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中山や출
Gc 974.401 F85b 1193890
M. L,
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01103 8806
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
THIS VOLUME CONTAINS BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF
THE LEADING CITIZENS OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
MASSACHUSETTS
-
" Biography is the home aspect of history"
974.401 F 856
BOSTON BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY
1895
PREFACE. 1193890
Somospol #1250
HE present age is happily awake to the duty of writing its own records, setting down what is best worth remembering in the lives of the busy toilers of to-day, noting, not in vain glory, but with an honest pride and sense of fitness, things worthy of emula- tion, that thus the good men do may live after them. The accounts here rendered are not of buried talents, but of used ability and opportunity. The conquests recited are of mind over matter, of cheerful labor directed by thought, not of shrewdness in getting "something for nothing," but of honest, earnest endeavor which subdues the earth in the divinely appointed way.
While the plan of the work did not call for minute genealogical research, we have gladly made use of such data for filling out family histories as have been furnished us, and in nu- merous cases have verified or corrected and extended the same by consultation of standard au- thorities. In these pages we have briefly chronicled the life-stories of descendants of some of the first settlers of New England, progenitors who have a claim on what a wise speaker has termed "a moral and philosophical respect which elevates the character and improves the heart "; passengers in the "Mayflower of a forlorn hope," and others who came in ships that closely followed in her wake, as the Fortune, the Lion, the Mary and John; representa- tives, too, of later immigrants to the shores of Massachusetts Bay, imbued with the true Pilgrim spirit, together with stanch and progressive compatriots of foreign birth. It has seemed worth while to write and to publish these biographies, because, to borrow the words of an eloquent speaker, such men and women as are here commemorated "by their industrious toil and faithful citizenship have kept sweet the heart of New England civilization." Where- fore the book should commend itself as of more than passing interest and fleeting worth, - a volume to be prized by children's children. "The great lesson of biography," it has been said, " is to show what man can be and do at his best. A noble life put fairly on record acts like an inspiration."
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY.
BOSTON, December, 1895.
GEORGE A. ARMS.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
EORGE ALBERT ARMS, whose portrait is herewith presented, was born in the old town of Deerfield, March 7, 1815. He is of the sixth generation born on the old homestead since William Arms - ancestor of all of this name in America - who bought it about the year 1695. Christopher Tyler Arms, George Albert's father, in his younger days wished to follow the sea, and for this purpose studied navigation; but, his parents wanting him to remain at home, he gave up his cherished plan, and became a farmer, engaging at the same time in various manufactures. He was also a well-known surveyor, and was thoroughly familiar with all the different boundary lines of the region. George Albert's mother was Avice Stebbins, daughter of Colonel Joseph Stebbins, of Deer- field, who fought at the battle of Bunker Hill. History says of him, "He came to the front as a patriot leader at the outbreak of the Rev- olution, and was able to maintain his posi- tion." Avice, his fourth daughter, combined strength of character with soundness of judg- ment and keenness of humor.
When a mere child, George showed a taste for trade. Often the little fellow might have been seen trudging up the street to the busy storekeeper of the town to buy molasses. His long, thick hair was so strikingly noticeable
that the aged lawyer of the village said a pleasant "Good morning, Buffalo," as he passed one day. His clothes were of the plainest homespun, but the little " Buffalo " knew it not. His mind was intent on a busi- ness project; and his small bare feet ran faster as he came in sight of the store. Here he bought a quart of molasses for twelve and a half cents: then, running home, he made it into thirty generous sticks of candy. These he sold for a penny a stick, thereby netting seventeen and a half cents on the quart. During summers in his boyhood George worked for his father, and winters he attended the town school and the Deerfield Academy. In 1829, when he was fourteen years old, his father decided to make his home in Canada, not far from his brother Daniel's. Here, on the shore of Brome Lake, we find the family struggling with poverty for four long years. Their house was a log cabin fourteen feet square. The loft where George slept was reached by a ladder. There was no lack of fresh air, for the wind blew in at the great cracks in the roof; and sometimes George found the buffalo skin he had spread over him- self at night covered in the morning with a thick layer of snow. He helped his father in logging, in the making of salts, which were ultimately converted into pot and pearl ash, and in raising crops. Two winters he at- tended the Stanstead Academy, and worked for his board.
