USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Franklin County, Massachusetts .. > Part 12
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parents of four children: Agnes E., Nathan- iel P., Grace E., and Charles L. Susan E., born June 16, 1845, is the wife of William Orcutt, a farmer of New Salem, and the mother of three children: Frank A., George A., and Mary E.
Frederick D. Kellogg acquired the rudi- ments of learning in the public schools of New Salem, afterward attending the academy, where he pursued the higher branches. When a youth of seventeen years he began teaching, and for six winters thereafter was thus en- gaged, while during seed-time and harvest he worked on the farm. He was employed as a clerk by his brother Edwin during the succeed- ing four years, at the expiration of which pe- riod he entered the service of the New Home Sewing Machine Company, being engaged the first winter in the humble capacity of truckman and general workman. Proving himself emi- nently trustworthy and capable, he was offered a position in the office as assistant book- keeper ; and here his efficiency soon earned for him an unasked promotion to the office of pay- master at the foundry. His duties have since been increased, so that now he has general charge of buying the iron, coal, wood, and other supplies, answering correspondence, and similar confidential work. Mr. Kellogg's business qualifications are of a high order ; and much of the work connected with the foundry is left to his good judgment, and is carried on in a manner highly satisfactory to his employers.
The union of Mr. F. D. Kellogg with Miss C. R. Bragg was celebrated in 1862. Mrs. Kellogg was born in Royalston, and is a daughter of the late Benjamin and Mary G. (Snow) Bragg, the former of whom was for many years engaged in the manufacture of sati- net and woollen goods. Mr. Bragg departed this life when but sixty-five years of age; but
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his widow survived him, living to the advanced age of fourscore and five years. Both were devoted members of the Congregational church, and reared their children to the same faith. Their family circle included eight children, of whom four grew to maturity, namely : Sarah P., wife of Newell Holman ; C. R., Mrs. Kellogg; Mary S., who makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg; and Benjamin L., who married Frances M. Ses- sions. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg has been blessed by the birth of two chil- dren : Frederick L., born May 26, 1867, now one of the physicians of Somerville, who mar- ried Miss Grace Warren; and Edwin D., born January 29, 1882. In 1873 Mr. Kellogg built the fine house on Main Street which he has since occupied, and where he is interested with his father in the milk business. It is a commodious and conveniently arranged dwell- ing, and under the supervision of his estimable wife is the centre of a generous hospitality. A stanch Republican in politics, he is ever too much engrossed by the cares of his business to accept political office. His financial ability and sterling integrity are recognized by all, and he is now serving as one of the Trustees and as Auditor of the Orange Savings Bank. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg are esteemed and active members of the Congregational church and liberal contributors toward its support.
OHN A. ANDREWS, whose death oc- curred on his homestead in Shelburne, Franklin County, March 15, 1894, was born in this town on June 26, 1818. The an- cestors of Mr. Andrews were among the early settlers of Eastern Massachusetts. His pater- nal grandfather, James Andrews, is supposed to have been a native of Taunton, Mass. He was a farmer by occupation, and after his mar-
riage removed to Conway, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, being one of those sturdy pioneers who did so much at an early day toward developing the natural resources of this county.
John Andrews, son of James and father of John A. Andrews, was born in Taunton, Mass., and when little more than an infant was brought by his parents to, Conway, where he grew to manhood. He was trained to farm- ing pursuits, and also learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed in connection with the former. He lived for some years in Con- way, going thence to Hawley, and coming from there to Shelburne. Here he bought a tract of land in the southern part of the town ; and in the course of a few years he established a fine homestead, on which he engaged in gen- eral farming and stock-raising during the years of his activity. His declining years were passed at the home of his sons, John A. and Edwin Andrews, where his death occurred at the age of seventy-six years. He married Content Hawks, who was born in Deerfield; and they became the parents of six children, who grew to mature years, four of whom are deceased ; namely, John A., Mrs. Dolly New- hall, Valoris, and Frederick. The survivors are Mrs. Caroline Holmes and Edwin.
Like his father, John A. Andrews wisely chose farming as the means by which he should earn a livelihood In company with his brother Edwin he bought the old Bardwell farm, and this they managed in partnership for some years. Later the property was divided; and in 1879 Mr. John A. Andrews moved on to the homestead now occupied by Mrs. Andrews and her children, which contains three hundred and thirty acres of rich and valuable land, and whose cultivation and improvement he continued until his death. Mr. Andrews was a man of marked intelligence and ability, and was one who ex-
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FRANK L. BURROWS.
