USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Franklin County, Massachusetts .. > Part 28
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farm property, he owns real estate in the vil- lage. He has always taken an active part in town affairs, and was elected to the State Sen- ate in 1861, serving one term.
Mr. Sanderson was married in October, 1840, to Miss Mary Osgood, who was born September 15, 1816, in Wendell, Mass. She died January 27, 1890. They had a family of nine children, six of whom are now living, as follows: John H., born November 1, 1841, now a banker in Greenfield; Lavalette Osgood, born January 16, 1845, died October 14, 1874; Lucian Morton, born June 5, 1846, died Feb- ruary 19, 1857; Henry H., born July 13, 1848, died August 19, 1887; Mary O., born July 7, 1850, is the wife of A. J. Wood, and resides in Bernardston; Ellery H., born Au- gust 14, 1853, resides at home, and is asso- ciated with his father in the management of the farm; Maria, born December 10, 1855, also resides at the Sanderson homestead ; Lydia, born July 29, 1857, is the wife of C. W. Scott, and resides in Greenfield; and Lucian Sanderson, born June 3, 1859, lives in New Haven, Conn.
TILLMAN K. FIELD, a well-to-do farmer of Leverett, was born in Benson, Vt., December 6, 1834, son of William and Roxie M. (Kellogg) Field. His grandfather, also named William, was a native of Leverett, where he passed his life, engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Field's father was born in Leverett, where he attended the town schools. He was reared to farm life, and when a young man purchased a farm in this town, which he carried on for some time, later removing to Vermont, in which State he resided for fifteen years. Returning to his native town, he remained here for some time, but finally removed to Amherst, where he died
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at the age of forty-seven years. He was a man naturally adapted to attain prominence in the community, and during his residence in Vermont represented his town in the State legislature for two years. His wife, Roxie M. Kellogg, was born in December, 1797, and was a daughter of John Kellogg, of Amherst, a representative of an old family there. She became the mother of six children, three of whom are still living, namely : Charles H., Stillman K., and Edward P. The mother passed her declining years with her son, Ed- ward, and died in September, 1867.
Stillman K. Field when but nine years of age suffered the loss of his father, but made the best of his opportunities for obtaining an education in the schools of his native town. After working upon a farm for a short time, he went to Springfield, where he became a hotel clerk, later being employed in the same capac- ity in Washington, D.C., Chicago, and St. Louis. In company with his brother he con- ducted a hotel at Lake George for a time, but later returned to Washington, where he and his brother conducted a hotel in 1861, when the city was under martial law. While upon a visit to his home, the hotel was destroyed by fire, which event caused him to make dif- ferent plans for the future; and he settled upon his present farm, where he has since resided, engaged successfully in agricultural pursuits.
In 1864 he was united in marriage to Mary E. Moore, of North Leverett, daughter of Dexter Moore, a lumber dealer. Mr. Field is a Democrat in politics, has been Assessor two years, and is serving his seventeenth year as Selectman, having been Chairman of the Board for fifteen years. Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church, of which he is Treasurer. He also holds the same office in the Sunday-school.
EORGE DICKINSON, who resides at the Dickinson homestead in Whately and is a very prosperous farmer, was born in this town, July 21, 1846. His father, Rufus, and his grandfather, Daniel Dickinson, were both natives of Whately, the latter hav- ing been a son of Gideon Dickinson, who was born in 1744, and who removed from Hatfield to Whately in 1770, and purchased the property later known as the Dexter Dickinson farm. Daniel Dickinson was born upon that farm ; and there his boyhood and youth were spent in pursuing the elementary branches of learning and acquiring experimental knowledge of agri- culture. After attaining his majority, he pur- chased a farm that was situated directly opposite his father's property; and this he occupied for a time, later moving to another farm on Spruce Hill, where he resided until his decease, which occurred in 1830, when he had attained the age of fifty-two years.
Rufus Dickinson was born in 1819 upon the first farm purchased by his father, and after the death of the latter continued to reside with his mother until his marriage, in 1844, at the age of twenty-five years. He inherited the present Dickinson homestead, where he re- sided several years, and died at the old home December 26, 1894, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife, whose maiden name was Julia S. Mather, was a daughter of Joseph Mather, whose father, Benjamin Mather, was a sea captain and a native of Connecticut. She became the mother of three children, two of whom are still living; namely, George and his brother Frank, a sketch of whose career will be found elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Julia S. M. Dickinson, now seventy-six years of age, resides with the last-named son.
George Dickinson, after attending the dis- trict schools of his native town and also a pri- vate school, completed his studies at the
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RUFUS AND JULIA S. DICKINSON
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Deerfield Academy, and then returned to the parental home, where he has since continued to reside. He successfully conducts general farming, and, availing himself of the improve- ments which modern science has so effectually applied to agriculture, is enjoying a very pros- perous career.
