USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Franklin County, Massachusetts .. > Part 23
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Mr. and Mrs. Pierce attend the Episcopal church. Their pleasant home is at 52 Davis Street. Mr. Pierce has invested to a consid- erable extent in real estate, and owns some very valuable residence property.
ALTER W. SANDERSON, of Whately, is a descendant of one of the first settlers of that town, and resides upon a farm which was reclaimed from the wilderness by his ancestors, and is situated
about one and a half miles from the Sunderland bridge. Here his birth occurred July 25, 1843, he being a son of Elijah D. Sanderson, who was born on February 10, 1807, and who is represented in this volume by the lifelike portrait which appears on the opposite page. Mr. Sanderson's grandfather, Elijah Sander- son, who was born on October 28, 1782, was a pioneer farmer of the town, and cleared a greater portion of the present Sanderson farm, a part of the original house which he erected being still in existence. He was one of two Sandersons who owned a very large tract of land, extending from the Connecticut River to the Conway line, a distance of about four and a half miles. He served as an Ensign in the militia during the War of 1812, and marched with his company to Boston, a distance of one hundred miles, where they reported for duty. He became a very prosperous farmer, and died in Whately on August 28, 1823. He was an earnest supporter of the Congregational church ; and both himself and his family were so religious that it was said that even the old family dog had acquired through instinct a certain respect for the Sabbath, as he was never known to leave his accustomed place under the bed on that day unless compelled to do so.
Elijah D. Sanderson, who was but sixteen years of age when his father died, continued thereafter to reside at the family homestead. He attained a thorough knowledge of the cloth- dresser's trade, and followed that occupation until handwork was superseded by machinery, after which he gave his entire attention to agricultural pursuits, becoming a very prosper- ous farmer. He was well known in the com- munity as a man of strict integrity and of sound judgment, and his advice was often sought for and relied upon by his fellow-towns- men. He was a member of the Congregational
ELIJAH D. SANDERSON.
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church, in which he served as parish clerk for many years, dying at the old homestead on September 15, 1886. His faithful companion and life partner was Zelinda Wing, daughter of Dr. Walter Wing, of Otsego County, New York. She was one of a large family; and she became the mother of three children, all of whom are still living, namely: Silas A., a resident of Putney, Vt. ; Walter W., of Whately; and Jane E., who married Otis Hager, of Deerfield. Mrs. Zelinda W. San- derson passed from earth in 1878, at the age of sixty-three, eight years before her husband.
Walter W. Sanderson in his boyhood en- joyed good educational advantages, attending first the district schools of his native town, and later pursuing higher studies successively at the Deerfield Academy and Powers Institute in Bernardston. He then spent some time with his father working on the home farm ; but, after reaching his majority, he became a travelling salesman, going through the State of Pennsylvania and a portion of the West. He continued thus engaged at intervals for a period of five or six years, at the expiration of that time returning to the parental roof for the purpose of assuming charge of the farm, having been requested to do so by his father, whose life was fast approaching its close. After the death of his father, whom he had tenderly cared for, by purchasing the interests of the other heirs he succeeded to the old homestead, and has since enjoyed a prosperous career. The farm consists of eighty acres, is all till- able, and can be readily adapted to the culti- vation of the various farm products that are suited to the New England climate. Mr. Sanderson devotes his special attention to the raising of tobacco.
Mr. Sanderson was married in 1880 to Miss Emmagene Whitney, daughter of J. A. Whit- ney, a prosperous farmer and a highly es-
teemed citizen of Gardner, who still survives at the age of eighty-one years. Mrs. Sander- son's mother, who was a native of Whately, died at the age of forty-five years, having reared a family of six children. A Republi- can in politics, Mr. Sanderson has been solic- ited to accept town offices, but has invariably declined to serve in any public capacity. He was made a Mason by the Columbian Lodge of Walpole, N. H., in 1875, and now belongs to Republican Lodge of Greenfield. Both him- self and wife attend the Congregational church at South Deerfield. Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson have one son, Walter Whitney, a very bright and prepossessing lad of four years, who is the life of their home and the object of their lov -. ing care and fondest hopes.
BENEZER S. HULBERT, manufacturer of agricultural implements and cutlery at Bernardston, who served as a Union soldier in the Civil War of 1861-65, was born May 27, 1820, in Burlington, Otsego County, N. Y., his parents being Ambrose and Elizabeth (Sheldon) Hulbert. The first of the family to come to this country was Will- iam Hulbert, who settled in Dorchester, Mass., in the year 1632. William was a blacksmith ; and the trade has had representa- tives in the family in every generation down to the present day.