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erted a beneficial influence in the community. In educational matters and in whatever con- cerned the general welfare and advancement he took a deep interest, and served in various town offices with great acceptability, having been Selectman two years, a part of the time being chairman of the board. He was a faith- ful member of the Congregational church, which he joined when a young man.
Mr. Andrews was twice married. His first wife, Elvira Kingsbury, lived but a brief time after her marriage. Two children, John R. and Georgianna, were born to them, both of whom died in infancy. Mr. Andrews subse- quently married Sarah A. Carpenter, the daughter of George Carpenter, of Shelburne, a further account of whose family may be found on another page of this volume in connection with the sketch of Walter W. Carpenter. Three children were born to Mr. John A. and Mrs. Sarah A. Andrews, namely : Anna T., July 16, 1857; Benjamin W., August 13, 1861 ; and Elvira K., June 9, 1865, all of whom live on the old homestead with their mother. The Andrews estate is still owned by Mrs. Andrews and her children, and is practically under the management of the son, who is a thorough-going and capable agricult- urist. He is carrying on general farming, stock-raising, and dairying, keeping from thirty to thirty-five head of cattle and about seventy sheep, and is meeting with excellent success. Benjamin is a stanch Republican in politics, as was his honored father, a straightforward business man, and a useful and valued citizen, enjoying the confidence and esteem of his fellow-men.
e RANK L. BURROWS, formerly a conductor on the New York Central Railroad, now a well-to-do farmer of Bernardston, Mass., his native place, was born
on August 11, 1831, son of Isaac and Rebecca L. (Connable) Burrows. Amos Burrows, father of Isaac, was born in Connecticut, whence he moved to Leyden, Franklin County, Mass., being one of the early settlers of that town. After working for some years at blacksmithing, later he turned his attention to farming, and in the course of time became the owner of a square mile of land in Leyden and Bernardston. He was very successful, and accumulated considerable wealth before his death, which occurred on the place where Nelson Burrows now lives, at the ripe old age of ninety-four years. He had a family of six sons and three daughters, and left each of his children a good property. Even after he had passed his ninetieth year, he was a remarkably active man. For his wife he kept a carriage, but he himself always rode on horseback.
Isaac Burrows was born in Leyden, Mass., in 1797, and spent most of his life there and in Bernardston, following the vocation of farmer. He was a hard-working man and a prominent citizen, serving as Selectman of Bernardston for over twenty years, and was a member of the State legislature one term. In religion he was a Universalist, and in politics a Democrat, like his father. October 30, 1821, he was married to Rebecca Connable, who was born in Bernardston in 1803, and died here, April 6, 1874. His own death took place at Bernardston, December 4, 1865. Their children, all natives of Bernardston, are as follows: George H., born December 21, 1822, lives in Buffalo, N.Y., and was for many years Superintendent for the New York Central Railroad; Julia L., born September 21, 1826, became the wife of Barnabas Snow, a farmer of Greenfield; Melissa M., born March 8, 1829, was married to Silas N. Brooks, and they now reside in Chicago; Frank L. Burrows is further mentioned below;
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Edwin C. Burrows, born February 6, 1834, is a farmer, residing in Bernardston; Henri- etta W., born February 6, 1827, now wife of Ezekiel C. Hale, resides in Bernardston; Frederick A. Burrows, born July 12, 1839, is a farmer, living in Illinois; Abbie M., born February 7, 1841, is now the wife of Lucian S. W. Coy, residing at Little Roek, Ark.
Frank L. Burrows was educated in the pub- lie sehools of Bernardston, where he grew to manhood. At the age of twenty-one he en- tered upon his career as a railroad man, start- ing as a fireman on the New York Central Railroad, at the end of six months being made engineer, and serving in that capacity for three years, when he became a eonduetor on the Wabash Railroad, which position he re- tained for eighteen years. Thereafter for two years he held the office of Assistant Superin- tendent of that road, then returned to the New York Central as a conductor, and for twelve or thirteen years ran passenger trains between Syracuse and Buffalo, being finally obliged, on aeeount of ill-health in his family, to give up railroading. Removing to Bernardston, Mr. Burrows purchased in 1887 the old farm where he had spent his boyhood days, and now gives his whole time and attention to farming and stoek-raising. He owns in all about two hundred acres, on which are situated some fine buildings.
