August 30, 1897.
Heldixg, Elij.ih. of the firm of Mcin-
tosh & Co.. of Springfield, whose ancestor
in America was .Stephen Belding. was born
In Northfield. Mass.. April IS. 1847. His
elementary and business education were ac-
quired in I'owers institute, Bernardston.
tlie Brattleboro (Vermont) high school and
l-'ast man's Business college, Poughkeepsie,
.N. Y'. Mr. Belding came to Springfield in
.March. IstiS. and since that year has been
identified with the business and mercantile
history of the city. On June 14, 1870, he
married Harriet E, Overhiser. Their chil-
dren are John Kastman Belding, born Oc-
tober IG, 1872, and Kverett Elijah Belding,
born rebruary 15, 1879.
Irei^xd. Osc.in Bhowx, p. o. Springfield,
was born In New Y'ork city October 28,
1840. He was educated in New Yorlj pri-
v,ate and public schools and tlie then free
academy, now the College of the City of
New Y'ork. On December 11. 1877. Mr.
Ireland married Jeannie Gordon, and the.v
have one son. (jordon, born December 23,
( 572 )
APPENDIX
ISSO, in Springfield. Mr. Ireland settled
in Hampden county in 1S7L'. Thomas ire-
land, the first of this family in America,
was in 16-14 one of the original settlers of
Hempstead. Queens county. Js'ew York.
H.iiiRis, Daniel Lusxiiu, was born in
Providence. It. I.. February 0. 1818, son
of Allen and Hart (Lester) Harris and a
descendant in the eighth generation o£
Thomas Harris, a native of England, who
came to America with his brother William
in 1U31 and settled in Salem. He left the
Salem colony witli Roger Williams and his
company and settled in rrovidence. K. I.,
where he was a man of consequence in the
affairs of the new plantation, and where,
also, for many generations his descendants
continued to reside. Indeed, all the an-
cestors of Daniel L. Harris were Rhode
Islanders, and he alone was the pioneer
of ills family in Hampden county, having
settled in .Springfield in 184.'i. Five years
later he purchased the house and property
at the corner of I'earl and Chestnut streets,
where his family ever since have lived. Mr.
Harris died July 11. 187a. He was edu-
cated in the academy in I'lainfield. Conn.,
and also in Wesleyan university in Middle-
town, graduating at the latter institution
August L'3, 1837. On May 2.j, 1843. at
Albany. X. Y., he married Harriet Octavia
Corson, of Cunastota. N. Y. Of this mar-
riage eleven children were born, viz : Ed-
gar Lester, died aged '2 years ; twin daugh-
ters, died in infancy : Corinne Lester, Har-
riet Buckingham, Azariah ISoody, Sarah
Jeannie, Eliza Johnson, Ambia Corson,
Henrietta Clark and Cornelia Hawkins Har-
ris.
Sh.\ttl'ck. Edwin Whitk. first became a
factor in Springfield history in IX.'jO, In
which year he returned from a Journey
in the western states. Since that time he
has been closely identified with Spring-
field's growth and development, first as
practical carpenter and joiner, and subse-
quently and chiefiy as builder and con-
tractor. Mr. Shattuck is a native of Am-
herst, born August 12. 1834. and a descend-
ant in the seventh generation of William
Shattuck, who was liorn in England about
16i;i or 1022 and died in Watertown, Mass..
August 14, 1(172. I'Mvvin Shattuck's father
was born in Iieerfield In 1780 and removed
thence to Amherst In 1833, and he died In
that town In 18.jl. He married, first, Olive
1". Turner (died October 4, 1828), by whom
he bad five children, all now dead. His sec-
ond wife was Tirza I'orter (died September
24, 1S.j7), who bore him three children;
Olive, Edwin White and Ellen Maria Shat-
tuck. Of these Edwin White Shattuck
alone survives. He was reared and edu-
cated in Amherst, but was put to work
early in life to help maintain his widowed
mother and care for the home farm. He
learned the carpenter's trade and became a
thorough workman, all of which was for
his personal advantage when he assumed
the more hazardous responsibilities of con-
tracting and building. Mr. Shattuck has
twice married, first, Betsey E. Kimball, of
Enfield, and second, Sarah Lavinia Bug-
bee, of Belchertown. The late Edward Por-
ter Shattuck was the only child of the first
marriage. He was born May 31, 1801. and
died February 13, 1877. The children of
the second marriage were Emma Eliza. Hat-
tie Almira (wife of E. F. Leonard). Gev-
trude Sarah and Grace Anna( twins) Shat-
tuck.
Cai.uwell, Wi.nfuud Xkw.\iax, was born
in Springfield. July 20, IHo'. only child of
Charles Edmund and Melissa Samantha
Morgan Caldwell. On his father's side he
is descended from John Caldwell (born
1024. died 10!I2I. who settled in the Massa-
chusetts colony about 1G40, and on his
mother's side he is descended from Miles
Morgan, who settled In Springfield In lO.IO,
and whose statue in bronze is one of tlie
chief adornments of court square. Win-
ford Newman Caldwell married. May 22,
1883. Fannie Louise Houston. Their chil-
dren are Ruth Houston Caldwell, born July
2. 188;). and Charles Morgan Caldwell, born
August 1, 181)4.
TiiK RiMiuLi. I'A.Mii.v. — Among the
early settlers of Enfield, Conn., when that
region was n part of Massachusetts, was
Simon Rumrlll. from whom has descended
that branch of the family whose representa-
tives have figured so prominently In Spring-
field and Hampden county history. Ac-
cording to established record, the mime or-
iginally was spelled Romrtl. the ancestors
having been of Norman origin, and am<»ng
the early Huguenot Inunlgranls to the Siilem
and Ro.vbui-y colonies were persons of that
name. In Enfield. Simon appeal's to have
been among the colonists and tht*re In M'htO
he inarrle<I .Sarah l-'rhnln. The date of the
( 573 )
APPENDIX
settlciiu'iit ill Springfield of tbo first Kum-
rlll is uow unltuowu. but it was before tbe
time of Alexander Ilumrill. who was a ligure
in enrlj- Springfield bistory. He married
one of tbe numerous family of tbe sur-
name ISliss. and bis wife was twin sister to
the mother of the late John H. Stebblns.
In early days tlie Ituturilis were farmers.
and fourteen of tiiem are credited with
patriotic service In the revolution, and
eleven others with service during tbe war
of ISl-l."). I'Ibenezer and Nehemiab Itiim-
rill are mentioned among the ratable Inhab-
itants of tile town in 1774. Tbe collateral
brandies of the family are much scattered,
but all trace their ancestry to Simon Itum-
rlll of I'Infield. Some of them held oHices
of responsibility in colonial times, and In
all generations of Hampshire and Hampden
history since the revolution the surname
Kumrill has been known in civil and busi-
ness life. Tbe late .lames G. Kumrill was
a prominent figure in Springneld history.
He married Uebecca rierce. James A. Itum-
rill is a son of this marriage.
Smith. William Howard, — .\mong the
Smiths who came to Xew ISngland In 1630.
was a family of four brothers and one sis-
ter— Christopher. Simon, Joseph, William,
and Mary, who removed to Hartford, Conn.,
soon after their arrival. William married
Ellzal)elh Staiidley of Hartford, August,
1C44. and they settled in Farmlngton, Conn.,
where William died in January, 1070, leav-
ing nine children. His sixth child. Benja-
min, was born in Farmlngton in Ki.jS, and
after his marriage to Ruth Loomis of West-
field, he removed to that precinct. On the
seventh of Septeml)er. 1GS8. he purchased
of John Pynchon, of Springfield, several
tracts of land in West Springfield, at a
place called I'auquetuck, and after a year
or two. built a house which be occupied
with his family. He died in 1738. at tbe
age of eighty years. He had eight children.
Jonathan, the seventh child, was born 1G07,
married and built a house just east of Pau-
quetuck brook and died there Feb, 9, 1772.
He had seven cbiUlren. David, bis second
child, married Margaret Day and they had
six children. He occupied a house and
land near his father. One of the children.
David, jr., born in 17,57, married Naomi
Howard, born at Sturbridgc, Mass.. .ijirll
23, 1767. David, jr., with his father,
fought In the revolutionary war. A letter
written by tbe son to the father and dated
Schenectady. X. Y., August, 17S0, speaks of
"his company being ordered to join Col.
Col. Brown's regiment at Stone Arabia,
where tbe Indians are making havoc. " He
lived after his marriage at the ancestral
home in Pauquetuck and died there July 21,
1S14. his wife having died previously. He
had four children. Harvey. David. Marvin
and Naomi. After his death the children
lived with relatives. Tbe son David was
born March 19. 1SU3 ; was apprenticed to
Capt. Fowler of Feeding Hills at the age of
sixteen, to learn the wagon making busi-
ness. David came to Springfield in 1S26
and started the carriage making business on
South JIain street, now tbe corner of Main
and Park streets. He married Harriet
Grilfin of Granby. Conn. (Copper hill dis-
trict). May 20. 1.S28. She was born at
Granby. August 24, 1801, and died in
Springfield, March 3, 1870. Three children
were born to them : Harriet, born Septem-
ber 2.5, 1829, died in infancy ; William How-
ard, born November 24. 1832, and Mary
Jane, born February 9. 1836, died March 10,
1854. William Howard Smith was edu-
cated in the public schools and at Wilbra-
bam academy, and entered tbe employ of
his father in 1849. He was admitted to
partnership in 1836, succeeding to the bus-
iness in 1873. and he still continues it at
the same place. David Smith died in
Springfield. April 9, 1873. William married
Martha Young Trafton, daughter of Rev.
Mark Trafton. May 3, 1838. in this city.
She was born at East PIttston, Me., March
29, 1837. One child. Minnie Lee Smith,
was born to them. October 5, 1839 ; the
wife died November 16. 1862. Minnie Lee
Smith married Norman Norton Fowler of
Springfield. October 9. 1889. He was born
at Agawam. October 24, 1857. Four chil-
dren have been born to them : Constance,
born December 25, 1890 : William Smith,
born July 18, 1892: Roger Wood, born May
22, 1895, and Mark Trafton. born August 2,
1899. died June 17. 1900.
Breck, Dr. Theodore Frelinghuyses,
of Springfield, state medical examiner, sur-
geon for the Boston and Albany railroad
company, is a native of Phelps. Ontario
county, N. Y.. born July 29. 1844. son of
the late Dr. William Giiman and Mary Van
Deventer Breck. his father having been for
many years one of Springfield's leading phy-
( 574 )
APPENDIX
sicians and surgeons, and wliose professional
lite is noted at length in tlie medical ctiap-
ter of this work. Dr. Theodore F. Breoli
acquired his elementary education in Willis-
ton seminary, and graduated at Harvard
medical college in ISiJG. He also studied
medicine two and one-half years in Europe,
aud the greater portion of his professional
lite has been passed in Springfield. During
the war of 1S61-5, he was with the union
army in the capacity of surgeon and was
stationed at Norfolk and Portsmouth. Vir-
ginia. On April IS. 1872. he married Helen
Cordelia Townsend, of Boston, of which
marriage two children have been born :
Helen Townsend BrecU. born March 13,
1S73, and William Gilman Breck. born June
22, 1877. On his father's side Dr. Breck
is a descendant of Edward Breck, a man of
distinction, born in Lancaster. England,
about 1595. He married in England in
1G17 and emigrated from Ashton-on-Lyme
with a band of Puritans to the Massachu-
setts colony in 1635, sailing in the ship
"James" from Bristol, Eng., to Boston, in
company with Rev. Kichard Mather and
others. He settled in Dorchester and joined
the church there in 1636. and he appears,
also, to have prospered in his efforts in life,
having built and owned one of the first
grist mills, and also became the owner of
more than one house besides his property in
Lancaster. Eng. He was an officer of the
town In 1642. 164.'5 and 1646. and he died
November 2, 1662. Robert Breck, great-
great-great-grandfather of Dr. Theodore F.
Breck, was graduated at Harvard college in
1700, and is mentioned as having been a
man of great learning aud such a master of
languages that frequently at family prayers
he would read in English a chapter from
the Hebrew bible. His son, Samuel Breck,
great-great-grandfather of Dr. Breck, grad-
uated at Harvard in 1742. He became an
eminent physician and was one of the
founders of the Episcopal church in Great
Barrington in 1762. Dr. Wreck's great-
great-great uncle on his mother's side was
Nathaniel Whitaker (a Presbyterian min-
ister), who WMS sent to England to collect
funds for a school, which resulted In the
establishment of Dartmouth college, A
painting of Mr. Whlttaker hangs in the
picture gallery of the college. Mr. Whit-
aker was born at Huntington. L. L. 1730.
and died at Hampton, Va„ 1795.
Westox, George Dake, M. D., of Spring-
field, is a native of old historic Windsor,
Vermont, born August 9, 1S6U. He ac-
quired his early education in the Windsor
public schools and in the scientific depart-
ment of Dartmouth college, where he grad-
uated with the degree of "B. S." in 1SS4.
He then entered the medical department of
the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadel-
phia, and was graduated with the degree of
M. D. in 1887. Subsequently he had fifteen
months service in Philadelphia hospitals,
and became a resident medical practitioner
in Springfield in 1892. On July 30, 1901,
Dr. Weston married Alice M. Haskell, of
Springfield, formerly of Ascutneyville, Ver-
mont.
KoYCE, Charles Andrew, p. o. Spring-
field, was born in Barre, Vt., in 1852, He
received a common school education and
moved to Springfield in 1879. His wife
was E. Elizabeth, daughter of John Bran-
ning of Lee. Mass. Their children are:
Helen Elizabeth, born in 1882 : JIary Edith,
born in 1885 ; John Brannlng, born in 1887 ;
Robert Andrew, born In 1890 ; and Kather-
ine. born in 1894, Of this family, the first
Royce in America was Robert, who came
from England to Boston in 1630. He was
disarmed as an adherent of Anne Hutchin-
son, returned to England in 1639. and five
years later again made his appearance in
Boston, where he was afterward constable
aud member of assembly. Robert's son,
Jonathan, settled in New London, Conn.,
where he was one of the first and largest
landholders. He married Deborah, daugh-
ter of Hugh Calkins. The second Jonathan,
son of the first, removed to Lyme, Conn.,
where he married Ruth Beckwith. Next lu
Hue was Nehemlah, who moved to .Marlow,
N. IL. and married Abigail, daughter of
Jean St. Augustine, a prominent Huguenot.
N'ehemlah's son, Samuel, was born In Mar-
low in 1740, and died in 1802. He married
Rebecca Beckwith and served as volunteer
In the revolution. Andrew, the son of
Samuel, was born In 1763, died In 1832,
He moved to Uoyalton, Vt., and married
Lorcna Beckwith. The next and seventh
In line was Andrew, born In 1805, and died
In 1864. Andrew's wife was Luclna Cooley,
whose mother's family name was Morgan.
The Morgan family moved from Haritord.
Vt.. to Hampden county, and the records
show that Luclna Cooley's mother was a
( 575 )
APPENDIX
member o( I'Mrst church, but other lietiiils
are not given. Andrew Uoyce became a
prominent Congregational clergyman and
served in Vermont from 183r> to ISIH. Sev-
enteen years of that time he was pastor at
Uarre and founded the well known academy
at that place.
Ai.i.i.s. Kkxtick Hi liLUtr, D. U. S.. of
.Sprlnglleld. was born in Hatfield. August 10.
ISfi". He acquired his early education in
the Springfield grammar and high schools
and his professional education in the I'hila-
delphia Dental college, where he was grad-
uated in i8S8. Ur. Allls' ancestor who first
settled In what now is Hampden county,
was John Searle. a native of Warwick. Eng..
born about Kilo, and who emigrated to
America with the I'urilaus. He came soon
afterward. It is said, to the I'ynchon plant-
ation at Springfield, although Elizur Hol-
yoke's record does not mention his name
among the town residents in 1004. He
was. however, one of our early settlers and
his farm lands extended from Cypress street
to the Massasoit house, as now known.
Tracing back to the period of early colonial
history, we learn that Dr. .\llis is a descend-
ant of Dr. Thomas Hastings, born in Water-
town (Conn. I. in lti.j- : removed to Hatfield
(Mass.). about 1G7,". and died in ITli;. He
was the first physician of Hatfield. Anoth-
er ancestor. William Allls, from an early
Puritan family, was born in IJraintree in
1040. Another ancestor, Benjamin Wait,
was born about l(!4(i and married in 1670.
His wife and children were made captives
by the Indians during King I'hilip's war
and were taken to Canada, from whence
he rescued them only after great elTort
and danger. He himself was killed l)y the
Indians in 1701. just at the beginning of
yueen Anne's war.
liAcox, Gkohge .\i.nKRT, attorney at law,
residing in Springfield, is a native of Brim-
field, born August 27. 18(!i). He acquired
his elementary education in the public
schools of Northampton (Mass.i and Hins-
dale ( N. H.). and afterward was a student
In the academic department of Boston uni-
versity, and still later in the law school of
the same inslltutiou. where he graduted in
ISO."). He became a member of the Hamp-
den bar the same year. On .lanuary 22,
1002. Mr, Bacon married Mabel Maria Sedg-
wick, a native of Adams. Mass. George A.
Bacon is the son of Albert S. and Cynthia
(Leonard) Bacon, his father being a son
of (jeorge Bacon, late of Brimfieid. and his
mother a daughter of William Leonard, late
of Worthingtou. The ancestor of the fam-
ily in Hampden county was James Bacon,
who removed from Dudley to Brimfieid at
and early and now unknown date, but soon
after his marriage (.March 3. 1700) with
Martha Jewell. James was a great-great-
graudtather of George A. Bacon, and was a
soldier in the American army during the
revolution.
Bo.su, George Uay.noldSj Is a native of
Springfield, born November 10, 1855, and
has spent his business life In the city. He
married. June 17. 1890, Anna Mumford
Dakin (granddaughter of Col. Augustus G
Hazard, of Enfield. Conn.), who died Octo-
ber tl, 1897. Their children are Arthur
Hazard Bond, born September 13. 1891 ;
I'anny Hazard Bond, born May 2. 1893 ; and
George Uaynolds Bond. jr.. born January 6,
1896. Mr. Bond's earliest ancestor In
Hampden county was Thomas Bond (born
September 17. 1777. died January 6, 1852 ;
married Jemima Halloway Bush, of Boyls-
ton). who removed from West Brookfield to
Springfield in 1825. and was engaged In
mercantile pursuits. The common ancestor
of the family in .\inerica was William Bond,
who came from England and settled In
Watertown. Mass.. about 1650. tJeorge
Taylor Bond, fatlier of George IS. Bond, was
born Jan. 22, 1817. and died Nov. 17, 1886;
married June 1, 1854, Anna Lyman Dodd
(of Burlington, Vt.), born Nov. 28. 1827,
and died Oct. 29, 1864,
CL.\i'r, FuEDERicK OLIVER, a resident of
Springfield since 1871, Is a native of Hins-
dale, Berkshire county, born October 22,
1852. He was educated in the public schools
of Hinsdale and I'ittsfleid, after which he
started out to make his own way in life.
He was married October IG, 1877, with
Emma Frost, by whom he has two chil-
dren : Edwin Oliver Clapp. born April 14.
1883. and Marlon ICmma Clapp. born June
14. 1893. On the paternal side Mr. Clapp
is a descendant of old New England stock,
his ancestor having been Thomas Clapp,
l)orn in Dorchester. England, in 1597, and
wiio emigrated to America and settled in
the Dorchester colony In 1C33. He died
April 20. 1684. aged almost ninety years.
The Clapp surname always has been well
( 576 )
APPENDIX
represented throughout the New England
states by men o£ acknowledged understand-
ing and worth.
AvEHVj Hexky, whose residence in Spring-
held dates from the year 1840. and who by
occupation among our people during the
period of his acti\e life was a tailor and
clothier, was born in Griswold. Conn.. De-
cember liu. ISIS, and was educated in the
public schools of his native town. Later
on he engaged in business pursuits and as a
tailor by trade he came to Springfield in
1S45. In 1S4T (September 15) he married
Sarah H. Taylor, and in 1SU7 the golden
anniversary of his wedding was appropri-
ately celebrated. John Avery, father of
Henry, also was a native of Griswold, born
November Si, IT.SO. and in the war of ISlL'-
lo he served as captain of a company in the
defense of Stonington and Groton, although
those towns were not attacked. John
Avery 1 3d), grandfather of Henry, was
born December 14, ITuo, and was appointed
by the Connecticut general assembly as one
of the committee to furnish arms for the
state troops during the revolution. The
Avery ancestor in America was Christopher
Avery, who emigrated from England inlCSO
.and settled in Boston or Gloucester. His
son James came w'ith him and was the fath-
er of the Averys who settled in New Lon-
don in 1651, and were afterward closely
identified with the history, civil and eccle-
siastical, of that town. James received a
grant of land in Groton in 1656, and built
his house there, the latter having been suc-
cessively occupied by his descendants until
1894, when the old structure was burned.
Sessions. William It. — The Sessions
family. According to tradition the first
Sessions to settle In America was Samuel
Sessions, who came to Boston with Gov.
Dudley. After a short residence in Kox-
bury. he settled in Andover, where Alexan-
der Sessions, the first of our an<'estors of
whom we have record, was born in 1G45.
He married. April -'4. l>iT2, Eliza SpolTard
and died Feliruary :;6, 1687, His son, Na-
thaniel, was born August 8, 1681, and died
in 1771. He settled in Tomfret, Conn., and
was the first person that drove a team from
I'omfret to I'rovidence, opening a road for
sixteen miles of the route through heavily
wooded forest. He carried back to I'om-
fret the first load of West India goods taken
to that town. After he was eighty years of
age, finding his sight failing, he committed
to memory the New Testament, the I'salms
and many portions of the Old Testament.
He became totally blind before his death.
His son Amasa. ws born in I'omfret in 1720 ;
married Hannah Miller, of Kehoboth. Mass.,
and was captain with I'utuam in the old
French war. His son, Robert, moved to
South Wilbraham (now the town of Hamp-
den i, Hampden county, in 17S1. Robert
Session, just mentioned, was the first of the
Sessions family to settle in Hampden coun-
ty. He purchased and moved on to the
Sessions homestead in South Wilbraham,
now town of Hampden, in 1781 ; he was
born in I'omfret, March 15, 1752, married
Anna Ituggles of I'omfret, April 16, 1778,
and died on his farm, September 27, 1836,
aged eighty-four years and seven months.
His wife died November 22, 1838. Robert
Sessions lived In Boston when a young
man and was one of the party that threw
the tea overboard in Boston harbor, De-
cember 13, 1773. An account of the affir
written by him appears in the historical
narrative. "Tea Leaves," printed in 1884,
Boston being at the time occupied by Brit-
ish soldiers, he was obliged to flee the city
and he returned to I'omfret. He turned
out with his neighbor. Gen, Putnam, at the
"Lexington Alarm" and was afterward paid
for the same length of time as was Putnam,
He afterwards served as lieutenant with
Connecticut troops in the revolutionary
army. Eour of his brothers. Amasa, John,
Nathaniel and Samuel, also served in the
revolulionaiy army. His wife, Anna Itug-
gles, had three brothers in the revolutionary
army : Benjamin, Samuel and Edward Bug-
gies. Robert Sessions and his wife had
fhirteen children : Betsy and Charles (born
in I'omfret). Robert, George, Nancy, Cellna
(mother of the Newell brothers of Spring-
field), Erancls, Horace, Martha I'hips. Han-
nah .Miller, Sumner. .N'abby and William
Vyne : twelve of the thirteen lived to ma-
ture years. Robert and Horace served In
the army in the war of 1812. Robert Ses-
sions was a prominent citizen of his town,
serving It as moderator, town clerk, treas-
urer and selectman many times, and alBO
as representative in the legislature three
terms. He was appointed Justice of the
peace soon after he became a citizen of the
state and held the ollice unlll hl.s death.
Ills son, William V.. his grandson. William
37-8
( '^T? )
AtFEADIX
U., aniJ Ills gieat grandson. William J.. Ills
BUcrcssors in tlie cuvnersUip of the liome-
sUMul In llauipdcn. have each by appoint-
ment ol' tlie govunor. held the otliiie of
Justice of the peace. His son, William
Vyne. his immediate successor on the farm,
was born in South Wilbraham. ."September
H. ISiil : married Lydia Ames. November
:i4, 1S:;'J. and died April 'J. Ib'jT. aged
ninety-live years : his wife Lydia. died July
3. 18'j;i. aged ninety-three years. Their
children were Xancy Ituggles. born August
10. 1S30. died March 8. 1S43 : Lydia Ames,
born liecember :;.S. 1S33. married Uev. W.
W. Woodworth ; William Uobert. born De-
cember 3. LS3J : Helen Victoria, born March
4. 1S38. died March 4. 1,S43. William Vyne
Sessions spent his long lite on the home-
stead and was prominent in town affairs,
often serving as selectman and assessor.
He represented the town In the legislature
one term and was county commissioner tor
three years. He helped to start the first
factory In the town tor the manufacture of
woolen goods, and thus was an important
factor In the growth of the town. His
daugliter. Lydia A., was educated at Mt.
Hoiyoiie and was the tirst principal of Lalie
Erie I'emaie seminary at Painesvilie. Ohio.
the pioneer Institution of that section for
the higher education of women. William
Eobert Sessions was born in South Wilbra-
ham (now Hampden 1. December 3. 1833.
and was educated in the common and select
schools of South Wllbrahatu. He married
first. Klsle W. Cunningham. March 11. 1S3G.
who died .luiy L".). IStiO ; he married .second.
Lucy i:. <'unnliigiiam. October :;(!. 187t». who
died .January 10. 1887 : he married third.
Clara .Marliliam. August 22. 1888. who died
February 13. lOoO: he married fourth.
Lydia Kllen Toombs. April 11. 1001. The
children of William U. and Elsie W. Ses-
sions were Klsle Mary, born September 7.
18.j7 ; William Joseph, born December 18.
l-s.'ill ; Helen Lydia. born September 2. ISGl.
died .May '.'1. 1883: Lucy Maria, born Aug-
ust 4. 1803; Mortimer Walker, born Decem-
ber 2. 1S(>7. died Mary 17. 1S72. Ail were
born In South Wilbraham. Elsie Mary,
married Jonas Coolldge Hills, of Hartford.
Conn., April 23. 1898: William Joseph mar-
ried Mary E. .\ndprson. of Lawrence. Mc-
Henry county. III.. February 8. 1887. Their
children were Helen Lydia. Iwrn In Bene-
dict. S. Dalv.. October 22. 1888. died March
2'J. 1880 : Mlna Anderson, born in Benedict,
S. Dali.. March 11, 18'.)0 : William Vyne,
born in Heneditt. April 2'J. 1S'.J2. died May
28. 18U2 : William Vyne. born In Hampden.
.Mass.. November 1'.), ISDIJ. and Uobert Lee.
born in Hampden. June 3. 18'jy. died Feb-
ruary lU, r.)MU. Lucy Maria married Silas
Ives Wallace, of Clinton. Mass.. September
1. 18S(;. Their children are Earle Sessions,
burn in Clinton, July 2'J, 1887 ; Sylvia Per-
ry. l)oin September 24, 1806. William Rob-
ert Sessions served as sergeant In Co. 1,
4(ith .Mass. infantry, in the war of 1801-5 ;
was taken prisoner and sent to Llbby
prison ; served his town many terms as
moderator, selectman, also as assessor and
school committee ; was appointed Justice of
the peace l>y the governor : was representa-
tive in the legislature in 1808 : state sena-
tor. Hrst Hampden district. 1884 and 1885 :
memljer of Massachusetts state board of
agriculture from 1879 to the present time :
trustee of Massachusetts agricultural col-
lege from 1883 to the present time ; secre-
tary of the Massachusetts state board of
agriculture, 1887 to 1899 : member of Wll-
<ox I'ost. G. A. K. He lived on the Sessions
h4)mestead in South Wilbraham (Hampden)
and farmed the ancestral acres until May
I. 1899. when his son, William J. Sessions,
succeeded to this occupancy and ownership.
The latter had spent twelve years in South
Dakota, where he had served his township
in various offices and represented the coun-
ty of Sanborn In the state legislature for
two years. Ueturuiug to his native town
in 1S9C. he was soon called to serve as
selectman and has held that office most of
the time since. Governor Crane appointed
him Justice of the peace In 1902.
n.vYXES, Lincoln Calvix, p. o. Spring-
field, was born In Southbridge. Mass.. April
9. 1863 ; was educated in the .Springfield
public schools and was married September
12. 1899, to Mary Burr Cook. Of this
union two children were born : Harriet,
born June 16. 1900, and Uachel. born De-
cember 23. 1901. Mr. Haynes has lived in
Hampden county since 1867. One of the
first American ancestors of the Haynes
family was Walter, who was born in Sut-
ton. Mandevllle. Wiltshire. England. 1583.
and came to America In 1638. He located
first at Watertown and lived there until
Sudbury was settled, when he became one
of the original proprietors. It was there
( 578 )
APPENDIX
lie was made a t'reemau iu lii40. He was a
representative in li;41. 1U44. 1648 aud 1651.
and for ten years was a Sudbury selectman.
His wife's name ws Klizabetb. He died
February 14. l(J6.j. John Haynes. son of
Walter, was born in England in 1621. came
to America in 16o7, one year before his
father and settled in Watertown. He re-
moved to Sudbury after his father had set-
tled There. He was made a freeman in
1646. and was elected representative in
166S. In 1666, 16110 and 1601 he served as
selectman. He was. in 166.S. one of a com-
mittee to erect a new meeting house. Octo-
ber 14. 164:i. he married I-»orothy. daughter
of I'eter Noyes. On his mother's side. Mr.
Haynes" first American ancestor was Joshua
i'-acheller, who was born in England, mar-
ried there and came from Kent to America,
with his brother Joseph, in 16^6. Another
prominent ancestor was Sergt. John Bachel-
ler. sou of Joshua. John was born in Eng-
land, and died in Heading. Mass.. .March 3.
1676. I'revious to moving to Reading he
resided in Watertown. where he was a pro-
prietor, also a selectman (16;i6-H7). and
admitted a freeman in that place. May 13.
1640. Soon afterward he moved to Ded-
ham. 16.30. aud was a sele,ctman from 1657
to 1664. Ur. William Bacheller. another
ancestor, also gained distinction as the
leading surgeon at the battle of Lexington.
He continued with the continental troops
until November .'^o. 1777. when he was hon-
orably discharged. Lincoln Calvin Haynes'
flrst Hampden county ancestors were Jos-
eph Haynes and James Bacheller. The
former was born in 1G87 and died March 6,
1775. His wife was Mary Gates. He was
one of the original proprietors of Brimfield.
about 1721. James Bacheller was born In
Haverhill. .Mass.. .May 2:i. 1.S(I7 ; married
Clarinda Wallter. September 7. ls:i."i. died
June L'l. 1.S1I2. He moved from Southbrldge
to KriniHeld in April. 1874. Lincoln Calvin
Haynes' parents were Calvin Uugbee, born
in ]83:i, and died in 1.S75, and Mary Bach-
eller Haynes, born 1» 18.'!6. The other chil-
dren of these parents were James Everett,
born in 186'-'. and Clara Belle, born In 186:!.
The Ali.vn F.v.milv.— Robert Allyn was
at Salem, Mass.. in 16:i7 ; a member of the
church in 1642 : came to New London.
Conn., in 1(«1 ; received large grants of
land, one being on the east side of the
river in what Is now Ledyard. This is still
called "Allyn I'oint." and was six miles
below Norwich, Conn., opposite the Mohegan
lields and in full view of the ancient fort of
I'ncas. John Allyn. son o^ Robert Allyn.
was baptized at Salem. .Mass.. May 22. 1642.
and Inherited Allyn I'oint: was a man of
prominence : assistant to the first county
court tNew London. Conn.) in 1666: pre-
siding at the court in 1671. and died 1709,
leaving one son. Robert Allyn. born Sept. — ,
1671. This son. Robert, inherited Allyn
I'oint: had eleven children. One of the
sons. James, was born Feb. 29. 169'.i-1700.
at Allyn I'oint. New London. Conn. James
had twelve children, among whom was
David Allyn. born Oct. 2:i. 17511. in what
was then Groton. Conn., but is now Led-
yard. David .\llyu was a corporal, enlisted v:-
May 6. 1775. in Captain Thomas Knowltou's
company. 3d regiment, under General Israel
I'utnam. 1775. marched to eami)s formed
around Boston ; stationed during the seige
in I'utnam's center division at <'ambridge.
In the latter part of the I.8tli century Iiavid
removed to Montgomery. .Mass.. riding a
horse from Groton to Montgomery, and car-
rying his son David on the horse in front of
him. This David had thirteen children.
He applied for a pension January 1. 1S33,
at wliicli time he was residing at Jlontgom-
ery. The pension was allowed for nine,
months' actual service as a private: three
months and sixteen days service as a cor-
poral, and tive months and fifteen days ser-
vice as a sergeant In Connecticut troops,
revolutionary war. His son. David, was
born in Groton. July 29. 1791. and died at
Montgomery in I860. He married Johanna
Barrett. The.^■ had twelve children, among
whom was Samuel Barrett -Vllyn. born
.Vugust 31. 1821. In .Montgomery, and died
in Ilolyoke Marcli 27. 1900. Samuel moved
lo Ilolyoke In 1847. and was Idenillled with
the tlrst beginning of the town : a "meat
man" and real estate dealer, aud for a time
was Idetititied with the Ilolyoke paper com-
pany. He had two children. Robert Arthur
Allyn and .Mary Kathcrlue Allyu. Robert
Arthur Allyn. 225 High street. Holyoke.
.Mass.. born November 23, lS(i9. al Ilolyoke.
Mass.. was educated at Holyoke public
schools and Amherst (ollege. where he was
graduated In 1892: studied law In Westlleld
and Holyoke. and admitted. to the bar In
1894 : appointed special Justice Ilolyoke
Iiolice court. Jiin" 13. 1900. by Governor
3-C'"
l\U at
( 57'.! )
APPENDIX
Crane, lie mniiled Elizabeth Uockwell
t'ooley of WesUleld. Muss.. Jan. 1. 18'.>.').
They huve two children. Helen Elizabeth
Allyn. boni Noveiuber JS. 1)S'J.J, and Cath-
erine Merrill Allyn, born Otlober :;8. IStl'J.
I'oiniiic, Mi.ss CuAiiLoxTK W. -John I'or-
ter was one of the founders and patriots of
the colony of Massachusetts Day about
11130. The records in England give his
descent In the sixteenth generation from
William de la Grande, a Norman linight.
who came with the army of the Norman
duke at the conquest. A. !>.. lOCO. and that
acquired lands at or near Ivenilworth. in
Warwickshire. Ills son Ralph became
"Grand Porteur" to Henry 1, A. l). 1120-
1140. from which he derived the name
Porter. In 1B37. John Porter, with Kose.
his wife, and his seven children, joined the
settlement at Windsor, Conn. He was made
constable, then a high and responsible office,
and, as appears by his will, was a man of
c<inslderable substance, Samuel I'orter, son
of John and Uose Porter, was one of the
original settlers of Hadley in l(i.")il, and one
of the forty seven proprietors of an allot-
ment on the broad west street of that his-
toric town. His son. Hon, Samuel I'orter
of Hadley. a representative to the general
court, an extensive trader with England
and .judge and sheriff of the county, "left to
his family an hnvtcnse estate of £10,000."
His son. Eleazer Porter of Hadley. married
a granddaughter of William Pitkin, one of
the founders of Hartford, and attorney
general of tlie state. Sarah, daughter of
Eleazer. married Kev. Samuel Hopkins, D.
l>. Hon. Eleazer Porter of Hadley. son of
Eleazer. graduated from Yale college in
IT-IS. was a justice of the peace and Judge
of probate. He married Stisanna Edwards,
daughter of the Kev. Hr. Jonathan Ed-
war<ls of Northampton, president of I'rlnce-
ton university. Itr. William Porter, son of
Eleazer ,'ind Susanna Edwards I'orter, was a
physician and trader in Hadley. He mar-
ried Charlotte Williams, daughter of Hon.
William Williams of Dalton and grand-
daughter of Col. Israel Williams of Hat-
Held, a distinguished officer In the French
and Indian wars of 17-14-.''i.'.. Charlotte
Williams was descended In the sixth gene-
ration from Robert \\ llliams, who came from
Wales to Hoxbury In l(i,'!S. and Robert .\sh-
ley, who came to Springfield In Ui"i'.i. Eu-
nice Williams of Oeerfield. the "unredeemed
captive" of the Indians (French and Indian
wars. 17114 1, was of this same family and
svas the great-grandmother of the Uev. Ele-
azer Williams, of Green Hay, Wis,, the re-
puted Uauphin, Louis XVII of France. So
was also the Hon. William Williams of Con-
necticut, one of the signers of the declara-
tion of independence. James Bayard I'or-
ter. son of Dr. William and Charlotte Will-
iams Porter, was a merchant in Hadley, jus-
tice of the peace and trtistee and treasurer
of Hopkins academy. He married Susan-
na I'arsons, daughter of Ebenezer and
ICunice Clarke I'arsons of Hadley. Ebene-
zer I'arsons was descended in the fifth gen-
eration from Joseph I'arsons of Devonshire,
England, who settled in Springfield in 1636.
Eunice Clarke was the daughter of Captain
Samuel Clarke of Northampton. The chil-
dren of James B. Porter and Susanna Par-
sons Porter are Edward Clarke, born in
Hadley, December 3, 1S3G, educated in Hop-
kins academy, Hadley, and Yale college,
graduating from Y'ale, class poet, 1858,
lie delivered the poem at the bi-centennlal
celebration in Hadley, June 8, lSo9 ; mar-
ried Julia Foster, Oct, 10, 1866, daughter
of Dr. John H. Foster of Chicago, 111. ; was
rector of St. James' church, Chicago, and
St. Luke's. Racine, Wis. He died at Ra-
cine, January 8, 1876 : buried in Rose Hill
cemetery, Chicago, Charlotte Williams Por-
ter, born in Hadley, October 6, 1S40, edu-
cated in Iloiikins academy and Miss Porter's
school, Farmington, Conn. ; principal of The
Elms, home, day and music scliool for girls,
Hadley, This school was removed to
Springfield in 1S81 and continues as "The
Elms." home, day, college preparatory and
music school for girls. High street and In-
graham avenue. William Parsons Porter,
born in Hadley. March 9. 1844 : graduated
from no]>liins academy ; merchant In Had-
ley until ISSO, when he removed to Spring-
field and became a partner with L. Z, Cutler
(Cutler & Porter) : Is trustee and treasurer
of Hopkins academy, Hadley, and director
of Second National bank, Springfield : mar-
ried. April L'S. 1S86. Mary Bartlett. daugh-
ter of the late Asahel H. Bartlett, New
York city, and Minerva Miller, daughter of
Captain John Miller of Ludlow. (Their
children : James Bartlett. born and died
February 4. 1SS7; William Bartlett. born
September 10. 1S8S. liicl February IS. 1889;
Edward Maurice, born March i.'?. 1891,1
{ 580 )
APPENDIX
IlAYXEs. fH.uci.i:s ItuKniNs. ],. (I. Spring- coimtj- ph.vsician. and also tor some time
fieid, Mass.. is a dire<r de.sfendant of Wal- i)resident at tlie Hampden district medit-al
ter Ilaynes. an ICnglislimau who came to society. He aiso had the distinguished
America in the ship ConHdence. and settled lionor of being the orator of the Massachu-
at Sudbury. Mass. Charles H. was born at setts Medical Society on the occasion ot
milerlca. Mass.. on the 17th of April, is.sil. the visit ot Emperor Dom I'edro of Brazil.
His parents were Lyman and Caroline Hunt who was made an honorary member of the
Haynes. both of Sudbury. society. In 1IS45 Dr. Peter Le Uretou
Stickxf.y. I)e. Petkr LkBketo.n. Spring- Stickney was married to Miss Mary Rhea
Held, Mass., was the only son of Capt. ot I'hiladelphia. Pa. He died Xovember
David and Elizabeth LeBreton Stickney. .'). 1887. leaving a widow and three chil-
born in N'ewburyixirt. May !). ISH. In dren.
his boyhood he attended public and private H.ivxE.s. Clii'Kobd C. p. o. SpringHeld.
schools in that city. He became a stu- Mass.. was born in Billerica. Mass.. August
dent at Bradford Academy iu 183:i, leav 10. ISo'.l. His father. Cyrus H. Haynes.
ing there tor Phillips Academy at Audover was a native ot the same place, born July
in 1834. and completing his preparation 8. 1833. In 1832 he came to Springlield
for college there. He entered Dartmouth and engaged iu the clothing business, which
college in 183.5 and graduated in 1839. He he still follows: he married Harriet C..
took high rank in college and was a mem- daughter ot Caleb S. Brown of Bilierlca.
ber ot the I'hi Beta Kappa, an honor so- Mass. : they had seven children, live now llv-
ciety. After leaving r>artmouth. he en- ing: .V.ithaniel L., Phillip I,.. I'aleb Sum-
tei-ed Jefferson Medical College in Phila- ner. Otis Brown, and Clifford C. Clifforci
delphia. and graduated with high lienors C. IIiiyne.s received his education in the
in 1S41J. After graduation he was made schools ot Bilierlca and the Springfield
house ph.\sician of the Blockley Hospital schools. After leaving school he entered
ot th;it city, where he remained three the Third National Bank of Springfield as
years. In 1845 he moved to West Spring- a clerk and worked his way up to teller,
field, where he practiced until IS,")!, and which i>osition he ha.s held tor the last
while there he served as postmaster and twenty years. Mr. Ilaynes was a member
was a member ot the school board, tie left ot the board ot tire engitieers ot West
West Sin-ingtield in 18,"il and moved to .Springfield and for ten year.s was irensurer
Terre Haute, Ind. Owing to ill health of the .Memorial Society of Springlield. re-
he came back east In 1853 and went to signing January 1. 11101. On September 30.
i:ast Windsor, Conn., where he remained 1S.S5. he married Esther M., daughter of
till 1834, when he removed to Chicopee, Jolin IMcId, a native of Hatfield, .Mass.. who
Mass.. resuming the practice of medicine, was killed in the battle ot the Wilderness
and spent there the most active years ot on -May li. IStU. To Mr. and Mrs. Haynes
his professional lite. While in Chicopee were born four children : Walter L., Hob-
he became a member of the school commit- ert F.. I!uth, and Doris
tee and was instrumental in introducing Ssirrn, John M.M-KKXZtt:, Si)rlngfield.
the graded .system of schools. Eor thirteen Mass., tormi'r senior partner in the firm ot
years he was a valued member and chair- Smith & .Murray, and tor more than thirty
man ot the sdiool board. lie was active years one ot the leading husines.s men of
in town affairs, and attended town meet- S|)ringtield, was born In Dumfriesshire,
ings regularly, and bore his part ot the Scotland, Sept. 24. 1841, and died In
public burdens. During the war he was Springfield Dec, V2. l.SOs, Ills early life
a medical examiner for the I'nlted States was spent In his native land, where he uc-
government, and was placed on duty In quired a g 1 elementary education and also
Springfield. He came to Springfield In laid the f'oundallon fi>r bis subseipient suc-
1870 and engaged in active work until cessful career in a thorough business train-
October. 18S(>. He gathered about him ing in a wholesale house In (ilasgow. lie
the friends made in his residence at West came to Atnerica In IStlo. locating In Bos-
Springfield and Chicopee. and had one of Ion. and was employed by the old dry goods
the largest and widest practices ot any house ot (ieorge Turnluill & Co.. remaining
physician in 111.' ciiv. lie was city and with that firm five years. In 1.SII3 he re-
( 581 )
M'l'ESDlX
raiivi'd to Sprlncfifkl. formed n partniMsliip
with A. H. Forbes (Forbes & Smlllu. and
snciceded to the business formerly con-
ducted by John T. Uockwood. In 1K74. in
partnerslili) with A. V,. Wallace. Mr. Smith
establisiied a branch store in IMtlslieid. and
in the same year also he became a member
of the large Iloston dry goods firm of
Churchill & Watson. He then severed his
connection with the Springfield and I'itts-
tieUl houses and for the next five years de-
voted his energies to I'.oston interests, for
three years as meml)er of the firm of
Churchill, (iilcbrist. Smith & Co.. and for
two years as liead of the successor house of
Smith & Watson. In 187!i Mr. Smith re-
turned to Springfield, where he had main-
tained a residenie during the five years men-
tioned, and became senior partner in the
firm of Smith & Murray, whose house is still
known in business circles as one of the
largest and best stocked establishments of
its kind in the entire Connecticut valley re-
gi(m. After his return to Springfield Mr.
Smith devoted himself to his own personal
interests, and at the same time i)ecame an
active factor for good in the industrial and
financial history of the city. He also held
a prominent standing in Masonic and club
circles, and as a citizen he always was held
in high esteem. Ills wife, whom he mar-
ried in lH(i7. was Adelaide Gabrille I'helps.
daughter of the late Charles I'helps. of
Springfield. Charles I'helps was a native
of .Massachusetts, born Augtist ."). isnd. and
became a resident of Springfield in 1840.
after a Journey around the world. He pur-
chased a large portion of the land in what
is now known as the "hill district." includ-
ing "Ingersoils Grove." and all the land
between .Magazine street and the "dry
bridge." I)esides certain portions on the
other side of St. .lames avenue, lie was
married on Feliruary 1-'. 18H-4. to Frances
Antoinette Amhlaird. a native of Itordenux.
Frau<e. They iiad one son and two daugh-
ters, .loseph Uichard Richard Van Zant. Jo-
sephine Antoinette, and Adelaide (iabrielie.
He died August 2.->. 1872.
I'VMH'iN. James Holi^xd. p. o. Spring-
field, was born in Springfield, on the 2d day
(•f August. 18."iS, the son of Joseph Charles
and Julia Mather Clapp I'ynchon. The
father was a direct descendant of William
I'ynchon. wlio settled in Springfield inl(::f<;;
and the mother was the daughter of Jolin
and Kliza Clapp. of Leicester. Mass. James
Holland I'ynchon married .Mabel C. Kdgerly
on the 12th day of January. 18!!!).
Wuii;nT. GKouiiK I... p. 0. Springfield.
.Mass.. the son of Solomon and llepzlbah
liussell Wright. Was liorn in Wilbraham,
now Hampden, on the ."ith of April. 181.j.
He married Caroline Uogers of Springfield
and they were the parents of two children.
Caroline A. and George L.. jr.
IUkr. F.uwix CLiFFcItP. p. o. Springfield.
Mass.. has lived in Springfield continuous
ly .since IS.IS. with exception of two years
sjient in Montana. 18(12 to 1864. He was
the oldest of seven children of Sumner and
Susan Uoblnson llarr. of New Hralntree.
.Massachusetts, and was born on the :Ust
of May. 182». His mother was originally
of Boston. Mr. Harr married, first. Ade-
line Field Stone, and they were the parents
of live children: (Jeorge E. (deceased).
Walter S. (deceased). Edgar E.. Jesse O.
(deceased), and Emma I. He married
second. Minerva l^meretta Arthur, and they
have one son. Walter Sumner. Mr. Harr
has three sisters living in Hampden coun-
ty. Massachusetts : Mrs. Kate Wilkinson.
Mrs. Addison Hrown. both of Springfield,
and Mrs. Jane Stoddard, of Chicopee.
Hastings. IlEKBEnx Ashtdx. p. o.
Springfield. Mass.. son of Samuel and El-
vira Hastings, was born in Amherst on the
•AA of November. 18."i(l. His father was
also born in Amherst, and his mother, who
was the daughter of Israel Cooley. was
born in Sunderland. Mr. Hastings mar-
ried I.ouise Maria Reynolds, of Springfield.
Seei.ve. Ralph Hoi.la.nd, M. I)., p. o.
Springfield. Mass. was born in Springfield,
.May 111. isn.'>. the son of L. Clark Seelye.
president of Smith College, and Henrietta
Chapln Seelye. <»n his mother's side lie is
a direct descendant of Deacon Chapin. He
graduated at Amherst. 1S8G : Harvard
.Medical College 1S8!>. November 14. 1893.
he married (Jrace Allen Blodgett. and to
them have been born two children. Barbara
and Rebecca.
KEV.VOLDS. HoWAliD Stephex. p. o.
Springfield. Mass.. was born In Spring-
field. September .">. ]S.").">. the son of George
Reynolds, born In Soutiiliridge, Massachu-
setts, and Harriet Angeline Coiton Rey-
nolds, born In Longmeadow. Massachusetts.
Howard Stephen Reynolds was married to
( 582 )
APPENDIX
Maiia Josephine Davis, of Springfield, on
August I'l. 1ST7. and tbey have one son,
(_ieoi-ge Harold Harold. .
KiUKH.wi, James Wilsox. p. o. Spring-
field. .Mass.. the son of James and Frances
Kirkham. was bom in Springfield on the
8th of April. l,s.",0. He was graduated
from Yale in ISTU. Mr. Kirkham married
Fannie C. Barri. of Cambridge, and they
are the parents of one son. William Karri,
now a student at Yale. J. Stuart Kirk-
ham. a etiusin of James \V.. is also a resi-
dent of Springfield.
M.\Ri;EHf.M. ('i..i['i)irs v.. p. o. Spring-
field. Mass., was born in SuffieUl. Counecti-
fut. March L'O. 1844. and came to Spring-
field in l.S7.">. On January -i\, l.stiT. he
married Elizabeth Holmes, of Suffield.
Connecticut. His father was Edwin Grey
Margerum. of Pennsylvania. and his
mother Uebecca Ann Uossell. of New Jer-
sey. Henry Margerum. Bucks county,
l*ennsylvania. who. with other friends,
emigrated from Wiltshire. England, in
lOSli. was the first American ancestor of
the Margerum family. Edwin F.. a brotlier
of Claudius v.. is also a resident of Hamp-
den county. The first Margerum in Spring-
field was George S.. who died in ISd-j.
n.vi.E. David, p. o. Springfield. Mass.. was
born at Ballykelly. County Down, Ireland,
on the 10th day of April, 18B4. He ac-
quired his education at three well known
institutions ; Banbridge academy. Belfast
model school, and at Wilbraham aiademy.
and settled in Hampden county in October,
1881. On the Isth of September. 18Sii. Mr.
Hale was married to Myrta M. Sanderson.
They have three children : Marion Theda.
born September ."p. ISSXI: Clarence William,
born November 7, 1892; and Jame.s, born
July 27, 18!t.">.
BmxiE, CiiAiii.ES A., p. 0. Longmeadow,
Mass.. was born in Becket, .March 13, 1844,
a son of William and Sarah I,, i I'erklns)
Blrnie. William Birnie was a native of
Scotland and came to America when a
young man. He was emplo.ved on the work
of construction of the B. & M. It. R. and
lived in Springfield from 18,52 until his
death, in 1S8!). Charles .\. Blrnie was edu-
cated In the Springfield schools, and in
1S('>2 enlisted in Co. A. 4(ith regiment of In-
fantry. He was discharged at the end of
nine months. He then begun the study of
law and was admirted to the bar in Spring
field. He practiced for seven years in
Leavenworth. Kan., and in 1873 removed to
.Vew York, where he lived ten years (at one
time being assistant district attorney), and
in 1883 came to Springfield. Mr. Birnie
now is assistant secretary and one of the
directors of the Springfield Fire and Marine
Insurance company. In issi) he came to
Longmeadow and purchased the faim prop-
erty on which he has since lived. He
served as selectman of the town for two
years. On December 2o. 1872. Mr. Birnie
married Susan G. Wright of Newburg, N. Y.
Two children were born of this marriage :
Alexander O. Birnie. born November 21,
187,"). and Gabriel G. Birnie. bjrn January
31. 1877. Mr. Bii'nie was at one time
chairman of the liberal republican state
committee, and also has been president of
the Hampden county iigricultural society.
BrsH, ArsTix BALi,of, a native and life-
long resident of Hampden county, was born
in Willlmansett. December 21, 1829, At
that time Willlmansett formed a part of the
town of Springfield, but in 1848 was set off
to Chicopec. In his youth Austin B. Bush
attended the old State street school, then
under teachers Sanford Lawton and Ariel
Parish, and afterward completed his early
education In the Clinton ( N, Y.) Liberal
institute — two years. Rev, T. J. Sawyer,
principal: the Norwich (Vt.) Military
academ.v — one year. ('apt. Alden Partridge,
prlncii)al. Both of these teachers were
famous educators half a century and more
ago. On January 11. 1S.")4, .Mr. Bush mar-
ried Susan P.. daughter of David and Re-
becca Mlliard. His second wife, whom he
married February 1.^. 1892. was Persls
Crawford Prosser. His children, both by
the first marriage, were James A., born No-
vember 12, ]S.'4. died December 19. 18.i4 ;
and Harry Dean, born April 2, IS.'i". The
ancestors of this branch of the Bush fam-
ily In America were Samuel, first, and Jon-
athan Bush, who Immigrated to this coun-
try probably about 1G40 and settled at
Enfield, Conn, They were "approbated" as
members of the colony there and Jonathan
had permission to build, December 20, 1C78.
On N(»vember 2. IflS,', Jonathan assisted in
locating the boundary lino between 1-^nfield
and Springfield. Rufus Bush, son of Rufils
and direct descendant of the Immlgi'ant an-
cestor, was the pioneer of the family in
Hampden county, and Ills cblldren, of whom
( 5S3 )
M'l'ESDIX
llioie were eleven, were lioin williin the
llniUs of wliiit now is this eounty. Tliey
weie liiifns Aiien. Duvid A.. Aimiia. Ada-
iine. Amanda. Henry Harrison. Clarinda.
Gilbert. Saraii. Orvilie and Kmiiy A. IJnsIi.
I'oTTKK. TiMdTiiv I >. I'liiiip Totter, .jr..
(T). si>n of riiilii) nil. apiiears to have been
the pioneer in Hampden county of that
liranch of his family of which we write.
The ancestor of this family in America was
Nathaniel Totter, who came from Kn^land
to I'ortsmonlh. Khode Island, previous to
ItiSG. and died in 1(>44. His wife was
Dorothy Totter, survived him many years,
and died in 1G9G. I-'olIowing tlie iine of
direct descent from Nathaniel and his wife
to Tlillip. jr.. we (ind these names as the
male heads of families in eadi succeeding
generation: Nathaniel. -J-A (li). Nathaniel.
3d Cil. William (4). David (•>). Thillp (6).
Philip, jr. (7). the latter being in the sev-
enth i^eneratlon from the ancestor. He
was born In Ashford. Conn.. February 1-1.
17SJ. and died December 31. 1847. having
settled in Wilbrnham in 1.S24. and in 1K44
removed to Charlton. .Mass.. where he died.
His wife was Hannah Preston, whom he
married May 12. l.SOS. Of their children
I'hlllp Preston Potter was born in Connec-
ticut .July (!. 1811. and died in Springfield.
.Taniiary 14. 1001. He married. May *J4.
1S3(). Uethlah 1». Walker, by whom he had
children, all born In Wilbraham. viz. : Tim-
othy !>.. born April 12. 1S40: William W..
born .July 12. tS42. married May 21. 1S73,
Isabella A. Strickland : Abigail B.. born
October 30. 1844. married April S. 18(i3.
Moses A. Jiaynard : Almenia M.. born Aug-
ust IS. 1840. married September 7. 1870.
iieitrge H. Hastings : Philip H.. born .-Vugust
30. IS.'il. married September 17. 1873. Clara
M. Murdock. Philip P. Potter was a man
of substance In Wilbraham and by reason
of his connection wllh the militia of former
days he was called Captain Potter and held
a commission indicating that rank. He was
selectman several terms and represented his
town in the legislature in l.S.">3. Timothy
Dlmock Potter (9). son of Philip P., mar-
ried, first. November 19. 1866. Larenc E.
Howe, who died 1.870. and second. April 6.
1871. I.aura A. Atwood. who died 1883. and
third. I.eora A. Alliro. His children, both
born of his second marriage, are Charles
Samuel, born March 24. 1872. married .Tune
1. 1898. Jennie K. Parrrlsh : and Itena B..
born .March 14. lS7."i. died October 24. 1881.
.Mr. Potter was educated in Wilbraham
academy. In 1866- he built a saw and plan-
ing mill in Bondsville and with his father
engaged in the lumber business. His pres-
ent partner is Kufus L. Bond. Mr. Potter
is president of the Hampden Lumber com-
pany, and treasurer of the A. C. Dutton
Lumber Co. He has held various offices in
tile town of Palmer and represented his
district in the legislature in 1878. He be-
came a resident in Springfield in 1889.
H.iNCocK ./iisKi'H Ci_viiic. p. o. Spring-
field, traces his ancestry in America back
to Nathaniel Hancock, who. with his wife
•loan, lived in Cambridge. Mass.. as early
as 1634. The children of these first Amer-
ican settlers were Mary, born November 3.
1634: Sarah, born March 3. 1036; Nathan-
iel, born December 18. 1038: Elizabeth.
b.rn .March 1. 1641: John, born April 8.
1642: Solomon, born about 1643; Lydia.
born .\pril a. 164.j. and Thomas Hadley.
born Ki.iO. The latter son. John, was the
first Hancock to settle in Hampden county.
.\ovember 19. 1713. he married Anna,
daughter of John and Hannah Webb. Their
son. John, born .May 20. 1717. married,
first. Mary Kilborn on November 22. 1744,
and second. Abigail Terry, on July 11.
17."i4. Of this union was born Gideon, in
176.'"i. who married liunice Green. August 9.
179.*. Next in line was John, born March
.30. 1801. and who married Celina Cooley.
John and Celina i Cooley l Hancock were the
parents of our subject. Joseph Clark Han-
(•ock. w-ho was born May 10. 182.'i. and on
-May 9. 18.')4. was married to Mary Jane,
daughter of Salter Storrs and Sally Smith
Stebbins of I.ougmeadow. Their children
ai-e : Klvie Josephine, morn May 8. 18.55 :
.\bbe Jane, born November 13. 1858. died
.\pril 24. 1872: .\rthur Clark, born Decem-
ber 23. 1862. died October 29. 1.SS1 : Hattie
Marion, boi-n August 8. 1S66: Frederick
Otis, born .May 27. 1868. and Charles
Joseph, born September 10. 1875.
SiiKKM.ix. Phixe.\.s a. — Philip Sherman
was born at Dedham. Essex county. Eng-
land. February 5. 1010. Going back from
him four generations to Thoma* Sherman,
the earliest now known member of the
Sherman family, it is re<<)rded that he was
honi in the early years of the reign of
Henry VII . the first Tudor monarch, who
ascended the llirone In 14S5. The Sher-
( 0^4
APPENDIX
man family is of Teutonic or Germ:inii-
origin and was transferred to tlie vicinity
of London. England, during the Anglo-
Saxon immigration 4.")()-.").S0 A. D. Tliomas
Slierman is tlie ancestor of many noted
descendants in the American branches of
the family, the most famous of whom, per
haps, are the late (Jen. William Tecumseh
Sherman and Senator John Sherman. Philip
Sherman came to this country in 1633. set-
tling in a short time at Uoxbury. Mass. He
married soon afterwards Sarah Odding.
Several years later he removed to Rhode
Island, owing to his espousal on the popu-
lar side in the Ann Hutchison troubles.
This plantation he and others purchased
from the Indians, upon the advice of Roger
Williams, and when the regular government
was established at Portsmouth, in 1630. he
was chosen first secretary of the colony of
Rhode Island and held that position for
four years. During King Philip's war he
was of great service to the colony as a
counsellor and a person of intelligence.
Philip Sherman died in li;s7 at Portsmouth,
leaving an extensive estate in lands situ-
ated in Portsmouth. Xarragansett. Ponegan
sett. Westerly. R. 1.. and Dartmouth. Bris-
tol county. Mass. I'hineas A. Sherman is
descended from Edmond Sherman, son of
Philip, and is the first of his family to
settle in Hampden count.v. He came to
Springfield in 1861 and since 1.S76 has re-
sided in West Springtield ; present occupa-
tion, contractor and builder. I'hineas .Vu-
gustus Sherman, son of Rev. .lohn S. Sher-
man, a Methodist clergyman Ion his mater-
nal side Phineas A. Sherman is a descend-
ant of Peregrine White, the first child of the
Pilgrims of Plymouth), was born in Roch-
ester. Bristol county. Mass.. August 23.
1.SJ1. lie graduated from the Baltimore
College of Dental Surgery In l.SK.'i. receiv-
ing the degree of 1). D. S. He married.
February 7. 187'J. Frances P.eckwith I.yman.
daughter of Moses Lyman of Springfield,
of an old .ind prominent Hampshire comity
family. Their children are Charles
I'hineas Sherman, law.ver. of New Haven.
Conn., born In West Sprlnglleld. .Tune S.
1S74. graduated from Yale college In 1S!1(i.
receiving the degree of P.. A., graduated
from Yale law school in 1.'<'.i.s. receiving the
degree of I,T,.B.. graduated from Yale uni-
versity in IS!)!), reielvlng the degree of
<loctor of civil law. Their second son.
Frederic I.yman Sherman, was lioru in
West Springtield. January 17. 1878. was a
member of the class of IS'.yj. Massachusetts
Institute of Technology. Boston, and was
studying for the degree of civil engineer at
the time of his death. .\oveml>er Ki. l!inii.
B.M.i,. Lkwis J., was born in .\gawam.
August 18. 1S.")8. the son of Meshach W.
and Ann C iJudsoni Ball, and the eldest
of their four cliildren. Lewis was reared
and educated in Agawam and removed
thence to Springtield. He married I Sep-
tember 123. 188.J) Gertrude Adams, of West
Derby. Vt.. by whoni he has one child. Ray-
mond Adams Ball, born July 26. 1.S87. The
ancestor of the Ball family so frequently
mentioned in Hampden county histoi-y was
Francis Ball, one of six sons of William
Ball, of Wiltshire. England, who came to
America <m the ship Planter and landed in
Boston in 163.'). I-'rancis settled in what
now is \^'est Springfield in 1641) and mar
ried Abigail Burt. Their children v.-ere
Jonathan. 1st. bora 164.1. and Samuel. l)orn
1647. the former being the fii'st white malt*
child born in West Springtield. He event-
ually became a man of consequence in the
town and was a captain of militia, a post
of great honor. J<jnathan's children were
Abigail. Thomas (born 1676). Samuel (born
IflSO). Jonathan. 2d (born 1683). Francis
(born 1687k Ben.}amin (born 16K!)) and
Joseph I born 16!)3.i Jonathan Ball. 2d.
held a major's commission in the French
and Indian wars, but on returning from
Boston to Springfield in the line of duty,
he was stricken with small pox and died
.March 7. 17()(i. aged thirty .vears. Benjamin
Ball, son of Jonathan (Isti. resided on the
family estate in West Springfield. His
children were Moses. Noah. Charles. Ben-
.tamin and Aliigall. .Moses Ball, son of
Ben.iamln. married Lucy King, and their
children were Abigail. Lucy. Sarah. Ben-
jamin. Martin. Eli. Jonathan and Moses.
Ell. who was best known as Capt. Ell Ball,
was born In 1764 and died In 1S44. His
children were .N'orman. born 1788: Ell. Jr..
born 17S!). died 1S40: Lucy, born 17'.)3.
married William Dewey; Benjamin, born
17!)."i: Francis, born 17!)7: Cynthia, born
17!)1 : Elizabeth, born 17!)!i; William, born
isni : Desire, born 1S04. married Palmer
Callup: Margaret, born LS(»1 : Cynlhia 2d.
born ISOS; .\dallne. born isiill: Seymour.
born 1st2. and Samuel, born 1S1I. Xor-
585 )
ArrK.xDiA
iiiiin Itiill, s.in lit" ('Hilt. Hli. maiileil Hptsy
Willi liier. Uctiilicr lit;, isn. She was bufn
A|irll !i, IT'.Ki. aiHl (lied »(>ptpmber 14. l.s.-iil.
Xiinnaii died November :-t(i. is(;i;. Their
children were Alfred Leonard, born Septem-
ber 11. l.si.-i. died April L'!l. llid:; : C.vnthia.
born rebniary )i3. 1817. died June S. liHi:;:
i:iizabeth. born .lanuiiry 31. I.SISI. died
.lanuar.v ."►. ISiM); Norman, jr.. born Sep-
lemljer Hi. 1S:;1. died Kebriiary :;i>. lild:; :
Mesliach \\'.. born .Inly (i. ISl'-") : I.ney .lane,
born December 1. 18:;!l. Alfred Leonard
Hall never married. Cynthia married. I)e-
eember, ISA:',. William ('. ('larli. and their
children were Willie, born November S.
1.S4.-1. died June L'T. IS.-ii;: Ida K.. born
March liC. l.s.l;;. died September 17. 181I.S.
Kllzabeth Hall married Dexler Winter, but
had no cliildren. Norman Bail. jr.. mar-
ried. November l."i. 1840. Julia A. Merrill,
who died .\UBUst. ISdO. and he married, sec-
ond. December 2:\. l.SiXi. Mrs. Nancy H.
Tliiii. .Meshacb W. Hail married. January
-8. 18."i7. Ann ('. Judson .who bore him
these children: Lewis J., born .August 18.
1S."i8: Hessie A., born June L"i. lK(!i;; .Nor-
man A., born May S. lS(i4. died .May I'S.
1S7L': .May J., born July .'n. 1870; Lucy
Jane, married J. C Hastings of Snitielil.
Copi;i..\xr). Ai.i-Ki:n Minot. His lirst an
cestor in this country was Lawrence Cope-
land, who in HJ.'il married Lydia Townsend.
Their son William married widow Mary
Webb, granddaughter of John .\lden. Their
son Jonathan married Hetty Sneil. daugh-
ter of Thomas Snell of Bridgewater. Their
son Daniel, born in 1741. married Susannah
.\nies. daughter of Joseph Ames of West
Hrldgewater. Their son Daniel, born in
17(i7. married .Vbigali Shaw, daughter of
(iideon Shaw of Uaynham. and their son.
.Alfred, born isni. married ICmma .\ugusta
Ilowd. daughter of Whitehead Ilowd of
New Hartford. Conn. They were the pa
rents of .\lfred Minot. who was born July
'.i. IS.'iO. in Hartford. Conn. He came to
Chester in Hampden county with his pa
rents In June 184:!. He was admit te<i to
practice law at the Hampden county bar.
In December. lS."i.""). and located in Hunting-
ton (formerly Chester Village). He mar-
ried. December 18.17. Kmyra .\. Bigelow. a
native of Chester, and daughter of Henry
K. r.lgelow. Their children are Alfred B.
Copeland. now of Russell, a farmer, and
May. wife of John C. Kemater of Spring-
lield. .lodge Copeland came to Spring-
field to live in 1871'.
HakuvvIlLL. Frederick Afou-STUS. man-
ager of the Western T'nion telegraph office
in Springlield since March 1. 1Sit7. was
born in Shelburne I-'alls. Mass.. May 1.
18(il. He acquired his education in the
public schools and also in the old Franklin
academy. Subsetpiently he became a prac-
tical telegrapher and in 1878 began his
career as an operator in his native town.
He remained in that capacity for a year.
going thence to Troy. N. Y.. for a short
time, and from thence to North Adams.
Mass.. having been promoted to the posi-
tion of train dispatcher for the old Troy &
(Jreenlield railroad, when it was under the
management of the state of Massachusetts.
Wiien the state relin(iuished the manage-
ment of the road in 1S87 he was called to
the main office of the I-'itchburg rairoad at
Boston, serving in the capacity of train
dispatcher and chief clerk to the superin-
tendent of telegraph until 1807. when he
was called to tlie management of the West-
ern I'nion telegraph company's office in
Siiringfleld. On October 20. 1883. Mr.
Hardwell married Annie Amanda, daughter
of Darwin F. Ware, of Shelburne Falls.
Their cliildren are Karl Darwin, born l->e-
cember 0. 1884. in North Adams and died
in infancy; (lladys (lenevieve. born August
7. IS'.in. in Boston, and Leiand Frederick,
born August 21. 1802. in Boston. Mr.
Hardweil's ancestor (who in fact was the
ancestor of nearly if not ([Uite all of the
Bardwells in New ICngiandl in America was
Koberl Hardwell. an F.ngiishman. a hatter's
apprentice, who left London in 1667 and
settled in Deertield. Mass. A few years
later, during the disastrous King Philip's
war. he was a soldier with the colonial
troops and took part in the historic "swamp
fight" against the Narragansett Indians.
On r»ecember 10. 1(17.'>. he was commis-
sioned sergeant under (""apt. Turner and
was stationed at Hatfield with twent.v-four
men. He also took jiart in the battle at
Turners Falls and otherwise was an active
spirit In defending the frontier settlements
during that unfortunate strife. After the
war he set tip a hatter's shop in Hattieid
and he died in 1726. On November 20.
1676. he married Mary, daughter of William
(iiiii. She died .November 12. 1726. They
had eleven children : Kbenezer. Mary. John..
( 5Sfi )
APPENDIX
Samuel. Ji>hn rJdi. Eliznbeth. Thomas,
Hester. Sarah. Thankful and Abigail.
Kexdiuok. Edmund P. — Ex-Mayor Ken-
drk-k. of Springfield, is a native of Lebanon.
N. H.. born February 1. 1849. He is a
graduate of Brown university law school,
and came to the Hampden bar In 1S76. On
April 9. 1885. he married t'lara A. Holmes,
by whom he has one son. U;)ymond Holmes
Kendrick, born I'Vbruary -'.i, 3 887. On his
father's side Mr. Kendrick is descended
from George Kendrick. a native of York-
shire. England, who came to America and
arrived in Boston, probably Feb. o. 1632,
on the same ship with Itoger Williams. He
married his wife .Jane probably in England,
and he lived in Plymouth. Scituate. Boston
and Rehoboth. He was a volunteer in the
Pequot war and also in King Philip's war.
From this immigrant ancestor the descent
comes through his eldest son John, who
was born in Boston in 1637, married, Nov.
X2. 16.">7, Lydia Cheney, and lived in Ips-
wich until his death in 1702.
KiBBK. ('initLE.s Payne, who was well
known in medical circles in Springfield from
1842 to the time of his death in 18,j.''i. was
a descendjint in the ninth generation of
lOdward and Iieborah Kibbe, who lived in
Exeter. Eng.. in 1611. Their son Edward
with his wife. Mary Partridge, came to New-
England in 1640 and lived In Boston.
Elisha. their third son. lived in Salem, and
thence moved to Enfield. Conn., in 1682.
and was one of the founders and largest
land owners of that town. Edward.
Elisha's second son. with three other men
and their families, made the first permanent
settlement at Somers. Conn., in 17i;f. Such,
in brief, was the ancestral record of Dr.
Ivibbe. and it will be seen that he was
descended from substantial old New Eng-
land stock. His young life was spent on
his father's farm in Tolland. Conn., and at
the age of 17 years he attended Wilbraliam
academy. His medical education was ai-
quired in the Pliiiailelplila .Medii-al college,
and after graduation he practical medicine
and surgery in Springfield. He gained a
high standing in medical and social circles,
and was one of the first physicians to de-
clare against the old-time practice of
■•blood letting."
Minn. James Ci-ahk, of Springfield,
whose literary work has won for lilm n
standing In the ranks of American authors.
is a native of old Sonthington. Conn., boro-
.May 11, 1848. and was given a good com-
mon school and academic education. He
married I Sept.. 1882.) Mary E. Hill of Mer-
iden. Conn., and came to Springfield to live
in 1890. On his father's side Mr. .Munn Is
descended from Holland ancestry, the pion-
eer in America having settled In Herkimer.
N. v.. In the historic Mohawk valley about
1740. James' great-grandfather. David
Munn. was born in Herkimer In 1752 and
died in 1833. He was a soldier of the
revolution and drew a pension after the
war. His son Deodatus was born in 1788
and died in 1S.'>8. Deodatus' son. also
named Deodatus. father of James, was born
December 16, 1816, and died in 1870. He
settled In Sonthington. and married Eliza
Ann Clark, daughter of Joseph T. Clark, a
soldier of the war of 1812-15. On the
Clark side the ancestor was Jason Clark,
who came from England about 1660 and
settled in Farmlngton. Conn. Cyrus Clark,
grandson of Joseph, settled in Southing-
ton about 1740. Joseph T. Clark, son of
Cyrus, was maternal grandfather of James
Clark Munn. lie was born about 1780 and
died in 1868.
UoBSDN, Stiabt Mux. attorney at law.
is a native of Springfield, born December
20, 1873. He was educated In the city
schools and became a member of the Hamp-
den bar in 1897. On January 1, 1900. Mr.
Kobson married Grace A. Stearns.
.N'oKi.. CiiAiti.Es Gideon, p. o. Springfield.
Mass, was born In Champlaln. New York.
February 1, 18."il. a son of Edward and So-
phia Noel. Edward Noel was in the
Patriot war in Canada and came to the
United States In 1837. Charles Gideon
Noel married .Mary Stebbins on the first
day of January. 1873. They are the pa-
rents of seven children: Charles. Maria
Louisa. Henry, Henrietta, Lilly, Irene, and
Kiilli .Noel. Mr. Noel has lived In Spring-
Held for thirty years, and is one of the dep-
uty sheriffs of the county sent.
Bi'Ti.EH, Jason, p. o. North Wilbra-
hani. Mass., was born .Innunry 1. 1817,
a son of Colonel Benjamin and llannnb
H. (Cross) Butler, whose children were
Philip JL. Julia A.. Ellen M.. Henry C,
Perlln S.. Lyman D.. James M.. Jason.
Itoyal D.. Hannah I'... and three who died
In Infamy. Jason Butler was ediniiled
In the common schools i>f Wllbraham. Wll-
( 587 )
Afri:si)ix
brjiliuni Academy aud the Stale Ni)n«:il
StiiiiDl hi Wesltield. When nineteen years
of «se lie began teaiiiins. which he fol-
Uiwed fof eleven terms: he leained the
liiipenter's tiade. which he followed for
nine years, and in 1S80 entered the em-
ploy of Cutler & Co.. of Wllbraham. as
clerk and later as bookkeeper and cashier.
In 1SS7 he entered the employ of F. !■'.
Many of rainier and after three years re-
turned to Cutler & Co. as master mechanii'.
In ISTl -Mr. liutler married Sarah Cor-
ne la. dau^'hler of Aldis and Sarah (I'alnel
rerrin : they have one adopted st)n. Les-
ter H. r.utler. Mr. ISuIler is now serv-
ing? as chairman of the board of select-
men : lias been school commitleeinan for
twenty one years and in IMKi was elected
to represent his district in the Legisla-
ture: lie received a commission from Cov-
ernor Oliver Ames in .lanuary. I.S.ST, as
justice of peace, which otbce he still holds.
Scott. K.\U!. M.. p. o. North Wllbraham.
Mass.. was born in Manstield. Coiin..
March S. IS.'iil. a son of Hugh M. and
JIaria (Dlinockl Scott. Hugh M. was a
native of Hampton. Conn., and lame to
South Ha<lley Falls. Mass.. in LSGT. where
for twenty-live years he was employed in
the Carew .Mills. Karl M. received his
education in the schools of Salem, and af
ter leaving school enlisted in the V. S
navy, and on bis discbarge engaged In
paper making: he came to Wllbraham in
1887 and engaged with the Collins Mfg.
<'o. Mr. Scott has served as assessor
five years, selectman two years and dep
uty sherlflT under Mr. Clark for six years.
In lS7:i be married Irene Grant, of South
Iladley. who bore blm ten children : Her-
bert .\., Mabel A.. Emma L.. Sidney S..
Addle. Ina M.. and Albert F.. and three
dweased.
Sk.wkk. Ai.i.vn M.. p. o. North Wllbra-
ham. Mass.. May 13. 1871. a son of Allyn
Delos. a native of Ludlow and Klla .M.
(Benedict I Seaver. Allyn lielos died
October 22. 1893. and his widow March
18. 1805. Allyn M. attended the common
schools and was educated musically In the
Wllbraham Academy. In is'.li! Mr. Seaver
married Lilian Rennett.
UfTI.ER. .Tames K.. p. o. North Willira-
liam. Mass.. was born In Wllbraham. Mass..
March IS. 184.'». a son of Hen,iamln ilutler.
a native of Monson.
his wife. .lames K
schools of his native
followed faritiing.
town as assessor for
stable, and in 18',)S
publli-. In 1807 .M
vlra Maxwell, of .M
one son. James A.
Laura E. Hovey. of
has two children,
lilauche I!.
and Hannah V. Cross,
was educated in the
town and has always
He has served his
one year and as con-
was appointed notary
r. liutler married El-
onson. who bore him
In 1870 be married
Monson. by whom he
Albert H. H. and
UiciHRDs. .Tames, p. o. Wllbraham.
Mass.. was born In Cummlugton. Mass.,
■June 20, 1835, a son of Darius and Dorcas
(Westcotti Uichards. and received a com-
mon school education. Since leaving
school he has been engaged in farming,
purchasing his present farm over thirty
years ago. On March 14, ISfiS. Mr. Rich-
ards married Mary E. Herrick ; they have
three children : E. Louise. Louis H.. and
.M. Allena.
(iiiKK.N. IlK.Mii' M.. p. o. North Wllbra-
ham. Mass.. wa.s born on the (ireen home-
stead in Wilbrabam. Mass.. Februar.v 16.
1867. a son of Walter M.. and .Tulia I Uut-
ler) tireen. and was educated in the schools
of bis native place. After leaving school
he engaged as freight agent and baggage
master with the B. & A. R. R. at North
Wilbrabam. In 1888 Mr Green married
Lora M. Itindge. of Wilbrabam. who has
borne him one son. George Milo Green.
Mr. Green is a member of Talmer Lodge
No VM). Odd Fellows.
Kixti. ARTHt.ut D.. p. o. North Wllbra-
ham. Mass.. was born in Liidb>w. Mass..
-May IS. 184,'i. a son of Marvin and Eunice
It. lAlden) Iving. His father is a native
of .Somers. Conn., and is now living in
Ludlow, where he has been for seventy-
three years; his wife died In 187.'>. Ar-
Ibur D. was educated in the schools of his
native town and In September. 1861,
joined Co. I. 27th Mass. Regiment, and
was discharged in 186,3. He was in the
mines of Colorado for three years and con-
ducted a meat market in Wilbrabam three
years; he was a representative to the Gen-
eral Court in 1808 and has served as as-
sessor for seventeen years. In 1870 Mr.
King married Lucy .T. Brewer, daughter of
Daniel Brewer, of Ludlow: they have one
son. Howard .\rthur.
( 588 )
APPENDIX
Ki;an. .Ta.mks. p. o. North Wilbialinm.
Mass.. was born in Ludlow. Mass.. Fehni-
ary (1. lX."i.">. a son <i( Michael Egan. who
came to America from Ireland in ISjO and
settled in Ludlow, and Katherine Demps.v.
Ills wife. James was educated in the
schools of Ludlow and New York cit.v and
after leaving scliool learned the druggist
trade ; he purchased his present business
of \V. 1Z. Stone, with whom lie had been
connected fifteen years. Mr. Egan has
been registrar for seven years and clerk
at the elections for years. In May. 1880,
he married Mary K. Foley, of Three Rivers.
Mass. ; they have two children, Catherine
t'. and Martha, both at home.