Ambrose Hulbert, the father of Ebenezer S., was born in Bennington, Vt., in 1782; and his wife was born in Bernardston, Mass. Learning the trade of blacksmith of his father, he followed it through life, and acquired the reputation of being a first-class mechanic. He died at eighty-eight years of age, and his wife died between sixty-one and sixty-two years of age. They had six children who grew up, four of whom still live, Ebenezer
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S. Hulbert being the eldest. Louisa died at seventy-two years of age; Charles G. Hul- bert is a farmer, living in Minnesota; Mary M., Mrs. Green, is living in Greenfield ; Abby L. Hulbert lives in Burlington, N. Y. ; Eri B. Hulbert died on his way to California.
Ebenezer S. Hulbert grew to manhood in Burlington, N. Y., was educated in the public schools, and began when a boy of fifteen to learn the hereditary trade of blacksmith, living at home till he was twenty-eight years of age. After that he followed his vocation in various places in the State of New York and in Massa- chusetts. In 1849 the firm of S. A. Millard & Hulbert was formed to manufacture agricult- ural implements, the factory being located in Clayville, Oneida County, N. Y. In Decem- ber, 1852, Mr. Hulbert disposed of his inter- est in this concern, and moved to Bernardston, Franklin County, Mass., where he established himself in the same business at his present site. The whole plant which he now occupies was built with especial reference to the needs of his business, and is equipped with all neces- sary machinery for turning out first-class work. In addition to the manufacture of hoes and other garden tools, he began in 1882 the manu- facture of cutlery, a branch of his business that has proved very successful. He makes all kinds of butcher's tools, his factory having a capacity for turning out from twenty-five to thirty thousand dollars' worth of goods per year, and giving employment to from twenty to thirty men.
Mr. Hulbert was married in December, 1863, to Laura Burr, who was born in Maine in 1830. Two children were the fruit of this union, both daughters, one of whom, Helen Hulbert, died in infancy. The other, Julia B., is now the wife of Fred B. Dennison, of Bernardston, and mother of two sons, Harold and Robert. In the war of the Rebellion Mr.
Hulbert enlisted in the Fifty-second Regi- ment, Massachusetts Volunteers, went to the front, took part in several battles, and was wounded while in the service by the explosion of a shell. He has been Selectman of his town for twelve years in succession, and has also served one year as Representative to the State legislature. He is a member of the Republican Lodge of A. F. & A. M., Green- field, and also of the Edwin E. Day Post, No. 174, Grand Army of the Republic.
RS. MARY S. TODD WARNER, an intelligent and cultivated woman of pleasing social gifts, residing in Greenfield, is the widow of the late Volney D. Warner, who died at Montague City, Mass., October 20, 1890, at the age of seventy-one years. He was a son of Newton Warner, a native of Hampden County, Mass., but later a resident of Charlemont, Franklin County, who removed in 1840 to Montague, where it was then expected the county seat would be located. Newton Warner was a farmer by birth and breeding, and bought a large farm in that town; but this, with the exception of the old house and the newly erected residence, has recently passed out of the possession of the Warner family.
The maiden name of his wife was Rachel Cobb; and, of the ten children born to them, four sons and four daughters lived to maturity, and two yet survive, namely: Newcomb Warner, an octogenarian, living at Charle- mont ; and Minerva, widow of S. B. Wood, of Toledo, Ohio. Newton Warner, Jr., twin brother of Newcomb Warner, died in Charle- mont, at the age of sixty-nine years, leav- ing a family of five children. The Warners, as a family, have merited the respect of the community in which they have lived, being
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home - loving, refined, and of irreproachable character.