On the 28th of November, 1855, Frank L. Burrows was united in marriage to Josephine S. Carrier, who was born in Bernardston, No- vember 3, 1834, daughter of Amos Carrier. Mr. Carrier was a shoemaker by trade. He died at about seventy, and his wife, the mother of Mrs. Burrows, at nearly ninety-four years of age. Mrs. Josephine S. C. Burrows died September 15, 1892, aged fifty-eight years.
Mr. Burrows has one daughter - Maveret
P., born August 10, 1867, now the wife of H. A. Perry, a commission merchant of Man- hattan, Kan. Energetic, open-handed, public- spirited, ever ready to help in all works of im- provement, Mr. Burrows is easily a foremost citizen of Bernardston. As a religionist, he is of the liberal type; and, as a voter, he affil- iates with the Republican party. He has a large eircle of friends and acquaintances, and many who turn the leaves of this book will be pleased to recognize his portrait on an adjoin- ing page.
PRANK E. LOWE, of the firm of Lowe Brothers & Co., commission merchants, wholesale dealers in meats and provi- sions, with stores located at Fitehburg, Gard- ner, and Greenfield, has eharge of the estab- lishment in the last-named plaee, his trade also extending into the surrounding towns. These gentlemen handle the finest beef obtain- able, direct from Swift & Co., of Chicago, and buy their other provisions from the leading markets of the country, carrying none but the most desirable goods in any line. Their busi- ness was first established in 1871, at Fiteh- burg, by the older brothers - Waldo H., Ira A., and Albert N .- and is now under the management of a fourth brother, Orin M. Lowe. In April, 1887, the store in this town was opened, and has sinee been carried on by Mr. Frank E. Lowe, who has built up a thriv- ing trade. The market at Gardner was started soon after the Greenfield one, and placed on a paying basis, under the efficient management of George R. Lowe, another brother.
The name of Lowe has been prominent and honored in the annals of Fitehburg, Worcester County, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketeh having been a large landholder of the town and one of its most active and influ- ential citizens. His son David was a mason
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by trade and a life-long resident of that place. He married Sarah Messenger, also a native of Fitchburg, born in 1800 and a resident of the town until her decease, at the age of sixty-six years. They reared a family of nine children, who became useful and respected members of society.
John Lowe, their first son, who was born in 1824, is a highly esteemed citizen of Fitch- burg, and one of the most active, being en- gaged in the meat and provision business with his sons. He has been twice married, and is the father of twelve sons and five daughters, all living, the sons being industriously en- gaged in life's vocations. His first wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Mead, died in 1866, at the age of forty-two years, leaving nine sons and three daughters, of whom Frank E. was the eleventh child and eighth son. He subsequently married Mary Lowe, a daugh- ter of John Russell and widow of George Lowe; and of this union five children were born - three sons and two daughters.
Frank E. Lowe was educated in the fine public schools of his native city, and on the completion of his studies began his mercantile career, going at first to that busy mart of the West - Chicago - where he acquired a prac- tical insight into the business in which he is now engaged, being for some time in the employ of Swift & Co., a firm well known throughout our own country and the European continent. Returning from Chicago to Fitch- burg, Mr. Lowe there spent a year and a half before opening his present establishment in Greenfield, as above mentioned. He is a level-headed, keen, and sagacious man of busi- ness, sustaining a good reputation for honora- ble methods and fair dealing, is very popular among his associates, and is a valued member of the Greenfield Club. In politics he agrees with the views publicly expressed at the polls
by his father and brothers, who at the last Presidential election cast twelve Republican votes.
Many positions of trust have been held by members of the family, one brother, Arthur Houghton Lowe, having been Mayor of Fitch- burg and President of Board of Trade, and the father and three of the brothers having been Councilmen. A few months ago the subject of electric street railroads from Greenfield to Turner's Falls, and from Turner's Falls to Miller's Falls, was agitated. This met with considerable opposition, which was finally overcome by the persistent effort of Mr. Frank E. Lowe, the subject of this sketch, and other leading business and professional men. Mr. Lowe was one of the first to become interested in the scheme, and is the largest local stock- holder. In recognition of his willing service and untiring efforts in behalf of the roads the stockholders honored him with a call to the Presidency of both the Greenfield and Turner's Falls Street Railway Company and the Mon- tague Street Railway Company. Mr. Lowe is also a partner in the Falulah Paper Company of Fitchburg, with his brothers Albert N. and Herbert G., and their uncle, Seth D., doing a large and prosperous business in the manu- facture of fine-coated Manila paper.