HoOEKs. JnHX It,, p. o. Tolland. Mass..
was born April 15, 18G7, a sou of Uussell
Skinner and Orpha Rogers, whose children
were Mary, wife of Eugene Moore and
.Tohn R, John R. Rogers received a com-
mon school education and was associated
with his father until his fatlier's death,
when he took charge of the farm and car-
ried on general farming, making a specialty
of stock raising and dairying, October
L'4, 1801, Mr. Rogers married Minnie
Kelle, a daughter of Truman and Belle
I'eebles ; they have four children : Helle,
Truman. Wesley and Howard. Mr. Rog-
ers is interested in all public affairs and
is now serving his third term as selectman
and has held nearly all of the town oflices.
He is an active worker in the Congrega-
tional church, is one of the deacons and
its treasurer.
Mixx, Wii.BEiiT, p, o, Tolland, Mass.,
was born in the town of Tolland, June 1,
1S-U>. a son of Denni.s L. and Sarah Munn,
wluise children were Harriet, Loren .M..
Henry L.. Wilbert. Josephine and Kosanna.
liennis L. was a s<ui of Thomas and Luiy
.Munn and followed farming and black-
smithing. Wilbert Munn. the subject,
was associated with his father until the
hitter's death in ISIKI, since which time he
lias <-arried on the farm work and black-
smithing alone, March l.'i. 1S8:!. Mr.
.Munn married Klleu. daughter of Hdwin
and i;ilen (Benileyi Rowley, who bore
liim two children: Mildred and Ethel.
Mr. Munn is active in town and county
Mirnirs and has served as clerk and treas-
urer since 1.88(1. The family are sup-
porting members of the Congregational
Cliunli.
Ii.iiiHnTY. (;i:i.kc;e. p. o. Southwick,
-Ma.ss. was born in Ireland. Eebruary :;,
IN-li;. a son of Patrick :ind Rebecca
tWi.kel Doherty. who were the parents of
thirteen children : James. George. Pat-
rick. Samuel. Charles, Rebecca. Robert,
Jlaria. William. Sarah. John. Jane and
Mary .\nn. Ceorge Doherty was edu-
cated in Ireland and America, coming to
this country in 18(!ii. After coming to
America he worked on a farm for four
years and tlien purchased a farm for him-
self in Southampton ; in 1872, he moved
to Westfield. where he followed farming
and trucking; in 1877 he moved to the
town of Southwick, where lie has since re-
sided and carries on general farming, mak-
ing a specialty of tobacco raising. On
April ."i, 1871, Sir, Doherty married Nellie
M.. daughter of Tlioraas and Miranda
(Damon) Rude: two children were born
of this marriage : Etlie J., wife of Cooley
A. (iriffin. and James W. Mr. Doherty is
active in town and county affairs and flt
the iiresent time is serving his eighth
year as one of the selectmen of the town
of Southwick. having been chairman sev-
eral years : he is active'y interested in edu-
cational work and is a liberal contributor
to the different churches.
Rhvi.e. Wii.i.HM. p. o. Southwick. .Mass.,
was born in Russell, July 4, 183:i, a son
of John and lietsey (Stevens) Itoyle. John
Iloyle was born in Ireland and came to this
country when a boy. He was enn>loyed
cui the railroad the most of his life ana
accumulated an estate of considerable
v:ilue, consisting of a large trad of land,
saw and grist mill. William Itoyle was
educated in the schools of East Hampton
.Hid his life has been mostly spent In agri-
cultural pursuits. In IS.'il Mr. Iloyle
married Cornelia Vlets. who died in 1S88.
leaving two daughters: Elizabeth, wife of
William S. Saunders and Catherine Isa-
belle, wife of Chester L. (Jalpin. In 18!>1
he married, sei-ond. S. Lizzie lirace. Mr.
lioyle has been active In town and county
afTairs and has held several of (lie olllces
In the gift of his townspeople, but his chief
interest is in the charge of his estate.
Mrs. lioyle Is n member of the First Con-
gregational Church of Sprlnglleld.
I'.MiKs. EtiJENi: I>.. p. o. Russell. .Mass.,
was iKirn January 17, 18I!L', a son of Hor-
a< e and Ellen M. (Lewis) I'arks. whii had
( 589 )
APPEXDIX
three children ; Arthur S.. Kiigene 1>. ami
Itoheri L. llonice I'arks was born In
Uussell. March in. ISl'I. a son of Kohert
nnd Sally (Shurtllffi I'arks and grandson
of Kllas and Lydia (l.indscyi I'Mrks. The
Lindseys were of Ivnglish descent and tirst
settled In this country In the town of
SlonlKomery. Horace Parks was In the
employ of the It. & A. U. K. for about
forty-eight years, commencing as foreman
on a gravel train, and for thirty-eight years
was agent for the H. &. A. U. U. at Uus-
sell. He was prominent in local affairs
and held most of the town ollices. He
was chairman of the board of selectmen
for thirteen years and was also postmas-
ter for many j'ears. His wife. Kllen M..
was a daughter of Hon. Horatio Gates
Lewis, who was of Welsh ancestry and
settled in Klandford about ISliO. .Mr
Lewis was a member of the Legislature
and also commanded a company In the war
of l.sii; and was major in the State
militia : he died at sixty seven years of age.
Eugene I». I'arks received a common
sdiool education with two years at West
field High School, and when nineteen years
of age formed a co-partnership in the gen-
eral mercantile business under the Hrm
name of II. I'arks & Son: five years later
his brother Robert L. was admitted to the
Hrm and the firm was then known as 10. I).
Parks & Co.. which copartnership contin-
ued for three years. At that time Kugene
I>. entered the employ of the railroad com
pany for three years, tlien became man-
ager of the Woronoco stock farm tor two
years, since which time he has been en-
gaged in the lumber, charcoal, wood and
real estate business On October -0. 1.><.S.S.
he married Lizzie Helle ideceasedi. daugh-
ter of Ale.tander and Lizzie S. (Russell i
Lewis, who bore lilm one son. Frederick K.
On October 10. 1.S!I4. M'-. Parks married
Minnie I!., daughter of Marvin and Mary
(Parks I Wright: they have two children.
Warren W. and Leah. Mr. I'arks is a
public spirited man : lias served as school
committeeman, overseer of the poor, tiiwn
clerk and at the present time is chairman
and clerk of the board of selectmen. He
is a memher of the Improved Order of Red
Men and Huntington Lodge of Masons.
LlNcnl.N. WlI.I.HM S.. p. o. Russell.
Mass.. was born In Brunswick. Me.. May
1!3. 1S68. a son of Nathaniel Curtis and
.Mary Klizabeth (Reedl Lincoln, who were
the parents of si.t children. William S.
Lincoln was educated in the schools of his
town, and when sixteen years of age en-
tered a retail store as clerk ; when twenty-
one years of age he entered a wholesale
shoe business in Hoston and in 1892 came
to Russell, where lie lias since been em-
ployed by the Blandford Brick & Tile Co.
as superintendent. On June 3. 1893. Mr.
Lincoln married Mary, daughter of Jarvis
W. and Olive C. I Parks) (Jibbs : they have
two children : Olive Reed and Donald
Curtis. Mr. Lincoln's mother was a cousin
of Hon. Thomas Reed of Maine. His
fatlier and forefathers were seafaring peo-
ple.
Stevens. Solomcjn F.. p. o. Westfield.
Mass., was born in Southwick. February "J.
1S51. a son of William H. and Mary
(Reed) Stevens, who were the parents of
eight children : William R.. Maiy C.
Nancy A . Charles A., Solomon F..
Flora J.. James L. and Nellie P.
Solomon F. received a common school
education and helped at home on the
farm until twenty-one years of age. when
he engaged as a farm laborer and later
worked in the whip factory at Westfleld.
Here he was employed for three years,
then spent one year In Canada, and in
1S7S settled in the town of Russell, where
he now has a farm of ~>7>0 acres. When
twenty-seven years of age Mr. Stevens
married Ellen Conien : seven children were
born of this marriage : Marie. Nellie. Net-
tie May. William IL, Howard A.. George
.M. and Frank C. Mr. Stevens is a mem-
ber of Woronoco Tribe of Improved Red
Men No. 19. of Russell, and the subordi
nate (Jrange of Blandford No. 24.
Ci..\iiK. TiiEonoRE IIoKACE. p. o. Russell.
.Mass.. was born in the town of Russell.
September 9. \HV,:<. a son of Chester W. and
Alice (I'arks I Clark, and received n com-
mon school education. He was associated
with E. I). Parks & Co. as clerk in a gen-
eral mercantile business ; also with Loren
S. Boynton. and later engaged in the meat
business for himself, which he .sold out in
1S90 and started the general mercantile
business he is now engaged in. October
7. 1S91. Mr. Clark married (Jeorgie. daugh-
ter of ArchllMid and Elizabeth E. Gilmore :
they have one daughter. Helen G. Mr.
Clark has always taken an active interest
( 590 )
APPENDIX
in town ami (.uuaty affairs; was selectmau stnimentai in seciirin;; llic hnilding of the
one term : town treasui-er three years : State road from Huntington to Westfleld,
justice of the peace; chairman of the Ue- it being the first State road buiit in this
pubiicau town committee and at the pres- part of the state. Juiy 10. 1S8S. he mar-
ent time is serving as postmaster, having ried Margaret E.. daughter of Thomas and
been appointed .Tune 1. 1897. He is a Catherine (Corbetti Leamy ; they have one
member of Huntington Lodge. F. & A. M.. son. Robert Lewis I'arlis. Mr. Parks and
of Huntington, and Woronoco Tribe of Ked his famiiy are supporting members of the
Men of Uussell Xo. 19. of which he is a church, and he is a cliarter member of
charter member. Woronoco Tribe of Improved Order of Red
Allen. (JiconoE H.. p. o. Fairtield. Mass.. Men Xo. 19. of whicli he has been sachem,
was born in Dalton. I?erl<shire county, and collector of wampum; has been presi-
Mass. September 9. 1844. a son of Henry dent of the Woronoco liuilding Association
M. and Klecta (Davis) Allen, one of four since its formation; is a member of tlie
children : Fidelia, wife of James Gorham Ccmnecticut Valley Highway Association.
( deceased 1. Caroline, wife of Ur. W. W. ISIandford and I'omona (irange. and Xorth-
Loomis. (ieorge H. and Edward A. George ern Massachusetts I*. S. Association.
H. attended the public schools in Dalton Waid. Ch.vhlks L.. p. o. I'almer. Mass..
and when fifteen years of age was em- was born in Ludlow, .Mass.. January -4.
ployed by Mr. Gordon Parish of Hinsdale 187.">. a sou of Hiram and Louisa (Hansom
and through his own eCforts attained his Waid. His father was a farmer and rail-
advanced education by worl<ing overtime road man. acting as assistant superintend-
in taking care of the academy. He re- ent of the Onondaga & Lake Shore Kail-
mained with Mr. Parish five years and road. Charles L. was educated in the
(hen moved to Huntington, where he en- schools of Palmer and then accepted a
tered the bedstead factory as a carver and position as clerk in the Palmer Savings
turner ; he came to the town of Russell in Hank, being elected treasurer of the bank
1880 and in 1SS4 moved on to the farm after eight years' service as clerk. Mr.
where he now resides, which contains L'.jO Waid is a member of Thomas Lodge of
acres. On Xovember 23. 18T0. Mr. Allen Masons. On September r.'. 1900. Mr.
married Julia, daughter of John Me- Waid married Catherine L.. daughter of T.
Derby, who bore him three children : W. and Mary L. Comstock. of Xew York
(ieorge IL. jr.. Merrick Edward, who died cit.v.
when fifteen months old. and one who died Kkli.v. Jkui;mhii J., p. o. Tliorndlke.
in infancy. Mr. Allen married second. Mass.. was born in the town of Palmer.
December 5. 1883, Ellen M. I'endleton. He Mass., February r,. 1804. a son of Jere-
has taken an active part In local affairs; mlah and Ellen i Murphy I Kelly. His
has served as selectman six terms; Is a father was a native of Ireland and a
member of Huntington Lodge. F. & A. M.. stone mason by trade: he died April 30.
and Evening Star Chapter of Westlield. 1889; Mrs. Kelley is still living with her
P.iRKS, Robert L., p. o. Russell, Mass.. son. Jeremiah J. was educated in the
was born August .-.. 1804. and educated In schools of his town and learned the
the common schools. He was associated moulder's trade, which he followed for
in the grocery business with his father and three years. He was next engaged ns n
brother until twenly-one years of age. clerk for E. J. Kelly and was with him
when he entered rhe employ of the H. & A. until he engaged In his present Inislness In
K. R. at Russell; in 1SSS he went to Fair- l.HOIt. Mr. Kelly is a member of the
field and in 1890 returned to Russell. Knlghls of Columbus and St. Mary's Cnth-
where he worked under his falher until <dlc Church; also a member of the llamp-
1898 when he was appointed station den Musicians' I'rotecllve I'nlon and llrst
agent, which position he resigned in Octo- violinist of the Marine Orchestra of
her 1901 to become general agent for the Thorndlke.
Xew York Life Insurame Co. He was Cl.mik. CM'T. Hiu.vm E. W.. p. o. Palmer.
postmaster iMider Cleveland at Fairlield ; Mass.. was born nt Xew Salem. Mass.,
was selectman two years, and at the pres- April l.". 183.'>. a son of Samuel and l>la-
ent time Is town auditor. lie was In- dama Clark. When ten years of age his
{ 591 )
APVESDIX
piirects movi'd to Xinivon. 111., and In 184S
to Ciillfoinln. the jomni-.v taking two
yeafs. Slun'tly after tlifir arrival <_'ap-
tatn Clark went to sea and friiised anions;
tin* Islands of the southern I'aoitic for
ahont two years. ICetnrning lo California
In .lanuary. ISIi.'l he enlisted In the Call
fornia Ilattaliou. lid .Mass. Cavalry. lie
served In this ret:iment as lirst sergeant
and seettnd lieutenant until March. ISiU.
when he received his coimnission as cap-
tain In the ."ith .Mass. cavalry. After
Lee's surrender the regiment was sent to
Itio Grande. Texas. Captain Clark was
mustered out of service Keiember 1. INt!.").
and then settled in Thorndike. where he
has since lived, associating himself in the
meat and provision business under the
style of C. \V. Hastings & Co. In 1874
the senior member of the lirm died and
till' present lirm of Clark & Hastings was
formed: tliey have branch stores in Thorn-
dike and Ilondsville. ('apt. Clark Is one
of the charter members of the L. L. Mer-
rick Grand .-Vrmy I'ost ; is a Itepublican in
politics: represented his district in the
House <if Uepresentatlves in 18111 and
ISSli' : was postmaster from ISTtl to 1N8."i:
is a member of Thomas Lodge. Hampden
Chapter. Washington Council. Springtldd
Commandery of .Masons and the Itoyal
Arcanum. In January. ISi;."!. .Mr. Clark
married Carrie .1. Fuller of Thorndike.
Mass. Four children have been born to
them, viz.: Charles 11.. born Hecember 11,
ISC.t;. resides in Xew York: Henry C.
born October :;t;. ISCiS. died .September In.
1.S74: Farley (!.. born .Tuly -1. 1-^71, re-
sides in New York : and Genevra I'., born
September :\. 187:!, at home
W.vi-KKii. FiiF.ii i;.. p. o. Thorndike. Mass..
was born in Thorndike. Mass.. .\ugust
L'l). IStii;. a son of v.. 3. and Mary
A. (Keith) Walker. V.. 3. Walker died
in 187(i and his widow is still living. Fred
v.. Walker was educated in the schools of
his t<iwn. and after leaving school was em-
ployed In the mill for ab:iHt six years. In
IS.S'.i he engaged in the meat business with
l-'i-ank Mayette under the tirm name of
Mayelte 4: Walker: in IMt:! .Mr. .Mayette
sold out to Mr. Kelley and the firm has
sinie been known as Walker *: Kelley. On
February L'. ISS:;. Mr. Walker married
.\nnie .Malloy: they have three children:
I'liarles V... F.dw in M . and Fred V... jr.
Smith. Ho.meu A.. M. li.. p. o. lionds-
vllle. Mass.. December 31. 1844. a son of
.Mvan and Abbie G. iHotner) Smith. Ills
father was a native of I'almer and a phy-
sician, graduating from Harvard in 1S3G;
he died August ItJ. 188-. Homer A. was
graduated from the College of I'harmaey
in riiiladi'lphia in 1S08 and from the I'ni-
vcrsity of New- York in 1877. He has
served on the school board of his town
seven years and on the board of health.
lie came to Palmer in November. 1871*.
where he has since lived. He is a member
of the Congregational church.
II.vSTIXG.s. Elbridoi; G., p. o. I'almer.
Mass.. was born in Palmer. Mass..
July 21, 1840. a son of Uozel and
I'hebe (White! Ilasting.s. and was edu-
cated in the .schools of Palmer and Wilbra-
ham Academy. Ills first business engage
ment was in the lumber business in Johns-
burg. N. Y.. and in 18fiL! he enlisted in
Co. II. 4tith Mass. Kegiment. and was dis-
charged in 1863. He was in battles at
Kinston. Whitehall. Goldsboro. N. C. and
was then taken ill and discharged from
tlie hospital. .\fter be was discharged
he came to Palmer and settled on his farm.
In 1878 he engaged in business under the
tirm name of C. W. Hastings & Co.. and is
now doing a wholesale business in the tirm
of Clark & Hastings. Mr, Hastings is a
member of the G. A. R.. Thomas Lodge of
.Masons, and has served his town as select-
man tor one year and the First Hampden
District as representative. On March US.
1871'. he married Lizzie A., daughter of
(ieorgo Peters, of Ware, Mass. ; they have
three children living: Blanche M.. Calvin
W.. and Phebe D.
F.MKitv. B. Fi!.\NK. p. o. Thorndike.
JIass.. was born in Kennebunk. Maine. De-
cember 17. 1802. a son of Isaac M. ana
Sarah iHuffi Kmery. and was educated in
the schools of his town. He learned the
machinist's trade, which he followed four
years, and in 18S('. came to Palmer and
purchased his present place. Mr. Kmery
is a iiiemher of the Sons of Veterans and
the Baptist church. On .March 28. 1883,
he married Sarah J, Whipple : they have
three children : Perley Munroe. K. Frank,
.jr.. and .May Whipple. Mrs. Kmery's
mother was a daughter of Chester Hast-
ings and was born on the old homestead.
( 592 )
APPENDIX
MiLLEK, Lyman, p. o. Monson, Miss., was
born in Wales. Mass.. May 20, 1S41, a son
of Augustus and Sylvia (Walkei-) Miller,
and was educated in tlie schools ot Monson.
He learned the machinist's trade, which he
followed for thirty-two years, and was em-
ployed in the armory at Springfleld. In
1861 Mr. Miller Joined Co. C. 1st Conn.
Vols. In 18S0 he returned to Monson and
purchased the farm where he now resides.
November 27, 1867, he married Delia
I'ritchard ; they have three children : Mor-
ton L.. Harry P. and Thaddeus E.
Seymour, George II.. p o. Monson. Mass..
was born in Torriugton. Conn.. June 4,
187,5, a sou ot George W. and Flora (Pal-
mer) Seymour. During his early life he
lived at Rocky Hill and Vernon, Conn.,
coming to Monson with his parents in the
fall of 1882 and receiving his early educa-
tion in the Monson public schools. At the
age of fifteen he entered the employ of Gage
v^: Reynolds, where he remained four years,
afterwards attending Eastman's Business
College, from which he graduated in 18(14,
ranking second in a large class. In July.
ISOo, he entered the Monson post-office as
clerk under H. W. Shaw, who was acting
postmaster owing to the death of Post-
master Farrington. When Mr. J. 1'. Her-
lihy was appointed he retained .Mr. Sey-
mour, appointing him assistant postmaster,
which position he held until his appoint-
ment :is postmaster. January 3, 1000. which
office he now holds. At the time of his
ai>pointment he was one of the youngest
third class postmasters in the United
States. Mr. Seymour is descended from
old colonial stock, being the eighth genera-
tion in direct line ot John and Richard
Seymour, who came to this country from
Bury I'omeroy Castle, Devonshire, England,
in IGS."). He is a great-grandson of .Varon
Seymour, who was one of the .Minute Men
under General Gates during the Uevolution-
ary war. and is also a third cousin ot the
Inte ex-Gov. Horatio Seymour of New York.
Mr. Seymour is a member ot Day Spring
Lodge ot JIasons of Monson and A. A. Gage
Camp. Sons of Veterans. He is also active
in the work of the Universallst church and
Is held in high esteem by the business men
and people of the town In general.
Clougii. Chaui.es F., p, o. Monson, Mass..
was born In Brlmfield. Mass.. May 2.">, 1844,
a son of Ralph and Ma Una (Webber)
Clough, grandson of Daniel and great-
grandson of Jonathan Clough. The Clough
family trace their descent from England,
the first ancestor coming to America in
lti23. Charles F. received his education in
the schools of .Monson and after leaving
school Joined Co. E. lioth .Mass.. serving
seven months, when he was taken ill. In
18ti4 he Joined the 151st 111. Vols, and was
discharged in ISfi.'i. He then returned to
Monson and purchased his present farm.
On December 1. 18(i8, Mr. Clough married
Lucia G. Stac.v ; they have one son living,
George Fdwin. .Mr. ('lough is a member of
the Odd Fellows. Day Spring Lodge ot
Masons. Hampden Chapter and Marcus
Keep Post. G. A. R
MovLTON, Horace D.. p. o. Monson,
Slass., was born in Townsend, Mass., De-
cember 28. 18,'JO, a son ot Horace and Julia
.\nn (Fargo) Moulton, Horace Moulton
was a ilethodist preacher, making revival
work a specialty, and founded the .Metho-
dist churches at Monson, Stafford Springs.
Wales, Palmer, and many others. Horace
D. was educated in the schools of Stafford
and Wilbraham Academy. He taught
school for a few terms and then learned
the carpenter's trade, which he is now
following. He came to Monson In 1874,
and is now conducting the Monson Cream-
er.v, Moulton Box Factory and two portable
saw mills. He also carries on three large
farms, a milk route, etc. He has served
as constable, assessor, selectman, on the
school committee and road commissioners.
November -o, 187.5, Mr. Moulton married
Laura Blanchard. daughter ot Chester ;
they have had nine children, eight of whom
arc living; William, .\rthur (died at age
of Iwenty-onel. Walter. Helen. Flora,
Ralph, Marian, Carl and Blanche.
IlAitvEV, George A,, p. o. Monson, Mass,,
was born In Three Rivers, Mass., January
1, 1846, a son of Amasa and Elmlrn (Mos-
ley) Harvey. George A. was educated In
the schools of Monson and after leaving
school learned the carpenter's trade In
18S2, which he now fidlows. Ho served
four months In the 8th Ma.ss. Regiment, and
Is now lommandcr ot the .Marcus Keep Post,
(i. A. R., No. l.'i.'"., being one ot Its charter
members : he Is also n member of Day
Spring Lodge ot Masons and Hampden
Chapter Roval Arch Masons, Palmer.
Novenihi'r 27. 18(1.'), he married Mnry J..
38-3
( 593 )
APPENDIX
(lallKlllcr cif William O. I'lKierwood. of
Stad'oid. t'onu.
Kkki'. CilAui.Ks C. p. o, MunsoD. Mass..
was boru on llie Keep homestead In Mon-
8on. Mass., January 2i, lS<iG, a son of
Kdwaid r. and Mary K. (Urout) Keep and
grandson of Ethan. The family trace their
ancestry to John Keep, who came from
Ennlaiul. I'"cbniary 18. 1U(JIJ. and settled in
LonKmeadow. .Mass. Edward 1'. died April
3, I'.IOU. and his widow still survives him.
Charles C. Keep was educated in the schools
of Monson. Andover and Monson Acad-
emy, lie was master of the Springfleld
I'omona Grange two years and assessor of
Ills town seven years, lie was an active
member of the Congregational church and
was assistant superintendent of the Sun-
day .school for about five years. September
13. 18!)3, Mr. Keep married I'earl Heck-
with. of East Hill. .Monson ; they have two
children : Marlon I'earl and Myra Grace.
FiEiJi, Mo.sES. p. o. Longmcadow. Mass..
was born on the old homestead in Long-
mcadow. August 1'.). 1802, a son of Oliver
and Lucinda A. (Uatch) Field. Zechariah
Field came to America f(om England in
1029 or '."iO. and settled in the New Eng-
land colony. Thomas, a grandson of Zech-
ariali. came to Ijongmeadow in 173(» and
lived there until he died. The present
homestead has been in the hands of the
Fields for three generations. Oliver Field
died November 10, 1889, and his widow-
July 24, 1.S9H, Mosses Field was educated
In the public schools of his town and Steb-
bins j)rivate school of Springfield and since
leaving school lias lieen engaged in farm-
ing, lie has served his town as tax collect-
or, road surveyor, and has for the past six
years been superintendent of the water
works. On November 28, 1883. Mr. Field
married Nellie Hamilton Wade, daughter of
Franklin Wade ; they have four children :
Anna I'., Thomas H., Frank W. and
Caro W.
rK.\SK. WiM.IAM C, p. o. I.ongmeadow,
Mass., was born in Feeding Hills, town of
Agawam, November 30, 1830, a son of
Uaniel Cano and Matilda Collins Pease,
lie came to Somers. Conn., two years later
with his parents, they making their home
on the William Collins farm. William C.
Pease attended the district school In his
boyhood and afterwards assisted his father
in farm work until twenty years of age.
when he engaged in the sale of tinware, in
which he remained a year and a half, and
then went into the wholesale notion trade
in the state of New Jersey ; this was in the
year 1834, and later on he became a tobacco
merchant in I'hiladelphia In 1807 he lo-
cated on the Coomes Homestead in Long-
mcMdow street, where he has since resided,
.Mr. I'ease was married January 22, 1857,
to .Miss Cornelia F. Coomes, a daughter of
Samuel and Lucy D, Coomes, of thiit town.
They had three children : William, Fannie
C, and Lillian C, now wife of George P.
Sward. M. D., who have children named
Brian C, Harold P„ and Lillian Sward.
.Mr. Pease has always been a Kepublican in
politics. He has always taken a lively in-
terest in public affairs and was one of the
prime movers in the proposal to have the
town divided, being one of a committee to
present the matter before the legislature,
and later was elected as one of the Board
of Selectmen ; he was also elected as one of
the Water Board and served at the time of
putting in the water plant, and at the
present time is serving as one of the com-
missioners for the sinking fund for the
water works.
Fav, LkVeke C, p. o. Longmeadow,
Mass.. was born at Pittsford. Vt.. Novem-
ber 20, 18.'p2. His father, Chauncey W.,
was a native of Painted Post, N, Y., and
the family trace their descent from three
brothers who came from England to Amer-
ica in an early day. Chauncey W. married
Aurelia Churchill Cook, a descendant of
the Churchills, who settled in Sheffield,
Mass.. being among the first settlers of
that town. LeVere C. Fay was educated in
tlie public schools of Hubbardton, Castleton
and Benson, Vt., and the high school at
Brandon. Vt. A few years after leaving
school, he took up the study of architecture
and first had his office in Sioux City, Iowa,
where he practiced a number of years. In
1891 he came to Springfield and has been
engaged in the same business there ever
since. He came to live in I.ongmeadow in
1894. He is a member of the school com-
mittee, now acting as secretary, and Is a
dea<on in the Congregational church. On
.November 20, 1879, Mr. Fay married Eva-
line, daughter of Samuel Heald. of Hawar-
den, Iowa, n native of Plymouth, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Fay are the parents of two
children and have one adopted child : Clar-
( 594 )
APPENDIX
eace Forrest, Alfred Lester and Helen Rosa-
mond.
Gates, Spekcer White, p, o. Longmea-
dow, was born in Longmeadow, Mass..
January IS. 18.jS, a son of Francis Jerome,
and Lois (Speneer) Gates. Francis J. was
a native of Springfield and a carpenter hy
trade, which he followed through life. He
died March 23. 1900. and his widow is now
living with her son Spencer. Spencer W.
was educated in the schools of Hazzard-
ville. Conn., and learned the mechanic's
trade. He was employed by Smith & Wes-
son for nine years and came to his present
farm in 1S93. which he has conducted since
that time. He has served as cattle inspec-
tor of his town for four years and is a
member of the Royal Arcanum. On May
30, ISSS, he married Flavia F.. daughter of
Gideon Jackson Kurt.
BUKBAXK, J.VMES B., p. 0. Lougmeadow.
Mass.. was born in liOngraeadow. Mass.,
July 16, 1854, a son of Erskine and Jerusha
(Bliss) Burbank. Erskine Burbank has
been a prominent man of his town ; was a
member of the Legislature in 186.j and
served as Justice of the peace for twenty-
six years. James B. was educated in tht
schools of Longmeadow. Monsou and Wor-
cester, and is now engaged in the real
estate business. He is a member of the
Springfield Board of Trade, of the Connecti-
cut Valley Congregational Club, and of
the Congregational church. On June -'.">,
1878. Mr, Burbank married Martha R..
daughter of C. W. Beckwith, of Stafford
Springs, Conn. : they have five children ;
Grace Beckwith, Eunice Bliss, Daniel Ers-
kine, Lulu Lester and Laura Colton.
Tabor, Edward Pavson, p. o. Longmea-
dow. Mass., was born in Blackstone. Mass..
October 22, 1845. a son of Stephen H. and
Nancy (Cole) Tabor. Stephen H. Tabor was
a railroad man of some note, being con-
nected with the I'rovidence & Worcester
railroad: in 1850 he was appointed general
superintendent, which position he held un-
til 18C.(!. In 1SG8 he purchased the farm
in liongmeadow upon which Edward Bay-
son Tabor now lives and in that same year
assumed management of the Samuel Slater
& Sons manufacturing interests in Webster.
Mass. In 1871 Mr. Tabor organized the
Mechanics Mutual Fire Insurance Company
and in 1872 was appointed cashier of the
R. I, National Bank and treasurer of the
R. I. Institution for Savings, which posi-
tions he held to the time of his death on
April 20„ 1886. Edward P. Tabor was edu-
cated in the public, private and commercial
schools of I'rovidence and after leaving
school was employed by the Providence
& Worcester Railroad in the ticket office;
he was also bookkeeper for two years and
In 1868 moved to Longmeadow, where he
now resides. The house he lives in was
built by Jabez Colton in 1790. Mr. Tabor
has served his town as selectman for eleven
years : member of the school committee nine
years and a clerk of the Congregational
church ; was one of the Prudential Com-
mittee of the parish for sixteen years, also
clerk and treasurer of the parish at the
present time. On December 29, 1869, he
married Jane Boies, daughter of Rev. J. E.
Dickinson ; four children were born of this
marriage : Stephen Lyman, a student in
the Worcester Polytechnic Institute ; Made-
line, a student In Miss Ely's school at River-
side Drive, N, Y. ; Edward I'ayson, a stu-
dent in the high school, and William Boles,
Morgax, Linwood, p, o, Longmeadow,
Mass., was born in Bristol, Conn.. October
28, 1853. a son of Frederick A. and Eliz-
abeth (Bronson) Morgan, and was educated
in the Springfield schools. He was em-
ployed by Smith & Wesson for twenty-five
year and came to Longmeadow In 1883,
starting his present florist business in 1891.
Mr. Morgan has been married twice, first to
Addie M. Wentworth. wlio bore him four
children ; Leslie W., Frederick U.,
Ralph F., and Marion, who died in Decem-
ber, 1898. In 1899 Mr. Morgan married
Caroline W. Wade ; they have one daugh-
ter, Ruth L.
Ai.LKX, Everett B.. p. o. Longmeadow,
.Mass., was born March 10. 1861, a son of
George Washington and Callsta (Pease)
.\llen. George Washington Allen was a
native of East Windsor, Conn., and came to
Longmeadow In 1870. where he now resides.
His wife died In 1894. Everett B. was ed-
ucated In the schools of Longmeadow and
Springfield, and after leaving school en-
gaged In the milk business and trading.
This he followed for sixteen years, and la
now running an Ice business In Longmea-
dow. On October 28, 1884, Mr. Allen mar-
ried Florence B., daughter of J. Chnpin
Terry ; they have two children living :
.Mabel Terry and Ralph Cbapln.
( 595 )
APPENDIX
ToWNE. FiiANK A., p. o, Ludlow, Mass.,
was born at Green River, Vt.. August 21),
18til. a son of N. IX L. and Emma Towne,
and was educated In the common schools
and Wesleyan Academy. lie engaged In
the grain business and came to Lndlow In
1883. slartlng in his present business with
his father. Mr. Towne has served on the
Board of Selectmen and overseer of the
poor for eleven years. He Is a member of
Hrlgham Lodge, V. & A. M.
ruLLKit, Edw.vrd E.. p. o. Ludlow, Mass..
was born In Ludlow, May ti'i, 1839, a son
of Henry and Mary N. (Alden) Fuller.
Edward E. w"as educated in the schools of
LuiUow. Springllehl and Wilbraham. After
leaving school he engaged in farming. He
served as selectmen of his town tor fifteen
years, assessor six years, on the cemetery
commitlee twelve years, and trustee of the
Hubbard Memorial library since it was
established : he Is also a trustee of the
savings bank. In IS'U Mr. Fuller married
I). .lane Treutice: they have had five chil-
dren : Emma J.. Etta E. (who died in in-
fancy), Ceorge E.. Laura (}.. and Henrietta
E. Mr. Fuller wa.s a member of the 40th
Mass. Itegiment in the Civil War, and was
a member of the Legislature in the winter
of 1893.
liunn. FitrtPKRicK L., p, o. Ludlow. Mass.,
was born in Ludlow, Mass., February 9.
18152. a son of I!en.1amin F. and Mary J.
(lirewer) Burr. His father was a native of
the same town and held many of the town
ofllces. Frederick L. was educated in the
schools of his town and Wilbraham Acad-
emy. In April. 1889. he purchased his
present grain and coal business. He was
elected selectman in 1899, and at the pre-
sent time Is serving as chairman of the
board,
Grf.k.v. GEnRGE D.. p, o. Ludlow. Mass.,
was born In Chicopee. Mass.. July 11. IS-tO.
a son of Daniel and Harriet .S. (Willey)
Green. George D. was (Hiucated in the
schools of Chicopee, Ludlow and Dixon. 111.,
and slme then has been engaged in farming
and lumbering. lie has served his town as
assessor and selectman for four years and
Is now chairman of the Board of .\ssessors.
and president of the Ludlow Savings Bank,
In 1871 Mr, Green married Jennie E, Plum
ley, of Ludlow, Mass.
Wight, Francis, p. o, Holland, Mass.,
was born In Sturbridge, February 1. 1830.
being a son of David and Lucinda .Marsh
Wight. David Wight lived in Sturbridge
all of the days of his life, and became a
prosperous farmer and lumber dealer, own-
ing a saw mill and later a grist mill ; he
was actively prominent in politics, was a
Whig, and held the oflices of town clerk,
selectman, assessor and overseer of the
poor. Both David and Lucinda were sev-
enty-five years old at the time of their
departure : they were members of the Con-
gregational church. Their ten children
were Emily, Lucinda, David, Emerson, Eme-
line, Andrew, .\aron, George, Francis, and
one who died in infancy. Emerson was the
late ex-Mayor Wight of Springfield. Francis
Wight spent his early life in Sturbridge.
where he attended school : his advanced ed-
ucation was received at Monson Academy.
When twenty-one years old he started out
on the road selling baked goods, which bus-
iness he followed two years ; he then en-
tered the Snell & Brothers auger and bit
shop, learning the bit twisting trade, which
he followed, driving back and forth from
Holland to Fiskdale daily until 1874: since
that time he has devoted his time to farm-
ing. November 13, 18,")3, Mr. Wight mar-
ried Mary Ann E. Kinney, who was born
in Holland. November 10, 1834, daughter of
Elisha and Mary Ann Marcy Kinney. Elisha
Kinney was born in I'nion, Conn., October
11, 180."): he was a carpenter by trade and
later became a farmer : his wife was the
daughter of David and Sibyl Perrin Marcy ;
they were among the first settlers of Hol-
land, and built the hotel called the Kinney
Hotel, where he carried on a prosperous
business. In the early days, after Elisha
Kinney's marriage, he bought the hotel and
forf.v acres of land where he and his wife
commenced keeping hotel and where later
they acquired a wide reputation for their
ability and hospitality as landlord and land-
lady, the table d'hote being an attraction
to hunting, fishing and other pleasure par-
ties, far and near. Mr. and Mrs. Wight
have had two children born to them. George
O.. born 18.'>5. and Everett E. K.. born
ISiiS. both deceased. Mrs. Wight died Sep-
tember 30. 1897. aged 63 years. In May.
1899. Mr. Wight married Jlrs. Frances E.
Parse Smith, of Scotch Plains. N. J. Mr.
Wight is a Uepublican in politics, and has
tal;en an active part in the municipal alTairs
of Holland, keeping up the reputation of
( 596 )
APPENDIX
his ancestors I'cn- ;iu intelligent interest in
local government. lie lias also taken an
active part In the Congregational .Society.
and has been a liberal supporter.
Ball, Jame.s I{., p. o. Holyoke. Mass..
was born on the Ball homestead. January
'JS, 1836. He is the seventh in descent
from Francis Ball, who came from Eng-
lanad and was one of the first settlers of
Springfield in 1640 : he made a home in
West Springfield, near Northend bridge, and
was drowned in the Connecticut river in
164S. His son .Jonathan was the flrs-t
white child born in the locality known as
West Springlield. I-'rom Francis (1). the
line of descent is. Jonathan (lii. Uen.iamin
(8). Charles (4). Charles i.'i). Edwin H.
16). James R. (7). Edwin H. Ball married
Phoelie. daughter of Luther Frink. of West
Springfield: both are now deceased. James
U. Ball received a common school education,
supplemented by a period at the H'eland
Academy, and since leaving school has been
engaged in farming.
Abbott, William H., p. o. Holyoke.
Mass.. was born in North Reading. Mass..
November 30. 1846. His father was Joseph
H.. born in West Reading. Mass.. and came
to Holyoke in 1870. He was a shoemaker
by trade, and his wife was Hepsibetli F.
Sawyer, of Bradford. N. H. He enlisted in
Co. I). 1st Muss. Heavy Artillery, and served
one year and nine months. W. H. Abbott
was educated in the schools of Ohio, and on
November 1-. 1861. enlisted in Co. I. -0th
Ohio Vol. Inf. ; was twice wounded ; he
served three years and eight months active
service : was attached to the 12th Army
Corps in Virginia, and went with (General
Hooker to Tennessee : served with (Jeneral
.Sherman to Atlanta and the sea. turning
northward through the Caroliuas to Ra
leigh. N. ('.. through Richmond, to Wash-
ington. D. C. He is now serving his fifth
term as commander of Kllpatrlck I'ost. G.
A. R.. and Is a member of .Mt. Tom Lodge
of .Masons. In ISii'.l .Mr. .\bbotl engaged In
his present business of soap and fertilizer
manufacturing; he Imllt a new plant at
Smith's Ferry In 1888. which he has con-
ducted very successfully. On April I'll.
1860. Mr. Abbott married Ella L. Kinney.
daughter of C. M. Kinney of .Northampton ;
they have six children : Charles IL. Ber-
nard F.. Annie I... Slay 1".. Bessie K.. and
Fred H. Abbott.
FiiiEDKicH, E. Hugo, p. o. Holyoke. Mass.,
was born in Saxony. Germany, November 20,
18.>7. He came to Holyoke In 1868 and in
1880 started his present business of plumb-
ing and tinning. Mr. Friedrich is a mem-
ber of the Sons Herman, Harigari, Mt. Tom
Lodge of -Masons, and was park commis-
sioner for five years. In 1882 he married
Bertha K. Leining. of Rockville. Conn. ;
they have four children : Edmoud, Bertha,
Emma and Ernest.
Fi.NX. Michael J., p. o. Holyoke, Mass.,
was born in County Carey, Ireland, Sep-
tember 20, 1835. His father was Michael,
a native of the same place, and who came
to America in 1840, settling in Chicopee
Falls. In 1864. Michael J., the subject,
came to Holyoke and engaged In the gro-
cery business with James Uoyle. He is a
member of St. James church. Mr. Finn has
two children living. John J., who graduated
from Holy Cross College in 1899, now city
alderman, and Rose Helen.
Haudy. John I),, p. o. Holyoke, Mass.,
was born in Greenfield. N. H.. January 8.
1832. a son of Capt. Benjamin Hardy, who
was captain In the militia, and Mahetibal
Holt, his wife. John I>. received his educa-
tion In the schools of Greenfield and learned
the carpenter's trade. At the age of twen-
ty-one years Mr. Hardy went to California
(18.*>2t and remained there five years; in
1860 he came to Holyoke and identified
himself as an Iron and wood worker. He
was the chief engineer of the fire depart-
ment : was on the committee that trans-
ferred the town property to the city : has
been superintendent of the water works
since 1S81. and Is a deacon In the Second
Congregational church. In 18.")0 .Mr. Hardy
married I'annle B. Jaciuclh. of Greenfield,
N. II., who died In June. 1001.
DoxoGUL'K, KoGEH 1'.. p. o. Holyoke,
Mass., was born In Holyoke, .Mass., May
18, 1861, a son of Jeremiah R. I)onoghue, a
native of Ireland, who settled In South
Iladley In 1847 and one year later removed
to Holyoke ; he was a contractor and
builder : his wife was Hannah Brennan. a
native of Ireland also, and both are now
dead. Roger I*, was educale<l In the schools
of Holyoke, gradimting from the high school
In 1878. After leaving school he was en-
gagt'd as bookkeeper for Thomas I)illun,
remaining with hlin four ytMirs, and was
then In the grocery business for tfeven
( 507 )
APPENDIX
years. Since then he has traveled for the
Hampden & Highland Brewing Co. In 1884
Mr. Kiiniighue was made president of the
common council: In 1SS5. 18SG and IS'.U.
alderman : In 1892, 1893. chairman of the
tire commissioners; In 1893 member of the
lower branch of the Legislature ; has served
on the Democratic City Committee for ten
years, at two different periods serving as
"chairman, and Is now a candidate In the
Second Hampden Senatorial District for
State Senator. In 189.-) Jlr. Donoghue
married .Mary K. Guyheln of IJrattleboro.
Vt.
D.VM. LoRKNZo C p. o. Holyoke. Mass..
was born In Newfield. Me.. March U.S. ]Si;4.
a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Hodgdon)
Dam. and was educated in the schools of
Great Falls. N. H. His first business ven-
ture was in the manufacture of cotton
goods in Lowell ; in 1807 he came to Hol-
yoke and was employed at the Lyman until
he retired in 1880. In 1847 Mr. Dam
married Margaret Jane Thompson of New-
field. Me. ; they have one daughter living.
Henrietta I... wife of George L. Bosworth.
Yeni.in. Seihstif.x, p. o. Holyoke. Mass..
was born In Wlttersdort. Alsace. Haut IJhln.
July 18. 18.'>3. a son of Sebastlen and Ger-
trude Yenlln. Sebastlen Ycnlln. the sub-
ject, came to Holyoke in 1872 and engaged
in his present wholesale and retail bakery
business. He is a memher of the Red Men.
Knights of rythlas. Alsace Lorraine, and
Union National Francalse. In 187."i Mr.
Yenlin married Sellna Lapointe. of Canada ;
they have six children : Mary. Ida. Kosina,
Ora. Sebastlen. and Viola.
St;ixiv.\N. CoBNKLn;s F., p. o. Holyoke.
Mass.. was born in Ireland and came to
Holyoke in 1865. In 1890 he started his
present business of jobbing and plumbing,
being a plumber by trade. Mr. Sullivan
married Marian McWhirter ; they have one
daughter. Lillian.
O'Co.NXKLT,. John, p. o. Holyoke. Mass.,
was born In Ireland, April 26. 1840. a son
of Daniel and Katherlne (Manning) O'Con-
nell. John came to America with his par-
ents In May. 1847. settling in Holyoke.
His father died In 1849. In 1870 .Mr.
O'Connell married Margaret Bowles, who
died in 1873. She bore him two children,
one of whom is deceased. Later he mar-
ried Jobannah Landers of Holyoke. who has
borne him eleven children, nine of whom
are now living.
Ill XT. William S.. p. o. Monson, Mass.,
was born in Hampden. Mass.. December 5,
1808. a son of Stacy S. and Mary J. (Dur-
kee) Hunt. Stacy S. died in 1871 and his
widow still survives him. William S. was
educated in the schools of his native town
and engaged in farming after leaving school.
In 1899 he opened a meat market in his
town, selling it in July. 1901. and later
building a blacksmith shop, which he sold
In December of the same year. In Febru-
ary. 1902. he opened a meat market in Mon-
son. Mass., which he is now conducting.
In 189S Mr. Hunt married Kosa E.
Thresher : they have three children, Doris
May. Madeline Louise, and Stacy Allen.
lioiKS, D.wii), Blandfoid, Mass., was
among the first to settle in what is now
lilandford, and came from either Cambridge
or Dorchester. Mass., about the year 1738.
He had a large family of children, four of
whom were sons, John, William. Samuel,
and David, who came with him and settled
near the homestead that is now known as
the Tobey place. From them originated
the large number of persons of the name
of Holes in town about 1800. Only one
voter of the name now resides in town,
l",nos W.. descended as follows : John mar-
ried a Scotch girl named Anna (surname
not known) and had three sons, John, Sam-
uel and David. John married Sarah Free-
land and had seven children, three daugh-
ters and four sons. James. Enos, Nathan,
Jolin. Enos was born in 1770 and married
.\llce Robinson, daughter of Dan Uobinson,
<if Granville. They had five children, two
daughters and three sons. Watson E., James
U.. and Adoniram J. Watson E. was born
In LSI IS. and when twenty-one years of age
contracted with the government for carry-
ing the mails, and he continued in the un-
interruiJted employ of the government to
the time of his death in 1892, holding for
years contracts of man.v routes in Massa-
chusetts and Connecticut. He marrie<I in
1K.!2 Lorinda. daughter of Zelotus Koblnson,
of Granville. In 1S7.') he married, for a
second time. Emma A., daughter of Gordon
Uowley of Blandford. By his first wife he
had two sons. Timothy R., who died in
1S,">7, and Enos W.. born in 1840. who now
is the sole male representative of the Boies
name In Blandford. In 1862 he married
( 598 )
APPENDIX
Achsah M. Freeland. daughter of Jonathan
Freeland, of Agawam, and to them have
been born three daughters. Julia F., now
Mrs. W. H. Lewis, Alice K., who died in
1892, and Cora A. Enos W. has held many
offices of trust in the gift of the town, and
is a progressive farmer. The family are
all members of the first Congregational
church.
STEDM.iN, E. P.. p. o. Chlcopee. Mass.,
was born in the city of Chicopee, Septem-
ber 24, 1843, a son of Phineas and Lucy
(Wright) Stedman, and educated in the
schools of Chicopee, and also attended the
select school of W. G. Goldthwait. at Long-
meadow. He was associated with his fath-
er until his father's death, when he pur-
chased the estate and now carries on a suc-
cessful milk and stock raising business. In
May. 1871, Jlr. Stedman married Catherine
H., daughter of Samuel and Hannah Cross,
of Blandford. Three children were born of
this marriage : Phineas, Benjamin, and
Lucy. Mr. Stedman has taken an active
part in school work and all public enter-
prises and the family are active and sup-
porting members of the Chicopee Street
church.
Bates. \Vii.i,i.\m. p. o. Blandford. Mass..
was born on the homestead in the southern
part of the town of Blandford, August 11,
1846, a son of David and Elizabeth L. (Itip-
ley) Bates, whose children were Maryetle
(deceased). William, Lucy and Hattie.
David Bates was born in Connecticut and
came to the town of Blandford with his
parents when a boy : he was educated in
the Blandford schools and Wilbrahani
Academy; he died April 25, ISlil. and his
wife December 13. ISSl. William Bates
has spent his life in the town of Blandford ;
he was educated in the Blandford schools
and Burnham's Business College in Spring-
field. He carries on farming and a tan-
nery. February 14, 1871, he married Sarah
M., daughter of Van Kensselaer and Clar-
issa (Colllster) Loop: two children were
born of this marriage, Clarence W. and
Pearl. Mr. Bates Is an active worker in
the Democratic party and has served as
selectman six years. He is also interested
in school and church work, as well as other
public spirited enterprises.
Nasii. Alfred S.. p. o. Wllllmansett.
Mass., was born In Granby, August 2.j,
1852, a son of lOrastus and .\blgall B.
(Griggs) Nash, who were the parents of ten
children, namely: Charles G. (deceased),
Uarland I:;., Abigail J., David H. G., Charles
E., Harriet N'., Oscar Lorenzo, George A.,
Claricy Emeline, and Alfred S. Erastus
Nash, born December 21. 1798, followed
farming on the old Nash homestead, the
Nash family being the original settlers of
the laud. Alfred S. Nash was educated in
the district school and Wesleyan Academy.
When twenty years of age. he became book-
keeper for his brother, Harland E., who was
engaged in the wholesale produce business
in Holyoke, and was associated with him
nineteen years, the latter part of the time
as partner. In 1893 Mr. Nash engaged in
the real estate business, being mostly inter-
ested in Willimansett property, and for the
past eight years has been associated with
James H. Newton as agent for his property
in Willimansett. taking entire charge of the
same. Mr. Nash has been one of the most
active men of the town. For seven years
he has been a member of the llepublican
Town Committee, part of the time serving
as treasurer ; served on the legislative com-
mittee and spent one year in Boston at the
time the charter was granted for the Hoi-
yokc-^^'illiInanselt bridge aud was one of
Ihe most energetic in securing the con-
summation of this enterprise ; In 1889 was
appointed a member of a committee known
as the charter committee and went to Bos-
ton to procure the charter for the city of .
Chicopee : he has been actively engaged in
the construction of over a htindred houses
in Willimansett and Kalrview. also many
of the public buildings, as well as the elec-
tric road between Holyoke and Chicopee and
Holyoke and Chicopee Falls. In 1893 he
was appointed a justice of the peace by
Governor William E. Kussell. On August
3. 1876. he married Isadora, daughter of
Hiram Shannon, of Windsor. Conn. They
have had four children : Wlllard Foster,
Clarence (deceased), Hiram, and Edith
Erllne.
S.MITH. Ci.irroN O.. p. o ICast Lougmead-
ow, .Mass., was born In Stafford Springs, Ct.,
November 24, IS.IO. Ills father was Chaun-
cey, a native of Stafford, son of Daniel, a
native of Stafford, anil granilsou of Uanlel.
who came from .Manchester. Conn. Chaiin-
cey was a farmer and served as roa<l <'om
mlssloner sixteen years: he laarrleil Susan
<). Thrall, daughter ot Ira Thrall, a native
( 599 )
APPENDIX
of Veinou. Coun. Mr. Smith died In 1880
and Ills widow now lives in Uoekvllle.
Clifton (). reeelved his edueiition In tht
sehools at Staffoid and after leaving school
was employed in a store for two years and
a half, lie was next employed by the
Conversvllle .Mfg. Co. at Stafford Springs
for two and a half years, then by his uncle
tor three years, and at the end of that
time purchased a farm in Stafford, which
he sold and came to Hast l^ongmeadow in
I.SH'J. .Mr. Smith is a member of lOast
i^ongmeadow (irange. P. of H.. and Wa
gogue Tribe No. lir>. I. O. U. M. On Jan-
uary '2.6. 1870. Mr. Smith married Jennie
Chase, who died in 18T9. leaving two chil-
dren : Daisy, now in Springfield, and
Kuby. wife of Harry Plumber, of Spring-
Held. On January i:'.. 1S83. Mr. Smith
married, second. ICmma Pelton. daughter of
Jacob Pelton, a native of Somers. Conn.
Snki.i.. Samuki.. p. o. Ilolyoke. Mass.. was
bora In Cornwall. ICng.. May 4, 1828. a son
of John and Elizabeth (Weary) Snell. He
came to America with his parents in 1833,
.settling in Kethany, Pa., where he was edu-
cate<l In the schools and learned the car-
penter's trade of Nettleton. I'.artlett & Ferry
of Sprlnglield. -Mr. Snell came to Holyokf
in 1818 and was employed on the first
school house. He served as fireman foui
years, on the board of engineers four years
and was wardman for the second ward four
year.s. On October 1."), 1863, Mr. Snell
married Phehe A. Streeter, of Vernon. Vt.
In 1888 he built him a house on the High-
lands and still occupies the same. He Is a
member of St. Paul's Rpl.scopnl church, in
which he is one of the vestrymen.
SiiKititfitNK. Nki-son, p. o. Merrick. Mass.,
was born in West Springfield, Mass.. Novem-
ber 18. 18(14, a son of Nelson and Minerva
(Converse) Sherburne. Nelson Sherburne,
senior, was a native of Sherburne, N. V..
son of Kev. James S. Sherburne, a well-
known clergyman of that place. He was a
graduate of Oxford College, and for a pe-
riod of seven years was an Instructor In the
schools of his native town and other sw
tlons of New York. His health falling hr
was compelled to give up his profession
anil take up the work of a surveyor. He
was for a nu(uber of years engaged with his
brother Slas in tUe provision business In
Springfield. Mass.. their store standing on
tin- site now oicupied by the Springfield
post-offlce. For the last fifteen years of his
life he was in charge of the construction
department of the B. and A. Railroad for
this section, his death occurring In 1873.
Nelson Sherburne was educated in the pub
lie schools of West Springfield. He was
first employed by the Milton P.radley Co. of
Springfield, and was with them about nine
teen years: then eng.-iged with the New-
York Life Insurance Co. as a special agent.
.Mr. Sherburne married Miss Edith N. Dex-
ter, of Pasadena. Cal.. February 28, 1893.
They have one child, Elsa S., born Octobei
3, 18i)4. Mr. Sherburne has been a member
of the board of registration seven years
and was at one time clerk of the board of
fire engineers. He has Deen Identified witl
the fire department since its reorganiza-
tion in 1891. Mr. Sherburne is a member
of the I'ark Street church, and is now super-
intendent of its Sunday school. He is a
member of Koswell Lee Lodge. F. & A. M.,
Is a charter member of Oosamequin Tribe ol
Hed Men, has filled many offices in this
order, and is now a representative to the
(ireat Council of the United States.
Sinw. Homer A., p. o. Three Rivers,
Mass.. was born In Belchertown. Mass.,
.August 29. 1861. a son of Ansel C. and
Nancy Shaw, and was educated in the
schools of his town and in Wesleyan Acad-
emy. After leaving school he was engaged
in several different lines of business at
different times and is now conducting a
hardware and furniture business in Three
Uivers. Mr. Shaw has always found time
tor social and fraternal interests and is a
member of the A. O. 1'. W. and a republi-
can in politics. On August 2U. 1888, he
married Belle M. Sanderson, of Worthing
ton, .Mass, : their children are Uachel and
Waverly.
WoiiDf:N. Homer M.. p. o. Merrick, Mass.,
was born In Pittsfteld. Mass., March 28,
1844. His father. Joseph Worden, was a
native of the town of Weston. N. Y'.. born
in 18(17. He came to Pittsfield when a
small boy and was engaged through life in
farming and broom making ; he died at the
age of seventy-seven years. Homer M. was
educated in the schools of Pittsfield and in
18(>1 enlisted in Co. B. 11th U. S. Regular
Infantry. He fought In the Seven Days
battle. Second Bull Run. Antletam. Fred-
ericksburg, Chancellorsville and (Jettysburg.
He was discharged in 18(i(! and from that
( 600 )
APPENDIX
time imtil 1874 he was engaged in farming.
In tlie last named year he entered the
employ of the B. & A. railroad as brakeman.
serving in that capacity for two years, when
he was promoted to position of conductor
and still retains that position. Mr. Wor-
den is a member of Tekoa Lodge of Odd
Fellows of West Springfield and the O. E.
C. E. R. R. organization. On Jlay .'i. 1.S80.
he married Maria Xettle. daughter of .John
Kelley. of West Springfield ; five children
have been born of this marriage : I'^rank.
Elsie. Homer Edward, Avis, and Grace ;
the latter died in infancy.
RoBEKTS, Btkox C. p. o. Feeding Hills.
Mass.. was born in Feeding Ilills, near the
old Roberts homestead, where he now re-
sides. June 7. 1839, a son of William and
Sophronia (Colton) Roberts. Byron C. re
ceived a common school education and has
through lite followed farming. In 1861! he
joined Co. I., 40th Massachusetts Regiment,
and served in several prominent battles
On .7une 9, 1S6'2, he was captured and taken
prisoner, being confined in Libby prison
until the fall of 1.SG3, when he was dis-
charged. Mr. Roberts served as selectman
of his town one term and tax collector for
seven years. September 11. 1862. he mar-
ried Emogene. daughter of Camden II. Bab
cock of Chester. Mass.. who for many years
was deputy sheriff ; eight children were born
of this marriage : Alphonso B.. conducting
a general store in ICastliampton : Maleua.
wife of James Hamilton, of Springfield ;
Alice I., a dressmaker in Springfield : Will
iam II.. who is a butcher in this city and
vicinity ; Grace E.. Edith A., died in their
infancy ; Bei'tha Eliza, wife of Stephen O
Russell, of Feeding Hills : and Abble Louise,
now at home.
Smith, S.\muei, Newki-l, p. o. Feeding
Ilills. Mass.. was born in South Hadley
Falls. Mass.. November 21. 1.S32. a son of
Philip Smith. .1r. (who was born in the old
Chicopee Tavern i. and Deidamai. his wife.
Samuel N. was educated in the si'hools of
Agawam and the evening scliools of Boston.
On August 16. 1861. he Joined Co. E. 7th
Michigan Infantry, and was Immediately
made first lieutenant. He participated In
the battles of Ball's Bluir. siege of York-
town. Pair Oaks, Peach Orchard, Savage's
Station, White Oak Swamp. Malvern IIIll.
Fredericksburg. Thoroughfare (!ap. Gettys-
burg. Antietim. South Jlountain. Bristow
Station. Cold Harbor. Strawberry Plains.
Cluipin's Bluff, siege of Petersburg, and was
taken prisoner at Reams Station ; he was
twice wounded — at Antietam and Bristow
Station, He was appointed acting assist-
ant inspector-general by Gen, McCIellan and
served on Hancock's staff, and was dis-
charged in 1864. In the spring of 1S6.J. he
went to Evansville. Ind.. and engaged in
the clothing business, which he conducted
for four years. At the end of this time he
came to Bridgeport. Conn., where he was
employed in the post-office for thirteen
years, seven of which he was assistant
postmaster. In 1891 Mr. Smith came to
Feeding Hills. Mass., where he now resides ;
he was immediately elected library trustee
and is still acting in tliat capacity. On
February 14. LSO"). Mr. Smith married Hen-
rietta Kirtland Thompson, of liridgeport.
who has borne him four children : Freder-
ick Thompson. Edward M.. Alice Thompson,
and Hettia Mabel.
GnssELix, CH.VRLES S., p. o. Mittineague,
Mass.. was born in Lange Gardein. Canada.
August 29. 1852, a son of Octave and Mar-
seline (Cote) Gosselin. who came to Mittin-
eague in 1861. and to Hudson. Mass.. in
1870. where they both died in 1882. Charles
S. was educated In the schools of Mittin-
eague and learned the carpenter's trade,
which he has followed since. He has served
as constable of the town of Agawam for
the past ten years and was the Republican
nominee for selectman In 1901. On l>e-
cember 2.5. 1873, Mr. (Josselin married
Matilda Provost : twelve children were
horn of this marriage, seven of which are
now living : Lea. Ida. Lena, Eva, Clar-
ence, (ieorge and Emery. Mr. Gosselin Is
a member of the C. M. B. A. and Builders'
Association of Master Mechanics.
IIiXTi.EV. CiLVRLEs L.. Jii,, p. o. Feeding
Hills, was born In Canandaigun, X, Y..
September 16. 1837. His father, Charles
L.. was a native of Canaudaigua and illed
In 1879. The family came from Scotlaml
and settled In Lyme. Conn. Charles L.
Huntley. Jr.. was educated In the schools of
Agawam and Canandalgua and then en-
gaged In farming. In 1863 he purchased
his present farm and Is a successful farmer.
He Is a member of the M. E. ihurch. Is now
I'halrinaii of the board of trustees and him
{ GOl )
APPENDIX
been siipeiiiitendent of the Sunday school
for ten yciirs. Mr. Huntley married
twice. Ilist on September 11, 18(i(), to Julia
.M. Smith, who bore him two children :
Frank S. and Julia E. .Mrs. Huntley died
December 81. 1S8S. and on September 10
IS'.H. he married, second. Katherine -M..
daufr'hter of Jurvis Osborne, and widow of
Sumner Steele, who died in 1S*J1.
WoKTiii.NGTo.N', Ai.UKUT E.. p. o. Agawam.
Mass.. was born In Sprlnglield. Mass.. Octo-
ber IS. 1840. His father, Henry Worthing-
ton, was a native of the town of Agawam.
as was also his father, Jonathan. The fam-
ily were among the early settlers of the
town and some of the land on the present
place has been in possession of the family
since its purchase from the Indians. On
the place now stands the old tavern run
by the Wortliington Itros. a great many
years ago. which is now c()nverted into :
barn. Henry Worthington married Henri-
etta, daughter of William Keuton. a native
of England, who came lo America in 18v!l.
Henry died June 7. ISilT. and his widow
Seplemljer 27. ]8'.)S. .\lbert E. was educat-
ed in the school of Agawam. Hurnett school
of Sprlnglield. and the Connecticut Literary
Institution. Two years after leaving .school
he came to tlio present farm, wiiich he has
since conducted. He is a member of Hamp-
den Lodge of Odd Fellows of Springfield,
and has been constable for several years
On .May 311. 1S78, .Mr. Wortliington married
Mary Antoinette Kendall Whitman of Aga-
wam. who bore him one daugliter. Carrie
Alberta. Mrs. Worthington died May 24.
1883. and on March 17. 1887. he married
Eva K.. daugliter of Carlton Ititgood ; one
child was born of tills marriage. C. Uoris.
Keick. J.V.MES, p. o. I'eeding Hills, Mass.,
was born In Drumadony, County L»own.
Ireland. October 7, 18'>'2, his parents being
of Scoti-h descent and members of the Pres-
byterian church. His father was Samuel
Kerr and his motlier was Mary Jane Young
They had three children: Samuel (married
and living at Oreenwich. Conn.). James,
and Mary Jane (the wife of Edward l".
lionnelly and residing at Hiltonville. N. Y).
Mr. Kerr's father died In Ireland in IStiG.
and his mother In 189G. at Hiltonville
X. Y. In May. 1872. James Kerr came to
America and settled In Sullield. Conn.,
where he remained two years, removing
thence to Feeding Hills. Mass.. and in 1S8('
bought the property he now owns, which
he has since cultivated, mailing a specialty
of tobacco. In 1880 Mr. Kerr married
-Martha Waugh, daughter of Hugh Waugh,
also from Ireland and of Scotch descent.
They have three children, as follows:
James Hugh. Thomas Alexander and Walter
Samuel, all living at home. .Mr. and Mrs.
Kerr are members of liie Congregational
churcli of Feeding Hills.
r.iBKS, O.sciR A., p. o. Feeding Hills,
.Mass.. was born in Montgomery. Mass., on
the old Parlis homestead. October 7, 1830,
a son of Moses and Electa (Avery) Parlis.
Moses X'arks died March 17, 1802, and his
wife in December. 1831. Oscar A. was
educated in the schools of Montgomery and
Feeding Hills and came to his present place
in 1843 with his father, where he has since
resided. Mr. I'arks served iiis town as tax
collector four years ; constable six years,
and was selectman, assessor and overseer
of poor two years. He is also trustee for
the Whiting Street fund for poor people and
has just been elected trustee of the sinking
fund.
Leonard, Edwin, p. o. Feeding Hills,
.Mass.. was born in Feeding Hills. April 19,
1.T41. a direct descendant in the line as
follows : He a son of Asaph, son of Asaph,
sr.. son of Russell, son of John, son of
lienjamin. son of John, w-lio settled In
Sprlnglield in 1030. coming from England.
.\saph Leonard, jr.. married Marcia Cleve-
land, datighter of Shubael Cleveland, n
direct descendant of the Clevelands
who came from England. Edwin Leonard
received a common scliool educaHon
and was employed in a drug store
for several years and for two years
was engaged as salesman and col-
lector for a flour and grain busine.ss in
Hartford. Conn. In 1800 he returned to
his farm, which has been in his family for
several general ions. October 24. 1800. he
married Elizabeth Dwight. daughter of Dr.
Edward Goodrich Ufford, of West Sprlng-
lield. who bore him two children. Mary,
who died in ISS.".. aged eighteen, and Ed-
win L'fTord. a paper salesman in Boston
.Mass. Mr. Leonard has served his town on
the school board for six years, is Massachu-
setts inspector of cattle, and has been re
porter on the Springfield Kepubllcan for
thirty years, and is still so engaged.
( 602 )
APPENDIX
Taylor, Dwight E.. p. o. Feeding Hills,
Mass., was born In Feeding Hills, April 18,
1S73, a son of John E., a native o£ the
same town and carpenter by trade, and
Mary (Edson) Taylor. Since leaving school
he has been engaged in farming and pur
chased his present farm in 1807 : he also
carries on a teed mill in connection with
his farming. On May 2, 1900, he married
Mabel I... daughter of James Easton, of
Illinois.
Fi.sK, EDw.iKD S., p. o. Agawam, Mass.,
was born in Agawam, August 2, 18,54. His
father, Loren W., was a native of Wales,
Mass., and moved to Ludlow in 1820,
where he was engaged in farming and in
the cloth mill business ; he also drove the
first and only hack, in 1839, to the first
train running into Springfield from Bos-
ton. He married Eunice Burns, a native
of Springfield, who still survives him ; he
died in 1SS6. Edward S. received his edu-
cation from the schools of Agawam and
Springfield, and upon leaving school was
engaged in the hotel business for twenty-
one years. In 1899 he purchased his
farm and since then has been carrying on
general farming.
Davis, Charles Palmer, p. o. Agawam,
Mass., was born in Woburn. Mass.. Novem-
ber 7, 18.59, a son of Thomas G. Davis,
master car builder for the Boston & Lowell
Railroad in East Cambridge, who died in
1882, and Margaret Anne Davison, his
wife. Mr. Davis was educated in the
schools of Woburn and after leaving school
was engaged in several different lines of
business. For years editorial writer for
the Boston Daily Olobe, he has written a
great amount of matter, largely but not
exclusively of a political and economic
character. Gen. Taylor, proprietor of the
Boston Globe, wrote of him in 1902. "Mr.
Davis is versatile and discreet, a well-read
man and a forcible writer on a wide range
of subjects." In 1891 he removed to Spring-
field and engaged in publishing. lie is
now also engaged in farming on his place
in Agawam. In politics Mr. Davis Is a
Democrat and was his party's candidate
for the Legislature in 189(5 and for Con-
gress in 1898. running considerably ahead
of his ticket. He served on the Agawam
school committee three years and was
chairman of the board. November 27.
1887, lie married Minerva J., daughter of
Harvey Porter, of Agawam. Two chil-
dren have been born of this marriage,
Emily Porter Davis, born 1888. and Pres-
ton Davis, born 1S90.
IlALi,.\DAY, Homer W., p. o. Feeding
Hills, Mass.. was born in West Springfield
(Feeding Hills) September 18, 1844, a son
of James C. Halladay, of Suffleld, and
Hannah M. (Flower, daughter of Spencer)
Halladay. He received a common school
education at the "Old Brick" school house,
and learned the painter's trade ; went
south, and was in Alabama for a time : re-
turned to Feeding Hills and married
Josephine Stevens, of Nashua, N. H.. a de-
scendant of Miles Morgan, who died in
1889. He married, second. September 3.
1890, Adaliue Gaylord, daughter of Ezra
G. They have three children : Giles Wat-
son. Julianna Stevens, and Lee Gaylord.
Mr. Halladay purchased his farm in 1871
and has successfully conducted it ; ne.xt to
Hollow Mountain, it is the highest land
in Agawam. He has served for years on
the board of trustees of the Methodist
church, and is active in matters of public
interest.
Reed, John H., p, o, Agawam, Mass.,
was born in Chicopee. Mass., June 24,
18.57, and was educated in the schools
of Chicopee and West Springfield. Since
leaving school he has been engaged
in farming, with the exception of three
and a half years spent in Ilazardville,
Conn., and Boston, Mass. in 1882 he en-
gaged extensively In the milk business, con-
ducting a very successful enterprise. In
1897 .Mr. Ueed was elected selectman, over-
seer of the poor and assessor of tlie town
of Agawam. and is still acting In these sev-
ei-al capacities. On January 1, 1S84. he
married Emma I., daughter of Edwin C.
Barr, of Springfield. Mass. : to them have
been born four children : Marlon A., How-
ard W., Ernest C. and John H., jr. Mr.
Reed has always found time for social and
fraternal interests and Is a member of
Hampden Lodge of Odd Fellows. Spring-
field, and Koswell Lee Lodge. F. & A. .M..
Springfield.
Otiiii'K. James J., p. o. Feeding Hills,
Mass., was born In Salem, Mass., August
8. IS.'td. a son of John Othlck. a native of
England, and Harriet Platl. his wife, of
New York. His mother was a daughter
of Jonah I'latt. and a direct descendiint of
( 603 )
APPENDIX
KlrUard IMntl. one o£ the Hist settlers In
New Haven, Conn., from England. James
J. received Ills education In the schools of
Uerkshlre, Mass.. and upon leaving school
learned the carriage-maker's trade. In
l.s.jl he went to California and returning
In Ks.'>4 engaged In the carriage business
at GIrard. I'a. In 1S(>."> he came to Feed-
ing Hills and purchased his present farm,
where he has slu<'e carried on general farm-
ing and a real estate business. On Octo-
ber 1(1. 18(11. Mr. Othiek married Sarah,
daughter of Ira Carpenter, and three chil-
dren have been born to them : Jennie, wife
of (icorge H. Taylor of Girard. Pa. : Susie,
wife of Charles II. Denver, and lOlsie, liv-
ing at home.
Mol.NTiuK, Elmkr K., p. o. Feeding Hills.
Mass., was born in Suffield. Conn., Janu-
ary 112, ]8(il, a son of Elbridge G. and
Ellen (lOaston) Mclntire. Elbridge G.
Mclntire was a native of Maine; he served
as sheriff of Lasalle county. III., for tour
years, and city marshal of Mendota for
seventeen consecutive years: he also served
as postmaster under MclCinley's tirst ad
mlnlslratlon. Elmer E. Mclntire was
educated In the schools of Mendota, 111.,
and after leaving school was engaged in
the lumber business for ten years. In
ISSL' he came to the town of Agawam.
where he has since carried on a successful
general farming business. lie has served
as constable for the last ten .years and is
now serving as deputy sheriff, being ap
pointed In l',)(>(). Mr. Mclntire is a mem
her of Hampden Lodge of Odd Fellows,
Springfield. On April ;>t), 188,5, he mar-
ried .M. Ilallle, daughter of Solomim C
Warner, of Southwlck. and they have had
three children : Cora E.. Elbridge U.. who
died in infancy, and Bertha Louise.
T.vvi»K. George H.. p. o. Feeding Hills.
Mass.. was horn In Feeding IIllls.
Mass.. on the Taylor homestead. Septem-
ber 121. 18')!), a son of John, a native of
Suflleld, Conn., and Eliza J. (Mather) Tay
lor, and grandson of Rolland Taylor, a na-
tive of Sullield, also, the family being
among the early settlers in that place. The
family of .Mathers trace their descent from
Uev. lili'hard Mather, who came to Amer-
ica from England in 1635 ; they are also
direct descendants from Cotton Mather.
George 11. Taylor was educated In the
schools of his native place and Vermont
Academy. lie is a member of Amity
Lodge of Odd Fellows of Springfield. On
Alay 2, 1883, he married Jennie 1).. daugh-
ter of James J, Othlck ; three children
were born of this marriage : Sarah Eliza,
Edna Maude, and Herbert George.
King, Nelson G., p. o. Feeding Hills.
Mass., was born in Monon, White county,
Ind., a son of James G., a native of Aga-
wam (who was a successful farmer and
cigar dealer), and Martha A, (Duncan)
King, a native of Lafayette, Tippecanoe
county, Ind. Nelson G. King was edu-
cated in the schools of Feeding Hills and
Springfield, and is now extensively en-
gaged in the lumber business and farming.
.Mr. King is a lineal descendant of the
Griswolds. who were among the first set-
tlers of the town.
WOUTHINGTON, Fredebick A., p, o. Aga-
wam, Mass., was born in Agawam. Mass-
September 1. 1S64, a son of Lewis N. and
Alice S. (Cowles) Worthington. Lewis
Worthington has resided in Agawam all of
his life. He is a member of the Baptist
church and was superintendent of the
Sunday school for a great many years.
Frederick A. was educated in the public
schools of his town. Worcester Academy
and Eastman's Business College. His
first employment was as clerk in the store
of Mr. C. W. Hastings ; in 1886 he en-
gaged with the Agawam Company as book-
keeper and is now assistant manager. He
has been town auditor for two years ; was
elected a member of the school committee
on the Kepublican ticket in litOl and is a
member of the Baptist church. On May
111. lisHT, Mr. Worthington married Sophia,
daughter of Willard Powers, of Greenfield
Mass. ; two children have been born to
them : Harold and Elsie.
BouURTHA, Samiel S,. p. o. Agawam,
Mass., was born in Agawam on the old
Bodurtha homestead, August '-'0, 1851, a
son of Francis E. and Catherine (Gibbs)
Bodurtha Francis E. was a son of Eli.
grandson of Ell, sr., and great-grandson of
Samuel, whose father. Benjamin, received
the homestead as his allotment of the com-
mon lands between 1720 and 1750. This
is one of the few places in Agawam which
liave never been bought or sold out of the
family. The first house on the site o:
the present home was built by Ell Bodur
tha. sr.. about 17U0. The family trace
( 604 )
APPENDIX
theii- descent from Keice Bodurtha, whf
settled in Springlield about l(!4(l and moved
to West Springfield 20 years later. Sam-
uel S. Bodurtha was educated in the schools
of his town and is now engaged in farm-
ing. He is a member of the Baptist
church. February 14, 1S77, Mr. Bodurtha
married Martha, daughter of Xathan Fenn.
a native of Wallingford, Connecticut; one
son waii born of this marriage : Elmer F.,
a graduate of the Connecticut Literary In-
stitution in the class of lUOl.
Hastings, Charles W., p. o. Agawam,
Mass., was born in Suffleld, Conn., July 27,
1855, a son of Joseph C. and Orpha
(Worthington) Hastings. His father is
still living on the home farm, purchased
by Rev. Joseph H.astings, in 1725. His
mother died November 12, 1S66. Charles
W. was educated in the Connecticut Liter-
ai-y Institute and was graduated in 1874.
In that year he entered Brown University,
but was compelled to give up his studies
on account of poor health, leaving coilegf
in 1878. The following year he came
to Agawam and purchased the present
store of E. K. Bodurtha and has since that
time conducted a general mercantile busi-
ness. >Ir. Hastings served as tax col-
lector in 1S82 and in 1885 was appointed
postmaster, and has held that ofHce con
tinuously since then. He is a deacon in
the Baptist church of Agawam and takes
an active part in all church and public af-
fairs. On May 't. 1879, Mr. Hastings
married Nell M., daughter of Lyman
Thompson, of Jlonterey, Mass. ; three chil-
dren were liorn of this marriage : Harry
W., a student at Brown University ; D
Thomson, attending the Connecticut Liter-
ary Institute ; and Mary O, J,
Thompson, Eugene L„ p. o. Agawam,
Mass,, was born at Norwich, Conn,, July
27, 1845, a son of Charles and Amy Ann
(Tiilinghast) Thompson, a grandson of
Asa and great-grandson of Asa Thompson,
who at one lime was owner of the town-
ship of Stonington, comprising ten miles
square; he was also captain of a company
at the time of the bombardment of Ston-
ington. His wife, Uhoda Cromwell, was a
direct descendant of Oliver Cromwell.
Charles Thompson for fifty years was a
farmer and served on the school committee
of Norwich for ten years; he died .March
12, 1902. aged 88 years. Eugene L. re-
ceived his education from tlie schools of
Norwich and upon leaving school was em-
ployed in packing rubber goods in Colches-
ter, Conn., for three years. At this time
he went to Northampton and learned the
wire tinner's trade, which he followed for
fifteen years, and in 1880 came to Agawam
and purchased the farm where he now re-
sides. He has served on the school board
for seven years and was a member of
Nonotuck Lodge of Odd Fellows of North-
ampton, having passed all the chairs, and
was treasurer for several years. He is
now one of the charter members of Bay
I'ath Lodge of Springfield ; is a member of
the Massachusetts Grand Lodge, being
initiated in 1889, and has attended nearly
every meeting since ; is a charter member
of the Agawam Grange and its first mas-
ter ; and a member of the Springfield I'o-
mona Grange and chairman of the executive
committee. September 3, 1865, Mr. Thomp-
son married Sarah J., daughter of Carle-
ton BItgood, of Voluntown, Conn. They
had one son, Wilbur E., who died at the
age of twenty-two years.
Hi LL, Chari.es W.. Jr., p, o. .Vgawam.
Mass.. was born on the old homestead July
14. 1870. a son of Charles W. and Julia
(Tubbsl Hull, a native of Guilford, Vt.
Charles W, Hull, sr., was a native of New
Lebanon. N. Y., and came to Springfield in
1859. where he was foreman on the Bur-
ney farm for three years. He bought his
present farm In 1809 and since that time
has carried on general farming. He Is a
member of the West Springfield Grange.
Charles W. Hull. Jr.. was educated In Con-
necticut Literary Institution and Child's
Business College of Springfield. He Is a
member of Agawam Grange and the Con
gregational Church. He has been engaged
in farming and in a wood and lumber busi-
ness since 1897.
Hastings. Judson WoRTniNGTON. M. D.,
p. o. Fee{llng Hills. Mass.. was born In
Suffleld. Conn.. June lit. 185:i. a son of
Joseph Crelghton and Orpha ( Worllilngton)
Hastings. Joseph C. Is now living on a
portion of the farm purchased hy Kcv
Joseph Hastings about 1725. who came
to Suffleld from Northampton. Orpha
(Worthington) Hastings was born In .\Ka-
wani. January 0, 1825, the daughter of
Havid and Orpha (Warrlneri WorlUlng-
ton. and dlid In Siiftleld, Conu.. November
( 605 )
APPENDIX
12. 186C. Judson W. Ilastinss received
his educntlon in the public schools of Suf-
fleid and Suflieid Academy. lie entered
Brown University and was graduated from
there in 1870. with the degree of A. li. ;
he tlien entered the medical department of
Columbia I'niverslty and was graduatet'
from there In 1S81. with the degree of M.
D. Immediately upon iiis graduation he
came to Keeding Hills, Mass.. and begai
the practice of his profession, and In l.SK:
was elected town cleric and treasurer of the
town of Agawam. which positions he is
still holding, and was a trustee of the
Agawam Public Library from 1S91 to 1896.
November 18. 1880. Dr. Hastings married
Mary il., daughter of Lyman Thomson, of
Monterey. Mass. ; six children have been
born of this marriage: William Thomson.
now a member of the class of 1903 at
Itrown University ; Joseph Remington, and
I'enival Vlning. now students in Suffield
Academy ; Philip Wortblngton : Helen Ma-
tilda and Creighton. who died in infancy.