Mrs. Warner was born in Charlemont, being a daughter of Uriah and the late Mary Ann (Waterman) Todd, long-time residents of that place, her father being now eighty-six years of age. Mr. Todd has from his early years been identified with the agricultural interests of this county, and is now spending the golden sunset of life on the old home farm, which is superintended by his son, Warren U. Todd, a man of sterling worth. One daughter, Beda A., died in the prime of womanhood ; and one son, Chester E. Todd, died at the age of twenty-five years. Mrs. Todd passed from earth in December, 1890, at the advanced age of seventy-nine years. She was a woman much beloved, and of whom it may be truly said, none named her but to praise. The Todds were first represented on American soil, as the story goes, by two brothers, one of whom was very tall, and the other short in stature, who came from England to the United States in the early part of its settlement, Mrs. Warner's father, who was born in Connecticut, being descended from the former. Savage's Genealogical Dictionary mentions two of this name as early immigrants in New England, saying nothing of any known relationship be- tween them : John Todd, who came to Charles- town, Mass., in 1637, and later settled in Rowley; and Christopher, in 1639, an original settler of New Haven, Conn.
Mrs. Warner is a woman of fine mental attainments, having received a good education in her youthful days, completing her studies at the Shelburne Falls Academy and at a select school, where she was fitted for a teacher. She exhibited rare ability in her profession, and during the twenty-seven terms that she taught previous to her marriage was eminently successful, being thorough in her instruction,
and winning the approbation of her employers and the love of her pupils. She resigned her position to become the wife of Volney D. ยท Warner, a man of firm and noble purpose, who began the battle of life without capital, and by sturdy industry and integrity succeeded far beyond his expectations, winning a compe- tency. The larger part of his estate he left to his widow, who had materially aided him by her loving sympathy, wise counsel, and cheer- ful co-operation. Their pleasant home life was not brightened by the prattle of children of their own; but they enjoyed the love and esteem of a world of friends, who sincerely mourn the loss of a worthy neighbor, and who entertain for Mrs. Warner most hearty esteem and good will.
ICHAEL J. ATKINS, a well-known and highly respected citizen of Buck- land, Franklin County, Mass., a scarred and pensioned veteran of the Civil War, was born in County Clare, Ireland, Jan- uary 27, 1845, son of Bryan and Catherine (Sweeney) Atkins, both of whom were also natives of that place. Having grown to man- hood in Ireland, Bryan Atkins there worked at farming till 1848, when he came to Amer- ica, landing in Boston, from which place he went to Springfield, Mass., and there during the succeeding year engaged in stone and masonry work. He then went to Leyden, Mass., in the employ of the railroad company, and thence to Shelburne Falls, where, as a mason, he assisted in the construction of some of the buildings now used by the cutlery manu- factory. He continued to work in Shelburne Falls until he was sixty-five years of age, after which he retired from active labor, and passed the remainder of his life in that town, at his home on School Street. He died there in
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1883, at seventy-one years of age. He and his wife, Catherine Sweeney Atkins, had six sons and three daughters, as follows: John (deceased), Bridget, John (deceased), Edward (deceased), Michael J., Mary, James, Will- iam, and Kate (deceased). The mother died in 1886, at sixty-five years of age. In religion both parents were of the Catholic faith.
Michael J. Atkins received a good practical education in the schools of Shelburne Falls. At twelve years of age he commenced to work in the cutlery manufactory during his vaca- tions, and continued in that employment until 1863, when he enlisted in Company B of the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, and went to the front to fight for the Union. On May 19, 1864, he received a severe wound in his thigh, and, being unable to make his escape, was captured by the enemy, who took him to Andersonville Prison, from thence to Mellen Prison, from which he made his escape, joining Sherman's army at Goldsboro, N. C., finally reaching Washington, D.C., April 7, 1865. At Washington he obtained a furlough ; but, on reaching home, he was taken ill with typhoid pneumonia, and on account of his weak condition it was six weeks before he was able to return to his post. He received his honorable discharge at Boston, in June, 1865. As soon as he was able he resumed his work in the cutlery manufactory, and is still employed there. He also draws a pension for the inju- ries he received in the war.
On January 1, 1869, Mr. Atkins was united in marriage with Miss Anna Gallagher, who was born June 28, 1850, daughter of John and Jane (Clinton) Gallagher. Both her parents were born in County Mayo, Ireland, from which place they came to America, settling in Windsor, Vt., where the father became a progressive and prosperous agriculturist. He died at fifty-one years of age; but his wife is
still living, now, 1895, at the age of seventy- five years. Their children were: Patrick, Alice, John, Mary, Anna, Jennie, and Kate. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Atkins has been blessed by the birth of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, of whom a brief rec- ord is as follows : William F., born September 27, 1869, married Miss Mary Tehan, and re- sides at Shelburne Falls : he is a mechanic, and has one child, - Lillian M. ; Joseph R., born July 4, 1871, resides at home; John, born February 18, 1875, died in August, 1875; Jennie C. was born September 10, 1877; Henry M., born December 4, 1879; George B., born November 12, 1881; Mary E., born March 7, 1883; Charles F., born November 5, 1884; Anna M., born June 5, 1887; Alice M., born October 16, 1889; Paul E., born December 16, 1891; and John P., born De- cember 31, 1892.