On April 5, 1871, he married Miss Myra E. Fairfield, daughter of George N. and Lydia Brown Fairfield. Mrs. Dickinson is a native of Conway, where her father, who was a tanner and currier, died at the age of eighty-one years. They had a family of seven children, six of whom are still living. Her mother died at the age of eighty years. Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson are the parents of six children, as follows: Flora M., who married Charles H. Pease, a farmer of Whately, having one child - Marshal R .; Clara E .; Dennis A. (de- ceased) ; Esther A. ; William L. ; and George R. Mr. Dickinson is a Democrat in politics ; and he attends the Congregational church, of which his wife is a member.
On the opposite page will be seen a like- ness of Mr. Rufus Dickinson, who, it may here be added, was of the seventh generation in direct descent from Deacon Nathaniel Dick- inson, a settler of Wethersfield, Conn., in 1637, Town Clerk in 1645, Representative 1646-56, and later a resident of Hampshire County, Massachusetts.
RANK DICKINSON is an energetic and successful farmer of Whately, Franklin County, Mass., where he was born, November 9, 1850. Rufus Dickinson, his father, whose portrait may be seen on an- other page, and his grandfather, Daniel Dick- inson, were also natives of this place, the latter having been the son of Gideon Dickin- son, who was born at Hatfield, and who, ac-
cording to the history of the town of Whately, published in 1872, settled here in 1770, and followed agricultural pursuits for the remain- der of his days. Daniel Dickinson, whose birth occurred in 1778, was reared to an agri- cultural life, and, after rcaching the age of twenty-one years, purchased a farm in the immediate vicinity of his father's property, where he resided until within a few years of his death, which occurred in 1830, at the age of fifty-two years.
Rufus Dickinson, son of Daniel, was born in 1819. He became a well-to-do farmer, continuing to engage in agricultural pursuits until 1871, in which year he retired from active labor. He was a Democrat in politics, and for many years was prominently identified with local public affairs, serving as a Select- man, and also faithfully performing the duties of various other important town offices. He died at the age of seventy-five years. He married, April 25, 1844, Julia Mather, who was born February 21, 1819, daughter of Joseph Mather, of Whately, and grand-daugh- ter of Benjamin Mather. The latter was a native of Connecticut, and for many years a sea captain, but died in Whately, his declin- ing years having been passed with his chil- dren. Joseph Mather, who was a hatter by trade, also followed carpentering and bridge- building as an occupation. He died in Whately at the age of eighty-five years. He wedded for his second wife a daughter of Israel Graves ; and, of the five children by this union, four are still living : Benjamin; Julia, Mr. Dickinson's mother; Joseph; and Levi. Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Dickinson had a family of three children, two of whom now survive, namely: George Dickinson, an outline of whose prosperous career will be found else- where in this work; and Frank, who forms the principal subject of the present biography.
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Frank Dickinson, after pursuing a rudimen- tary course of study in the district schools, attended the Deerfield Academy, and completed his education at the Powers Institute in Ber- nardston. He adopted the occupation of his ancestors, and has succeeded well in agricult- ure, being endowed with the sterling qualities which characterize the prosperous New Eng- land farmer. His residence, which was erected by his father, is both a pleasant and a substantial one. His mother, with faculties well preserved at seventy-six years of age, here makes her home.
Mr. Dickinson was married on January 6, 1875, to Miss Ella E. Warner, daughter of Edwin W. and Elmira L. (Smith) Warner, her father being a prominent farmer at North- ampton, of whose seven children five are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson have three children : Robert, who is a graduate of a busi- ness college at Springfield ; Daniel; and Julia A. Mr. Dickinson is a Democrat in politics, taking a lively interest in all matters relating to local, State, and national issues, and has been called upon to hold various important town offices. He served one term each as Selectman and Assessor. The family attend the Unitarian church.
TEPHEN B. BUDINGTON, a prom- inent and intelligent farmer of Ley- den, Franklin County, was born there March 12, 1830, son of Jonathan and Sophronia (Denison) Budington, both of whom were natives of Leyden, the former born Feb- ruary 17, 1800, and the latter March 23, 1799.
The Budington family are of English origin. Jonathan Budington, the grandfather of Stephen B., was a native of Groton, Conn. In early life he followed the sea for many years as captain of a sailing vessel, and was
engaged in the West India trade up to the time of the Revolutionary War. He then secured a commission as privateer in the Con- tinental service, and took part in several naval engagements, receiving a prize for his success in capturing an English vessel in Boston Har- bor by strategy. At the close of the war Cap- tain Budington settled in Leyden, in sight of where Stephen B. Budington now lives. He was one of the pioneer settlers of the town, and owned a large tract of land. His death in 1810 ended a long and successful life. His family consisted of four children ; namely, Jonathan, Aaron O., Stephen, and Priscilla H., all of whom have passed from the scenes of earth.
