USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Franklin County, Massachusetts .. > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76
After graduating from the Harvard Medical School on June 28, 1870, Dr. Ward began the work of his profession in his native State. In 1872 he settled in Northfield, where he has since conducted a successful practice and en- joyed the respect and esteem of the entire community. In 1868 he was united in mar- riage to Miss Lucy Cushman, daughter of Earle and Lucy (Young) Cushman, the former of whom was a physican of Orwell, Vt., and died at the age of seventy-seven years, during fifty-three of which he had been in active prac- tice. Mrs. Ward's mother, a native of Athol, died at the age of fifty-five years.
Dr. Ward is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Northfield, and is also connected with the Chapter and Commandery in Orange. He is a comrade of Post 171, Grand Army of the Republic, of Northfield, of which he has been commander for several years. He is a Demo- crat in politics; was Postmaster from 1885 to 1890 ; was a Selectman for three years, during
which he served as Chairman one year ; was Chairman of the School Board six years ; and has served upon the Library Board since its organization. He has been President of the Franklin Medical Association and a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society. He was a candidate for State Senator for two years, and, although defeated, was complimented with a very large vote. He is liberal in his religious views.
HARLES HAMILTON, a prominent farmer of Heath, was born at Shutes- bury, November 19, 1823, and is a son of David and Betsey (Upton) Hamilton. His paternal grandfather was a native of Prov- incetown, Cape Cod, Mass., and extensively engaged in the fishing industry. He also owned considerable land in that vicinity, but moved to Pelham, and later to New Salem, where he resided during the remainder of his life, dying at the age of eighty years. He was twice married. The children by his second wife, whose maiden name was Ann Eldridge, were Elijah and David.
David Hamilton, who was also born on Cape Cod, accompanied his parents to New Salem. In early manhood he purchased two hundred acres of land in the town of Shutes- bury, and, clearing a portion of this for farm- ing purposes, he also carried on a lumber business and operated a saw-mill, attaining a position of business prosperity. He died at the age of sixty-eight years. He was origi- nally a Democrat, but in his later years sup- ported the Republican party. In religion he was a Baptist. His wife was a daughter of Benjamin and Betsey (Trask) Upton, who were residents of Shutesbury. Her father was a prominent farmer of that town, who served in the Revolutionary War, and was wounded at
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
the battle of Bunker Hill. Their children were : John, Fanny, Mabel, Betsey, and Dor- cas. Mrs. Betsey Hamilton died at the age of sixty-three years, having reared the following children : David, William, Charles, Ann, John, Joseph, Sarah, and Elmira.
Charles Hamilton left his home at the age of ten years, and for the succeeding three years was employed by a farmer and butcher, from whom he received for his services his board and clothing. From fourteen to seventeen years of age he continued to follow the occu- pation of a farm laborer, his wages being sixty dollars per year, with the privilege of attend- ing school winters. Next he rented a farm for two years, after which he purchased the homestead of his wife's father, consisting of sixty acres. He also purchased some timber land, and was engaged in lumbering upon it for six years. Having sold this property, in 1855 he moved to the town of Heath, where he bought the estate of sixty acres known as the Williams farm. Later he added to his farm a tract of seventy-five acres, some of which is in the town of Rowe, and has effected several noticeable improvements, among them being a new house and barn. He makes a specialty of stock-raising, conducts a choice dairy, and owns one of the finest hay farms in the locality. His property is .exceedingly valuable from the fact that it is located upon the mineral belt, in the immediate vicinity of the well - known Davis sulphur mine. On August 27, 1862, Mr. Hamilton enlisted in Company B, Fifty-second Massachusetts Regi- ment, under the command of Colonel Green- leaf, for nine months' service, but remained for a period of one year, during which time he participated in the battle of Port Hudson and other engagements. Mr. Hamilton is a Republican in politics, and is liberal in his religious views.
On November 22, 1848, Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage to Miss Maria L. Baker, daughter of Jonathan S. and Louise (Horr) Baker. Their union has been blessed with the following children: Julia, born March 3, 1850, who married first Martin L. Blanchard, and, after he died, leaving one son, married second Dennis W. Jones (also deceased), and is now the wife of Chandler H. Blanchard and resides at Greenfield, having one child, Grace L. ; Charles A., born July 12, 1853, who married Ellen Goodacre, and died at the age of forty-one years; James N., born February 28, 1855; Adelaide A., born July 16, 1857, who married Edward S. Smead, and has one child, named Nellie I. ; and Myron S. Hamil- ton, born July 1, 1861, who married Bessie L. Harris, and has two children, Carrie M. and Earle R.