EPHAS CLESSON SEVERANCE, a highly respected and prosperous
farmer of Leyden, Franklin County, was born where he now resides, April 23, 1812, son of Matthew and Mary (Wells) Sev- erance. His grandfather, Matthew Sever- ance, Sr., was a native of Fort Dummer, Brat- tleboro, Vt., where he was born in June of 1735. He settled in Greenfield and lived there for several years; but finally, about 1807, he removed to Leyden, where he suc-
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cessfully engaged in farming. He served as a patriot soldier in the French and Indian War, during which, on June 25, 1758, he was taken prisoner, but made his escape, and to avoid recapture was forced to conceal himself in a hollow log. He died March 14, 1816, at the home of his son Matthew in Leyden. His wife, Experience Nash Severance, was born in Greenfield, Mass., in May, 1745, and died a few years after his decease. She and her husband were the parents of twelve chil- dren, of whom eleven grew to maturity ; but all have now passed away.
Their son, Matthew Severance, resided in Greenfield up to the time of his marriage. In 1793 he removed to Leyden and settled on the farm where his son, Cephas Clesson Severance, now resides. But little had then been accom- plished in the settlement of the town, and the country was still in a wild and uncultivated state. Roads even were almost unknown, the traveller being guided by marked trees and similar devices; and of human habitations there was nothing more pretentious than the log cabin. Mr. Severance owned an excellent farm ; and, being endowed with a good fund of energy, in addition to his agricultural pursuits he also successfully engaged in the vocations of a tanner and shoemaker. In politics he was a Whig until the formation of the Republican party, which he afterward supported. He served as a Captain in the State militia. He and his wife, Mary Wells Severance, were the parents of ten children, of whom Cephas Cles- son is the only survivor. Mehitable, born Au- gust 7, 1787, died April 6, 1805; Mary, born March 4, 1790, died July 20, 1820; Matthew, born November 2, 1793, died September 21, 1805; Cyrus, born November 15, 1796, died in 1861; Chester, born April 20, 1799, died December 3, 1884; Miranda, born January 29, 1802, died December 5, 1805; Emorancy,
born March 21, 1804, died November 23, 1871; Matthew, born August 9, 1807, died August 2, 1867; Ross, born May 12, 1810, died May 28, 1810. Their father's death oc- curred October 29, 1834, at the home place, and that of their mother several years later, in October, 1845.
Cephas Clesson Severance was reared on the old home farm, acquiring a good practical edu- cation in the district school. Throughout the active period of his life he was successfully engaged in agriculture, and now owns an excel- lent farm of seventy acres. On November 19, 1835, Mr. Severance was united in marriage to Miss Harriett Miner, a native of Leyden, who was born May 4, 1810, and died Septem- ber 25, 1853. Their union was blessed by the birth of five children. Samuel C., the eldest, who was born August 1, 1836, carries on the home place. He served eleven months in the Civil War as a soldier of Company B, Fifty- second Massachusetts Regiment. On October 29, 1872, Samuel C. Severance was married to Miss Anjanette Deane, who was born June II, 1843, in Gill, Mass., and they have six children : Edith L., born November 26, 1873 ; Leon H., born February 15, 1875; Harriett G., born December 2, 1876; Herman W., born November 22, 1881; Mildred E., born February 15, 1883 ; and Guy R., born Novem- ber 2, 1889. Harriett A. Severance, born October 5, 1838, died October 31, 1892. Henry H., born January 7, 1841, died July 28, 1843. Mary Meroa, born August 4, 1843, resides at home. Charles F., born July II, 1848, is a farmer in Leyden, where he has served as Selectman and in other offices. He was married November 21, 1871, to Miss Ella S. Vining, of Bakersville, Vt., born January 7, 1852,, and they have had two daughters : Gratia Ethel, born July 6, 1874; and Flor- ence Agnes, who was born May 26, 1876, and
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died May 22, 1892. On May 10, 1855, Cephas Clesson Severance was married to his present wife, Miss Nancy B. Legate, who was born in Charlemont, Mass., October 4, 1813, daughter of John and Sally (Blodgett) Legate.