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When eighteen, George returned to Deer- field, and that spring worked for his uncle Baxter, giving his earnings to his father. The following spring he farmed for Lawyer Pliny Arms, receiving thirteen dollars a month, and saved enough of this money to buy him a suit of clothes. The following autumn he decided to seek his fortune in Boston. Accordingly, we find him dressed in his drab home-spun and home-made suit, taking the rumbling stage, which passed through Deer- field on its way from Albany to Boston. Arriving in the city, he had only one dollar and twenty-seven cents in his pocket and no business. A relative offered him a home while he was trying to find a place. It was discouraging work, but every morning he started out with fresh courage. Finally, at the end of a fortnight, he let himself to a " dealer in groceries " for twenty-five dollars a year and board, with the privilege of accept- ing a better offer, should one be received. It turned out that this man sold more rum than groceries, so that the young clerk was glad to accept the position, which was offered four months later, of head clerk in a store on Chambers Street, with an increase in wages to one hundred dollars and board. The next year a still better offer was accepted from a dealer on Long Wharf.
Then came the terrible business crisis of 1837. Clerks were thrown out of employment by the thousand, and our clerk among the rest. He returned to Deerfield; but, instead of waiting idly for work he liked to do, he took up farming with a will. It was not long, however, before he heard of an opening with Benjamin B. Murdock, a general merchant of Northfield. He became his clerk on trial and afterward his book-keeper, receiving two hun- dred and fifty dollars a year. At the end of two years he decided to relinquish his posi-
tion, although his employer offered him an in- terest in the business if he would consent to remain. Mr. Murdock's methods of doing business were not satisfactory to him, and he therefore concluded not to become a partner. He went to Deerfield; but afterward, at the earnest request of Northfield friends, he re- turned, and opened a store of general mer- chandise. Necessary repairs on the building cost him four hundred dollars, leaving him in debt one hundred dollars. He at once bought his stock in Boston, commanding a credit of from four to five thousand dollars' worth of goods. By untiring industry and strict econ- omy he was able to meet his payments promptly. He remained in Northfield ten years. Then in 1848, feeling that larger op- portunities awaited him elsewhere, he sold out, and went to Columbus, Ga. On the way an amusing incident occurred. About thirty passengers, including Mr. Arms, left the boat at Savannah, and took a special train for Macon. There was only a single track running from the town, and this was laid in a most primitive fashion. The passengers on board soon found they had left the uncertain sea only to be thoroughly shaken on land. One could not attempt to drink a glass of water without having the contents shaken over one's self and the floor. The company was hungry, and Mr. Arms inquired of the con- ductor if there was any way of getting food. He replied that there was an old planter sev- eral miles ahead, and perhaps he would feed the travellers. Reaching the planter's house, everybody turned out ; and the planter and his negroes went to work. In little over an hour enough hens for thirty people had been caught, killed, picked, and cooked. Negroes waited upon the travellers, and brushed the flies away. At last, having gained strength and good humor, the company paid the planter
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for his poultry, and continued their journey. They had not gone more than half a mile when the train came to a sudden standstill. "The special" had run into a cotton train standing on the track, and the engine was disabled. In this predicament there was nothing to do but to wait till the train hands had "patched " the engine by means of sledge hammers and such other tools as were at hand. This was travelling in Georgia in 1848. While at the South, Mr. Arms came face to face with the accursed traffic in human beings; and from that time onward he was a stanch Abolitionist and a Republican of Republicans, although never an aspirant for public office.
No good opening for business offered, so that in the spring of 1849 he went West to find a brother whom he had not seen for inany years. He left Columbus for New Orleans, where he took a boat up the Mississippi to Evansville on the Ohio. It was at the time the cholera was raging throughout the coun- try. Many fell sick on the way, and one poor fellow died; while twenty-seven deaths had occurred on the boat that went up a fortnight before. Mr. Arms felt symptoms of the dread disease while helping to bury the man who had been its victim. He reached Evansville in a weakened condition, but with his usual determination he continued his journey in stages until its object was accomplished. The return to New England with his brother and family was made in a huge, covered wagon, provided with stove, cooking utensils, bedding, and other supplies, a full descrip- tion of which would be a story in itself.