NDREW SAUER, a much esteemed citizen of Buckland, Franklin County, Mass., a successful dealer in gentle- men's furnishing goods, was born in Saxony, Germany, on February 14, 1841, son of Simon and Steina (Amstein) Sauer, both of whom were natives of the same place. Simon Sauer successfully engaged in the vocation of a car- penter and joiner. He died at the early age of forty-eight years. His wife, Steina Amstein Sauer, died when but fifty-six years of age, hav- ing borne him five children, as follows : George, Anna E., Andrew, Casper, and Anna.
Andrew Sauer lived with his parents during his youth, receiving a good practical education in the schools of his native country. At nine- teen years of age he came to America, landing in New York, from which place he came to Franklin County, Mass., and secured a posi- tion in the Lamson & Goodnow cutlery manufactory at Shelburne Falls as a me- chanic, remaining with them ten months.
85
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
The Civil War was then in progress; and he enlisted in Company H of the Tenth Massa- chusetts Regiment, under Captain Miller. After a faithful service of three years, during which he took part in many important engage- ments, he received his honorable discharge on June 21, 1864. He then returned to Shel- burne Falls and again engaged in the cutlery manufactory, continuing in that position until 1871, when he purchased the clothing business of A. Sherwin, which he has since conducted with increasing success. His store is located in the Methodist Episcopal society's block, and he carries a good assortment of clothing, hats, and other gentlemen's furnishing goods. He owns two houses and lots in Buckland, one being his residence on Williams Street, which he erected, and the other a tenement-house. On July 9, 1864, Mr. Sauer was united in marriage with Miss Christie Witzeman, daughter of George Witzeman, of Germany. They have one child, a daughter, Jessie B., who was born November 29, 1880.
In politics Mr. Sauer is an independent Democrat. He has ever merited the respect of his fellow-citizens; and that they are not un- mindful of his ability, his public spirit, and upright character, is shown by the various offices of trust to which he has been elected, including that of Selectman, of Assessor, and Overseer of the Poor, he having served in the latter capacity for five years. Since 1862 he has held office in the fire department, in which he is actively interested. Fraternally, he is a member of the Alethian Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Post No. 93, Grand Army of the Republic, of Shelburne Falls. He is also President of the Gun Club and Vice-President of the Turn- verein Lodge. Mr. Sauer and his estimable wife are active and influential members of the Congregational church of Shelburne Falls.
RSON BALLOU CURTIS was for many years one of the most prominent business men of Colerain and a citi- zen who made his influence very much felt in the management of local affairs. He was a na- tive of New Hampshire, his birth having oc- curred January 27, 1825, in the town of Rich- mond, which was also the birthplace of his father, Orson Curtis. (A record of the Curtis family may be found in the history of Rich- mond, N. H.) Orson Curtis remained in the town of his nativity until after his marriage, - on May 16, 1824, to Betsey Ballou, a daughter of New Hampshire. In 1829 they removed to Colerain, Mass., where Mr. Curtis followed the trade of shoemaking, both he and his wife passing their remaining days in this town. They reared a family of four children ; namely, Orson Ballou, Semantha, Seth, and Henry, the latter, the youngest of the family, a resident of Colerain, being the only one now living.
Orson Ballou Curtis was but five years old when he came with his parents to Colerain and began to attend the district schools. He com- pleted his education at a select school in Hali- fax, Vt., where he afterward opened his career as a pedagogue. He also taught school sev- eral terms in Colerain previous to beginning mercantile life here as a clerk for Mr. Calvin Shattuck, in whose employ he acquired a good knowledge of business. He then opened a small grocery store in the village, in company with Mr. Walkup, also of Colerain ; but after- ward he bought out the interest of his part- ner in the store, and continued its manage- ment alone until his decease, April 21, 1888. He was a man of good business capacity, hon- est and upright, a most pleasant man to deal with, and soon built up a large and lucrative trade, having one of the most completely stocked stores of general merchandise in the vicinity. He was a sound Republican in
86
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
politics, and in public affairs was energetic and influential, representing his district in the legislature one term, serving as a member of the School Board, as Justice of the Peace for several years, and as Postmaster, an office which he was holding at the time of his de- mise. In religious matters he was actively interested, being a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church, one of its officers for many years, a member of both boards, as well as superintendent of its Sunday-school for many years and the leader of its choir.