Mr. Severance is a stanch supporter of Re- publican principles, and since reaching his majority has missed but two town meetings, an example well worthy of imitation. He and his wife are consistent members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Although well ad- vanced in years, Mr. Severance still possesses a good degree of mental vigor and has a most excellent memory.
R. CHARLES LEE FISK, the oldest resident physician of the town of Greenfield, Mass., and the senior member of the Masonic fraternity living in the Connecticut valley, has achieved a large measure of success in his chosen profession, the natural result of superior ability, untiring application, and the personal qualities that win respect and confidence. The Doctor is of thrifty Scotch ancestry and a native of Con- necticut, having been born December 25, 1804, in the town of Hampton, Windham County, which was also the place of nativity of his father, Ezra Fisk, who was born in 1777, and died at the age of fifty-four years, of typhoid fever.
Amaziah Fisk, the father of Ezra, was for many years a substantial farmer of Windham County, Connecticut, carrying on his occupa- tion in the towns of Hampton and Chaplin, his death occurring in that county at the age of eighty-six years. He was twice married, his first wife being the mother of all of his children, four sons and four daughters. The sons were: David, Ezra, Alba, and Bingham. David died in early youth. Ezra, as noted
above, was the father of Dr. Fisk. Alba, a skilled machinist, was for a long time in charge of the United States Arsenal at Springfield. He died at the age of fifty-five years, leaving an estate valued at more than fifty thousand dollars. He was one of a com- mittee who called on President Jackson, in 1833, to ask him not to remove the public de- posits from the United States Bank, but met with a scathing rebuke from "Old Hickory," who told them very plainly to go home and attend each to his own business, his mind being already made up. Bingham, who was a farmer in Chaplin and Hampton, died at the age of threescore years, of consumption. Ezra Fisk married Mary Downing, a daughter of James Downing and a native of Brooklyn, Conn. Mr. Downing was a farmer by occupa- tion and amassed considerable property, but was a heavy loser by the depreciation of con- tinental money. Mrs. Fisk survived her hus- band a few years, living to the age of sixty, her death then being caused by a throat dis- ease ; and her body was laid to rest in the rural cemetery at Brookfield, Vt. Ten children were born to her and her husband, the sons and daughters being equally divided; and of these Dr. Fisk is the fourth child and the sole survivor of his family, having neither brother nor sister, neither uncle nor aunt, left.
Dr. Charles Lee Fisk, Sr., is a typical rep- resentative of the self-made men of our coun- try, having begun at the age of ten years to contribute to his own support by driving an ox team for the mere pittance of ten cents a day, toiling until late and then making his supper on bean porridge. He subsequently attended the district school in the winter seasons; and, being very diligent, he made such progress in his studies that at the age of seventeen years he began to teach school, receiving six dollars per month. Two years later he bought his
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time for one hundred dollars, and at the age of twenty-one had paid the debt and saved one hundred dollars, having been employed in teaching during the winter and in farm labor throughout the summer. In the autumn of 1825 he removed to Pittsburg, where he was engaged in teaching for three years, when fail- ing health compelled him to resign his posi- tion. Placing himself under the care of an old-school physician, he was nearly killed by a too free use of calomel, but afterward re- gained his health by a judicious use of medici- nal herbs. This experience caused him to study the nature of plants, and finally to take up the practice of botanical or eclectic medi- cines. Returning to Pittsburg he accepted the principalship of the high school at a salary of sixty dollars a month, ten times the amount he received in his first school. While in that city he began the study of medicine, and com- pleted his course in Connecticut, being gradu- ated from the Botanico-Medical Society, May 14, 1850.
Dr. Fisk began his professional career at Chaplin, afterward removing to Killingly, now Danielsonville, Conn., where he had at one time one hundred and fifty cases of small-pox and varioloid, fifty of them being malignant, which he battled with most successfully, los- ing but one case out of the whole. In March, 1853, he came to Greenfield, where during the many years of his activity he built up an exceptionally fine practice, his field of labor covering a wide territory. Though never a robust man, his wonderful energy and endur- ance enabled him to brave all kinds of weather when called to the bedside of the suffering by night or by day; and his success was as emi- nent as it was deserved. Dr. Fisk is a re- markably bright and intelligent man, bearing his burden of ninety-one years as lightly as many men a generation younger, and, but for
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