Mr. Arms's next business venture was at Bellows Falls, Vt., where he hired a store, which he stocked with men's clothing, hats, caps, boots, and shoes, and, after a profitable trade of one year, united with Norman Farr,
who kept general merchandise. The firm also engaged in the merchant tailoring business and the inanufacture of ready-made clothing. At the end of three years he sold to his part- ner at a bargain, and started for Canada West, where a brother was employed in building bridges on the Coburg & Peterboro Railroad. During the spring of 1854 he assisted in the work of straightening a bridge which extended across Rice Lake, a distance of three miles, interrupted only by a small island near the centre. A portion of the bridge had been thrown over toward the island by the melting of the ice in the spring, the winter having been so severe that the ice around the piles was three feet deep. This work completed, and the plan for building stations along the Coburg & Peterboro Road failing, Mr. Arms engaged in stock-raising and farming in Deer- field for a year and a half. About the year 1855 he went to Ohio, and became interested in coal mining, previous to the completion of the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad. He car- ried on a successful business until obliged to come East.
In March, 1859, while looking for a place in which to again enter mercantile life, he came to Greenfield, and purchased the stock of Messrs. Wells & Smead, general merchants. Here he soon developed an extensive trade in agricultural implements, seeds, and fertilizers, which he purchased direct, and disposed of in large quantities. He became the agent of Franklin County for the Waters Scythe, and in one year alone took orders for seven hun- dred dozen. He also secured the agency for the Granite State Mowing-machine, the lead- ing machine of that time and this, and of Enoch Coe's Phosphates. Early and late he worked, driving through all the towns of the county, and taking orders of the storekeepers and farmers. Later he added the coal busi-
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ness to his own, and, being already familiar with its details, carried the two on success- fully for a number of years. There were many discouragements, many unexpected failures, and consequent heavy losses; but, in spite of these, he met his payments promptly, won confidence, and commanded a good credit. After conducting a profitable business for a period of twenty-two years, he sold out in 1882 to his two clerks, John Sheldon (his son- in-law) and Eugene Newcomb.
Mr. Arms has been twice married. His first wife, whom he wedded in 1844, was Eunice S. Moody, of Northfield. She became the mother of three children: Ellen L .; Jennie M .; and George L., who died in infancy. Ellen L., wife of John Sheldon, of Deerfield and Greenfield, has three children - two sons, both in business in the latter place, and one daughter, pursuing the study of languages in Paris. The second daughter, Jennie Maria, has been a teacher of natural science in Boston the past sixteen years. After the death of his wife in Ohio he re- turned East, and in 1859 married Mrs. Fran- ces W. Childs, daughter of John F. Stearns, of Dummerston, Vt.
About the year 1876 Mr. Arms erected a handsome brick block for stores and offices, and in 1893 another - Columbus Block. He also owns three other blocks of stores and valuable resident property in Greenfield, be- sides the historic "Arms's Corner" in Old Deerfield. He is a Trustee of the Greenfield Savings Bank, of which he was one of the organizers. He has also been a Director of the successful Miller's Falls Manufacturing Company since its start. Mr. Arms's life is a practical illustration of the truth of his words of advice to the young: "If any young man or woman of average capacity is honest, industrious, persevering, and economical, he
or she will succeed; for honesty and economy command capital, and are the foundation of success."
EVI GARDNER stands in the front rank among the prominent and pros- perous business men that are iden- tified with the industrial interests of Ash- field, which is the place of his nativity, his birth having occurred here, June 12, 1821. His father, Jacob Gardner, was born in Plain- field, Hampshire County, Mass., and there grew to manhood. He had natural mechanical ability, and learned the millwright's trade. He spent part of his life in Goshen, where he thrived for a time, and later engaged in busi- ness in Ashfield, running a grist-mill for many years. He also devoted some of his time to mechanical pursuits, and did a great deal of work in repairing mills and machinery in different localities. He died at the age of threescore and five. Jacob Gardner was a valued member of the Democratic party. In his religious beliefs he was liberal, interpret- ing the gospel according to the light of reason. He married Hannah Cook, who died in the fifty-sixth year of her age, leaving the follow- ing children : Bela, Elisha, Andrew, Nelson, Caroline, Reuben, and Levi.