Mr. Curtis was twice married. His first wife, to whom he was united September 5, 1849, was Mary S. Barber, a native of Cole- rain. After a brief term of wedded happiness she passed to the higher life, April 27, 1856. Mr. Curtis was married November 3, 1858, to Miss Sarah J. Shaw. She was born July 15, 1833, in Lowell, Mass. Her father, Philo S. Shaw, was born in Middleboro, Mass. He was a carpenter by trade, and in the latter part of his life worked as a loom builder. He married Adaline D. Cheever, a native of Lowell, Mass., and ten children were born to them, nine of whom grew to ma- turity, and five are now living, namely : Sarah J. (Mrs. Curtis) ; Kate A., of Griswoldville; Helen A .; Charles H., of California; and Edwin C., also a resident of California. The names of the departed were as follows: Ada- line, William H., Rose B., George S., and Lewis C. Shaw. Mrs. Curtis is a woman of great personal worth, and is held in high es- teem throughout the community in which so many pleasant years have been passed. She is a devoted Christian, active in the work of the church, and an efficient teacher in the Sunday- school. In her attractive home she has the companionship of a niece, Miss Bessie Ballou Curtis, who ably assists in hospitably entertain- ing their many friends and acquaintances.
AMUEL SAWYER, who is engaged as a wood-turner at the works of the Miller's Falls Company, on Miller's River, in the town of Erving, Frank- lin County, opposite the village of Miller's Falls, was born at Richmond, N. H., May 3, 1836, son of John M. and Rowena Sawyer. His grandfather, Nathaniel Sawyer, was a na- tive and life-long resident of Rutland, Mass.
John M. Sawyer, who was born in Rutland, abandoned the parental roof on attaining his majority, and purchased a farm in Richmond, N. H., where he engaged in cultivating the soil and operating a saw-mill. In 1848 he sold his property there, and purchased a farm in Win- chester, N.H., where he resided until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy- three years. He was a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. John M. Sawyer mar- ried Rowena, daughter of Eli Sawyer, a farmer of Westminster, where her parents passed their entire lives. She was the mother of four children, all of whom are still living; namely, Joseph, Samuel, David, and Henry. The mother died in Winchester at the age of seventy-one years.
Samuel Sawyer attended both the district and the graded schools, and after the comple- tion of his studies followed agriculture for a time, later finding employment in a saw-mill in Winchester village. He next went to Orange, where he acquired the trade of a founder; and, after the destruction of the foundry by fire, he engaged in the occupation of a millwright. He travelled for the Rodney Hunt Machine Company, setting up and ad- justing machinery, and, after continuing with that concern until 1869, came to Miller's Falls for the purpose of constructing the dam and erecting the shops for the Miller's Falls Company. He commenced the extensive un- dertaking in April of that year, and in the fol-
87
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
lowing December had completed the dam, during which time he superintended each par- ticular part of the work, from the cutting, hauling, and manufacturing of the lumber used in its construction to the figuring of the pay- roll. After the completion of this work he leased the old saw-mill at Miller's Falls, in which he conducted a jobbing business for a period of three years, at the expiration of which time he sold, and for the next year was engaged in the construction of buildings for industrial purposes at Rochester. He then went to the State of Michigan, where he re- mained for one and one-half years, and, return- ing East in 1877, engaged in his present busi- ness, which he has since successfully followed.
In 1856 Samuel Sawyer was united in mar- riage to his first wife, who was Miss Sarah H. Starkey, daughter of Melvin Starkey, of Keene, N. H. The only child of this union, Hattie M., married Mr. E. E. Angel, of Somerville, Mass. ; and they have two chil- dren, named Pearl and Mildred. Mrs. Sarah H. Sawyer died in 1866; and Mr. Sawyer wedded for his second wife Sarah S. Pratt, a sister of Henry L. Pratt, of the Miller's Falls Company, and a native of Shutesbury, where her father was an extensive farmer and a well- known surveyor. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer have one son, Charles L., who is a tool-maker, and foreman of one of the departments in the Miller's Falls Company's shops. He married Alice E. Dibble, of Chester, Mass. ; and they live at Miller's Falls.