AiM.MS, V. A. F., p. o. Agawam. Mass..
was born in Orono. Me.. November 30. 1834
and in 1890 came to Hampden county. Pre
vlous to his coming to Hampden county he
was a prominent real estate dealer in New
Uedford. Mass. : also was justice of the
peace tiiere. He is now engaged in farm-
ing and stock raising and is the proprietor
of an elegant stocic farm in Agawam. upon
which he lives. Mr. Adams is a member
of the Masonic order. He married Saral-
L.. daughter of Moses Denning, of Paris.
.Me., who was a contractor and builder in
Boston and built the first swell front house
on Hudson street. Boston, in 1830.
PoitTKit. H.xuviiv E.. p. o. Agawam. Mass..
was Ijorn in Agawam. .Tuly 12. 1SC7. a son
of Harvey, a native of the same town,
grandson of Kiijab. and great-grandson of
Capt. .lohn I'orter. a sea captain, also a
lieutenant in the Uevolutlonary war. Har-
vey E. Porter was educated in the schools
of Agawam and Springfield and is now en-
gaged in farming. He has been public
weigher in the south end of the town for
the past fifteen years, and is a member of
the Baptist church, secretary and treas-
urer of the Sunday school and president of
the Christian Endeavor Society.
PoWEits, EPMtND Newton", p. o. Agawam.
Mass.. was born In Greenfield. Franklin
county, Mass.. September 16. 1857. a sor
of Willard. a native of Morristown. Vt..
and Sarah (Newton) Powers, and was edu-
cated in the schools of his native place. In
1877 he came to Agawam and purchased
his present place in 1S83. He is a mem-
ber of Haypath Lodge of Odd Fellows.
Springfield. Mass.. and of the Congrega-
tional church of Agawam. On June 14.
1881. Mr. I'owers married Henrietta Perry,
a lineal descendant of John I'erry. of Dux-
bury. Mass.. who came from England in
the ship Lion in 1632. Mr. and Mrs.
Powers are the parents of two children :
Uuth Newton and Louise Brooks.
Lloyd, Almoxu W., p. o. Blandford.
Mass.. was born in the town of Blandford.
on the Lloyd homestead in the western
part of the town. December 2.5. 1849. a son
of .Vlmond and Mary A. (Atwater) Lloyd.
who.se children were Juliette. Caroline G..
wife of Daniel P. Nichols of Boston, and
Almond W. Mr. Lloyd's father died when
lie was seven years of age and he assisted
his mother on the farm. In 1872 he pur-
chased the farm where he now resides and
follows farming, making a specialty of
dairying, having a farm of about 328
acres. December 22. 1884. he married
Uosa J., daughter of Mortiicia Babb : they
have one daughter. Caroline J. Mr. Lloyd
is active in town and county affairs and is
now serving his fourth year as selectman :
he has been active in the Blandford Agri-
cultural Society, has been director many
years, and also served on the State Board.
BoDURTHA. Stephen H.. p. o. Bhindford
Mass.. was born in the town of Granville.
March 10, 1858. a son of David and Lois
(Robinson) Bodurtha. who were the
parents of three children : Estelia. wife of
Timotliy Rose (deceased), Arthur R.. and
Stephen H. David was a son of Alden
and Sophia (Russell) Bodurtha; he was
a carpenter and farmer. Stephen H. re-
mained at home on the farm until twelve
years of age. when he started out in life
for himself and engaged as a farm laborer.
When twenty three years of age he pur-
ciiased a farm of his own and two years
Liter purchased the farm where he now re-
sides and carries on general farming ; he
also manufactures lumber and owns about
700 acres of land. On April 25. 1884. Mr.
Bodurtha married Ellen, daughter of Ed-
ward J. and Sirena Pendleton : they have
six children : Warren V.. Stephen Elmer,
( 606 )
APPENDIX
Uobert Ellswoitli, Frank Theodore, Lois
Sirena. and Josephine Agnes. Mr. Bodur-
tha has served as selectman and is nox
serving his fifth term in this office. The
family are contributing and supporting
members of the Congregational church of
Blaudford.
TiFiWNY. Fraxklin G., p. o. Klandford.
Mass.. was born In Connecticut. June tj.
1837. a son of Bela and Laura (Johnson;
Tiffany. Laura Johnson Tiffany was :
daughter of Jonathan Johnson, who served
as soldier and captain in the Uevolutionary
war. Bela Tiffany moved from Connecti-
cut to Hampden county when Franklin G
was fourteen years of age. Franklin G.
Tiffany was educated in the public schools
and was associated with his ' father until
the latter's death in IST'J, when he came
into possession of his present farm. His
farm is located about one and a quarter
miles from Blaudford and contains about
140 acres of land. On November 21. 18G7.
Mr. Tiffany married Camilla, daughter of
Alonzo and Eunice i Chapman) Allen. The
house in which Mr. Tiffany now resides
was formerly used as a hotel, and on the
farm the first frame barn in the town was
built.
Herrick. He.xry Knox, p. o. Blandford,
Mass., was born on the farm where he
now resides, August 24. 1S39, a son of
Thomas and Mary A. (Knox) Herrick. who
were the parents of ten children : Char
lotte E., Henry K.. Ursula, Emma, Eliza-
beth, Melissa. Abbie A. and three deceased.
Thomas Herrick was born in the town of
Blandford. August 2(!, LSiiO, and was the
onl.v son of six children born to Thomas
and Betsey (Brockway) llerrlck. Hi:
father was a native of Montgomery, Mass..
and moved to Blandford in 1.S08. Uenr.\
Knox Herrick received a common school
education and remained on the home farm
until twenty-three years of age. when he
purchased a farm near the village of
Blandford. where he remained until his
father's death on February 1. 1872. when
he returned to the homestead and carries
on general farming. November 20, 18C2,
Mr. Herrick married Sarah E., daughter of
Lewis and Mary (Cook) Parks; they have
three cliildren : Hattie P.. Jennie M., wife
of Walter B. Holcoml). and Sadie E.. a
teacher in the public schools. Mr. Her-
rick is active in town and county affairs.
and has filled almost all of the offices of re-
sponsibility in town and in the agricultural
society of his town. In ISSO he was
elected by the Democrats to the Stale
Legislature, the district then comprising
six towns. Mr. Herrick is a descendant
of Sir William Herrick, who at one time
was the possessor of the English estate
called "Beaumanor ;" the first record of
this estate was in the reign of Henry III.
It fell to the crown and was conferred
upon "Henry de Beaumont." who, abnut
1330, commenced to beautify the park.
From him it passed through the families
of Hastings. Gray, and the Earl of Essex,
whose son transferred it to Sir William
Herrick.
Cross. Ch.irles E., p. o. North Bland
ford, Mass.. was born in the town of Otis,
Berkshire county, Mass., April 7. 1849. :
son of Joseph H. and Charlotte (Hills)
Cross, whose children were Helen. Fanny,
Julia, Mary, Charlotte, Arrabelle, Annie.
Lester. Joseph. Charles. Herbert II.. all
born in Otis. When twelve years of age
Charles E. moved with his parents to the
town of Blandford and at the age of fifteen
he started out in life for himself, going
west to different states, where he spent the
next ten years in the lumber camps of
Minnesota: he also herded cattle on the
prairies. In 1874 he returned to the town
of Blandford. where he has resided most
of the time since and followed farming. Ir
1892 he entered the employ of Edward I'hl
as general overseer of his large lauded es-
tate, located in Blandford and Oils. In
187.") Mr. Cross married Edith, daughter of
William C. and Esther ( Burleigh l Hlg-
gins ; they have two children : Edna, wife
of Burwell Turner, and Eugene Lee. Jlr.
Cross is a member of Huntington Lodge.
F. & A. M.. and I. O. O. F. of Chester, No.
lUO : also Tribe of Improved Red Men of
Chester.
IIIXSD.VLE. WiM.HM E., p. o. Blaudfoi'd,
Mass., was horn In Merlden, Conn., Octo-
ber 11, 1830, a son of Charles J. and
Catherine U. (Crane) Hinsdale, who were
the parents of seven children : Charles (de-
ceased). Catherine (deceased), James C.
Sarah H.. William E.. Harriet M., and one
who died In Infancy, James C. married
Elizabeth, daughter of Aaron I'ratt : he
was a iawyt^r and practiced In Chlcopee
and Springfield. He married, second,
( 607 )
AI'I'EXDLY
Millie L.. <liui(jhtei- "f Wlllinm Tuttle of
Ulandfiiid. fhiiilos J. Hinsdale was a
Congregational minister, lie was a gradu-
ate of Yale. Andover and I'rlnceton col-
leges and was pastor of the Ulandford
Congregational church from January 1.
18;U!. to .Tanuary 1. ISiil. He was throwr
from his carriage and killed. October 17.
1871. He was married twice, first to
Catherine li.. who died April L'l;, 18Go. and
second to Mrs. Mary Alwater Lloyd, who
died November 14. 1S'.)3. William E. Hins-
dale was educated at Klandford and Willis
ton Seminary and when fifteen years of
age entered the mercantile business, which
he followed for twelve years. in lSr)7 lie
returned to the homestead in llhindford.
where he now resides. November lili.
1SG7. .Mr. Hinsdale married Christiana,
daughter of William and Martha (Merritt)
Goodwin ; they have two children, Helen
If lair, and Catharine Hanks. Helen B.
was educated at the Elms at Springfield
and Vassar College. Catharine B. was
educated at the Elms and at Linden Hall.
I'oughkcepsle. X. Y., and has given her
time to music and painting ; she is serving
as organist at the Congregational church
of Ulandford. .Mr. Hinsdale is active in
(iiurcli affairs and is deacon of the Con-
gregational church. He was active In
raising ?(;.000 to pay for the rebuilding of
the church, and is also interested in educa-
tional work.
Nye. James Prentice, p. o. Blandford.
jrass., was born in the town of Blandford.
February 5. IS.'jl. a son of Randall and
Louisa (Cook) Nye. who were the parents
of six ihlldren : William If.. Almeda.
IJeorge IL. Edgar (deceased). James P..
and Carrie B. liandall Nye was a son of
Sarah and James Nye, who came with their
family from lUiode Island with an ox tean
and settled in the central part of the town
of Blandford. The children of James and
Sarah were Jonathan. George. Hazard.
James. Iicnnls, Clark, liandall. Sally. Elsie.
Uebecca, Mercy, and Alice. James I'ren-
tlce Nye was associated with his fatlier
and Dennis Nye on tlie farm known as the
Iir. K. Nye farm until their deaths. His
father died on May 3. 1882, and Dennis
on July IS. 1S84, after which James P.
came into possession of the homestead.
where lie resided until 1891, when he sold
the farm and purchased the L. D. Tiffany
place of 110 acres on North street, where
he resides at present. In 18SI.") he rebuilt
the south and west wings and made many
modern improvements for the accommoda-
tion of summer guests. On October 22,
188-1. Mr. Nye married Alice Holmes Tif-
fany : they have one daughter. I'ansy
Beatrice. Mr. Nye and family are mem-
bers of the Congregational church and
active in the work. He is a member of
the Blandford Agricultural Society. /
Smith. Almo.n J., p. o. Blandford. Mass., ^
was born in the town of Blandford. Octo-
ber lU, 1845. a son of Henry A. and Hul-
dah C. (Bacon) Smith, who had eight
children: Elnora (deceased i. Joel. Clar-
issa. Almon J., Olive. Juliette and Hattie,
both deceased. Henry A. Smith was born
In Blandford on the old homestead, a son
of George and grandson of Jededlah Smith,
Almon J. received a common school edu-
cation and remained on the home farm
until thirty-three years of age. when he
purchased a farm on Pudding Hill, in the
southern part of the town of Blandford,
which contained 17.") acres, and carried on
general farming until 1891. In 18112 he
entered the employ of J. E. Cooney. in the
general mercantile business, and since 1899
has carried on the business in his own
name. Mr. Smith is sexton of the Bland-
ford cemetery: also undertaker. In 1868
he married Phiiura. daughter of Moses
Gates, who bore him four children : Arlow
H., Luna C. (wife of Frank J. Candee),
Loon M. (married Clara Porter and re-
sides in Westfleldi. and Ruth H. (de-
ceased). His wife died in 1877. and on
November 10. 1878. Mr. Smith married,
second. Harriet M.. daughter of John and
Emily .\ldrich : they have three children :
Uuth P. I wife of Ernest Waite. and resid-
ing in Worcester), Huby J., and Willie.
.Mr. Smith has served as collector and con-
stable of his town for many years. He is
a member of the M. E. church, of which
he Is a steward and trustee.
CoKBix. MiNEK H., p. o. Brimfield. Mass.,
was born in the town of Inion, Conn.. De-
cember 27, 1840. a son of Healy and Nanc>
(Coy) Corbin. who had eight children as
follows: Rhoby (deceased). Lucy R. (de-
ceased). Nancy D.. Mary M., Rebecca,
Maria (deceased), Elvira (deceased) and
.Miner Healy. Miner H. received a com-
mon school education and was associated
( 608 )
APPENDIX
witli his father in tarming until twent.v-
one years of age. when, on September .'i.
ISO:;, he enlisted in (_'o. G. L'2d Kegiment
Connecticut Volunteers, as a private and
was discharged .Inly 7. ISHH. After his
discharge he returned to I'nlon. teaching
school winters and working at farming
summers until in 1S6S he and his father
purchased a farm in Brimtield. Ills father
died October 21. 1.SV8. and his mother May
2. 1878. Previous to his father's death
he purchased his father's interest and
carried on the farm alone until 1S97. when
ill health forced him to give up farming,
since which time he has lived mostly re-
tired. On March 1^4. 18(iS. Mr. Corbin
married Jane li.. daughter of Orwell I>im-
micli ; three children were born of this
marriage: Herbert M.. Arthur (deceased),
and Minnie .1. Mrs. ('orbin died, and on
.lune 2, 1881. Mr. Corbin married Sarah B.
Krown. who bore him two children : Wal-
ter E. and Erford H. Mr. Corbin has served
as overseer of the poor and auditor, and is
active in church worli. having been deacon
of the Congregational church for the past
twelve years, and parish clerk and treas-
urer. He is a member of .T. Arthur .John-
son Post Xo. 173. (i. A. H.. having held
most of the offices in the post, and luis
also served as aid-de-camp on the staff of
the department commander of Massachu-
setts. For several years he has been one
of the directors of the Wales Savings Bank.
Hiciis. Orri-N. p. o. Brimtield. Mass.. was
born in Readsboro. Bennington county.
Vt.. June 1. IHoi. a son of Alonzo am!
Phoebe (Bishop) Hicks, who had children
:is follows : Nelson A.. TM-osper. Annie
Julius F.. Harriet Sophia. Ivichard J.. Or-
rin. Orman. Ada. Elsie and Ellis. Orrin
received his education in the schools of
Vermont and in l.S7(; moved to Kansas,
where he took up a timber claim ; also
purchased eighty acres of land and in 1878
moved- to Colorado, where he remained one
year. In 1SS2 he came to Brimtield and
in 1889 pui-chased the farm where he now
resides. f)n .N'ovember 8. 1884. Mr. Hicks
married Julia A., daughter of William C.
and Olive M. Blasfield : three children
have been horn of this marriage. Mr
IHcks takes an active part in all public af-
fairs : is now serving as constable and has
served as selectman and superintendent of
streets.
r.uowN. Osc.vi! F.. p. o. Brimtield. Mass.,
was born in the town of Brimtield. Janu-
ary 30. 1850. a son of James I{. and Har-
riet M. (Tarbell) Brown, who had three
sons : Oscar F.. Horace E.. Louis S
James B. Brown was a son of Col. Abner
and Jedediah (Sumner^ Brown. Col. Ab-
ner served as lieutenant in the war of ISlli
under Col. Enos Foot and Capt. Isaac Ful-
ler. Oscar F. was educated in the schools
of Brimfleld and Hitchcock High School.
His father died April 8. 1880, and Oscai
F. came into possession of the estate,
where he lived until 1806 and then moved
to the village of Brimtield. where he now
resides. On Sei>tembei- 0. 1870. Mr. Brown
married Augusta H. Noyes. He is actively
interested in town and county affairs and
was elected assessor in 1877. 1878. 1871>
and 1880 : he has also served as selectman,
town clerk and treasurer of the town of
Brimfield. He is one of the trustees of
the Hitchcock Fi'ee Academy.
Booth. Sa.nkurd, p. o. Palmer. .Mass..
was born in the town of T'nion. Conn..
April 14, 1S3S. a son of Sullivan and
.Minerva (Coy) Booth, who had cliildren as
follows: Sanford. Melvin. Juliette. Kosette
and Milos S. Sanford's father died wher
he was seven years of age and he started
in life when quite yoting as a laborer dur-
ing tlie summer season and teaching school
during tlie winter. He remained with his
m()tlier on the home farm until he was 2\
years of age. Then he was engaged in
Ihe W(»od and lumber business until 1873.
when he came to Brimfleld. and has a large
dali'y farm, sending Itls milk to the Boston
market. On April L*. 1802. he married
Ellen A., daughter of De.xter Moore: four
children were born of this marriage :
IClmer K.. .Malora A.. Milo I)., and Milton
S. Mr. Booth has served as assessor,
selectman, overseer of tlie p<w>r and road
commissioner.
Itiiciw.N. Sami'kl W.iTSM.N. for seventy
years an honored citizen of Itrlmlleld. who
died March 8. ISil.l. was a gentleman of
scholarly tastes and who did much to pre-
serve the local history of Ihe place, as well
as to advance Its Interests. He was borr
In Brimfleld. November 10. 182'2. a sou of
Cyril and .Mary (Illair) Brown. He lrace<l
ills ancestry b.ack to Jcdiu Brown, who cnme
fiom England to .New Plymouth and aet-
tleil In Wameslt. Mass.. as follows: (Ii
39-3
( 009 )
APPENDIX
CyvU iiiid Muiy iBlaiii I!r..\vn ; CJ) Dea-
con David and Molly OVatsoii) Brown; (3
James and Hehecca Blown; (4) James and
Elizabeth (Hunt) Biown ; (."i) James and
Margaret (Dennlson) Brown; (0) James
and Lydla Urown : (7) John Brown. Cyril
Head I'.rown. father of Samuel Watson,
was boru In Ashford. Conn.. April .'i, IT'JS,
and rame to Brimfield with his parents in
180-1. When ho became of ajje he pur-
chased i;oo acres of land near the village
and entiaged in farming: he also taught
school a number of years during the win-
ter. He died September 4. 180!). Sam-
uel W. Brown, the subject, received his
education In the schools of his native
town and in the academies of llonson and
Westlield. He worked with his father
until he reached manhood and then went
to Virginia, where he remained one year.
Uelnrning home he purchased the General
Eaton homestead and has greatly im
proved the same. Mr. Brown was one
of the original promoters of the public
library of Brimfield. to which he presented
many valuable volumes. In politics he
was a Democrat and served on the school
committee as assessor, selectman, and was
moderator of the town meetings twenty-one
years ; he was member of the Legislature
in ISTd and Justice of the peace many
years. In l.S4'J Mr. I'.rown married Har-
riet L. Warren, born in Brimfield. Januar.\
l.">, IS'JT, a daughter of John M. and
Uachael (Harvey) Warren. Her father
was for many years engaged in the shoe
and leather business In Brimfield and the
latter part of his lite was a leather dealer
in Boston.
t'iiwi;i;s. N.\rii.iN H.. p. o. West Brim-
licld. .Mass.. was born on the farm where
he now resides. February 10. IJSOS. a son
of Norman S. and LouLsa (Ueed) Powers,
who had four children : Edward S., George
W.. Jennie M.. and Nathan II. Norman
S. was a son of Stephen C. and grandso
of Isaac Powers, who moved from Hard-
wick to Brimfield. about 1701. He fol-
lowed farming and lumber manufacture.
Nathan H. re<'eived a common school edu-
catU)n and In 1803 traveled through thi
west. si)ending some time In Kansas and
Indian Territory. In 18114 he returnef
to Brimfield. and after his father's death.
July 10. I.SOG. came into possession of the
old homestead, where he now resides and
carries on genera! farming. On March
17. 1.S97, .Mr. Powers married Delia L..
daughter of Calvin Blodgelt : they have
one daughter. Marion Louise. Edward S.
I'owers. when twenty-one years of age,
went to Springfield and learned the wood
turning trade, which he followed until
ISIIil and then engaged in a general hard-
ware business in Springfield. On May 18,
1S,S7, he married Hattle A. Tinker; they
have one son. Myron. Jennie M. is living
on the old homestead with her brother.
LiNcoLX, C.tPT. Fkaxcis D.. Brimfield,
was born September 30, 1821, and died
May 8, 1901, on the old homestead of Gen,
Danlelson. Ills father. Dr. Asa Lincoln,
practiced medicine in Brimfield for nearly
fifty years. His mother was Sarah Dan-
lelson. daughter of Gen. Timothy Danielson.
whom Dr. Holland. In his history, calls the
leading spirit of Western Massachusetts in
Uevolutionary days. .\fter attending the
common schools. Capt. Lincoln went to the
State Normal School at Barre. afterward
removed to Westfield ; he taught in Brim-
field. Spencer and Walpole. He met his
wife. Miss Rebecca Co.x. in Walpole and
was married to her September 28. 1848.
He resided in that town for eight years and
was engaged iu the dyeing and bleaching
business. From WaliJole Mr. Lincoln re-
turned to Brimfield to carry on the home
farm. Though exempt from military serv-
ice, he enlisted in the 4(ith Regiment. Mas-
sachusetts Volunteers, and was captain of
Company G. raised in Brimfield and ad
joining towns. After returning from the
war Mr. Lincoln was employed by his
brother-in-law. B. E. Hale, who carried or
a business in wrapping paper, first in
Chicago and then in New York. Mr.
Lincoln continued In the business after it
passed into the hands of D. S. Walton and
had charge of the New Ihigland sales
traveling through all the States. Two
sons of Dr. Lincoln became successful law
yers in Cincinnati and two others success-
ful business men. While it was the lot of
Francis to remain on the farm, his natural
gifts were fully equal to those possessed
by his brothers. He was always well read
and well informed ; he had an unusual
command of language with natural powers
of oratory, and was always ready In debate
and upon occasions of public speaking. He
liad held various offices in town, being
( 610 )
APPENDIX
muderatoi' of tbe town meetings for over
ten years ; was a member o£ the board of
trustees of Hitchcock Academy over twenty
years and a member of the J. Arthur John-
son Grand Army Post. Mr. Lincoln left
a widow and two daughters : Kebecca M.
Lincoln and Mrs. Henrietta F. Peirce.
(_'H.i5iBEUL.MN, Geouge V., .M. D.. Urim-
tield, was born December 28. 1827. a son
iif Dr. Levi and Abigail (Pelton) Chamber-
lain. He was educated in the Salem
Academy, Pittsfield Medical College, and
was graduated from the Woodstock Medical
College of Woodstock. Vt. Dr. Chamber-
lain first located in Hardwick. Mass.. where
be remained two years, then moved to
Fairfax. Virginia, for two years because
of threatened loss of hearing, and then to
P-rimfield, where he practiced until his
death on April 13. 1S!)(J. .January ].">.
lx."iO. Dr. Chamberlain married Harriet A..
daughter (^f Asa and Sabra X. (ykinneri
Lyon : two children w'ere born of this mar-
riage : Alice F. and Annie A., both de-
ceased. Dr. Chamberlain practiced in
llrimfield for about forty-tliree years, and
notwithstanding tlie disal>ility of almost
entire loss of hearing, merited the success
in his profession which lie achieved.
Bliss. EDW.\nD. p. o. Hrimfield. Mass..
was born .lune 17. 183(1. a son of Levi and
liebeccii llinkley (Bond) Bliss, one of five
children who grew to maturity : .Martha
H., wife of William C. .Jones : Solomon
Bond. Edward Henry I^.. and William K.
Levi Bliss was a son of Thomas and grand-
son of Ichabod. who was the first of the
name in Hrimfield. and of the few in the
tow-n who ow'ned slaves. He was also the
first to raise potatoes, his first crop being
six bushels ; he was at a loss to know what
to do with so many. Edward Bliss was
educated in the schools of his native lown
and Monson Academy : when twenty years
of age he went west in the lumber regions
of Ohio. Michigan and Canada, making a
specialty of black walnut. He remained
west ten years, (hen returned to Brimfield.
where he has since I>een interested in farm
ing and dealing in lumber. On .June t.
1872. .Mr. Bliss was married to Ellen .\..
daughter of Abraham and Sarah (Thomp-
son^ Charles: two children were born of
this marriage: Florence C. and Berthn
Bond. Mr. Bliss has been on the board
of selectmen, is a charier member of the
Brimfield (Jrange. and a meraher of J. It.
Johnson G. A. K. post.
HoLDEN. Charles L., p. o. Bondsville.
Mass.. was born in Hubbardstown. Mass..
February 28. 1838. a son of Lewis and
Eliza A. Holden. and was educated in the
schools of Charleston. Mass., and Wesleyan
Academy. After leaving school he en
gaged in the grocery business and in 1882
opened a general store in Bondsville
which he has since conducted. Mr. Hol-
den has served on the board of selectmen
for four years and was postmaster seven
years under Cleveland. He is a member
of Thomas Lodge of Masons : Agawani En-
campment, and Palmer Lodge of Odd I*'el-
lows. (In July 8. ISGCI. Mr. Iloldeu mar-
ried Ellen M. Itodman. daughter of Itobert
Itodman. a native of the State t)f Ithode
Island. Mr. and Mrs. Holden ai-e the
parents of four children : Alice .\I.. Julia
1-^. Lewis It., and Charles D.
Bitow.v, IOdw.\ud B.. p. o. Bi-inifie!(i.
.Mass.. son of I)eacon i)auphin and Abbie
(Nutting) lirown. was born August 27
1S4.~>. He is a descendant of one of the
early settlers of tbe town. Jonathan
Brown, who came to Brimfield from Salem.
Mass.. about 173!t. JOdward B. received
most of bis education at the public schools
and the Brimfield Free Academy. He has
been educated a farmer, and was asso-
ciated with his father uniil the hitter's
death, which occurred .May 28. 1880. since
which time he has managed the farm alone.
He married Mary A. Ruggles. of Hard-
wUk. October 1. 1879; they have three
children : Mabel N.. Walter K.. and
Emma B. Mr. Brown takes an Interest In
town alTairs. and has served as selectman
several years, to the satisfaction of his
fellow townsmen. He Is also Interested
In churi'h work, having been one of the
otlicers of the church and society most ol
the lime since 187.">. He united with the
church in 18(5!) and has been Its clerk
nearly twenty years. He wns chosen
deacon January 3. ]8!t.".. and has held the
otHce since that date.
P.MtKKii. Onts E.. p. o. Brimfield. Mass..
was born In the town of Brimfield, June 10.
184(!, a son of Sumner and Mellna (Par
sonsi Parker, who had six ihllilren as fnl
lows : Olive. Orvllle. Oscar. Orus E..
Olivia and Orlo. Sumner wns n Bon of
David and Hannah (TIsdell) I'arker. who
( 611 )
APPENDIX
liiul Iwi'lvo iliililit'ii. Uaviil w;is the tiist
iif llie family to come to lliitnpden eounty
from Coniieetleut. Sumner I'aiker was a
faimef. also lumber merehant and dealt li
limber land. He was aelive in town and
(ounty affairs: served as selectman of The
town of lirimfield. assessor and overseer of
the poor. Orus I-:, was educated in the
lirimfleld schools and the lIltchcoel< Kree
High School. At the death of his father
In 1SS4, he assumed charge of his father'.'
estate and now carries on a farm of 200
acres: he makes a specialty of dairying
and sends his milk to the Itoston market,
(►n February 11. IST.'i. Mr. Parker married
lOva A.. daui;hter of Simon li. and Aujinsta
A. Ward : nine children were born of this
marriage : Herbert S.. Louis W.. Mable A..
Itertha K.. Sumner H.. Orvllle. Orlo. Lester
S.. and K Stanley. Mr. Parker has served
as overseer of the poor : assessor : trustee
of the Hitchcock Academy, and is a mem-
ber of the Hrimlield (Irange. .Mr. Parker
and his family are members aud take an
active part in the Second .Vdvent Society,
he having served as clerk of the society for
many years.
Brown. C'H.Mii.h:s Cuhk. p. o. Hrimtield.
.Mass.. was born on the farm where he now
resides, liecember 18. 1852. a son of Charles
Austin and Semantha King (Griggs) Brown,
who had three children : Mary Ktta. born
January 14. IS.Tl : Charles C. and Frank
Fdgar. born January 11. I,S."i!i. Charles A.
Brown was born in the town of Brlmtield. a
son <»f Jonathan, son of .lonathan. jr.. son
i>f Jonathan, who came from Beverly to
Brlmtield about 17.'!!l and built a log cabin
on .Monson Hill : later he moved to Tower
Hill, where he followed his trade of house-
wright and Joiner. Jonathan, jr.. was a
lieutenant in the Kevolutlonary war and
served as a volunteer in ('apt. Sherman's
Co.. Col, I'ynchons Ueglment. Jcmathan.
sr.. served in the French .and Indl.in war as
a sergeant under Daniel Burt, captain, from
.March :!ii. IT.I.-i, to January :i. 17.-|(>: he
also served In the Kevolutlonary war with
the rank of sergeant, under Col. Timothy
Manlelson. who marched fr<mi Brlmtield on
the Lexington alarm. April 111, 1 77."> : he
served as second lieutenant in Capt. Aaron
Charles' .-.th Co, In 177(1: lieutenant in
('apt. Nehemlah .Mays Co.. Col. Iiavid Leon-
ard's regiment : seiond lieutenant in Capt.
Nathan Sargent's Co. under .MaJoi-tJencral
llcalh. to command the guards In and about
Boston. <-ommissioneU .lanuary 2(J, 1771) :
also as lieutenant of Capt. Joshua Shaw's
Co. under Col. Elisha I'orter. Charles C.
Brown, the subject, was educated in the
schools of his town and was graduated from
Hitchcock Free High School. At nineteen
years of age he started in life as a clerk In
10. C. Jlorgan's book store at Warren, where
he remained two years and then went to
Boston in the employ of the American Ex-
press Co. In 1S81 he returned to Brim-
lield. where he has since resi{ied. and was
associated with his father in farming, until
his father's death in lt>!)l. Mr, Brown is
active in local affairs and has served his
town as assesor and selectman. He is
trustee of the town library and a member
of the Soclet.v of Sons of the American
Kevolution.
ClLiFFEE. Joii-\ L.. jr.. p. o. Brimfleld.
Mass.. was born in the town of Monson.
January IM. 1849. a son of John L. and
Persis (Pease) Chaffee, who had seven
children as follows : Xevatus, Eliza, Har-
riet. Francena. Almeda. John L. and Davis.
John I*., sr.. was born In the town
of Monson. a son of Freeborn and
Betsey ChafTee and grandson of Chad-
wick, who was the first of the family
to come to America from Ireland. John L.
Chatfee, jr.. received his education in the
schools of Mouson and helped his father
on the farm until twenty-one years of age
and was then employed as a farm laborer
lor live yiais. After that he enterid she
employ of Charles Holt and Cyril Joiinson.
in the manulacture of woolen goods at
Stafford, wliidi he folh wed for six ye-irs.
and then came to Brlmtield and jmrehased
the farm where he now resides, which con-
tains IK) acres. On October 8. 1871. Mr,
Chaffee married Ella L,. daughter of Will-
iam Stacy : they have one son. Arthur L.. a
native of Monson. who is attending the
Hitchcock Free Academy. Mr. (^haffee is
active in town and county affairs and n:is
served as road commissioner many years.
S.vwi.v. UriBKiiT V,, M. I)., p. o. Brimfleld.
-Mass.. a successful physician of the town of
Brimfleld. .Mass,, was born In Worcester.
Mass.. July i:<. lS."i(!. He Is the eleventh
in direct descent from Robert Sawln, of
Itoxford. England, whose son. John Sawln.
came to .Xmerlca in Mi'A'2 and was the first
settler in Natick. Mass. Dr. Sawin Is a
( 612 )
APPEynix
son of t'hailes Miinninji Sanin. who was ii> cliiM-iy VallFV. X. v.. w1iit4. .lonatliMii
employed by tlie II. & A. It. U. tor twenty- dletl anrt his wife i-etumed to I'.landford ami
Hve years and died at the age of seventy- lived the remainder of her days. Tliey liad
seven years, and I.niy Marsh, his wife, who four <hildren : Phineas. I)olly. Imty and
is now living in Worcester, at the age of ICiiuice. When aliout live years of age.
eighty-two. Dr. SawMn received his early Dnty's father died and he weiit to live with
education in the Worcester high school and his uncle. Duty Inderwood. at Huntington,
later attended Amherst College, from which Mass.. where he attendeii the public schools,
he was graduated in 1S81. He was princi- Throughout his life he was a farmer. 11,-
pal of the Millhury grammar school at Mill- started in as a poor boy and through his
bury. Mass.. in 1881 and ISSli. and in the own exertions accumulated iiulte a compe-
latter year entered .lefTerson Medical Col- tency and was greatly respected by all who
lege, rhiladelphia. from which he was grad- knew him. On September 1, 1847. .Mr.
uated in ISS.j. He began the active prac- l-'rary married Ann lO. (Jibbs. daughter of
tice of his profession iu Hrimtield and has .Joel and Annie (Hunt) Norton: they had
acquired a high standing as a skillful phy- one daughter. .Mary S.. who lives with her
sician. and is also the owner of some val- mother at Chester village. .Mr. I-'rary died
uable property in the town. In 1883 Dr. May •-'. 1888.
Sawin married Nettie KUis, daughter of i;.\mwi:i.i.. Wii.m.i.m S.. p. o. ('hesier.
Oscar E. and Louise M. (Briggs) Wash- Jlass.. was born in Hinsdale. Berkshire
burn, of Brockton. Mass.; they have three county. Mass.. in .January. 1847. a son of
children: Donald W.. born November :;. Jlorgan and Amanda (Springi (iamwell.
l.'^Hij. died at the age of one year and a He was educated in the schools of his town
half: Alice Ida. born June TJ. 1889. and and came to Chester in 18(i!); in 1871 he
lii'bert Washburn, born February L'9. 18911. entered the employ of O. I). Thomas, who
Dr. Sawin is a Kepublicau in his political owned the feed mill that Mr. (iamwell now
lireferences and has serve<l as chairman of owns. He rented the mill at (irst and In
the town committee for several years: he is 1887 pun-based it. In 189:5 the mill was
active in educational work and has been burned and he replaced it in the same year
chairman of the school committee for a with a larger and more, modern one. He
ntimber of .vears : also a member of the grinds abmit (ioo tons (if corn a year; also
board of trustees of the Hitchcock Kree de.als in Hour. r)ats. hay and straw, paints.
Academy. He has held the olHce of town oils. etc. In 1.8(i8 Mr. (jamwell married
physician since 1886. Dr. Sawin is a mem- .lennie 10.. daughter of Ira and Battle
ber of the Massachusetts State Medical (I'ease) Iliggins. who died October 14. 19(11.
Society. Eastern Hampden .Medical Associa- sincerely mourned by relatives and friends,
tion. Day Spring Lodge. V. & A. M.. Hamp- .Mr. (iamwell is ai-tlve In all public spirited
den Chapter. R. A. .M.. Sin-lnglleld Com- enterprises.
mandery of K. T.. Mystic Shrine, the I'nit- AiuaiTT. Am.vi. K.. p. o. Chester. Mass..
ed (Irder of Workmen, tor which he is ined- was born in the town of Chester. Mass..
ical examiner: of the Improved Order of .November '^2. ^s-2Tt. a son of .loseph and
I!ed Jlen and Brimtield (Irangc. He Is I'olly Bucknum .\bbott. He was oye of
medical examiner for applicants for West eight children, namely: Mary. Dolly. Ilar-
I'oint and in 1897 was candidate tor repre- riet. (^harles B.. .Toseiih ('.. Eliza. Ablal K..
sentative in the Massachusetts (iencral and .Jonathan I'. Of these only two are
Court. Dr. Sawin is progressive in his living. Eliza, widow of Aurellus C. Kont.
views, keeps abreast of the latest dlscov- who lives in Lyons. Iowa, and Ablal K.
erles in his- profession and holds fraternal His father. Joseph Abbott, was a natlve'of
rel.itions with his brother practitioners. He Chester and son of .\blal. who settled In
has the regard and conlidence .)r the Cbesrer almui 1774. Ablal K. Abbott, the
communit.v. and with his amiable wife subject, named after his grandrnlher. was
stands high In the best society of Brimfleld. educated In the common schools and assist-
Fkakv. Ditv f.. Chester, was born In ed his father on the farm until llie hitters
I'.landford. Mass.. April 11. 1811. a son of death In 18(17. when he came Into possession
.louathan and Annie iCulven Fniry. who of the homestead. He carried on the farm
were residents of Blandford and later inoveil successfully unlll 189;i. when lie sold It and
( 61. T )
AFPEM)]X
has sime llvpd a retli'ed lite. On July 11.
Is.'iL*. he married Kniiua M. Manning;; they
have had two children : Ilelle M.. wilo died
in 1.S01, ayed thi'ee and one-half years, and
one dau;;hter living. Cora Kliza. Mr. Ab-
bott is interested In aii loeal affairs ; was
treasurer of his town one year, and also
tnolv an active part in agricultural socle-
ties. He is a member of the Hampden
.\),'ricnlt>irai Society, the Union at Bland-
ford .and Highland and Middiefield. and the
old Hampden of Sprinj^tield. serving: Ibis
society as vice-president and director for a
number of years.
Cuoi'Kit. J.VMES C. p. o. Chester. .Mass..
was born in the town of Chester. .Mass..
liecembcr 10. 1849, a son of John C. and
Charlotte (Cone) Cooper, who were the
parents of four children : Charles C.. Wll-
i:ird .M.. .lames C, and Carrie C. .lames C.
attended the public schools of his town.
His father died when be was six years old.
and at the a^e of fourteen he enf^ajjed as a
farm laborer, later worked in the bedstead
factory, then as a clerk in a general mer-
cantile business at Chester. In 1881 he
formed a co-partnership under the firm
name of liidwell & Cooper : this was contin-
ued until ISSS. when he entered the quarry
works and in 1880 was ai)pointed postmas-
ter and Is still holding that position. Mr.
<'ooper has served as clerk and treasurer of
the Cliester fire district since its incorpora-
tion, and is one of the charter memliers of
the Improved Order of lied Men. .\cquitaug
Tribe. No. 14.">. he being the first sachem.
In 187'-' Mr. Cooper married Maggie Lacy of
Huntington : one son was born of this mar-
riage. ,Iohn C. Mrs. Cooper died in 1874.
and on October 7. 1882. Mr. Cooper married
Kliza risk I'arks. who bore him three chil-
dren : ,1. Worcester, C. Wlllard. and Rod-
ney A.
liRoMi.KV. Harkv R.. p. o. Huntington.
.Mass.. was born on the farm where lie now
resides. .Inly 9. 187G. a son of Erastus
Kewey and Ksther J. (Moore) Bromley.
Krastus I), was born January 10, 1846. on
the farm where Harry U. now resides, and
died March ."i. 1880: he was a son of Keu-
ben L. and Mary .\nn (Leflingwell) lirom-
ley. who settled near the town line of Ches-
ter and Huntington about 1822. Keuben
was born in Connecticut, March 9. 1800.
and died .lanuary 7. 1880. Mary .\nn Lef-
Ingwcll, his wife, was born in Connecticut,
April 4, 18():{. and died Mnrih 7, 1888; their
ciiildren were l-'raii<-es Maria, .Mary .\nn,
Charlotte Whiting. Klizabeth Whiting. Will
iani Henry. Harriet Amanda, Nancy Aman-
da, Charles Henry, Sarah Eliza, Ellen
Sophia and Erastus Dewey. Esther J.
(Moore) Hromley was a daughter of Wash-
ington and Emily (Ilolcomb) .Moore. She
is now living on the home farm with her
son. Harry U. The farm contains 230
acres and they make a specialty of dairying.
S.MiTii. Cl.viton v.. p. o. Chester. Mass..
was born in Chester. Mass.. March 31. 18."t7,
sctn of Oavid and Laura (Eames) Smith.
who were the parents of four children :
Elizabeth E.. Elvira, Jennie E., and Clayton
I). Clayton I), was educated in the schools
of Chester. Williston Seminary at East-
hampton and .\mherst College. lie began
the study of law with Mr. Lathrop and was
admitted to the bar in 1884, locating in
Chester, where he has since resided. On
October 1(1, 1888, Mr. Smith married Edith
M.. daughter of Austin Rude : they have
three children : Helen E.. Austin C, and
Dorcas. Mr. .Smith was elected on the
school committee, holding that position two
years ; was elected representative in 1893,
and in 1894 selectman and assessor. He is
now serving on the board of water commis-
sioners.
Bemis, JosHt .V W., p. o. North Chester.
.Mass.. was boi*n near where he now resides
in the town of Chester. Mass.. May 2. 1841,
a son of Josiuia and Mary (Clark) Bemis,
who were the parents of four children as
follows : Daniel W.. William M., Joshua
W. and Lewis S. Joshua W. spent his
early life in the town of Chester, where he
attended the common schools and also the
Westfield High School. His father died
September l(i. IS.SO. and Joshua W. came
int(( iKissession of the liome farm. In .Au-
gust. 1863. he married Frances L., daugh-
ter of Milton D, Leonard ; four children
were born of this marriage: Annie M.,
wife of Zadaoh C, Clapp : Je.ssie W'., wife of
II. W. Lawton ; Prank L.. who married
.Vlice Woodard. and Charlena, wife of Chas.
Van Deusen. of Hudson, N. Y. Mr. Bemis
has been active in town and county affairs:
was selectman seven years and school com-
mitteeman one year.
H.xrc:iHiii. (jKiiiKii; H., p. o. Chester. Mass..
was born in Rindge. N. XL. April 20. 1842.
a son of (jeorge D. and Catherine W.
{ GU
APPENDIX
(MixtM-i Hapfjijod. who had three children:
George II., Anuie E. Alderman, wife of
William P. Alderman, and Emma Jane (de-
ceased). George II. was educated in the
.schools of Itindge and Powers Institute at
Bernardston. Mass, When fifteen years of
age he came with his parents to Chester,
where his father entered the employ of
Nelson & Rice, who ran the tannery, George
was al,so employed by them, and when the
tannery was relniilt in 1875, he and his
father took a half interest under the firm
name of Thomas, Kice & Co, T'pon the
death of his father, September i:i, 1890.
George took his father's interest and con-
tinued the same until 1894. when the busi-
ness was closed out. On November 1!. 18B4,
Mr. Hapgood married Mary Etta, daughter
i>f Elbridge Wilcox; they have one son liv-
ing. Edwin Otis, and one deceased. Mr.
llapgood has served as school committee-
man, selectman, and is a charter member of
Samoset Lodge. No. 160. I. O. O. F. He also
has been a member of the legislature from
the Ninth Hampden representative district
in 190(1.
Sni>w. M.vjok a., p. o. Chester. Mass..
was born in Chester. December K, 1847, a
son of Sereno and Sarah V, (Lamb) Snow,
who had four children : .\lice. Major A..
Ella, and <me that died in infancy. Mnjoi"
A. Snow was educated in the schools of his
town and when twenty-one years of age
purchased his present farm, where he car-
ries on general farmin.e and makes a spe-
cialty of dairying. Mr. Snow married Ellen
C. daughter of Austin Clark. Mr. Snow is
active in town affairs : has served as select-
man six .years and tax collect<tr eleven
years. He is a conti'ibuting and support-
ing member of the Second Congregational
church.
HoLCoiiB. Gkokgk W., p. o. Chester,
Mass.. was born on the farm where he now
resides, September 80, 1824, a son of Ben-
jamin and Camelia (Alderman) Ilolcomb.
who were the parents of six children:
Huldah C, Hannah A„ Daniel H.. Eliza A..
George W., and Emily J, George W, was
educated in the scliools of Chester and wa.s
associated with his father until the latter's
death on January 30. 18.">1. when he took
iharge of the home farm nlono. In 1874
.Mr, Holcomb married Lucy I'ense, of Mld-
dlefield ; they have one adojited daughter,
Emma, wife of ClilTord Cooper of Westfleld,
.Mr. Ilolcomb owns and mnirols about 212
acres of land and is actively interested in
town and county affairs.
Day, Wii.i.ia.m H.. p. o. Chester. .Mass.,
was born in Hampshire county. April 30,
1837. a son of William and Koxanna
iKnowlton) Day. William H. attended the
public schools of his native town, of Boston
one winter, .-ind Colonel Taggert's .Militia
School at Philadelphia, AVhen iliirteen
years of age he engaged as a farm laborer
and later was employed in the cotton mill
at ('hicopee. He learned the barber's trade
in Hartford, Conn,, and remained there two
years, then moved to Boston, and in 1857
came to Chicopee, In 1861 Mr, Day enlist-
ed in Co. P.. 10th Mass. Vols., received a
severe wound in left leg at the battle of
Gettysburg. July 3. 1863. and was dis-
charged June 21. 1864. He served as a
private and was raised to corporal In 1863.
After his discharge from the army lie re-
turned to Chicopee and was engaged in his
trade there until 186(5, when he moved to
Westfield, One year later he moved to
Huntington, Mass,, and there worked at his
trade three years. His next move wa? to
Worthington, where he purchased the
Worthingtou Hotel, which he conducted for
six years. In 1877 he moved to Ciiester
and purchased the Chester House aiul has
remained there ever since. On July 14.
1867. .Mr. Day married Evelyn F. Hall: two
children were born to them : Minnie D.,
and William K. Mr. Day married, second,
Mrs. Mallna (Pine) Lumbard. .Mr. Day
Is a member of Samoset Lodge Xo. 160. I.
O. O. I-'., and was formerly a member of
E. K. Wilcox Post, G. A. U.. of Sprlnclield.
W(joD. Ci^\kk\cf: M.. p. o. Litilevllte.
Mass.. was born In Enfield. Mass.. August
25. 1858, a son of James and Aurella
(Brown) Wood. Clarence M. was educated
in the schools of his town and was associa-
ted with his father until twenty-one .years
of age. When twenty-three years of tige he
purchased the Amoik Smith farm In the
northeastern part of the town of Chester
and controls about 130 acres of lan<l. Mr.
Wood married Alice, darghler of John and
Kelief KIder ; two children wore born of
this marriage: Jessie and Harry. Mr.
Woo<l has been active In town and I'ounty
affairs : has served as selectman for the
past thirteen years and Is now serving on
the schtud committee.
( f;i5 )
APFEXDIX
WiiiTK. Wii. 1,1AM K<ii.ANij. p. o. Chester. Susan Kyle, who boie him one dnughter.
Mii»s.. WHS hoin in Kiissell. Mass.. a son Susan, now deceased. He married, second,
of Koland I'aiks and I.ucy Almiia ( Shep- Laura I'ease of lliddlefield : si.\ children
ardi White. His eariy life was spent in were born of this marriage: Willis. Anna.
Itussell and Sprlnglield : he was educated Clara. Nellie. Charlie, and one deceased.
In a private school in Springlield. Hyde's His third wife was Hannah I'ackard. of
school at Lee. and Kastman's Huslness Col- Cummiugton. Mr. Stevens has served as
lege. When twenty-one years of age he treasurer of his town.
engaged in the mercanllle business under Haiit. Asei. E.. p. o. Chester. Mass..
the lirm name of I'arks & White, which was born In the town of Granville. June 17.
hrm existed for two years, and then Mr. l.s:;s. a son of .Toseph and Laurie Hart.
White came to Chester and formed the firm who were the [jarents of eight children,
of White & K!.v. They continued in part- When twelve years of age Mr. Hart's father
ncrship for fotir years, at which time llie died and he was obliged to seek his own
partnership was dissolved and Mr. White living. He commenced working in the mills
engaged in the hotel business, .\bout ISSli at Ludlow, where he was employed for two
he erected the building known as "While's years and then he went to I'.elchertown on
Hotel." and has been its proprietor since, a farm. When sixteen ye.irs of age he was
.Mr. White has married twice, first, when employed by the Ames Company at Chico-
twenty-two years of age. to S. Adella pee Kalis, and after two years with them
liailey ; his secotul wife was Llda II. Twiss. was employed by the .Tenksville Mfg. Co. in
.Mr. White Is a member of Adelphl Chapter, a machine shop, until he entered the em-
O. IC. S.. Springtield. Mass. ; Mount .Moriah ploy of the 15. & A. railroad ; he later
Lodge. 1'". A. & .M. ; Morning Star Chapter, worked for them as engineer and resigned
I^ A. >L. Sprlngtleld ; Springfield Com- in 1800. Then for three years he conduct-
niandery Knights Tem|)lar ; .Massachusetts ed a grocery store in .Vrlington. Vt. Since
Society. Uoston. and (ieorge Washington then he has lived retired. Mr. Hart mar-
Chapter. Sons .-\nierican Uev(tlutlon. Spring- ried Samantha A. l>ibble : they have four
Held, and Massacliiisetts Society Coli>nial sons living: Edward. Franklin. Alton, and
Wars, of Uoston. Hubert. Edward is in the mercantile busl-
Stkvkns. Wii.i.iA.M. 11. o. Chester. .Mass.. uess at Bennington. Vt.. and employs Hu-
was born in the town of Cliester, August bert as clerk. Mr. Hart has always been
111. 181ti. a son of .Toshiia and Xaui-y il-'ish) interested in school and educational work
Stevens, who were the parents of eight chll- and gave his children the benefit of an ad-
dren : Uuth. Eannle. .Joshua. William, vanced education. Edward is a graduate
Nancy. Liberty. Charlotte U. and Eliza E. of Eastman's Business College. Poughkeep-
Joshua Stevens was a son of .lohn an<i Uuth sle : Alton attended the Wilbraham Acad-
(. Moore I Stevens, who came from UrookHeld emy. and Franklin the high school at Chcs-
to Chester with their family when .loshua ter.
was about fifteen years of age. Joshua was BiLLIXcs. Gilbekt. p. o. Chicopee. Mass.,
a public spirited man and took an active was born at East Longmeadow. May IT.
part in town alTalrs. representing his town l.SSl. a son of Lyman and liosanna (Hillsl
In the legislature oiu» term. William liU'.lngs. who were the parents of three
Stevens was associated with his father on children : (Jilbert. Beulah. and Homer,
the farm until twenty ye.ars of age. wlten Lyman Billings was a farmer, also a musl-
he learned the painter's trade and followed clan, often playing at local celebrations:
that f<)r three years. He then returned tt> was for a number of years a mtisician in
the o!d homestead and was associated with the militia, and a popular violinist at en-
hls father until the hitter's death, when he tertainments and dances. He was a son
look [Kissession of the honiestead. making a of Lieutenant Thaddeus Billings, who was
specially of stock raising. In ISfi.'i he an officer in the 1st Regiment. 1st Brig-
moved to the village of Chester, where he ade of the 4th Division of the Militia of the
was engaged In farming and in the meat State of .Massachusetts, and received his
business for ten years and since that time honorab'e discharge on May :51. 17i)lt. Gil-
has dealt largely in real estate. Mr. bert Billings now has the discharge papers
Stevens has married three limes; first, to in his possession. Thaddeus was a son of
( 61<i )
APPENDIX
Tli.-Kliieus. a niilivc uf Somenille. Conu. ; .-i
sun of Samuel, a uarive of Concord. Mass. :
a sou of Samuel, a native of Concord,
.Mass. ; a son of .lohn. a native of Eugiand,
is connected witli a lai'sie linancial estal)-
lisliments in New York cit.v : lie lias also
lield the position of Ijanii e.xaininer of the
State of Xevv Yoi-I;. Mr. and .\lis. Hillings
and a son of Xatliauiel. vvlio came fi-om are cliarter members of the tJraiijre: lie lield
I'.ngland before l(;4n. Nathaniel, senior,
was one of the ninetv-three citizens of Cou-
tlie position of its Jirst master for two
.vears. followed l).v another period as lec-
cord who signed ilie memorial of lG(i4 to turer. and h:is since been tlie treasurer,
the General Court, pledging their lives and which position he now holds. Mrs. Killings
estates to maintain their charter rights.
His son. .Nathaniel, .ir.. was the first settler
of the town of Lincoln. I':ii.iah Billings,
uncle of Thaddeus, grandfather of (Jiibert.
has been the secretar.v for three years, and
is now serving her fourth.
Ai;a.m.s. John QriXfV. p. ". llamoiieii.
Mass.. was born in Soutli Wilbralmni. Mass..
founded the ICnfield Shal;ers. gave the land liecember 10. 1S4
and erected the buildings at
Famil.v. When the Church
the South
■'amily was
Julia
ward
son of I'^dward and
iCbapin) Adams. His father. i:d-
Adams. was a native of Suflield.
completed he removed to an ofiice there, and ('(um., coming to South Williraham. now
remained trustee of tlie five families till his Hampden, at the time of his first marriage
death, .lune ."). 1.S14. He induced several in \S'J\. following his father's. Arali Adams.
families and parts of families of his rela-
tives to embrace the faith, some forty indl-
Ijusiness as wheelwright till the time of his
death, Octolier !1. l.ST:;. The family is de
viduals in all, among them the above Thad- scended from Itoliert Adams, who came
deus. whom he appointed a Shalter elder to from Kngland in I (;:!(! and settled In New
liury. His mother. .lulla Chapiu Adams.
wa.>f a direct descendant of Ilea. Samuel
young Shakeress. they went away, got mar- Chapin. one of the eariist settlers of Spring-
ried and never returned for duty. EIi.iah lield. Mass.. who came to that place from
preach on the circuit. Unfortunately for
the order, he fell in love with a pretty
was sued by his brother for coaxing away
two of the latter's daughters; the brother
lost his suit and his two daughters with it
l-:ngland in lii41. .John Q. Adams was edu-
cated in tile schools of his native town, and
at IIurnliMin's P.usiness College. Springlicld.
lOiilah in his zeal and upriglitness built up Mass.. from w-hlch he was graduated April
a community that was hcmored and respect-
l.siii'i. After leaving college he learned
ed by the people of Hampden county, of ilie wlieelwright trade of his fiUher. which
wliicit Enfield was once a part. Gilbert occupation he has since followed. At the
innings's early life was spent with his time of his marriage he built the house Id
parents on the original Killings homestead Main street ad.ioining ills shop, whii-li he
of four generations, at East I.ongmeadow. has since occupied with his family. Mr.
wliere he attended the public schools. When Adams has alw.-iys been a Itepublican in his
twenty years of age he went to California, views, and has served ills town ten years
where lie remained eight years, and then as clerk and treasurer, whicli office he holds
returned to East Eongmeadow and took at present. <>u May '.il'. 1S7:;. Mr. Adams
rliarge and settled up his father's estate, married Miss Kelia Frances I.ee. daughter
III ISBl he seilled in Chl.opee. where he of Cyrus Lee and Sarah Collins Cady. of
his since resided and followed market gar- Somers. Conn., whose ancestors were among
denin- He has taken active interest in the pioneers of Massachusetts and Connectl-
publh'affairs and has held the position of cut. I'revious lo marriage Mrs. Adams was
bi.'hway surveyor for about ten years. On a lea.ber In the public scluiols ol XMIhra-
|-e"bruary " ISWI, Mr, Killings married ham. In l.s'.H. when Hie Hampden Free
I ucinda M daughter of Uudolpho and |-iibllc Library was organized. .Mrs. Adams
Anna (Gibbsi Itichardson : they had one was appointed (own librarian, an olllce
diu-l.ter Gertrude, now deceased. .Mrs. which she still holds, being reappointed
ll'illhigs was a native of llolyoke. and her encli su,-ceedlng year. Three sons Have
fuller worked in the first machine shop In have been the result of this union: .I..hn
,hat place, and assisted In setting up the Edward, born May •,.. 1ST.!. «'ho was gra.l
,„achinerv In the <:iasg,.w nilll when It was uale.l from Wesieynn Academy. « llbrahnni.
rebuilt. Her br.uher. Oscar E. Itichardson. .lime. IS'.i
iind from Wesleyan Inlversliy.
( 01^
)
Al'FENVlX
Miclclletown. Conn.. Juuo. lilOl : II(>rbert M. I'oe. of Springfield. August 18. 1869, a
Webster, born Miinh 4. 188!>. was educated prominent forem.in in the emploj- of Smith
at Meilianle Arts Hlgli School, Springfield. & Wesson. Springfield, for many years:
.Mass.. and has sln<e been employed in died I'ebruary (!. 1898. Charles A., born
Steerc's Organ Worlss. Springfield; Kmory December liH. 1S4H. died November 30. :8.50.
Kly. born April 14. 1886. n<iw attending Sarah K.. born March 1. 1849. for many
the Central High School. Springfield. years a teacher in the public schools at
U.iKKic. Cii.KULK.s Edwin, p. o. Chicopee. Adams and Springfield. Charles E., born
Mass.. was born in Savoy. Uerkshire county. January IS. IS.jl. married Ada Llttlefleid,
.Mass.. January IS. 18.11. a son of J<iel and .March :;4. 188(1; he located on the B. H.
Angeline (Taylori Halter, Ills ancestors Stedman farm. Chicopee. until 1890. and
on both sides were of Revolutionary stoclt. removed thence to the Baiser homestead.
Joel Baiter was born November 17. 181H. and follows farming, malting a specialty of
and was the ninth of eleven children ; he dairying. George T.. born November 1.3,
was twice married: first, to Mary Dunham. l.s.j:i. died September 30. 1880. William
of Savoy. Mass.. on November \X 1838: J,, bora August TJ. 18.36. graduated from
they had two children : Uufus. born Au- the Chicopee high school, the School of
gust 30. 1839. died September 1.3. 1840; Christian Worlters. Springfield, and the
and Nathan B.. l)orn July M. 1841. in West Hartford Theological Seminary: was em-
Hawley. Mass. ( Kor many years Nathan ployed as pastor's assistant for a time at
has been in close touch with the outside Salt Lalte City. Ttah, and also at New-
world, particularly as a politician, an agri- London. Conn. ; he married Mary A. See-
cultnrlst. and as a member of the Orand combe, of England, and they reside on Fair-
Army of the Itepublic. When twenty-one view avenue. Chicopee. The first house
years of age he enlisted in Co. E.. .3:;d built in Chicopee was on the present Baker
Mass. Infantry and served one year ; he was homestead. The Baker family settled in
at Baton Kouge ; in the Red Kiver cam- Chicopee. April 1. 1871. The father and
paign : at the siege of Tort Hudson, etc.; motlier celebrated their Golden Wedding on
he. e<pia!ly with his regiment, suffered Cliicopee street, and the father died Sep-
scverely from sickness, and he was honor teml)er 1.3 of the same year. Charles and
ably disiharged in August. 1863. being ill Ada Baker have three children: Arthur
for a year afterwards. He was. and is to- (J., born April 1.3. 1881. a student at Am-
day. held in the highest esteem by his ofli- herst College, class of 1903: Linda ('..
cers and comrades. October 28. 1868. he iKirn October 11. 1883. now attending the
married Sarah .\bbie. daughter of Esquire Chicopee high school, class of 1903 : and
Snow, of Savoy. He has attended twenty- Kaymond H.. born October 19. 1885. of the
three Kepublican State conventions, has Chicopee grammar school. Mr. Baker's
been a member of the Savoy school com- mother, a well-preserved and active lady,
mittee thirteen years, and has served on the lives with her daughter .Sarah and niece,
stair of seven department commanders, be .Miss Carrie E. Coe.'at 120 Howard street.
ing a member of (Jeoige E. Sayles I'ost. Springfield.
U. A. U.. of Adams. Mass. He is an active Bl.mk. Wii.i.hm H. H.. p. o. Blandford.
worker In the Iloosac Valley Agricultural .Mass.. was born on the farm where he non-
Society, and in 1897 was elected a member resides. June 9. 1842. a .son of Truman and
of the State Board of Agriculture, and later Esther (Chambers) Blair, who were the
was appointed Justice and notary public parents of four children, namely : Cornelia.
by Governor Crane.) lie iJoeli married. Joseph H.. Mary S.. and William H. U.
second, on June 7. 1843. .\ngeiine B. Tay- Truman Blair was a son of Reuben and
lor. daughter of Stephen and Aurelia Tay- Hannah (Noble) Blair, whose children were
lor. of Worthington ; Angeline was one of Truman. Martha. Julia. Maria, and Vincent.
thirteecn children, eleven of them living to Reuben was born in Blandford. February
more than forty years of age. The children 12. 1763. and died July 16. 1856. He
of Joel and Angeline were six. viz. : Aurel- served in the defenses of Boston in the lat-
ia M.. born April 1. 1844. for some years a ler part of the Revolutionary war. and was
teacher in the public schools of Brooklyn, a I'nited States pensioner. William II. H.
N. Y.. and Springfield. .Mass.: married S. Blair was educated in the common schools
( 618 )
APPENDIX
and when twenty-four years of age removed
to Springfield, where he served as deputy
sheriff eleven years, and the succeeding
three served as city marshal. He then
returned to his old home and purchased
the homestead from the other heirs, where
he has since lived and followed general
farming. December 20. 1871. he was mar-
ried to Henrietta Reed, of South Hadley,
Mass.. who died December 21. 1871'. He
married, second, on N«vember .">. 1871, Eliz-
abeth Gorham. of Springfield. Mass.. who
has borne him three children : Elizabeth
Gorham. Henrietta Chambers, and .Tane
Foster. Mr. Blair is actively interested in
the lilandford .\griciiltural Society and for
For a time he was engaged in the straw hat
business, and came to Monson in 19(10.
He is a member of the Odd Fellows and
Masons. On July L'4. 1870. he married
Sarah I. Ri.\-ford : they have two daughters ;
Ethel, wife of Edward Emery of Westboro.
Mass.. and Vivian, at home.
PojiERoY, WiLLi.iM S.. p. o. Granville
Center. Mass.. was born In Springfield.
October 18. 1848. a son of George H. and
Julia K. (Smith) Pomeroy. He was edu-
cated in the public schools and when fifteen
years of age entered the employ of his
grandfather. Simeon I'omeroy. at Long-
meadow, where be remained for two years
and then returned to Springfield, entering
The Ri-yiiol(is- HoTHistcail. .Monson. Mass
many years served as one of its directors.
Mr. niair's only brother. Josepli II.. was
admitted to the bar in Ham[)den c()unty
and removed to the west. He h.'is been a
.iudge of the Disti'ict Court of Nebraska,
and at present is a resident of Omaha. Neb.
Keyxcil-ds, JnsKi'ii E., p. o. Monson.
Mass.. was born at Nashua. N. H.. February
L'3, 1854, son of Eli Whitney and Saphronla
A. (Scott) Reynolds, and grandson of Jo-
seph Langford Reynolds. Joseph Langford
Reynolds came to Monson In 1821 and
associated himself with the Hampden Cot-
ton Mfg. Co. In 1889 he purchased the
"old cotton mill" of the Hampden Co.. and
rebuilt the "Rockland" uiill ; these mills
are still standing. In 1S.")4 Mr. Reynolds
represented his district In the Senate and
served as justice of the peace for n long
term of years. Joseph E. Reynolds, the
subject, was educated in the schools of
.Medway and a commercial school in ISoston.
the employ of Ilemis & Call, later E. S.
Stacey. and still later the I!. & A. locomo-
tive shops, where he remained until 1S7.">.
In that year he came (o Granville for a
short time, then returned again to Spriug-
tield and at different times was emi)Ioyed
by the street car company, the Ilolyoke
.Machine Co.. J. Stevens Arms & Tot)I Co..
and the High Speed Braider Co. of West-
tield. In 1893 he again came to Granville,
where he has since remained, being engage<l
in a general merchandise business. He was
apijointed postmaster in 1894 and still
holds that position. On August 10. 1871.
Mr. I'omeroy married Nella H., daughter of
Lorenzo Thelon. of Granville. They had
three children : John II.. Leora. and one
Infant, all deceased. Mrs. Tomeroy died
February 4, 189(i. and -Mr. I'omeroy mar-
ried, second. Mlla. daughter of Jane M.
Stow, on April 24. 1901. Mr. I'omeroy Is
active In town and county affairs and Is
( 619 )
Al'l'hWDIX
iiiiw si'ivliiK as (iiie ot the selectmen. lie
Is a member of Mt. Miirlali lodge. I". & A.
.M. ; lOveiiing Star. I!. A. M. of \VestHe!d.
and Si)ilii(;lield Commandeiy. K. T. He Is
nlso a membei' nf ilie ('oliiral)ian Cliih of
(iraiivllle.
1'iIKI.iix. Arsrix T.vvi.iiii. p. o. Kast Cran-
vUle. Mass.. was born on the f.irni where
he now resides. November *J'.'. ISfJC. a son
of Cyrns and I.ne.v Wells Tbelon. whose
children were William. Kllen. Celia. .lobn
and Aiisiin Ta.vlor. Cyrns rbebm was burn
on the hiimestead farm, a son of .Tolin and
grandson of John I'hclon. and was one of
the early settlers of the town ; he lived on
what was known as the ChampUn farm, and
when Ills son .lobn. .ir.. was married, he
purchased the present I'helon homestead
and save It lo him. and It has since re-
mained In the family. Austin T. I'helon
received a <'ommon school education and
was a.ssociated with his father until his
father's death, when he <ame Into posses-
sion of the homestead and Is now carrying
on the farm work, miiklnt; a specialty of
frull Krowlns. shipping some .seasons near-
ly l.iaai barrels of apples, on .\pril 30.
ISKil. Mr. I'helon married Ililma. daughter
of Augustus Nelson.
Snow. Wn.i,i.\M Hoi.i.is. p. o. East Long-
mead<»w. .Mass.. was boi'u in Sprlngtield.
.\Ia.ss.. .Vugust 10. l.SC.l. a son of Henry II.
and .lulla .\. (Atwelh Snow. Henry II.
was a native of Itellows Kails. Vt.. and
came to Springfield in 1S4:;. where he was
employed as englneei* on the old Connecti-
cut Klver liailroad. Williain H. was edu-
cated In the siliools of S]iringlielil and
worked about three years at ibe maihinist's
trade; then removed lo lOast I,ongmeadt>w
and settled on the Hale place, remaining
there about six years, and removed thence
to bis present place In 1880. Mr. Snow Is
now engaged In the jobbing, plumbing and
pump rei)alrlng business. He is a member
of the Improved Order of Ited Men. Wach-
ouge Tribe No. n.'i. East Longmeadow.
It.vXKix. Jamhs H.. p. o. East Long-
meadow. Mass.. was horn In Scotland. He-
cember ItJ. ISfiO. He <'aine to America in
ISs:;. settling In Albany, and In 1890 came
to I-'ast I.ongineadow and started his pres-
ent business of quarrying and stone cutting,
making a specialty of the Longmeadow
Ked Sandstone, which he ships to all parts
of the Inlted Slates. James H. was edu
cated in Scotland and on April 14. 1897.
inai'rled Louise >L Schneidei'. He Is a
member of Manchester t'liity Lodge of Odd
Fellows of I'^ast Longmeadow.
('n.\XE. Ahthik H.. 11. o. Longmeadow.
Mass.. was born In Kast Longmeadow.
Mass.. July 18. 1871. a son ot lioman A.
Crane, a native of Enfield. Ctmii.. and ntiw
living in Springfield, and Elizabeth .\very.
his wife. Arthur (1. Crane was educated In
the schools of East Longmeadow and after
leaving school was employed by O. C Hunn.
He served his town as tax collector for two
years, and in 1900 was elected town clerk,
and in 1902 was a member of the (ieneral
Court from the Second Hampden represen-
tative district. On January 11. 1894. Mr.
Crane married Lute M.. daughter ot Jacob
W. Hanscom ; they have four children:
Marion E.. Howard I.. Helen E.. and
Ituland A.
Ki:ei!K, J(ihx S.. p. o. East Longmeadow.
.Mass.. was born in Stafford. Conn.. Janu-
ary 13. 1S.")4. a son of E. S. and Harriet S.
(Force) ricebe. E. S. Beebe came to East
Longmeadow in 1SG9 and lived there until
his death in 189.3. He was a physician,
practicing in Stafford, and later in East
Longmeadow. till his death. He served his
town in the legislature in 1879 and was on
the school committee for about six years.
John S. was educated in the schools of East
I,ongmeadow. and after leaving school be-
gan to learn the stone cutter's trade at the
age ot fifteen : he attended winter school
until twenty-one years ot age. He was In
the employ of A. S. Dwelly for seven years
and In 1878 entered the employ of Norcross
lirothers ; since being in the employ ot Nor-
cross Hrothcrs. he has been successively
stonecutter, foreman of cutters, draughts-
man, and at present is superintendent of
the plant of the Norcross Hrownstone < o..
this being the successor of the firm of Nor-
cross Bros, in East Longmeadow. He is a
member of the Congregational church and
of Hampden Lodge of Masons. In Novem-
ber. 1887. Mr. Beebe married Lula E. Wat-
ers : they have one son. Uichard B.
.Moony. Fi!t;ui:iiiCK A., p. o. East Long-
meadow. Mass.. was born in East Long-
meadow. Mass.. August 7. 183G. a son of
Seeva and Asenath (Ferry) Moody, and was
educated In the schools of his town. He
helped on the farm until twent.v-four years
of age and then learned the stone cutter's
( COO )
APPENDIX
trade, wliii'li lie folliiwed fur twenly-tive
jears. He enlisted in Co. D. 37tli Mass.
\ols.. served in twenty-seven battles, and
was discharged in LSlw at tlie close of the
war. (In .November 24, IS-")". Mr. Moody
married Helina A. Mall : one daughter was
l)orn of this marriage: Katie Annette, wife
of K. 1>. Tilton. On June 7. 180S. .Mr.
.Moody married, second. Lois K. Walker.
M.\RKH.\5i, AsHEH. p. o. East Longmea-
dow. Mass.. was born in Fulton. N. Y..
April 20, 1,S4C. a son of Alden and Kather
ine (Cooli) Markham. His father was a
native of Schoharie county. N. Y.. and came
to East Ltmgmeadow in lSt>4. where he died
in ISfiO. Asher .Markham. the subject, was
educated in Fulton, and after leaving school
was engaged in several different branches
of business. In 1S6S he came to East
I.ongmeadow and engaged in farming, and
in 1S71 was employed with the Norcross
Uros.. remaining with them sixteen years.
.Mr. .Markham has served his town as con-
stable for two years and road surveyor six
terms. He is a member of the Red Men.
AVachogue Tribe No. 115. November 20
1^70. he married Jane Hancock : three chil-
dren were born to them : Eugene (-'., Lucy
V. and Wallace B.
("AUWKLI., J.iMES. p. o. East Longmeadow.
Mass.. was born in Springfield, Mass.. Octo-
ber 2.S. 1S2G. a son of Orrin W. and Maria
iliusseili radwell. Orrin W. was a native
of Wilbrahnm and came to Springfield at
the age of twenty-one years; he served in
tlie United States armory thirteen years
and moved to East Longmeadow in 1832.
where he lived the remainder of his life,
.lames Cadweil received a common school
I'ducation. and then worked at the mason's
and carpenter's trades for awliile. but Is
now engaged in farming. On December 10.
l.s.'iO. .\lr. Cadwell married Annie S.. daugli-
ler of l^nke Kibbe. ,ir. : three children were
born of this marriage: Lillian S.. wife of
Edward L. Park ; Orrin J., who died at the
age of twenty-one years, and lierlha .\1.,
wife of F. A. Crane.
II.ii.i.. WII.I.1A.M IL. p. o. i;ast Longmea
dow. Mass.. was born In Springfield. Mass..
.\ovember 12. lS.":i. a son of Ileni-y and
K.ite iltiirnuml Hall. Henry Hall was a
native of East Longmeadow'. where lie re-
sided through his life. He served in the
war of the Hebellion. In Co. 1).. .■i7th Kegi.
.Mass. Vols. William II. received a coniinon
school educ-itiiiu. and then engaged in farm-
ing for two years and in a quarry and
teaming three years. .\t the end of this
time he w-ent to Springfield, where he was
employed by I.eonaril Clark for about three
years, was engaged in the teaming business
for a year, with Haynes & Co. live years.
and then came to East Longmeadow. and
worked as clerk in the store of his father
until fall of lS9(i. when he purchased the
business from his father and is still en-
gaged in the same place and business of
general country store. In 189."i Mr. Hall
was elected selectman and has held that
office until October of last year. He is a
member of the Independent Order of Red
Men. Wachouge Tribe .Vo. ll."); served on
the school committee three years and was
one of the men who figured in the dividing
of the town. .Mr. Hall has been married
twice, first to Nellie C. Eaton, who died
after a married life of six years, leaving
two children : Iterfie and Lena, both now
deceased. He married, second. Eva J. lien-
nett ; they have one adopted son, Louis IL.
served in the Spanish war and Is now in
file navy.
D.wis. Fk.xxklin Cinfix. p. o. East
Longmeadow, was Ixirn in West StalTord,
Conn.. June l.'i. l.S4(i. a son of Alden and
Eunice (Cadyi Davis, and was educated in
tlie scliools of his town, the Wesleyan
.Academy, and Eastman's lUisiness t.'ollege.
lie leiirned the belfmaker's trade, and iri
l,*<8.~> came to I'^ast Longmeadow and pur-
chased his present place, which he has since
conducted. On August 11. 187."). .Mr. Davis
married Lucy H. IS. Copeland. daughter of
Valentine Copeland, a native of Itridge-
waf<'r. .Mass. .Mr. and Mrs. l>avls have
four children : .lohn Alden. Mabel Eunice.
L!turence Copeland. and David Cnd.v.
C.vi.Kixs. AiiEL H., p. o. East Longmea-
dow. Mass.. was born in Monson.
.Mass.. .March 4. 182.'!, a son of
.\bel and Esther (MIxter) Calkins. Ills
father was deputy sheriff of Hump-
den county for twenty years and also
a member of the legislature two 4lifferent
times. .\bel II. received his e<tuc:irloii In
the schools of .Miinson and I'almer. and
since leaving school has been engaged In
farming. In 1S4S he came to East Long-
niea<Iow. where lie has lived e*>iitliiuiMisly,
with the exception of four years spent In
California. He has represented his town
( 621 )
APPENDIX
tn sevpr.il dllTerent town offices ; has served
as selectman, overseei' of the poor, assessor
for ten years, and represented the district
In the legislature in 1S(!7. In January.
1S44. .Mr. Calkins married Sarah .Maria
Waters, daughter of Jeremiah Waters, and
a native of Kast Lougmeadow. They have
one daughter. Alice M.. wife of (Jeorge T.
t'uninilngs. Mrs. Calkins died in IH'.H. and
in June. l.SlXi. he married Lena M. Day.
WiuT.VKKU, Fi!A-\K U.. p. o. Kast Long-
meadow. Mass.. was born at South Wilbra
ham, .Mass.. October 1^4. ISTIi. a son otjobn
1'. and Lucy A. (Heebe) Whitaker. John F.
came to East Lougmeadow in ISS'.I and
engaged in the coal, flour, feed, grain and
baled hay business, now conducted by Frank
IL Frank II. was educated in the schools
of Hampden. East Longmeadow and Child's
liusiness College, and was employed by his
fatlicr until he took entire control of the
business in ISyil. Mr. Whitaker is aiting
in the capacity of town auditor; is a mem-
ber of the Improved Order of Red Men.
Wachogue Tribe, and is past sachem of said
order. On November KJ. 1898. he married
Mabel L.. daughter of Abel (Jraves. of Three
Uivers. Mass.
Hitii;ii.VM. Edwin E.. p. o. I-:ast Long-
meadow, Mass.. was born in itiandford.
.Mass.. September li. LS.jO. a son of VAi .\.
and Satira (Stearnsi Hrigham. lie was
educated in the scliools of Uussell and be
gan life as a bookkeeper, which he has al-
ways followed. He was in Chicago twelve
years and in 1888 came to East Longmea-
dow and engaged as bookkeeper with the
Xorcross Hros.. having held that position
since. Mr. Urigham is a member of Cres-
cent Lodge of Masons. .\"o. OS.j. Chicago.
III. : odd Fellows Lodge of East Longmea
dow. and the Kuiglits of Malta. Springfield.
Mass. On Juy Hi. ISTG. he married Lizzie
Pay. of Heriin. Wis. : five children were
born to them : Eli E.. Maude S., Fred W..
Grace E.. and Viola Jessie.
Ill itT. J. Marsh.\i.i.. p. o. East Long-
meadow. Mass.. was born in East Long-
meadow. Mass.. August 28. 184--'. a son of
Ilezeklah and Lncretia (Morgan) Burt : and
educated in the schools of his town. East-
hampton. Hartford and I'hiladelphia. After
leaving school he came to East Longmeadow
CD the farm where he Is now living. lie
represented his district in the legislature
In 1N!)J: was <halrman of the Uepublican
Town Committee for a number of years:
assessor one year : is a member of Koswell
Lee Lodge of Masons and the Ce>ngregation-
al church. November 20. ISUT. Mr. Burt
married Julia o. I'ease ; they have two
children : Edward M.. and Mabel A., wife
of Frank II. Searle. Edward M. was born
in May. 1870. and educated in the schools
of East Longmeadow and Springfield. He
is now engaged in farming with his father,
lie married Mary E. ISugbee ; they have two
ihildrpu : Frances and Editli E.
DwiuHT, Fred D. L.. p. o. East Long-
meadow. Mass.. was born in Johnstown.
Wis.. February 28. IS.IT. a .son of Daniel
and Chloe M. iLoomis) Dwight. Daniel
Dwight was a native of East Longmeadow
and was a prominent man in the town.
He was in Wisconsin. Illinois and Missouri
lor twenty years. Fred D. L. Dwight was
educated in the schools of East Long-
meadow and Wesleyan Academy. After
leaving school be purchased the home-
stead, where he has since carried on farm-
ing. He served as road surveyor five
years and is a member of the East Long-
meadow (irange. On May 2(J. 1881. Mr.
Dwight married Nettie L. Markham : three
children were born to theiu : Edna M.. Har-
old F. and Gertrude T.
(JmswoLD. iRA ('.. p. II. East Long-
meadow. ^lass.. was born in Hampden.
-Mass.. July 27>. 1S47. a son of Selvinas and
Charlotte l Leach l Griswold. and educated
in the schools of his town. He learned
the carding trade, which he followed for
seven .vears. and then moved to Tolland
and engaged in the lumber business, which
he followed for one year. In 1873 he
came to East Longmeadow as a (pi.-irryman
.•ind is now acting as superintendent of the
quarries of the Norcross Brown Stone
Company. They make a specialty of
brown stone, shipping it to .ill parts of the
world. .Mr. Griswold is a member of the
Improved Order of Ited Men. Wachogue
Tribe, of East Longmeadow. In Novem-
ber. ISfiS. he married Esther Eggleston. of
Hampden : they have two sons. Ernest L.
and William J. Ernest is now conducting
a quarry for .Xorcross. and William is en-
gaged in the lumber business in East
Longmeadow.