Mr. Atkins is an independent politician. He has rendered acceptable service as Select- man for four terms, and is now Assessor of the fire district. He is a member of Azro Miller Post, No. 93, Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Atkins and his wife are consistent mem- bers of the Catholic church. They reside on Wellington Street, on what was formerly the Fellows homestead, which has beautiful ter- raced grounds and fine shade trees; and he also owns the vacant lot adjoining.
A LBERT B. WARNER, a practical agri- culturist, contributing his full share toward sustaining and extending the great farming interests of Franklin County, is pleasantly situated in Bernardston, where he owns one of the many fine farms for which this locality is noted. He was born on his present homestead April 9, 1853; and his father, Otis Warner, was born on the same
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farm, August 27, 1800. This property has been in the possession of the Warner family for a full century, Pliny Warner, the grand- father of Mr. Albert B., having bought it while it was yet in its original wildness, he being one of the comparatively early settlers of the town. He was a man of exceeding energy and industry, and cleared a large farm, on which he and his worthy helpmate spent their remaining years. Here they reared their family of five sons and two daughters, all of whom have joined the silent majority on the other shore.
Otis Warner finally became owner of a por- tion of the old homestead, which, as a boy, he had helped redeem from the wilderness. He was a thrifty farmer, and made many fine im- provements on the place during his long life of eighty-two years. He died February 19, 1882. His sound sense and good judgment on matters connected with the government of the town were recognized by his fellow-citi- zens, who called him to serve as Selectman and to fill other responsible positions. By his first wife, Eunice Felton, he had one daughter, Carrie M., who lives in Franklin, Vt. His second wife, whose maiden name was Mary M. Brown, was born March 12, 1819, in the town of Guilford, Vt. She lives on the old home- stead, and still retains the mental and physical vigor that characterized her younger days. She has two sons and three daughters, namely : Augusta F., now a resident of Hatfield, Mass. ; Mary D. and Lucy H., living at home; Emer- son G., residing at Brattleboro, Vt .; and Albert B.
The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm, and acquired his education in the schools of his native town, which are among the best in the county. Always indus- trious and capable as a lad, he was intrusted with the care of the farm when only seventeen
years old, and has managed it from that time until the present day. He is one of the most extensive land-owners in the vicinity, possess- ing about three hundred acres, and has met with merited success, being in many respects a model farmer. Mr. Warner has a valuable dairy, consisting of thirty cows, and also pays some attention to stock-raising, finding both profitable. He has continually added to the improvements on the estate, having substantial buildings and all the modern conveniences for carrying on his work after the most approved methods. Following in the footsteps of his ancestors as regards religion and politics, Mr. Warner is liberal in his views on the first sub- ject, and a steadfast Republican in the latter. In local affairs he has been quite prominent, having been Selectman two terms, besides holding minor offices, and is now Chairman of the Law and Order League of Bernardston, which was incorporated in 1894, and is one of the most active in promoting the welfare of the town.
On December 11, 1878, Mr. Warner was united in marriage with Miss Carrie J. Deni- son; and their union has been brightened by the birth of one child, Breta M. Warner. Mrs. Warner was born in Leyden, being a daughter of Captain Edward and Elizabeth E. (Hapgood) Denison. Her grandfather, Ed- ward Denison, an early settler and one of the first tavern-keepers in the place, cleared a farm on which his children were born, and which was subsequently owned and carried on by his son, Captain Edward Denison. Captain Deni- son was born on the old homestead in Leyden, in 1800, being one of the five children of his parents, Edward and Ruey (Babcock) Denison. After becoming possessor of the homestead property, the Captain bought adjoining land, increasing its acreage to three hundred acres, and remodelled the old tavern, which is to-day
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in good repair, and is one of the oldest resi- dences in Leyden. He was a liberal in relig- ion, an uncompromising Democrat in politics, and one of the influential men of the place, being Selectman and serving in various other offices. He died on the old homestead, aged seventy-nine years. His widow, who was born April 15, 1814, in Putney, Vt., makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Ellen Sawyer, in Leyden. They reared eight children, as follows : Mrs. Frances Newcomb, of Leyden ; Mrs. Maria Howe, of Iowa; Edward H. Deni- son, of Leyden; Mrs. Ellen Sawyer; Mrs. Marion Ashcroft, of Whately; Mrs. Eva Ware, of Northfield; George Denison, of Ley- den; and Carrie J., Mrs. Albert B. Warner.