Mr. Samuel Sawyer is a Republican in poli- tics. He has served the town of Erving as a Selectman for eight years, also as Assessor ; has served as Moderator of the town mectings fifteen years in succession ; and has held other town offices. Charles L. Sawyer is a sup- porter of the same political party. The family attend the Congregational church.
AMES PORTER, superintendent of the Greenfield Water Works, a public- spirited and influential citizen of the town, was born in the town of New Hartford, Conn., May 25, 1836. On the paternal side of the family he is of English stock, his father, the late Jesse Porter, having been born about nine miles from the city of London, May 22, 1798.
Jesse Porter was a wool stapler. When a young man he came to this country, and was engaged in buying wool for the New York and New England manufacturers for several years. In 1832 he married Mary Lester, a native of Northampton ; and they soon after started west- ward, the Territory of Michigan being their point of destination. The journey from North- ampton to Detroit was made with a horse and wagon, a large portion of their way being through an almost trackless wilderness. They spent some time in Detroit, where their eldest son was born, and bought land not far from that place, being for many years owners of a quarter-section in Oakland County. Return- ing to New England, they lived for a while in New Hartford, but in 1838 removed to North- ampton, Mass. Mrs. Porter died April 4, 1848; and five weeks from that day her hus- band was buried by her side in the Northamp- ton cemetery. They left an orphan family of six children, the youngest being five wecks old, and the cldest fourteen years. Their rec- ord is as follows: Jesse is a dentist in Chico- pee. James is the subject of the present sketch. George W. died in October, 1866, at the age of twenty-nine years, leaving a widow. He was a brilliant and ambitious scholar in the Freshman class at Yale College, but gave up his literary aspirations to fight for his country's flag, enlisting in 1861 in Com- pany E, Tenth Massachusetts Volunteer In- fantry, going out first as a scout, and was in
88
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Richmond when Mcclellan was on the Penin- sula. His last two years of service were spent in Washington, where he was chief clerk at the Department of Washington head- quarters, his office being on the spot where Philip Barton Key was killed. Hannah M., a graduate of the Mount Holyoke Seminary, and for many years a successful teacher, died at South Hadley in February, 1866, aged twenty-five years. Albert E. died December 31, 1876, at Chicago, leaving a wife and one son, Albert. He too was a soldier in the late Civil War, enlisting when but sixteen years old, going to the front as a private in the New York Hawkins Zouaves, and participating in the battles of Big Bethel, Roanoke, and Fred- ericksburg. He was subsequently general ward master at the Harewood Hospital in Washington, until the expiration of his term of enlistment. Being physically disabled by the fatigue and exposures he had endured, he never recovered his health, but died about the time his little son was born. Mary L., the youngest child, lived but a year and a half of earthly life. Jesse Porter and his wife were devout Christian people, the former belonging to the Church of England, and the latter being a believer in the Methodist faith.
James Porter finished his education at the Wilbraham Academy, and in 1854 began to learn the trade of a tinner and plumber. In 1857 he established himself in business in Palmer. Two years later he sold out, and for another two years was engaged in journeyman work, settling then in Northampton, where he was in business several years. In 1864 Mr. Porter entered the employment of P. P. Stew- art, as sale agent for his stoves; but "Black Friday," which discouraged all business men, broke up that enterprise, and he subsequently became book-keeper and cashier for a whole- sale and importing crockery house in New
York. In 1865, owing to impaired health, Mr. Porter removed to Greenfield, buying the house at 30 Devens Street, where he has since lived, except the year 1876, when he was in New York City or on the road selling stoves. He first opened a store for the sale of the Stewart stoves, and handled nothing but Fuller & Warren's goods until 1867, when he sold out, his health being still too poor to allow of close attention to business. He then accepted the position of superintendent of the gas works, an office which he filled with satis- faction ten years. During the construction of the present system of water works Mr. Porter was clerk of the district and paymaster, and up to the fall of 1872 he was superintendent of the same. He was again appointed superin- tendent of the water works in 1882 for a term of three years, and from that time until 1888 was again connected with the gas company as superintendent. In 1889 Mr. Porter was elected superintendent and collector of the water works for the third time, and has filled the position with fidelity and ability up to the present, having won the trust and confidence of all concerned.