Hancock. Ethan, p. o East Long-
meadow. Mass.. was horn March 17. 1837,
a son of Daniel and Lucy ( Sheldon I Han-
( 622
APPENDIX
cock. His fathei- was a native of Hart- U. (Xicliolsi I-"uy. ivlio were tlie parents
fiii-d. Conn., and came witli liis fatlier. of live childi-en : Anna. Cliarlotte. William.
Azariali, to East Longmeadow. wlien but Cliarles 1'.. and Florence. William U.
six months of age. Ethan was educated Fa.v was active in the earl.v manufacturing
in the schools of his town and then en- industries of Chicopee and was one of the
gaged in farming on the old homestead, organizers of what is now the J. Stevens
He has served his town as selectman and Anns and Tool Co. He was a native of
assessor, overseer of the poor and member lirimrield and settled in Chicopee in l.s.l.").
of the board of health six years : he was Charles P. Fay. the subject, was educated
chosen school committeeman in 1873 and in the public schools of his native place
served nine years. He is a member of and at Greenwich Academy. When eighteen
Wachogue Tribe No. ll.-|, I. O. It. M.. of years of age he entered the employ of the
East Longmeadow. .1. Stevens Arms and Tool Co.. where he
Luv. IOdw.ikd S.. p. o. Willimansett. learned tlie trade of tool making. In
.Mass.. was born on the farm where he uow l.s.s.', he engaged in business for himself
resides. November 3. 18.52. a son of Xorman at Springlield. manufacturing calipers.
.■\nd Jane E. (Ueed) Day. Xorman Day and followed this for two years, when he
was a son of ('apt. Sylvester and Uuby sold out to L. S. Starrett. He remained
(Frink) Day. and was born on the Day with Mr. Starrett eight years and then re-
homestead in Holyoke. at the corner of turned to Chicopee Falls and took up his
High and I.yman streets, then known as father's interest in the J. Stevens Arms
Ireland parish, and moved to the present and Tool Co.. where he has since remained,
homestead when five years old. which was In l.ST'.i .Mr. Fay married Ella .1.. daugluer
then known as the Frink homestead, in the of Lemuel and Caroline (Carleton) Keyes ;
niolhern part of Springfield, now known they have eight children: Lawrence, tier-
as Willimansett. the Seventh ward of the trude. Fred. William B.. Cliarles. Uussell.
city of Chicopee. Captain Sylvester Day Caroline and Dorothy.
was a captain in the First Brigade and lU-rTr-uwouTH. (iiXnitiK C. p. o. Hamp-
4th Division, militia of the common- den. Mass.. was boi'U in nolland .Mass..
wealth, from which he received an honor- .July 8. IS.Il. a son of .lohn and Eliza Ann
able discharge, tlie discharge paper being I Hart I Ihitterworth. and was educated In
now in tlie possession of Edward S. The the schools of L.^'nn. Mass. In l.sTt! Mr.
latter attended school at Willimansett and Hullerworth married Ilattle E. Ilubbell.
was associated with his father until nine- who died in LS.S(i. leaving three children.
teen years of age. when be started in life He married, second. Mary .M. Wilson : they
for himself and learned the paper making have one child.
trade, which he has since followed to the Boli.ks. IIknuv T.. p. o. Xorlli Wilbra-
present time. At the death of his father ham. Mass.. was born in Columbia. Couu..
he took charge of the estate: It contains Novemljer 18. 1832. a son of David and
about one hundred acres. On .May 24. .Mary (Carrier! Holies. He received his
1873. .Mr. Day married .lulia (;.. daughter education in the schools of Columbia Wes-
of Lewis and .\bigail Elinor (Cburchilll iey.-in Academy. Wllbraham. and tlie New
Lines. Mr. Day has been active in city llrltain Xurmal School. He taught school
affairs an<l has served as alderman for for lifteen years and In 1881 came lo Wll-
three years. He has taken a prominent braham and purchased the Merrick farm
Iiart in getting the public buildings con- on Wigwam Hill. .Mr. Holies Is u mem-
structed In Williman.sett and the sewer her of the Congregatlimal church. In IX.'.S
system for the city : he was chairman of he married Laura E. Perkins of Ea.st Wind
the highway committee who had charge of sor Hill. Conn. : (hey have three children :
the consiructioii and development of side- Ida. wife of Arthur Smith, of Wllbiahani :
walks, parks and highways of the lity. Clarence I'., and Lillian, wife of Frank
.Mr. Day Is also a member of Ml. Holyoke Warner, of Springlield. .Mass.
Lodge. F. & A. M. Arii.Ki'K. .Iiiii.v H.. p. o. Uolynkc, Mass.,
Fay, Ch.vkles P.. p. o. Chicopee Falls, was born In Derbyshire. England. June 4.
Mass.. was born In Chicopee Falls. March Ls.'id. a son of Henry and Elizabeth i Swln-
22, 1859. a son of William 1'.. and Abigail loni Allleek. IIU faiher was a well known
( 62.3 )
AI'I'ENDIX
l>ii|»>r miiiuifaitiirer in Kn^'lnml iind Siot- ried Alice \V.. diUighter of Tliomas iiiul
Innd. .lolm II. r:\me to llolyolie in 1K80 t'aiollne iKIodgett) SuteliiTe. of Monson.
witii liis fiitlicr Tliomas. and wa.s employed .M.iss. ; tliey have two children: Carolyn
liy the I'heinlcal Taper Company for ten and Ivenneth Steele.
years and then was with the George C. McAfsi-AX. Ai.kx.vxukh. p. o. Holyoke.
(illl Paper Co. eight years. In I'.ldo he Mass.. was born in Argyleshire. Scotland,
started the .Vllieck liullng and Stationery Angusr :;7. 18.'.4. and came to America In
Co.. which he is now rondncting. with an ISOii. settling in Trovidence. I{. I. In
Increasing business all the time. In ISSl ixs.", he came to Ilolyoke. engaging in the
.Mr. Allleck married Clara, daughter of dry goods business. The present linn of
Henry Thomas, (jf Hereford. England: they .McAuslan & Wakelin was formed iu 18(12
have one daught'-r. .Minnie (J., a graduate and since has Iwen unusually successful.
of the Holyoke High School, In l.s8.j -Mr. McAuslan married Kliza In-
I.iiirriK. Joseph C. H.. .M. I)., p. o. I,ud- gals, of Providence. R. I. They have live
low. Mass.. was born in Canada. October children: Jessie. Edward. Elise. John and
111. 18(;S. .1 son of Isaie and Josette (Tot- Amelia.
vlni Lorlie. I>r. I.ortie was educated in C.vitPBXTKi!. Joseph II.. p. o. Monson.
the schools of .Montreal and was graduated Mass.. was born in Monson. Mass..
from I.aval I'niversity. receiving his degree April IS. 1838. a son of Charles and
in 18!>2. He came to Ludlow in tliat Liny I Keep) Carpenter, and received his
year and engaged In the practice of his pro- education in the schools of his town. N'o-
fession. where he now has a successful and vember 12. 1870. Mr. Carpenter married
prolitable practice. Iir. Lortie is a mem- Nancy P. Penniman ; they have three chii-
ber of the Koresters of America. Improved dren : Alice May. Charles Walter, and
Order lleptasophs. Arti.sans Society, and ivrnest Howland. Mr. Carpenter is a
Ked Men. member of the Congregational church and
I'l.ETiiiEt!. S.v.Mi'Ei. K. p. o. Chicopee. of the Monson (irange.
Mass.. was born in Milford. Mass.. June 10. I'EitiiE. iD.v II.. p. o. Agawam. Mass.,
18(>7. the oldest son of James M. and was born on the old homestead in Aga-
Itachei I Steele I I'letdier. who had six diil warn. August 17. 1849. a daughter of
dren. Samuel I"., was educated in the .lames H. Ferre and Emilj-. ills wife,
public schools of bis native place and after daughter of Elijah Porter. James II.
graduating from the high school studied Eerie was also born on the homestead,
medicine one year with Dr. J. P. Stedman October 18. ISO.j, a son of Jonathan E.,
of Milford. completing Ills course at the and grandson of Moses, who purchased the
lloston Iniversity School of Medhine. from property in ISilcl. The house that stands
which lie was graduated in l.sttl. Soon on tlie property is among the oldest in the
after graduating he located in .Milford. town, being built in 1764. Mr. Eerre
where he practiced one year and then held many prominent offices and was mem-
nioved to Chic(»pee. where he has since lieen her of the legislature in 18G0 and 18*n.
located. I>r. Eletcher is serving as vice- .Mr. and Mrs. Ferre are boll) now dead. Ida
president of the Western .Massachusetts II. was educated in the scliools of .\gawam
Homoeopathic Medical Society and is a and has. since 1887. had charge of the
member of the Allen Materia .Medica Club home farm. She is a member of the
of Springlield. lie is a member of Chico Swedenborgian church of Springfleid,
pee \. F. fcV A. -M. : tlie Uoyal Arcanum Alass.
Ci>uncll No. '.1117 of .Milford. .Mass.: past- Sgt'iEit, Eug.m!. p. o. Monson. Mass.. was
dictator and trustee of the Knights of born in Monson. Mass.. October 18. 1853,
ll<inor. and a member of the Improved Or- a son of Uensselaer and Olive (Skinner)
der iif lleptasophs. At college Dr. Stjuier. and grandson of Solomon. He
Fletcher was president of tlie Hahnemann was educated in the schools of his town
Association. He served as cit.v physician and then engaged in farming. In 1001 he
in l-SiM'i and as a member of the lioard of started a jiortable saw mill on his farm,
health, having been chairman two years of On October 20. 1880. Mr. .Squler married
thai time. Is now alderman flora Ward 2. .Mary C. Peck, daughter of Ira and Char-
on January 2.".. 1S1I2. Dr. Fletcher mar- lotte (OicuttI Pe<k : they have two chll-
( 6--J-1 )
APPENDIX
dren. Homer W. and Lottie A., who gradu-
ated in the class of 1001 in the Monson
Academy.
Smith. Counklics W., p. o. Agawam.
Mass.. was born in Cornish. N. H., August
26. 18.35. a son of Harre.v and Hannah
(Johnson) Snrith and grandson of Ichabod
Smith. Harve.v was engaged in farming
through life and at one time served as a
captain in the militia. He died in 1863
and his widovT in 1871. Cornelius W. was
educated in the schools of Cornish and at
liimball Union Academy at Meriden. X.
H. He learned the carpenter's trade and
in 1800 came to Agawam to worli at car-
pentry work. He is a member of the Aga-
wam Grange and of the Congregational
church. On October 10. 1871, Mr. Smith
married Mary L.. daughter of George W.
West, of Framingham, Mass. : two chil-
dren have been born to them : Adelia
May, who died at the age of twenty-two
years, and Walter B,, now employed in a
wholesale shoe store in Springfield.
Gr.\ve.s, JUI.1U.S N., p. o. Monson, Mass.,
was born in Dummerston, Vt.. June -'4.
1858. a son of Harrison and Susan L.
(Montague) Graves. Harrison was a
native of Sunderland. Mass., and a car-
penter by trade. He came to Monson in
1873 and was a member of the Congrega-
tional church. Julius N. was educated in
the schools of Easthampton, Mass,, and
after graduating from the high school
learned the carpenter's trade and engaged
in business in 18S4 for himself ; he is now
conducting a general contract business.
Mr. Graves is a member of the Congrega-
tional church and Jlonson Lodge of Odd
Fellows. On July 17. 1878. he married
Ada E.. daughter of Austin Spauldlng :
they have two sons, Arthur and Key N.
GIBBS, KussELL D., p. 0. North Kland-
ford. Mass., was bora In the town of Otis,
July 30, 1841, a son of lOll.iah U. and S.v-
rena (Lyon) Gibbs, whose children were
Sylvia M.. Kowena S. (deceased). Sarah
(deceased). Eliza A (deceased). Laura
(deceased), Lester (deceased), Millford,
Wellington (deceased), Mary A„ Kussell,
and Vincent li. Elijah was a son of Eli-
jah and Fannie (Morton) Gibbs. whose
children were Lorlng. Orrllla. Fannie, Levi,
Eli, Elijah D.. Lucius. Henry, Iletsey A.,
Israel M., and liradner S. Itusscll D.
Gibbs received his education In the schools
of his native town and was associated with
his father until the hitter's death on
April 16, 1874. On June 13. lS7.-j. Mr.
Gibbs married Mary Etta, daughter of
Hradner S. and Sarah C. (Deming) Gibbs,
who bore him tw^o sons : Burton L». and
-VUen R. Mrs. Gibbs Is a member of the
Second Congregational church of .\orth
IJhindford.
Ui-XDGE, He.nuy a., p. o. Monson. Mass.,
was born in Wllbraham. Mass., April 9.
1832. a son of Uoyal and Hannah (Barker)
Kindge and grandson of William Uindge,
who came from Scotland and settled in
Wllbraham and who represented his dis-
trict in the legislature. Henry A. was
educated in the schools of Springlield and
Wesleyan Academy. After leaving school
he engaged In farming and came to his
present place in 1858. Of fifty-three in-
dividual taxpayers paying over $20. Mr.
Itindge and Ira G. Potter of Wllbraham
are the only two living of forty years ago.
Xovember 25, 1858, Mr. Rindge married
Charlotte F. Fay, daughter of Charles I'.
and Mary B. Fay. Mr. and Mrs. Uindge
are the parents of three children: Charles
H., now with his father : James E.. living
In Monson, a carpenter, and Alfred 1'.. liv-
ing in Monson.
CooLEY, OitiN B., p. o. Longme-adow,
.Mass., was born in Longmeadow Septem-
ber 16. 1825. on the (_^ooIey homestead, now
owned by Mr. Rufus I'nderwood. and is a
son of John I'.lanchard and Belinda I Col-
Ion) Cooley. Orin li. was educated In the
schools of Longmeadow and Westtleld.
and after leaving school learned the trade
of optician, which he followed for ten
years. .\t the end of that time he pur-
chased the Cooley farm and carried on
general farming for several years. Mr.
Cooley has married twice, first, lo Cordelia
Hyde, who died leaving one daughter. Isa-
belle. His second wife was Mary Wright,
a native of Pennsylvania ; they have four
children : Moses Hamilton. ,\lary Wright,
Belinda Colton, and Louisa.
LoFTfS, James F., p, o. Thomdlkc
Mass.. was born In Thorndlkc, Mass., Janu
ary 14. 1862, a son of John and Hiinniih
K, (Foley) Loftus and grandson of John
Loftns, a native of Ireland. John l.oflUH.
the father, was engaged In the livery busi
ness a great many years and died lu 18011.
James I", was educated In the schools of
40-3
( 625 )
Arj'hWDlX
his town ami was cngaped In <'lerkini; until
IHSS. when he cnRaged In business for
hlniseir. lie is a member of St. Mary's
ehureli and tile Knights of Columbus. On
November 1'4. IS'.tJ. Mr. Loftus married
Catherine O'Ctuiimr. of South lladley
Falls: they have three ehildien : .Mildred
I'".. .lames 1'".. and .lohn 15.
CiiA.MiM.iN. KuANiv A., p. o. K.ist Lonfi-
meadow, .Mass.. was born In the ti>wn whore
he now resides, on Aus'ist 17. t.S.ltl. the
seeond of fotir sons born to Henry and
Caroline (Klbbe) Champlin. and is the
fourteenth descendant of William I'yn-
chon. Ilenrj" Cbampliu was a native of
South Kin^rstown. K. 1.. born January *J(!.
is;il. the tmly son of Stephen and Nancy
(Stone) Champlln. ^'itii his parents he
removed In his early boyhood to (Juilford.
Conn.. where he was reared. In his
twenty-fourth year he was married to
Caroline (in her twenty fourth year),
daughter of Frederic and .Naomi iCooley)
Kibbe. of Somers. Conn. She was the
widow of Harry l-^ndicolt of Hampden
(then South Wllbraham). Mass.: the latter
liviHl only eleven months after they were
married. Franic A. Champlln was edu-
cated in the common schools and at Wes-
leyan .\cademy. After leaving school he
was employed in a yarn mill, and in l.SSl
purchased his |>resent farm and tenement
l>roperty. In l.ss:; he |)urchased a team-
ing business and contracted with the tirm
of .lames & Mai'ra. freestone quarrymen
and contractors, to do all their team work,
ii business which grew from the use of
three horses to that of thirty-two whicu he
owned himself, and at one time had sixteen
besides his own at work, receiving for
team work as the most in one month.
S:;.7(iO : and loading as the maximum for
the same length of time. l."i."i oars, while as
muih more stone was hauled to Spring-
field, where at that time the firm was fur
nishing stone for the First liaptist <'hurch.
corner State aiid Spring streets: the large
Catholic cathedral, corner Chestnut and
Linden streets: the post-oflice building on
.Main street, and .several smaller Jobs. Be
sides the teaming business he carried on n
blacksmith shop, doing not only his own
horseslioing and repairing, but built his
own wagons and carts and most of the
heavy wagons used In other quarries, and
did general Jobbing. Everything flourished
until the spring of 1880. when the strike
of the freestone cutters brought ruin to
the town, he sufl'ering with others accord-
ing to his investment, and losing thousands
of dollars, but managed to retain the whole
of his real estate. In 1893 he engaged
in drilling artesian wells in company with
William Itichards. whom he bought out In
1895. and has since conducted the business
alone; he has drilled wells not only in
.Massachusetts, but In all the adjoining
States, and at the present time has ma-
chines drilling in the oil fields of New
Krunswick. New Hampshire. Massachusetts
and Connecticut, and In Canada, and has
made a success of the business in general.
Mr. Chami)lin is a member of the Kast
Longmeadow Baptist church, in which he
has held the office of clerk twelve years,
is one of the life deacons, and for four
years has been and is now superintendent
of its Sunday school : he is deeply Inter-
ested in all church Interests. lie Is also
a member of the Grange and Wachogue
Tribe. I. O. U. .M. January 31. 183G. he
was married to Anna I,., daughter of
Silas and .\bigail (Hitchcock) Chapln. of
H:nnpden. Mass., direct descendants of first
settlers of the count.v. They have five
daughters : Irene L.. Helen I,.. Blanche
i:.. Areta L.. and Ruth A.
Ely. Rtha.n' C. p. o. Longmeadow. Mass..
was born on the old Ely homestead In
Longmeadow. May 17. 1835, a son of Capt.
F.than and Ann (Cooley) Ely. The fam-
ily trace their descent from Nathaniel Ely
of Springfield, who was one of the early
settlers, coming there about ItitJO. and
who. with his son Samuel, opened a public
house or tavern on Main street at or near
what Is now the corner of Main and Bliss
streets, on the site of what was since War-
rlner's "Fnlon House." and later the "Bel-
mont." the old hostelrj' having been re-
moved to the corner of Dwight and Sanford
streets, and known as the "Springfield
Laundry." Nathatiiel took the freeman's
oath in Cambridge. Mass.. May 0. 1035. at
which time he was a land owner there and
was of I'uritau stock, having come to this
country from England |)rIor to that date.
Hastings. Eluuidgf. G.. p. o. Palmer.
Mass.. was born In Palmer. Mass.. July 21.
1,S40, a son of Kozel and Plioebe (White)
Hastings, and was ediicated In the schools
of I'almer and Wllbraham Academy. His
( 636 )
APPENDIX
first business engagement was in tUe him- .Mr. Bernis has been Interested in tile ice
ber business in Jobnsburg. X. Y., and in business, but in 1SUL> went Into tliat busl-
1862 he eniisted in Co. II.. 46tU Mass. ness in a more extensive way. handling
Regiment, and was discharged in 1883. He now about 10.000 tons of ice per year. On
was in the battles at Kinston. Whitehall. -November 26. 1852. Jlr. Bemls married
Goldsboro. X. C. and was then taisen ill Kachel Z.. daughter of Jahleel Smith : six
and discharged from the hospital. After children were born of this marriage : Annie
his discharge he came to Palmer and set- (ioodhue. Ben.lamin Wheatland, Mary
tied on a farm. In 1878 he engaged in Catherine. Caroline Rachel. Robert Kddy
his present business under the firm name and Kdward Smith, all born in Cliieopee.
of C. W. Hastings & Co.. and are now do- Robert and Edward are associated with
ing a jobbing business under the .style of their father on the farm and in the ice
Clark & Hastings. Mr. Hastings is a business and nen.)amin is a policeman and
member of the «. X. R.. Thomas Lodge of located in Chicopee Kails.
Masons, and served his town as selectman Cish.m.^x. Oktox A., p. o. Agawam.
for one year. On March 28. 1872. he mar- Mass.. April 6. 1863. a son of Myrou and
ried Lizzie A., daughter of George Peters, Calista E. (Lord) Cushman. Myron Cush-
of Ware. Mass.; they have three children man was a native of Beckett. Mass.. a son
living : Blanche M.. Calvin W.. and of .\lden. a native of the same place, and
I'hoebe D. grandson of .lonah Cushman. a soldier In
Be.mis. Robert W.. p. o. Chicopee Palls, the Kevolulionary war. and who was one
Mass.. was born in Watertown. Mass., ,luly "f General Washington's body guard. The
30. 1828. a son of Robert Eddy and Mar- family trace their descent from England,
tha (Wheatland) Bemls. and the eldest of the early progenitors coming over in the
their seven children. Robert Eddy Bemis .Mayflower. Myron Cushman was a school
was a son of Luke Bemis, the latter hav- teacher In his early days, but In later
ing been an active man and extensive land years a farmer. Orton A. received a corn-
owner in Boston suburban property, and nion school education, and with the excep-
also was interested in milling enterprises tlon of two years spent in paper making
at Bemis Station. Robert Eddy Bemis has always been a farmer, living on his
came to S])riugfield in 1S33. and in ISS.j present farm since 1860. -Mr. Cushman
built the house in what is now Chicopee. is a member of the Bai)tist cliurch.
where he afterward lived and died. He LK.vcii. Wilm.v.m. p. o. Hampden, Mass.,
founded and for years was manager of cot- was born in Wilbraham, Mass.. Augiist 27,
ton mills Xos. 1 and 2 of the Cabot cor- 1833. a son of Isaac W. and Margaret
poratlon, and also became Interested in es- Leach, grandson of Isaac and Betsey
tablishing a water supply system tor Leach, and great-grandson of Benanuel
Cabotsville. He was appointed notary Leach, who owned and ran the first grist
public in 1833 and held his commission mill in tiie town, situated on the southern
until 1848, when Chicopee was set olT as part of the Scanlli- river. Mr. Leach rc-
a separate town. He died in 1873. and ceived his education in the public schools
of the seven children born of his marriage of his native town. In 18.'>o he was mar-
four are now living. Robert W. Bemls rled to Elizabeth A. Atchlnson, of Ludlow,
was educated in the schools of Watertown, Their children were Knimallne E.. Wllliani
Gardner's private school In Bellemont and W.. Anna V.. and Lizzie E. .Mr. Leach
at Deerfield. In 184.") he started out In has followed farming and carpentering,
life for himself and came to Chicopee. and has served as selectman and assessor,
where he entered the employ of the Cabot and In several other minor ofllces.
Manufacturing Company. He was em- I'l-riu-ii. Hisski.i, Hi:nuv, p. o. West
ployed by them for two years, and during Sprlnglleld. Mass.. a successful farmer of
that time took a very active part In the West Siirlnglleld, was born on the farm
affairs of Chicopee and vicinity. In 1847 where he now resides. August 10. 1831,
he purchased his present farm, which Is son of Russell and Betsey (Ilnrncs) Pop-
very pleasantly located between Chicopee per. tils grandfather. Gains Pepper, waH,
and Chicopee Falls, containing about 123 It 1» thought, born In MasHnchusetts. Me
acres of land. From his early manhood was adopted by Samuel Morgan, and re-
( 627 )
APPENDIX
sided In his family until reaching man- teams, upon which he transported his tarn-
hood. After marriage he settled upon the ily and effects. He settled upon a large
present farm, the original deeds of which tract of land, and became a pioneer in the
bear the seal of King George, and are now above-named state, where he continued to
In the position of his grandson. Ills reside until his decease. Mr. and Mrs.
death occurred when he was thirty-seven I'epper have one child : Minnie A. In
years of age. Ilis wife before her mar- political views Mr. Pepper Is a Republican,
rlage was Lettice Broolts. She reared He and his wife attend the First Congre-
three children — riiny. Eleanor and Uus- gatlonal church of West Springfield. To-
seil. Uussell Pepper succeeded to the gether they represent two of the best fam-
owner.shlp of the farm, and resided in the Hies in the State, both claiming descent
same house during his entire life. His from Miles Morgan, and Mrs. Pepper's line-
deco.ise occurred In 1840. when he was age connecting her with Samuel Chapin.
thirty-nine years of age. He married Their residence is located about three
Betsey Barnes, a native of Southampton, miles from the city of Springfield, upon an
daughter of Xathan and Naomi Barnes, eminence which commands a view of the
She survived her husband many years, and Connecticut river and of the surrounding
died at the age of eighty-one. after having country for a considerable distance,
reared a family of five children : Clarissa. Kosenberg, Leoxakd R.. p. o. Wales,
Russell H.. Lamira. Rhoda and Kllcn. Rus- Mass.. was born in San Francisco. Cal..
sell Henry Pepper, being left fatherless at .lune 17. 187fl. a son of Jacob and Mary
the tender age of eight years, commenced I Xab) Rosenberg, who have three chil-
at a very early period in his life to assist dren living : Robert Coleman. Gay Allender
his mother in caring for and supporting and Leonard R. Leonard R. was educated
the family, thus acquiring when very in the schools of his city and was connect-
young the" habits of industry and thrift, ed with his father in the wool growing and
He made the best of the necessarily limit- wool commission business until the latter"s
ed opportunities of obtaining an education death in 1S!)9. The business was then
In the public schools, and the duties of carried on by the three sons, the firm be-
managing the farm soon devolved entirely ing Icnown as .Jacob Rosenberg's Sons. In
upon him. His early training in the KS'.in Leonard R. came to Boston and was
stern school of necessity, superadded to tlie eastern representative of the firm. In
natural ability and careful judgment, have .luno. 11101. he purchased a half Interest
made him extremely successful. In 1SS4 in the business formerly owned by J. H.
he was advised by his physician to visit London, located at Wales, where he now
Florida, as a change in climate would In resides. On October 30. 1890. Mr. Rosen-
all probability be beneficial to his health, berg married a daughter of Allen Tracy
He therefore moved with his family to Band, of Berkeley. Cal. : they have one
San Mateo. Putnam county. In the latter son, Victor Lyie.
state. While a resident there he invested El.mer. F.i.lswouth E.. p. o. Chlcopee,
in some valuable property both in Putnam Mass.. was born In Dummerston. Vt., Feb-
and in Lake counties. After a residence ruary 14. 1S,">9. a son of Edwin and Sally
of four months in the flowery State, he re- (Howe) Elmer, who were the parents of
turned to the old homestead at West three children: Erving IL. Arabella, wife
Springfield, much Improved in health. Mr. of Ardin Goodale. and Ellsworth E. When
Pepper has also travelled extensively in four years of age Ellsworth E. Elmer's
the Western States, and owns some vnlu- parents died and at the age of ten he en-
able property in Manhattan. Kansas. On gaged as a farm laborer, attending school
.Tune ."i. IS.^ti. he was united in marriage winters and working on the farm summers,
to .Miss Ellen Frink. who was born in Sen- When fifteen years of age he came to
eca county. Ohio, daughter of Theodore Chlcopee. where he completed his education
and Sabrah (Torrey) Frlnk. Her father in the public schools and then engaged in
was formerly a resident of Holyoke. Mass., the milk business in Springfield, This he
but moved to the State of Ohio long be- followed for one year and then engaged
fore the advent of railroads, accomplish- in the gold, silver and nickel plating work :
Ing his Ions Journey by the aid of ox after two years in this business he went
( 628 )
APPENDIX
to Ware, Mass.. where he followed truck-
ing and teaming for a short time and then
returned to Chicopee and rented a farm
near the south end of Chicopee street,
where he conducted farming and a milk
route for sereral years. His next move
was to engage with Chester Chapin as
manager of his farm for five years, and is
also engaged in the lumber and wood busi-
ness. In September. 1881, Mr. Elmer
married (Mara J. Avery, a native of Chico-
pee Falls and daughter of William Avery,
who was born in Detroit. Mich. Mr.
Klmer is active in church and educational
work and is also a member of the Uoyal
Arcanum of Chicopee Falls.
Martin. ADOLrurs R.. p. o. Chicopee
Falls. Mass., was born in New Hampshire.
Xovember'4. 1844. a son of William U.
and Avis (Angel) Martin, who were the
jiarents of three children : Henry, who en
listed in the 2d New Hampshire Volun-
teers and was killed by the Indians at
Omaha. Neb. ; .Tames M.. who enlisted in
the 2d New Hampshire \'olunteers and
died of typhoid fever while in the service
of his country : and Adolphus R.. who en-
listed in the 11th Vermont, known as the
Vermont Heavy Artillery. September 2.3.
18(i.'l. and served until he was mustered
out August 2."i. ISO.'i. -Mr. Martin re-
ceived a common school education and was
engaged in farming until his enlistment in
the war of the rebellion. Two years after
his return from war he learned the ma-
chinist's trade and was employed by dif-
ferent manufacturing companies until he
entered the mercantile business. In 1878
Mr. Martin purchased the clothing and
shoe business of r. W. Smith of Chicopee
Falls, which he conducted for nineteen
years, and then closed out his stock and
was ajipointed postniasler In 181IS. which
position he now holds. On November 'A.
1870. Mr. Martin married Cclia Minerva,
daughter of Thomas and .Minerva (Taylor)
Orcutt, and they have one daughter. Cora,
a gr.aduate of Smith College, and who acts
as assistant in the post-ottice. Mr. Mar-
tin takes an active Interest In all inibllc
affairs; he has been a trustee of the Chico-
pee Falls Savings Hank for sixteen years;
is a member of I'.elcher Lodge. F. & A. M. ;
Inlty Chapter, which he has served as
treasurer nineteen years: Council and
Commnndcry at Sprlngticld ; Cabot Lodge
No. 14(i. K. of I'.: the Grand Lodge, and
is a charter member of the Chicopee Falls
Lodge of the Royal Arcanum.
WiiiTTEMORE. John R.. p. o. Chicopee.
Mass.. was born in Leicester, Mass.. March
17). 1822. a son of Amasa and Senta Whitte-
more, and was educated in the schools of
Leicester. When eighteen years of age
he entered the employ of Ituggles. Nour.se
& Mason, with whom he served his appren-
ticeship in the manufacture of agricultural
tools, and with whom he remained for ten
years in their Worcester factory. His next
move was to Blackstone. and in IS.'iO he
came to Chicopee Falls and formed a co-
partnership with Ilenjamin Ifelcher. and la
1S.'>:! admitted Mr. L. Stpilres to the tirra.
In a few years Mr. Squires sold out his in-
terest in the firm, and Mr. Belcher dying,
his son Ben.iamin Belcher, jr., took up his
father's interest. In 1874 Mr. Whitte-
more sold out his interest In the business
and opened a new factory for the manu-
facture of agricultural Implements, which
he conducted until 181X1. On August 24,
IH-'i.'*. Mr. Whlttemore marrie<l Olive,
daughter of Benjamin and Phlla Muz/.y ;
four children were born of this marriage,
two now living : Alice .1.. wife of Irving
II. Page, and Charles F. Mr. Whlttemore
was a self made man. starting out In life
with hut .f.lii. and at the time of his death,
.lanuary 17. 181)1. had accumulated quite a
fortune. He was active in all public-
spirited enterjn-ises and was instrumental
in starting what Is now the public library
of Chicopee Falls. He was also an en-
thusiastic worker In the temperance cause.
Nkwkll, rAsciiAL J., p. o. Chlcopee.
Mass.. was born in Dudley. Mass.. August
27. is:i9. a son of Hiram and Rebecca
(Wilder) .Newell, and received a common
school education. When twenty-two years
of age he started out In life for himself,
entering the employ ot the Connecticut
River Railroad, being in their employ from
.\prll 1. 18(!1, to June 1, 181)4. Since
that time he has been serving as agent for
estates and Individuals. On April 28.
I.s.'ili. .Mr. .Newell m«rrle<l .N. Fllzabeth.
daughter of John \. and Nancy (Lyons)
Tenney ; two sons were born of this mar-
riage: John Hiram. b(Mn August 28, 18ifO,
died July 2S, IS(li), and Kdwjird Powal,
born A|)rll 28, \MM. died August (i, 18(10.
Mr. and Mrs. Newell have an adopted
( 629 )
APPENDIX
(laughter. Mary K. Wilder, born .Iiily ".t.
l)S7:i. in Iloiisick Falls. N. Y. .Mr. Newell
has been aellve in eity affairs and has
served on the board of health nine years
and on the board of assessors three years.
When a young man Mr. Newell united with
the Congregational ehurch at Dudley and
later with the First Congregational church
of Chleopee : for four years he has been a
deacon In the church and teacher and su-
l)erintendent of the Sunday school for
many years.
Tuw.VK. ()1i.\m:i; C.. p. o. Chicopee. .Mass..
was born in ISelchertown March I'li. l.si'S.
a .son of .lonatban and Delia (Uumrilli
Towne. \\'hen three years of age he was
adopted by Orange Chapin. after whom he
was named, and lived with him until
twenty-one years of age. when he entered
the employ of the Connecticut Uiver rail-
road and was in their employ ten years. At
tills time he associated himself with Orange
Chapin in genei'ai farming, which co-part-
nership ccmtinued until Mr. Chapin's deatn
in August. 1SIJ7. In March. ]8-l(i. Mr.
Towne married Kngenia S. T.. d:uighter of
John A. and Nan<-y ILyons^ Tenney : they
have one daughter. Florence E. T.. and one
adopted son. I>"rederick .M. T. Towne. who
is a traveling salesman. .Mr. Towne is
active in the growth of Willimansett and is
a liberal contributor and sujiportiug mem-
ber of the Chicopee Street Church.
I'AiiKKK. F. F.. A. P... M. D.. |). o. Chico-
pee. Mass.. was born in Springfield. Vt..
February •_'. l.s^i. a son of Kenjamin and
Itetsey (Fullan) I'arker. He attended
the district schools of his native place and
at the age ot fifteen entered the Spring-
Held Wesleyan Seminary and Female Col-
legiate Institute, where he was fitted for
college and entered Tufts College, from
which he was graduated in the class of
l.Si;."i. lU'ing brought up on a farm and
aicustonied to work, at the age of fifteen
be taught a winter term of school and
worked summers. In this way paying his
way through college. After graduating
from eolle.ge he was principal of the high
school In Stoughton. .Mass.. for two years,
al the end of which time he entered liar
vard Medical School, from which he was
Braduale<l in l,Sli'.l. After one year of
practice In .lamaica. Vt.. be came to Chico-
pee In M.iy. 1.S70. where he Is now engaged
in a successful practice of his profession.
Dr. Farker has served as city physician,
member of the school committee for one
term of three years, is a member of the
Hampden Medical Society and the Massa-
chusetts Medical Society : also ot the
.Masonic Lodge and of the Odd Fellows'
Lodge of Chicopee.
KKDpy. JoHX J., p. o. Chicopee Falls.
Mass.. was born in Newburyport. Mass.,
.luly 17. 18(i:i. a son of Anthony W. and
.Tane (.MacXulty) Ueddy. who were the pa-
rents of twelve children, three of whom are
law.vers : Anthony W.. .jr.. P. Joseph and
■lohn .1. Mr. Keddy's early life was spent
at .Newburyport. where he was educated in
the public schools, after which lie began his
college education at Xicolet. Canada ; from
there he went to St. Charles College. El^
licott City, Md.. the collegiate department
of St. Marys I'niversity of Baltimore, from
which he was graduated in the class of
I.SNG. "Cum Laude" ; he then took a post-
graduate course In the (Jrand Seminary,
Montreal. Mr. Reddy spent three years in
St. John's Ecclesiastical College in Boston.
-Mass.. in the study of Dogmatic and Moral
and Canon Law. after which he spent two
years as a priate tutor, and later studied
law with his brother. Anthony W.. Jr., at
Amesbuiy. .Mass. Mr. Reddy was admitted
to the bar April 1".). lSn.5. at Salem. Mass..
and located in Rockland. Mass.. where he re-
mained for three years, and then came to
Chicopee Falls where he has since been lo-
cated, lie is now serving as an alderman
in that city. On January 31. 1.S90. Mr.
Ueddy was admitted to the Circuit Court
of the United States at Boston. Mass. On
September 0. ISlbl. Mr. Reddy married Miss
.\. Jennie Lawlor. of Taunton. Mass. ; they
have two children. Agnes and Frances.
Smith, Qtwirrvs JfpD. p. o. Willimansett.
Mass.. was born in South Iladley. .\pril 1.
!S'.;.S. a son of Luther and Susan (Rumrill)
Smith, the parents of four children : Quar-
tus Judd. lielia Uoodman. Luther (deceased)
and George R. Mr. Smith received a com-
mon school education and when twenty
years of age engaged as a surveyor with
Orange Chapin. .\fter his father's death,
in IS.'iS. he assumed charge of the es-
tate, and since then has given most of his
time to general farming. On February 2.),
LSI!!', he married Irene L.. daughter of
Keuben and Mary .\. (Rose) .Vtkins. who
liore him four children : .\nnle. wife of Fred
( 630 )
APPENDIX
Kiddoi- : Homer, who mai-ried Eflna Morton :
Frank I... who died in infancy ; and Grace
!•;.. a stenograplier in the employ of White
& Wycoff. with which firm Homer is also
employed. The family are active in church
work and are members of the Baptist
church.
Creuoee. C'H.ir.LES E.. p. o. I'hicopee.
Mass.. was born in the town of Surry. N.
II.. November 3. 1841. a son of George and
("larinda (Harvey) Crehore, who had eig'bt
children: Clarinda (deceased). Harriet,
wife of A. 1). Holbrook : George B.. Hose A.,
Lewis D.. Asahel II.. Mary J. (deceased),
and Chaiies E. Mr. Crehore's father while
living in New Hampshire made a specialty
of stock farming, raising horses, cattle,
sheep, etc.. and was also extensively en-
gaged in the lumber business. They came
to ('hicopee in 1.86.") and settled on the farm
where C'harles E. now resides. Charles E.
was associated with his father on the farm
until 1S69. when he married Edna F. Car-
ter : they had three children. Frank H.. who
now has charge of the farm owned by his
father; Charles W.. and Bertram D. (de-
ceased.) Mr. Crehore married, second. Oc-
tober IS. ISSU. Olive L.. dairghter of John
B. and Fannie (I.illey) Chapin : their chil-
dren are Kalph Chaiiin. Marion Harvey (de-
ceased) and Helen JIaude. Mr. Crehore has
been active in all public affairs relating to
the city in which he lives. He served for
four years on the board of selectmen of
chicoijee. and later was superintendent of
highways, from \S'Xi (o l.S!)7. His father
represented his town in New Hampshire in
the legislature and died in Chicopee. .Inly
s. 18.8:; : his wife died February :;ii. 18!)!l.
at the age of ninety-seven years, and re-
tained her mental faculties until the last.
Fuller. Fr.\xk A., p. o. North Wilbra-
ham. Mass.. was born In Ludlow, Mass..
March 4. 180:i. a son of Purchase I), and
Caroline (Olds) Fuller, and was educated
in the schools of I.udlow and Wilbraham
academy. He engaged In the grocery b\isl-
ness and o|jen(>d up his iiresent store in
1.88'.l. Mr. Fuller is a public spirited man.
having served as town clerk and treasurer
for four years. On August L'O. 1804. he
married Susie li. Lane of North Wilbraham ;
they have one daughter. .Mildred liell.
HiTT. Thomas W.. p. o. Mlltineague,
Mass.. was born In Devonshire. ICngland.
July -. 1848. a son of John lllti. a native
of England, and who is now living at South
Hadley Falls. Mass. The Hitts are a fam-
ily of paper makers, tracing back four gen-
erations, who learned the trade in England.
Thomas W. Hitt came to America when six
years of age and was educated in the pub-
lic schools at Dalton. After leaving school
he followed the original business of the
family, paper making, and in 1887 came to
MIttlneague to lake charge of what was
tlien the Agawara rai)er C(). : they bought
the old cotton mill proi'erty and he had
charge of converting it into a paper mill;
he is also superintendent of the Agawam
division of the American Writing Paper Co.
Harry Hitt. his brother, now superintendent
of the Byron Weston mills of Dalton. Mass.,
was awarded a diploma at the Chicago
World's Fair for his efficiency In paper
making. .Mr. Mitt's mother was Mary Ann
West, a native of England, who died In \H'^'^.
Her family is one of considerable promi-
nence, having a brother who was member
of the New York assembly for four years,
also four years in congress. On December
1:11. 1.877. Mr. Hitt married Annie F.. daugh-
ter of Stillman Abereromble. of Amherst:
to them were born seven children: Jessie.
Hobert A.. Itollin \V.. Harry \V.. Lawrence.
Donald aiul John, who died when ftuir years
of age.
M.viiONE. J.\.Mi-:s M.. p. o. East Long-
meadow. Mass.. was born in Philadelphia,
Pa.. October (i. 1840. a son of James and
Mary (.McKee) .Malone. James Malnne was
;! native of Ireland aiul came to America In
I84II. settling In Philadelphia. Pa. He was
a nurseryman and died In 1S7.'». .lames M.
.Malone was educated In the schools of Phil-
adelphia and learned the monumental busi-
ness In Salisbury. .Md. In I8<!1 he Joined
the 1st and M Pa. Cavalry and was dis-
charged In 18(1.".. He then took uj) bis trade
In Wilmington. Del., and In 18(>8 had charge
of btilldlng work aiul operated ipiarrles In
Wy<uuing county. Pa., from 1878 to ISS.'k
From 188.''i to IS'.lil he was with William
Gray & Son at I'liiladelphln and came to
Fast Longmeadow with .N'orcross Bros, as
superlulendent of Iheir stone lulling de-
liarlment : he was three years In the North
Georgia marble quarries and the last four
years he has been general superlnteiulent <if
the Norcidss Brown Slone Co. He resigned
In April, mill. an<l Is now opening up Iho
old Pratt (|iinrry. which l.s to be conducted
( fi31 )
API'ENDIX
b.v .1. M. Malone & Co. On August G. 1871.
Mr. Miiloiip married Mary K. -MiQuillan ;
the}' have five children liviuK : Mary lOlla.
^^arab A.. Elizabeth T., Uose Agnes and
■lames, and five who died In Infancy.
Lom.NT,. Dkxtku II.. p. o. Chester. Mass..
was born In ISlandford. March 2C. IS.'}."), a
son of Col. Simeon W. and .lane A. (Glbbsl
I.orinK. whose children were Thomas \V..
Uollln S.. Maletha. Dexter II.. Samuel (!..
Cordelia O.. Eliza J. Col. Simeon W. was
born February IJ.S. ISOO. a son of Thomas
and Abigail (Woods) Lorln;j. He received
bis title from the j;overnor of Massachu-
setts and was colonel in the state militia.
Simeon W. learned the tanner's trade of
Oliver Watson, with whom he lived, and
during the latter part of his life followed
farming. Dexter II. l.oring was educated
In the <'ommon schools and was associated
with his father until the tatter's death.
.\prll IS. l.S8."i. wlien about that time he
|)urchased the old homestead and later pur-
chased the farm upon which he now re-
sides, which contains about .'i7."> acres. On
March 30, 1870. Mr. Loring married Ellen
E.. daughter of Spencer C. and Louisa S.
I Hamilton) Watson: four children were
b4)rn of this marriage : George D. and Mary
E. and two deceased. Mr. Loring is a mem-
ber of Huntington Lodge. F. & A. M. The
brst of the Watson family to come to
Hampden <'ounty was John Watson, who
came from Spencer, Mass. He had a son
Oliver, who married Mary, daughter of
Nathaniel Loring. and their children were
Caroline L.. Spencer C, Mary A.. Oliver
Franklin, .lulia Holse. Maria D., and Jo-
sei>li L. Oliver Wat. -son belonged to Federal
Lodge of Masons, which was the oldest
lodge in Western Massachusetts.
HiiiT. II.vuiiv M.. P.O. Longmeadow, Mass..
was born in Longmeadow, Mass.. March 14.
1861. Ills father. William II., was a na-
tive of the same town and bis father. Major
William, served in the war of 1812. The
family trace their descent from Holland,
being among the early settlers of this town.
William H. married Amanda Wlnchell. a
native of Huntington .Mass.. and both are
now de<ease<l. Harry M. Burt was educated
In the schools of Longmeadow and then
engaged In farming with his father and con-
tinuing on the home |>lace for several years
after his father's death. He purchased his
present place In the spring of 1SS8 and
carries on farming and dairying, mailing
his own milk, and retailing it in the neigh-
boring city of Springfield. The place is
finely situated on a hill, and commands an
extensive view in all directions. With ad-
ditions to buildings, hoase improvements
and grading, he has made this one of the
most desirable of country homes. Mr. Hurt
is a member of the Congregational church
and has served as tax collector for ten years.
On April 18, ISSS. he married Clara E..
daughter of Frank Warner, a native of
Wili)raliam : they have two children : Uosa-
line and Warner Howard.
LcjiDON, Joseph H.. p. o. Wales. Mass..
was born at Xorwalk. Conn., September 25,
1861, a son of David and Isabella (Joseph)
Loudon, one of six children : John. Joseph
H.. William. David, Jr.. Sarah, wife of Wil-
liam McAllister, and Robert. Joseph H.
was educated in tlie common schools and
when ten years of age entered the employ
of the Norwalk Milling Company, where he
was employed for five years in the various
departments and then associated himself
with his half brother and learned the trade
of wool carding. At nineteen years of age
he entered the employ of the Stillman Mfg.
Co. of Westerly. R. I., as superintendent,
and five years later accepted a position with
the Carmichael Mfg. Co. as superintendent
in their Nyatic mills. He remained there
two year.5. at the same time conducting a
wool scouring and carding mill for himself
at North Stonington. He then went to
Montville. Conn., where he accepted a posi-
tion as superintendent for R. G. Hooper &
Co. in the woolen cloth manufacture. He
remained here one year and then went to
Glennville. Conn., as superintendent for
Tingue. House & Co. : one year later he re-
turned to Westerly. K. I., and entered the
employ of the Westerly \\'oolen Co. as su-
perintendent of the carding department ;
two years later went to Spafford Springs
and entered the employ of the Mineral
Spring Co. ; in April. 1891. he came to
Wales and entered the employ of the Ex-
celsior Woolen Co. and six years later pur-
chased the plant and its business. He em-
ploys about one hundred people and has a
yearly production of .$200,000. On April 25,
1888. -Mr. Loudon married Mary E., daugh-
ter of .Michael and Catherine Murphy ; five
children were born of this marriage: Earl,
Homer. Gladys, Dorothy and Gerald (de-
( 632 )
APPENDIX
ceased.) Mr. .Loudon was elected to the Scotia, and attei- roming to West Spring-
leguslature in 1001 and lias served as se- tieid was empioyed by George M. Lane o£
iectman for tiie past six years. Springfieid. in the crocliery business. This
Steve.vs. Willls F.. p. 0. Chester, Mass.. he followed for two years and then learned
was born in the town of Chester. May 30. the machinisfs trade. In IS.so lie engaged
184'J, a son of William and Laura (Tease) in the rooting business with his father un-
Steven.s. and was educated in the common der the firm name of Alexander Grant &
schools. When twenty-one years of age he Son. which they are still conducting. In
purchased the homestead on Chester Hill. 1878 Mr. Grant married Emma A., daughter
where he remained until 1883 and then of William Sandrew. who died in iss.^. leav-
moved one mile north of Cliester, where he ing one daughter, Ada M. On March 12,
now resides. He owns and controls 100 1887. Mr. Grant married, second. Angle A.,
acres and follows general farming and daughter of James Burlingame, of Palmer,
stock raising. On June 1, 1872, Mr. Ste- Mass.; they have one son. Earl A.
Tens married Helen, daughter of Henry NiE, Ly>i,\n K., p. o. Blandford, Mass.,
Dewey : four children were born to them : was born in Blandford, December 2, 1827,
William H.. Ruth. Laurie A., and Clara A. a son of Clarli and Dolly A. (Frary) Nye,
Mrs. Stevens died January 3 2. 1890. and grandson of James and Sarah (Clark)
Sibley, Aktiiur A., p, o. West Spring- Nye. James was born in Charlestown, I{. I.,
field, Mass.. was born on the Sibley home- March 13. 1758, and came with his wife to
stead In West Springfield. Mass.. August HIandford about 1.S04. where he died Oc-
10. 1862. a son of Alvin (born August 27. tober 27. 1840. His wife was born Decem-
1821) and Lovisa M., daughter of Hiram ber 28, 17ti2, and died .Vpril 2. 184(). t.'lark
Owen, his wife, who died in 1874. The Sib- Nye was born October 2, 1700. and came to
ley Itomestead has been in the family for lilandford with his parents when four years
three generations. Mr. Alvin Sibley mar- of age. He owned about 200 acres of land,
ried, second. Mrs. Maria Lloyd, widow of which is now in possession of L. C. Nye
the late Samuel Lloyd, of Blandford. Mass. & Son. He died October 11. 1880, and
Arthur A. received a common school edu- his widow April 8. 180,"). Lyman It. learned
cation and was graduated from the West- the carpenter's trade and later in life
field high school in 1870. Upon the death bought a small farm and sawmill and is a
of his father he assumed charge of the manufacturer of lumber in connection with
homestead, which he has since conducted, his trade. November 28. IS.-i,'!. ho married
making a specialty of dairying. Mr. Sib- Marion Lewis, born October 4. 1835, a
ley has been a member of the West Spring- daughter of Capt. Horatio Lewis, born In
field school board for seven years, in which Uhode Island, January Iti, 1778 : he repre-
capacity he is still serving ; he is also an sented his district in tlie legislature and
active member of the ('ongregational church was active In mililary matter In Slonlug-
at Mittineague. Mr. Sibley married Ilar- ton. Conn. : be died .March I!, 1845. Mr. Nye
riet E.. daughter of Cornelius J. Smith, of Is a member of the Agricultural Society nnd
West Springfield, and to them liave been Is active in town and county affairs, having
born three children : Claude, Raymond, and served his town as selectman, assessor and
Naomi. overseer of the poor. Mr. and Mrs. Nye
(iRA.NT. Mrryrox H., p. o. Merrick. Mass., are members of the First Congregational
was born at Sydney, Nova Scotia, January church and society of Ulandford.
7. 1855. Ills father, Alexander Grant, was Wdlcott, Oliveu L„ p. o. East Long-
a native of the same place and In 1872 came meadow. Mass., was born In East I»ng-
to West Springfield, where he engaged in meadow. November 21, 18r,4, a son of Oll-
the roofing business, which he still carries ver and Amelia L. (Crocker) Wolcott. Oil-
on : he married Marlon J., daughter of Wil- ver was clerk and treasurer of Longmeadow
Hum McCleod. a sea captain, of Sydney. At for about thirty years and was assoi'laled
twenty-two years of age he was captain of prominently with the M. K. church, leaving
a ship sailing from London, England; he a small amount towards It support when
followed the sea all his life and died at he died. tHlver L. was ediicaleil In Ihc
the age of ninety-two. Mlltou H. Grant re- public schools of East Longmeadow and
ceived his education at an acadcm.v In Nova Wesleyan academy, from wlilcb he was
( 633 )
Ari'EXDlX
gnuluiited In 1S84. Since loavlnR school lie
liiis been cnjinped In several different kinds
of work. He served as town clerk and
treasurer flf I.ongmeadow and Kast Long-
meadow for about nine years and is now
servlns on the school committee, lie is a
member of Hampden Lodge No. :27. I. <>.
O. !■".. of SprinKlicld. and Wachosue Tribe
Xo. 11. "i. Improved Order of lied .Men. of
Kast Louftmeadow. On October :;4. l.SN.S.
Mr. Wolcolt married Edith L.. daughter of
Luke Hall, who bore him six children: Dor-
othy A.. Lois i;.. Oliver. Roger II.. Florence
E.. and .Maijorle. Florence K. and -M:ir-
jorie died In infancy.
I!i.ANi'ii,\iiii. Li:i;. p. o. Monson. Mass..
was born in Monson. Mass.. November :il.
is:!;;, on the Itlauchard hoineslead. a son
of Alvln and Achsah iWhilei lilaucbard.
Krandson of Chester, a native of fnion.
("onn.. and great-grandson of Jonathan, a
native of .\ndover. .Mass. Lee HIanchard
received a cotninon school education and
engaged in farming as his life pursuit. Oc-
tober -'.">. lS."i.">. he married Mary Squier ;
seven children born of this marriage are
uow living: Chester. Albert. Emma. .lane.
Cady. Myron, and Harry L. Mrs. lilanch
ard died May !). IS.SC, and on April )>H. ISSS.
.Mr. lilanchard married Loraine (ioodwill.
daughter of Orin (ioodwill. a native of
Hampden. Mass.
I'KASi:. IlKMtv. p. o. West Springlield.
Mass.. was born at Middlelield. Mass.. .Tunc
!t. 18:«!. a son of Dan and Mary (Koot)
Fease. and was educated in the schools of
his native town. After completing his
schooling he engaged in farming and deal-
lug in c;ittle. He was collector :iud con-
stable In Huntington. Mass.. for live years
and came to Hamiiden county in 187'-', where
he purchased a farm In West Sprlnglield.
which he conducted twenty four years. At
the end of that time he exchanged the prop-
erty for a house in Merrick. On November
21. IS.'ili. Mr. I'ease married Lydia Itlsbee.
daughter of I'eleg Stanton, of Huntington.
Mass. : they had two children : Cora lOs-
telia. who died when eight years old. and
Arthur L.. a prosperous gardener of West
Si^rlnplleld.
In N.si-iiMi!. S.VMii:i. U.. p. o. Agawani.
Mass.. was horn In Itermuda. July 18, 1S4S.
Ills father. Samuel Dunscomb. was an old
sea captain and was drowned in December,
18.M'. His mother was Margaret Maxwell.
a native of Glasgow. Scotland, and died in
January. 18G0. Samuel U. received his edu-
cation in Brooklyn. N. Y. After leaving
school he went to sea and sailed for nine
years. For one year he was in the queen's
mail service, in the schooner Water Witch,
running between Turk's Island. Antigua
ami St. Thomas. W. I., and was wrecked in
the harbor of St. Thomas in the winter of
18(!8-fii). in a hurricane and earthquake that
swept over the islands. In LSTi; Mr. Duns-
comb came to Feeding Hills and purchased
his present farm. On December 3. 1875,
be married Arubah Lovisa. daughter of Oli-
ver II. Williams, a native of Westfieid,
.Mass.. who bore him four children : Edward
U., Albert M.. Isabella M.. and Margaret.
t'A.MfBKLL. CHAiti.Ks L.. p. o. .\gawam,
Mass.. was born in Killlngwortii. Conn.. No-
vember 4. 1827. a son of Charles and Electa
(Itutty) Campbell. His father came to
Agawam in 1884 and purchase<l the farm
where Charles L. now resides. Charles L.
Campbell was educated in the schools of
-Vgawam and Bang's Select School of Spring-
field. After leaving school he engaged in
farming on the homestead. The other chil-
dren were Eli'-tabetb. Susan. Sereno. and El-
thea. On December 11. IS.".:-!. Mr. Campbell
married Eliza, daughter of Willis D. ICel-
scy. She died in January. I'.Xid. Six chil-
dren were born of this marriage. Emma
Eliza died in Infancy. Five are now living,
four in .Vgawam : Willis Charles. Hollis
.■\ndrew. a Congregational minister In Sey-
mour. Conn, (his son. Colin Alden I : Nellie
Elizabeth. Frank Edward (his daughter,
Bertha L.). and Elbert Lewis (whose chil-
dren are Ualph B., Uiith F... Agnes L.. and
.\ndrew K. Elbert L. carries on the farm
on tlie old homestead.
BKI.VII.I.K. John C, p. o. Feeding Hills.
Mass.. was born in Windsor, Vt„ July 7,
18(',4, a son of Horace and Emma (Murray!
Belville, and was educated in the common
schools of .\gawam. After leaving school
he engaged In farming and milk business,
which lie followed for twenty-one years,
when he opened a general store at Feeding
Hills, conducting the same for four years,
and then sold out to E. A. Kellogg. At this
time he came to Springfield and engaged
in the real estate business for two years,
and In 18!>9 returned to Feeding Hills and
purchased his present farm. He has served
his town as constable and truant otiicer for
( 634 )
APPENDIX
two years and is a member ot Hampden
Lodge of Odd Fellows. SpvingHeld. On De-
cember 23. 1880. Mr. Belville married M.vr-
tie ('.. daughter o( Samuel t'liapman. a na-
tive of Ellington. (_'onn. : two children have
been born to them : Raymond II. and Itiiby
E. Mr. Chapman came to East Lougmeadow
in 1870 and lived there until his death in
1892.
Ali.en. Ai.siin \V.. p. o. Agawam. Mass..
was born in Ware. Mass.. May 8, 1842. a
son of Eli.iah I)., a native ot Barry. Mass..
and grandson of Asa. a native of Iliibbards-
ton. Mass. The family trace their descent
to ancestors from lOngland. who were among
the early settlers in America. EIi.iah D.
came to Agawam In 18.").j. where he has
since resided ; he married Abigal Clark of
Hubbardston, who died in March. 1000. Al-
son W. Allen was educated in the schools
of Ware. Agawam and Burnham's Business
College of Springfield. Since leaving school
he has been engaged in farming and in the
production of milk, and purchased his pres-
ent place in 1870 In politics Mr. Allen is
a Republican and has served his town as
selectman, assessor and overseer of the poor.
He is a member of Hampden Lodge of Ma-
sons and the Congregational church. <tn
November 18. 1872. he married Ilattie F...
daughter of W. B. Woods. M. I)., of Somers.
Conn. : they have two children living : Ed-
ward A., and Walter E.
Flowek, William A., p. o. Feeding Hills.
Mass.. was born on the Flower homestead
in Feeding .Hills. Mass., November :',. 1S48.
a son of Alfred, .ir.. son of Alfred. Alfred,
jr., married t'sada Smith, who bore him
two sons : William A. and .lames Flower.
Alfred, .ir.. died in l.sO.") and his widow
is still living. William A. received a com-
mon school education and after leaving
school engaged in fai-rning. in which hi: is
still occupied.
HiscoCK, Is.iUH. p. o. Wales. Mass.. was
born in Vermont. March 2:i, 1828, a son
of Luke and Ruth (Leonard) Hlscock, who
were the parents of eight children : Luke.
.1r., Stephen, Mary. lOmlly A.. Mark, David,
Isaiah, and Lyman. Isaiah Is the only one
living of the eight children. He left Ver-
nionl with his parents when he was eight
years old and came to I'nlon, Conn. He
was as.socIated at home on the farm until
he was eighteen years of age and then en-
gaged as a farm laborer. When twenty! wo
years of age he commenced to work for a
neighboring farmer. George 1>. Colburn. and
continued to work for .Mr. Collairn for ten
years. He also, in connection with his work
for Mr. Colburn. dealt In real estate, cattle
and horses. In l.siil he commenced to buy
wool for Eli.jaii Shaw and continued in that
business for about ten years. He traveled
with his team for miles in all the adjoining
towns and went by the title of wool mer-
chant. (3n August H, IS.'iS. Mr. Hiscock
married Laura L. Shaw, daughter of Sewell
Shaw, whose death occurred January 10,
1808. He married, second. In .lune, 188;i,
I.Mrs.) Amy A. (Clark) I'erry, daughter of
Joseph Clark. She had previously been
twice married. She has one son, John A.
Andrews, by her tirst marriage. Mr. Hls-
cock Is a large land owner, having land In
New York. Connecticut. Massachusetts and
Florida. He is a contributor to and sup-
porter of the dlflferent churches, but Is more
active in the Second Advent church.
HiRB.Mti). Alvi.n a., p. o. Wales. Mass,,
was born in Springtleld, liecemher 7, 18,'>i).
a son of Ellas and Eunice (.Vndrews) Hub-
bard, who had four children : James, Al-
vin A.. John, and Ilattle, wife of William
I'eei of Staffordvllle, Conn. Alvln A. went
to live with his aunt. Mrs. Friend
C. Smith, when three years of age
and when eight years old was adopt-
ed by them. At nineteen years of
age he formed a partnership with
his brother James In the general mer-
cantile business at Wales. whU'h was con-
tinued until ISSS. In 1S8:( Mr. Hubbard
entered the employ of E. Shaw and for two
years was engaged as general oflice man
and bookkeeper; In 181)4 he again entered
the employ of II. E. .Shaw as bookeeper and
assistant, which position he n<iw h<dds. on
.March 17, 1881. Mr. Hubbard married Car-
rie, daughter of Orson L. and Ann XJard-
ner) Burley. Mr. Hubbard served his dis-
trict In the legislature during the term of
188(J and for the past two years has been
one of the selectmen.
Tho.mi'Son. Ciiaki.ks M.. p. o. Wahw.
.Mass.. was born In the town of Wales. Jan-
UJiry 2."i. 1827. a son of William and .Mar-
garet (.Nelson) 'rhompMi>n, who had eight
children: William A., Tlmotliy. Ira I'orliT.
Lucy, I'hoehe, Charles M., Margaret, iind
Enielln<». William \va« a son of Alnier
Thomi)son and In early life conducted n
{ 635 )
APPENDIX
grist mill, together with farmlDK. in the
village of Wales, now known as the lower
village. lie was also a mason by trade and
was active in town affairs. Charles M. re-
ceived a common school education and
helped his father on the farm and in the
grist mill until he was twenty-one years of
age. wiien he started in life for himself as
a mill laborer in Connecticut. Later he
went to Springfield and worked there ten
years in the Initchering and meat market
business, llien returned to Wales, where he
has since resided and followed farming. In
.September. l.S.j'i. Mr. Thompson married
Sarali A., daughter of James Dimmick. jr. ;
they have four children : William James.
Elizabeth. Hattle. and Charlie G.
TiioMi'Sox, Li.;ri.v H., p. o. Wales, Mass,,
was born In the town of Wales. February 0.
1S7'_'. a son of Charles F. and Annie (Co-
burn) Thomi)son. When four years of age
I. eon II. moved to Atlantic. Iowa, with his
fatlier, where he remained until 18S8 and
received his early education in the Iowa
schools. Ills lirst business engagement was
in the employ of liarney & Berry of Spring-
field ; he was with them one year and then
went to Boston in a wholesale boot and
shoe company. He was employed there six
years and then returned to Wales and en-
tered the employ of W. Chamberlain, in the
general merchandise business, where he is
now employed. August 27. 1900. Mr.
Thompson married Anna, daughter of John
C. and Ella J. (Shaw) Burley.
Copp, Mrs. Charles, p. o. Wales, Mass..
was born in the town of Union, Conn. Her
first husband was Friend Crane Smith, bom
In the town of Wales. May ITi. 181G. a son
of Dr. John Stnith. Friend C. was edu-
cated In the schools of Wales and when
twenty-one years of age went to Philadel-
phia, where he engaged in the mercantile
business for about two years, then returned
to Wales and hired the Alvin Andrews place
In the southern part of the town for two
years, after which he removed to the farm
where Mrs. Copp now resides and where
he died Iie<ember 6. ISSl'. Friend C.
Smith's first wife was the daughter of Alvin
Andrews : she was born in Wales and died
December ."i. 1ST7. Mr. Smith was a very
active man and by occupation followed
farming: he also dealt in wood land, which
he Improved and sold. He improved the
land where the Berkley Woolen Co. mills
are located, as well as considerable of the
adjoining property. Mr. Smith was promi-
nent in town and county affairs and held
the office of selectman and other town of-
fices. He was an active church worker and
a liberal contributor to the different de-
nominations, lie endowed the M. E. church
with .$7,000 and part of a house and lot in
Springfield, which netted them .fl.OOO: the
other part of the hou.se was given to the
Baptist society, as well as .$1,300 In cash,
lie was a very charitable man. never neg-
lecting the worthy poor and the sick. His
widow married Charles Copp, on April 16,
l.siPi;.
Sherman, Albert D.. p. o. Westfield.
Mass.. was born in Canaan, X, Y.. in 1845.
a son of Henry Sherman, born in Savoy.
Mass.. and Cynthia Cain, whose children
were Albert D.. Emmett. Charles M.. Dallas
J., and Harry F. Henry Sherman died In
tlie spring of 1901. Albert D. came to
Westfield in 18G1 and engaged In the mlll-
iug. farming and tobacco business. He
married Sarah E. Osborne and their chil-
dren are Xeilie L. and Harry O.
Sheum.ix, Charles M.. p. o. Westfield.
Mass.. was born in Cheshire. Mass.. in 1S.j3.
and came to Westfield In 1860. His father.
Henry Sherman, was born In Savoy in
l.'^Il): lie married Cynthia Cain and their
children are Albert D.. Emmett. Charles M..
Dallas J., and Harry F. Mr. Sherman died
May ."). 1001. and his wife February 8. 1899.
Charles M. married Lenetta Ilovey. who
has borne him three children : Amos H..
Arthur C. and Harold C.
SwEE.NEY, Johx J., jr.. p. 0. Mlttlueague.
Mass.. was born in Ireland. June 24. 1866.
and came to America May Lj. 1873. settling
in West Springfield, where he was educated
in the schools. I'pon leaving school he was
employed in a cotton mill for about three
years, being next employed by the Agawam
I'aper Co. and was with them six years. His
next move was with the Mittincague Paper
Co. as superintendent of the loft, acting in
this capacity for five years. In 1897 he was
appointed on the police force and two years
after was made chief of police, in which ca-
pacity he is still acting, the appointment
coming to him without any solicitation on
his part. Mr. Sweeney has always found
time for social and fraternal Interests: is
a member of the Father Mathew Temper-
ance Society. Pawtucket Tribe of Ued Men,
( fi3G )
APPENDIX
A. O. H. Eiivision Xo, 6 of Springfield, ;uul
the I>.'iiigliters of Pocahontas. Before re-
ceiving his appointment on the police force
he was very active in the fire department,
being a foreman of Hose Company Xo. 4 of
West Springfield. On June 1. 1SS6. Mr.
Sweeney married Bridget C. daughter of
Michael Shean. To Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney
were born seven children, five now living :
Margaret I.. Gertrude B.. Rachael. Ray-
mond M., and Clare.
T.VTLon. John. p. o. Merrick. Mass.. was
born in Hemmingford. P. Q.. Canada. Au-
gust 4. ISTO. a sun of Frank Taylor, a na-
tive of Ireland, and Harriet Elizabeth Rob-
inson, his wife, a native of England. He
was educated in Mooers, N. Y.. and in 1892
came to Springfield as a conductor on the
street railroad, which position he held Jive
years. He is now working on the B. & A.
railroad ns an engineer. Mr. Taylor is a
member of Hampden Lodge of Odd Fellows,
the Agawam Encampment and the R. of
L. F.. Merrick Lodge No. 563. October 7.
ISOB, he married Annie Elizabeth, daughter
of David Brothwell Davis of Hooper, N. Y..
who bore him two children : Muriel Eliza-
beth and Iral Davis,
Hanics. Eugene R.. Springfield. Mass,,
was born in Pelham. Aiu-ii L'(i, 1860.
and died September 13. 1!)01. His father
was Ziza Hanks, a native of the same place
and carpenter by trade. He now lives re-
tired in West Springfield : he married Susan
E.. daughter of Ansel Barnes, of Pelham.
Mass., whose ancestors date back to the
Churchills who came over in the May-
flower. Mr. Hanks's grandfather came
from England in an early day, the
family being among the early set-
tlers of Massachusetts. Mr, Hanks
received his education in the common
schools and after leaving school entered a
grocery store ns clerk. He followed the
grocery business until the time of his death,
when he was conducting a store la West
Springfield ; in 1 SOS he built the store he
occupied and conducted a very successful
business. In ISO" Mr. Hanks married Edic
D.. daughter of Abel T. Wyman, ot Man-
cbester, Vt,
ViNiNG, Hakky D.. p. 0. Merrick. Mass..
was boi'ji in Southwick. Hampden county.
Mass.. June 22. 1865. His father. Homer C.
Vining. was a native ot the same (own and
through life was identified as a farmer. Tlie
family trace their ancestry back a good
many years. Homer C. married Sarah,
daughter of Augustus Fowler, of Kent.
Conn. Mr. Vining died in Jlay, lSf)7, and
his widow in June, 1!)0(I. Harry D. Vining
received a common school education and
after finishing his schooling went to Mis-
souri, where lie remained on a ranch three
years. In 1S8G he came to West Springfield
and entered the employ of the B. & A. as
fireman and in 1892 was promoted to en-
gineer and is now running a freight train.
He is a member of the Brotherhood ot Lo-
comotive Engineers, Division Xo, 63. of
Springfield ; Brotherhood of Locomotive
Firemen and the Tekoa Lodge of Odd Pel-
lows. Mr. Vining has married twice, first,
to Bertha Crane of Dalton. Mass., wlio died
January 23, 1893. leaving two daughters
(twins). Bertha and Bessie. He married,
second, September 5, 1894, Linwood C,
daughter of Myron Merrill, of Vermont.
Htldeetii. Wii.t,iAM W., p. o. Merrick,
Mass., was born in Hinsdale, X. H., Feb-
ruary 9, 1839. a son of Robert Uildreth
(a native of Chesterfield. X. H.. and a
contractor and builder), and Sarah Howe,
bis wife. After receiving a common school
education he engaged in the lumber busi-
ness for five years. He enlisted in Co. A,
2d New Hamjishire Reg., serving with
them eigliteen nmnlhs. and then joined the
6th X. Y. Flying Artillery for about twenty
months. He fought in the battles of Bull
Run. Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Harrison's
Landing, Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg,
Chancellorsville, Culpepper. Keiley's Ford
(two battles! and had three horses shot
from under him in same. Fairfax. Gettys-
burg. Gordonville and the Wilderness, un-
der General Grant. Out ot l.iMti original
members of itis regiment, he returned with
seventy of them. In June. 1S64. Mr. Uil-
dreth cnrae to Springfield and was engaged
as a fireman on the Conn.. River Road. R.,
W. & O. and X. Y. C. : In ISliT he engaged
with the li. & A. for one year, then to the
Xew London and Northern, ns an engineer
for three years. He was with the New
Jersey Southern two years, then returned
to Springlleld to the IS. & A. again, remnin-
Ing with them twenty-one years. lie re-
tired from ncilve service Jnnunry 4. IHUl.
Mr. Uildreth Is a member of Hampden
Lodge. F. & .\. M., and llainpdeu Lodge of
Odd Fellows. He has been married three
( 637 )
APPENDIX
times : his present wife was Ida M. Taylor
of West SprliiKlield. Me has two dautiliters
living: Mi-s. .Mlnule K. Nooiiey and Addle
Moore.
EniiionTox, Chakles A., p. o. Mlttlneague.
Mass.. was born in Sutton. Worcester
county. Mass.. .Tiily 14. 18.*»t;. son of Al-
mon and Susan ('. (Sutton) lOdgerton. Ills
father moved to MlttlneaKue In 18tii) and
was enj;a;^ed In tile cotton mill business un-
til about l-s.*<U': after that time was not
engaged In any active business. Ills death
occurred on July L'it. ISlt.S. Charles A.
I'Mgerton received ills educatl()n In the pub-
lic schools of West Springfield and after
completing his schooling he entered the
employ of tiie Agawam Canal Co.. cotton
mannfacturers of Mittineagne. He re-
malni'd In their employ a year and a Imlf
and in l.S7;> entered the employ of tlte
.Soulliworlh Taper Co. of .Mlttlneague as
bookkeeeper : for tlie piist six years he has
acted as agent and manager for the com-
pany. On October 7. 1.S.S4. .Mr. Kdgerton
married Kiia M.. daughter of Nathan .Mor-
iey. of Mlttlneague. who bore him seven
children : Klorence. Ruth, .\lmun. Harold.
Delia. Ilaymond. and Irwin.
Coi.ToN. I!i:N.r.\Mix W.MSiiN. p. (). West
Sprlnglield. Mass.. was born in the old
homestead, where he still resides, hi West
Springlield. .Mass.. September 10. 1SS7. He
is the fourth and youngest child of Itenja-
min and I'.llza (Watson) Colton and in the
seventli generation in the line of descent
from (Quartermaster George Colton, one of
the lirst settlers of the Springfield colony.
Henjamin W. received a common school ed-
ucation and is actively engaged in the
painting and paper hanging l)usiness. Be-
lore marriage Mr. Colton traveled exten-
sively through the United States and Can-
ada and was in New Orleans when Louisi-
ana seceded from the I'nlon. He was one
of the ciuinty's jurors during tile trial of
the suit tor damages brought against the
city of Sprlngtield iiecause of the lowering
of the grade of Chestnut street. 1S0!)-1.S70.
He was m.irried on I>eceniber 7. I.sti4. to
Cinderella, eldest daughter of Charles Kd-
ward Itrltto and Mary Ann (Lynes) ISritto.
New York city. They have two ciiildren.
Myrta and Henry Day Colton. Mr. Coi-
ton's eldest sister. Mrs. Harriet Newell
(Colton) Van Horn. Is i)rlncipal of the
Uniadway I'libllc School at Osslnlng. N. Y..
where she has taught continuously for
forty-tlirce years, and althougii seventy-one
years of age. still holds her position. Mr.
Colton Is one of the oldest among the lead-
ing residents of the town and was served
the town and community In many capacities.
Smith, Edwix. p. o. Mittineagne. Mass..
was born in .Middlefield. Mass.. October 23,
lS,")(i, a son of Kbenezer and Sarah A,
illawes) Smith, and was educated In the
public schools of his native place. After
leaving school he assisted his brother on
the farm and taught school until twenty-
two years of age. At this time he came to
Mlttlneague and engaged in the mercantile
business, which he followed until his ap-
pointment as postmaster in Mlttlneague in
April, 19(10, For six years Mr, Smith was
a member of the school board of West
Springfield, In May, 1882, he married .41ice
A., daughter of Milton Smith, who died in
Ma.v, 1S91 : In 189.5 he mairied. sec-
ond. Arlina I,., daughter of L, W. Shepard.
who iiore him two children : Rutli Carrie
and Uuby Serai)h.
LimMis, H.vumsoN. p. o. West Spring-
field. Mass. was born in West Springfield.
December 20. 1840. His father. I-'rederick B..
grandfather. Rowland M.. and great-grand-
father. Noadiah, were natives of West
Springfield, and were descendants of Jo-
sejih, who <'ame from England in lfi::tS and
first settled in Windsor, Conn, Harrison
Loomls w^'ls educated in the public schools
of his native town and in the private school
of John C, Taylor, During the civil war
he was an employee of the government at
the armor.v in Springfield. In 18(»(>, before
the advent of the racific railroad and the
extinction of the buffalo, he, with others,
crossed the continent with a mule team,
and returned later by the way of Mexico
and the isthmus of Panama, and has since
been proprietor of the Riverdale mill. In
]87i( and for ten years subsequent was
elected tax collector and has since served
twelve years as selectman and assessor,
and at this time is chairman of both
lioards. and also serving his eighth year as
associate county commissioner. In 1869
Mr. Looniis married Abbie M.. daughter of
William Smith, of Granby, r, Q,, who died
in 1884. leaving children : Ida L,. Nellie
-M., Abbie M,, and Harrison II,, of whom
Ida and .\l>bie only survive. In ISSt; Mr.
( 638 )
APPENDIX
Loomis man-ied. second, Julia M.. daughter
of James L, Sullivan, of itoston.
KissELL. Ajios, p. o. Springfield. Mass..
was born in Andover, Mass., October i),
lSi;4, a son of Joel and Sallie (Curtiss)
Ivussell, The family trace their descent
from Scotland and the Uussells have
owned the Andover homestead for ten gen-
erations. Amos Russell received a <om-
mon school education and after leaving
school learned the machinist's trade. In
l.S.-)7 he came to West Springfield and en-
tered the employ of the I!. & A. railroad
in the locomotive shops and was with them
until 181H1. or until he retired from active
business life. In that year he purchased
his present home and has served his town
as assessor, overseer of the poor and select-
man. On August 21;. 1847. Mr. Russell
married Sarah A., daughter of Abel Moody,
who died July 20. ISTii. leaving two sons:
(Gilbert E.. engaged in the hardware busi-
ness in Holyoke. and Frank L.. in the gro-
cery business at Worcester.
Makixus. Thom.\s J., p. o. Merrick.
Mass.. was born in Westfield. Mass.. De-
cember 20. 1S08. a son of Samuel P. Mari-
nus and Louisa M.. daughter of Jason De-
wey, his wife. Samuel I*, was a native of
Jersey City. X. J., and a cabinet-maker by
trade : he was also engaged in the organ
manufacturing business, as well as con-
tracting and bviilding : he died in April.
ISOti. Thomas J, received his education in
the Westfield schools and Child's Business
College, gradviating from the latter in June.
1.S8S. In that year he came to Springfield
as a clerk in the D. & A. master mechanic's
oflice. which position he now btjlds. Sep-
tember l(i. 1.S1).'{. Mr. Marinas married Min-
nie A., daughter of George A. Snow, of Otis,
Mass. ; they have one son. Thomas J.,
and one daughter. Klsie L.
KuoWN, MvKiix L.. p. o. Chlcoi)ee. .Mass..
was born in Templeton. .Mass.. July 9. 1870.
a son of John M. and Charlotte (Chamber-
Iain) Rrown. and i'eceive<l a common school
education. Ills first business venture was
in raising cucumbers in a hothouse : in
1802 he came to West Springfield and pur-
chased his present property and erected a
hothouse : he is now the owner of three
and conducts the only strictly cucumber
hothouse in Hampden county. He has been
successful from the start and may well
feel proud of his undertaking. On Decem-
I)er 10. ISOl. .Mr. Itrown married Alice L..
daugliter of James S. Taylor, of Wakefield;
they have four children : Ralph M.. Ker-
th.i C.. .Marguerite, and Raymond.
I'HiLi^ips. II.\zKi,. was born at Feeding
Hills. Mass.. July :i. 181)7. a son of Simeon
a native of the same town and a prominent
farmer. Mr. I'hillips was educated in the
district schools of his town and after leav-
ing school went to Painesvllle. O.. to en-
gage in farming. He remained there two
years, then came to West Si)ringfield and
after twenty years purchased a farm and
made a specialty of tobacco raising. In
1866 he sold his property to the H. & A.
U. R. and the following spring purchased
an adjoining farm, where he resided the
rest of his life; he died December 28. ISOO.
In May. 1842. Mr. Phillips married Lucy,
daughter of William Smith, of West Spring-
field. Mass.. a prosperous fai-mer of his
day. To Mr. and .Mrs. I'hillips were born
two children : .■\bl)ie. who died November
."1. 1801. and Annie E.. who now resides
upon the home farm. .Mrs. I'hillips died
November ."i. ISOl.
Faikbanks. IiiA It., p. o. Springfield.
Mass.. was born in Wlnchesler. N. II.. Au-
gust .■>, 1822, a Sim of Zenas and Rellfa
(Rockwell) Fairbanks, of I'ltzwilliam. N.