Levi Gardner became early accustomed to hard work, being put out on a farm to live until fifteen years old, when he returned to the parental roof, and for the following four years assisted his father, becoming an expert in milling and mechanical arts. He subse- quently went into business at Goshen with Samuel Ranney as a manufacturer of wood- work, such as broom handles and wood for baby carriages, the partnership continuing eight years. Mr. Gardner then sold his interest, and in company with his brother Elisha bought standing timber and a saw-mill
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at West Cummington. For six years they engaged in the manufacture and sale of lum- ber, working up a large trade therein. Then, selling out his share of the property, Mr. Gardner removed to Ashfield, where he and his brother Nelson bought a saw-mill and shop, and began the manufacture of wooden ware of various kinds, and also did a great deal of cus- tom sawing. In 1871, selling out to Mr. Flower, he purchased an interest in a saw-mill at South Ashfield with John Sprague, who soon after disposed of his share of the property to Mr. Gardner's son, Jacob S. Gardner. The latter has since been an equal partner with his father, the firm being one of the leading manu- facturing firms in the vicinity. Under their management the mill capacity has been greatly enlarged, new machinery has been put in, and they are carrying on an eminently successful business in sawing, planing, making shingles and laths, and doing custom sawing of all kinds. Like all business men, they have met with losses, one of the most serious having oc- curred April 23, 1895, when their large and well-equipped drying-house was burned to the ground. Through close application to busi- ness Mr. Gardner has accumulated a compe- tency, and besides his mill property owns a good house and lot of two acres of choice land in South Ashfield.
Mr. Gardner was united in marriage in 1844 to Miss Marvilla Selden, who was born in 1823, and died in 1888, after a happy wedded life of more than twoscore years, leaving one son, Jacob S., now in partnership with his father, as before mentioned.
In politics Mr. Gardner has the courage of his convictions, and votes independent of party lines. He represented his constituents in the legislature in 1871 ; and during his residence in Ashfield he has ever evinced a warm inter- est in local progress and improvement, serving
acceptably in the various town offices. He is at present Treasurer and Director of the Ash- field Mutual Fire Insurance Company. In religion, as in other matters, he is broad and liberal in his views.
LONZO M. RICE, Treasurer and Business Manager of the Arms Manu- facturing Company, South Deer- field, Mass., was born at Conway, May 22, 1846. His father, Daniel Rice, was a native of Hawley and the son of Daniel Rice, Sr., also of that town, who was a farmer and lived to the age of ninety years. Daniel Rice re- sided with his parents upon the ancestral farm until becoming of age, when he left home, and going to Conway worked for a time in the tool manufactory of that town, later moving to Greenfield, where he, in company with others, laid out the street which is now known as Conway Street, and was also interested in the Greenfield Tool Company. From Greenfield he removed to Springfield, where he became a master builder, being at the present time well known in connection with that business. He married Fanny D., daughter of Williams and Zilpah Toby, residents of Conway, and had two children, as follows: Alice, wife of Arthur Burt, of Springfield; and Alonzo M. The mother died at the age of thirty-three years, having been a member of the Second Congregational Church, Greenfield, of which her surviving husband is also a member. Alonzo M. Rice passed his childhood in Con- way and Greenfield, commencing in the latter place his education, which he completed at Burrett's English Classical Institute in Springfield, and at the age of eighteen en- listed for ten months' service in the Civil War. After the expiration of his term of enlistment he was discharged at Boston, and, subse-
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quently returning to Springfield, he pursued a course at Burnham's Business College. In 1867 he came to Deerfield as book-keeper. for the late Charles Arms, then proprietor of the Arms Pocket-book Manufactory; but, after spending a year in that position, he again re- turned to Springfield and was book-keeper for Rice, Wight & Co., with whom he remained ten months. Once more entering the employ of Mr. Arms, he continued with him as book- keeper for fifteen years; and then he became travelling salesman. On the incorporation of the stock company after the death of Mr. Arms, he was tendered the position of treas- urer and general manager, which he has occu- pied since 1888. This company are extensive manufacturers of all kinds of Russia seal and Turkey morocco pocket-books, calf and sheep wallets, bill books, card and letter cases, these goods being disposed of throughout the en- tire country. The enterprise of the con- cern increases rather than decreases by age, and Mr. Rice's energy and business ability have largely been the means of maintaining the company's extensive business and keeping their products up to the usual high standard of excellence.