HARLES M. DUNCAN, M.D., whose sudden death on October 4, 1884, was a sad loss to the town of Shelburne, was an eminent and beloved physician, who had been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession for upward of half a century. He was born July 1, 1808, at Dummerston, Vt., being a son of Dr. Abel and Lydia (Miller) Duncan.
Dr. Abel Duncan, a son of Abel Duncan, Sr., was a native of Massachusetts, born Feb- ruary 22, 1772, at Petersham, where his early years were spent. After fitting himself for the profession of medicine, he opened his office at Dummerston, and in the few years of his active life which followed became widely known as a physician of skill and man of entire integrity, with a large heart. He died of spotted fever during the epidemic of 1813. His wife, whose maiden name was Lydia Miller, was born November 8, 1778, in Dum- merston, and died May 1, 1869, at Shelburne. Three children were born of their union, namely : Charles M., the subject of this brief
mention ; Fanny M., born June 22, 1810, now the widow of Joel Knight, of Dummerston ; and Lydia Evelyn, who was born August I, 1813, married Marshall Newton, and died Jan- uary 15, 1834.
Charles M. Duncan grew to manhood in his Vermont home, being reared on a farm and re- ceiving the rudiments of his education in the district schools. His mother was a woman of superior character and intelligence, and no doubt aided in fostering the lad's love for learning. He was fitted for college at a select school in Brattleboro, subsequently leaving the home farm to become a student at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Me., attending lectures at the Maine Medical School and graduating from there in 1833. He afterward took a full course of lectures at the Harvard Medical School, among his classmates there being Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, the witty, wise, and revered poet and citizen. After receiving his diploma, Dr. Duncan came to this county, settling in Shelburne in 1834. He was well prepared for his profession, and by his practi- cal ability, watchful care of his patients, and warm-hearted and generous sympathy won the confidence and patronage as well as the friend- ship of a host of people, including the best and most intelligent citizens of Shelburne and the neighboring towns. He was specially fond of children, and readily won their love and confi- dence. Although for some years prior to his decease he had suffered from a heart trouble which might at any minute loosen the silver cord that bound him to earth, yet he attended to his professional duties until the day upon which he was stricken; and his sudden death was a shock to his family and friends, and a profound sorrow to the entire community.
On August 28, 1833, Dr. Charles M. Dun- can was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Esterbrook, a native of Brattleboro, Vt., born
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March 17, 1810, daughter of John Esterbrook. The home life that followed was long and filled with happiness, the golden anniversary of their wedding, August 28, 1883, being a joyous occasion. Two daughters were the fruit of their union. The eldest of these, Mrs. Fanny L. Mitchell, born March 2, 1840, resides in Shelburne Centre, and has one son, Morris Duncan Mitchell. The younger, Mrs. Sarah M. Smead, born February 9, 1845, has been twice married. Her only son, Charles L. Upton, a graduate of Amherst College, 1891, married Catherine Griswold, of Turner's Falls, and is now a student in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Duncan was closely and actively inter- ested in the welfare and advancement of the community in which he lived, being one of its most progressive citizens, and ever willing to encourage and aid all beneficial projects. In politics he was a firm Democrat, and served as Town Clerk and Treasurer for nearly twoscore years, and was also a member of the School Committee. He was prominent in medical circles, belonging both to the Massachusetts Medical Society and to the Franklin District Medical Society. Was a Mason, was a mem- ber of Greenfield Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and was also a Knight Templar: he likewise be- longed to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. The high esteem in which he was held by his brother physicians and Masons, as well as by his many other friends, was clearly shown by the large concourse of people that gathered at the village church on that beautiful October day to pay their last tribute of respect and af- fection, afterward following the remains to the Arms Cemetery, where the Knights conducted their impressive service over their departed brother. The Doctor was liberal in his views of religion, and generous in his contributions toward the support of religious organizations.
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