II. He received a common school educa-
tion and in 184:{ entered as an apprentice
for a mechanic. In 18G3 he came to
Springfield and entered the employ of the
Wason car shops and was with them seven
years. He then bought the Spencer farm
and has since carried on a general garden-
ing and tobacco business and bears the
reputation of being one of the most suc-
cessful men in his business in Hampden
county. In 1847 Mr. Fairbanks married
Louisa, daughter of Archibald Wlllard. of
Worcester. .Mass.. who bore him eight chil-
dren, two of whom are living : (Jeorge. H.,
of Hartford, Conn., and Isabel, wife of
John Donolson. of West Springfield. .Mass.
SruiKwi:!,].. Wksi.kv W.. i>. o. Merrick,
Mass.. was born In Amherst. Mass.. May
2S. 18.->2. Ills father. Samuel A. Slock-
well, was horn In Hampshire county, Mnss.,
and through life was engaged as a black-
smith: he died June IS. ISIIU. He mar-
ried Lavlna A. Preston, who bore hlui three
children : Louisa A.. .Mnrlha .M.. and
Wesley W.. all now living. Wesley W.
Stockwell was educated at Amherst Col-
( 639 )
.l/77;.\7>/.Y
lege and after leaving college went to In 1862. and tlie defence of Washington In
Ureenland and South Shetland Islands. 18G4 : was also with Ben Butler on the Ap-
Ueturning after three .years he entered the pomattox Klver. In 1878 he came to West
blacksmith shop, learning the trade, which Siiringfield and bought a farm and since
he followed for eighteen years. On Febru- that time has been Identified among the
ary 4. 1888. he entered the employ of the prosperous farmers of his town. ilr. Kel-
B. & A. railroad as a brakeman and in 1893 logg married Clara, daughter of Timothy
was promoted to conductor and is still in White, of Agawam : they have five chil-
the employ of the company. In 1878 Mr. dren : Emma. Frederick II.. Nellie. Lillian
Stockwell m.'irrled Xettle X.. daughter of and Henry N.
Wallace Fuller, of Norwich. Conn.; they Knight, Milan B.. p. o. Merrick. Mass.,
have had three children : S. Austin, who was born In Keene. N. H., January 12,
Is located at Northampton. Mass.. as a 1845, a son of Thayer (a native of Ver-
stenographer with the N. Y.. N. H. & U. mont) and Clarissa (Aldrich) Knight, and
K. K. : Charles E., who died in infancy in was educated In the schools of his native
1880, and Frank W., who died in 1888. place. After leaving school lie was em-
K\r,i;, A\'ii.i,n5i M.iitvKv, p. o. West ployed on a farm for several years, in II-
Springlield. Mass.. was born in West llnois and New Hampshire, and In 1867 re-
Springfleld. Mass., April 27, 18.T7. a son of celved a position with the N. Y., N. H. &
Harvey Day and Clemina (.\shley) Bagg. H. K. R. as yard conductor, and in 1870
Tile family trace their descent back to ,Tohn came to West Springfield and is serving the
ISagg. who came from England In the early company in the same position, being one of
part of the sixteenth century- Harvey their trusted employes. Mr. Knight Is a
Day Bagg served as selectman, overseer of member of the West Springfield Baptist
the poor and assessor, holding the office church, being one of the deacons and has
longer than any other man In the town ; served in the finance committee several
he was special county commissioner in years; he is also a member of Hampden
1886. 1889. and re-elected In 1S92, which Lodge of Odd Fellows. Springfield. On
office he held up to the time of his death, .lune 18. 1870. Mr. Knight married Har-
Novembcr 14. 18915. William II. liagg was riet M.. daughter of John Hunter, of
educated in the West Springfield schools, Thompsonvllle. Conn.
Wilbraham and Nuffield academies, giadu- Hubbard, Horace H.. p. o. West Spring-
ating from the latter in 187.'). He then en- field. Mass., was born in Kutland, Mass.,
tcred Yale college, but was obliged to give .-Vugust 17, 1836, a son of Joseph and
up his college course on account of 111 Sarah (Putnam) Hubbard, and grandson
health. He engaged in fanning and makes of Joel Hubbard. Joseph Hubbard was
a specialty of dairying ; in 1886 he pur- also a native of Kutland. and died April 5,
chased a milk route in Springfield, and has 187."> : his widow died August 11, 1887.
peddled milk for twelve successive years. Horace H. received his education in the
never missing a trip. On September 2. schools of Kutland. and upon leaving
1882, Mr. Bagg married .\da L.. daughter schiml engaged In farming and in the milk
of Ueacon Franklin Smith, of West Spring- business. In 1S.")7 he came to Springfield
field ; they have had three children : Flor- and In 1863 to West Springfield, and since
ence L.. Raymond 11.. and Lucy .\1., who then has been running a milk route In
died at the age of fourteen months. Mr. Chlcopee. On May 13, 1862, Mr. Hubbard
r.agg was selectman from 1861 to 1862; married Harriet Newell, daughter of Sol-
also postmaster, omon .\shley. who trace their descent from
Ki:'-' <•• llK.NUV NULSo.N. p. o. West Robert Ashley, who came from England in
Springfield. Mass.. was born In Granby. IdCt) and settled In West Springfield, where
Conn.. March 10. 1842, a son of Wilson he was one of the largest land owners In
and Elizabeth (Adair) Kellogg, and was the Connecticut valley. Mr, and Mrs.
iMlucatcd in Suffleld. Conn, In 1861 Mr. Hubbard are the parents of seven children :
Kellogg Joined the 4th Connecticut Infan- Frank Henry, of Worcester: Louis Arthur,
try, which four months after was of West Springfield : Winthrop Lester, of
changed to heavy artillery. He was in the West Springfield: Flora Martina, wife of
siege of Yoiktown. McClellan's campaign Jesse Sheldon, of Hnlyoke ; Harry Ashley.
( 640 )
APPENDIX
Bessie May. wife of I-Mward O. Bagg, of
West Springfield, and (^aroline Miranda.
IjEdNAKD, Edwin, p. o. West Spring-
field. Mass.. was born in West Springfield
February 14, 1864. a son of Frederick
Lewis Leonard (deceased), and Lorinda S.
Cooley. his wife. Frederick L. Leonard
was a prominent farmer of his tow-n. serv-
ing as town clerk, treasurer and postmaster
for a number of years. Edwin Leonard
was educated in the public schools of West
Springtield. and his first business venture
was in the market garden business, in
partnership with his brother. W. S. Leon-
ard, in West Springfield. The business has
steadil.v grown until now it is one of the
largest in the town. They make a spe-
cialty of celery growing, as well as general
gardening. Through their courteous treat-
ment they have gained the confidence of
the people of Springfield and are highly
thought of.
B-\c;(:. R. M.iTHKH. p. o. West Springfield.
Mass.. was born in West Springfield. Mass..
December liO. 1844. the second son of Col.
Aaron Bagg. He has followed agricultural
pursuits on a farm near the old homestead
all his lite, with the exception of three
years, when in company with E. S. Batch-
elder he bought out the "Agricultural
Store" in Springfield and conducted it un-
der the firm name of Bagg & Batchelder.
About ISS.j Bagg made a specialty of the
milk business, working along scientific
lines, pasteurizeing milk and cream and de-
livering the same in glass bottles, which
was a decided innovation over the old
methods. He was the first to introduce
glass bottles. Owing to the presence of
tuberculosis in many herds, the preparing
of milk and cream by pasteurization proved
immensely popular, and the trade grew
without purchase until sixteen hundred
quarts daily were disposed of. In politics
Mr. Bagg has always been a Republican ;
he has been a deacon of the Park St,
I'hurcli for several years. I>ecember 20.
ISe.'i, Mr. Bagg married Mary Elizabeth
Bartholomew, who bore him eight children
as follows: lAiunt Htmt. born March l.">.
1867 : married Charles I). Duvall. October
:S0, IS!),";; they have one son, Edwin
Mather, born March 31, 18'.>". Itiifiiu
Mather, jr.. born April !!», 1S6!». married
Orace Sybell Raybold. April 8. 18'.l(! : their
children are .Mabi'l Kayliold. born February
18. ISOS. died August 11. 18'.i'.i: (iladys
Leoni. born April IL'. 1S'.)1). and Walter
Mather, born October 6. lltdO: Walter
Mather died .Tanuary 1!). 1!)0:>. Edward
Orcii. born June 27. 1872. married Besse
M. Hubbard October 26. 18(18; their chil-
dren are Rachel I-Hizabeth. born July 2.'>,
18!U1 ; Christine Newell, born October 14.
I'.IOO : Earnest Hubbard born November 18,
1!>()1. Elislia Aaron, born June i;i. 1874.
married Leila Clark June 23, 1897 ; their
children are Esther Vernette, born May 4.
1898. and Lucy Mather, born November 6.
1900. Frederick Parks, born December 7.
1877. married l-'lla A. Warriner December
7. 1899: they have one son. Clarence
Mather, born September 18, 1!)01. Maru
t<npliia, born January 12, 1880. Ida Eliz-
abeth, born March 28, 1883. Elsie Mabel,
born December 2."), 188:>.
SiLLiv-ix, Timothy J., p. o. Springfield.
Mass.. was born In West Springtield Jan-
uary 27. 1864. a son of Thomas .miuI Ellen
(Learyl Sullivan. Thomas Sullivan wa,s
a native of Ireland and came to America
in ]8.")0, settling In West Springfield. lie
was section foreman on the B. & A. R. R.
for forty-two years, and died April 11.
1898. Timothy J. Sullivan received a com-
mon school education, graduating from the
West Springfield High School In 1882. He
then entered the employ of the B. & A.
in the engineer's office, under the tutor-
ship of Charles E. Alger, of Springfield.
He was appointed assistant division road-
master in 188."i. and was promoted road-
master of the third division In 1893. which
position he is now holding : he bears the
name of having laid more rail In one day
than .-iny man In the Fnlted States; he has
full charge of everything pertaining to his
division, with the exception of the running
of trains. He has always ranked high In
his profession, and since his appointment
has stood first or second In the awarding
of prizes as regards the condition of roads
under his supervision. Mr. Sullivan was
elected water commissioner In 189S for n
term of three years, and re elected for three
.years In 1901, and although the only Dem-
ocrat. Is chairman of the board ; he Is also
one of the stockholders In the Cooperative
Bank. On June 7. I8S7. .Mr. Sullivan mar-
ried Minnie E.. daughter of Edward .Mur-
phy, of West Springfield; Ihey had seven
children: Thomas (died In Infjincyi. Tim
41-3
( 641 )
APPENDIX
otliy. Kllen. Mary. Agnes, Cecelia and abolishment of the school district system;
William. "'as influential In organizing the West
M.M'K. MiTH.VKL. p. o. West Springfleld. Springfield High School ; served six years
Mass.. was born in Wllbraham. Mass.. Sep- on the water board, and has been modera-
tcmber 10. 1801. a son of Michael Mack, tor of the town meetings many years. On
who came from Ireland in 1846. Mr. December 9. 18.".7. Mr. Smith married
Maclt was educated in the Wllbraham pub- Sarah L. Clark, of Easthampton. who bore
lie schools, and after leaving school en- him two children, and both of whom died
tercd the employ of the Hoston & Albany in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have an
railroad as baggage master at North Wil adopted daughter. Mrs. F. W. Smith, of
braliam. where he remained some time. Torrlnglon. Ct.
He next entered the employ of the Amer- Keeler, Ai^fked. p. o. Merrick, Mass.. was
lean Express Co. at Springfleld. Mass.. as born in Detroit. Mich.. February 10. 1832.
cierk. After severing his connection with His father. Joseph Keeler, was a native of
this company he purchased the bakery and I'ittsfield. Mass. : was a carpenter and
confectionei-j- business of G. C. Frassell. of builder through life, and died in June. 1884.
West Springfleld. and has since conducted His wife was Sarah A. Parish, a native of
a successful business. operating three the State of Ohio, who died in February,
stores and shops. Mr. Mack married Mar- 18S8. Alfred Keeler received his education
garet F.. daughter of Edward Kelley. of from the public schools in Pittstield. Mass..
West Springfield ; they have three children : and learned the carpenter's trade, which he
May. ICdward and Ualph. has always followed. He came to West
Provo.st, S.vmuel, p. o. Merrick. Mass.. Springfleld in 1895. Mr. Keeler is a mem-
was born in Grandby, Canada. June 22. her of Huntington Lodge. F. & A. M., and
18J.'i. a son of Teter and Zoa (Krunell) has had the honor of holding several Lm-
Provost. His father was a native of the portant offices. On April 23. 1878. he
same town and came to Hampden county married Georglana E.. daughter of E.
in 18(!.') : he died In 1872: his wife was Stacy Coombs, of liussell. Mass.; they have
born in Canada and died in 1898. at the two daughters: Gertrude M., a stenog-
age of eighty four. Samuel Provost re- rapher in the Washington Life Insurance
ceived his education in the schools of Can- Co.. of Springfield, and Clara B.
ada and came to this country with his pa- P.^ukeb. Delos R., p. o. Merrick. Mass.,
rents. Here he learned the carpenter's was born in Cuyler. Cortland county, N. Y.,
trade, and In 1872 engaged in his present March 16. 1833. a son of Roger and Mary
contracting and building business, having (Brezee) Parker. He was educated in the
a prosperous and growing business from common schools of his native place, and
the start. Mr. Provost Is a member of upon leaving school engaged with his
Tekoa Lodge of Odd Fellows, of West father in the boot manufacturing business.
Springfleld. being one of the trustees of the He was with him Ave years, and then was
lodge. On February 8. 187.">. he married employed by the B. cS: A. R. K. as brake-
Cellna Baker, of Mittineague ; they had man for two years. His next move was to
seven children, three of whom are now liv- Springfleld. where he acted in the capacity
Ing : Eddie. Emma, and Pearl. of fireman for the road until 1883. and was
Smith. Nokmax Tailor, p. o. West then placed in charge of an engine. One
Springfleld. .Mass.. was born In West of the remarkable coincidences in Mr.
Springfield. Mass.. January 31. 1833. Parker's life is. that he never saw a loco-
a son of Hervey and Sallie (Rogers) motive until he was seventeen years of
Smith, and was educated in the com- age: the first one he inspected was No. 71,
mon schools and a select school, and he had the pleasure of running that
Since leaving school Mr. Smith has engine before it was retired from service,
been engaged In farming, and at one Mr. Parker Is a member of Montacute
time was an extensive breeder of short- Lodge. F. & A. M., Worcester ; Somerset
horn cattle. At the age of twenty-two he Lodge of Odd Fellows, Chester, and Broth-
was elected road surveyor ; served on the erhood of Locomotive Engineers, Div. No.
school committee seven years, and was 63. Springfield. On July 9. 1878, Mr.
chairman of the board at the time of the Parker married Hattle. daughter of An-
( 642 )
APPENDIX
drew Crow, a native of Middlefleld. Mass. ;
live children were born of tliis marriage :
Lottie A. (died wlieu ten years of age),
Etliel May (died wlien eight months old).
Nina I., Edna A. and Wallace S. Mr.
Parker is now running a passenger train
from Springfield to Boston ; he is now and
has been since January. 1809, a director in
the West Springfield Co-operative Bank.
.loHxso.N. Albert N., p. o. Merrick,
Mass.. was born in Beruardston. Mass..
l)ecember 11. 1S39. a son of Levi Johnson,
a native of the same place, and Katherine
Mallory. his wife, a native of West North-
ville. Mass. Levi Johnson was a member
of the Vermont militia, a lumberman
through life, and died at the advanced age
of ninety-two years. Albert X. received a
common school education and was engaged
in the teaming business. February 3,
18(12. he enlisted in the Hist Mass. Infan-
try, which was the first regiment to land
in New Orleans, and served in the follow-
ing prominent battles ; Red River cam-
paign. Siege of Port Hudson, where they
were continually under fire for three
months : in August. 18G3, he was detached
to the draft rendezvous at Boston harbor,
and wliile there had chax'ge of a colored
detachment. He was discliarged in 18l»,'>-
Mr. Johnson is a member of the Mechanics
Knights of Malta. Springfield, and the
Pilgrim Fathers, and G. A. R. For the
l)ast twenty years he has been engaged in
the freight house of the B. & A. railroad
in Springfield. June 3. 18G7. Mr. Johnson
married Mary M.. daughter of Hollace A.
.Mallory. of Chicopee Falls; Ihey have one
.son living. Herbert Allen, now in the team-
ing business.
Miller. Homer B.. p. o. West Spring-
field. Mass.. was born on the Miller home-
stead, where he now resides. July 2i'>, 18,54,
a son of Horace S. and Emily (Bailey)
Miller. The Miller farm has been In the
hands of the Millers for seventy-five years,
having been first purchased by .\sa .Miller.
It contains fine large buildings and is a
credit to the town of West Springfield, as
well as to those who have for so many
years had the pleasure of developing It
until it now stands at the head of the
farms in Hampden county. Since the
death of his father .Mr. Miller has carried
.>n the farm. On October 3, 1.S78. Mr.
.Miller married Harriet J., daughter of
Jarvis Osborn ; they have one son. Fred.
H.
Si'A.NGLER, Rev. a. M., p. o. .Mittineague.
Mass.. began his ministry in .Mittineague
in December. 1887. while still a student in
Hartford Theological Seminary ; his pas-
torate is now the longest in the history ot
the church. Mr. Spangler is of German de-
scent and possesses the marked diaracter-
istics of his race. He was born in west-
ern Ohio in 1857 and educated in Oberlin
College, from which ho was graduated in
1885. During his college course he was
mainly self-supporting, working and leach-
ing in the public schools. His theological
training was received at Oberlin and Hart-
ford Theological Seminaries, graduating
from the latter in 1SS8 ; he came imme-
diately to Mittineague. where he is now
pastor of tlie Mittineague Congregational
Church. Mr. Spangler's father. Rev. Ellas
Spangler. was a farmer-preacher, taking up
the work of the ministry under the Ger-
man Reformed (^'hurch. in addition to the
successful conduct of his farm. At the
age of seventy-nine years he still resides
on the old homestead In western Ohio ; his
wife. Katherine Slayman Spangler. was a
woman of truest wisdom and devotion to
her home; she died in 1879. at the age of
fifty-seven years. Mr. Spangler as a
preacher is plain, scriptural and forceful ;
he never stoops to clap-trap methods or
sensational themes to attract the people,
but never falls to make the (Jospel. which
he was ordained to preach. Interesting and
helpful In his public address. He Is an
enthusiast on horticultural themes, and his
love of fiowers finds frequent expression
In his church work. He is an Interested
member, and was for some time president
of the Springfield Amateur Horticultural
Society, and Is a nieinl)er and director ot
the Hampden County Horticultural So-
ciety. IHs Interest and work are not con-
fined to his own church and community,
but he Is actively Interested In all that
concerns the town In which he lives. Id
1S'.)4 .Mr. Spangler married Lena .Margaret
.Norton, of Itochesler, X. V. Mrs. Spangler
Is a lineal descendant of the Nortons of
Guilford, Conn., ot which .Mr. W. H. H.
Murray so Interestingly writes; her father
was Edwin S. Norton, a wholesale fruit
and grain dealer. Mrs. Spangler was
graduated from Welle.tley Collcm- In 1881*.
( 043 )
APPENDIX
and \v:is a successful teaclier Un- a luim-
lier of years: at the time of her marriage
she was at the head of the normal de-
partment of the State Training School of
liochester. She brought to the ehurch in
Mlttlneague a cultured heart, as well as
a cultured mind, and has thrown herself
without reserve Into the work of the
ciiurch. and the result of her devotion is
seen in every department. A not-to-he-for-
gullen element of her strength lies In her
highly cultured and sympathetic voice.
Many a grateful heart in all Ihis section
hears glad witness to the power and
pathos with which she sings the (Jospel
which lier husband preaches. Mr. and
.Mi-s. Spangler have two children living:
.Margaret Norton. ag(>d five, and I'aui IM
win. aged two: one. Katlierine Slayman.
is deceased: so by actual experience tiiey
are enabled to enter into tlie lives of their
people by whom they are much loved and
re.spected.
\Vooi)w.\iiD. CH.iiii.KS MlLLEH. p. o. West
Sprlnglield. Mass.. was born in Westmore-
land. N. II.. January 0. l.S.'iG. son of Eze-
kiel and Sarah Harriet (Miller) Wood-
ward. Ills father was a railroad man of
some prominence, being the reconstructor
of the Little Miami railroad, where he laid
the first "T" rail west of the Alleghany
mountains, and Iniilt many later well-
known roads in the West. In ISil.") he
moved to West Springfield with his family
and purchased with his son the farms
known as the Whitney and Nathan Noble
farms: he diixl .luly 19. 18!).S. Charles M.
Woodwaril receivml his education in the
t'hlckering Institute and Cincinnati Iniver-
sity. gradimting from the latter in 1S79
as a civil engineer. He was first em-
ployed by the Cincinnati & Kastern Kali-
road on a preliminary survey, and in 1S80
was appointed purchasing agent and as-
sistant to the superintendent of the St.
I.ouis I'.rldge Company. In 18K:i he was
apimlnted assistant to the superintendent
of the Cincinnati. Ilamllton & Kayton
Kailroad : in ISS.'i purchasing agent of Cin-
cinnati Southern Uallway : In IS'.KI was
associated with his father in the private
real estate business: and In 1894 came to
West Springfield, with his father, where
he is now conducting a general farming
business, his farm being among the finest
In Ham|)den county. In 1899 .Mr. Wood-
ward was elwted a water commissioner of
the town. On .January 11. 1881, he mar-
ried Eliza, daughter of Joseph II. Rhodes,
of Cincinnati, superintendent of the Amer-
ican Express Company and a banker. To
them has been born one son. Charles Lyell
Woodward.
LodMis, IlE.NKv W.. ]). o. Merrick. Mass.,
was born on the Loomis homestead in West
Springfield. November 8. 1830, a son of
l'"redcrick Loomis and Charlotte, daughter
of Mathew Wilson, of West Springfield,
his wife. The family trace their genealogy
to four brothers, who came over from Eng-
land, two settling in Massachusetts. Henry
W. Loomis was educated in the public
schools of West Springfield, and after leav-
ing school learned the machinist's trade,
which be followed for forty-six years, re-
tiring in 189:5. Mr. Loomis engaged in a
screw manufacturing business in Southing-
ton. Conn., and was for the last ten years
before his retirement, superintendent of
said Institution. Mr. Loomis is a member
of Hampden Lodge of Odd Fellows. On
June 1. 18.j6. he married Maria M.. daugh-
ter of Richard tjibson. of Malone. N. Y. ;
they have one adopted daughter. Lottie.
C.vuHOLi.. J.vMKs M., p. o. Merrick. Mass..
was born in Caroline county, on the east-
ern shore of Maryland. October 7. 18G0. a
son of K. W. and Lucy A. (Messick) Car-
roll. Mr. Carroll received his education in
the schools of Maryland and entered btisi-
ness life in a machine shop at Wilmington.
I>el.. where he was employed for two years.
In Ai>ril. 18S7, he came to West Spring-
field and engaged in the grocery and meat
buslne.ss with Mr. A. U. Ketchum. which
they conducted successfully together until
August 1. 1900. Mr. Carroll then pur-
chased Mr. Ketchum's interest in the busi-
ness and is now conductin.g it alone. On
November :;,■>. 1889. he married (ieorgia M.
Tyrrell, of West Springfield, and they have
three daughters.
Hii.viai. SfMNKn A., p. o. Merrick. Mass..
was born at China. Kennebec county. Me..
November 2(). 1S'J7. a son of Ariel and
-Maiinda L. (Webber) Bragg. His mother
was a daughter of Joseph Webber, who
was appointed ensign of a company of the
Second Brigade I\v Samuel Adams in the
year 179,"i (.Mr. Bragg has the commission
of which he is very choice). He came to
.Massachusetts in 1849, entering the em-
( 644
AFI'EMJIX
plo.r of the Taunton & New Beclford Itail-
i-oad : In IS.".:; lie was on the Boston &
I'rovidenoe U:iilrond and the Back Bay ;
came to Springfield in 187:; in the employ
of the Boston & Albany Railroad as en-
gineer, until 18i»T. when lie retired: since
then he lias been a member of the Board
of Health : also a director of the Co-oper-
ative Banlt of West Springfield. On March
■22. ISTyJ, he married Sarah S.. daughter of
Nelson Paine, of Mansfield. Mass. To
them were born seven children, all de-
ceased except Edward 1'., of West Spring-
Held, and lieorge H.. of I'rovidence. R. I.
Mfun. J.VME.s W.. p. o. Merricl;. Mass..
was liorn in Springfield. Mass.. September
.1. 18.">ll. a son of Charles and Maria
U'owan I Mead. Charles Mead was a na-
tive of Taunton and came to Springfield
in the thirties and was employed as an
engineer on the old ^>'estern Railroad (now
the B. & A.), at that time there being only
seven engines on the road : he followed his
occupation as engineer until his death Ir
August. ISSil. James W. Mead was edu
cated in the Springfield and Worcester
schools. In 1873 he went on the railroad
as fireman, under his father, and in 1884
was given an engine : for the last year and
a half Mr. Mead has been running a pas-
senger train from Springfted to Albany. Mr.
.Mead is a member of UeSota Lodge of Odd
Fellows, and in 1876 joined the Brother-
hood of Locomotive Firemen. Bay State
Lodge of Worcester, No. 7.'i ; also the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers of
Springfield. Div. No. 113. On November 3,
18811. Mr. Mead married Jennie, daughter
of Jeremiah Donovan, of Worcester (he
served in the War of the Rebellion in the
loth Mass. Regiment, and was in the bat-
tles of Bull Run and Antietam). Mrs.
Mead now has in her possession a handker-
chief her father took from the pocket of
General rettlgrew; this handkerchief has
been on exhibition at the Antiquarian
rooms in Worcester. Mr. and Mrs. Mead
are the parents of three children : James
A., born October IT). 1881. a graduate of
the West Springfield High School, class of
■09. and is now in the Tlilrd National Bank
of Springfield ; Nellie .M.. liorn June tJ.
1884. now In ber junior year In the high
school : and (ieorge IL. who Is attending
the grammar school.
BnKC'KK-Niiiijin:, Srii.L.M.ix I'lc.x.xcis. p. o.
West Springfield. Mass.. was born In Otis.
Mass.. July 8. 184(1, a son of John Francis
and Julia L. (Foster) Breckenridge. In
1847 his father bouglit a farm in West
Becket and lived there ten years ; selling
his farm In 18.17. he moved to Chester.
Mass.. where he was assistant postmaster
for several years, and in 18i;'.) came to
West Springfield and bought a farm on the
IMper road, whicli he cai-ried on for twenty
years ; he then sold the farm and he and
his wife spent the remaining years of their
lives with their son, Stillman. He died
January 10. 18!i.'i. at the age of seventy,
having survived his wife only about two
years, she dying June "J."). I81111. Stillman.
F. was educated in the West liocket and
Chester schools and Westfield Academy, his
first teacher being Judge Bosworth. After
leaving school he entered the employ of
the B. & A. R. R. as brakeman. and after
a few years was made baggage master and
switchman at Washington. Mass; he fol-
lowed railroading for nearly twenty years,
and then moved to West Springfield on to
the farm with his father, and five years
later bought land and built the house he
now occupies. On October 'M. 18(i8. Mr.
Breckenridge married I'almyra E. Messen-
ger, daughter of Cyrus C, Messenger, of
Washington. Mass. Six children were born
of this marriage, four of whom died In In-
fancy, and two sons, (ieorge Milan and
Frank Ashley, who lived to be fifteen and
eighteen years respectively; George was
drowned December 4, 188'.).
RdOKiis. T.u.coTT A., p. o. Mittlneague.
Mass.. was born on the Rogers homestead
In West Springfield. Mass.. where he now
lives, four generations having owned and
conducted the farm, being originally pur-
chased In 17."i:i by Elijah Rogers. .Mr.
Rogers's father. Elijah Ely Rogers, mar-
ried F. Sarah, daughter of Talcott Alder-
nuin. of (iranby. Conn. Her grandfalher.
Gad Alderman, enlisted In the Continental
army at the age of fifteen years; also
served In the Revolutionary war. Talcott
A. Rogers received a cmnnion school edu-
cation, and upon the death of his father.
on January I". 18.'):i. assumed charge of
the home farm, where he has since lived
and condiuted a general and very prosper-
ous farming buslnitw. .Mr. Rogers enjoys
the confidi'nce of his iowhs|>e.iple an<l has
( 045 )
APrENPIX
held miiny piislllons of trust. lie servMl
lis a selectman of Ills town for ten yeais :
was a meml)ei- of the Ilnmpden County Ag-
ricultural Society and the Hampden Har-
vest Clnb. In istii; Mr. Iloceis married
Isabel -M.. daughter of Louis I.yman. of
West Held. Mass.
LvsAijHT. John J., p. o. Mlttlneague.
Mass.. was born In Springfield, August 18.
1868. and was educated In the public
schools. At the age of fifteen-^ he entered
the employ of the George \V. Armstrong
Co. at the old depot restaurant, working
nights. During spare time he learned
telegraphy, and in 1880 was sent to .Mit
tlneague as operator and baggagemaster in
the Boston & Albany Kailroad station ; in
March. 18.S7. he was transferred to tiie H.
& A. freight office In Springfield, under II.
C. Hamilton, and in ISS'.l was promote<I to
the general offlce under K. I. Sackelt. divis-
ion superintendent. In May. 18'.l'i. .Mr. Ly-
saght left the B. &. A. office and entered
the employ of the Connecllcut Hiver Kail-
r<»ad. under President .Tolin .Mulligan. He
has been in this offlce up to the present
time, and now holds the position of train
dispatcher In the general office, under W.
F. Kay. assistant superintendent. Always
Interested In town affairs. Mr. Lysaght in
1896 was elected chairman of the Demo-
cratic town committee of West Spring-
field, which office be has held till this year
when. f<)r business reasons, he was obliged
to resign : In 1889 he was elected a mem-
ber of the school committee for three years.
He was a oh:u-ter member of I'awcatuck
Tribe of Ked Men. and is now past sachem
of that order. While always Interested in
politics and the various societies. Mr. Ly-
saghi's hobby has been temperance work :
he is a charter member of the Father
Mathew Institute, an organization com-
posed of the most prominent Catholic
young men of Springfield : for the past
twelve years a member of the Sacred
Heart Temperance Society and a charter
member of the Mlttlneague Father Mathew.
.\t the annual diocesan convention held In
Ilolyoke in October. 1900. he was elected
vice-president of the Hampden (/ounty
Temperance I'nlon. and between that time
and .lanuary. 1901. had added two new-
societies to the roll: one In Thomdlke and
itne In Indian Orchard. In October. 1890.
Mr. I.ysagbt married Margaret C. SnIIlvan.
of .Mlttlneague. and since that time has
taken up his residence in that town, being
sexton of Thomas's Church and super-
intendent of the Sunday school.
I'UKLPS. Hexbv Solomon, p. o. Mlttln-
eague. Mass.. was born in Northampton.
Mass.. July .j. 18-50. a son of Soloman and
.\ancy I Leonard i Phelps, a grandson of
Capt. Julius Phelps, who took a company
to Boston in 1812. and great-grandson of
Capt. Samuel Phelps, who was at the head
of a company in the War of the Uevolution.
The swords carried by these captains are
still in the hands of the family. Soloman
Phelps died October l."i. 1884. Henry S.
Phelps was educated in the schools of
Northampton, and after leaving school en-
gaged in the farming and lumber business.
In 1879 Mr. Phelps came to West Spring-
Held and purchased the Benjamin Niles
farm, which he conducted for ten years.
He was appointed policeman in West
Springfield in 1.SS9. and in 1896 was ap-
pointed deputy sheriff by Colonel Ciark. Mr.
Phelps married Mrs. Julia Niles. widow of
(he late Benjamin F. Niles. of West
Springfield : they have three children : Fred
II.. Carrie L.. and Lewis W.
SiKES, Ethan Taylor, p. o. West Spring-
field. Mass.. was born on the Sikes home
stead in West Springfield. Mass.. Septem-
ber 1>4. 1841. a son of William and Louisa
(F.nsign) Slkes. The family trace their de-
scent from England, and were among the
early settlers in the New England States.
William Sikes. the father, was a carpenter
by trade and was a very skillful crafts-
man : he followed his trade in Springfield,
where he resided for some years. In lS.j"2
he purchased the property where Ethan
now lives. Ethan T. Sikes was educated
in the schools of West Springfield and
Westfield .\cademy. After leaving school
he engaged in farming, which he has al-
ways followed. In politics Mr. Sikes is a
Uepublican and cast his first vote for Abra-
ham Lincoln. In 1873 he married Harriet
T.. daughter of Simeon Emerson, of En-
field. Conn., who bore him two children :
William E. and Clara Louise.
Bacc. Edward Orf.n. p. o. West Spring-
Held, was born in West Springfield. Mass.,
June 27. 1872, a son of U. Mather Bagg.
He received his education from the West
Springfield High School and Amherst Ag-
ricuUural College. During his college
( 646
APPENDIX
course he was very active in base ball and a pi-osperous as well as an influential man
athletic sports of all kinds : also quite in his town, being selectman for a good
a musician. After leaving college he en- many years ; also assessor, and is now at
gaged in farming and milk business with the age of eighty-five collecting the taxes
his father in the Kiverdale Creamery, and for his town. He married Betsy D.. daugh-
has recently purchased his father's inter- ter of John Geer. of Washington, who bore
est and is conducting the business alone, him eight children, six now living: Maria.
He makes a specialty of pasteurizing milk Jane. Emery. William J.. Francis and Ada.
and cream, and is also an extensive fancy William J. Crosier was educated in the pub-
poultry breeder. He is a member of the lie schools of his native place and at the
I'ark Street Church and of its choir ; Sun- I'it'tsfield P.usines.s College. His first busi-
day evenings he sings at the First Congre- ness engagement was in the meat trade at
gational Church, of Springfield. On Oc- West Springfield, which he is still follow-
tober 26. 1898. Mr. Bagg married Bessie ing. and is one of the successful business
M.. daughter of Horace H. Hubbard, who men of his town. On May 20. 1879. Mr.
has borne him three children ; Rachel Crosier married Mary, daughter of Kobert
Elizabeth. Christine Newell, and Ernest Best i they had four children : Kuby F.
Hubbard. (who died when two years of age). Elsie
Briioks. Etiiax. p. o. West Springfield, M.. Florence E.. and Amy.
Mass.. was born on the Brooks homestead Chandler. Wilson B.. p. o. Merrick,
in West Springfield. Mass.. January 10, Mass.. was born at Windsor Locks. Conn..
18.32. His father. Jonathan Brooks, was August 31, 1864, a son of Lyman and
born in the same house, which Simon Louisa (Browning) Chandler. His father
Brooks built in 1787. Simon served in the was engaged through lite us a blacksmith
Revolutionary army and was at the sur- and carriage maker ; he died April 14.
render of General liurgoyne at Saratoga. 1890. His mother is still living with him
He died in 18.36. Jonathan Brooks mar- in West Springfield. Wilson B. Chandler
ried Angeline King, a lineal descendant of was educated at Windsor Locks and Wes-
Stephen Hopkins. Ethan Brooks was edu- leyan University. He began his business
cated in the common schools and at West- life assisting his father, with whom he was
field .\cademy. P'or a time he was engaged engaged until 1S89. He then entered the
in farming, then went to Holyoke and en- employ of the X. Y.. N. H. & H. Railroad
gaged in the paper business for a time ; he as a clerk, remaining with them until 189.5,
next went West and remained until 1861, then came to West Springfield and sue-
when he returned East and purchased the ceeded his uncle, A. W. Browning, in the
Kent farm where he now resides. In 18.36 drug business, his uncle having died sud-
Mr. Brooks married Hannah M., daughter denly, and he has since carried on a suc-
of Col. Aaron Bogg. Mr. Brooks has al- cessful business. On June 19. 1889. Mr.
ways been active in the welfare of his town. Chandler married Grace. daughter of
and in 1S91 served in the Legislature: has James Sadler, of Windsor Locks. Conn,
served as president, vice-president, and sec- Bkown, Harry L.. p. o. West Spring-
retary of the Hampden Agricultural So- field. Mass.. was born in Collinsville. Conn.,
ciety": also as member of the State Board July 29. 1867. His father, Lafayette G.
of Agriculture : was appointed by Gov- Brown, was born in Rumney, N. H.. April
ernors Greenhalge and Wolcott a delegate 23. 1828. and for fourteen years was iden-
to the Farmers' Xati(mal Congress, and by tifled with the Collins Company, of Col-
the Board of Agriculture to the convention linsville. Conn., as a steel maker. He was
at Colorado Springs in 1900. the first man to make a cast steel plow in
Crosier. William J., p. o. Mittineague. America, that is. a plow cast in a mould.
Mass.. was born in Washington. Mass.. July and was the first in the world as well as
4. 18."i2. His father. Charles Crosier, was in America, as the Collins Company ob-
a native of Peru, born February 29, 1816, talned a patent lor this plow; all plows
and went to Washington In 1840. He previously were made of sheet steel or cast
was engaged in fanning and lumber busi- iron. He is still living in Simsbury. Conn.,
ness. furnishing wood for the B. &. A. be- im his farm: his wife was Caroline White
fore <oal was brought into use. lie was I born in Wardsborough. Vt.. January 27,
( 647 )
APPENDIX
1831). who died in August. i;iiiii. Iliiiiy
L. I!ri)\vn was cducnted in the school.s of
Slmsbury and .Sim.sbury Acadeiuy. from
whiih he was Kiadnated In 18.'<7. He was
en(,'ai;ed In several lines of business up to
the time of his appointment. In 1S!P1. to
the I'nlted States mail service, lie came
to Hampden county In 1S!)() and now re-
sides in West Springfield. Mass. Mr. Itrown
Is an active worker In the First Congre-
gational Church and (or a year was pres-
ident of the Christian Kndeavor Society.
lie married .losle Myers, of Simsbury.
Conn.
I'lN-SKV. A.M)tir:w. p. o. Palmer. .Mass..
was born In Stafford Hollow. Conn..
March -3). IS.i.'J. a son of Rufus U. ana
l>ollle Llohnson) I'inney. Kufus (i. was
a native of Stafford and was State comp-
troller for four years, being elected in
IS'ili. He was also interested in the
manufacturing business and was the first
station agent at Stafford Springs. Mrs.
rinneys father served a.s high sheriff of
Tolland county and hanged the only man
that was ever hanged in that county for
the murder of his wife. Itufus C died
in ISCii and his widow in ISTC. Andrew
I'inney was educated in the schools of his
town and the first position he held was as
station agent at Stafford. In IS.')4 he
moved to Waterbury. Conn., where he was
freight agent for a year, then returned to
Stafford and filled the position again as
ageni for one year and at North London
for two years. In ISOO he came to
Palmer, as agent for the North London
road, which position he held eleven years,
and since that time he has been super-
intendent of the Palmer Carpet Co. Mr.
I'inney Is a member of Thomas Lodge and
Koyal Arch Masons.
Fii.i.Moiii:. \Vii.i..4RD F.. p. o. Three
Klvers. Mass.. was born In Uockland. Me..
October liS. ixril. a son of Silas Fillmore,
a native of New Brunswick and a ship
carpenter, and Charlotte Sterling, his wife.
\\"ill.-ird F. was educated In the schools of
New Ifrunswlck and after leaving school
engaged in the teaming business. In 1884
he came to Tborndike and was employed
by the Thorndike Co. for three and a half
years: he was also with the Palmer mill
as overseer three years, when he started
his present wood, coal and grain business.
Mr. Fillmore Is a member of the Odd Fel-
lows and has served on the Uepubllcan
town committee for Ave years. On Feb-
ruary TA. 1S8S. Mr. Fillmore married Ada
i;. Clark, a native of Thorndike. Mass.:
they have three children : Kdith A.. Maude
.1.. and .May L.
PiKiiiK. Ki>wi.\ K.. p. o. Palmer. Mass..
was born in Westminster. Vt.. November
2. 18.">0. a son of Nathan G. and Koxana
Pierce. Nathan (J. was prominent In
town affairs, holding all the offices In the
gift of the town : was Justice of the peace
twenty-one years and represented his dis-
trict In the Senate and House of Kepre-
sentatives two years. Kdwin It. was edu-
cated in the scIkkjIs of his town and In
1871 moved to Holyoke and a few years
later was made a member of the city
council for the Third ward. Mr. Pierce
lias been interested in several kinds of
business : was manager ot the Ilaynes
Hotel for one year: the American House
in Springfield two years, and in ]8!)0 pur-
chased the Converse House of I'almer.
which he has since conducted. On Decem-
ber 121. 1874. Mr. I'lerce married Klizabeth
A. Hutchinson, of Burlington. Vt. Mr.
Pierce is a member of Koswell Lee Lodge
of .Masons. Springfield Commandery of
Springfield. Hampden Chapter and Wash-
ington Council of Palmer. Connecticut Val-
ley Lodge Knights of Pythias of Holyoke.
and several clubs in Springfield and
Palmer.
IUrtlett. Lkox (;.. p. o. Thorndike.
Mass.. was born in Palmer. July U6. 1869.
a son of Myron and Viola M. ((Jatesi Bart-
lett. and was educated in the schools of
his town, graduating from the high school
In 1889. After leaving school he taught
for one term and since then has been en-
gaged in farming. On May 27,. 189:J. Mr.
Bartlett married Ilattie F.. daughter of
Ueuben K. Aldrlch. of Enfield. Ma.ss. : they
have two sons. Kaymond A., and lialph (i.
Sh.vw. W.m.tku L.. p. o. Palmer. .Mass..
was born In Broi>kHeld. Mass.. September
H*. 18."". a son of Oaniei Shaw, a native
of Stafford Springs. and Katherine
Mitchell, his wife, a native of New Brain-
tree. Mass. He was educated In the
schools of his town and was graduated
from the Brwjkfield High School In .lune,
1874. His first position was with the
B. *: A. U. I!., beginning at the bottom and
working up to head clerk. In 1880 he
( 648
APPENDIX
came to I'almer and in JIarch. 189',). was
appoiuted postmaster, which position he
now holds. Mr. Shaw is a member of
Thomas Lodge of .Masons. Koyal Arcanum
and the Tniversalist church. In August.
1S8IJ. he married Elvira Horden. <>£ I'am-
bridge. JIass. : they have two daughters:
Alice K. and I'earl V.
AvEitY, Akthib D.. p. o. Montgomery,
Mass.. was born in the town of Montgom-
ery. August 9. 18(55. a son of Rowland D.
and .Nancy J. (Ballou) Avery, who had six
children as follows: Albert (deceased).
Nellie ¥.. Arthur 1).. Mary IC. Alice .M. and
Myron I!. Arthur 1). spent his early life
in the town of Montgomery, where he re-
ceived a common school education. He
was associated with his father until IStll.
when he purchased the farm where he now
resides and makes a specialty of dairying.
August IP. lS8(i. Mr. .\very married Mary
E., daughter of Chauncey and Miranda
iColburnI I'atterson. Three children
have been born of this marriage; Mabel
M.. Albert \V. and Lillian M. Mr. Avery
is active in town and county affairs and
served as selectman of his town from ISO,")
to iniU and at the present time is tilling
the otfice of town clerk. He is a mem-
ber of Montgomery Grange Xo. 45 and has
served as chaplain of the grange.
MudKE. MiTHAKL F.. p. o. Monson. Mass.,
was born in Stafford. Conn.. August 9.
1SB7, a son of Michael and Mary (Daly)
Jloore, Michael came to America in 1855
and settled in Stafford ; he is now living
in Monson. Michael F. attended the
common schools and academy and at
twelve commenced work on the quarry of
W. N, Flynt & Co. He took a position
in the otlice at the age of fourteen and has
been there ever since, having had the
general management of the works during
the past fifteen years,
Heklihy. Joh.n I'., p. o. Monson. Mass.,
was born in Monson, Mass., May 20. 185G,
a son of John I*. Herliliy. a native of Ire-
land, who came to America in 1848 and
died in 1898, and Elizalietb Sullivan, his
wife, also a native of Ireland and who died
in 1SG8, .lohn I', was educated in tlie
schools of his town and at Monson Acad-
emy, and has served as postmaster for
over four years ; he has served as moder-
ator in the town meetings and as assessor
for six years. -Mr. llerllhy w.-is married in
April, 189S. to Alice M„ daughter of Ed-
ward and Alice Hanley Cant well. They
have one son. (xeorge ^^
iHoroHTON. WiLT.HM WALmE, p, o. Feed-
ing Hills, -Mass., was born in Maryland,
Otsego county, N. Y.. March 3. 1842. IJe
married Harriet L.. daughter of Flower
Leonard, who bore him two children :
Leonard, a blacksmith in Feeding Hills,
and Lai.ira, who died at two years of age.
Flower Leonard was a son of Rufus Leon-
,ard, a grandson of Uussell Leonard, and
great-grandson of John Leonard. The
family trace their descent from ancestors
at Monmouthshire. England. John and
Benjamin Leonard settled in Agawam in
173(1. Henry and James Leonard settled
in Taunton, and there started one of the
first iron foundrys in the country. The
rest of the family, with the exceiJtion of
John Leonard, who was a physician, were
farmers. Flower Leonard died in 1880.
Belde.v. ADELnEKT R.. p. o. Feeding
Hills. Mass.. was born in Granville. Mass,,
December 1-. 1852, a son of Alonzo E, and
Lydia M, (Barnes) Belden, both deceased,
Adelbert obtained his education in the
schools of Westfield, in which town his
parents were residents for many years.
Upon leaving school he began work on a
farm. He came to Feeding Hills in 1897
and purchased his present farm. On
October (». 1873. he married Emeline Mil-
ler, of Southampton. Mass.. who bore liim
three children : Leila. Alice and Edna
Belden.
N'.\so.N. L. IIuMEii. p. o. .\gawam. Mass..
was born in South Berwick. Maine. April
C, 1847, a son of Frederick and Abigail
( Emery ) Nason, Frederick Xason came
to Springfield in lS(il. and died March 1.
1885, His widow now lives in that city,
L. Homer Xason was educated in Haver-
hill and Springfield. after which he
engaged in farming. In 1894 he came to
Agawam and purchased his present place,
where he makes a specialty of boarding
horses in connection with farming. He
had charge of the Chester W. Chapiu far-m
in Chicopee for eight years. On June 1,
1881. he married Ella S., daughter of John
L, Watrous, of Waterford, Conn. Mr.
Watrous served as selectman of his town
for several years : was representative in
the legislature, and also was .iudge of the
l)rob;ite court.
( 649 )
APPENDIX
Cavaxaugh. William U.. p. o. llonson.
Mass., was born lu Buckspoit. Me., Octo-
ber 20, 1S.">!). a son of Thomas Cavanau;;!!.
a native of Ireland, who settled in Massa-
chusetts in 1S4<>. and Uridgel Fay. his
wife, also a native of Ireland. William
was educated in tiie schools of Itiddeford,
Me., and Indian Orchard. Mass. After
leavini; scliool he came to Mouson and was
employed by W. X. Flynl. In 1889 he
was enj?aged by Ileiman Lechten as stock
man. and in 18'.i!) was made general super-
intendent of the plant. On November 4,
1880, Mr. Cavanaugh married Mary D..
daughter of Dennis OGrady. They have
one daughter. Margueritte Clare Cava-
naugh.
Taylor. U. .Matiikr. Feeding Illlls. Mass..
was born in Feeding Hills, August 8, 18.57,
a son of John (a native of Suffield. Conn.)
and Eliza .1. ( Mather) Taylor, and a lineal
descendant of Uev. Uichard Mather, who
came from Kngland in 16;!."i. The Taylors
were among the early settlers of Suffield.
R. Mather Taylor was educated in the
schools of his town. lielair institute of
Brattleboro. and Sheffield Literary institute.
Upon leaving school he engaged in farm-
ing, which ocupation he has since fol-
lowed, lie has .served his town on the
board of registrars, and in 189G was elect-
ed selectman, overseer of the poor and as-
sessor, holding those oflices unlil l!)(t(). On
December 7. 1.S81. Mr. Taylor married
Mary L. Wright, daughter of Charles C.
Wright of Feeding Hills. Three children
have been born of tliis marriage : I,ouise
M.. Arthur W. and Jannette E. Taylor.
Freei^xd. .Tou.n G.. p. o. Feeding Hills.
Mass.. was born in the town of .\gawam.
June 2. 183,'5, a son of Jonathan W. (a
native of Ulandford) and Julia A. (Gibbs)
Freeland. Jonathan W. Freeland came to
Agawam with his father. William, in 1824,
when the latter purchased the farm now
owned by John Sullivan. John G. Free-
land was e<]ucaled in the common and se-
lect schools, and purchased his present
farm In 18(!C.. On June SO. 18.T.I. he mar-
ried Antoinette M.. daughter of George I>.
Taylor of Feeding Hills. They have one
daughter. Marietta H.. who is critic in the
Newark. N. J.. Normal school.
RoniNSON. Franklin A. p. o. West Gran-
ville. Mass. Among the first settlers In
the town of Granville was ('apt. Dan Uoh
inson, who came with his family and set-
tled near where Franklin A. Uoblnson now
lives, taking up about 800 acres of land.
Capt. Uoblnson was a descendant of
Thomas il) and Mary Uoblnson. of Hart-
ford. Conn., who lived in that city in 1640.
and in Guilford in lfUj4. They were mar-
ried about 1050. Thomas died in Hartford
in 1089. and Mary In Guilford on July 27,
1668. They had seven children, three
sons and four daughters. David (2). one
of the sons, married Abigail Kerby,
daughter of John Kerby, of Middletown.
Conn. David Robinson, jr. (3). born
1694. married Rebecca Miller, of Middle-
town. They had thirteen children, nine
sons and four daughters. He died in 1780.
Capt. Dan Robinson (4). son of David, jr.,
and Itebecca (Miller) Robinson, was born
May 16. 172,'> and married Abigail Curtiss,
about 1750. They removed from Durham
to Granville and were among the pioneers
of the town. Dan Robinson, jr. (5). son
of Capt. Robinson, was born in 1758. and
married Betsey Coudry. of Hartland. They
had nine children, three sons and six
daughters. (.'hauncey Robinson (6 1 son
of Dan. jr.. was born June 19. 1795 ; mar-
ried April 19. 1820. Tolly Hubbard (born
April i:i. 1794 1. daughter of Titus and
Rachel I Millen Hubbard. (Titus Hub-
bard served in the revolutionary war and
his son Alanson was colonel of a cavalry
regiment of the state militia). Chauncey
Robinson served in t*aptain Marvin's com-
pany in the war of 1812-15. and died Janu-
ary 31. 1875. His wife Polly died March
1. 1882. They had two sons. Henry C.
and Franklin A. Robinson (7). Henry C.
liohinson was horn January .SO, 1821 ;
married March 22, 1847, Elizabeth N. Rich-
ards (born Jan. 31. 1822. died Jan., 1894)
of lilandford. They had three daughters :
Mary, wife of Charles D. Treat (they have
one son. Charles H. ) : Eaura. wife of the
late (Jilbort Miller (Mr. Miller died, leav-
ing three sons. Henry. Milo B. and Frank-
lin .\. Miller) : Sarah, wife of John I'heion
I Mr. and Mrs. Phelon have four children,
John. I'earl. Lucy and Susa Phelon).
Franklin A. Robinson was born November
3. 1S31. and was educated in the public
schools of Granville, and also in Williston
seminary at Easthampton. T'pon the
death of his father in 1875. he came Into
jiossession of the homestead property. The
( 650 )
APPENDIX
farm huilclings thereon were burned in
1860, and were replaced with new ones.
He has served as assessor and as selectman.
On July 1''. IS.'iT. he married Marietta
Richard's I born Aiiril J. 18:20), by whom
he had one daughter. Celia. born March 7.
1860. died February 12. lS6.j. Mrs. Kob-
inson died .March 24. ISO.").
Foitw.iUD.. Joseph Mortux. jr.. i). o.
Southwiek. Mass.. was born in the village
of Southwick January 6. 1821. a son of
Joseph M. and Fannie (Moore) Forward,
and one of their six children (Homer M..
Maria Louisa, wife of Burrage Butler;
Joseph M.. jr.. Mary R., .\ndrew Jackson.
and Fannie E.. wife of Hinsdale Smith).
Joseph M. Forward, the father, at one time
was engaged in general mercantile business
in Southwick. and in later life was a manu-
facturer of powder, which he sold in large
quantities throughout the states of Massa-
chusetts. Connecticut, New Hampshire,
Vermont, Maine and New York. His last
days were passed in retirement on the
farm where Joseph M. and Andrew J. For-
ward now reside. Joseph M. Forward, jr..
was associated in business with his father
until 1840. when he started in life for him-
self as a clerk in the employ of J. G.
Chase & Co.. of Springfield. Here he re-
mained ten years, but in 1850 came to
Southwick. where he and his brother.
Homer M.. engaged in the dry goods and
grocery business. In IHm Joseph went
to Cannon Falls. Minn., where he was in-
terested in the real estate business, but he
returned to Southwick about 1860. and
since that time has been interested with
his brother Andrew in tobacco growing and
dealing, together with general farming. He
also has been interested in local affairs and
served as town clerk many years.
W.1RKINER, H. Edsox. p. 0. Merrick,
Mass.. was born in West Lebanon. N. H.,
May 13. 1856. a son of David L. and So-
phia T. (Oilman I Warriner. His father
was a native of Vershire. Vt., and by occu-
pation was an engineer. In 1ST3 he came
to West Springfield and was employed as
engineer on the B. & A. railroad. He re-
mained with the comi)any nine years and
then pui-chased of S. A. Howe a store in
West Springfield, which he conducted for
ten years. H. Edson Warriner was edu-
cated in the schools of While River Junc-
tion. Vt.. and Portage, Wis. In 1875 he
went ou the railroad as fireman, and seven
and one-half years later was advanced to
the charge of an engine. He is now run-
ning cm the Trap Uock road. Mr. Warri-
ner Is a member of the Hampden lodge. I.
(). (). F.. and also of Div. No. 63. Brother-
hood of Locomotive Engineers. On March
3. 1886. he married Annis E„ daughter of
Oliver Bartlett of Springfield.
F.IRXSWORTH, CHARLES DEL.iXO. p. O.
Merrick. Mass.. was born in Williamsburg,
Mass.. July 16. 1852. His father. Rich-
ard I'. Farnsworth, was born at Con-
way. Mass.. and was educated in the
common schools. He learned the carpen-
ter's, wood turner's and molder's trades,
which he followed through life. He mar-
ried Nancy, daughter of John Terry, of
Williamsburg. Charles 1>. Farnsworth
was educated in the common schools of
Williamsburg, and after completing his
course he was bound out to Oliver Smith-
will and served as apprentice until he be-
came of age. He then engaged in the
meat business in Williamsburg, which he
carried on for three years. He next en-
gaged in farming and lumbering for eleven
ye.ars. In 1888 he came to Agawam to
engage in the milk business, and so con-
tinued for three years. Then, in company
with J. T, Stockwell, he bought the coal
business formerly carried on by L, V. B,
Cook, and established the firm of Stockwell
& Farnsworth. a partnership which for the
next four years was well known in business
circles. In 1896 Mr. Farnsworth bought
out his partner and has since carried on
the business alone. In 1808 he was elect-
ed selectman and still serves in that capac-
ity. He always has found time for social
and fraternal enjoyments and is a member
of Morning Sun lodge. F. & A. M.. of Con-
way. Mass. ; a member of Merrick lodge,
A O. V. Vf.. and Is first sachem of Pawca-
tuck tribe. I. O. R. M. On May 3. 1883.
Mr. Farnsworth married Carrie A., daugh-
ter of Jonathan T. Stockwell. They have
three children ; Nina Elizabeth. Uiley
Stockwell and Ralph Bennett Farnsworth.
Demond. Arthur II.. p. o. Mittlneague.
Mass., was born in West Springfield,
January 3, 1866. His father. Theo-
dore Demond. was a native of Rutland.
Mass.. and came to Mittlneague over forty
years ago. Very soon after coming here
lie engaged in teaming, and coal and
( 651 )
AJ'PENDIX
wood deiiliii);. which business he conducted
successfully fm- twenty-live years. lie Is
now superintendent of the streets. Arthur
11. Deniond was educated In the West
SprlUKlleld public schools and In the Steb-
bins collegiate institute. His first ven-
ture was In the paper business, which he
followed for twelve years, being superin-
tendent of the .Mittineag\ip mill for three
and one-half years. In l.S'.IT he again en-
gaged In the coal, wood and teaming busi-
ness in .Mittineague. which he is still con-
ducting with gratifying success. On No-
vember .'{(). ]8i)3. Mr. Demond married
Helen L. Kglnton (daughter of Donald W.
Kglnton. of Westfield). by whom he has
one son. Arthur K. Demond.
IUvKs. J.\.\ii:s I'li.WK. p. o. West Spring-
Held. Mass.. was born in West Spring-
field. May 1. 184S. a .son of Aaron L.. and
Adeline .Mary ( Kaston ) Hayes. He was
educated in the public schools, and was
graduated from tlie State Normal school at
Westeld in 1809. Mr. Hayes taught scliool
two years. until his health failed,
and he was obliged to seek out-door
employment. About this time he pur-
chased the home farm, which lie con-
ducted until lSlt2. and then pur-
chased his present farm. Mr. Hayes
married .Mary !•". I'helps. by whom he has
one .son. Charles K. Hayes, born September
11. ISSci. Mr. Hayes Is a member of the
l:iaptlst church in Chlcopee. and served as
selectman from 1880 to ISill.
Gums. LocEno J.vckso.n. M. D.. p. o.
Chlcopee Falls. Mass.. son of John and
Lucy (.lackson) Gibbs. was born in Wash-
ington. Knox Co.. Maine. July 1(!. 1844.
His maternal grandmother was Mary
Holmes Dingiey. of the same family from
which Congressman DIngley is descended.
Dr. i;ibt)s' early life was spent at home on
his father's farm, where he attended tlie
public schools, which then consisted of
two terms of eight weeks each year. On
October 8. 1801. at the age of 17 years, he
enlisted in the 11th Maine Infantry regi-
ment, then forming, and in November was
sent to the front. After a severe attack
of tyi>ho!d pnetinumla he was discharged
for disability, after serving nine months.
On August 24. ISO'.', having recovered his
health, he enlisted In the 8th Maine In-
fantry and served until six months after
the close of the war. a period of nearly
four years in all. He participated in
many of the princi|>al battles of the war.
especially in the engagements about Peters-
burg, and was present at the final surren-
der of General Lee at Appomattox Court
House. He was severely wounded on
June 4. 1S04. at Cold Harbor, by a sharp-
shooter's bullet, and still suffers from the
efre<*ls of it. He was twice promoted for
meritorious service.
At the close of the war Dr. Gibbs re-
turned to his native state and resumed his
studies, graduating from Westbrook semi-
nary. After a short period of teaching
he commenced the study of medicine with
Dr. llenj. Williams, of Uockland. Me., .who
liad served as surgeon of the regiment of
wiiich l>r. (ribbs was a member. He at-
tended medical lectures In the I'niversity
of .Michigan and Dartmouth Medical col-
lege, graduating from the latter at the
head of his class, in 1874. Later on he
took post-graduate courses at the College
of riiysicians and Surgeons and the Poly-
clinic. New York. He began practice in
lapping. N. II.. where he lived six years
and came thence in 1881 to Chlcopee, where
he has since practiced. Dr. Gibbs is a
member and ex-president of the Hastern
Hampden and Hampden District Medical
societies, a fellow of the Mas.sachusetts
Medical society, and a member of the
American Medical association. He has
prepared and read numerous instructive pa-
pers on medical topics. Dr. Gibbs has
served his town and city in various capac-
ities, as member of tlie school committee in
1S8:{..". member of the board of selectmen
in ISSO and 87. and president of the first
board of health of the city in lSIOO-2. In
ISilO he was elected alderman at large, and
was re-elected In 1001. serving in all four
years, and two years as president of the
board. In 1870 Dr. Gibbs married Cora
llelie .McClench (daughter of Joseph I', and
Marlon Johnson McClench. of Chlcopee),
who died in 188:i. They had one son.
Joseph Omar Gibbs. who died in IS'.MI. In
ISso he married Belle K.. daughter of
Strong and Sarah (Ingalls) Chapln, of
Chlcopee Falls. Dr. Gibbs is a Mason, an
Odd Fellow, a comrade in the G. A. R.. and
also a member of other fraternal organiza-
tions.
M.viicv. D.vviD Err.ENE. p. o. Palmer.
Mass.. was born in Palmer. July 11. 1871.
( 652 )
APPENDIX
11 son ot Oscai' (_". (n native of Holland SijringHeld in 18M1! and 1S03. and is now
Mass.) and a giandson ot Uriah 1'. Marci . chairman of the board of selectmen of
In 1871 Oscar Marcy came to I'almer aud Longmeadow. On June 2. 1S69. he mar-
soon afterward purchased the Walnut street ried t'orinne Harris. Three children were
stable, the same now conducted by his son born to them : Edith Clement, wife of
David Marcy.
Oscar (_'. Marcy married Franlilin Weston, of Dalton : Edward liar-
Sarah V. Patton. of Stafford, who died in ris. of San Francisco. Cal., and Maude I'or-
1871. He died in January, 1901. David ter Brewer.
Marcy was educated in the I'almer schools
and afterward was identified with his
WuBSTEU. Harry Gilmork. p. o. Long-
meadow. Mass.. was born in Alstead. X. H.,
father in the livery business, of which he November 2."i, 1868, son of Granville ('. and
Sarah G. ( Glover 1 Webster. He was edu-
cated in the public schools of his native
town, and in 18!)0 came to Springfield, and
was employed by William H. Dexter in the
real estate business. On August 3, 1898,
he opened his own office in the court square
is now proprietor. On October 16. 189.J,
Mr. Marcy married Elsie A. Lewis, of Mon-
son. They have two children. Lewis E.
and Sibyl L. Marcy.
Fuller. Chablios E.. p. o. Palmer. Mass.,
was born in Wallingford, Vt., July 17.
1850, a son of William S, and Abigail theatre building, and in 19(10 located his
(Twitchelll Fuller. He learned the residence in Longmeadow. Mr. Webster
woolen business and afterward was engaged was elected a selectman ot his town in
in a woolen mill in Holyoke four years. March. 1901. He is a member of
then in North Monson nine years, and then Springfield lodge. F. & A. M. ; Springfield
back to Holyolie for two years. In 1883 commandery. K. T.. and of the First Con-
he came to Palmer and started the present gregational church. On February 14.
mill as partner in the firm of J. S. Holden 1900, he married Marie I. Heebe. daughter
& Co. In 1892 Mr. Holden sold his inter- ot Walton and Elizabeth A. Beebe. of New
est to -Mr. Fuller and H. P. Holden. York city. They have one son. Donald
upon which the firm name became Holden Gilmore Webster, born April 16. 1901.
A; Fuller. The firm manufactures novelty I'ease, Mervi.x H.. p. o. East Long-
specialties, dress goods and cloakings. Mr. meadow, Mass.. was born in East Long-
Fuller is a member ot the Thomas lodge, meadow, January 22. 1860. son of Mervin
F. & A. M. : a charter member of the II. and Uuby S. (Brace) Pease, grandson
Palmer lodge. No. 190. I. O. O. F. ; a char- of Calvin I'ease la native of Enfield, Conn.),
ter member of the Royal Arcanum, and also and great-grandson of Isaac Pease. The
of the Knights of Malta lodges. He has ancestor ot the family in America was Uob-
been married three times, first, to Mary ert I'ease, who came from England in 1634
Goodard, who died after two years : second, and settled in Salem. Mass. Mervin H.
to Ada Sanderson, who died, leaving one Pease was educated in the schools ot his
daughter, Mignon E. : and third, to Geor- native town and in Wesleyau academy. He
afterward learned the shoemaker's trade,
and In 1884 came to the family homestead,
where he has since resided. Mr. Pease
Is a member of East Longmeadow grange,
having served as its master for two years.
On January 1. 18S3. he married Carrie J.,
giana Edgerton, by whom he has two chil-
dren. Charles E.. Jr.. and Madeleine Fuller.
Brewer. Edward S.. p. o. Longmeadow,
Mass.. was born in Springfield. June 13.
1816. son of James I), and Sarah P.
(daughter of Solomon Porter) Brewer.
family is descended from Daniel daughter of Charles F. Ilunn. They have
The
N>>Nv Loudon,
Uoxhury, in
edu-
Edlth
and Harold M,
Brewer, who came from
England, and settled ii
1632. Edward S. Brewer wa
cated in the public schools of Spring-
field and St. Paul's school. Concord, N. H.
After leaving school he engaged in the
hardware business with his father and re-
tired from that in 1873. He then engaged
in farming, which he has since followed.
He was a member of the legislalure from meadow in the employ of Norcross Bros
two children :
I 'ease.
DiRA.NTAVE, David Dela, p. o. East
Longmeadow. Mass.. was born in Canada.
March 17. IH.'i^. a son ot Joseph G. and
Emily (Seguln) Dela Durantaye. and was
edu<ated In Montreal. He learned stone
<'uttlng. which occupation he has since fol-
lowed, and In 18.S0 he came to lOast Long-
( 653 )
APPENDIX
as foil-mail. Ill ISIKP lie eiigiiKeil '» I'is
present quarryini; business under the lirm
mime of Diiraiilaye & Kankln : tbey iiuany
all kinds of granite, free and iiino stone.
Mr. Imrantaye is a member of tlie Knijilits
of Columbus. L'orcsters of America, tlie
SprinRlieid B. 1'. O. Kiks. No. .">61. also a
member of the C. M. I?. A. and St.
Michaels ehuic-h. On October 11. IST.j,
Mr. Duiantaye married limily Castonguay.
Their living children are Louis X.. Victor.
Amelia. Evangeline. Joseph G.. Jeaunette.
Eugenie, and James A. Duiantaye.
D.vvKNi'oKT. Enw-viU" II.. p. o. ISrinitieid.
Mass.. was born in Heath. Eranklin county.
Mass.. September 4. lS4.j. a son of John
and Hannah (Hall) Davenport, who had
seven children: John Hradford (deceased).
Maria, Emily. Jonathan (.i. and Edward H.
Edward 11. spent his early life in Heath
and Shelburne Ealls. where he was edu-
cated, and when eighteen years of age he
enlisted in Co. H. 34th Mass. Vols, as a
private and participated in sixteen battles.
lie was promoted from private in regular
succession to second lieutenant and was dis-
charged January 21. lSti<i. June IS. ISOo.
the ;i4th regiment returned to Massachu-
setts and Mr. Davenport was transferred
to the L'4Ih Mass. Vols.. Co. A. where he
served until his discharge. After receiv-
ing his discharge he remained in New York
city about one year and then came to lirim-
field. where he has since lived. On March
18. ISO". Mr. Davenport married Sarah E..
daughter of Levens and Martha Groves.
I'onr children were born of this marriage :
William C. Emma L.. wife of (ieorge
I'limpton ; Ida -M. and Arthur E. Daven-
port.
De.sok, Theodohe. p. o. Merrick. Mass..
was born In Worcester. Mass.. November
.'i. l.S.')4. His father. Joseph Desoe. was
born in St. John. Canada, in ISiO and when
a young man came to Worcester. He
was employed by the Boston & Albany rail-
road In the capacity of engineer for forty-
six years, and up to the time of his death.
In April. ISnS. He worked fifty years and
six months in ail for that road, and at the
time of his death was running on the
Spencer lirancii of tlie road. He mar-
ried Matilda Dandurand. of Worcester,
who died In 1S.")7. Tlieodore Desoe was
educated in tlie public schools of Worces-
ter and Worcester academy. After leaving
school he learned the machinist's trade
with L. I. Knowies & Uro.. and after serv-
ing his apprenticesliip with tliem entered
the repair sliops of the Boston & Albany
railroad. After being there a year and a
Iialf he was jiiaced on an engine as fireman,
under ills father, and after a short time
was placed in charge of one of the switch
engines. .November 10. 1.S7S. he came to
Springfield and is now running a passenger
train from Springfield to Albany. Mr.
Desoe is a member of the Morning Star
lodge. F. & A. M. of Worcester: the Tekoa
lodge of Odd Fellows of West Springfield,
and of the Brotheriiood of Loi-omotive En-
gineers. Division No. G3. of Springfield.
DowxEv, H. A., M. D.. p. o. Mittineague,
Mass.. was born in Osbornevilie. N. J.. Au-
gust V2. 1875. a son of Henry and Eliza J.
(Strickland) Downey. He was educated
in the common schools of Osbornevilie and
at the Peddle institute at Hightstown, N.
J., from which he was graduated in 1894.
He then entered the University of Pennsyl-
vania, where he remained three .vears and
was graduated from the Medical college at
Philadelphi:i. After graduation he prac-
ticed a year at Point Pleasant. N. J., and
from there came to Mittineague. where he
has made many friends.
WoiiCESTER, John Ciprox. p. o. West
Springfield. Mass.. was born in Mill-
bury. JIass. October 4th. 1860, n son
of Franklin and .Vlibie U. (Capron)
Worcester. Franklin Worcester has been
engaged since ISti.j in farming in
•Jrafton, Mass., where the son obtained his
early education, being graduated from
the high school in 1877. Abbie K.
(Capron I Worcester was a daughter of
Col. John W. Capron of Ixbridge. .Mass.,
one of tlie most prominent and influential
men of his town. Jolin Capron Worcester
entered Colby University, and during three
of the winter vacations of his college course
he taught school, first in Grafton and then
in Upioii. He was graduated from Colby
in June. 18.S1. and in September of that
year became principal of the high school
in Mendon. remaining there for the school
year. In September. ISS2. be was elect-
ed principal of the high school in West
Boylston. where he remained until Sep-
tember. 1801. when he became principal of
the high school in West Springfield, which
position he still holds. While at
654 )
APPENDIX
West Bojiston, Juue 26, 1SS4. lie
married Isabel C, daughter o£ Ira W.
and Elma M. Cook o£ Mendon. Mass. He
served the towQ of West Boylston as direc-
tor of the public library and secretary of
the board of trade. Prof. Worcester is
a very successful teacher and during his
principalship of the West Springfield school
has seen its membership and teaching force
more than doubled. He was one of the
chief promoters of the board of trade, serv-
ing as secretary of said board for two
years : in December, 1898. he was elected
president, and at the close of the year de-
clined a re-election. He also was one of
the originators of the West Springfield Co-
operative bank : was elected director of it
in May. 1897. and in September, 1808, was
elected secretary, which office he still holds.
He has been an active member of the Hamp-
den County Teachers" association, serving
as president in 1898. He was one of the
origignators of the Headmasters' Club of
Western Massachusetts. For several years
he has served the town of West Springfield
as one of its auditors.
Hill, Geo. A.. West Springfield, Mass..
was born in Derry, N. H., March 6. 184:;, a
son of Charles and Hannah (Hanson) Hill,
Charles Hill was a native of Chester, X.
H., and was a prosperous farmer in his
day. The house where he was born was
an old fort, which still stands. George A.
Hill was educated at Derry, in the district
schools and I'inkerton academy. After
graduating from the latter institution he
went to Boston and worked at carpenter-
ing day times and in a drug store evenings
and Sundays. On August I'J, 186:;, he en-
listed in ('ompany E. :^9th Mass. Volunteers
and was discharged at Poolesvllle, Md., the
following year. He then came to Spring-
field. Mass., and entered the drug business,
which he followed for twenty-five years. In
1884 he engaged in the insurance and real
estate Inisiness, which he has since fol
lowed: he also owns a large stock farm at
niandford, Mass. On .lune 1,5, 1869, Mr.
Hill married .losephine Lyon Ilazleton, "1'
Xew Haven, Conn. To. Mr. and Mrs. Hill
were born sl.>: children : Albert Lyon. Ar-
thur and Walter Garfield, all deceased :
Geo. A., jr.. .losephine and Edwin. Mr.
Hill has always been Interested In the
growth of his town and has perhaps done
more towards building up West ,SpriugfieId
than any other man.
LuuMis, William Welli.niito.n, M. D., p,
o. Merrick, Mass., one of the well estab-
lished physicians of West Springfield,
ilass., was born in Barkhamsted, Litchfield
county. Conn., June 16, 1853. The
Loomis family traces its ancestry back to
the early times in the history of the coun-
try and the genealogy, which is of an in-
teresting nature, has been published by the
family in book form. Its members have
been of note and always identified with
leading professions since the establishment
of the government in the United States,
Lucius Loomis, father of Dr, W. W.
Loomis, and grandfather of William
Loi)mis, were both natives as well as resi-
dents of the town of Barkhamsted, the lat-
ter being a farmer and spending his last
days there. His wife was Lydia Hewett,
born in Barkhamsted, where she is still liv-
ing at the advanced age of ninety-five
years : her mother lived to the age of 105
.years. Lucius Loomis inherited the old
homestead at Barkhamsted and has since
resided there, cari-ying on farming in a
general way. He married Amelia Barker,
a native of the town of Bristol, Hartford
county. Conn., and daughter of Daniel
Barker, who came to this country from
England : they had four children: William
Wellington, Frank (died at the age of
twenty-nine). Grove (died at the age of
thirty) and Clifford, Dr. William Well-
ington Loomis received his common school
education in the schools of Winsted. He
began the study of medicine with Dr, M.
L. Crosier of Uiverton, and in 1880 en-
tered the University of Vermont in Burling-
ton, from which he was graduated in 1883,
He began his practice in West Springfield,
where he has since continued with increas-
ing success. In ISSJ Dr. Loomis married
Caroline Barton, born in Dalton, and
daughter of Henry and Electa Barton. Dr.
Loomis is a member of llampden lodge,
F. & A. M. ; Tekoa lodge No. 138, I. O. O. F,
li.w, IlENiiv E.. p. o. Chester, Hampden
Co.. was born August 12, 18.51. a son of Asa
and Amelia (Tucker) Day. who had
three children : Charles F., who en-
listed in the Second Massachusetts
Heavy Artillery and died from ex-
posui-e at Xewbern, X. C. : Henry,
who died at the age of four years, and
( 665 )
APPENDIX
Henry K.. now living on tlie old liomestead
at I>ii.vvllle. Asa I'liy was a manufac-
turer and held the ijatent on several tine
tools. Henry K. was educated in the
s<hoc>ls of his town and was associated with
his father In the manufacture of shoe pegs
at Kayville. They manufactured about 10.-
1100 busliels of shoe pegs per year. They
also manufactured whip butts and used
about l.'iO.ooo feet of lumber a year. At
the present time Mr. Day is living .1 retired
life on the homestead. On his land is lo-
cated an essence mill for the manufacture
of wintergreen oil. Mr. Day's farm con-
tains Cio acres, located in the town of
Chester, and has standing on it ."1. 000.000
feet of hemlock, maple and bass wood. The
Day homestead Is situated on the middle
branch of Westtleld river at a little ham-
let called Dayville. The Days were among
the early settlers. Robert Day having emi-
grateii from England to America in April
10o4. and settled in Cambi-idge. Mass.
Abraham I'd. the fifth descendant of Rob-
ert, settled in t'hester about 177.">. lie
was engaged in farming and cleared a
large tract of land. lie died in 1707 at
the age of ."iO years. He was suc<-eeded
by his son Ira. who was an extensive
farmer and manufacturer of <-ioth. He
built (IM'(i) the house that now stands,
and he died in 1S37. leaving I'J children.
His second son. Asa C. Day. succeeded to
the properly, he being a farmer and manu-
facturer. He died .March. 187'.). leaving
four children.
I'.vKitKi.i.. .Uiu.N K.. Brimtield. Hampden
Co.. was born in the town of Hrimlield.
May S. IH.'iS. a son of Theodore and
Kliza (Shaw) Karrell. who had six diildren.
as follcnvs : Arabelle. Murette. .John K.,
Kugene. ICstella and Lewis. John li. Far-
rell was educated in the schools of his
town .and at the death of his father. May
1*1. l.SNl). came Into possession of the old
homestead, where he has since lived and
follows general farming. On May 2S.
188!). he married Dora V... daughter of Wil-
liam and Clara Hitchcock. They have one
daughter. Mildred. .Mr. rarrell Is Inter-
ested in all home affairs, though he has
never aspired to political honors. At one
time he was a member of the Palmer lodge.
I-. & A. M.
Wki.ci!. .Toski'II. Granville. Hampden
Co.. was born In riyinoiuh. .Mass.. ,\pril 7.
IS.'.l. a s(in of I'eter and Mary Welch.
I'eter lived in the town of riymouth until
IS.'i^i. when he moved to Marblebead. where
he lived until the civil war broke out and
then enlisted in Co. E. (i8 N. Y. Vols. He
w"as shot on the morning of the tirst day's
battle at (Jettysburg and died in the after-
noon. Joseph Welch received a common
school education, and when fourteen years
of age w-as apprenticed out to a farmer, and
for nine years labored hard and saved his
earnings, whicli he used in attending Wil-
brabain Academy, where he remained seven
terms ; later he completed his course of
study in the Art Museum of Boston. When
twenty-seven years of age he entered the
employ of H. W. Crocker in the general
mercantile business at West (Jranville and
in l.SS.l he formed a copartnership with Mr.
Crocker, which was carried on for one year,
w-iien he brought out Mr. C'rocker's interest
and has since carried on the business alone.
Krom 188G to ISlKi he also carried on an
extensive lumber and real estate business.
At the present time he owns about '250
acres of land. In 1880 Mr. Welch married
Laura E. (Miner) Fuller. They have four
children : Sarah B.. Joseph M.. Mary A. and
and Laura E. Mr. Welch is active in town
:>nd county affairs, has served as selectman
for five years, the past two serving as
chairman of the board, also as school com-
mittee seven years. He is the first select-
man from West Granville to hold that posi-
tion for many years, and at the present
time represents his district in the state
legislature. Mr. Welch Is a liberal con-
tributor to the difTerent church denomina-
tions. bein,g broad in his views and chari-
table to the poor. He is a member of Mt.
Moriah lodge. F. & A. M. of Westfield.
HUNTKR. JfiHX T.. Holyoke. Hampden
Co.. was born in Sand I?ank. N. Y.. May '-o.
\H'>i. a son of Thomas Hunter, a native of
Huntington. Canada, and Martha Fulton,
his wife. Tlu)mas is dead and his widow
is now living in Holyoke. John T. was
educated at Huntington. Canada, and
learned the harness maker's trade. In
187-1 he came to Holyoke and started his
present harness shop in ISSO. Mr. Hun-
ter is a member of the Odd Fellows and
rniled Order of Workmen. In 1877 he
married Delia Goddard. Four children were
born to them : Charles E.. Willis C. Leila
May and Uov J.
( 65(1 )
APPENDIX
Sheldon. CuKisTurHEU M.. West Spriug-
fleld, Hampden Co.. was born in Faii-haven,
Vermont, March 14, 1843, a son of Henry
G. Sheldon, a uatiye of Sheldon, Vt.. and
who died in 1S62. Christopher M. re-
ceived a common school edncation and en-
gaged in the teaming business, as his
father had done before him in his native
town. After nine years, and in 18G2, he
went to Northampton, Mass., and engaged
in the same business, also worked in a
paper mill. In 1868 he came to Ho!yol;e
and entered a paper mill, where he was em-
ployed for eleven years. At the end of
this time be engaged in his present truck-
ing business. in which he has been very suc-
cessful. Mr. Sheldon is a member of Holyoke
lodge of Odd Fellows. No. 134. Pilgrim
Fathers, and has been a member of the par-
ish committee of the First Congregational
church of West Springfield. In 1886 Mr.