In 1869 Mr. Rice wedded Marie A. Arms, daughter of William S. Arms, of Springfield, she having been her father's only child by his first marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have two children : Mabel A., who is now attending school in Greenfield; and Edward A., who resides at home. Mr. Rice is a Republican in politics, but not an aspirant for office, pre- ferring to devote his leisure time to objects of philanthropy, and has been a Trustce of the Smith Charities one year. He is a member of the Knights of Honor; and both himself and wife attend the Congregational church, of which he is a Deacon. He was for many years superintendent of the Sunday-school,
in which Mrs. Rice is a teacher; and he still holds the office of church treasurer.
RASTUS SPEAR, who is living retired from the active pursuits of life, is one of the highly esteemed and respected citizens of the town of Orange, where the major part of his life has been passed, his birth having occurred in this town, May 5, 1836, at the home of his parents, Isaac and Laura (Haskins) Spear. His grandfather, Silas Spear, was an early settler of this place, removing from Medway to Franklin County, and here buying a farm, which he improved and developed to a high state of culture. He was a man of excellent principles and judg- ment, in course of time amassing considerable property. He lived to the advanced age of fourscore years. On attaining his majority he became identified with the Whig party, and on the formation of the Republican party became a stanch defender of its principles. He mar- ried Rebecca Thayer, who bore him eleven children; namely, Eliza, Mary, Isaac, Silas, Caleb, Erastus, Abigail, John, Lucinda, Henry, and Susan.
Isaac Spear was a native of Orange, born on the family homestead, on which he worked with diligence until reaching man's estate, when he commenced making shingles by hand, the best, if not the only, way then known. Subsequently becoming proficient in the black- smith's trade he removed to Wendell, where he worked several years. Returning to the place of his birth, he bought the blacksmith- shop now owned by his son, and worked at his chosen occupation as long as his health would permit, retiring from business some time before his decease. He lived to be four- score and two. His first wie, who passed to the better land in the sixtieth year of her age,
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was Laura Haskins, a daughter of Nathan Haskins. She bore him six children ; namely, Wilson, Erastus, Frank, James, Luther F., and Isaac. After her death he married Mrs. Eliza Johnson, who was related to the Haskins family. In politics Isaac Spear was a sound Republican.
Erastus Spear received the educational privileges granted by the district schools of his native town. When a young man he learned the blacksmith's trade of his father; and, with the exception of three years spent in manufacturing brick at Athol, he has worked at the forge, adding to that the business of a wagon-maker, his plant being still located on East Water Street, as in his father's days. In 1893 Mr. Spear retired from active work, having accumulated through diligent applica- tion and the exercise of excellent business judgment a competency. He has dealt to some extent in real estate, and is now the owner of four dwellings in Orange and of a portion of the old homestead of his parents. Politically, Mr. Spear has followed the faith of his ancestors, espousing the cause of the Republican party. Socially, he is a member of the Orange Lodge of Red Men.
When twenty years old Mr. Spear was united in wedlock with Miss Elsie D. Ellis, a native of New Salem, the daughter of Artemas and Lucy Ellis. Mr. Ellis was a prosperous farmer, and also worked at the trade of a stone mason. He lived to the advanced age of seventy-seven years. His wife died at the age of threescore and three. They were the parents of six children : Henry, Mary A., Franklin A. Ellis, M.D., L. Angelina, Sarah J., and Elsie D. Although the wedded path- way of Mr. and Mrs. Spear has been usually bright and cheery, one great sorrow has been theirs, their first child, Leslie E., born June 15, 1858, having died of heart disease in
March, 1895. He was a mechanic by trade, a man of most exemplary habits and of high moral principles, being everywhere respected and beloved for his many fine qualities. He married Stella M. Bridges; and they had one child, Clara L. Mr. and Mrs. Spear have one other child, Clara J., born May 16, 1864, who married Arthur Bridges, of Orange, a railway conductor, and is the mother of one child, Edith J. Bridges.
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