Mr. Porter was united in marriage May 27, 1857, to Harriet J. Burnett, of South Hadley, a daughter of Stoughton W. Burnett. Four children have been born to them, namely : Edward L., who passed away at the age of nineteen months; Byron A., who died in in- fancy; Fred H., who is correspondent in the Wells-Fargo and National Express Office in Boston; and Francis Russell, who is in Bos- ton, with the National Express Company. Mr. Porter was in his carlier years a supporter of the principles of the Republican party, but since 1872 has uniformly cast his vote with the Democratic party. He is a man of liberal views on all subjects, and is free in religious thought.
89
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
AJ. PHARCELLUS D. BRIDGES is a prominent farmer in South Deerfield, and still resides upon the homestead where he was born on December 21, 1846. His father, Benjamin F. Bridges, was born at Hardwick, Mass. ; and his paternal grandfather was Isaac Bridges of that town.
Benjamin FF. Bridges, who was a clothier by trade, owned and operated a mill at Sunder- land, Mass., for many years, which he finally disposed of, and purchased the farm now occu- pied by his son. He continued to follow agri- cultural pursuits until compelled to relinquish active labor at the age of about seventy-five years, and died at the ripe old age of nearly ninety-five, in the full possession of his fac- ulties, after an illness of but a few days' dura- tion. His wife, Harriet A. Hubbard, a daugh- ter of Spencer Hubbard, of Deerfield, still survives, making her home with her son, Major Bridges, who is one of nine that are now living out of a family of fourteen chil- dren.
Pharcellus D. Bridges received his elemen- tary education in the district schools, and, after completing his studies at the Deerfield Acad- emy, taught in both district and graded schools for a period of five years, subsequently enter- ing mercantile life at Broad Brook, Conn., where he remained for some length of time. Later, in company with a twin brother, he assumed the responsibilities of the home farm, and also engaged in the buying and shipping of country produce, which he has since carried on extensively with profitable results.
In politics Major P. D. Bridges is a Repub- lican. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs, and has held various offices of trust. In 1875 he was elected a member of the School Board of the town, upon which he has served continuously ever since, and for the past eighteen years has been its Chairman - a
position for which, by virtue of his experience as a teacher, he is especially adapted. In this capacity he has been mainly instrumental in improving the educational system of his native town, and also in securing the erection of the present school buildings for the better accom- modation of the pupils. The task of examin- ing and selecting teachers has likewise de- volved upon him for several years past, and he now has under his supervision a corps of twenty able instructors. In 1888 he was chosen Se- lectman, and has been Chairman of the Board from that time to the present, also having been Tax Collector for a period of seven years. In 1876 he was elected to the General Court, was re-elected in 1884, and again in 1893, when he was on the Committee on Military Affairs, being the only Representative in his district who has served three terms in the State legislature during the past thirty years. He has also served as Moderator of the annual town meetings twelve consecutive years.
Major Bridges's military career has been as active and honorable as his political service. He enlisted as a private in Company H, Sec- ond Regiment of South Deerfield, under com- mand of Captain Babcock, and rapidly rose from rank to rank, till he became Captain. After his discharge he was unanimously re- elected, and he served as Captain of a company for a period of twelve years. In 1888 he was elected Major of the Second Regiment, Massa- chusetts Volunteer Militia, under the com- mand of his uncle, Colonel Benjamin F. Bridges, Jr., which rank he holds at the pres- ent time, having been in the service for a pe- riod of twenty-five consecutive years. Major Bridges was made a Mason in Morning Star Lodge, No. 28, of Ware Point House, Conn. He is also connected with the Knights of Honor, and is a member of the Congregational church at South Deerfield.
90
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
ISS MARY T. DUTTON, of Northfield, was born in the house where she now resides, daughter of Samuel W. and Mary F. (Dascomb) Dut- ton. Miss Dutton's great-grandfather, Timo- thy Dutton, who was a native of Hebron, Conn., settled at Northfield when nearly sixty years old, about the year 1796. He was known as both Deacon and Squire Dutton ; and he resided in Northfield, where he was a prosperous merchant, until his death, Au- gust 31, 1814. Timothy B. Dutton, son of Timothy and Martha (Bartholomew) Dutton, was born in Hebron, Conn., in 1776. He was an ensign in the militia, a deacon in the church, a merchant for some time in com- pany with his father, and was a member of the Board of Selectmen in Northfield five years. He died in 1821.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.