Sheldon purchased the Ashley farm, which
he has carried on in connection witli his
other business. January 3. 1865, he mar-
ried Lucy A., daughter of William Beezer,
a native of England. Three children h.ave
been born of this marriage : Jesse E.. man-
ager of his father's business ; Arthur H.,
burned to death at the age of five years,
and Frank E. H.. bookkeeper for his
father. Frank E. H. Sheldon married
Annie Kendall, of Chicopee : Jesse E. mar-
ried Flora M.. daughter of H. H. Hubbard
of West Springfield, who has borne him two
children. Arthur E. and Madaline Ruth.
WniTTF.MORK, Edgak CLEMENT. West
Springfield. Hampden Co.. a son of Harri-
son G. and Hosinn (Clement) Whittemore,
was born in Sturbridge, Mass., July 23,
18.jl. Harrison G. came to Chicopee in
1862. where he remained twenty years, and
since then has lived in West Springfield.
Edgar C. was educated in the schools of
Chicopee and at the age of nineteen en-
tered the home office of the Massachusetts
Mutual Life Insurance Co., where he has
been for thirty-two years. Mr. Whitte-
more was for many years active in munici-
pal affairs in Springfield, and in 1885 was a
member of the city council. He has also
been identified with various social organ-
izations, having been a member of the
Springfield. Itod and Gun, Winlhrop and
Camp Comfort clubs, De Soto lodge of
Odd Fellows and Agawam encampment.
He was also for many ye.ars well known in
musical circles. In 1S72 Mr. Whittemore
was married to Carrie E.. daughter of
Moses Field Colton, a native of Long-
meadow. Moses Field Colton was a son
of Dimon Colton and a lineal descendant of
tjuartermaster George Colton. who came to
Lougmeadow from England soon after the
settlement was founded, and from whom
are descended, so far as is known, all the
Coltons in this country.
IU)BBINS, Frederick M., M, D,, p. o. Mer-
rick. Mass.. was born at East Boston
(sometimes called Noddle Island). Mass.,
February 12, 1855. His parents were
Uinaldo and Catherine U. Uobbins. Dr.
Ivobbins secured his preliminary education
mainly in the schools of Boston : his later
studies were pursued at the University of
Michigan and his medical course at the
Detroit College of Medicine, from which he
received his degree of M. D. He began
practice in Detroit and was connected with
the different hospitals in the city for five
years or more, including two years as as-
sistant surgeon at St. Mary's Hospital and
several years at Harper Hospital as house
physician, etc. Shortly after leaving De-
troit he settled in West Springfield, where
he has successfully practiced his profession.
Dr. Kobbins is a member of several medical
societies, is a member of Hampden Lodge,
F. lit A. M., Morning Star Chapter. Spring-
field Council and Springfield Commandery,
K. T. Though not taking more than the
good citizen's interest in politics, he has
served several years on the School I'oard,
here and in Michigan, including three years
as chairman, and several terms on the
Board of Health. On January 24, 18T4,
Dr. Kobbins was married to M. Lizzie,
daughter of Amasa Smith, of Gardner. Me.
They have to sons : Willis A. and Frederick
Clarence.
Ahl, Michael L., Agawam, Hampden
Co., was born in East Hartford, Conn.,
May 10. 1806, a son of Michael and Mar-
garet (Gretchen) Ahl, both natives of Ger-
many, Michael came to Agawam in 1876
and is now living in East Hartford. His
wife died Fel)ruary 20, 1804. Michael L.
Ahl. the subject, was educated in the
schools of East Hartford and Agawam.
He learned the carpenter's and mason's
trades and was one of the first to introduce
silex In this community. He Is now carry-
ing rui a general farming Imsiness. making
42-3
( 657 )
APPENDIX
a specialty of dnliyiiij;. On January 10.
18i)4. Mr. Ahl miirrleU Kreida S. Schulze.
of Agawam. dau(;litpr of John Schulze.
Two children have been born of this mar-
rlane : Kreida Marian and Bernice Uretchen.
Ukckwith. Wii.i.i.vM M.. of Granville.
was born in Granville. January :!.
1865, a son of Sherman and Jane
(Harnes) Reckwitlt. who had .seven
children : Sarah M.. Helen K.. Seymour
(J., Mimer A.. Kddle A.. William M.
and ICmlly A. William M. P,ecl<with was
educated in tlie common schools of his
town and when ten years of age entered
the employ of Jacob Koot. He was with
him seven years, then went to Collinsville
and remained tiiere five years, when he
was married and engaged in farming in
Uloomlield. Conn., having a millv route in
Hartford. In l!l(i(l he purchased the Gib-
bons homestead in the town of Granville.
where he now carries on general farming.
On June 1!». 1.S87. Mr. Beckwith married
Clara M.. daughter of John Healey of New
Hartford. Conn. They have two children :
Haymond A. and Louis M. Mr. Beckwith
is actively Interested in town and county
affairs and is a worker in the Baptist
church of Granville.
Hi'icKK. MicM.XKL F.. p. o. Mittineague,
was horn in Springlield. Mass.. October Ii>.
lS5t;. a sou of Florence and Kllen (Daley)
Burke. His fallier was killed on June 18.
18fi4. and Ills name is now on the honor
rolls in the town liall vestibule. AHchael
F. Burke was educated in the schools of
West Springfield and after leaving school
was emi>loyed by the B. & A. It. 11. as car
recorder. He is now serving in the capacity
of train dispatclier for said railroad. Mr.
Burke was appointed postmaster at Mittin-
eague under Cleveland's first administra-
tion, serving for four years. In 1.S09 he was
electcHl selectman and Is now acting in the
capacity of secretary of the board. On
November lit. 187!). he married Margaret
T.. daughter of William Foley, of West
Sprlnglield. Mrs. Burke was educated in
the Convent school in Chicopee. Mass. .Mr.
and .Mrs. Burke are the parents of seven
<hlldren : Florence, who graduated from
Brown I'niverslty In June. 1901 ; Kdwin.
dl«l when five years of age : Marie, who
died at the age of six years: William. Ern-
est. Margaret and Francis, all living at
home.
Baktox, Frank C. p. o. Bridgeport.
Conn., was born In Norwich. Conn.. July 1,
187:^. His father. Charles Barton, was a
native of England and came to America,
settling in Norwich in 1872 ; one year later
he moved to Springfield, where he lived ten
years. He was a stone cutter by trade
and died in 1894. He married Frances Chad-
wick, a native of Kngland. and who is now
living in Sprlnglield. Frank C. was edu-
cated in the schools of Chicopee and East
Longmeadow, and afterward learned the
stone cutter's trade. On September -2.
1S97, Mr. Barton married Flora D.. daugh-
ter of Edward E. Gay. a native of Belcher-
town. Mass. They have one daughter. Kittle
Virginia.
CitAfix. Chaui.ks AxDUinv, was born in
Springfield. Mass.. March 4. 185.'i. a son of
.\ndrew Jackson Chapin. a native of the
same place, and Anna C. daughter of Moses
Hoyt Howard, his wife. His father was a
railroad man. being in the employ of the
B. & A. for forty years. Charles A. Chapin
was educated in the public schools of
Springfield and after leaving school entered
the employ of the B. & A. company, and was
witli them eight years. His next move was
as a hrakeman on a passenger train for
tliree years, and in 1884 he started in as
tireman and seven years later was given
charge of an engine. He is now running the
local freight to IMttsfield. Mr. Chapin is
a member of Hamjiden lodge. F. & A. M. :
Tekoa lodge of Odd Fellows ; Brotherhood
of Locomotive Engineers : also Brotherhood
of Locomotive Firemen, and was master of
that body for three years. On January 28,
18S!I. Mr. Chapin married Lottie, daughter
of John James Kobertson. of Nova Scotia.
They have two children : William An-
drew Kobertson and Esther Marl Anna.
Mr. Kobertson has been civil engineer for
for the government for the county ot Uich-
mond tor thirty years.
(^LARK. Edward Cf.into.n. Montgomery.
.Mass.. was horn in the town of
Montgomery. Manh 4. 1874, a son
of Francis Warren and Delina (Chap-
man) Clark, who had six children as fol-
lows : Elmer Stiles. Fred Laurens. Etta
Josephine. Frank Day. Edward Clinton and
Zenas Scott. Edward Clinton Clark, the
subject, attended the public schools and
remained at home on the farm until twenty-
three years of age. when he entered the
( 658 )
APPENDIX
employ of James K. Axtell of Huntington,
and later ot Alfred J. Taylor, of New York,
being located in Huntington. He is now
engaged in general farming. September 1^6.
1890. Mr. Clark married Winifred Louise,
daughter of David L. Allyn. They have one
son. Faye Allyn Clark.
CcioLEY. KiCHAKD L.. was born on the old
Sewall White homestead In West Spring-
field. Mass.. August 26. 1834, a son of
Walter and Sarah (Latham) Cooley. The
Cooleys trace their descent from England,
the first ancestor coming over in the ilay-
llower. Richard L. was educated in the
schools of West Springfield. Springfield and
also in Williston seminary. After leav-
ing school he took charge of the home farm,
which he is still conducting. Mr. Cooley
was one of the principal factors in build-
ing the Park Street church. On January
l.">. 1862. Mr. Cooley married Mary, daugh-
ter of Daniel Ely Bliss, of West Spring-
field, who was at one time engineer on a
steamboat running from Springfield to
Hartford. Conn.
DEfKiix. FnAxcis X.. M. D., Chicopee
Falls, was born in Ely. Sheftord county,
eastern province of Quebec. April 1. 18.">5.
a son of Francis X. and Sophie
( Hamel I Deroin. and the eldest of
fourteen children, all now living with the
exception of the youngest daughter. When
fifteen years of age he came with his par-
ents to Khode Island and entered the Mas-
sachusetts Charitable Kye and Ear Infirm-
ary of Boston, where he remained ten years.
He al.so attended evening school in Boston
and in 1878. having passed the entrance
examination to Harvard university, took a
course in the medical department and was
graduated from there in 1883. lie then
came to Chicopee and began ills practice.
He is a member of the Harvard Alumni
Association ; has served on the scliool board
five years : on the board of town and city
physicians and on the board of health. On
October 31. 1S83. Dr. Doroin married Cath-
erine v.. daughter of .Martin Lang, who
bore him two sons : Fi-ank A. and Dear-
born A. Mrs. I>eroln died January 7. 18i)7.
Dr. Deroin is a cliarler member and first
president of L'Union Canadienne. whicli he
was instrumenlal In organizing.
DdVf.K. M. J.. Ilolyoke. was born in Ire-
land. September 27. 1872. a son of
Thomas and Mary (Murphy) Doyle. M.
J. Doyle came to America with his
parents and to Holyoke in 1880,
where he was educated in the com-
mon schools. He learned the en-
graver's trade in Springfield and engaged
in his present business in lS;t3. under the
firm style of M. J. Doyle Printing Co. Mr.
Doyle was elected alderman In 1807 and
is now serving as president of the board.
He is a member of the Forester and Hiber-
nian societies. In 1901 he married Eliza-
beth McCoart. daughter of William Mc-
Coart of Boston. Mass.
Fi.ciwr:t!. IIoMicu F.. was born in Feeding
Hills. Mass.. October 28. 1864, son of
Homer and Julia (Huntley) Flower. He is
descended from Lamrock (1) of Hartford.
1668. through Joseph (2). Timothy (3),
Spencer (4), and Homer (o). The latter
was for five years clerk of the Fourth
parish of West Springfield. Spencer was a
representative in the legislature two years
and selectman of West Springfield six
years. Timothy was a soldier of the revo-
lution. Homer F. Flower makes a specialty
of growing peaches, pears and plums, his
orchard containing about a thousand trees.
He is a member of Agawam Grange, and
also of the Feeding Hills M. E. church.
GossELiN. Ajtos C. of Agawam. was
born in Charlotte. Vt.. April 3. 18.31,
a son of Octave and Arsellne Cota
Gosselin, both natives of Canada. In
1861 his parents came to MIttineague
and in 1870 moved to Hudson. Mass..
where they both died in 1882. Amos C.
was educated in the schools of MIttin-
eague and after leaving school learned the
millwright's trade, which he has followed
ever since. He is now master mechanic for
the MIttineague Paper Co. and has been
with this firm twenty-two years. Mr. Gos-
selin is a member of the Lincoln Lodge of
Foresters and the French Patriots. He
served his town as tax collector for six
years and is now a member of the repub-
lican town committee. On January 9. 1870.
Mr. Gosselin married Esther Geroux of
Canada, who bore him thirteen children,
eight now living : Uosanna. Wilfred. Ida.
Edward. ClilTord. Delia. Oliver and .\rthur.
Campbell, Abthuu C, ot MIttineague,
was born In London, England, January 1.
1872. a son of William and S;(rah Camp-
bell (daughter ot James Ferguson ot Edin-
borough. Scotland, a bridge builder). WU-
( 059 )
APPENDIX
Ham Campbell was one ot Ihe fu-st
men to place hot water system in
America, putting In a plant at Hali-
fax. Nova Scotia in 1874. Arthur C.
Campbell obtained his education in the
schools ot HufTalo. X. Y.. and in 1SS4 began
the study of medicine, graduating from the
Vniverslty of HufTalo in 1S!)1. In 18'.)2 he
opened and conducted a drug store for
Brown & Snyder, of Lowvillc, X. Y., and in
August, 1S96, came to Mittineague, where
he conducted a drug store for C. K. Smith.
He purchased Mr Smith's Interest in May.
1000, and has since carried on the business
sticcessfully alone. On Xovember 28. 1805.
Mr. Campbell married Sarah I!., daughter
of John I'airbanlis. ot Lowville. N. Y".. who
bore him one daughter. Florence.
Fi,.\r;f;, I*ayson ,J., 51. D., of Jlittincague,
was born in Colerain. Mass., January
T2. 18,')9. a son of Kev. Horatio
Flagg (born in Wilmington. Vt., Janu-
ary 22. 1798). and Mary Coombs (a
native of Medway, Mass.) his wife. His
father was pastor of the Congregational
church in Wilmington for twenty years and
died in 1S61. Dr. Flagg's great grand-
father. John Flagg. was one of the first
settlers of Wilmington, the family coming
from England. r>r. Flagg was educated in
the schools of Colerain. was graduated from
Powers Institute of Bernardston and re-
ceived his degree of M. D. from Jefferson
College. In 18S5 he began practice in
Florence, where he remained ten years,
then came to Mittineague and Is now en-
gaged in successful practice. On Febru-
ary 8. 1892. Dr. Flagg married Harriet,
daughter of Thomas Porter of Southamp-
ton, Mass. Three children have been born
of this marriage : Wayne McCrillls, Eunice
Porter and Kenneth Payson.
HuNX, Ori.n C. p. o. East Longmeadow.
Mass.. was born In Somers. Conn., Septem-
ber 1. 18511. a son of Owen and Mary
(Pease) Ilunn. He was educated in the
schools of his native town. When seven-
teen years old. he entered the employ of
E. C. Sheldon, who was engaged in the
meat business, working for him both in
Somers and Springfield for a number of
years, .\fterward he was In partnership
with him. and later with IT. C. Stimpson in
the same business In Somers. In 1S77. Mr.
Hunn came to East Longmeadow and start-
ed In the meat business, and later opened
his present general store. He has served
his town as postmaster for nine years ; is
a member of the Hampden lodge of Odd
Fellows, the Agawam encampment, and also
is a member and past sachem ot the
Wachogue tribe. Improved Order of lied
Men. of East Longmeadow. On June 12,
1878. he married Mary E. Washburn, daugh-
ter of Zenas D. Washburn, of Stafford,
Conn.
Whitxey, J. Fr.ixk, p. 0. Merrick. Mass.,
was born in Springfield. Mass.. July 17,
1862, a son of William H. (born In Otis,
Mass.) and Mary M. Keyes. his wife (a
native of Ireland). William H. Whitney
came to Springfield about 18.jO, and was
employed for a number of years by the
X. Y.. X. H. & H. railroad company. He
died January 27, 1871. J. Frank Whitney
was educated in the common schools of
.Springfield and at the age of twelve he at-
tended night school and completed his edu-
<-ation in that way. In 1874 he found
employment in the blacksmith department
of the Smith & Wesson factory, and re-
mained there five years. His next work
was as fireman on the railroad, and for the
past nine years has been running between
Springfield and New Y'ork city, as well as
between Springfield and Xew Haven. Mr,
Whitney has served as chief of the fire
department of West Springfield, also as
superintendent of Are alarm, serving In
these capacities five years. He resigned
the positions in October. 1900. and re-
ceived a very complimentary letter from
the board of selectmen for his efficiency in
his capacity as chief. On April 1(>. 1890,
Mr. Whitney married Mary L.. daughter of
Jeremiah Shean. who bore him four chil-
dren : William Harvey. Henry Francis,
Francis James and Jerome Andrew. Mr,
Whitney is a member of Hope Colony Pil-
grim Fathers, Wigwam of Ousamcqulm
Tribe. Xo. 14. and of the Brotherhood ot
Locomotive Engineers. Div. 77. ot Xew
Haven. He has in his possession a set of
books owned by his great-great-grandfather,
Timothy Whitney, while serving as Justice
of the peace in the town of Loudon, which
show dates as far back as 1700. He also
owns an old dictionary which shows the
date of 1801.
McCoy, Rev. Jodx Joseph. P. U.. p. o.
Chicopee. Mass., rector of the Church of the
Holy Name, Roman Catholic. Chicopee, was
( 660 )
APPENDIX
born in Tariffville. Conn. November 29.
18.53. About a year later, his parents, witli
four other children, three daughters and
one son, moved to Holyoke and there young
McCoy attended the public schools. He was
fitted for college at Stebbins Classical in-
stitute. Springfield, entered Holy Cross
college, Worcester. Mass.. where he look
the full course of classics and philosophy.
Mr. McCoy then took the full theological
course at Urand seminary. Montreal. V, (j..
Canada, and was ordained a priest at
Christmas, ISi'J, at Montreal. Mr. Mc-
Coy's father. John, came to Connecticut
about 1S4S or 1S50. and his mother. Mar-
garet (Cassidy) ilcCoy, about two years
later. The parents and the three sisters
and one brother all came from County
Armagh, Ireland.
\ViLKiN.s.. George H., M. D.. p. o. Palmer.
Mass., was born In Amherst, N, H,, Decem-
ber 25. ISoo, the second of seven children
born to Aaron S. and Abby Wilkins. Dr.
Wilkins is a descendant of Barry Wilkins.
who was authorized by the general court of
Massachusetts to erect a house and conduct
a ferry across Neponset river, and to re-
ceive a lienny for each person carried over.
Dr. Wilkins was educated in the common
schools of his native town, and entered the
McCullon Institute at Mt. Vernon. X. H. He
was graduated from the New Hampshire
Agricultural college in 1.S7SI. and then en-
tered the New York Ilomoeopatliic Medical
college, from which be was graduated in
1S83. He began his professional career
in Palmer, succeeding Dr. J. K. Warren.
Dr. Wilkins is vice-president of the Palmer
National bank, president of the Young
Men's Library association, a member of
the Thomas lodge F. & A. M.. and of the
Royal Arcanum. On October 22, 1889.
Dr. Wilkins married Sadie Sianw 1. of
Krunswick, Me.
Wade. Fkank, p. o. Longmeadow. Mass..
was born in the city of New York. January
20, 1838, a son of Hamilton and Marlon
(Wood) Wade. The family is descended
from Uobert Wade, who came from Kng-
land in 1(1311 and settled in Dorchester.
Frank was educated in the schools of his
native rl\y. and there he also learned the
carpenter's trade, which occupatlcm he has
always followed. In January. IS.I", he
came to Springlield. and In 1801 enlisted
In Ihe 1st Ciillforiila regiment, aflerward
known as the 71st Pennsylvania. He was
promoted to first lieutenant, was injured
in 1862. and soon afterward was discharged
for disability. In 1863 he started in busi-
ness in Springfield, as a contractor and
builder. He is a member of the G. A. R.
On January 3. 1862. he married Caroline
Whitney. Three children have been born
of this marriage. Nellie Hamilton, wife of
Moses Field of Longmeadow ; Edward T.,
and Caroline Wheelock, wife of Linwood
Morgan.
TuDD. Andrew J., p. o. Agawam, Mass.,
was born in Agawam. February 13. 1845,
a son of Henry M. and Mary (Miller) Todd.
Henry M. Todd was a native of Agawam.
and a son of Jesse Todd, a native of North
Haven, Conn. The early ancestors of this
family in America came from Scotland.
Henry M. Todd was a broom maker by
trade, but in later years be became a far-
mer. At one time he was leader of the
liaptist church choir and a vocalist of some
note. Andrew J. Todd attended the pub-
lic schools of Agawam and Springfield high
school. After leaving school he purchased
his present place, which he has conducted
very successfully. Mr. Todd is a member
of Agawam grange and of the Congrega-
tional church. On May 3, 1876, he married
JIary L.. daughter of John B. Cooper.
Three children have been born of this mar-
riage : Mabel .M.. Edna J. and Gladys C.
Todd.
Riley. John D.. p. o. Mittineague. was
born in Mittineague July 2, 1856. a
son of John and Anna A. (Sullivan)
Uiley. John Riley was a native of
Ireland and came to America in 18-19, set-
tling in this county. He was a paper
maker and was in the employment of the
Southworth Co. for thirteen .years. He
now lives in South Iladley Falls, and is in
the employ of the Whiting Paper Co. of
Holyoke. John D. Riley was educated in
tlie public schools of West Springfield, and
after leaving school entered the employ
of Crosier Bros., of Mittineague. meat
dealers. He remained with them seven-
teen years, and in 1892 engaged in the
meat business for himself, which he still
follows. He has been a member of the
democratic town committee, serving in this
capacity for five years. In June. 1882,
.Mr. Uiley married Nellie, daughter of Wil-
Ibiiu o'Bi-ien. of .Mlitiui'aguc. They have
( fici )
APPENDIX
had six children, four of whom arc now
living : Anna M.. Krank. Charles and (iert-
rude Klley.
Ci,Ki.ANii. AxiiKKW .7.. p. o. North Wll-
braham. Mass.. was born In Tltusville. I'a..
May 20. IS.')-, a son of O. II. 1". and Sarah
(Jones) Cleland. and was educated in the
schools of his native town. -Mr. Cleland
came to Wllbraham in ISlli; and p'"'-
chased his present place. In l.S".'! he
married Knima r.rlKRS. of Lime Um-k. It.
I. ; five children were born of this mar-
riage. Oliver. Harold L.. Stellan. wife of
Krwln Mills. Mabel, wife of .lames Ander-
son, and Cora.
MdiKi.vx. Mii.o W., p. o. Wyben. Mass.,
was born in the town of Westtteld in 1840,
a son of Fredcrlcii and Persis (Tierce)
Morgan. Ills father was born in Spencer,
Mass.. and was engaged in the whip busi-
ness and farming. -Milo \V. has married
twice, first to Laura A. I'ariis. who bore
him three children (Ellen ii.. Herbert K.
and Kdgar 1'.) and second, to Barbara
Thompson.
McCu.w. Okuix C. p. o. Monson, Mass.,
was born in Hampden. December 10. l.S(>2.
a son of David R. and Delia N. (Lincoln)
McCray. He was educated In the schools
of Hampden and Wesleyan academy at Wil-
braham. In ISSS he came to .Monson and
engaged in the teaming and trucking busi-
ness, which he has since followed. In
1802 was elected assessor and served three
years. In l.S'.X! was elected selectman and
for three ye.irs was chairman of the board.
Mr. McCray is also a member of Monson
lodge. I. O. O. F. On October 12. 1880,
he married Alice K. I'ease. daughter of Cal-
vin S. and .lulla K. I'ease. They have one
son. Carter C. McCray.
SwKKNKV. John Joseph, p. o. Mlttin-
eague. Mass.. was born In Springfield. Oc-
tober 1. 18.">2. a son of Thomas and Nora
rMcMahonl Sweeney, both natives of Ire-
land. Mr. Sweeney was educated in Wash-
ington. Mass.. and In Holyoke. After leav-
ing school he was employed by the Merrick
Thread Co. of llolyoke. and still later en-
gaged in work connected with the B. & A.
railroad. In 1870 he was employed by
that company, and was appointed train dis-
patcher in ISS.'?. Mr. Sweeney married
Mary .\. Itockford. of West Springfield, and
to them three children have been born :
Cora E.. a graduate of Smith college in
June. 1000. and now a teacher in the West
Springfield high school: Walter J. and
Anna May Sweeney.
Ai.DEBM.iN. Ernest L.. p. o. Holyoke.
Mass.. was born in Chester. April 4. 1876.
His father. Warren L. Alderman, and his
grandfather. Norman Alderman, also were
natives of Chester, hence were among the
early settlers of that town. Warren L.
.\lderman married Alma Leech of North-
ampton. He died in 188.5. and his widow
Is still living. Ernest L. Alderman was
educated in the schools of Mt. Hermon
and after leaving school learned the meat
cutters trade. In 1808 the City .Market
Co. was organized under the management
of Alderman & Fisk. but soon afterward
Mr. Alderman bought out Mr. Flsk's inter-
est and Is now conducting the business
alone. Mr. Alderman is a member of the
Knights of Pythias and he was a member
of Co. K of Springfield, in service during
the recent Spanish-American war and re-
ceived an honorable discharge.
GORMAX, Edwabu J., of Holyoke. was
born In County Down. Ireland. Decem-
ber 2.5. 1S63. and came to America
with his parents. Philip and Elizabeth
(iorman. settling in Holyoke. He was
educated in the Holyoke public schools,
and afterward found employment with
the Farr Alpaca Co.. with whom he re-
mained ten years. In ISO.i he began to
take an active part in Holyoke politics and
became a known factor in political circles.
He was city marshal in 1S'.)8. He now
holds a position in the Holyoke fire depart-
ment. Mr. Gorman is a member of the
I. O. U. M. and of Knights of Columbus.
In 190(1 he married Katherine L. O'Don-
nell. They have one son. Edward Thomas
(iorman.
RvAX. Timothy F.. p. o. Holyoke. Mass..
was born in Milford. Mass.. April 20, lS,->7,
a son of John T. and Ann (Cougbllnl
Ryan. His father was a native of Ireland
and has lived In Milford about fifty-five
years. Timothy was educated In the
schools of Milford. and after leaving school
engaged in the shoe business. He came to
Holyoke In Septemljer. 1880. from Taunton,
and started his present undertaking busi-
ness. Mr. Ryan is chairman of the demo-
cratic city committee and for several years
has been a factor in Holyoke politics. In
( 662 )
APPENDIX
1S7S he married Mary Ann Murphy, of Hol-
iiston. Mass. I'^our children were born of
this marriage : May B., William I., John
and Lillian Ityan.
Lynch. John T.. p. o. Holyoke. Mass..
chief engineer of the Holyoke tire depart-
ment, was born on Staten Island. May 2.
1850. a son of Thomas and Mary (Griffin)
Lynch. His father was a native of Ire-
land and came to America in 1S48. John
came to Holyoke July 17, 1866. having
previously been a member of the Staten
Island fire department. He joined the
Holyoke department in 1868. and on Feb-
ruary 1, 1885, was appointed chief engin-
eer, which position he still holds, and
which he fills to the entire satisfaction of
all business men. In 1886 Mr. Lynch
married Anastasia Hardy of Westfield. They
have one son, Francis J. Lynch. In con-
nection with Chief Lynch's early service
in the Holyoke fire department (which or-
ganization he has brought to a high stan-
dard of efficiency) his splendid action on
the occasion of the burning of the French
Catholic church has always been held in
grateful remembrance by Holyoke's people.
In the chapter relating to the history of
that city the reader will find a more de-
tailed account of the disaster referred to.
Lyman Edson L.. p. o. Holyoke. Mass..
was born in South Hadley. April 15. 1858.
a son of Lorenzo W. and Sarah (Williams)
Lyman, and was educated in the public
schools. He learned the meat business
and started his present establishmont about
1885. Mr. Lyman is a member of the
Holyoke lodge No. 134. I. O. O. F. In 1880
he married Margaret F. Kamage. They
are the parents of four children. Edson,
Ralph. Ruth and John Lyman.
CooLEY. GKortGE D.. p. o. Mittineague,
Mass.. was born in Agawam, August 30.
1840, a son of Justus U. and Lucia Os-
borne (Flagg) Cooley. and a grandson of
Gideon Cooley. who came to Agawam in
1735. (Jeorge obtained his education in
the public schools of Agawam and Spring-
field. He is now engaged in farming, has
served as tax collector two years and was
road (rommlssioner in Itioo. He is a mem-
ber of the Congregational church of Mit-
tineague. and also of the Hampden lodge
of Masons. On April 5. 1864. Mr. Cooley
married Alice, daughter of Joel Daggett.
Four children were born of this marriage:
Luella. wife of A. H. Boggue. of Palmer;
Emma K.. wife of L. G. Dickinson ; How-
ard J. and Maro Harold Cooley.
Harmon. William IL. p. o. Agawam,
Mass., was born iu Shelburne. Vt., October
17. 1844, son of William (a native of Cov-
entry. Vt.) and Elizabeth (Stanton) Har-
mon. His father, at the time of his death
in 1874, was U. S. consul to St. John's. P.
Q. Mrs. Harmon died in 1879. In the
house now owned by William H. Harmon
there is some wainscoting which originally
was in one of the buildings where Gen.
Washington stopped. There is also a well
on the place where Washington is said to
have drank of its refreshing waters. This
well is said to have been in existence over
200 years. William H. Harmon obtained
his education in the schools of Shelburne.
and in 1891 came to Agawam and pur-
chased the farm where he now lives. He
is a member of Agawam grange and a com-
municant of the Protestant Episcopal
church. On January 1!0. 1S75. he married
Sarah K.. daughter of Thomas Robinson, a
direct descendant of Gov. Robinson. Mr.
and Mrs. Harmon have one daughter. Char-
lotte E. Harmon.
Rf.ssELL, Stephen O.. p. o. Agawam,
Mass.. was born in Foxboro. Mass.,
October 17. 1875. a son of William ,
and Fannie E. (Walker) Russell, and a
grandson of William Russell, a native of
Ellington, Conn. He received a common
school education and then engaged in farm-
ing. He is a mem!)er of Massachusetts
militia. On March 20. 1898, Mr. Russell
married Bertha E.. daughter of Byron
Roberts, of Feeding Hills, by whom he has
one child. Byron R. Russell.
PoMEKOY. Frank J., p. o. Agawam. Mass.,
was born in Suffield, Conn.. November 20,
1848. a son of William Pomeroy. a native
of West Suffield and a carpenter by trade,
and who died in 1856. He married Miran-
tha Pierce, who is now living at the ad-
vanced age of eighty-six years. Frank
was educated in the schools of Agawam,
Suffield and Springfield, and then engaged
in general farming, having come to his
present place in 1876. Mr. Pomeroy is a
member of the Agawam liaptist church,
uniting at the age of fifteen, and he has
been superintendent of the Sunday s<'hool
for the past three years. He served as
town collector for four years and as con-
( 663 )
APPENDIX
stabJe for two years. On May (>. IS"."). .Mr.
I'omeroy married Ella, a daughter of Silas
Cook, of AKawani. Six children were born
of this in;irrlaiL:e : William, died at the age
of twenty : Ida May. died at the age of
fourteen months : Howard li.. Frederick C.
Mary L. and Florence R. Pomeroy.
Itov, .1. Ait.sF.NE. p. o. Mlttineague. Mass..
was born in Grandllne. Canada. October 14,
1830. a son of Kphralm and Margaret
(Brouillitte) Uoy. and was educated In the
college of Werville and the English col-
lege of Clarenceville. Canada. He learned
the carpenters trade and came to Mittin-
eague in 180!). In 18S8 the firm of Scott
& Uoy was formed and has since its organ-
ization done a large and successful busi-
ness. They were the successful contrac-
tors for the erection of the Springfield high
school. Court Square theatre building. The-
atre block, the French American college
building, the Mlttlneague school building,
town of Agawam. and Grace church. Chico-
pee. Mr. itoy was elected a member of
the scliool committee in 1900 and is still
serving in said capacity. On June 2, 1872.
he married Elsie Lauviere. of St. Claire.
Canada. They have two children living.
Ida, a graduate of West Springfield high
school (class of 18118). and Emil Roy.
King, Ambhosk S., p. o. Agawam. Mass..
was born in Westhampton, October 26.
l.S(V4 a son of L. Warner la native of the
-same town) and Eliza (Lucasi King. His
father was engaged in farming the most
of his life and for two years was employed
in the I'nited States mail service. Am-
brose S. King was educated in the schools
of his native town, afterward became and
Is now a farmer and dealer in wood and
lumber. He came to .Agawam In 1884
and purchased the farm on which he has
since lived. In politics he Is a Repub-
lican. He was a candidate for selectman
In 1001. and now is chairman of the Re-
publican town committee. Mr. King is a
director In the Springfield Co-operative
milk association, a member of the Agawam
grange and of Amity lodge of Odd Fellows.
On November S. 18ii3. he married Clara E..
d.iughter of Daniel M. Flower, of Agawam.
They have one daughter. Alice Dorothy
King.
C.Mciioi.i.. J.iMEs J., p. o. Feeding Hills.
Mn.ss.. was liorn in Granville. .•\ugHst 29.
18(!8. n son of Michael Carroll, a native
of Ireland, and Margaret, his wife. Michael
Carroll came from Ireland in 1847,
settling on the farm where he now resides.
His wife died January l.j. lyim. James
J. Carroll was educated in the common
schools and then engaged in farming and
dairying. He is a member of the Foresters
and has served as town constable (or seven
years. On June 21, 1899. Mr. Carroll
married Mary M., daughter of James Har-
rison (of Hartford. Conn.), a relative of
the late ex-President Harrison. Mr. and
Mrs. Carroll have one daughter. Ursula
Harrison.
Smith. James S., p. o. Feeding Hills,
Mass., was born in Feeding Hills, in the
house where he now resides. January 15.
1849. a son of James S. (died in 187.5) and
Lorinda (Lay) Smith (died in 1893). and
was educated in the public schools of Aga-
wam and Burnett school of Springfield.
After leaving school he engaged in farm-
ing on the farm where he is now located.
The house he lives in was built in 1810
by Gibbons Lay. a blacksmith. Mr. Smith
is a member of the Methodist church and
is its steward, trustee and treasurer. On
September 18, 1878, he married Anna L.,
daughter of Daniel H. White. Five chil-
dren were born of this marriage. Lorinda
T.. Herman W.. and Howard L. Smith, and
two others who died young.
Roberts, H. Vax Xess. p. o. Feeding
Hills. Mass.. was born in Feeding Hills, on
the Roberts homestead. July 30. 1873. a
son of Samuel H. and Arabelle (Kent)
Roberts. He was educated in the schools
of his native town and after leaving school
engaged in farming. On September 4. 1895,
he married Lillian Mclntyre. of Chicopee
Falls, who bore him two children : Clay-
ton Charles and Samuel H. Roberts.
Johnson. Frederic A., jr., p. o. Feeding
Hills. Mass.. was born in Feeding Hills
October 28. 1859. on the old family home-
stead. His father. Frederic A. Johnson, is
a native of the same town and an influen-
tial farmer. He served his town one term
as a selectman. He married Ruth A.,
daughter of Aaron Smith, of Agawam. Mrs.
Johnson died in 1874. Frederic A. John-
son, jr.. obtained his early edui'ation in the
public schools, and is now engaged in farm-
ing and in the woo] business. On February
0. 1884. he married Florence A., daughter
<»f Richard Jabes. of SutHeld. Mass.. who
( 664 )
APPENDIX
bore him one daughter. H. Florence John-
son.
Fuller, Albert K.. p. o. Feeding Hills.
Mass.. was born in Stafford, May 6, 1844.
a son of Robert S. Fuller, a native of the
same town, and who died July 3.
1895. and Hannah Bugby. his wife,
who died in 1888. Albert was edu-
cated in the schools of Springfield
and afterward learned the carpenter's,
cabinet maker's, painting and finishing
trades. He also became proficient in ar-
chitecture. For fifteen years he worked
as a finisher in Springfield, but in 1885 he
started a general mercantile business in
Feeding Hills. This business he carried for
twelve years and then was appointed
postmaster under President Cleveland's first
administration, serving for four years. In
1886 he was appointed justice of the peace
and is still acting in that capacity. He
has been a licensed engineer since 1886.
After disposing of his mercantile business
to George O. Andrews, he was one of the
prime movers of, as well as one of the
largest stockholders in the Springfield &
Southern railroad, and in 1880 he secured
the right of way options for the Central
New England railroad without any litiga-
tion whatever. Mr. Fuller is now conduct-
ing the farm upon which he lives. On July
16. 18(10. he married S. Emma, daughter of
Elisba I'arker, of Stoughton. Mass. Three
children have been born of this marriage:
Robert Elisba. who died February 9. 1888 :
Genevieve E.. and A. Edward Fuller.
iiUKEN, Bkxjamin Butler, p. o. North
Wilbraham, Mass.. was born in Palmer
May 27, 1863, a son of Walter and Julia
( Butler) Green, and received a common
school education. He began business life
as a farmer and purchased his present phice
in 1891. He has always taken an active
part in town affairs and is a member of
the Christian church of his town. On De-
cember 18, 1891. Mr. Green married Esther
Chilson. who bore him three children : Ev-
erett H.. Olive C. and Clifton Green.
Baldwin, John W.. p. o. North Wilbra-
ham. Mass.. was born in North Wilbraham
October 18. 1850. a son of Joseph lialdwin
(a native of I'almer) and Maria Shields, his
wife (a native of Wilbraham). John was
educated in the schools of Ludlow, Wilbra-
ham academy and the Boys' Cadet school
of Albany. Since leaving school he has
been engaged in farming. He served
as postmaster at North Wilbraham for 12
years, under the Cleveland and McKinley
administrations and was deputy sheriff of
Hampden county for one year. In 1879
Mr. Baldwin married Annie B. Feeny, of
Palmer. They have four children living :
Joseph J., John F.. Mary L.. and William
V. Baldwin.
Shaw. Herbert E., p. o. Wales. Mass.,
son of Elijah Shaw, of Wales, the well
manufacturer and philanthropist, was born
in Wales July 31. 1865. Since the retire-
ment of his father from business, in 1889,
Herbert E.. although yet a young man. has
had entire charge of the business of the
Shaw Woolen mills. He is a grandson of
Solomon and Mary (Davis) Shaw. Solo-
mon Shaw was born May 29, 1788 and died
February 5, 1864. His children were War-
ren, Elijah, Salem J., Caroline R., and Mary
L. Shaw. The Shaw family came from
Grafton. Mass.. to Wales. Solomon was a
blacksmith by trade ; also a manufacturer
of axes and hoes and be was one of eight
to erect the Methodist Episcopal meeting
house. Elijah Shaw was born May 29, 1813
and began working for his father at an
early age. but not liking his father's tradt
he learned shoemaking. Being ambitious,
he started in the shoe manufacturing bus-
iness for himself and employed sixteen
workmen when he was seventeen yar', old.
After several years he purchased .ui inter-
est in his father's business and travel- d
with a horse and wagon, selling axe3, hoes
and wagons. In 1848 he ventured lutj n
new field and bought stock in a woolen mill
and later he engaged in partnership with
his brother and operated a mill under the
name of the Wales Manufacturing com-
pany. Still later he purchased his broth-
er's interest and established a business,
which, under his prudent management, be-
came very successful. He erected three
other large mills, cutting the timber and
burning the brick for their construction.
Mr. Shaw was a very active factor in the
business development of Wales and con-
structed many buildings himself. The Bap-
tist church edifice was erected by him at a
cost of .$21). 000 and was presented to the
society in 1874. At the close of the war
he was mainly Instrumental in founding
and erecting the Shaw university for the
education of the colored people, in Raleigh.
( 665 )
APPENDIX
N. C. Me married Jane I-. Andrews, who
died iu 1803. leaving one daughter, ]-]ll;i,
wife of .lolin C. Hurley. His second wife
was Jane M.. daucliler of Tlionias j.
Weaver, llerberl !■:. Sliaw Is a son ttf lliis
marriage. nerl>ert 10. Sliaw was edm-ated
in tile scliools of Wales and iu Urimlield
high school. After leaving school lie en-
tered his father's office and acquired a
thorough knowledge of the husiness. to
whose management he has since succeeded.
In 1S!)1 .Mr. Shaw married Mary M.. daugh-
ter of Henry K. Steele. They have one
daughter. Winona, born July 11. 18!H. The
Herkle.v mills, of which Mr. Shaw is man-
ager, made an exhibit at llie World's fair
In 1S!i:! and received a medal as an award
of merit for a superior line of goods and
the general excellency of their texture.
Chaulks. Bvudx W.. p. o. East Briiutield,
Mass.. was born on the farm where he now
resides January fi. 184,"). second son of
Abraham and Ksther L (Wallace) Charles,
who had five children iLuvan A... wife of
Henry 1>. Hyde, of lioslon ; Hyron W.. Wil-
der Allen. Salem I)., of Boston and I'reder-
Ick A. Charles, the latter now a dentist In
Kxeter. N. H.) Abraham Charles taught
school for seventeen terms, but liis later
and chief occupation in business life was
farming. He was a son of Captain Darius
and Terzey (Holbrook) Charles, who were
the largest land owners in this town, pos-
sessing about l..'{()0 acres. ISyron W.
Charles was- educated In the schools of his
town, and when seventeen years old. in
August. 18(!2. enlisted in Company C -Kith
Mass. Vol. Inf. He was discharged in
18C3. .\fter his return home he lived and
worked with his father, and upon the hit-
ter's death he came into possession of the
farm, which he has since carried on. Mr.
Charles is a member of the Masonic lodge
and of the (Irand Army of the Uepublic.
.Stow. M.vksh.m.i. Voi.nev. p. o. Granville
Centre. .Mass.. was born In the northern
part of (iranville. December 'Ji;. 18:54. a son
of Volney and Charity (Spellman) Stow.
Volney Stow was also born on the old
homestead in the same town, and was a
son of Kllliu and .Mary (I'arsons) Stow.
Klihu Stow occupied I'llgrlm's Inn. which
was located on tlie stage road from .Mbany
to Hartford, and it has remained In the
Stow family for four successive genera-
tions. About 1781). Ellhu Stow. jr.. then
twenty years of age. after three years*
service in the revolutionary war. settled on
the old homestead which his father had
previously purchased, and began to clear
and cultivate the land. About 178.'), Ell-
hu. sr.. assisted by his son. built a saw
mill, the frame of which is still standing,
and probably is the oldest saw mill stand-
ing in the state. An interesting feature
in connection with the' Stow place is a
double row of about 180 maple trees, which
interlace and form a complete archway
over the highway. These trees were set
out by Volney Stow. Marshall Volney
Stow was educated in the district schools
of Granville and the Westtield and Sprlng-
tield academies. On September 0. 1S8S,
he married Emma L.. daughter of Horace
and Mary (Blood) Pierce, of Royalston,
Mass. In business life he was a farmer,
a lumber manufacturer, and also conduct-
ed a grist mill. He was active in town
and county affairs and represented his dis-
trict in the state legislature in 188."). He
was a veteran of the war of 1S61-.1. having.
enlisted in Co. E. 46th Keg. Mass. Vols.
.Mr. Stow died December 13. 181)8.
W.iKiiK.N. -MosKs II.. p. o. Hampden,
Mass.. was born in Wilbraham. January
:;o. IS.'i."). a son of ("apt. Aaron, and a
grandson of Uev. Xloses Warren, who was
the first minister to deliver a sermon in the
town now called Hampden. Mr. Warren
is a public-spirited man. interested In all
good works, and he has served in many
political offices. He was assessor twelve
years, school commissioner several years,
selectman three terms, and was represent-
ative in the general court in 188.j, for the
towns of Hampden. Palmer. Ludlow and
Williraham. He also served as deputy
sheriff for sixteen years. In 1857 Mr,
Warren married Elizabeth Sheldon, who
bore him six children, Frederick A., De-
Wilt. Henry G., Edwstrd Morris, Mary
i:iiz,ibeth and John L. Warren. Mrs,
Warren died in 1S7(). Mr. Warren's sec-
ond wife was lyouise M. Hurley.
HrniLVRD, (iicoUGE E., p, o. Westfield,
Mass., was born in the town of Westtield
in 1.S71. His father, George Hubbard, was
born in Westtield in 1827, and was a far-
mer. He married Clara Eddy, who bore
him children as follows : Allen, Leora C.,
Agnes M. and (Jeorge E. Hubbard, (ieorge
E. Hubbard married Janet Freed. They
( 666 )
APPENDIX
have one son. George Hiram Hubbard. Mrs.
Hubbard died in March. ISitS.
Cosby. Ai.pked. p. o. Fairfield. Mass.. was
born in England. October 11. 1834. a son
of James and Eliza Cosby, and was edu-
cated in the schools of his native town.
When fifteen years of age he learned the
trade of pottery ware and brick making,
and he also for a time kept a hotel. In
1874 he came to America and settled in
Westfield. remaining there three years, and
then moved to Uussell and built a board-
ing house, which he conducted for six
years. Later on he built the comfortable
house known as the Cosby hotel in the
southern part of the town of Russell, in a
quiet and attractive locality, overlooking
the Westfield river valley. It is a resort
much frequented by sportsmen. When
twenty years of age Mr. Cosby married
Jane Young, who bore him eight children :
Maria (wife of George Boakes). Alfred,
Harry G.. Walter. Lillian M., Arthur H..
Abraham and Ephraim Cosby. After the
death of his first wife Mr. Cosby married
Julia Louise, daughter of Joseph and Ellen
Tower, of Windsor, Mass.
MOETIMOHE, William, p. o. Russell.
Mass., was born in England. April 0.
1834. a son of John and Elizabeth
Mortimore. who came from England
with their family in 1854 and set-
tled in the northern part of the
town of Russell. William was educated
in the schools of his native place, and
married Sarah Pitts, also a native of Eng-
land. Soon after his marriage he came
to America, where he worked at his trade
of millwright and machinist, in the em-
ploy of John R. Smith & Co. Later on
he worked for the Chapin & Gould and
Chester Paper companies. In 18!)(l he re-
tired from mill work and has since resided
on his farm, about two miles north of
Russell village. lie makes a specialty of
stock raising and dealing In live and
dressed beef. Mr. Mortimore's wife died
in 1872. Their children were William.
John. Elizabeth. Sarah. Emma. Lucy.
George Henry, and one other now deceased.
Mr Mortimore takes an active part in local
aairs.. although he has never aspired to
political honors. His son. (ieorge H. Mor-
timore has served as selectman of Russell,
and Is a prominent Mason, tWd I'elb'w and
Red Man. holding an active membership in
each of these fraternal orders.
Himiixs. IR.\ O., p. o. North Blandford,
Mass.. was born in Sturbridge. September
11, 18.5:2. a son of William C. and Esther
A. (Burleigh) Biggins. whose children
were Corridan. Edith. Ira O.. Herbert C.
and Lee W. Higgins. William C. Iliggins
wag a millwright in early lite, and after-
ward became a manufacturer of baskets.
He enlisted in Co. F. 40th Reg., as a pri-
vate, and was promoted to corporal. He
died May 15. 1885. Ira O. Higgins was
educated in the common schools, and later
was associated in business with bis father.
About two years previous to the death of
the elder Higgins a copartnership was
formed and three of the sons purchased
their father's interest in the basket fac-
tory, which they continued four years.
Since that time Ira O. and Lee Higgins
have conducted the business as sole pro-
prietors. They manufacture baskets of
all kinds, deal in agricultural implements
and lumber. and own and manage
about sixty acres of farm land. On
October 13, 1877, Ira O. Higgins
married Jennie. daughter of Charles
Hobb. Three children have been born
of this marriage : Earl. Mabel and
Hazel Iliggins. Mr. Higgins is a member
of Chester lodge. No. 161. I. O. O. E. He
is active in church work and is a member
of the Second Congregational church, hav-
ing served as one of its trustees for the
last three years.
CiHiNEV. John E.. p. o. Blandford. Mass.,
was born in Somers. Conn.. April 17. 1862,
a son of Patrick and Margaret (Fmnn)
Cooney. both natives of Ireland. Thcjr
children were James. Thomas, John E.,
Frank. Mary. Maggie. William and two who
died In infancy. Patrick Cooney was a
tailor in his early life, and came to this
country, settling in Somers in 1840. and
In Hampden county in 1875. John E.
Cooney lived in Connecticut until he was
ten years of age. when he moved to Jencks-
vllle. where he remained three years and
then came to Blandford. When Hfleen
years of age he began work on a farm and
"was so employed for eleven years, until he
formed a partnership with his brother
Thomas In a general mercantile business In
Blandford. After two years he purchased
his brother's interest and curried on the
( G67 )
APPENDIX
business aUme until 1900. wlien he sold out
to liis brotlier. Wiiliam Cooney. Mr. Cooney
Is active in town and county affairs ; has
sei'ved as treasurer of his town, and at
present is chairman of tlie board of select-
men. He is a member of the Huntington
lodge. F. vt A. M., and of Woronoco tribe.
1. O. K. M. He takes an especial interest
in educational work and is a contributing
and supporting member of the Cougre,?a-
tional church
E.ISTWOOD. Bi;.\JAMix S.. p. o. Hunting-
ton. Mass., was born in England, March 7.
1850. a son of Benjamin and Ann East-
wood. His mother died when he was very
young and his father came to Americ-a,
settling in the eastern part of the state,
and later moved to Hampden county,
where he died in 1899. Benjamin East-
wood was a clergyman of the Episcopal
church and was rector of a parish in Paw-
tucket for twenty-five years. Benjamin S.
Eastwood was given a good common school
education, and when fifteen years of age
he was employed in a general store in
Northampton. He also w*as in the em-
ploy of the Tliomas Mfg. Co. for seven-
teen years, and settled in Chester in 1891.
Here he carries on general farming, mak-
ing a specialty of sheep raising, and he
owns about 100 acres of land. On Septem-
ber 19, 1871, Mr. Eastwood married Adelle
Munson of Bloomfield. N. Y. Three
daughters were born of this marriage :
Annie (wife of David E. Heffer), Adelle
and Edith Eastwood. The second daugh-
ter is a school teacher in Montgomery. Mr,
I'^astwood is a member of Seneca lodge. No.
5.J, F. & A. M.. of Torrington, Conn., of
St. Paul's chapter. U. A. M.. and of Bos-
ton commandery. K. T,
Wii.i,cuTT, Frank A., p. o. Chester,
Mass,, was born in Chester. March 24,
1857, a son of Alpheus and Julia A. (Grif-
fin) Willcutt. and was educated in the
pul)Iic schools of (bat town When twelve
years of age he began work, assisting his
father, who tlien was connected with the
bridge department of tlie B. & A. railroad.
and later lie worked in tlie emery mill and
bedstead factory in Chester. When twenty-
eight years of age he engaged in a general
grocery and provision business at Chester,
wliich business he is now conducting with
gratifying success. Mr. Willcutt married
Carrie E. Harwood. Two children were
born to them, Ethel and Hazel Willcutt,
Mr, Willcutt is a charter member of the
Acqui tribe. Improved Order of Red Men
No. 14">. in which he holds the position of
junior sagamore. He is a trustee and
treasurer of the M. E. church of Chester.
.MunitE. LvcEXE O.. p. o. Montgomery,
Mass., was born on the farm where he now
lives, December 23, 1849, a son of Ochter-
long A. and Sarah A, Moore. His father
«-as a farmer and manufacturer of whip
lashes and machine belts, and was the first
man who attempted to manufacture short
belts from waste leather. Lucene O.
Moore was educated in the schools of his
native town, and at Wilbraham academy.
When twenty-two years of age he formed
a partnership with his brother. Elmer S.
Moore, in tlie meat business in Russell.
Four years later he returned to the old
homestead, where he has since resided,
carrying on general farming and owning
and controlling about 225 acres of land.
On June 11. 1871. Mr. Moore married Lil-
lian G., daughter of Apollos and Delina
Moore. Ten children were born of this
marriage : Wilbert T.. Alice Belle. Dana
Scott. Mabel Lillian. Helen M., Lester L.,
Percy R., Florence B.. Angenette D. and
Grace Emily Moore, all of whom were born
on the old homestead farm. Mr. Moore
takes an active interest in town and coun-
ty alfairs. and is now- serving as chairman
of the board of selectmen. He has been
selectman, with the exception of one year,
since 1884, He is one of the charter mem-
bers of Montgomery grange No. 45, a mem-
ber of Springfield Pomona grange, and also
of the .State grange.
M.iGuiRE, John C. p. o. Monson, Mass.,
was born in Hingharo, February 2, 1837,
a son of George Maguire (a native of Liver-
pool, Eng.. who came to America in 1818,
settling in Charlestown. Mass.) and Susan
Clemerson. bis wife, who died in 1899.
George died in 1871. John C. Maguire
learned the shoemakers trade and in 1852
he came to .Monson. where he conducted a
shop for over thirty years. He is now
engaged in farming and also in the real
estate business. In 1862 Mr. Maguire en-
listed in the 4fith Mass. regiment of in-
fantry, and fought with his company in the
battles of White Hall, Kingstown and
Goldsboro, He was discharged July 29,
186S. He is a member of the Grand Army
( 668 )
APPENDIX
of the Republic. On September 5. 1857,
Mr. Maguire married Margaret A. Skid-
more. Their childrea : Franli F.. Arthur
G., Everett L.. Hattie S., Ella L., John H.,
Charles M. and Edward L. Maguire.
KUGGLES, Chakles S.. p. o. Three Rivers,
Mass., was born in Fitchburg. August 25,
1882. His father. Dr. Silas Uuggles, was
a descendant of Samuel Kuggles of Rox-
bury, one of the number with Lamb & Co.,
who made the Indian purchase in 1687. and
made claim to ownership of the tract of
land that now includes the town of
Palmer. L)r. Ruggles married Harriet,
daughter of Adam Fay, of Barre, and set-
tled in Palmer in 180G. Charles S. Rug-
gles acquired a common school education
and afterward engaged in various lines of
business at different times, among them
being the carpenter's trade, which he
learned thoroughly and became a practical
workman. Naturally, he afterward be-
came a contracting builder, which has
been his leading occupation since 1889. Mr.
Ruggles is a member of the Thomas lodge
of Masons. Hampden chapter. Washington
council. River chapter, O. E. S.. and of the
Royal Arcanum. On August 26, 1890. he
married Arabelle Knox, of Palmer. They
have three children.
WiLsox, John-, p. o. Three Rivers, Mass.,
was born in Glasgow, Scotland, February
9, 1851, and came to this country in 1869,
settling in Holyoke. He learned the tin-
smith's trade in Scotland, which he has
since followed. In 1874 he removed to
Palmer and opened a tin shop. In 1892
he became proprietor of a general store and
has since managed both enterprises with
satisfactorv results. Mr. Wilson is a mem-
ber of the Palmer lodge, I. O. O. F., of the
A. O. r. W., the Improved Order of Red
Men, and of the Union Evangelical church.
On October 4, 1874, he married Agnes Mc-
Kay, of Hamilton, Scotland, They have
two children living, James and Maude May
Wilson.
Hayxes. Charles P.. p. o. Three Rivers,
Mass., was born in Monson, August 12,
1865, and received a good common school
education. Subsequently he engaged in
various lines of business with fair success,
and In l.SSO started a box manufacturing
knd lumber business at Three Rivers,
wliich he conducted until 1900. Mr.
llaynes is interested in all measures that
pertaiu to the advancement and welfare of
his town or of its people. He married
Nettie H. Moore, of Palmer, Mass,
Barker, Louis G., p. o. Three Rivers,
Mass., was born in Shutesbury, May 6,
1866. a son of Franklin and Arvilla (Mc-
Clentock) Barker. After acquiring an
ordinary education in the public scliools he
first engaged in farming. In 1897 he start-
ed his present ice. coal and wood business,
which he has since conducted with excel-
lent success. Mr. Barker is a member of
the Masonic lodge of Palmer, and of WilU-
mantic Tribe of Red Men.
Twiss, John F., p. o. Three Rivers,
Mass., was born in Palmer. June 23. 1854,
a son of Francis and Mary (Foley) Twiss.
He obtained a good common scool education,
and his first employment was as railroad
station agent. He engaged in his present
livery, hack and trucking business in 1880.
He served four years as postmaster dur-
ing the Cleveland administration ; was
elected selectman in 1800 and served for
seven years, and was again elected in 1900.
On February 28, 1884, Mr. Twiss married
Ellen L. Kerrigan, daughter of Joseph
Kerrigan, of Palmer. They have seven
children living : Frank K., Joseph, who
died at the age of Ave years; Mazzie, Belle,
Nellie. Edith, John and Richard Twiss.
Mr. Twiss is a member of the order of Red
Men. the United Order of Workmen and of
the Knights of Columbus.
CAXTY, Timothy W., p. o. Chicopee,
Mass.. was born in Chicopee. February 15,
1854, a son of Dennis 6. and Mary A.
(Leahy) Canty, who were the parents of
ten children, four now living viz : Dennis
G., Timothy W., Joseph P. and Catherine A.
Canty. Mr. Canty's father was a grocer
and carried on business in Chicopee for
more than fifty years and at the time of
his death, in 1889, he was succeeded by his
son, Timothy. The latter was educated in
the schools of Chicopee and in Burnett's
Business college at Springfield. He was
associated with his father until the death
of the latter, and, since that time he has
carried on business (general grocer and
feed dealer) alone. He also owns a farm
near Springfield, Mr, Canty is interested
in Chicopee politics and has taken an active
part in town and city affairs. He has
served as chairman of the democratic town
i-omniittec. was deputy sheriff three years.
( 6G9 )
APPENDIX
and iilso has taken im active InteiesI In nil m(>nt:il in establishing the Longmeadow
vanrln« school and eduiatlonal work. water works system. In January. 1871 he
Kixii. IlKu.MA.N Waltku. p. o. Kast Long- married Kllen ('.. daughter of Michael
meadow. Mass., was born at Hoosac Tunnel. Quinn. Seven children have been born of
Mass.. January 24. 1S70. a .son of Francis this marriage: Lavina M., Ellen C Cora
W. and Kannie V. (Clyne) King. The M.. Thomas J. (who died in his nineteenth
family trace their descent from Kngllsh an
ceslors. the pioneer of whom settled In
Cliarlemont In the early part of the seven-
teenth century. Herman W. King was edu-
cated in the schools of Worcester, and
afterward became a practical farmer, lie
Is a member of the ISoyal Arcanum and of
the Kast Longmeadow grange. On Janu-
ary T2, 18.S!). Mr. King married Alona S.
Watson. They have two children. .Mice
Merle and Harry Walter King.
IIiTclicocK. Jiiiix u.. p. o. Longmeadow.
Mass.. was l)orn in Kort Covington. X. Y..
May L'.-|. IHW. a son of Myron and Mary
((Joldsmithi Hitchcock. He acquired his
early education in the |)Ubllc schools of Fort
Covington and Ogdensburg. After leaving
school he learned the cloth-maker's trade
and in 18.J0 moved to New York city, where
yean. Josephine. Joseph W. (who died
at two years of age), and Franklin Benja-
min Watters.
MoHGA.v. Jo.sEPH. p. o. West Springfield.
-Mass.. was born on the old Morgan family
homestead in West Springfield. November
l.'.'J. 1838. a son of Nathan and Fannie
(Cooley) Morgan. Nathan Morgan was a
lieutenant in Hampden Grays militia, and
was killed when forty-five years of age.
.loseph Morgan was educated in the Spring-
Held Classical school and Wilbraham acad-
emy, taking a special course in mathemat-
ics. He then began the study of law and
was admitted to the bar in 1S6S. He began
practice in Springfield, continuing two years
and then engaged in the real estate busi-
ness. Mr. Morgan has traveled exten-
sively and is the owner of orange and
he was engaged in importing and manufact- lemon groves in California. On January 1
uring men's furnishing goods. After thir- 187.->. he married Addie M. Lewis of West-
yeai-s that business was disposed of field, wlio died in 1890, leaving one son,
I'^rancis C. Morgan, a pupil in the Spring-
teen
and In 1874 he catne to live in Lon„
meadow. In I.siio he went to Denver. Col.
and built a knitting and weaving mill. Two
yeas later he returned to Longmeadow and
has since been engaged in the manufacture
of sweaters. Mr. Hitchcock is a member
of the Congregational church of Long-
meadow. On May L'4. Is(i4. he married
Hannah I... daughter of Dimond Chandler,
of Longmeadow. Thirteen children have
been born of this marriage, seven of whom
are now living, viz.: Mary L. (wife of E.
field high school. In 1891 Jlr. Morgan mar-
ried Mattie E. Dickinson, of -Northampton.
WaivKkiki.d. Frank P.. p. o. .Merrick.
Mass.. was born at Kandolph. Vt.. July 31,
18:i:?, a son of Eli (a native of Connecticut)
and Cynthia (Greene) Wakefield. He was
given a good common school education, and
at the age of 21 years (1854) he came to
West Springfield and was employed as
brakeman on the B. & A. railroad. After
two years he was promoted to conductor.
J. Uadasch. a merchant of Springfield, but serving on passenger and freight trains ten
residing in Longmeadow I. Frederick C
Harriet A.. liuell N.. Madaliue and Anna
C. Hitchcock.
Wattkhs. TI105IAS D., p. o. Longmeadow.
JIass.. was horn in Longmeadow, December
11). 1S,-C'. a son of John S. and Margaret
years. After this he was employed in the
company's office and is now towerman,
having been in the service a total of forty-
five years. On August 7, 1859, Mr. Wake-
field married Mary, daughter of William
Luch. a native of London. England. Five
(Welch! Watler.s. and a grandson of John children were born of this marriage, only
W. Watters. the latter a native of Ireland.
John S. Watters was a carpenter and build-
er, and cime to Longmeadow in 1S4S. lie
died July 'JO. 1879. Thomas D. Watters
was educated in the schools of Longmeadow
and afterwards learned the carpenter's
trade with his father. He has served as
member of ibe water board and was Instru-
ont of whom is now living. Homer D.. an
employee of the B. & A. U. n. company.
On .\ngust 2(1, 1890, Homer D. Wakefield
married Annable I'aysant (of Canada) by
whom he has one daughter, Maude Wake-
field.
TllIRTtlLLOTTE, ILiRCirS LAZEE, p, O,
Merrick, Mass., was Urn in Tolland, Conn..
( 670 )
APPENDIX
January -4. IS-lLi. a son o£ Augustus and
Mary (Howe) Tourtellotte. He was edu-
cated in tbe schools of Stafford Springs and
Wilbraliam academy. His lirst business ven-
ture was in tlie millv trade in Hamp-
den county, in which he was engaged
tor two years. He next was em-
ployed for twelve years with J. S.
Carr & Co. as a commercial traveler,
and in the meantime he bought what was
called the Merrick farm. After severing
his connection with Carr & Co. he has
turned his attention to his farm, and he
also built several blocks and about 100
houses in Sprinertield. In 1876 he purchased
what is known as the "Bear Hole" property,
now a very popular summer resort. In
1873 he flrst engaged in his present mer-
cantile and ice packing business. He has
a plant in Xew Salem, with a storage capac-
ity of l."i.OiMi tons of ice. For four years
Mr. Tourtellotte was councilman in Spring-
tield, serving at the time the changes were
made on Main street and the building of the
Longmeadow railroad was being carried on.
He has been in charge of the West Spring-
field water works since July, 1900. Mr.
Tourtellotte is an industrious man and
attends strictly to business, having never
taken a vacation. He is a member of
Hampden lodge of Odd Fellows. On Janu-
ary 1, IStit). he married Belle C. daughter
of Joseph c. Marsh.
Wkst, Chaki.es Hf.xkv, p. o. Merrick,
Mass., was born in Monson. June 11. 1852.
a son of Henry Herman and Julia Maria
(Knowlton) West. Henry West was a n.t-
tive of Rensselaerville, N. Y., and came to
Hampden county in 18-10. For a time he
was engaged in farming and then went on
the railroad as brakeman. being afterward
jiromoted to conductor on the K. & A. road,
in which capacity he served four years.
For the past twenty-flve years he has been
engaged in teaming and Is now living In
Spencer. Charles H. West was educated in
the .schools of Silverstreet, Smitbvllle and
Monson, and for two years was employed in
a cotton mill befi>re he was appointed bag-
gagemaster at Spencer. This position he
held for one month and then went on the
Norwich & Worcester railroad as brakeman.
In 1871 was employed by the I!. & A. in
the capacity of conductor. Mr. West is a
member of Tekoa lodge of Odd Fellows. No.
i;i8 of West Springfield, and for two years
was master of the lodge of Railroad Train-
men. On March 2. 1S7.J, he marrie<i Lizzie
McEvoy, of Brookfield, by whom he has five
children : Annie, wife of Walter Smith of
West Springfield : Henry, who died when
fourteen years of age ; Goldie, Charles and
Esther West,
Cross, Harhisox Mills, p. o. Merrick,
Mass., was born in New Lebanon. N. Y.,
October 14, 1S64. a son of John S. and
Caroline (Mills) Cross. John S. Cross was
a native of Sand Lake, N, Y*., and came to
Hampden county in 1889, afterward work-
ing at bis trade of wagon making. Harri-
son M. Cross obtained his education in the
Cannan and Nassau (N. Y.) public schools,
and at the age of seventeen years went into
the employ of the Northern Pacific railroad
company and was injured in a wreck on
that road. In 18S7 he came to West
Springfield and was employed as a fireman
on the B. & A. It. U. In 1892 he was given
charge of an engine, and is now running
the afternoon freight to Worcester. Mr.
Cross is a member of the Ili-otherhood of
Locomotive Engineers. Div. No. 63, of
Springfield. On October 28, 1880, he mar-
ried Lena Mattoon, by which he has one
son, Lewis Benjamin Cross.
Tripp, Frederick A., p. o. Merrick,
Mass., was born in Bloomington, III.,
August 27. 1801. a son of Ethan and
Frances (Armstrong) Tripp. Ethan Tripp
is a native of Massachusetts and by occupa-
tion a locomotive engineer. He was on the
Chicago. Alton & St, Louis road, the R.
W. & O. road, and for nine years was in
charge of the New England & Woonsocket
railroad as general foreman. He is still
living and resides in Springfield. Frederick
A. Tripp received his education in the
si'hools of West Springfield, and on Febru-
ary 10. 1870. he entered the employ of the
B. & A. U. R. as fireman, under his father.
After five years he was given an engine,
and for the past three years has been in
the passenger service, now running between
,Springfield and Albany. Mr. Tripp is a
member of the Hampden lodge of Odd Fel-
lows, and of the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineer.s, Division No. fi.'i, of Springfield.
October 1,'). 1884, he married Jeanette
Louise, daughter of Cyprian I)esoe. a na-
tive of Canada. The Uesoe's are a family
of engineers, Cyprian being one of the old-
( 671 )
APPENDIX
est engineers miming on Uii> I!. »ii A. sys cliarge of an engine, and is at the present
teni. time on a passenger switcher, lie ran an
Cook, LvciijGLS VAX BlitKX, p. o. Mer- old wood engine for a year and a half and
rick. Mas.s.. was born in Millbury, X. II. is the oldest engineer in active service in
Ills father. Olney Cook, was a native of the the Springfield division of the road. On
same town and for many years was a noted April 22. LST.'i. Mr. Goff married Julia A.,
hotel keeper. He also was an Inlluential daughter of Samuel Annable. of Belcher-
man in town affairs, being tax collector and town. Mass.. who was a prominent man of
chairman of the board of assessors for a his town and a former selectman.
Dumber of years. Lycurgus V. B. Cook was Allyx. Alheut A., p. o. West Springfield,
educated in I'elham and Belchertown. in Mass.. was born in Becket, a son of Harvey
the public and private schools. After leav- and Hannah (Perry) Allyn. His father
ing school for one year he was engaged in died in ISO], upon which Albert was
farming and in 185S came to Springfield, adopted by Samuel B. Allyn. of Holyoke.
where he learned the mason's trade. After lie was educated in the public schools in
a short time he removed to Amherst and Holyoke and after leaving school began
thence to Belchertown and was engaged in work as a farmer. He purchased his pres-
farming and lumbering for the next thirty ent farm in November. ISUl. and in con-
years. He then moved to Burnston. where nectlon therewith carried on a milk busi-
he conducted a boot and shoe manufactur- ness. He has sold off about sixty acres of
ing industry for a year and a half, retiring his land for building lots and is now en-
from the same on account of ill health. In gaged raising and dealing in fancy poultry.
1887 he came to West Springfield and with On December 13, 1S83, Mr. Allyn married
his son purchased some real estate. They Kate, daughter of Henry Bacon, of Chi-
started a coal, wood, grain and grocery copee. They have three children ; Ruth,
business, which they carried on for six Marion and Leslie Allyn. During his life-
years, when the coal business was sold to time. Henry Bacon was a machinist. em-
Mr. C. D. Farnsworth and the grocery and ployed by the .Tames T. Ames Co., being in
grain business to C. U. Clark. Since that one department forty-two years. He died
time .Mr. Cook has been engaged in building in 1892.
and dealing in real estate. He was as- McC.irthy, James F.. p. o. West Spring-
sessor in Belchertown for several years, field. Mass.. was born at Feeding Hills,
and was a member of several appraisal .\ugust 14. 1861. a son of Jeremiah and
boards of different railroads In that local- .May (Ryan) McCarthy. He was given a
ity. In West Springfield he has been se- common school education, afterward learned
lectman. overseer of the poor, and is now the carpenter's trade, and in 1892 started
serving as as.se.ssor. In 1S.")2 Mr. Cook for himself in contracting and building in
married Florence. daughter of Moses West Springfield, in which he is still en-
Crosler. a native of Belchertown. Two gaged with good success. Mr. McCarthy
children were born of this marriage. Frank is a director in the Co-operative bank of
E., who died when young, and Edwin D. West Springfield. He married Mary G.,
Cook. Mr. Cook is a member of the order daughter of Jeremiah Sullivan. To Mr.
of F. & A. M. and Mrs. McCarthy have been born three
GoFF. BuKKiTT W.. p. o. Alcrrlck. Mass.. children ; Walter. Christine and Rita Mc-
was born in Richford. Vt.. .\pril 22. 184S. Carthy.
a son of John .\. and Wealthy (Cheney) Kragek. William A., p. o. Merrick.
Go(T. His father was a native of Rich- Mass.. was born in .Northampton. November
ford, and an Influential farmer in his day. 13. 1865. a son of Henry and Henrietta M.
He was selectman of his town for a number Krager. His father was a native of Ger-
of years, and died July tir,. 1878. Burritt many and came to America in the forties,
W. Golf was given a good common school settling in Hampden county. William was
education, and after leaving school entered educated in the common schools, and after-
the army In 18n."i. Two years later he ward learned the machinists trade having
came to West Springfield and entered the been apprenticed to Allen SniithwlII. For
employ of the B. & A. K. R. as a fireman, two years ho was in charge of the tool de-
Afler firing three years he was placed In partment of the Springfield Screw company.
( 672 )
APPENDIX
and in 1804 engaged with Barcey & Berry,
sltate maniU'aclurers. wiiere he is still em-
ployed. Mr. Krager is a member of the
Forresters, and Nonotuct lodge I. O. O. F.
of Northampton. On July 23. 1890, he
married Margaret Keliher, daughter of
Cornelius Keliher. of Mittineague. Of this
marriage one son has been bt>rn. Earl
Krager.
CfJi-MiNGS, \Vii.Li.iM, p. o. Merrick,
Mass., was born in Mackeysburg, Pa., No-
vember 9, 1864. a son of Philip and Mary
(Smith) Cummings. both natives of Ireland.
He acquired his education in the public
schools in West Stockbridge. Mass.. and for
five years was employed in a coal mine. In
ISS . he went on the B. & A. railroad as
brakeman. and is now in tlie service of the
X. Y.. X. II. & II. company '.laviLg been in
their employ thirteen years. Mr. Cum-
mings is a member of the United Order of
Workmen, Hartford Division. On May 19.
1887. he married Margaret Cantwell. of
Greenbury. I'a. Five children have been
born of this marriage: Phillip, Thomas.
Edward, Anna Mary and Burnett Vincent
Cummings.
HoLDEX, Geori;k S.. p. o. Palmer. Mass.,
was born iu Middlefield. Mass., September
29. ISO.**, a son of Henry P. and Mary A.
(Holmes I Holdeu. and grandson of Lewis
A. Ilolden. Henry P. Holden was a native
of Charlton and came to Palmer in 1871,
purchasing the store of H. H. Bartlett & Co.
He also was interested in several of the
largest manufacturing enterprises in Pal-
mer. His later years of active business life
were spent as pariner in the firm of Holden
& Fuller, in the manufacture of woolen
goods. Jlr. Holden died in 1899. George
S. Holden was educated in the schools of
Palmer and in Andover academy. He
studied thr>>e years at Amherst and in 1891
received the degree of A. B. from the I"ni-
versity of Michigan. Mr. Holden is a
member of Ihe Thomas lodge. F. & A. M.,
and of the Beta Theta P. college fraternity.
On March 2-'). lH9(i, he married Katherine
Cramer, of Ann Arbor. Mich.
Hemi.n-gway Cn.vBLES S., for twelve
years principal of the Holyoke High
school, and more recently engaged In
manufacturing enterprises, present alder-
man at large of our city. Is a native of
New Haven, Conn., born December 24, 1851.
He married. October 4, 187G, Alice Hlg-
ginbottom. Their children are Marjorie
Belle, born .luly 17. 1878 (graduate of
Wellesley), married Frederick Otto von
Pfister, of Munich, Bavaria, Germany,
where she now lives ; Georgiana Cook, born
May G. 1881 (graduate of Dana Hall. Wel-
lesley). and Alice, born July 17, 1890. On
the paternal side. Mr. Hemingway's an-
cestor is believed to have settled in the
I'lymouth colony in 1043, and on the ma-
ternal side his grandfather was born in
Frankfort-on-.Main. Germany ,and came to
America about 1820. His ancestors settled
at New Haven, and one of them, Jacob
Hemingway, was the lirst graduate of
Yale college.
White, Li;theh, attorney at law, resid-
ing in Chicopee, is a native of Granby,
Mass.. born September 2. 1841. He is de-
scended from the earliest families of Spring-
Held, one of his paternal ancestors having
been one of the Whites who came to the
settlement soon after the colony was plant-
ed. On his mother's side he is descended
from the Clarks who were among the first
settlers in Northampton, and also from
the Stebbins family of early Springfield
history. Luther White acquired his educa-
tion in the Granby district schools, the high
school in Chicopee. Williston seminary in
Kast Hampton and Brown university. Prov-
idence. R. I. On October 12. 1871. he mar-
ried Mary J., daughter of Moses C. and
Adeline Hadley. .Mr. and Mrs. White have
one child. Mabel .\. White, born January
5. 1873.
Stebbins, Lttiikk. son of Noah and de-
scendant in the seventh generation of Uow-
land Stebbins (or Stebbing). was a lifelong
resident of Hampden county. He died Au-
gust IS. 1860. His wife, whom he married
November 7. 180,"i, was Pliebe Hitchcock.
Their children were Orson, born July 9.
1S07; Laura, born March 12. 1809: Mar-
garet, born February 4. 1812 ; Desire, born
September 23, 1814. died March 2. 184.-. :
Sally, born October 23, 1810: Milton, born
June 8. 1819; Phebe, born December 13.
1820: Hiram, born April fi. 1823; Lucia,
born June 28, 182.5, married Stebbins Fos-
Uit. March 31, 1847. The children of Steb-
bins and Lucia (Stebbins) Foskit are Rufus
Stebbins. born April 21, 1848, and Rosella
Elizabeth, born January 19. 18.')3. Row-
land Stebbins. the ancestral head of this
family in America, was born in l.")94, came
43-3
( c,7:\ )
APPENDIX
to this country in 1G34 and was the near
friend of William Tynchon. the founder of
the inlimy at Springlicld. He brought with
him from lOngland his wife, Sarah, and his
children. Thomas, Sarah. John and Eliza-
beth. He stopped for a time in Koxbury.
where his wife died in 1049. upon which
be came to Springfield, but. with his son
John, soon removed to Northampton, where
Kowland died December 14, 1071.
NKWEI-t.. Aui.NZo BunXHAM, of Hampden
(formerly South Wllbraham). is a native
of the town, the son of John (born In Mon-
son. March 10. 179L'. died January S. 1S7."> ;
married March 7. ISJi;. Paulinah Sophro-
nia Htgelow. of Springfield. N. V. She
was born November 14, 1801. and died
June 4. 1862). John Newell was a direct
descendant in the seventh generation of
Abraham Newell, who came from England
(probably from Essex) in 1G34 in the ship
"Ffrancis," John Cutting, master, bound
for New England. Abraham, the settler,
was a "taylor," and he was made a "free-
man" in Ifia."). His wife "ffrances" was
forty years old when she came to America.
From them the line of descent comes
through Isaac (2). Isaac (3). Benjamin
(4), Abijah (.")), Stephen (6), John (7), in
successive generations to Alonzo Burnham
Newell (8), of Hampden. The pioneer of
the family in Hampden county was Abijah
Newell (5). who removed from Dudley to
Monson about 177ri. Soon afterward he
was drafted for service during the revolu-
tion, but as he had a large family depend-
ent upon his efforts for their support the
selectmen considerately released him and
in his stead accepted his young son Stephen,
who served faithfully and with courage.
Abijah. the pioneer, was born January 0,
1731 : married Hepzibah Curtis. December
(i. 1T.">3. She died September 22. 1S34.
aged one hundred years, twleve days, and
she lived to see a train of descendants
down to the fifth generation. Stephen (6).
of Monson. son of Abijah (.'>). was born
In Dudley in 17.")S: married Louisa (or Lois)
Sikes. January IJ. 1781. He died in 1848.
He was the revolutionary patriot, taking
his father's place in the service, although
then hardly more than a boy. In subse-
quent years he was a man of marked pe-
culiarities and a thoroughly upright citi-
zen. Four years before he died he pre
dieted that event, naming the year and
month and week : and in contemplation of
his end he aided in digging and stoning
up the sides of his own grave, and also
caused his gravestone to be prepared and
lettered, except the exact date of death.
Alonzo Burnham Newell (8). son of John
(7|. was born June 6. 183.J ; married Janu-
ary 31, 1861. Elvira Keep, of Monson.
Their children were : Irving Alonzo. born
in South Wllbraham, October 26, 1861 ;
Annie Elvira, born October 14, 1865 ; Cora
I'auline, born in Lockport. N. Y.. July 19,
1868 ; Herbert Damon, born in South Wll-
braham. August 6. 1871 ; John Marcus, born
November 17, 1874 ; Florence Julia, born
in Hampden, March 12, 1881. died March
31. 1896. Alonzo Burnham Newell pre-
pared for college in Wllbraham academy.
He cntereil Amherst in 1859. but failing
health compelled him to leave college before
the end of his first year.
FowLEK, Samuel Joxes, was born in
Westfield, June 26. 1851. His first Ameri-
can ancestor was William Fowler, who ^
came to Boston in 1637 and moved to Mil-
ford, Conn., in 1639. He married Joan AI-
vord, 1646, and died in 1704. His son,
Ambrose, of Windsor, Conn., was the first
Fowler of this line to settle in what is
now Hampden county. That was in 1671,
and he resided in Westfield. Samuel Jones
Fowler's genealogy is as follows : William,
referred to in the foregoing, married Joan
Alvord. 1646 ; their son. Samuel, married
Abigail Brown, 1683: their son Samuel
married a wife whose name was Mercy ; /Pg
the third Samuel, son of Samuel and Mercy,
married Naomi Noble in 1734 : the next in
line, another Samuel married first. Eliza-
beth Dwight. of Springfield, and second,
Jemima Lyman, of Northampton : the
fourth Samuel's son. James, married first
Lucy Douglas, of Westfield, and second,
Charlotte Whitney, of Stockbridge : James
had a son, the fifth Samuel, who married
Maria Jones, of Stockbridge, and they were
the parents of Samuel Jones. Frances and
Harold North Fowler. The latter married
Helen Bell, of Exeter. N. H.. and now re-
sides in Cleveland, Ohio.
SuAW, Edward F.. of Palmer, son of An-
sel C. and Nancy Shaw, was born in Bel-
chertown. August 28, 1858. He was edu-
cated In the public schools of his native
( 674 )
APPENDIX
town, and at the age of about twenty years
he began his business career as cierii in the
store of J. U. Gould, of Itelchertown. Two
jears later (ISSl) he purchased Mr. Gould's
interest in the hrm of Gould & Heath, at
Three Kivers, and in the next year he suc-
ceeded to the sole proprietorship of the
business. In I880 he tool; as partner his
brother U. A. Shaw, with whom he was
associated until ISS'J, when he again be-
came sole owner and has so continued to
the present time. Mr. Shaw was appointed
postmaster at Three Uivers January 1, 1898.
In 1884 he married Alice M. Ilolden, of
iiondsville, by whom he has three children,
Irving, Alice and Florence Shaw.
Hansum, James Wilson, whose name is
frequently mentioned in the medical chapter
of this work, and who, also, since 1855
has resided in Hampden county (in West-
held until 1879 and subsequently in Lud-
low), was born m Williamsburgh, Mass.,
September '2-k, 1851, and removed to East-
hampton, where his father died in 1853 ;
and thence with his mother and brother to
Westfleld in 1855. Dr. Ilannum was edu-
cated in the Westfleld public schools (tak-
ing supplementary instruction in Latin and
GreekJ, the medical department of the Uni-
versity of Michigan, and the same depart-
ment of Columbia college, New York city,
graduating from the latter instilution (best
known as the College of Physicians and Sur-
geons), in 1877. For two years he prac-
ticed in Whateley and located permanently
in Ludlow in 1879. In 188U he married
Maria Louise Miller, daughter of Wilbur
I'isk Miller. Of this marriage these chil-
dren have been born : Alice Louise, born
De :ember vl(i, 1887 ; John Squier, born Jlay
1, 3890; William Porter, born December
10, 1900. On his father's side Dr. Han-
num is a descendant in the seventh genera-
tion from William Ilannum, who emigrated
from England in 1630, settled first in the
Dorchester colony, removed thence to
Northampton, where he died in 1G77. Aaron
Hannum. great-grandson of William and
grandson of John, was born in 1721; ; mar-
ried Kachel Smith (born in 1720), daughter
of John Smith, one of the first settlers of
Belchertown and a conspicuous figure in
the early history of that town, both in civil
and church affairs. John Smith was born
in Hadley in 1087, and married Elizabeth
Hovey in 1709. He was a son of Sergeant
Joseph Smith, who married Kebecca Dick-
inson, of Hadley, in 1080. Sergeant Smith
was a son of Joseph Smith, who came from
England to Hartford in 1G51, and there
married Lydia Hewitt, daughter of Rev.
Ephraim Hewitt, the second minister of the
Windsor church. Other ancestors of Dr.
Hannum are the Warrens of Hatfield, and
the Dickinsons of Hadley. Abial Squier,
on his mother's side, was father of Capt.
Sylvester Squier of revolutionary fame and
one of the pioneers of Montgomery. Abial
.Squier's wife was Uhoda Lathrop, whose
family were prominent early settlers in
West Springfield. Capt. Squier's son, Lath-
rop Squier, married Elizabeth Letfingwell,
granddaughter of Lieut. Thomas LeJBng-
well, of Norwich, Conn. Elisha LefBng-
well, son of Lieut. Thomas, was one of the
first settlers in what now is Huntington.
Dibble, Alfkeu, manufacturer of whip
stocks in Westfleld, a resident in that town
since 1865 and a former resident in old
historic Southwick, was born in the town
last mentioned October 1:5, 1837. He ac-
quired his early education in the South-
wick schools and married there November
25. 1857, Philenia Fowler. On July 31,
1802, Mr. Dibble enlisted in the 34th regi-
ment, Mass. Vol. Inf., and served with that
notable command (the history of which is
recorded in a preceding chapter), until the
close of the war, when he was mustered out,
holding and having won a lieutenant's com-
mission. ICeturning home, Mr. Dibble de-
voted himself to business pursuits and re-
moved from Southwick to the larger and
more enterprising town of Westfleld in 1805.
His first wife having died, on November
24, 1808, he married Elizabeth Dickinson.
His children are Morton A., born October
30, 1858 ; Burton E., born October 6, 1862 ;
Oscar W., born November 15, 1869; Ger-
trude C, born April 27, 1874, and Mary
E., born September 14, 1877.
Chase, He.miv Adams, postmaster at Hol-
yoke and a resident in that city since 1848,
is a native of Nashua, N, H.. born August
4, 1840, He was educated In the Uolyoke
public schools and also In Mclndoe Falls
( Vermont) academy, and for more than
forty years has been Identified with the
best Interests and history of our Industrial
city. Mr. Chase is descended from old,
( 675 )
APPENDIX
substantliil New Kngland stock. In lljSr),
Thomas, William and Aqullla eiiase. sons
of Sir Hoberl L'base. of Cornwall. Kngland,
omlsratcd to America and settled. Thomas
in Hampton. N. II.. William in Yarmouth.
Mass., and Aqullla In Newberry. .Mass. Kd-
wln Chase, father of Henry A., was born
In LltchlieUl. .\. H.. March 17. ISi:!, and
his wife. .Maria .\dam.s, was born in Nashua.
N. H.. .June 'J-i. 1819. He died September
J7, IKls:; and his widow April :;7. LSI).").
Henry A. Chase married (June lit. 1800)
Sarah J. Mayo, of Uurlington. Vt., and of
this marriage six children have been born:
Edwin .Mlal. born February 15. 1868 ;
Henry .Mayo, born September 22, 1S69 :
Charles .\rthur. born June ."!, 1873 ; Joseph
I'aul. born Kebruary IS. 187."> : Laura, born
December 2~, 1S70. and Uiehard Wade, born
July l:;. 1S80.
Gbf.ex. Tuo.M.is J., contractor and build-
er, member of the board of town assessors
of Westlield. and a resident and business
man in that town since 18.">7. was born in
Lunenbury. Mass.. October 2."). 18,'!."). His
early education was acquired in the pub-
lic schools of his native town. On October
i;3. 1801. .Mr. (ireen married Alvira K.
Loomis, a native of Hussell and daughter
of the late Orrin and Caroline Loomis. of
Chicago. 111. The children of this marriage
are Addison Loomis Green, born October 23.
1862. now a practicing lawyer of Holyoke ;
Lillian Isola Green, bom June 24. 1864. died
February '>. 1866 : Lena Ella Green, born
April 0. 1867. married and now living in
Westfield. and Arthur Everett Green, born
August 2.">. 1874. now living in Westfield.
During the period of his active business
life .Mr. Green was one of the most extensive
contractoi-s In all Hampden county and he
also dealt in lumber at wholesale and re-
tail. .\ few years ago these interests were
disposed of and since that time he has
practically retired from active business pur-
suits. For the past three years he has been
one of the town assessors and in other ways
since his residence in our town he has been
Identified with its civil as well as its so-
cial and business history.
Thompson. Alfrkd Clakk, superintend-
ent of schools In I'aimer since .\ugust. 18H7.
was born in Norwich. Conn.. March 2.'>. 1807.
He acquired his elementary education in
Norwich Free academy (class of 1888).
and was graduated from Yale university In
1802. On June 30, 1S96, he married Llna
.Miriam Cook and in the following year
was called to the superintendency of the
I'aimer schools. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson
have one child, Miriam Cook Thompson,
born September 13. 1899.
Ki.is.s, Etheldkut. p. o. Wllbraham,
-Mass.. was born January 28. 1852, a son
of Albert and Orpha (Bishop) Bliss, and
received a common school education. Mr.
Bliss purchased his present place in 1870
and started his famous peach orchard in
1894. In 1873 Mr. Bliss married Abbie
Cross ; they have three children, Walter M.,
H. Estella. and Dora A.
WhitneTj Milto.v Bt;iiRALL, attorney
and counsellor at law. of Westfield. senior
member of the Hampden bar, was born in
Granville October 6. 1825, son of Samuel
Hart and grandson of Samuel Piatt Whit-
ney, the latter the pioneer of the family
in Hampden county, he having removed
from Simsbury, Conn., to Granville about
the year 1800. Samuel Hart Whitney was
the eldest son of Samuel riatt Whitney and
was born in October. 1800. He married
.Mariila Lovisa Dickinson (daughter of
Otis Dickinson, of Granville), by whom he
had three children. Milton B. being the
eldest child and only son. Milton lived in
Granville until he entered college. He was
graduated at Williams in 1849. and after-
ward read law with the late William G.
Bates, of Westfield. According to the reg-
ister of the Hampden bar (chapter xvlli)
he was admitted to practice in 1853. and
from that time he has been closely Identi-
fied with professional and public life in
this county, always maintaining a residence
in Westfield. On October 2. 1901. Mr. Whit-
ney married Florence Fuller, daughter of
Henry Fuller, of Westfield.
I'.vRKS, Francis U. — In the history of the
towns of Montgomery and Russell, among
the early settlers none were more promi-
nently identified with the growth and devel-
opment of the region, or of the administra-
tion of town affairs, than the representatives
of the Parks family : and what is true of
pioneer times will apply to almost any sub-
sequent period in the history of these towns.
Jeremiah Parks appears to have been the
])loneer of the family In what now is
Hampden county, for he bought land in
Montgomery in 1780 and sold it in 1783 to
Ellas Parks. In early town history Elias
Parks took a more active part than did
most of his descendants in later years.
( 676 )
APPENDIX
Jeremiah I'arks, accoi'ding to family rec-
ords, was baptized at Preston, Conu., April
7. 1725, and became a resident of Union,
Conn., in 17til. He served two montlis in
the American army during the revolution.
Elias I'arks. son of Jeremiah, was horn in
17U2. or 171)4. and died May 10. ISliS : he is
buried in Uussell. lie married, first. Isa-
bella Lindsey, of Blandford, and second.
Iluldah Kurt, of Southampton. Francis
Kobert Parks of WestUeld. son of Robert
William, grandson of Lyman, and great-
grandson of Elias and Huldah Parks, was
born in Holyoke, April 10. 1876. and re-
moved with his parents to Westfleld in that
year. He is a descendant in the ninth
generation of Robert I'arks, born in l.jSU.
and died in lOO.'i, at Mystic, t'onu.. who
came from Preston. England, to Boston, in
1030, removed to Wethersfield, Conn., about
lOiJit and thence removed to New London
(about lUoO), where his barn was the first
place of worship for the townsmen. He was
selectman in lG."il and representative in
1(J42 and 1(J.")L'. He married Martha Champ-
lin. and from them the line of descent comes
direct through eight successive generations
to Francis Robert I'arks of Westfleld. He
(Francis R.), graduated at the Westfleld
high school in ISOo, from Yale university
in 1899. and since that time has been asso-
ciated in business with his father.
GiBBiixs. Mautin Tinker, p. o. Granville,
farmer, mechanic, and for twenty-one years
a teacher In the public .schools, was born
April 27. 1827. son of Carlos and Almira
(Tinker) Gibbons. Carlos Gibbons was
born July 12. 179a. During his business
life he was a farmer until 1849. when he
became a merchant. In 1848 he represent-
ed his town in the state legislature and at
other times held various town ofhces. He
was industrious, well-to-do. and popular,
and died at the age of seventy-two years.
The mother, Almira Tinker, was a woman
of exceptional education for her time and
lived to the ripe age of eighty-six years.
Of their union twelve children were born :
Nancy, Lucrella, Lucina. Lydla. ICIlzabeth
('.. Martha N.. , Martin T.. Charlotte A.,
Edwin C.. Jolin .M., I'hineas L.. Nancy L..
all born In Granville. .Mass. (In the 2:!rd
of April. lS."i2. Martin T. (iibbons married
Adelia Elizabeth, daughter of Mr, and Mrs.
Jolm 1). Carpenter, of Granby. Conn., and
tliey have three children : Florence Aman-
da, born September G. 1855; Carlos Car-
penter, born I)ecember 5. 1856 : and Ina
Adelia. born May 16. 1861. On April 15,
1879, Florence Amanda married, first, Harry
A. McGrath. of Holyoke. and they had one
child. Claribelle Adelia, born May 20. 1880.
died at the age of thirteen years ; second,
she married William Wells Kemis. November
9. 189.-). who died December 13. 1896. Of
this union she has one daughter. Wilhel-
mina Wells Bemis. born January 4, 1897.
Florence died November 9. 1900. Carlos
C, now vice-president of the First State
bank of Bertrand. Nebraska, married, Novem-
ber 13. 1890. Rena Florence, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Bruce, of Bertrand. They
have an adopted daughter. Wilhelmiua Wells
(Bemis). Ina Adelia married. October 18,
1882, Edwin N. Henry. Of this Gibbons
family, the first to come to Hampden coun-
ty was Peter Gibbons, the great-grandfather
of Martin T. That was in 17.-)6. and he
was one of the first settlers in the south
part of the town of Granville. Peter was
born in Waltham. Mass.. April 20. 1730.
In November. 17.-)1. he married Sarah
Green, with whom he lived flfty-niue years.
They had twelve children and eighty-flve
grandchildren. One of the sons. Jedediah.
born February 10. 1770. was the grandfath-
er of Martin T.. the subject. Jedediah
married Elizabeth Cowdrey. who was born
October 9. 1770. Their children were Car-
los, father of Martin T., born July 12. 1793 ;
Damaris. born April 13. 1796: Philura.
born October 27. 1798: Amoret. born Aug-
ust 20. 1800. died June 4. 1802 : Hiram,
born September 26. 1802 : Amoret. born Feb-
ruary 19. 1804 5 Eliza, born October 10.
1806: Martha, born January 6. 1810. died
July 13. 1810; and Watson, born February
18. 1812. On the twenty-third of April.
1902. Mr. and Mrs. Martin T. Gibbons cele-
brated their golden wedding anniversary.
Dewky. I,oiTi.s M.\uiNi's. of Westfleld.
assistant manager of the Loomis .\utomoblle
company, traces his ancestry in New Eng-
land to heads of families as follows :
Tiiomas Dewey, from Sandwich, Kent coun-
ty, England, settled at Dorchester. Mass..
about 1630. and later at Windsor. Conn.,
where he died April 27. 1648; married
March 22. 1638 9. Frances, widow of Joseph
Clark. She afterward married George
I'helps. and cliiMl In Westfleld. Sept. 27.
{ 67:
APPENDIX
lU'JU. I'eter Ciary. "t New London, Conn..
1U03, lived on the Groton side ; died there in
ITOS : mai-i-ied liec. 1U77, C'lirisioljel Gal-
lup, born nbout lUULi. John Tlllotson, of
Uowley, removed to Newbury, Mass., then
probably to Snybrook (LymeJ, Conn.; mar-
ried May 'M, ]U."i."). at Newbury, Jane Evans.
Uobcrt Day died at Hartford, 10-18; married
Edatha Slebbins, who removed to Spring-
Held, where she died Oct. 24, 1088. Simeon
Saekelt, died at Cambridge, Mass., 163.j ;
married. John Warner, son of William,
born 1010, probably the John Warner who
embarked at London in the Increase, 1033,
aged 30 ; became one of the early settlers of
BrookHeid. about 1G70, then at Uadley,
1075 ; married, 1055, Priscilla Symonds.
Mark Symonds of Ipswich, Mass., In 1634,
aged 00 years ; freeman May 2, 1G3S : died
there April 28, lO-'jO, aged 7,") ; wife Joanna,
died April 20, 1C6U. Thomas Orton of
Charlestown, Mass., father of Thomas Or-
ton of Windsor and Farmington, Conn., who
married June 1. 1041, Margaret I'all, or
I'ell. Valentine Prentice of Uoxbury, Mass..
1631, probably came with Eliot in the Lion,
bringing wife Alice and son John ; freeman.
August 7, 1632 : his widow married, April
3, 1634, John Watson.
riKKKii-'K. Henuv Stei'Hkn, of cblcopee,
was born in Montgomery in 1.S22. the son
of Aaron Herrick. one of the early settlers
In Montgomery, a large and substantial
farmer, and who died there April 28. 1828.
This branch of the Ilerrick family is in a
direct line of descent from Henry Ilerrick.
the fifth son of Sir William Herrick. of
Beau Manor Park, Leicester county, Eng-
land. Henry came to America and settled
first In Virginia and removed thence to
Salem In 1053. His three sons were Zach-
ariah. Ephraim and John. Ephraim was
the great-great-grandfather of Henry Steph-
en Ilerrick and the great-grandfther of
Aaron Herrick, the latter of whom was the
pioneer of the family in Montgomery and
Hampden county. His wife was Polly
Shurt<.'lift, born October 3. 178,S. and died
In Litchfield, Ohio, In 1869. Their five chil-
dren were Aaron. Henry. Susanna. Orlinda
and Madcrla Herrick. Henry Stephen Her-
rick served his town and city (Cblcopee) In
the capacity of census enumerator three
times, selectman one year, assessor seven
years, and also was one of the first council-
men In the new city of Chlcopce. He mar-
ried Louisa Cooley. of Somers, Conn., who
was born June 14. 1824, and died in 1847.
lie married. se<.-ond. Cynthia A. Wright.
1834 (born in Cblcopee. June 20, 1832, and
was educated in Mt. Holyoke seminary).
Their children were Anna Louise, wife of
the late Austin Ely Smith, of Springfield;
(Mr. Smith for several years previous to his
dealh was general manager of the Spring-
Held street railway system, and in that
capacity was one of President Olmsted's
most valued assistants.) Edward Wright,
educated in Chicnpee high school. Th©
children of Austin and Anna Louise (Her-
rick) Smith, are Anna Lida. born 1876, died
1879 ; Kuby Adelaide, born 1887. Cynthia
A. Wright, second wife of Henry S. Herrick,
is a descendant of Eleazer Wright, who with
the Erinks, Pendletons and Browns found
refuge in Willimansett and the region now
Holyoke when their lives and property were
threatened by the British soldiers during
the revolutionary war. Finding fertile lands
in tlie locality, they settled here after the
war and were numbered among the promi-
nent settlers of their time. Eleazer W^rlght
was a lieutenant in the American army
during the war, and his son, Eleazer
Wright, junior, served In the organization
known as the home guards. Edward Wright
Herrick was born June 25, 1863. He mar-
ried Edna Stanwood Chapln. Nov. 3, 1885.
Their children were Daisy Louise, born
July 19. 1886; Alice Edna, born October 18,
1.S87 ; Amy Sophia, born July 17. 1889;
Cora Wright, born Feb. 25. 1891.
LooMis, Silas, citizen and horticulturist
of Mt. Vineyard, Westfleld, was born August
26, 1829, on the place where he now resides.
He Is a descendant of Joseph Loomis, who
with his wife, five sons and three daughters
came from Bralntree, Essex county, Eng-
land, in 1638, and settled in Windsor,
Conn., in 1639. He was a woolen draper
in England. They sailed from London in
the ship "Susan and Ellen" and arrived at
Boston, July 17, 1038. He died November
25, 1058. Lieut. Samuel Loomis was born
in England, married Elizabeth Judd (De-
cember 27, 1653), and moved to Westfleld
from Windsor between 1672 and 1675.
Their son William was born March 18,
1672, married, January 13, 1703, Martha
Morley, who died February 22, 1753; he
died In 1738. Jonathan, sr., son of Will-
lam, was born January 23, 1719, married
678 )
APPENDIX
Hannah Sheldon of Springfield, May 11.
1746. He died in ITDS in West Springfield.
He was the father of eleven children, and
was great-grandfather to Silas. Justus
Loomis, sr., the fourth child of Jonathan,
sr., was born March 7, 1754, married Mary
Bow (17S1J, who died December lt>, 1819,
aged sixty-one. He served in the revolu-
tionary war. He owned a good farm at
Feeding Hills, where he died May 14, 1818,
aged sixty-four. To them six children
were born. Their son, Justus, jr., father
of Silas, was born at Feeding Hills, Febru-
ary 5, 17S2. In ISOG he bought the farm
now occupied by the subject of this sketch.
He cleared and improved a large portion of
the land of which there were about thirty
acres, a pathless wood, the abode of wild
beasts and the hunting grounds of Indians.
He was a soldier in the war of 1812-15.
He was twice married, his first wife being
Sarah Dewey; his st'cond wife Irene \'au-
horn of West Springfield (widow of Walter
Loomis). They were married May 29.
1825. She died September 17, ISOl. aged
seventy-eight. She was the mother of Silas
and one daughter, Amanda, and also of
four children by her union with Walter
Loomis, namely : Edmund, Amanda. Der-
rick and William It. Loomis of Westfield,
the latter of whom is still living and just
past his 8V>th birthday. Justus Loomis. jr.,
died August 28, 1S*J4. He bad a family of
six children by his first union, all now de-
ceased : Hiram, Frederick, Mary Ann, Bet-
sey, Emily and Huldah (who married S.
Pease Chapiu of Springfield, and she died in
189^). Silas Loomis learned the trade of
a carpenter and during the civil war he
worked in the U. S. armory in Springfield.
In October, IHoo, he went to Ohio with his
family, but returned in 1857 to Westfield.
where he worked for some years at carpen-
tering, and, being also a machinist, he as-
sisted in the invenilon and manufacture of
the Lombard rounding whip machine, which
was patented in 1878, and in which Mr.
Loomis owns one-fourth interest. Mr.
Mr. Loomis has made many improvements
on the old homo which he has owned since
his father's death. He makes a specialty
of raising peaches and grapes and all fruits.
In the family of Mr. Loomis is a treasured
relic of colonial times, a flint-lock gun with
battered bayonet of the kind called the
"Queen's Arms," an English piece made In
1740 and used in the revolution by Justus
Loomis, sr., and by his son Justus Loomis,
jr., in the war of 1812. Silas Loomis mar-
ried. July 2, 1854, Susan A. Rowley (born
in New Haven, Conn., January 8, 1835).
Their two children are Eugene W. and Alice
A. Loomis. Eugene is a whip manufactur-
er. He was born May 14. 1855 ; married
September 1. ISSU. Sarah F. Young (daugh-
ter of George G. and Martha Ann Parker).
Their four children were Nellie M., bom
July 2G, 1881, married Orlo Robinson Pease,
October 30, 1900 ; Lillian V., born December
9, 1885 : Harold F., born April 11. 1887,
died January 12, 1888 ; and Earl S.. born
June 13, 1894, died February 17. 1895.
Alice A. Loomis was born December 21,
18G2 ; married September 29, 1887, Irwin
Boswell Bailey, a wheelwright of Spring-
field. They have two children. Olive Irene,
born November 22. 1888, and Leila Marion,
born September 14, 1899. Mrs. Loomis's
father, Erastus Hale Rowley, son of Thomas
Rowley, jr.. was born January 8, 1809, in
Southampton. He died in Pittsfield, June
19, 1852. He was a carriage maker, and
being skilfuU in carving and ornamental
work, he assisted in making the beautiful
carriage used by (Jeneral Andrew Jackson.
His wife, Charlotte Taylor Rowley, was born
in Xew Haven. February 15, 1813. a daugh-
ter of Solomon Taylor. Their children are
Mrs. Susan A. Loomis, Mrs. Alice C. Allen,
George E. (soldier in the civil war), Mrs.
Nellie Drew. Mrs. Ella C. Sloan, and Mrs.
Emily Parker. The mother died September
4. 1853. Thomas Rowley, jr.. was born in
Bloomfield. Conn., in llSiK and died Feb-
ruary 23, 1804. In 180(1 he married Su-
sanna Clapp. daughter of Lieut. Joel Ciapp
and Mercy (I'omeroy) Clapp. who died in
1855, aged seventy. His father, Thomas
Rowley, sr.. was born In Bloomfield. Decem-
ber 24. 1753, and died in Southampton, Oc-
tober 7. 1843. He was a soldier in the
revolution and bad several thrilling experi-
ences. He married Mary Hayes, of Granby,
Conn. She was born October. 1761. and
died in Southampton. February 13, 1852. on
the old family hr>mestead, which is still
standing.
Janks, Gkokgk IIkuiucut, physician and
surgeon of Westfield. medical examiner for
Hampden county since 1899, is a native of
East Brimfield, born December 1. 1862, and
a descendant of one of tne earliest settlers
( (;79 )
APPENDIX
of Ihal lilstoric old towu. Indeed, on the
piiteiniil side. Df. Junes is descended from
am-eslors who were anions the earliest
.•olonlsts of New Kngland. following closely
upon the coming of the Pilgrims. The
•lanes famll.v In Ainerku dates its ancestry
to Willlain Janes, born in lissex county,
Kngland. in liilO. and arrived in this coun-
try In lUaT. settling in the New Haven
plantation, where he was a teaclier for a
period of seventeen years. In l(i.")(! he re-
moved to Northampton and there was a
teacher of the youth ; also a teaching elder
in the town church, and heing a man of
Intelligence and substance, he was chosen
to fill the office of town recorder. In 1071
he was one of the petitioners for and joined
a company for the settlement of Squakheag
iNorthtieid). In his office of teaching elder
he preached to the settlers as.sembled under
the old historic Northfleid oal;. After the
destruction of the settlement by the In-
dians. lOT.'i. he returned to Northampton,
where he lived until his death, in ]U1>U.
Abel Janes, son of Klder William, a soldier
in the Kails battle with King I'hilip's war-
riors In 1()7C. lived most of the time In
Northampton until 170G. when he removed
to Lebanon. Conn. William Janes, son of
Abel, with live sons, removed from Lebanon
to Brimlield. and there became the owner of
500 acres of land. The year of his removal
is not iinown. and while his name does not
appear among the pi-uprietors of tliat town,
he is believed to have settled there as early
as 1734. His lands were accpilred through
a grant from the crown. In 187ti the lauds
included In the old grant to William Janes
were occupied by Harvey. David W. and
Edwin A. Janes. Capt. William J. Sherman.
Jonathan Kmerson and Capt. I'ar.sons .\llen.
all of whom, except Capt. Allen, are de-
scendants of (or related by marriage to
them) William Janes, the pioneer. Now.
however, these farms are owned outside the
family. The Janes family had representa-
tives In the colonial army In King I'liilip's
war. the succeeding series of long continued
French and Indian wars, and several in the
continental army In the revolutionary war.
l>r. (.teorge II. Janes was educated in the
lirlmlield public schools, the Ilitclicock Kree
high school and rnlf)n university. He catne
to Westfteld in 1S93. He inHrried, January
:;."«. ISILS. .Minnie I.. Cadwell, by whom he
has one child. Uorls Augusta Janes, born
August 24. 1899.
Fuwi.Ki:, CuAitLK.S !•".. farmer, of West-
lield. son of Uoyal and Harriet Smith Fow-
ler, was born Sept. liS. 1K35. in the house
and on the farm where he now lives. He
was educated in the famous old Westfield
academy, and always has pursued the avo-
cation of farming. He married May 21,
1S«1, Hmily -M. Hawley. of Hadley, Hamp-
sliire county.
Tin; Mo.SKi.KY I'.i.Mii.v. — The direct Amer-
ican ancestor of the Moseley family was
John .Moseley. Hlakes Annals of Dorches-
ter has a frcmlispiece with a fac simllle of
his signature, with that of other free-hold-
ers, attached to a document making a con-
veyance of land to the town, for the espec-
ial establishment and maintenance of a free
school, in 1<;41, in which he spells his name
■■Maudesley." -^11 of this surname in New
England are presumed to be descended from
him. Savage, in his Hiographical Diction-
ary, says the name has had many changes,
but that the spelling has long been fixed at
•■Moseley." In the old burying ground in
Dorchester he was burled in a grave or tomb
a few feet north of the Rev. Uichard Math-
er's grave. The memorial stone is In a
good state of preservation. The inscription
reads: John Moseley. came from 4,anca-
shire. Kngland. and settled in Dorchester in
1631. He died Aug 29th, 1661. Cicely, his
wife, died Dec. 23, 1661. Their children
were Thomas. John and Elizabeth. John
was born in 103.S. He removed to Wind-
sor. Conn., and is among the list of free-
men there in Oct. 7. 1669. On the 10th of
De<ember. 16t>4. he married Mary Newbury
of that town. He was a lieutenant in 1678,
and was active in King Philip's war. Their
children born in Windsor were Benjamin,
Margaret (died young). Joseph. Mary and
Consider. In the year 1677. John Moseley
removed his family to Westfield. and In
li;7'.> the name of John .Maudlesley Is found
in the First church record book as one of
the original seven members, or "foundation
men." as they were called. The children
born In Westfield were John, (^omfort. Mar-
garet. Elizabeth and Hannah. John Mau-
desley returned to Windsor, where he died
Aug. IS. 1690.
Third feneration : — Joseph Moseley mar-
ried Abigail Hoot. Sept. 13. 1696. He died
( 680 )
APPENDIX
in Glastenbui-y. Conn., in 1719. Tlieir ctiil-
dren were Abigail, Abner, Sarati, David,
Mary. Haunali. Isaac, Uachei and Job.
Fourtli Generation ; — David Moseley,
Es<!., remained at the "Mansion home" in
AVesttieid after liis parents removed to
• ilastenbury. where their son Abner was
living. He was a man of decided convic-
tions and fearless in the expression of them,
lie held a commission as a magistrate of
Hampshire county from King George II,
bearing the date the ilSth day of June, 1749.
This commission with liis compass used in
surveying, and bis account booii with rec-
ords of perambulating of town line and sur-
veying tiers and sections of laud, are both
in possession of his descendants. He was
born Feb. 9, 1704. and until his death, Jan.
3, 17(>S, he was loyal to his King. He mar-
ried Margaret, daughter of Jedediah Dewey,
Sept. 4, 1730. Their children were : Mar-
garet, born November 15, 1731, married
John Ingersoll ; Hannah, born JIarch 17,
1733, married John Moseley : David, born
March 17, 173,j, married Lydia Gay; Grace,
born May IG, 1737, married Hon. Samuel
Mather ; Jlercy, born July 2G. 17412, married
John Phelps, Esq. : Uhoda, born May 24,
1745, married Dr, Charles Mather,
Fifth Generation : — Col. David Moseley
mai-ried Lydia Gay, daughter of Luther
Gay. In this marriage the Puritan and
Pilgrim families were united, as John Gay,
his father, was a Pilgrim and came to this
country May 16, 1630: settled at Dedham.
His wife was Johanna Bunlier, Her father
owned the land on Bunker Hill — hence the
name. David Moseley was colonel of the
Third regiment of militia In Hampshire
county. From his diary : "24 day of
Sept. 1777. I went to Saratoga in the
alarm of the militia ; General Burgoyne was
delivered into our hands a Prisoner of War
the 17th day of October 1777. I returned
home the 19th Day of October from the
Camps." Their children were: David, born
De<,'. 27, 1762. married Kebecca Dewey ; Wil-
liam, born April 0. 1764, married Lydia
Noble : Lydia, born Nov, 14. 1766, married
Paul Fowler ; Mary, born Nov, 25, 1768.
married Joshua Green ; Klljah, born April
2, 1770, married Molly I'helps ; Frances,
born July 25, 1772. married William Shep-
ard ; Uhoda, born Jan, 23, 1773. married
Solomon I'helps : Jeremiah, born Jan. 20,
1777. married Nancy Weller : Nancy, born
April 23. 1779, married Joshua Green (his
second marriage) : Betsey, born August 31.
17.S1. married Klisha Uoot : Cynthia, born
August 30, 17S3, married Henry Chapin,
Sixth Generation : — William Moseley was
married to Lydia. daughter of Matthew
Noble and Lydia Eager, his wife, Jan. 7,
1785, Matthew Noble was a revolutionary
soldier and a member of the commuLee of
correspondence and safety, appointed by the
town to carry out the plans of the provin-
cial congress. Capt. William iloseley was
an officer in the state militia and a man of
influence in the town. He died April 30,
1.'539. Ten children were born to them.
Col. David Moseiey was the seventh child
in this family. He was born March 6. 1798,
at the homestead where he passed his days,
and where he died August 26, 1871. He
was educated in the schools of the town.
Westlield academy was then a flourishing
institution. For many years he was chair-
man of the school committee, was select-
man, representative, and in 1851 a member
of the .senate. He also was a trustee of
Westfield academy, and in 1831 was ap-
pointed colonel of tue state militia. He
married in January. 1823, Silence Cham-
pion, daughter of Reuben Champion and
Silence Ely. Both of her grandparents,
Nathan Ely and Dr. Keuben Champion of
West Springfield, were in the revolutionary
war. Of the eight children born to them,
five were sons. Four of them grew to man-
iiood : Henry, I>avid. Edward and Thomas
Benton. Franlslin died young. Edward,
born JIarch 3 1835, is unmarried.
Seventh Generation : — Henry Champion,
married March 23, 1826, Susan Corliss ;
David Noble, married May 18, 1865, Mary
Green Phelps : Thomas Benton, married
Oct. 25, 1876, Clara Moseley,
Eighth Generation : — David Henry and
Ellen Lydia-, Harold I'helps: Katherine
Elizabeth.
Ninth (Jeneratlon : — David Corlls and
Ella Lydia ; David Mills.
Hkan, Jkffkuson Wkhsteu, assistant
postmaster and a native of Uolyolte, was
born in the town (before the city charter
was adopted). June 12, 1856, although he
maintains a residence on the South Hadiey
Falls side of the river, Mr. Bean was
educated In the Ilolyoke public schools. He
married. October 24, 18.s;!, Agnes E. Chal-
mers, and to them have been born ten chll-
( C81 )
AITEMJIX
dren. six oT whom are slill living, viz. :
Eviin S.. born Novembei' 18. 1884 ; Thomas
\\"., l)orn .November l'."). ISSti ; Dorotliea K..
born November 9. 1SU2 ; Sarah V., born
December lU, lsa4 ; Iliichel A., born Febru-
ary o, IS'JT. and Constance, born June ao.
ItlOO. iMr. Hean Is of Scotch and English
descent, liis palernal ancestor.s having been
John Jlean and Margaret, his wife, both of
Scotch birth and parentage and who settled
in K.vcter, N. H., in lOUIi. They were de-
vout Presl>yterians and came to America
that they might have religious freedom
which was denied them in the mother
country. On his mothers side Mr. Bean is
descended from George Little and his wife,
both of English ancestry, and who settled
in Newbury, Mass.. in 1640. Mr. Bean's
father, Sinkler Bean, was born September
;;G, IT'JT, and died Septemljer 19, IStiT. He
was by occupation and trade a millwright
and settled in llolyoke in lSr>2, Siniiler
Bean's wife was Susan \V. Little, born
November T2. 1815, and died July I'l. lS9(i,
CooLEY, Uev. Benjamin 1".. of Westfield.
was born in Granville, September 12. 1834,
and was educated at Soutliington academy
(Conn.) and Nashotah Theological semi-
nary. Wis. Mr. Cooley is a son of the late
Timothy Mather Cooley and his wife Sarah
Jennette tAndrews) Cooley. The children
of this marriage were Benjamin Eranklin.
born September 12, 18;i4 : Ellen Louisa.
born December 19, 183ti : Elizabeth Mor-
gan, born July 2u. 1842, died December 5,
1870 ; and Erederick Bradley, born Novem-
ber 23, l,s,'-.3, died February 1, 18.j8. Rev.
Benjamin 1". Cooley is descended from three
notable families in New England history —
the Cooleys. the Parsonses and the And-
rews, each of w'hich has armorial bearings
legally granted. Ensign Benjamin Cooley,
his paternal ancestor in America, came from
England and settled in Springfield in 1040,
and was a man of much consequence in the
town, having been selectman about eighteen
years besides filling other otfices of respon-
sibility. From him the line of descent fol-
lowed through Daniel. 1st. Daniel 2d. Daniel
3d. (Capt. Daniel, a revolutionary patriot,
who. with four sons. Daniel. William. Clark
and George, settled in Granville in 1741
and was one of Its pioneers), Capt. William
(of revolutionary fame and also known as
Deacon Cooley), James (a lawyer of promi-
nence, and a brother of Kev. Timothy Math-
er Cooley). and Timothy M. Cooley. to Uev.
Benjamin F, Cooley. Deacon Benjamin
I'arsons, another ancestor, came from Eng-
land, and he. too, was an early settler in
Springfield. His great-great-grandson, Is-
rael Parsons, who was great-grandfather of
Uev. Benjamin F. Cooley. served during the
revolution, and moved to Granville some-
time after tlie war. He was a personal ac-
quaintance of Washington and was em-
ployed by him in several important under-
takings. Israel married Mary Marvin,
daughter of Ezra Marvin of Granville. Tim-
othy M. Cooley. 2d, son of James, was dep-
uty sheriff fifty or more years. He was the
father of four children, whose names are
noted above. Uev. Benjamin F. Cooley being
the eldest of them.
SacivF.tt. Haukv Uubert. M. D.. of Hol-
yoke, was born in Springfield June 25, 1871,
and acquired his early education in private
schools in that city, the public schools of
South Hadley Falls, and was graduated
from the Holyoke high school in 1889. His
medical education was acquired at the
Homeopathic Medical college in New Yorlt
city, where he graduated May 1. 1893, Dr.
Sackett married July 7. 1896, Edith Par-
sons Hayes, by whom he has one son. George
Leslie Sackett. born October 24, 1901. Dr.
Sackett's ancestor in America was Simon
Sackett. a native of the Isle of Ely. Cam-
bridgeshire, England, who sailed from Bris-
tol. December 1, 1630, on the Ship Lion,
in company with Koger Williams, and
landed at Nantasket roads, off Boston town,
February 5, 1631. He located first at New-
ton (now Cambridge), and the house he
erected stood on the north side of what now
is Winthrop street. Ue died in October,
163,'i. leaving two sons — Simon, then aged
five, and John, aged three years.
Stockwell, Geouge Watsox Cvtleb. li-
brarian of the Atheneum. Westfield. was
born November 7. 1873. in Northampton ;
was educated in the Northampton high
school, a New York State library school, and
also under the private tutors. He married
April 18. 1900, Winnie lone James, of Con-
cord, N. H.
Grant, Frank. Is a native of Westfield,
born December 21, 1850, son of Lemuel
Grant, who came to Westfield from South
Windsor. Conn., about 1843. On the pa-
ternal side Mr. Grant is a descendant In
the eighth generation of Matthew and I'ris-
( G82 )
APPENDIX
cilia Grant, who came from England in the
ship Mary and John and landed at Nan-
tasket, May 30, 1C30. After living in Dor-
chester Ave years they removed to Windsor,
Conn., in 1633, being members of Kev. John
Warham's party — the first "going west"
orerland in America. Matthew Grant was
surveyor and town clerk for many years.
He was born October 27, 1601, and died
December 16, 16S1. On the maternal side
Mr. Grant is descended from Josepli Loomis.
another early settler of Windsor. Conn.,
and also is descended from the other well-
known families, whose surnames were Root,
Moseley, I'helps and Bancroft. May 25,
1875, Frank Grant married Ellen B^rances
Peebles, youngest daughter of Lyman Pee-
bles and Ursula Sackett. Their children
are Robert Lyman Grant, born in Man-
chester, N. H., January 22, 1879, B. A.,
Amherst college, 1900, and Raymond Wind-
sor Grant, born in Chester, Mass., Septem-
ber 22, 1884, died in Westfleld May 25, 1885.
In the activities of business life Mr. Grant
has been a prominent figure for more than
thirty years ; was clerk and teller of the
First National bank of Westfleld, 1867-70 ;
bookkeeper in Hartford, Conn., and Wor-
chester, Mass., 1870-72 ; member of the firm
of George S. Peck & Co., whip manufactur-
ers, Westfleld, 1873-78 ; treasurer Vitrifled
Wheel and Emery Co., 1876-78 ; inventor
and manufacturer of the Grant Corundum
wheel. Manchester, N. H., and Chester,
Mass., 1878-84, being the first to adopt this
mineral for exclusive use in wheels ; mem-
ber of the firm of Chapman & Grant, West-
field, whip manufacturers, and secretary-
treasurer National Whip Manufacturers'
Association, 1885-80 ; treasurer and mana-
ger Bay State Whip Co., 1887-93 ; patentee
of the Grant Vulcanite whip ; director Unit-
ed States Whip Co., 1893-98 ; deacon First
Congregational church, 1880-99 ; treasurer
Westfleld Atheneum ; vice-president Ameri-
can Free Trade league, and secretary-treas-
urer Grant Family association (Inc.).
Chapin, Edward Whitma.n, Justice of the
Police court of Holyoke, was born In WIl-
limansett, Chicopee. Aufjfust 23, 1840, an<l
acquired his early education in Wllliston
seminary, where he was graduated in 1859,
and In Amherst college, where he gradu-
ated in 1863. He then entered the ranks
of the legal profession and the bench and
bar chax)ter of this work mentions him as
having become a member of the Hampden
bar in 1865. From that time Judge Chapin
has been identified with the practice of law
in the county, and also has been a factor in
the industrial history of Holyoke for many
years. On May 10. 1866. Edward W. Chapin
married Mary Ij. Beebe, a native of Monson.
Their children are Arthur Beebe Chapin,
born in \\'illimansett November 17, 1868,
now and for the last four years mayor of
Holyoke: Anne N. Chapin, bom in Willi-
mansett July 13, 1870, wife of William F.
Whiting ; Alice AL Chapin, born in Hol-
yoke December 12, 1874. and Clara M.
Chapin. born in liolyoke March 7, 1878.
Page. Irving IIow.4rd, president and
treasurer of the J. Stearns Arms and Tool
company, of Chicopee Falls, was born in
Biddeford, Maine, November 15. 1858, and
removed with his father's family to Chico-
pee in April, 1867. He married, November
3, 1886, Alice, daughter of the late John
R. Whittemore, of Chicopee. Mr. Page's
father. Amos W. Page, was the first of his
immediate family to settle In Hampden
county, he having removed to that (then)
town in the spring of 1867. Amos Wood-
man Page was born in Hollis, Maine, August
8, 1823, and died in Chicopee August 31,
1891. He married (October 17, 1847) Caro-
line Warren Shute, who was bom in Ef-
fingham Falls, Maine, and died in Chico-
pee November 25. 1888. Their children (all
born in liiddeford, Slaine) were Frances
Moore Page, born November 28, 184S, died
October 5. 1861 ; Laura Eva Page, born
January 8, 1853 : Ernest Lawrence Page,
born September 6, 1855, died February 27,
1857 ; Irving Howard Page, born November
15, 1858, and Woodman Shute Page, born
May 7, 1862.
Pag?:, Thomas Clark, who settled in Hol-
yoke In 1853, three years after that now
prosperous city was first incorporated as
a town and who removed thence to Chico-
pee Falls in 1867, was born In Hollis,
Maine, April 23, 1832. His father was
James Page, of Waterborough. Maine, bom
in 1797, and his mother was Eliza Wood-
man, born in Buxton. Maine, In 1799. In
1853 Thomas C. Page left his native state
and took up his residence in Holyoke, the
latter being at that time a mere hamlet,
more frequently known as Ireland parish.
In this town he married, November 10, 1855,
Charlotte Wheeler, u daughter of Jonathan
( 683 )
APPENDIX
Wheeler, of Newton Upper Falls. Mass. Of
this marriage six children were born : Fred-
crleli II.. born October 20. IS.'iG. died May
IS. ISM : Fdgar W., born October 25, 1858,
died August 10, 1859 ; Adelaide F., born
January 19, 1800, died August 30. 18G3 ;
Frank H.. born April i;4. 1864 ; Edward
Clark, born March L'S. 18fi8 ; George K.,
born ,Tuly :i5. 1870. Charlotte Wheeler
Page died October 12, 1878. On September
3. 1879. Mr. rage married Mary E. Davis
(born September 14. 1848). of Ellsworth,
Maine, daughter of James S. Davis. Of
this marriage one child was born, Katharine
Hulburt Page, born March 11, 1886.
S.vNF«>RU, Osun W.\TTS. of Westtleld pro-
prietor of the "City View" farm, a resident
of Hampden county since 1861. and of
Westlield since 1863. was born November
25. 1S.'59. son of Daniel Sanford and his
wife Lorinda Clapp. This branch of the
Sanford family in New England is said to
be descended from tliree brothers who came
from Wales and settled in Connecticut
about or before the middle of the eighteenth
century. Ilalsey Sanford. a descendant
of one of these brothers, was born at or
near .Saybrook. October 10. 1765. and at
the age of 16 years he entered the service;
was wounded and made prisoner at Fort
(irlswold. After the war he settled in
Norwich (now Huntington. Hampshire
county), and was a pioneer in that local-
ity. He married. In 1795. Lydla Dimock
(born Sept. :!0, 17(i6. and died March 14,
18071. Ilalsey died May 13. 1845. Dan-
iel Sanford. fourth son of Halsey and
Lydla. was born in Norwich. December 27.
1801. He was given a common school
etiucation. but at an early age entered mer-
cantile p\irsults. later engaging In farming.
lie toi>k an active part In town affairs, was
chairman of the board of selectmen of his
town for many years, and once was a can-
didate for the legislature. He married
June 7. 1S3S. Lorinda Clapp. who was
Imrn in Orange. Vt.. May 3i>. 18TS. Their
children were Osro Watts, born November
25. 1839: Ellen Kuth. born January 18.
1841 : Edgar Hubert, born September 2.3.
1844. died April IS. 1862: Sarah Emily,
born September 23. 1854. Daniel Sanford
died l>ecember 14. 1-800. and his widow
now Ilve,« in Westtleld. Orso Watts San-
ford removed to Southwick In April. 1861.
and there on November 28 of that year he
married Sarali Adaline Hitchcock (born in
Uockingham, Vt., May 15. 1838). daughter
of Hell and .Sarah (Farr) Hitchcock, both
natives of Vermont. The children of
Osro Watts and Sarah Adaline are Edgar
Herbert, born September 14. 1862. died
September 10. 1863 : Herbert Osro. born
September 26, 1864 : Addie Louise, born
January 13, 1867 ; Mary Ellen, born July
30. 1874, died April 18, 1887 ; and Walter
Howard, born April 30, 1878. Herbert
Osro Sanford married. February 5. 1890,
Grace Frances (jibbs. and they live in
Westfield. Their children are Lucretia
Frances. Alfred Osro and Uichard Herbert
Sanford. Addle Louise Sanford married
June 5. 1895. James E. Martin, and lives
In Westfield. Walter Howard Sanford is
a physician and now is on the medical staff
of Matteawan state hospital. New York.
Osro W. Sanford Is engaged In agricultural
purstiits and makes a specialty of raising
pure Gurnsey cattle and also In growing
tobacco. Ills first purchase of land com-
prised 120 acres, but now he and his son
Herbert own 320 acres. For many years
.Mr. Sanford has been a member of Mt. Mo-
riah lodge. F. & A. M.. of Westfield.
ScHMCCK, Hexey E.. of West Spring-
field, son of Henry M. and Henrietta
(Smith I .Schmuck. is a native of the town
just mentioned, born November 5, 1866.
His father is not a native of this country,
bur has lived in Springfield and West
Springfield since 1850. Henry E. Schmuck
was educated in the West Springfield pub-
lic schools and afterwards found employ-
ment in the hardware store of Homer Foot
& Co.. In Springfield, where he remained
four years. He then became clerk in the
office of the Massachusetts Mutual Life In-
stirance company, where he is now em-
ployed, at present being an attache of the
loan department. In 1893 Mr. Schmuck
was elected a member of the school commit-
tee in West Springfield and in the next
year he was elected selectman. He was re
elected three limes and served in that of-
fice from 1894 to 1899. excepting the year
1896; and he is said to have been the
youngest incumbent of that office In the
history of the town. In 1901 Mr. .Schmuck
was again elected a memljer of the school
committee and si ill serves in that capac-
ity. He is a member of Springfield lodge,
F. & A. M.. and of the Nayasset and West-
( 684 )
APPENDIX
field clubs. He also is a member of the
West Springfleld board ot trade and is
treasurer of the West Springfield Co-oper-
ative bank. In October. ISOli, Henry li.
Schmuck married Xellie, daughter of E. J.
Brumelkamp, of Syracuse, N. Y. (for about
fifteen years Mr. Brumelkamp was super-
intendent of the extensive salt works in
Syracuse, I. Of the marriage just men-
tioned one child has been born, Jessie
Schmuck.
GilIj, Geokgi: Carlton, founder and man-
aging oflicer of the George C. Gill Paper
Co., the latter now a part of the vast cor-
poration known as the American Writing
Paper Co., was born in Hinsdale, Berkshire
county, and acquired his early education in
the Wesleyau academy at Wilbraham and
in Carter's Commercial college at Pittsfield.
He came to Holyoke in the early part of
1.SS2 and in that portion of our chapter re-
lating to the civil, social and industrial
history of that city, the reader will dis-
cover how Mr. Gill has been a factor in its
subsequent growth and development. On
,Tune 21. 1803, Mr. Gill married Jenta
.Tohnson, and to them two children have
been born : Dorothy, born April 16, 1894,
and Dorcas, born October 18, 1898. Mr.
Gill's parents were Bartholomew Gill, born
in Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland, in
1S19. and Mary Dwyer, born in the same
place. They were married in 184,"). at
Staten Island, N. Y.. and settled in Hins-
dale in this state.
SiBLEV. Fred H.. town clerk, collector
and treasurer of the town of West Spring-
fleld, was born July 1, 1S61, a son of
Henry A. Sibley (a native of Wesftield), a
grandson of Klljah Sibley fborn in Welling-
ton, Conn,), and a great-grandson of Eze-
kiel Sibley, the latter also a native of Wel-
lington. Klijah Sibley removed from Con-
necticut to Hampden county many years
ago, settling in Westfleld, where for several
years he was a farmer. liater on he came
to West Springfleld and passed the remain-
der of his life on a farm In that town. His
wife was Lucy Lee (a native of Massachu-
setts), who bore him three children: Henry
.\.. .\ugust A. and Lorelta Sibley. Henry
A. Sibley, first son of Eli.|ah. and grandson
i>f Kzeklel. has been a farmer In West
Springfleld for many years, and In addition
thereto he has taken an earnest Interest In
all that has pertained to the welfare ot the
town and its people. A glance at the civil
list in the town chapter will show how he
has been a factor in its political history.
He married M. Amanda Cooley, daughter
of Uodney and Sabra Cooley, and a de-
scendant of one of Hampden county's most
respected old families. Fred H. Sibley,
only son of Henry A. and M. Amanda
(Cooley) Sibley, was born in West Spring-
field and acquired his early education in the
public schools of the town and in the West-
field high school. In 1882. when 21 years
old. he went west, locating in Denver. Col.,
where for a little more than a .vear he was
engaged in mercantile pursuits : but at the
end of that time he returned home and as-
sisted his father in the care and manage-
ment of the farm. In 1890 he was elect-
ed a member of the town railroad commis-
sion and was made chairman of the board.
The next year, IS'.ll, he was elected town
clerk, treasurer and collector, and from that
time to the present the duties of his sev-
eral offices have occupied his entire atten-
tion, for at each succeeding annual towu
meeting ^Ir. Sibley lias been re-elected and
generally without an opposing candidate in
nomination against him. rolitically. Mr.
Sibley is a republican, having cast his first
vote for Mr. Blaine as a presidential can-
didate: yet in West Springfield since his
incumljency of the olfices mentioned, he has
not taken an active part in party politics.
He is a member of De Soto Lodge, No. 155,
I. O. O. F.. of West Springfleld Grange, P.
of II.. of Pawcatuck Tribe. No. 177. I. O.
U. M.. and ot the association of the West
Springfield Co-operative bank, having b'^en
its secretary in 1897 and since that time
its president. On September 2.'i. ISSi.
Fred II. Sibley married M.-iry 1!.. daugiiter
of Michael and Ellen i Hayes) WhalTU.
Helen Marguerite. Hacbei May and Fred H.
Sibley, jr.. are tlie children of this mar-
riage.
Astii.Tcv. Henkv WoooniiFF, attorney and
counsellor at law, residing and practicing
in Westfleld, Is a native of that town, born
February H^ ISTiH. lie actpiired bis e;irly
education in the Westfleld public schools
and was graduated from the law school of
Boston university in 1882. The same
.year he became a member of the Hamp-
den bar and at once opened an oflice in
Westfleld. where he has since practiced.
From ISS."! to 1889. Mr. Ashley was deputy
( 685 )
APPENDIX
(rollector of intcrnnl revenue and In 18112
and 18!)3 he was lepiesentative in the legls-
hiture. serving on the judiciary and rail-
road committees. Mr. Ashley married,
March 4. 1800. Kezla Wright Ely. who was
born November Ti. 18G3. in White Haven.
Pa. On his father's side Henry W. Ash-
Icy Is descended from one of the oldest
families of the ('onne<;ticut valley region,
his ancestor. Itohert Ashley, the pioneer,
having come from Kngland and settled first
in the Koxhiiry colony and thence removed
to Sprlnglield in H>39, three years after
the I'ynchon plantation was founded. From
that time he was an active figure In the
pioneer life of the region and he was re-
garded as one of the foremost men of his
time. He took the oath of allegiance with
the other Springfield inhabitants. December
'.M. KITS. He participated in the first al-
lotment of the town lands in ir»4(*-41 and
was allotted house lot No. 3. eight rods
wide, running baclt from what is now
the northwest corner of Main and State
streets, his lands c.vtending to the Con-
necticut on the west and thence east to
what is now Spring street. He also became
the owner of a large tract west of the L'on-
nectliut and between that and Westfleld
(sometimes called Agawam) river. In a
rate made May G, lG.'j4. to raise fifty
pounds for the "payment for ye Indian
purchase of ye land of plantation." Uobert
Ashley paid fifteen shillings. In common
with nearly all the planters in the colony,
he was chiefly engaged in agricultural pur-
suits, yet the records disclose that he fre-
quently was called into the town service,
notably as a juror of the courts, beginning
in 1G3!> and continuing at frequent inter-
vals until 1G70. In 16r>3. upon the re-
organization of the town after the depar-
ture of William I'ynchon. Mr. Ashley was
elected one of the five selectmen and was
annually re-elected until IG.'iO: and later he
served during the years 1660, 1GG2. 166.1
and 1GG7.
Cooi.Kv. TnoMAs J., of Westfleld. member
of the flrm of Cooley Rros., clothiers and
men's furnishers, was born in Sonthwicl;.
,7uly -7. 18.">0. and his wife Helen M. Uock-
well, also was born In Southwick. October
30. IS.'jO. They married October 30. 1872.
their children were Elizabeth Rockwell
Cooley. born March 7. 187.') ; Alice L.
Cooley, born February 17. ISS'J, died June
4. 1883 : Hazel E, Cooley. born May 17,
18S7, and Thomas It. Cooley, born Novem-
ber 22. 1888. On his father's side Thomas
.1. Cooley is descended from pioneer stock
in Hampden county, his father. Thomas
Cooley. and his grandfather, Samuel Cooley,
liaving been born in Springfield. Thomas
Cooley was born in 1S13 and died In .South-
wick in 1868. His wife. Elvina Stevens
Cooley, W'as born in .Southwick in 1813, and
died in Springfield in 1888. Samuel
Cooley. the grandfather, was born in
Springfield in 177'.l. and died in Southwick
in 1864. His wife. Kuth Ferry Cooley.
was born in Springfield in 1784 and died
in Agawam in lS7."i. If the reader will
carefully peruse the history of Springfield
and also the histories of nearly all the
other old towns in the Connecticut valley
regi<tn. it may there be seen how the repre-
sentatives of the Cooley surname have been
factors in local annals for more than two
centuries. Thaddeus Ferry, great-grand-
father of Thomas 3. Cooley. was a revolu-
tionary soldier and a musician of some
note. He played at the execution of
Major Andre, and his fife is now in the
old South church in Boston.
The Foote Family. — William Foote un-
doubtedly was the pioneer of the Foote
family in Hampden county, he having set-
tled in Chester at a very early day in the
history of that region. The first of the
family to settle in America were three
brothers, who sailed from England in the
brig Ann. landed at Plymouth and went at
once to Guilford. Conn. The descendants
from one of these brothers were Pierce,
.lohn. Nathaniel. .lohn, William and Asa
Foote. William Foote. the pioneer of the
family in Chester, married Uuth Smith.
Asa Foote. son of William and Ruth, was
born in Chester. August 4. 1786. died May
16. 184.">. He married, first, Lucy ,lohnson
of Chester, and second, Betsey E. Pierce of
North Waterford. Maine. Eliza C. Foote,
daughter of Asa. was born in Chester. Jan-
uary 31. 1833. married Reuben Noble. March
2!t. lS.-)4.
MrCoRKiNUALE. Wii.i.IAM. Superintendent
of works of the Parsons Paper company of
Ilolyoke, was born in Greenock. Scotland.
In 18."il. and at the age of twelve years was
apprenticed to learn the trade of papermak-
ing with Brown. Stewart & Co.. of Green-
ock. He was in the service of that firm
( 68G )
APPENDIX
from 1862 to ISOS, a period o£ full six
3'eais. and he became a practical, thorough
paper malier. In 186S he came to America
and located first at Pittstown, X. Y., re-
maining there until 1870 and removing
thence to Warsaw. Ind., where he was em-
ployed from 1870 to 1873. He then re-
moved to Dalton. Mass.. remaining in that
town from 1873 to 1881. when he removed
to Holjoke. where lie now lives and where,
also, his efforts in business' life have been
rewarded with abundant success ; and what-
ever success has been achieved by Mr. Mc-
Corkindale has been wholly the result of
his own personal effort and industry. He
married. December 10. 187S. Lillias Forsyth,
aud to them these children liave been born :
Edward James, born in Italton, Jul.v 30,
lS7."i : Roger William, born July 3, 1884;
and Ethel Lillias, born September, 1897.
Jciiix.sox. Ch.\ules Wallace, treasurer
of the Holyoke Savings bank, senior partner
of the firm of C. W. Johnson & Co., general
insurance agents, was born in Holyoke. May
■^■2. 1800, son of the late Robert B. and
Cornelia Maria (Clark) Johnson, his father
having been for many years identified with
the business, political and financial history
of Holyoke. and also having been regarded
as one of tlie most prominent and useful
men of his time in the city. Charles W.
Johnson was educated in the Holyoke public
schools and Cheshire (Conn.) Military
academy. He married. October 14, 1890,
Cora Estelle Ashley, born in Holyoke, Octo-
ber 30. 1860. and educated in the city
public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have
one child. Rachel Ashley Johnson, born Sep-
tember IS. 1891. On his father's side Mr.
Johnson is a descendant of Edmund John-
son, a settler of Winnicumsett. N. H., in
ll>3."i. His wife, whose parents were Elisha
Ashley (born in West Springfield. July IS.
IS.S:;.) and Eliza Colt (born in Huntington.
April 2(\. 183.'i. They were married Decem-
lier 7, 18.i7. 1 is descended from Robert
Ashley, who settled In Springfield in 1G39.
and John Colt, who settled at Salem in
ir,30. Robert Rruce Johnson was born in
Weare, X. H.. April 9. 18'JS; married Octo-
her 27. 1S.")8. Cornelia .Maria Clark, born in
New Haven, Conn.. August 2. 183.").
.\iiTHUK, CiiAL'NCEY Mo.sKLV, ot Westflcld,
eldest son and second child of John Mather
Mosely and Julia Ann Holcomb, his wife.
was l)orn in Westfield, August 9. 1863, and
was educated in Westfield high school
(grad. 1880) and in the Xew York Trade
school (grad. plumbing dept., 1887). He
engaged in business first in Xew York city,
then in Lenox and Pittsfield. Mass.. (1887-
931. and in 1S93 was made plumbing in-
spector in Westfield. In addition to his
regular business pursuits he is oue of the
town assessors in Westfield. On August 4,
1897, Mr. Mosely married Eliza Harvey Rust
I born July 9, 186.j ; graduate of Wolfboro,
X. H.. high school, 1883; graduate of Mas-
sachusetts Xormal art school, 1892 ; super-
visor of drawing in Westfield public schools,
1893-99). Their children are John Rust
Mosely, born December 10, 1899. died July
Jl, 1900. and James Mather Mosely. born
February 3, 1901. As is indicated by the
family surname. Mr. Mosely is descended
from old New England stock, he himself
being in the ninth generation from the
common ancestor. Sir John Moseley (other-
wise known as Maudesiey, and also Mosely)
who with his wife Cicely were among the
first Dorchester <'olonists. Lieutenant John
Moseley, second son ijf the settler, was the
pioneer of the family in what now is Hamp-
den county, as may be seen by reference to
the Moseley family sketch in this work.
From Lieut. John to Arthur Chauncey
Mosely the line of direct descent comes
through Joseph. David. Col. David. William. ,
James and John Mather Mosely to Arthur
C. in the nineth generation from Sir John.
Jolin M;i tiler Mosely was the sixth child
and third son in a family of eleven children
of James Mosely (son of William) and
Sophia Martha Phelps, his wife. James
was the first of the family to spell the sur-
name Mosely. an example which his descend-
ants have generally followed. John Mather
Mosely was born January 24. 1824. and
died April 10. 1883. He married, January
19, 1800. Julia Anna Holcomb. born May
22. 1837. daughter of Chauncey Holcomb,
of Granby. Conn. Their children : Carrie
Alma, born Westfield, December 23, ISCl,
married January 3, 1888, Godfrey Haas,
and now lives in Brooklyn, N, Y. ; Arthur
Chauncey. born August 3, 1863: James
Dwight, born February 25, 1868, married
August 26, 1891, (irace L. Hastings ot
Soulhwlck. by whom he has one child. Mar-
garet Ann Mosely ; Anna Isadore, born
April 13, 1S7.">, a teacher.
( 687 )
Al-l-EXDIX
GiiiAiin. LKOPOI.D ADOLrnK. M. H.. |i. n.
Mei-rit'k. Mass., was born iu \'au(lreuil.
(.'unada. February '2~t. ISGT. a son of An-
drew I'etcr and Marie Louise Girard. Dr.
(jlrard received a primary edut-ation in
Vautireuil's etjlleye and tlien completed liis
course at llourget's coilege. Kigaud. Can-
ada. In 1SS7 lie entered Lavai univer-
sity, .Montreal, wliere he studied three
years, tljen went to Milwaukee. Wis., where
he received the degree of M. I), in 1S9II.
After practicing medicine for four years in
Powers. Mich., I»r. Girard came to West
Sprin.Klield. where he has since resided and
practiced with gratifying success. In 18!)8.
in connection with professional work, he
opened a drug store under the firm name
of L. A. Girard & Co. In medical and
social circles Dr. Girard is a well known
and popular figure, and for many years he
has been town physician for West Spring-
field. In November. 1,S94. Dr. Girard mar-
ried Aleselna Hoissert. daughter of Onesine
lioissert and Celeste Davignon (M. Boissert
was a wealthy merchant of the Eastern
Township). Of this union there were born
four children : Marie Theresa. Paul .\bel.
Adoiphe and Uaymond Girard.
.MiI".iit!..\Nii. IlKKiiERT A., was bom in
.'iturbridge. April U. 1840. a son of Mar-
shall and I.orinda A. (Webber) McFarland.
one of seven children : Charles ^^.. Mary
A.. Herbert A.. Ursula N.. Alvira C. Emma
and Ellen. When Herbert was eight years
of age his raotlier died and the next five
years he spent in the town of Ilolland.
where he received his education in the
schools of that town, of Sturbrldge. and
Pirimfield acideray. where he gradtiated. At
eighteen he began teaching winter terms of
school and assiste<l his uncle on the farm
in the summer. He was thus employed for
ten years, after which he came to Wales
and entered the employ of Elijah Shaw as
bookkeeper and paymaster for his si-K mills.
whldi position he held ten years. In 1S70
ihe Wales Savings bank was incorporated
and Mr. McFarland was made secretary.
In l.SSO he was jipjjointed secretary and
treasurer, which position he still holds.
Mr. McFarland is also interested In agri-
culture, making a specialty of dairy farm-
ing and lie also conducts a large milk route.
lie owns and controls abinit 700 acres of
land in Wales and adjoining towns. On
.lanuary I'l. IsCiS. Mr. McFarland married
.Mary, daughter of Capt. Asa Houghton. He
is active iu town and county affairs : has
served as selectman and on school commis-
tee for twenty-five years (its present chair-
man i. and is now associate judge of the
Eastern Hampden district court, which
I)osition he has held since 189G. He has
lieen .justice of peace and notary public
since 1870. In 18S,"i Mr. McFarland re-
ceived a commission from the governor
wliich authorized him to issue warrants,
etc., under wliich he worked until he was
appointed special justice. lie has been tax
collector and represented his district in the
legislature in 18'.)0 and 1891. He is also
active in church work and at eighteen
years of age was appointed superintendent
of the Sunday school in the Congregational
church in Ilolland. His wife being a Bap-
tist, when he came to Wales, he became an
attendant of the BaiJtist church : was its
superintendent twelve years and has taught
in the Sunday school for the past thirty-
four years : and also has led the church
choir thirty years. However. Mr. McFar-
land still retains his mmebership in the
Congregational church in Holland. He has
iieen a member of the republican committee
aliout thirty years, serving most of the time
as ciiairman.
GiiEKX. Frkd W.. p. o. Wilbraham. Mass..
was born in Wilbraham. Mass.. February
10. 1S.j9. a son of Walter M. and Julia
A. (Hutier) Green, and was educated in
the schools of his town, and Hitchcock
school in Brimfield. Mr. Green served as
postmaster in Wilbraham for four years
and has been engaged in his present business
of livery and stage route for nine years. Mr.
Green is a public spirited man. .serving as
assessor one year, selectman si.x years and
is now secretary of the board. In 1882
i»e married Mary M. Kobbins. of Wilbra-
ham : six children were born of this mar-
riage : Florence M.. Waiter !{.. Ruth P..
Marjorie H.. Fred W.. jr.. and Harland.
GtnxKV. FR.VNK A., p. o. Wilbraham.
Mass.. was born in Plainfield, Mass.. Octo-
ber 18. 18.53. a son of William Gurney. a
native of Ashlield. and Pliilenn Torrey. his
wife, a native of Plainfield. I'rank A. re-
ceived a common school education and
came to Wilbraham in 1889. where he pur-
chased the general store of C. I/. Hubbard.
Mr. Gurney served as assessor for five
years and was apiwinted postmaster in
( 688 )
APPENDIX
1898. In ISSl Mr. Gui-ney married Ger-
trude Spalding, who died in 1894. leaving
one son. Kajmond F. In 1897 Mr. Gur-
ney married, second. Mary Ileebe
JoxES. EUMV.ND W.. p. o.. Wilbraliam.
Mass.. was born in Wiibraham. Sep-
tember IG. 1857. and now resides in
the house in which he was born,
the house being about a century old. lie
was a sou of Reuben Jones, a native of
Springfield, Mass., and Eunice Warner, his
wife, both now deceased. Edmund W, re-
ceived a common school education and
after leaving school engaged in farming :
he is now one of the town weighers and
a member of Wiibraham Grange.
BODCKTHA, llEXRY E.. p. o. Agavvam,
Mass.. was born on the Bodurtha homestead
iu Agawam. March l.j. 186.").. a son of Ed-
ward K.. a native of the same town, repre-
sentative to the legislature in 1866. and
selectman of his town for ten year's, and
Jane E. Willard. his wife. Henry E. was
educated in the schools of Agawam and
Worcester Academy. He is now engaged
in farming. In 1887 was elected tax col-
lector of his town : in 1889 was elected
selectman, and was overseer of the pool
and assessor for two years, serving as chair-
man of tlie board : in 1S9.5 he was re-
elected and has since been acting in the
capacity of chairman. October 30. 189],
Mr. Bodurtha married M. Belle, daughter of
Silas Cook, of Agawam. who bore him four
children : Grace Mildred, who died in in-
fancy; Jennette. Dudley Kent and Warren
Cook (twins).
Phelps. Ch.viii.e.s H.. p, o. Southwick.
Mass.. was born in the town of Southwick.
February 11. 187:). a son of William W. and
Jane B. (Boylei I'helps. who had four chil-
dren : Mary B.. wife of Calvin E. West ;
Frances J., wife of John S. Struthers :
George W. and Charles II. Chai'Ies H. re-
ceived his education in the schools of South-
wick and when he became of age he and his
brother came into possession of a tract o:
land in Southwick village, where they now
carry on general farming. Mr. Phelps it
active in town and county affairs and a1
the present time is serving his first term
as selectman: he Is also treasurer and trus
tee of the library. Mr. I'helps was married
December 1(J. ]9(il. to Miss Mnsetta A
Carr, of Summit, It. I.
B-iRRV, J.iiiEs F.. p. o. Feeding Hills
Mass.. was born in Feeding Hills. Mass.,
December 4. ISoS. a son of David and
Catherine (Malone) Barry. His father was
a native of Ireland and came to America
in 1847. settling in Feeding Hills, where he
died in 1899. James F. was educated in
the schools of his town and in Albany.
X. Y. After leaving school he engaged in
farming, which* he has followed ever since,
with the exception of two years when he
was engaged in the grocery business at
-Manchester. Conn. In 1887 and 1888 he
was elected collector of his town and in
1SS9 was elected selectman, overseer of the
poor and assessor, serving continuously for
seven years, and was again elected in 1900.
.\ugust US. 1,S94, Mr. Barry married Mar
garet E.. daughter of Michael Carroll, a
native of Ireland. Three children were
born to them : Catherine Dorathy. Jamef
I''rancis and Margaret Kuth.
Ahl. Johx. p. o. Agawam. Mass.. was
born at Deerfleld. Mass.. March l.'i, 1836, a
son of Michael Ahl. who was born in 1834,
a retired farmer now living in Bast Hart-
ford. Conn., and Margaret Stuckart, his
wife, who was born in 1836. and died
January 18. 1894. John Ahl received his
education in a district school. On April 8,
1884. he married Flora I^. Pish, who was
born at Sherman. Conn., ilay 17. lS.j7, a
daughter of Sidney S. Fish, who was born
in 1806, and died January 24, 1894 : he was
a building contractor by trade and served
as a school committeeman for a number of
years : and Sarah S. Mangham. his wife,
who was born in 1827, and died August 26,
1.S99. Since leaving school Mr. Ahl ha>
been engaged in farming with the exception
of ten years spent in the fish business in
East Hartford. Conn. They have one child
I'^lora Louise, born March 12. 1886. at East
Hartford, Conn., now attending the West-
Held High School in the class of 1904.
King, Oscar Luther, p. o. Agawam.
Mass.. was born in Westharapton, Mass.,
January 17, ]8.')8. a son of Luther and
Uoxanna King. He was educated in the
schools of his native town and then en-
gaged In the farming and lumber business.
In 1884 he came to Agawam and purchased
his present farm. Mr. King is a member
of the Second Congregational church and
of Baypath Lodge of Odd Fellows.
44-;i
( 689 )
APPENDIX
Sykes. Frederick A., p. o. Agawam. was granted him. Frederick A. was edu-
Mass.. was born in Agawam rarisli, Mass.. cated in the schoois of Agawam and the
May 2, 184;!. a son of Asliljcl and Maria Connecticut Literary Institute. After leav-
(Cowles) Syl<es. Ashbel Sylies was a native ing schooi he engaged in the manufacture
of Suffleld. Conn., born April 18. 1805, a of woolen goods, and is still connected with
son of Lott and grandson of Lott Siltes. and interested in the Agawam Co., woolen
The first member of this family to settle in manufacturers. On December 2.j. 1867, Mr.
America was Uichard Sllies, who came from Sylies married Lucretia M., daughter of
England and settled in Dorchester in 1635 ; Stephen H. Bodurtha : they have one adopt-
he came to Springfield in 1G41, where a lot ed daughter. Susie M.
( 690 )
INDEX
Index
Adams. Dr. Nathan. Vol. 1. 372
Agawam bridge. Vol. 1, 170 : Encampment,
40O ; flrst settlement at. 33 ; Indians, 24.
— Name of plantation changed to Spring-
field, Vol. 2, 11.— Town of. Vol. 3. 523;
location and natural features, 523 ; the
mother town of Springfield, 524 ; first
settlement in Connecticut valley. 524 ;
the first house built. 524 ; settlement re-
moved to Springfield. 525 ; permanent set-
tlement established. 525 : the town incor-
porated. 526 ; list of selectmen. 526 ; town
clerks. 527 : military history, 528 ; re-
sources of the town. 528 ; manufacturing
development. 529 : the town grange. 529 ;
educational interests. 532 ; the library.
533 ; founding a chuixh. 533 ; the Sixth
church of Springfield. 534 ; two parishes
formed. 534 ; First Congregational church.
53.5 ; Second Congregational church. 535 ;
First Baptist church, 538 ; Methodist
Episcopal church, 540 : St, William's
church, 540 ; census statistics, 541
Agricultural Society. Blandford, Vol. 2, 517
Agriculture in Hampden' Co,, Vol, 1, 499
Aix-la-Chapelle, treaty of. Vol. 1. 63
Almshouse, The, Springfield, Vol. 2, 160. —
Holyoke. Vol. 3. 52
American Papeterie Co., The. Vol. 2, 270
Ames. N. E. Vol. 1, 395,— Col. Galen, Vol.
2. 192 ; Manufacturing Co.. 262
Amity Lodge. Vol. 1. 488
Amostown. in West Springfield, Vol, 3, 233
Anderson, Dr, J. J., Vol, 1, 408
Appleton, Dr. John, Vol, 1, 348
Aqueduct Company, the Springfield. Vol. 2.
156
Armory buildings burned. Vol. 2, 56
Art Building, The, Vol. 2. 180
Ashmun George, Vol. 1, 316
Assurance Cos., the Mutual Fire, Vol. 2, 241
Atheneum. The, of Westtteld, Vol. 2, 431
Attorneys, list of. Vol. 1, 304, 331
.•\twater. Kev. Noah, Vol, 2, 401
Aubert. discoveries of. Vol. 1. 14
Auditors Vol. 1. 124
Bagg. Di" J. L., Vol. 1, 376
Baker. Dr. M. B., Vol, 1. 343
Banks, the Springfield, Vol, 2, 222 ; the
Second National, 223 ; the Chicopee, 223 ;
the Chicopee National, 224 ; the Agawam
National, 225 ; the Western, 226 ; the
John Hancock National, 227 ; the Third
National, 230 ; the Pynchon National,
228 ; the First National, 229 ; the Third
National, 231 : the Chapin National, 231 ;
the City National. 233 : the Springfield
National. 234 ; the Springfield Safe De-
posit and Trust Co., 234 ; the Hampden
Trust Co.. 235 : the Springfield Institu-
tion for Savings. 236 : the Hampden Sav-
ings. 239 : the Springfield Five Cents
Savings. 240. — Hadley Falls National,
Vol. 3, 59 : Holyoke National. 61 ; City
National, Holyoke, 62 ; Home National.
Holyoke, 64 : Park National, Holyoke, 65 ;
Holyoke Savings, 65 ; Mechanics' Savings,
66; People's Savings, 67; Holyoke Co-
operative. 68 : City Co-operative, 68 ; the
^lonson National. 298 ; the Monson Sav-
ings. 299 ; First National, Chicopee, 506 ;
Chicopee Savings, 507 : Chicopee Falls
Savings, 507
Bar Association, The Hampden, Vol, 1, 336
Barnes James, Brev. Maj.-Gen.. Vol. 1, 223
Barney & Berry Skate Works, The, Vol, 2,
270
Bartholmew. Dr. S. 1!.. Vol. 1, 409
Bates, Isaac C„ Vol. 1, 314 : Wm, G., 320
Bay Path, account of. Vol, 1, 154 ; Lodge,
489
Bay State Weekly Courier, Vol. 1, 428.—
Corset Co.. The. Vol. 2, 273
Beach, Erasmus D„ Vol. 1, 320
Belcher Lodge, Vol, 1, 474
Belden, D, Chauncey, Vol. 1. 352 ; Dr.
Sam'! W., 343
( 693 )
INDEX
Bell. III-. Cyrus. Viil. 1. ?.Tti
Bemls. l>r. I):ivl(I, Vol, 1. 343
Bench Jiiui Bar, The Hampden. Vol. 1. -93
Blhle Niiim.'il College. Vol. 2. 141!
Blanchiirdvilie. village ot. Vol. 3, 149
Blandtoid. fort built In. Vol. 1, 62; min-
eral deposits of. 5. — Town of. Vol. 2.
482 ; natural features, 482 ; equivalent
lands. 484 : land purchases and grants,
iH'> : early settlement. 486 ; the original
proprietors. 48(i : the Lawton deed, 488 ;
the first church founders. 491 ; the rixley
grant. 500 : highways and turnpikes. 500 ;
during the revolution. 497 ; the first grist
mill. 496 ; poverty of the settlers. 495 ;
partitioning the lands, 494; incidents of
settlement. 492 ; the first town name,
491 ; North Blandf ord village. 502 ; the
M. E. church at the North village. 504 :
village. 504 ; prominent men of. 504 ; the
first meeting house. 507 ; churches of,
510: population. 314; burial places, 514:
schools of the town, 515 ; the Union
agricultural and horticultural society,
517; list of selectmen, 519; list of town
clerks, 523 : early town representatives,
523 : civil war list, 524
Bliss, Dr. Oliver, Vol. 1. 344: George. 314;
.Jonathan, 314; Silas. 394
Board of Trade, the Springfield. Vol. 2. 217
Bond. Ephraim \V.. Vol. 1. 324
Bondsvlllc. village. Vol. 3. 147
Boston and Albany Railroad. Vol. 1. 181
Boston and Maine Hailroad. Vol. 1. 183
Boston and Springfield Manufacturing Co.,
Vol. 2. 261
Boston Stone. History of. Vol. 1. 154
Boston Tea Party. Vol. 1, 71
Bowen. Dr. Charles H., Vol, 1, 377 '
Bowles. Dr. Stephen W., Vol. 1, 375
Brcck. Dr. William G.. Vol. 1, 370, — Rev.
Itobert, controversy concerning. Vol. 2, 30
Brewer. Dr. Chauncey, Vol. 1, 344. — Rev.
Daniel, death of. Vol. 2. 30
Brewster. Dr. Joseph W.. Vol. 1, 346
Bridges. Vol. 1. 1G4 ; Agawam. 170; Chico-
pee. 170 : Holyoke and South Hadley
Falls. 171 : South End. history of. 171 ;
the North End. history ot. 171 ; Willi-
mansctt, 173
Bridgman. Dr. William, Vol. 1, 344
Brigham Lodge, Vol. 1. 474
Brlmficld. town of. Vol. 2. 456; natural
features. 450; first settlers. 457; land-
grants. 4.)8 ; the first town meeting, 460 ;
list of selectmen, 46^ ; list of town clerks.
4C8 : list of representatives, 408 : the
Erench and Indian wars, 469 : the Crown
Tolnl expedition, 470 ; expedition against
Canada. 470 ; during the revolution. 471 ;
list of revolutionary soldiers. 473 ; inci-
dents of Shays' rebellion. 474 ; during the
war of 1812-15. 474 ; the war of 1861-65.
475 : resources of the town. 476 ; early
manufactures. 477 ; educational history,
478 ; the first meeting-house, 480 ; area
and population, 481
British aggression. Vol. 1. 70 : generals,
fliaracter of. 67
r.ronson. Dr. Henry. Vol. 1. 351
Brookficld burned. Vol. 1. 45
Brown. Timothy M.. Vol. 1. 329. — John, the
abolitionist, citizen of Springfield. Vol. 2,
64
Bull. Kev. Nehemiah. Vol. 2. 401
Bunker Hill, battle of. Vol. 1, 77
Business Men's Association, Holyoke. Vol.
3. 83
Byers, James, jr.. Vol, 2, 189
Cabotville Mirror. Vol. 1, 461 : Chronicle
and Chicopee Falls Advertiser, 461
Calhoun. William B., Vol. 1. 320
Campaign of 1754, Vol. 1, 64
Canals, Vol. 1, 173. — The Holyoke water
Power Co., Vol. 3, 75
Cape Ann, settlement at. Vol. 1, 30
Canton Chapin. Vol. 1, 491: Springfield,
492 : Holyoke, 499
Carter. Dr. Charles D.. Vol. 1, 410
Cartier, Jacques, voyages and discoveries by,
Vol. 1. 15
Carver. Gov. John, death of. Vol. 1. 29
Cemeteries, of Springfield, Vol. 2, 196 : the
Springfield. 197 : St. Benedict's. 199 ; St.
Michael's. Springfield. 200 ; Maplewood.
Springfield, 201 ; Oak Grove. Springfield.
200. — Holyoke. Vol. 3. 84 : Forestdale,
Holyoke, 85 : St. Jerome's, Holyoke. So ;
Calvary. Holyoke. S5
Central High School. Springfield. Vol. 2. 127
Champion. Dr. Reuben. Vol. 1. 344
Champlain. Samuel, discoverer. Vol. 1, 15;
invasions by, 15
Chapin. Dr. Alonzo. Vol. 1. 344. — Abljah,
Vol. 2. 192 ; Col. Harvey, 191 : Dea. Sam-
uel, the Puritan. 13; Dea. Samuel, death
of. 26; Edward P.. 193
Chapman. Dr. Thos. L.. Vol. 1, 371 ; Reuben
A.. 306. — Valve Co.. Vol. 2, 265
Chaput. Dr. Henry E.. Vol. 3, 115
Charest, Odilon Z. E.. Vol. 3. 115
( 694
INDEX
Cheney Bigelow Wire Works. The. Vol. L'.
272
Chester, emer.v deposits in. Vol. 1, 5 ;
Chi-onicle, The. 453. — Town of. Vol. 3,
348 ; description and boundaries, 348 ;
natural features, 349 : the locality of the
Centre. 330 ; early settlement. 353 ; the
land grants, 353 ; names of settlers, 355 ;
drawing lots.. 355 : the minister lot, 356 :
flrst named Murrayfield, 357 ; first town
meeting. 358 ; events of early town his-
tory. 359 ; dividing the territory. 360 ;
early representatives. 361 ; during the
revolution. 361 ; raising men and money,
362 ; changing the town name, 3C3 ; first
officers under new name. 363 ; villages
and hamlets. 364 ; meeting-house at the
Centre, 366 : the first minister, 366 ; min-
isters and pastors. 367 : the Baptist soci-
ety, 368 : physicians of. 369 : North Ches-
ter village, 370 ; Dayville village, 371 ;
Littleville village, 371 ; village, 371 : the
village meeting-house, 374; village physi-
cians, 375 : village lawyers, 375 : manu-
facturing interests, 376 : Chester Factories
village, 378 ; mercantile and manufactur-
ing. 378 : churches in Chester Factories,
384 : burial places, 386 ; schools, 386 :
lawyers at Factories village, 387 ; physi-
cians at the Factories, 387 ; census sta-
tistics, 388 : town civil list, 388 ; select-
men of Murrayfield. 3SS ; town clerks of
Murrayfield. 388 : list of Chester select-
men, 388 ; town clerks of Chester, 391 ;
civil war lists. 391 : soldiers of the revo-
lution. 392
Chicopee Bridge, Vol. 1. 170: Telegraph,
461 : The Press of, 461 : Weekly Journal,
461 ; Lodge, 472 : Lodge, 497. — Set off
from Springfield, Vol. 2. 81. — Town of,
Vol. 3. 482 ; geographical and topograph-
ical. 482 ; beginning of settlement. 482 ;
the flrst land contract. 483; settlement
as Skipmuck. 4,S4 ; improvements south of
the river. 484 ; fishing In Chicopee river,
485; settlement in Willimansett. 486;
troubles with the Indians, 486 ; revolu-
tionary history, 487 ; the Shays rebellion,
487 ; the "Street," 487 ; discussions prior
to the division of Springfield, 488 ; the new
town organized, 4.S9 ; the first oHlccrs.
489 ; census statlstl<:s, 490 ; town civil
list, 491 ; list of selectmen, 491 ; clerks
and treasurers, 492; city civil list, 493;
mayors, 493 ; aldermen. 493 : common
councilman, 494 ; assessors, 495 : over-
seers of the poor, 495 ; city physicians,
495 ; city engineer, 495 ; city solicitors,
495 ; chiefs of police, 495 ; superintendents
of streets, 496 ; license commissioners,
496; war of 1865-5, 496; beginning of
industrial development, 496 ; the water
power of Chicopee river, 497 ; early man-
ufactures, 497 ; ; the Willimansett Manu-
facturing Co., 497 ; the Belcher & Taylor
Agricultural Tool Co,, 498 ; the Chicopee
Manufacturing Co., 499 ; the Massachu-
setts Arms Co_., 499; the Lanib Knitting
Machine Co., 500 ; the J. Stevens Arms
and Tool Co.. 500 ; the Overman Wheel
Co., 500 ; industries of Cabotville. 501 ;
the Dwight Manufacturing Co., 501 ; the
Ames Manufacturing Co., 503 ; the Gay-
lord Manufacturing Co., 504 ; present
manufactures, 504 ; the Chicopee Gas
Light Co.. 505 ; the water supply. 505 ;
banking and financial history, 506 ; the
First National bank, 506 : the Chicopee
Savings bank, 507 ; educational institu-
tions, 507 ; the flrst town school report,
509 ; the library, 511 ; the city press, 511 ;
church history, 513 : First Congregational
church, 513 ; the Second Congregational
church, 515 ; the Third Congregational
church, 515 ; the M. E. church. 515 ; Cen-
tral M. E. church, 516 ; the First Baptist
church, 517 ; Central Baptist church, 517 ;
Grace Episcopal church, 518 ; Unitarian
church. 518 ; Universalist society. 518 ;
Church of the Holy Name of Jesus. 519 ;
St. Patrick's church. 520 ; Church of the
Assumption. 521 ; St. Stanislaus' church,
521 ; St. Joachim's church. 522 ; Church
of the Nativity. 522
Church, Dr. Jefferson, Vol. 1. 350. — Moses,
Vol. 2, 186
City Hall, built in Springfield, Vol. 2, 65 ;
Library Associalli>u. 172
City of Chicopee. Vol. 3. 482; Holyoke. 1. —
Springfield. Vol. 2. 1
Civil List. Vol. 1. 124
Clary Uobert E.. Brev. Brig.-Gen.. Vol. 1,
223
Clerks of Court, list of. Vol. 1, 151 ; of the
House, 149
Cloutier, Dr. Felix J.. Vol. 3, 115
Chine. John II.. Vol. 2, 195
College. The Bible Normal. Vol. 2, 142; The
French-American. 142
Collins. Amos M.. developer of Blandford,
Vol. 2, 499
Colonists and Indians, first battle. Vol, 1. 40
{ fi95 )
INDEX
Colony of Connecticut, troubles with. Vol.
1. S.'j
Compact for government of I'ilgrims. Vol.
1. :;u
Connecticut Itivcr Navigation. Vol. 1, 1S8
Connecticut troops garrison northern towns,
Vol. 1. r>i
Connecticut Valley I'armer, Vol. 1. 433;
region claimed by Dutch. IG; becomes
known to the Knglish colonists. 31 : ex-
plored by I'lymouth colonists. 32 ; first
visited by Dorchester colonists. 32 : In-
dians, treachery of. 4.5; Indians, allied to
King rhilip. 4."> ; towns urged to concen-
trate inhabitants. 54. —Historical Society.
Vol. 2. 215
Converse. Alonzo. authority on fisheries.
Vol. 1. lOG
Cooper. Lieut., death of. Vol. 1. 47
Corporations, turnpike. Vol. 1. 134
Correction. House of. built. Vol. 1. 112
Counties formed. Vol. 1. 37
County congresses assembled. Vol. 1. 7(1:
.Seat, removed to Northampton. 114; Jail,
and house of correction. 121. 123; Com-
missioners, list of. 151 ; Treasurers. list
of. 151
Court, clerks of. Vol. 1. 151 : Common
Pleas. .Justices of. 149; Ilouse. the first,
location of, 114; House, the second, loca-
tion of. 117; House, present building
erected. 121 ; Insolvency. Judges of. 149 ;
Probate. Judges of. 149 ; Probate and
Insolvency. Judges of. 149 ; of Sessions.
Justices of. 149 ; Superior. Justices of.
149 ; Supreme Judicial. Justices of. 149 ;
Square, donors to fund for. 119
Cowan. Dr. A. I!.. Vol. 1. 405
Courts established. Vol. 1. Ill ; Supreme
Judicial, established. 294 ; Superior, es-
tablished. 290 ; Police, established. 299 ;
District, established. 300; General Ses-
sions of the Peace, established. ,301
Cross. Dr. Cyrus W.. Vol. 1. 405
Cummins. David. Vol. 1. 310
Custom Hou.se. Springfield. Vol. 2. 195
Daily Argus. The. Vol. 1. 432 ; Democrat,
The. 441; News. The. 4.38; Republican.
The. Springfield. 42.S
Day. Capt. I.uko. Insurgent leader. Vol. 1,
94 ; proclamation of. 97 ; sketch of. 99
Davis. Dr. George W.. Vol. 1. 374. — Rev.
Kmerson. first settled pastor. Vol. 2. 403
Dnyville. village. Vol. 3. 371
Deeds, registers of. Vol. 1. 151
Deerfield attacked. Vol. 1. 40; plundered
and burned. 59
Demers. Jacques L.. Vol. 3. 110
Democrat. The Independent. Vol. 1. 426
Democratic Herald. Vol. 1. 445
Dental Profession, The, Vol. 1. 390
Derby, Dr. Pardon H.. Vol. 1. 407
De Soto Lodge. Vol. 1. 487
Dewey, Justin, Vol. 1. 311
DeWolf. Dr. Thad. K.. Vol. 1. 3G5
Dickinson high school. Vol. 3. 207
Die liiene. Vol. 1. 459
Discoveries in America, early European.
Vol. 1, 14
District Attorneys, list of. Vol. 1. 150
District Court of Eastern Hampden, justices
of. Vol. 1, 150 ; of Western Hampden,
justices of, 150
District Courts, Vol. 1, 300
Dodge. Dr. J. X., Vol, 1, 408
Domestic Journal. The. Vol. 1. 442
Ducharme. Valere. Vol. 3. 116
Dunbar. James R.. Vol. 1. 312
Durochar. Alfred D., Vol. 3, 116
Dutch hostilities. Vol. 1, 18 ; power, over-
throw of. 18; sell guns and rum to In-
dians. 20 ; Point, fort built. 32
Dwight. William. Brig.-Gen.. Vol. 1. 224. —
Company. The. Vol. 2. 263
Eastern Star Lodge. Vol. 1. 495
East Lougmeadow. Vol. 3. 429 ; physical
features. 429; a part of inward commons.
429 ; relation to mother town. 430 ; divis-
ion of the old town. 431 ; first town elec-
tion. 432 ; church history. 432 ; the First
Congregational church. 433 ; the M. E.
church. 434 : St. Michael's church. 435 ;
the public library. 435 ; the stone quar-
ries, 430 ; census statistics. 437
Education in Hampden County. Vol. 1. 232.
— In Springfield. Vol. 2. 113
Edwards. Oliver. Brev. Maj.-Gen.. Vol. 1.
225
EiglUconth Infantry. Vol. 1. 204
Eighth Infantry. Vol. 1. 216
Ely. Nathaniel, licensed to keep ordinary.
Vol. 2. 24
English settlements. Vol. 1. 17 ; and French
rivalries. 18 ; colonization and settle-
ments by. 27 ; possessions in America
dividetl by King James I. 27 : Dissenters,
find refuge in Holland. 28
European powers, rival claims of. Vol. 1, 17
Evening Gljbe. The. Vol. 1. 459 ; Telegram,
459 : Star Chapter. 476
( 606 )
INDEX
Faii-fleld villsge. Vol. 3, 449
Falley's X Roads. Vol. :j. 371
Father Rasle's war. Vol. 1, 61
Federal Spy. The. Vol. 1. 4J0
Ferries. Vol. 1, Itil
Fessant. John E., Vol. 3. 117
Fire Department. Springfield. Vol. 2. 145
First I'lymouth company, fate of. ^'ol. 1. 27
Fishing Rights. Vol. 1, 196
Fitch. Dr. W. L.. Vol. 1. 344
Flagg. Dr. U. H.. Vol. 1, 377
Flint. Dr. .loseph IL, Vol. 1. 347
Forbes. Dr. George F., Vol. 1. 3S7
Forest Park, Vol. 2, 164 : acquisition of
lands for. 168: extent of. 100
Fort I'ynchon torn down. Vol. 2. 63
Forts built on the frontier. Vol. 1, 62
Forty-Second Infantry. Vol. 1. 217
Forty-Sixth Infantry. Vol. 1. 213
Fowler. Landlord, house of. Vol. 2, 371
Franklin Library Association. Vol. 2. 170
Free Masonry, history of. Vol. 1, 464
French-American <.'itizen. The, Vol. 1, 442.
— College. Vol. 2, 142
French, influence of. among the Indians,
Vol. 1. 20 ; and Indian depredations in
Connecticut valley. .VJ ; and English wars.
62 : dominion, end of, in America, 68. —
people, Ilolyoke, Vol. 3. 109
Frost. Dr. George. Vol. 1. 343; Dr. .loshua.
343
Gage. Gen.. occui)ies lioston. Vol. 1. 71
Gamwell. Dr. Harlow. Vol. 1. 372.— William,
school of. Vol. 3. 30
Gas Light Co., the Springfield. Vol. 2. 267
Genest. Ophir E., Vol. 3. 117
Geology of Hampden county. Vol. 1. 1 13
Gillett. Edward I!.. Vol. 1, 322
Glenwood Lodge. Vol. 1, 498
Glover. Uev. I'elatiah. library burned. Vol.
1. 49. — Settled as minister, Vol. 2. 1.'.
Good Cheer I^odgc, Vol. 1. 4'.h;
Good Housekeeping. The. Vol. 1. 441
(Jo'uld. Dr. .loseph. Vol. 1, 404
Governors. Vol. 1. 124
Granville, town of. Vol. 3. 247 : land pur-
chased from Indians. 24.S ; the first set-
tler. 248 ; the Bedford company. 248 ;
early prominent men, 249 ; Incident of
Col. Hates. 2,"iii : the first house In the
middle parish, 2.">1 ; character of early
settlers, 2'>1 : civil history, 2.'j2 : town
organi'/.ation, 2."i3 ; list of sele<-tmen, 253:
town clerks. 2."i6 : census statistics. 2,"i7 :
during the revolution, 2."i8 : the town
minutemen. 258 : the .jubilee celebration.
259 : the First Church of Christ, 260 ; the
,Second Congregational church, 201 ; the
Baptist church, 201 : the Universalist
society, 201 : villages of the town, 262 :
schools, 261 : village of Granville. 263 :
village of Granville Corners, 263 : busi-
ness interests. 264 : some prominent
townsmen. 265
Gray Lock, the Indian chief. Vol. 1. 62
lladlcy Falls National bank. Vol. 3, 59;
Company, 70
Ilaile. William H.. Vol. 1. 327
Mamel. Furmence. Vol. 3. 114
Hamilton. Dr. E. H.. Vol. 1. 377
Hampden County, geology of. Vol. 1, 1 ;
map of, 107: act creating. 115: Education
in. 232
Hampden Railroad. Vol. 1, 186 ; Federalist,
425 : Journal, 425 ; Patriot. 425 ; Post,
420 : Whig, 420 : Intelligencer, 427 ;
Statesman, 427 ; Washingtonian, 427 :
Register, 442 : Freeman, The, 455 ; Lodge,
F. & A. M.. 470 : Lodge. I. O. O. F.. 485.^
Mechanics' Association. Vol. 2. 170;
Brewery, proprietors of. 262 ; Watch Co.,
The. 209 : Paint and Chemical Co., The.
271
Hampden, town of. Vol. 3. 542 ; a part of
•'outward commons," 542 : fourth pre-
cinct of Springfield. 542 ; the pioneer set-
tler. 542 : account of early settlement,
54:; : petition for new parish, 544 : the
South parish of \^'ilbraham. 545 : setting
uiJ the meeting-house, 545: the parish
becomes South Wilbraham, 346 : old par-
ish records, 546 ; town organization. 547 ;
list of selectmen, 548 : town clerks, 548 ;
census statistics, 549 ; villages and ham-
lets, 549 : manufactures of Hampden vil-
lage, 550 : old-time interest.s, 551 ; prom-
inent men In village history, 551 : present
business interests. 552 : school history of.
553 ; the old Hampden academy, 553 ;
church history. 554 ; the Congregational
church. 554 : the M. E. church. 555 : the
r.aptist society, 556 ; reminiscences, "past
and present," 556 prominent men of the
town, 556
Hampshire and Berkshire Clironicle, Vol. 1.
420; and Hampden (.'anal. 174: Chronicle,
The, 419: Ci>unty, political situation, 69;
County, troops furnished, 77, 79 ; County,
sltu.-ttlon in, after the revolution, 81 ;
Cnunly. organi'/alltui of. Iii9; County.
( 697 )
JXDEX
division of, 1 15 : County, Courts estab-
lished. 303 : County officers killed, 566 ;
Federalist. 420: Herald and Weekly Ad-
vertiser. 410
Hartford and Springfield Uailroad. Vol. I.
ISl ; Dutch fort at. 17
Hatfield, convention at. Vol. 1. 8!)
Hawkins Iron Works. The U. I'.. Vol. L>. 270
Herald of Life. The. Vol. 1, 441
High School, the first in Springfield. Vol. 2.
lie
High Schools established. Vol. 1. 243
Hitchcock Krec academy. Vol. 2, 478
Holland, town of. Vol. 3. 394 ; a part of
South ISrimfleld. 304 ; the East parish.
304 : town boundaries. 305 : early settle-
ment. 395 : reminiscences of early life.
307; census statistics. 400: civil history.
400 : list of selectmen. 401 : town clerks.
403 ; resources of the town. 404 : deriva-
tion of town name. 404 : Holland village,
406 ; the town school, 407 ; church his-
tory, 407 : some prominent men. 409
Holland. Dr, Eugene, Vol, 1, 350: Dr.
Homer. 350 ; Dr. James. 347 : Dr. James,
jr„ 350: Dr. William, 350: Dr. Virgil,
350
Holland's summary of results of King Phil-
ip's war. Vol. 1, 50
Holyoke, city of, 'Vol, 3, 1 : the region pre-
vious to settlement, 1 : traces of Indian
occupancy. 2 : division of the common
lands, 3: the Third parish set off, 3: the
first settlers, 3 : acquisitions to the set-
tlement, .5 : early manufactures, 6 : fer-
ries across the Connecticut, 6 : the Irish
village, 7 : the Baptist village. 7 : town
organization. 7 : the town name. 8 : refer-
ence to Elizur Holyoke. 8 : census statis-
tics. 9 : causes of early growth. 9 : the
first town meeting. 9 : list of selectmen,
10: town clerks, 11 : town treasurers, 11;
founding the city, 12: the act of Incor-
poration, 12: municipal statistics. 14: the
city hall. 14; special acts relating to the
city, 14 : municipal civil list. 17 : succes-
sion of mayors, 17; city clerks, 17; city
treasurers, 17: list of aldermen, 19: com-
mon councilmen, 21 : presidents of board
of aldermen, 26 ; presidents of common
council, 26 ; city auditors, 26 : city mes-
sengers, 26 : city engineers, 26 : city solic-
itors, 26 : city physicians, 27 ; assessors
of taxes, 27: city marshals, 27; board of
public works, 27 ; the fire department, 27 ;
the first fire district, 28: fire commission
established, 29 ; chief engineers, 29 ; fire
commissioners, 30 : city water supply, 30 :
the first water works company, 30 : city
water commission established, 30; water
c.inimissioners, 31 : superintendents of
water works, 32 : water registrars, 32 ;
rile public parks, 32 : park commissioners,
:i4 : educational institutions, 34 : Rand's
seminary, 3G ; William Gamwell's s<-hool,
36; the first town schools. 37: the first
graduating class, 37 ; the first high school,
37 ; town school superintendents. 38 ;
early school principals. ,39; town school
committees. 39 : the modern school sys-
tem. 30 : statistics of the city schools. 41 ;
city school principals. 42 : city school
s\iperintendents. 42 : city school commit-
tees. 42 : the public library, 44 ; first li-
brary officers, 46 : library appropriations,
46 : the new library building, 46 : library
officers, 48 ; the city hospital, 49 : hospi-
tal incorporators, 40; hospital aid asso-
ciation, 40 : oHicers of the hospital. 51 ;
aid association officers. 51 ; the alms-
house. 52 : House of Providence hospital.
52 : the Y. M. C. A.. 52 : street railway
company. 54 ; Mt. Tom railroad Co.. 58 :
financial institutions. 59; industrial his-
tory. 68 : the Hadley Fails Co.. 70 ; the
wing dam built. 70; the first dam. 72:
the dam carried away, 72: the second
dam, 72 ; the water power Co., 73 : the
present dam. 74 ; the canal system. 75 ;
record of industries. 78 : business men's
association. S3 : cemeteries. 84 : church
history. 86 : the First Congregational
I hurch. 87 ; the Second Congregational
church, 90 : First Baptist church, 92 ;
Se<-ond Baptist church, 94 : First M. E.
church. 06 ; Highlands M. E. church. 98 ;
Presbyterian church. OS : St. Paul's
church. 00 : Unitarian church. 101 :
French Congregational church. 102 ; Ger-
man Evangelical Lutheran church, 102 ;
German Reformed church, 103 ; St-
Jerome's church, 103 : parish of the Pre-
cious Blood, 106 : Sacred Heart church.
107; Holy Rosary church. 108: Our Lady
of Perpetual Help church. 108 ; the Polish
church. 100 : The French Population. 109
Holyoke and So. Hadley Fails bridge, his-
tory of. Vol. 1, 171 ; and Westfleld rail-
road, 187 : Capt., saves English troops
from destruction. .55 ; Council. 447. — Eli-
zur. death of. Vol. 2. 26. — Lodge. Vol. 1,
( 698 )
IXDEX
497 ; The Press of. 4oo : Transcript. 458 ;
Weekly Mirror. 456
Home for Aged Women. Vol. 2. 210 ; for
Friendless Women and Children. 200
Homestead. The. Vol. 1. 439
Homoeopathy, Vol. 1. 381
Hooker. Dr. George. Vol. 1. 346 ; Dr. John.
369
Hospitals. Hampden Homffiopathic. Vol. 2.
206. — Holyoke city. Vol. 3, 49. — House of
Mercy. Vol. 2. 200 : King's Daughters and
Sons. 208 : Springfield. 202
House of Representatives, members of. Vol.
1. 127
Hudson, Henry, discoveries by. Vol. 1. 16;
river, discovery of. 16
Hum]ihreys. Dr. Levi W.. Vol. 1. 347
Hurlbut. Dr. C. S.. Vol. 1. 398; Dr. J. S.,
411
Hutchins. James R.. Vol. 2. 188
Hyde Louis C Vol. 2. 193
Indian Orchard Canal Co.. Vol. 2. 203
Indians. Abenaquis create trouble. Vol. 1,
61 ; Agawams at Springfield. 24 ; Con-
necticut valley. 21 ; effect of Champlain's
policy. 22 : habits and characteristics of.
21 ; Massacres at Windsor. 24 ; of New
England, origin of. 22 ; Xonotucks at
Hadley and Northampton, 24 ; I'ocom-
tucks at Deerfield, 24 ; Pynchon's influ-
ence among. 25 ; Quaboags at Brookfield.
24 ; Squakheags at Northfield. 24 ; Woro-
nokes at Westfield. 24. — Lands of. sold to
Pynchon. Vol. 2. 3 ; of Westfield. 339
Industrial House Charities, the. Vol. 2. 212
Insolvency. Registers of. Vol. 1. 150
Institution for Savings, the Springfield. Vol.
2. 236
Insurance Companies, Vol. 2. 241 ; Massa-
chusetts Mutual Life. 246 ; Springfield
Fire and Marine. 243
Internal Improvements. Vol. 1. 152
International Y. M. C. A. training school.
Vol. 2. 141
Iroquois country, invaded by Champlain.
Vol. 1, 15
Jamestown. Va.. settled by English. Vol. 1.
17
Jesuits, influence of. among the Indians.
Vol. 1. 20
Jones. Dr. Bela B.. Vol. 1, 346
Keep. John, and family killed. Vol. 1. 53
Keyes, Erasmus D., MaJ.-Gen., Vol. 1, 225
Kibbe. Dr. Gideon. Vol. 1. 345
King. Dr. Aaron. Vol. 1. 345
King Philip, invades the Connecticut Val-
ley, Vol. 1, 46 ; surprises Hatfield. 51 ;
driven from Connecticut Valley. 55
King Philip's war. Vol. 1, 45 ; death. 56
King William's war. Vol. 1. 58
Kingsbury, Dr. Samuel. Vol. 1, 345
Kirkham. Ralph W., Brev. Brig.-Gen., Vol,
1. 226
Knapp. Rev. Isaac, the last town minister.
Vol. 2, 403
Knowlton. Marcus Perrin, Vol. 1, 309
Knox. Alanson. Vol. 1. 316
Kossuth. Louis, visits Springfield. Vol. 2,
64
Lathrop. Dr. Seth. Vol. 1. 345 ; Samuel. 314
Laporte. Leon J., Vol. 3, 117
Lal'resse. The. Vol. 1. 460
Lawton. Dr. Sanford. Vol. 1. 376
Lee. Horace C. Brev. lirig.-Gen.. Vol. 1,
229.— Vol. 2. 193
LeGro. Dr. David. Vol. 1. 408
Leonard. Nehemiah A.. Vol. 1. 325
Lexington alarm. Vol. 1. 74; battle of. 74
Libraries, city library association. Vol. 2,
172; Franklin library association. 170;
George Bliss' gift for. 175 ; Hampden me-
chanics' association. 170: the Springfield,
170 : Young men's institute, 171
Library. Holyoke public. Vol. 3. 44
Lieutenant-Governors. Vol. 1. 124
Littleville. village. Vol. 3. 371
Lombard. Daniel. Vol. 2. 189
L<mg. Dr. John. Vol. 1. 347
Longmeadow sandstone. Vol. 1. 8 ; settlers
attacked. 53. — Town of. Vol. 3. 410 ;
location and name. 410 ; natural features,
410 ; the massacre of 1673. 411 ; the
Third parish of Springfield. 412; building
the meeting-house. 413 ; the first minister,
414; movement for new town. 416; the
town incorporated. 417 ; committee of
the precinct. 417; list of selectmen. 419;
precinct and town clerks. 421 ; town rep-
resentatives. 421 ; state senators. 421 ;
during the Indian wars, 422 ; revolution-
ary history, 423 ; during Shays' rebellion,
424; war of 1812-15, 424; the civil war,
424 ; industries, 425 ; church history, 425 ;
the First Congregational church, 426; St.
Mary's church, 428 ; census fttatlstlcSr
429
Lorlng. Dr. W. L.. Vol. 1, 351
( 699 )
IXDEX
Lottery. f»i' bridge at SpringQeld. Vol. 1.
lOS
LouislmrK. SpriiielifUi nii'ii killed at. Vol.2. 33
Lucy Webb Hayes Lodge. Vol. 1. 4!»3
Ludlow ^Lmutaeturing Co., The. Vol. J. IJG.S
Ludlow, town of. Vol. 3. 312; description
and natural features, 312 ; beginning of
setllement. 314 : incorporation and bound-
aries, 315; tbe first town meeting. 310:
list of seloctmeu. 31C; town clerks. 31S ;
town representatives. 319 ; during tlie
revolution. 310 : continental army sol-
diers. 320 ; war of 1812-15. 320 : Shays'
rebellion. 320 ; war of the rebellion. 321 :
early occupations. 322 ; industrial devel-
opment. 324 : the savings bank. 327 : the
memorial library. 327 : the town minister.
328 : locating tbe center village. 328 ;
early ministers. 330 ; the church pastors.
331 : the M. E. church. 331 ; the M. E.
church at Jencksville. 332 ; town socie-
ties, 334 : educational interests, 334 ; cen-
sus statistics, 335
Mad Millie. The. school tor girls. Vol. 2. 140
.Maplewood cemetery. Vol. 2, 201
Massachusetts Ga/.ette and General Adver-
tiser, Vol. 1, 418. — Hospital for epileptics.
Vol. 3, 2G9. — Mutual Life Insurance Co.,
The, Vol. 2. 240. — Organizes army to
crush King Philip, Vol. 1, 52
Massasoit befriends the Pilgrims. Vol. 1. 29
Massasolt's loyalty. Vol. 1, 44
Masse. .Joseph. Vol. 3. 117
Mather. Dr. Samuel. Vol. 1, 348
Maxfleld, Dr. George A., Vol. 1. 400
Maynard. KUsha Burr. Vol. 1. 312
Jledtcal ' Association, Eastern Hampden,
Vol. 1. 377: Club. The Spriugeeld. 380;
profession, the, 338 ; Society. Hampden
District. 359 ; Society. The Homeopathic,
.381
Medlicott-Morgan Co., The, Vol. 2. 272
Menard. Dr. Anthyme S., Vol. 3. US
Merchant, Dr. Harry A., Vol. 1. 377
Merrick, village of. Vol, 3, 231
Militia force organized. Vol. 1. 44
Miller, Dr, H, M.. Vol. 1, 404 ; Thomas.
killed. 47
Mills. .Tohn. Vol. 1, 318
Milton liradiey Co., Tlie. Vol. 2. 272
Minutemen marcli to Hoston. Vol. 1. 75
Missionaries of New England, Vol. 1. 21
Mlttineague, village of. Vol. 3. 231
Mohawk Indians friendly to English. Vol
1. Go
Mouson, granite deposits in. Vol. 1. 7;
lodge. 49H. — Town of. Vol. 3, 266 ; de-
scription and natural features. 266 ; the
first house, 2B6 ; the Fellows land grant.
2r,7 ; the first settlers. 268; laying out the
township. 2G8 : the district incorporated.
2711 ; the first district meeting, 271 ; revo-
iutionar.v incidents, 271 ; full town pow-
ers granted. 272 ; an era of prosperity,
275 ; early industries, 27G ; war of 1861-5,
27.S : incidents in town history, 280 : the
flood of ISGO, 280: the "dark day," 280;
dedicating the soldiers' monument, 282 ;
the memorial town hall, 283 : the water
supply, 283 ; comparative statistics. 284 ;
educational history. 286 ; the academy,
287 : the postoffice, 292 ; the fire depart-
ment, 293 : the water works, 293 ; town
libraries, 294 : the Lyon memorial library,
20G : hospital for epileptics, 296 ; the
Monson .Vational bank, 298: the savings
bank, 299; manufacturing interests, 300;
ecclesiastical history. 303: cemeteries,
308: town civil list. 310; list of select-
men. 310 : town clerks. 311 ; list of rep-
resentatives. 312
Montgomery, town of. Vol. 3. 335 : the New
Addition, 335 ; early settlement, 33G ; in-
corporating the town. 336 : early military
history. 337 : the early settlei-s, 337 ;
town organization, 341 : list of selectmen,
341 : town clerks, 343 ; census statistics,
345 : the trading center, 345 ; the town
schools, 340 ; church history, 346 : some
prominent men, 347
Moquin, Val.. Vol. 3. 118
Morgan. Albert, Vol. 2. 189. — Dr. Newton,
Vol. 1. 410.— Envelope Co., The, Vol. 2,
269; Miles, becomes a settler, 13
Morning Star Chapter, Vol. 1. 475 : Lodge,
492
Morris. George P... Vol. 1. 322; Henry. 310;
Oliver B.. 316
Moseley. Capt. William, house of. Vol. 2, 371
.Moxon, Uev. George, called as minister. Vol.
2. 10 ; returns to England, 21
Mount Holyoke Chapter, Vol. 1, 476: Rail-
road, 184
Ml. Tom Railroad Co., Vol. 3. 58
Mountain Park. Vol. 3. 33
Murrayfield. old town of. Vol. 3, 357
Mutual Fire Assurance Co., The, Vol. 2, 241
Narragansetts. alliance with English. Vol,
1. 39
Naiiounl Needle Co.. The. Vol. 2. 270
( '"0 )
INDEX
Newell Bros. MaDut'auturing Co., The, Vol.
2. 271
.\'ew England Rundschau, Vol. 1. 459
"New France," discovered by \'erra2zani.
Vol, 1, 14
New Haven and Northampton Canal Co,,
Vol. 1. 174
New Netherlands, named. Vol. 1, 16
Newport, Dr. E. C, Vol, 1, 387
Newspapers o£ Hampden County, Vol. 1. 416
Newton Lodge, Vol, 1, 474
New York. New Haven and Hartford Rail-
road, Vol. 1, 183
Noble, Dr. Lester, Vol. 1. 399
Nonotuck Indians, Vol. 1, 24
Normal Schools, the first. Vol. 1, 241'
Northampton and Springfield Railroad, Vol.
1. 183 ; and Westfield Railroad, 187 ;
Convention at, 102 ; court broken up at,
89
North Blandford, village of. Vol. 2, 502
North Chester, village. Vol. 3. 370
North End bridge. Vol, 1, 171
Northfleld, attack upon. Vol, 1, 46
Oak Grove Cemetery, Vol, 2, 200
O'Brien, Dr. James E.. Vol. 1, 409
O'Connor. Dr. James J.. Vol. 1, 37.5
Odd Fellowship, Vol, 1, 483
Old Toll Bridge, history of. Vol. 1. 164
O'Neill. Dr. John F., Vol, 1, 410
Owen. Dr. Varillas. Vol. 1, 373
I'almer, The Press of. Vol, 1, 463; Sentinel.
The, 463 ; Times, The, 463 ; Herald. The.
464 ; Citizen, The. 464
Palmer, town of. Vol, 3. 123; topography,
123; Indian remains, 126; the first set-
tler. 127; petition for a town. 127; re-
port of the committee. 128 ; land division
recommended. 129; report on meeting
house. 130; settling the minister, 132;
the first meetinghouse. 132; French and
Indian war. 133; plantation organized as
a town. 133 ; the last French and Indian
wars. 134 ; during the revolution, 135 ;
full town rights assTimed, 136 ; Uur-
goyne's captive army In the town. 137 ;
colonial census, 139; revolutionary sol-
diers, 130; post-bellum days, 140; the
new meeting- house, 141 ; turnpikes and
highways. 141 ; early Industries, 142 ;
villages and their Industries, 142 ; village
of Three Rivers. 144 ; village of Thorn-
dike, 145; village of Bondsvllle, 147;
Palmer village. 148; village of Ulanchard
ville. 140 ; colonial houses, 150 ; early
taverns. 150 ; church history. 152 ; Second
Baptist church. 152 ; St. Paul's Univer-
salist church. 152 ; Catholic churches,
153 ; schools, 154 ; Young Men's Library
Association. 154 ; societies. 155 ; cemeter-
ies. 155; war of the rebellion, 156; some
prominent men, 156 ; clerks of the El-
bows plantation. 157 ; district and town
clerks. 157 ; list of selectmen, 157 ; list
of physicians. 162; lawyers. 163; repre-
sentatives. 163 ; the town to-day, 165
Parks, the Holyoke, Vol, 3, 32. — The Spring-
field, Vol, 2, 161
Parochial Schools, Springfield, Vol. 2, 140
I'arsons Tavern, The. Vol. 2, 42
Patoel. Dr. F'rancis X., Vol. 3. 110
Pequot war. Vol, 1, 30
Peyuots annihilated. Vol. 1, 40
Perkins, Cyrus, Vol, 1, 393 ; Jacob, jr,. 392
Phillips, Col. Henry M.. Vol. 2, 195 : Man-
ufacturing Co., The. 272
Pilgrims, landing of. at Plymouth. Vol. 1,
29 ; sail from Southampton. 28
Pitkin. Rev. Paul H.. school. Vol. 2. 140
Plantations established. Vol, 1, 41
Pl.vmouth Colony,, government of trans-
ferred to New England, Vol, 1, 30 ; Rock,
colony planted at, 17
Police Court established. Vol. 1, 299; Chico-
pee, justices of, 150; Holyoke, justices of,
150 : SiJriugfield, justices of, 150
I'opuiation of the colonies. Vol. 1. 62
Porter. Dr. Jesse, Vol, 1, 401
Postoffice building, when erected. Vol. 2,
195 ; Springfield, 184
Potvin, Adelard M„ Vol, 3, 110
Presidents of Senate, Vol, 1, 125
Press, The, Vol, 1, 416
Prow. George J.. Vol. 3, 119; John J.. 120;
Joseph N.. 120
Probate and Insolvency. Registers of, Vol, 1,
140
Probate, Registers of, 149
Proulx, Henry. Vol. 3. 120; Nicholas, 113
Provost. Charles. Vol. 3. 114
Pynchon Company petitions for permission
to settle new plantation. Vol. 1. 33; Dr.
Charles. 342; Dr. Jo.seph. 342. — John,
succeeds to authority In the town. Vol,
2. 10; Maj. John, becomes commander of
mllltia. Vol. 2. 27, — Major John, defense
of Springfield, Vol, 1, 49 ; Major John,
his great loss, 50 ; planters return to
Massachusetts Jurisdiction, 34, — William,
Vol. 2. 6; accused of speculation, 0; and
( 701 )
INDEX
fiimlly return to England, u ; deposed as
magistrate. 9 ; his bool< and its eonse-
qiientos. 9; his bools burned by order of
tlie magistrates. 9. — Purchases laud from
Indians. Vol. 1, 2.5. — Trades in grain with
^ Indians. Vol. 2. 8
■Quaker troubles in Westlield. Vol. 2. 356
Queen Anne's War. Vol. 1. 09
Uailroads, Vol. 1. 17,> ; Amherst and Belch-
ertown, 183 ; Boston and Albany. 181 :
Boston and Maine. 183 : Hartford and
Springfield Co.. 181 ; Holyolie and West-
field. 187 ; Indian Orchard. 18.5 : Mt. Hol-
yoke. 184 : New London. Willimantic and
Palmer. 184 : New York. New Haven and
Hartford. 183; Northampton and Spring-
field. 183 ; Northampton and Westfleld,
187 ; Springfield and Athol. 187 ; Spring-
field and Farmington Valley. 187 ; Spring-
field and Longmeadow, 185; The Hamp-
den. 186; The Western. 178; Ware Hiver.
186
Rand. Dr. J. r.. Vol. 1. 386; Dr. N. W..
385. — Elder, founds seminary. Vol. 3. 36
Rebellion, war of. Vol. 1. 198
Regiment. 3d Heavy Art.. Vol. 1. 217; 8th
Inf.. 216: 10th Inf.. 201; ISth Inf., 204;
21st Inf.. 205; 27th Inf.. 205; 30th (un-
attached Co.) Heavy Art.. 218; 31st Inf.,
208 ; 34th Int.. 210 ; 36th Inf., 211 ; 37th
Inf., 212; 42d Inf.. 217; 46th Inf.. 213
Uenslow. Dr. M. B.. Vol. 1. 407
Representatives in Congress. Vol. 1. 124
Revolution, war of. Vol. 1. 69
Rice. Caleb. Vol. 1. 318.~John L.. Vol. 2.
195
River Navigation, Vol, 1, 188
Rivers, Frank A.. Vol. 3. 121
Robert. Ciovis. Vol. 3, 121
Robinson, George D.. Vol. 1. 329
Roy. Charles V.. Vol. 3. 121
Russell, town of. Vol. 3. 438 ; necessity for
incorporation. 438 ; settlers petition for
new town, 438 ; record of pioneers, 439 ;
early settlement, 439 ; census statistics.
442 ; stable population in the town. 442 ;
turnpike and railroads. 442 ; civil history,
444 ; list of selectmen. 444 ; town clerks.
446; villages and hamlets. 447; the Cen-
tre village. 448 ; business interests. 448 ;
Fairfield village. 440 ; industries of the
town. 449 ; church history. 449 ; the Con-
gregational church. 450 : the M. E.
church, 450 ; schools, 451 ; some promi-
nent men. 451
Sacred Heart School. Vol. 2. 140
Safe Deposit and Trust Co.. the Springfield.
Vol. 2. 234
Salmon Falls, how named. Vol. 1. 195
Samoset Lodge, Vol. 1, 496
Savings Banks, the Five Cents, Vol. 2. 240 ;
the Hampden. 239
Sawin. Dr. William J.. Vol. 1. 375
Saybrook Fort. Vol. 2, 323
Scholar's Journal. Vol. 1. 446
Schools (of Springfield). Vol. 2. 113; Cen-
tral high, 127; The Elms. 139; Parochial.
140 ; The MacDuffle. 140 ; International
y. M. C. A. training. 141 ; The Spring-
field Business, 144
Science Building, The. Vol. 2. 182
Searle. Dr. Flavius. Vol. 1. 396
Secretary of Commonw^ealth. Vol. 1. 124
Seeger. Dr. Edward. Vol. 1. 351
Selectmen, list of in Springfield. Vol. 2. 68
Senators, list of. Vol. 1. 125 ; in Congress,
124
Sessions. William Vyne. Vol. 3. 556
Shad Fisheries. Vol. 1. 194
Shaw. Dr. Samuel. Vol. 1. 387
Shays. Daniel, the insurgent leader. Vol. 1,
90 ; Rebellion, the. 86
Shearer. Dr. Jonathan, Vol. 1. 345
Sheldon. Dr. William. Vol. 1. 346
Shepard. Gen. William, commands Massa-
chusett's troops during Shays' rebellion,
Vol. 1. 94; report of attack on U. S.
armory. 96. — Sketch of. Vol. 2. 414
Sheriffs, list of. Vol. 1. 151
Shurtleff. William S.. Vol. 1. 325
Skipmuck. in Chicopee. Vol. 3. 484
Smith. Dr. Alvin, Vol. 1. 376 ; Dr. David P..
373 ; Dr. James M.. Vol. 1. 367.— Henry,
departs from the town. Vol. 2. 10 ; suc-
ceeds Pynchon as head of the plantation.
9
Soldier's Rest. The. Vol. 1. 229
Sons of Liberty, the. Vol. 1. 70
Soule. Augustus Lord. Vol. 1, 309
South Brimfleld. Vol. 3. 394
South End Bridge, history of. Vol. 1. 171
Southn-ick. Vol. 3. 196 ; early settlement.
196 ; the district organization. 197 ; rata-
ble polls. 1781. 197 : town organization.
198: list of seiectment. 199; town clerks.
202 ; the early wars. 202 : during the rev-
olution. 203; the war of 1812-15. 205;
during the rebellion. 205 ; some prominent
( 101 )
INDEX
men. 20ti ; census statistics. 207 : scliool
interests. 207 : tlie village settlement.
208 : the Congregational church. 208 ;
the Baptist church. 209 ; the M. E.
church. 210
South Wilbraham. village, Vol. 3. 5.j0
Speakers of the House. Vol. 1, 148
Spellman. Solomon C, Vol. 3. 5o7
Springfield, plantation forms alliance with
ConLecticut. Vol. 1, 34; attaclied and
burned. 47 ; troops, attacl; Indians. 55 :
settlements attacked, 60 ; troops, attacked
by Indians, 03 ; troops, garrison Ft. Shir-
ley, 63 ; a point of operations, 76 ; cannon
manufactured at. 76 ; and Athol Uailroad.
187 : Republican. The, 425 ; Gazette, 427 ;
Daily Republican. 428 ; Union. The, 430 ;
Council, 476 : Commandery, 477 ; Encamp-
ment, 491. — City of. Vol. 2, 1 ; first colo-
nists of. 2 ; first house, 2 ; plantation es-
tablished at Agawam, 2 ; the founders'
covenant, 3 : lands purchased from In-
dians. 3 ; new colonists arrive. 4 ; allot-
ment of the lands, 4 ; house lots laid out,
5 : Pynchon returns to England. 5 ; Henry
Smith succeeds Pynchon as leader, 9 ;
George Moxon called as minister, 10 : new
settlers arrive, 10 ; name changed to,
from Agawam, 11 ; the first negro settler.
15 : list of inhabitants in. 17 ; new towns
set off. 19 : permanency of the town
doubtful. 20; second allotment of lands,
20 ; first anrniai town meeting, 20 : trou-
bles with Connecticut towns, 20 ; the first
meeting-house, 22 ; Fort I'ynchon built,
22 ; first tavern built, 24 ; house of cor-
rection built, 24 ; Indian animosities, 24 ;
burning of, by the Indians, 25 ; list of
settlers killed. 25 ; discouragement of
inhabitants. 25 ; settlers advised to re-
move to eastern colonies. 25 ; militia com-
pany formed. 27 ; settlers take oath of
allegiance. 27 ; taxable inhabitants of, 32 ;
men killed at I^ouisburg, 33 ; ratable polls
in, 37 ; events of the revolution, 39 ; mln-
utemen and militia companies. 40 ; Gen.
Washington visits the town. 42 ; Parsons
tavern in, 42 ; demands upon the town
during revolution, 44 : town becomes mil-
itary depot, 46 : cannon made in the
town. 46 ; town made rendezvous tor
troops. 40 ; first newspaper established,
46 ; Longmeadow set off, 47 ; county .sent
removed to Northampton, 48 ; situation
In, at beginning of 19th century. 48; early
business interests. 49 ; town again be-
comes a county seat. 51 ; rivalries over lo-
cation of county buildings. 52 ; Court Square
laid out. 54 ; institutions established. 55 ;
early merchants of. 50; Justice Willard's
prophecy. 62 ; the railroad agitation. 62 ;
the bi-centennial celebration. 63 ; the
town becomes a city. 64 ; City hall built,
65 ; celebration of 250th anniversary, 65 ;
census statistics, 68 ; list of selectmen,
08 ; town clerks of, 79 ; municipal his-
tory, 80 ; discussions regarding Chicopee
district. SO ; Chicopee .set oCT. 81 ; act in-
corporating the city, 82 ; wards estab-
lished. 83 ; first city election. 83 ; end of
town government. 84 ; municipal civil
list. 85 ; mayors of. 85 ; city clerks. 86 ;
city treasurers. 86 ; aldermen, 86 ; com-
mon councilmen, SO ; presidents of com-
mon council. 108 ; assessors, 109 ; over-
seers of the poor, 110; city physicians,
111; city engineers, 112; superintendents
of almshouse, 112 ; city solicitors, 112 ;
superintendents of streets, 112 ; city mar-
shals. 112 ; license commissioners, 112 ;
city messengers. 113; educational chap-
ter. 113; early school methods. 113;
school precincts formed, 114; first high
school. 116; first superintendent of
schooLs. 117; first high school principal,
117; high school re-established, 118; old
school committee, 120 ; school organiza-
tion under the charter. 121 ; superintend-
ents of schools. 124 ; the Central high
school. 127 ; high school principals. 129 ;
high school statistics. 130 ; later school
committees. 131 ; high school population,
expenditures and enrollment. 136 ; de-
scription of school property, 137 ; private
schools, 138; parochial schools, 140; In-
ternational Y. M. C. A. training school,
141; the liibie normal college, 142; the
French-American college. 142 ; Business
school. 144; the fire department, 145;
the fire club, 140; fire commissioners ap-
pointed, 152 ; chief engineers fire depart-
ment. 154; fire commissioners. 154; the
water supply. 155 ; the Aqueduct com-
pany. 150 ; water commissioners appoint-
ed. 157 ; water department statistics. 159 ;
water commissioners of. 159 ; the alms-
house, lot); the city parks. 161; Forest
park. 104 ; park commission organized,
104 ; park appropriations, 169 ; park com-
missioners, 109; libraries, 170; library
site donated, 175 ; library endowment
fund. 179 : city appropriations for library,
( 703 )
IXDEX
179: the art building. 180; officers library
association. 18:i : the library corps. 183;
the postolBce. 184 : free postal delivery
established. 193: the custom house and
postofflce. 19o ; cemeteries. 196 : the first
burial ground. 19G: second parish grave
yard. 197: hospitals of. 202: home for
friendless women and children. 209 ;
home for aged women. 210; the board of
trade. 217; banking and linancial institu-
tions. 221 : insurance companies of. 241 ;
I'Mre and Marine Insurance Co.. The. 243 ;
The Massachusetts .Mutual Life Insurance
Co.. 246 : the Street railway system. 249 ;
Mercantile and Manufacturing interests,
•2')') ; Manufacturing Co.. 2G2 ; Satinet Co.,
26.") : Congregational churches. 281 ; Meth-
odist Episcopal churches. 291 ; Baptist
churches. 290 : Inltarian church, 302 ;
Protestant Episcopal churches. 303 ; Uni-
versalist churches. HOT ; Itoman Catholic
chtirches. 308 : ICvangelical churches. 313
State Normal School (Westfieldj. Vol. 1,
264 : opening of. 274 ; principals of. 290
Steamboats. Connecticut River, Vol. 1, 191
Stearns, George M.. Vol. 1, 322
Stebblns John M.. Vol. 1, 327
Stlckney. I>r. H. G.. Vol. 1. 37,-): Dr. P.
Lei!.. 369
St. .lohn, .Tohn. Vol. 3. 122
St. .Tohns Lodge. Vol. 1. 497
St. Joseph's school. Vol. 2. 141
St. Michael's Hall school. Vol. 2. 140
Street Kallways. Springfield. Vol. 2. 249. —
Uolyoke. Vol. 3. .-)4
Stockwell. Dr. C. S.. Vol. 1. 412
Stoddard. Col. John, commands Hampshire
county regiment. Vol. 1, 63
Stone. Dr. John. Vol. 1. 346
Stowe. William. Vol. 2, 192
Swan. Dr. James. Vol. 1. 3.51
Swazey. Dr. George W.. Vol 1. 283
Swlnck. Peter, the first negro settler. Vol.
2. 1.5
Sylvan Lodge. Vol. 1. 470
The Elms, hoarding school. Vol. 2, 139
The French instigate Indians against the
English settlements. Vol. 1. 58
Third Heavy Artillery. Vol. 1. 217
Thlrtylirst Infantry. Vol. 1. 208
Thirty-fourth Infantry, Vol. 1, 210
Thirty seventh Infantry. Vol. 1. 212
Thirty-SLxth Infantry. Vol. 1. 211
Thomas Lodge. Vol. 1. 467
Thorndike. village. Vol. 3. ]4.j
Three rivers, village. Vol. 3. 144
Tolland, town of. Vol. 3. 4.j3 : part of Bed-
ford plantation. 4.53 ; the West parish of
Granville. 4.53 : the town incorporated,
4,53 ; location and natural features, 453 ;
early settlement, 4.54 ; early town life.
4.56 ; census statistics, 450 ; list of select-
men, 457 ; town clerks, 459 : resources of
the town. 460 ; villages and hamlets. 461 ;
the Congregational church. 461 ; the town
schools, 462 ; some prominent men. 462
Town of Agawam. Vol. 3. 523. — Blandford,
history of. Vol. 2, 482 ; Brimfleld, history
of, 456.— Chester, Vol. 3. 34S ; East Long-
meadow. 429 ; Granville. 247 ; Hampden,
542; Holland, 394; Longmeadow, 410;
Ludlow, 312 ; Monson, 266 ; Montgomery,
3.35 ; Palmer. 123 : Russell. 438 ; South-
wick. 196 ; Tolland. 453 : Wales. 463. —
Westfleld. history of. Vol. 2. 317. — West
Springfield. Vol. 3. 210 ; Wilbraham. 165
Tracy. Dr. W. J.. Vol. 1. 376
Transcript. The Holyoke. Vol. 1. 458
Treasurers and Receivers-General, Vol. 1,
124
Treaty of Paris, Vol. 1. 81 : Ryswick. 59
Trial Justices, appointment of authorized.
Vol. 1. 298
Trust Co.. The Hampden. Vol. 2. 235
Tully. Dr. William, Vol. 1. 352
Turner. Captain, death of. Vol. 1. 55
Turnpikes. Vol. 1. 154
Tuscarora Encampment. Vol. 1. 498
Twenty-First Infantry. A"ol. 1. 205
Twentv-Seventh Infantry. Vol. 1. 205
Tatham. In West Springfield. Vol. 3. 233 United States Armory, Vol. 1, 83; attack
Taylor, Dr. Levi C. Vol. 1. 406. — Edward, upon by Shays' forces, 96
minister at Westfleld, Vol. 2. 393; Eldad, Ufford, Dr. Edward G.. Vol. 1. 346
sketch of. 417; & Tapley Manufacturing Unity Chapter. Vol. 1. 476
Co.. The. 272
Tckoa Lodge. Vol. 1. 495 Vaille. Dr. Henry R.. Vol. 1. 367
Temple. Masonic. Vol. 1. 482 Valley Echo. The. Vol. 1. 453
Tenth Infantry. Vol, 1. 201 Vanhorn. Dr. John. Vol. 1. 344
The Talisman. Vol. 1. 445 A"lncent. Arthur R.. Vol. 3. 122
The llench. Vol. 1. 306 Vose. Henry. Vol. 1, 311
( :o4 )
IXDEX
Wales, town of. Vol. 3, 463 ; pan of the
common lands, 463 ; early jurisdictional
history, 463 : early settlement. 464 ; char-
acter of the townspeople. 466 ; the "court
of justice and honor." 467 ; early town
representatives. 467 ; during the revolu-
tion, 467 ; civil history, 46S ; list of select-
men. 468 ; town clerks. 471 ; census statis-
tics, 472 ; during the revolution. 473 ;
war of 1812-15, 474 ; the Tillage. 474 ;
some early postmasters. 475 ; business in-
terests on "the street." 475 : old-time
manufactures. 476 ; the Shaw interests,
476 ; present business interests, 478 ;
church history, 47S : town school inter-
ests. 4,S1 ; factors in town history. 481
Walker. George, Vol. 1. 324
Waltham Watch Co.. The. Vol. 2. 269
War of 1812-15. events of. Vol. 1. 100 : po-
litical situation preceding. 101 ; of 1861-5.
198
Warren, Dr. ,7. K.. Vol. 1, 387
Warriner, Col. Solomon, Vol. 2, 191
Washington Council. Vol. 1. 477. — Gen.,
visits Springfield. Vol. 2. 42
Wason Manufacturing Co.. The. Vol. 2. 266
Water Commissioners. Springfield. Vol. 2,
159
Water Tower Co.. The Ilolyoke. Vol. 3. 73.
—Springfield. Vol. 2. 267
Water Works. Holyoke. Vol. 3. 30
Waterman. Dr. .Tames H.. Vol. 1. 374
Weekly Mirror. The Holyoke. Vol. 1. 456
Weld. Ezra. Vol. 2, 188
Wells. Gideon, Vol. 1, 328 : .Tohn. 308
Western Hampden Times, Vol. 1. 451 ; rail-
road corpoiation. history of. 175
West Granville, village of. Vol. 3, 262
Westfleld .\dvertiser. Vol. 1. 451 ; attacked
by Indians. 52 : Journal. 445 ; Lodge. 495 ;
News Letter. 448 ; l{egister. 444 : Specta-
tor. 446; Standard. 446: State Normal
School, 204 ; Times and News-Letter, 452.
— Town of. Vol. 2. 317; physiography,
317 ; beginning of settlement, 322 ; trou-
bles with Connecticut. 322 ; the first set-
tlers, 324 ; forests and glades, 325 : divis-
ion of lands, 327 ; town organization,
330 ; the ftr.st town center. 335 ; defenses
against Indians. 335 ; advantages of vil-
lage settlements. 337; relation to the
Indians. 339; mllltla organized. 340;
during King Philips war. 343 : settlers
refuse to remove to Springfield. 344 ;
heroism of the settlers. 350 ; inhabitants
ordered to settle together. 354 ; the Qua-
ker troubles. 356 ; early highways. 357 ;
the early French and English wars. 363 ;
the Doctor Ashley house. 366 ; early hab-
its and customs. 368 ; home life of the
settlers. 368 ; the Moseley house, 371 ;
early meeting-houses, 384 ; seating the
settlers, 386 ; the town ministers, 393 ;
minister Edward Taylor, 393 ; extracts
from Minister Taylor's diary, 394 ; the
new meeting-house, 401 ; the last town
minister, 403 ; the Congregational church
established, 403 ; the Second Congrega-
tional church. 405 ; during the revolution,
405 ; list of revolutionary soldiers. 407 ;
Shays' rebellion in the town. 413 ; educa-
tion in the town. 420; the academy
founded. 423 ; the high school, 429 ; the
athenuem. 431 ; churches of, 432 ; the
First Congregational church, 432 ; the
Second Congregational church, 433 ; Meth-
odist churches of, 434 ; the Universalist
church. 435 ; the Episcopal church, 435 ;
St. Mary's church. 436 ; industrial history,
438 ; paper manufactures. 441 : banking
history. 442 ; charitable institutions. 444 ;
list of selectmen. 444 ; list of town clerks,
454 ; town representatives, 455
West Springfield, town of. Vol. 3. 210 ; loca-
tion and early history. 210; relation to
Springfield. 211 ; early settlement. 212 ;
apportionment of lands. 212; the second
parish formed. 212 ; beneficiaries of the
land division, 214 ; during King Philip's
war, 215 ; organization and civil history,
216 ; controversy with Springfield, 216 ;
committees appointed, 217 ; act creating
the town. 218; the original territory,
219 ; Hol.voke and Agawam set off. 220 ;
list of selectmen. 220 ; list of assessors,
224 ; town clerks, 224 ; list of reprsenta-
tives. 224 ; during the revolution. 225 :
companies of minutemen, 226 ; incidents
of the war, 227 ; during Shays' rebellion,
228 ; Luke Day's army, 228 ; census sta-
tistics. 229 ; war of 1812-15. 229 ; war of
the rebellion, 230; the industries of the
town. 231 ; villages of the town. 231 : the
educational system. 234 ; the school com-
mittees, 238 ; the public librai-y, 239 ;
the fire department, 240 ; the water sup-
ply, 241 ; church history, 241 ; cemeteries,
247
Wheeler, Dr, Calvin, Vol. 1, 351
Whip manufactures of Westfleld, Vol, 2, 438
White George H., Vol. 1, 395
45-3
( ro5 )
INDEX
Wilbi-aliam. town of. Vol. 3. 16."> : develop-
ment of the outward commons. 165 : pro-
prietors threatened with forfeiture, 1G6 ;
earl.v settlement. 16(5 ; character of the
pioneers. 167 : attempts at organizing a
parisli. 169 : the fourth precinct of
Springfield. 169 ; the precinct becomes a
town. 171 : precinct committees. 172 ;
town organization. 172 ; list of selectmen.
173: town clerks. 175; the early settlers,
176; census statistics. 178; military his-
tory. 178 : during the revolution, 179 ;
war of 1812-15. 183 : in the rebellion,
183 : school interests. 183 ; Wesleyan
academy, 184 : church history. 188 ; Con-
gregational church, 188 : the M. E.
church. 189 : Grace Union church, 190 :
the Baptist society, 190 : villages and
hamlets. 190 ; North Wilbraham, 191 ;
some prominent men. 193
Wilkins. Dr. G. H.. Vol. 1. 387
Willard. Justice, Vol. 1. 318
Williams. Col. Ephraim. Vol. 1, 65 ; Col.
Israel, of Hatfield, Vol. 1. 65 ; Dr, Leon-
ard. Vol. 1, 346. — Rev. Stephen, an inci-
dent. Vol. 3. 415
Willimansett bridge. Vol. 1, 173. — Settle-
ments in. Vol, 3, 486
Windsor, stockade built at. Vol, 1, 32
Witchcraft in Springfield, Vol, 2, 21
Woods, Dr. J. U., Vol. 1, 387
Woolworth, Dr. Isaac, Vol, 1, 402
Woronoco Advertiser, Vol. 1, 451. — Com-
mittee, Vol. 2. 326. — Indians, Vol, 1, 24 ;
Lodge, 494 ; Palladium, 446. — Street rail-
way Co., Vol. 2, 444
Worthington, John. Vol. 1, 313 ; Vol, 2, 34
Wright. Dr. Lucius. Vol. 1, 346
York. Duke of. grants to. Vol. 1. IS
Young Men's Christian Association. Hol-
yoke. Vol, 3, 52, — Springfield. Vol. 2, 212
Young Men's Institute, Vol. 2, 171
( 706 )
Appendix
Abbott, Abial K.. 613
Abbott. William H.. ."i'JT
Adams, F. A. F.. (ilMi
Adams. John Quincy, 617
Afflecli. Jolin H.. 6-J3
Ahl. John. 689
Ahl. Michael L.. 6.17
Alderman, Ernest L.. 662
Allen, Alson W., 63.j
Allen, Everett B., 593
Allen, George H., 591
Allis, Dexter Hurlbut, D. U. S., 376
All.vn, Albert A,, 672
All.vn Famil.v, 579
Arthur. Chauncey Mosely. 687
Ashley. Henry Woodruff. 683
Avery. Arthur D,. 649
Avery. Fleury. 577
Bacon. George Albert. 576
Bagg. Edward Oren. 64(!
Bagg. K. Mather, 641
Bagg. William Harvey. 640
Bailey. I'eter Sliarpe. 568
Baker, Charles Edwin. 618
Baldwin, John W. 665
Ball. James R.. 597
Ball. Lewis J.. 585
I'.ardweii. Frederick Augustus. 586
Barker, Louis G.. 660
Barney. Everett Ilosmer, 565
Barr. Edwin ClllTord, 582
Barry, James F.. (iS9
Bartlett, Leon G., 648
Barton. Frank C, 658
Bates. l>r. Everett .\lanson. 563
Bates. William, 599
Bean. Jefferson Webster, 681
Beckwith. William M., 658
l!eel)e. John S.. 62(1
Belden, Adelbert K., 649
Itekiing. Elijah, 572
BelviUe, John C, 634
Bemls, Joshua W.. 614
Bemis. Robert W.. 627
Bemis. Sumner A.. 571
Billings, Gilbert, 616
Birnie, Charles A., 583
Blair, William H, H„ 61S
Blauchard. Lee, 034
Bliss, Edward, fill
Bliss, Ethelbert, 676
Bodurtha, Henry E„ 689
Bodurtha, Samuel S.. 604
Bodurtha. Stephen H.. 601;
Boies. David. 59S
Bolles. Henry T.. 62:j
Bond. George Raynolds. 576
Booth. Santord. (ioo
Boyle, William, 589
Bragg. Frederick A., I). D. S., 566
Bragg, Sumner A., 644
Breck. Dr. Theodore Frelinghuysen. 574
Breckenridge. Stillman Francis. 645
Brewer, Edward S., 653
Brewster, Henry, 565
Bi'igham, Edwin E.. 622
Bromley. Harry It.. Iil4
Brooks, Ethan. 647
Brown. Charles Clark. 612
Brown. Edward B., 611
Brown. Harry I^.. 647
Brown, Myron L.. 639
Brown. Oscar F.. 609
Brown. Samuel Watson, (!iin
Buckland. Harlheigh Heath. 57U
Bui'bank. James B.. 595
Burke, Michael F., 658
Burr, Frederick L„ 596
Burt, Harry .M„ 632
Burt, J, .Marshall, 622
Bush, Au.stin Ballou, 583
Basil, (iilbert Alden, 567
lUitler, James K., 588
Butler, Jason, 587
Buticrwonh, George C, 023
{ 707 )
IXDEX
Cachvell. .Tames. 021
Caldwell. Winford Xowmaii. .jT.S
Calkins, Alii'l II.. (iL'l
Campbell. Arthur C. Go!)
Campbell. IMiarles L.. (!:i4
Canty. Timothy W.. 609
t.'arpenter. .loseph II.. ij-4
Canoll. .Tames M.. 044
Cavanaugh. William II.. O.jO
Chaffee. John I... jr.. 012
I'Uamberlaln. Dr. George F.. Oil
Champlin. Frank A.. 020
Chandler. Wilson K., 047
Chapin. Charles Andrew. 0.i8
Chapin. Edward Whitman. 083
Chapin. Edward Fliny, .JOO
Chapin. William Horace. 503
Charles. Byron W., 666
Chase. Henry Adams. 675
Clapp. Frederick Oliver. .")70
Clark. Edward Clinton, 658
Clark. Hiram E. W., Capt.. 591
Clark, .lames H., ."]00
Clark. Theodore Horace. 590
Cleland. Andrew J.. G62
Clough. Charles F.. .-j93
Colton. Ben.iamin Watson. 038
Cook. Lycurgus Van Buren. 672
Cooley, Benjamin F.. Rev., 682
Cooley, George D., 663
Cooley. Orin B.. 025
Cooley, Uichard L., 659
Cooley. Thomas J.. 686
Cooney. John E., 667
Cooper. James C. 014
Copeland. .\lfre<i Minot. 5.S6
Copp. -Mrs. Cliarles. (i36
Corbin. .Miner H.. 008
Cosby, Alfred, 667
Crane. Arthur G.. 02(1
Crchore. Charles E.. Oil
Crosier. William J.. 047
Cross. Charles K.. 0<t7
Cross. Harrison Mills. 671
Cummings. William. 673
i'ushman. Orton A.. 027
I 'am. Lorenzo C. 598
Davenport. Edward H., 654
Davis, Charles I'almer, 003
Davis, Franklin Chapin, (!21
Day. Edward S.. 023
nay. Henry E., 655
Day, William II.. 015
Deane. Dr. Wallace II.. 571
Uemond. .\rthur H.. 051
Deroin. Francis X., M. D., 659
l»esoe, Theodore, 054
Dewey, Louis Marinus, 077
Dexter, Henrietta (Wilcox), 569
Dibble, Alfred, 675
Dickins<ni, Francke Walden. 564
Doherty, George, 589
Donoghue, Roger I*,. 597
Downey, Dr, Charles John, 569
Downey, H. A., M, D,, 654
Doyle, M. J., 659
D\inliar. Xahum. 508
Diinning. James Gardner, 572
Dunscomb, Samuel R., 634
Durantaye, Uavid Dela, 653
Dwight, Fred D. L., 022
Eastwood, Benjamin S., 668
Edgertou, Charles A., 038
Egan, James, 589
Elmer, Ellsworth i:.. 028
Ely, Ethan C„ 026
Emery, B. Frank, 592
Estabrock. George Rowland. 506
Fairbanks. Ira A.. 639
Farnsworth. Charles Delano, 651
Farrell, John E., 656
Fay. Charles 1'.. 623
Fay. LeVere C. 594
Feire. Ida H., 624
Field. Moses. 594
Fillmore, Willard F„ 648
Finn, Michael J.. 5',17
Fisk. Edward S.. 003
Flagg. Payson J.. M, D„ 060
Fletcher, Samuel E,, 024
Flower, Homer F., 659
I'lower. William A., 035
Foote Family, The, 686
Forward, Josepli Morton, ,ir,, 651
Fowler, Charles F.. 680 ^,__^
I'owler, Samuel Jones. 67€
Frary. Duty I".. 013
Freeland. John G.. 650
Friedrich. E. Hugo. 597
Frissell, George Xewton. 503
Fuller. Albert K., 665
Fuller. Charles E.. 653
■••uller. Edward K.. 590
Fuller. Frank A.. 031
Galbraitli. Sayward. 502
Gamwell. William S.. 013
Gates. Spencer White. 595
Gibbons. Martin Tinker, 677
( 708 )
INDEX
Gibbs. Loeero Jackson. M. D., 6o2
Uilibs. KusscU U.. tj:;.'i
Gill. George Carlton, 683
Giriird, Leopold Adolphe. M. D.. 6SS
Goff. Burritt W., 072
Gorm.in Edward J.. tI62
Gosselin. Amos C, 659
Gosselin. Charles S.. 601
Grant. Prank, 682
Grant. Milton li.. 6^3
Graves. Julius N.. ti2.")
Green. Benjamin Butler. 665
Green. Fred W., 688
Green. George U.. .~>y6
Green. Henry M.. 588
Green. Thomas J., 676
Griswold. Ira C. 622
Hale, David. 583
Iliill. William H.. 621
Ilallada.v. Homer W.. 603
Hancock. Ethan. 622
Hancock. Joseph Clark. 584
Hanks. Eugene K.. 637
Hannum. James Wilson, 675
Happcoiid. George H.. 614
Hardy. John D.. 507
Harmon, William H.. 663
Harris. Daniel liOster. 573
Hart. Asel E., 616
Harvey. George A.. 503
Hastings. Charles W.. 605
Hastings. Dr. Judson Worthington. 605
Hastings, Elbridg'' G.. 592
Hastings, Herbert Ashton, 582
Hayes. James Frank. 652
Haynes. Charles 1'.. 669
llaynes. Charles Uobbins. 581
Haynes. Clifford C. 581
Haynes. Lincoln Calvin. 578
Hemingway. Charles S., 673
Herlihy. John P., 649
Hcrrick, Henry Knox. 6()7
Horrick. Henry Stephen, 678
Hicks. Orrin. 609
Higglns, Ira O., 667
Hildreth. William W,. 637
Hill. George A.. 855
Hinsdale. William E.. 607
Hlscock. Isaiah. 635
Hllchcock, John G.. 670
llltt, Thomas W.. 631
llolcninb. George W.. 615
llolden. Charles I,.. 611
Holden. George S.. 673
Houghton W' illiani Wallace, (ill)
Hubbard. Alvin A.. 635
Hubbard. George E., 666
Hubbard. Horace H.. 640
Hull. Charles W.. .1r., 605
Hunn, Orin C„ 660
Hunt, William ,S„ 598
Hunter, John T., CSC
Huntley, Charles L.. 601
Ireland. Oscar Brown. 572
Janes. George Herbert. M. D., 679
Johnson. Albert X., 643
Johnson, Charles Wallace, 687
Johnson, Frederic A„ jr., 664
Jones, Edmund W., 689
Keeler, Alfred. 642
Keep. Charles C. 594
Kellogg. Henry Nelson. 640
Kelly. Jeremiah J., 591
Kendrick. Edmund P.. 587
Kei'r. James. 602
Kibbe. Charles Payne. 587
King. Ambrose S., 664
King, Arthur D., 588
King, Herman Walter, 670
King, Nels<in G.. 604
King, Oscar Luther, 689
Kirkham, Guy. 564
Kirkliam. James Wilson. 583
Knight. Milan B.. 640
Krager. William A.. 672
Leacll. Williaai. i;27
Leonard, Edwin. 602
Leonard. Edwin. 641
Lincoln, ('apt. Francis D.. 610
Lincoln, William S., 590
Lloyd. Almond W.. 606
Loftus. James F.. 625
Loomis. Harrison. 638
Loomis. Henry W.. (!44
Loomis. Silas, 678
Loomis, William Wellington. M. D.. 655
Loring. Dexter 11.. 632
Lortle. Dr. Joseph C. H.. 624
Loudon. Joseph IL. 632
Lyman, Edison L., 663
Lynch, John T„ 663
I.ysagbl. John J.. 646
Mack. Michael. (i42
Magulre. John C 668
Malone. James M.. 631
Marcy. David Eugene. 652
( 709 )
INDEX
Miii'Kenim. C'limdius C. 5S3
Maiinus. Thomas J.. ti:!9
Marsh. Daniel J.. TtlH
Mai-tln. Adolphus K.. GL'O
McAiislaii. Alexander. (ILM
McCarthy. .lames V.. ()72
McCorkindalp. William. 6S6
McCoy. John .Joseph. Uev., 6G0
McCray. Oirln C. (562
MoFailand. IXeihert A., 688
Mclnliie. Klmer E.. (!(I4
Mea<l. James W.. 04.1
Meekins. Emory. .')(i3
Millev. Homer H.. (i43
Miller. Lyman. ."I'J.'J
Moody. Frederick .\.. ii2(J
Moore. Lucene O., 068
Moore. Michael F., 649
Morgan. Joseph, 670
Morgan. Mllo W., 662
Morgan. .Newton. I). I). S.. .165
Mortimorc. William. 667
Moseley Family, The. 680
Moulton. Horace D.. .103
Munn, James Clark. 187
Munn, Wllbert, 589
Nash. .Mfred S.. 100
Nason. L. Homer, 649
Newell. Alonzo Burnham. 674
Newell. Paschal J.. 629
Noel, Charles (iideon. 387
Norton. Henry L.. 171
Nye. James I'rentice. ti08
Nye. Lyman R.. 633
OConnell. John. 598
Othick. James J.. 603
Page. Irving Howard. 683
Page. Thomas Clark. 683
Parker. Delos U.. 042
Parker. IJr. F. F.. 030
Parker. Orus E.. Oil
Parks, Eugene D,. 589
Parks. Francis R.. 676
Parks. Oscar A.. 602
Parks. Robert L., 591
Pease. Henry. 634
Pease. Mervin H., 653
Pease. William C. 594
Pepper. Russell Henry. 627
Phelon. Austin Taylor. 020
Phelps, Charles H.. GS9
Phel|)s. Henry Solomon, 640
Phillips. Hazel. 030
Phillips. Lewis. 572
Pierce. Edwin R., 048
Pinney. Andrew, 648
Pomeroy, Frank J., 603
Pomeroy. William S.. 610
I'orter. Charlotte W.. 580
Porter. Harvey E.. 600
Potter. Timothy I).. 1.S4
Powers. Ediiuind Newton. 6II0
Powers. Nathan H.. 010
I'rovost. .Samuel. 642
Pynchon. James Holland. 582
liankin. .lames IL. r.20
Iteildy. John. J.. 630
Iteed. John H.. 003
Re.vnolds. Howard Stephen. 582
Reynolds, Joseph E.. (119
Ulce, John Lovell. 561
Richards. James. 588
Riley. John D., 061
Itindge. Henry A.. 025
lioadstrnud. Alice Maud. 567
Robbins. Frederick M.. M. D.. 657
Roberts. Byron C. 001
Roberts. H. Van Ness. 664
Roberts. John W.. 569
Robinson. Franklin A.. 650
Robson. Stuart .Mill. 5S7
liogers. John R., 589
Rogers. Talcott A.. 645
l£osenberg. Leonard R.. 628
Roy. J. Arsene. 664
Royce. Charles Andrew. 575
Ruggles, Charles S., 669
Rumrill Family. 573
Russell. Amos. 030
Russell. Stephen O.. 663
Ryan. Timothy F.. 662
Sackett. Harry Robert. M. D.. 682
Sanford, Osro Watts, 684
Sawin. Dr. liobert V.. 612
Schmuck. Henry E.. 684
Scott, Earl M.. 588
Scaver, Allyn M., 588
Seelye. Dr. Ralph Holland. 582
Sessions. William It.. 577
Seymour. tJeorge H.. 503
Shattuck. Edwin White. 573
Shaw. Edward P., 674
Shaw. Herbert E.. 665
Shaw. Homer A., 600
Shaw, Walter L., 648
Sheldon. Christopher M., 657
Sherburne. Nelson. OOO
Sherman. Albert D.. 636
( :io
INDEX
Shei-man, C'hiuies M.. 636
Sherman, Plilneas A., 584
Shipley,- Joseph Lucien, 567
SiWey. Arthur A., 633
Sibley, Fred H., 685
Silies. Ethan Taylor, 646
Smith, Almon J., 608
Smith, Clayton D., 614
Smith. Clifton O., 590
Smith, Cornelius W., 625
Smith. Edwin, 638
Smith, Homer A., M. D., 59'2
Smith. James S., 664
Smith. John Mackenzie, 581
Smith. Norman Taylor. 642
Smith. Quartus Judd. 030
Smith, Samuel Newell, 601
Smith, William Howard, 574
Snell, Samuel, 600
Snow, Major A.. 615
Snow. William Hollis. 620
Spangler. Uev.' A. M.. 643
Squier. Edgar. 624
Stebbins, Luther, 673
Stedman. E. I'.. ."inO
Stevens, Solomon F., 590
Stevens, William. 616
Stevens. Willis F.. 633
Stickney. Dr. Peter LeBreton, 581
Stockwell, George Watson Cutler, 682
Stoc-kwell, Wesley W., 630
Stow, Marshall Volney, 666
Stillivan, Cornelius F.. 598
Sullivan. Timothy J.. 641
Swazey, Walter W., D. D. S., 569
Sweeney, John J., jr.. 636
Sweeney, John Joseph, 662
Sykes. Frederick A., G90
Tab(tr, Edward Payson, 595
Taylor, Uwight E„ 603
Taylor, George H.. 604
Taylor, John, 637
Taylor. H. .Mather, 650
Thompson, Alfred Clark, 676
Thompson, Charles M., (J35
Thomp.son, Eugene L,, 605
'J'hompson, Leon H.. 636
Tiffany. Franklin G., 607
Toliey. Frank George, 570
Todd, Andrew J., 661
Tourtellotte, Marcius Lazee, 670
Towne, Frank A., 596
Towne, Orange C. 630
Tripp, Frederick A., 671
Twiss, John F,, 669
Vining. Harry I).. 637
Wade. Frank. 661
Wakefield, Frank P., 670
Waid. Charles L., 591
Walker. Fred E.. 592
Warren. Moses H.. 666
Wanen. William Chapin, 569
Warriner, H. Edson, 651
Watters, Thomas D., 670
Webster, Harry Gilmore, 653
Weiser, Dr. Walter Rupert. 572
Welch, Joseph, 656
West. Charles Henry, 671
Weston. Dr. George Dake. 575
Whitaker. Frank H.. 622
White, Luther, 673
White. William Roland. 616
Whitney. J. Frank. 660
Whitney. Milton Burrall. 676
Whittemore. Edgar Clement, 657
Whittemore. John U.. 629
Wight. Francis. 506
Wilkins, George H„ M, D., 661
Willard. Justice. 561
Willcutt. Frank A., 668
Wilson, John, 669
Wolcott, Oliver L.. 633
Wood. Clarence M.. 615
Woodward. Charles lliller, 644
Worcester, John Capron, 654
Worden. Homer M.. 600
Worthington, Albert E.. 602
Wurthington. Frederick A., 604
Wright. IJeorge L., 582
Yculin. Scbastien. 598
( 711
n
This book is undeTT^^
fili at Oesl(a
-■MS
-:ion»"
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11