Jonathan Budington was many years success- fully engaged in agriculture in Leyden, where he owned a portion of the old Budington home farm. He was an active and influential citi- zen, and often chosen by his townsmen to fill positions of responsibility and trust, among which were the offices of Selectman and County Commissioner. He also served accept- ably as a member of the legislature. In relig- ious views he was a Methodist, and for years was an official member and liberal supporter of the church. He died at the home of his son, Stephen Budington, where he had lived for sixty years. His first wife, Sophronia Deni- son Budington, bore him five children, three sons and two daughters, all of whom are dead with the exception of Stephen B. They were : Mary B., Ellen P., Stephen B., Charles O., and Jonathan. His second wife was Miss Abbie L. Wells, who died at forty-three years of age. There were no children from this union.
Stephen B. Budington grew to manhood on the homestead. He received his early educa- tion in the district schools, and later attended Wilbraham Academy and East Greenwich
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Seminary. After completing his education, he taught school for several terms, and when twenty-one years of age engaged as clerk in the general store of Mr. S. L. Shattuck, at Leyden. The following year he was employed as agent for a co-operative store at Leyden ; and in 1855 he went West, where for about nine years he was engaged in mercantile busi- ness at Beardstown, Ill. In 1864 Mr. Bud- ington returned to Leyden, and took charge of the home farm, which he subsequently pur- chased. He now owns about four hundred acres of land, and is profitably engaged in gen- eral farming, in connection with which he conducts a dairy, where the milk from a herd of Jersey cows is converted into products for the market. About five acres of his land are devoted to raising fruit, principally apples.
On June 15, 1857, Mr. Budington was mar- ried to Miss Frances C. Hitchcock, of Beards- town, Ill., a native of Bangor, Me., who died December 11, 1865. Two children were born of this union : Charles N., who died at three years of age; and Carrie F., who was but two years old at the time of her death. Mr. Bud- ington formed a second marriage December 15, 1868, with Miss Ereda Baker, who was born in Hawley, Mass., January 4, 1841, daughter of Roswell and Bathsheba (Carter) Baker. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are also natives of Hawley, where the former was born in 1817, and the latter in 1821. They now re- side in West Hawley. Mr. Baker is a hard- working and successful farmer. He is a Re- publican in politics. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church. Five children were born to them, three of whom died in infancy. A son and daughter are now living, Mrs. Budington and her brother Edwin. The latter, who was born January 18, 1843, is a druggist at Shelburne Falls, Mass. Mr. Budington's second union has been blessed by
the birth of four children : Ellen Mary, born May 26, 1870, the wife of the Rev. David Baines Griffiths, of Smith Centre, Kan. ; Rob- ert Allyn, who was born October 22, 1872, and resides with his parents, a member of the Senior Class of Williams College; Ethel Helena, born December 19, 1877, who is attending school; and Walter Carter, born November 12, 1882, also with his parents.
In politics Mr. Budington is a Republican, and a strong advocate of the principles of his party. His fellow-men have not been unmind- ful of his sterling character, and among the offices of responsibility and trust bestowed upon him are those of Selectman, Assessor, and Overseer of the Poor. He and his wife are consistent members of the Congregational church. On Mr. Budington's farm is found one of nature's wonders in the shape of a huge tipping rock, weighing several tons, which, in all probability, is a relic from the glacial period, and perhaps was brought from the dis- tant north in the great ice rivers or glaciers that geologists tell us once covered this sec- tion. In any event, there it stands, so beau- tifully poised as to be easily tipped from side to side. Its measurements are eleven feet four inches in length, seven feet eight inches in width, and six feet eight inches in height.
SHLEY G. DICKINSON, a prosper- ous farmer of Whately Centre, was born upon the farm he now owns and occupies, March 8, 1824. His parents were Lyman and Experience (Graves) Dickin- son, natives of Whately, where the Graves and Dickinson families have been well and favor- ably known for many years. Mr. Dickinson's great-grandfather, Abner Dickinson, who was probably born in Hatfield, was a farmer in North Hatfield (now Whately). He was in
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the French and Indian War from 1755 to 1763, and also served in the Revolutionary army, acting in 1780 as one of the guard about Major André on the night preceding his execution. The last years of Abner Dickinson's life were spent on the farm now occupied by his great- grandson, where he died in 1799. He had a family of four sons and five daughters. His son Jehu, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Hatfield, May 8, 1758. He also served in the Continental army, and, like his father, devoted the last years of his life to the peaceful pursuit of agriculture, settling upon a part of the Dickinson farm in Whately, where he died, October 6, 1819. He reared a family of seven children.
Lyman Dickinson, sixth son of Jehu Dick- inson, who was born on June 24, 1795, passed his entire life upon the farm, which he culti- vated very successfully. He attained a posi- tion of prominence in the community, serving as a Selectman at different times during a period of many years, and also held other offices of public trust. Lyman Dickinson died at the age of eighty years. His wife, whose maiden name was Experience Graves, was a daughter of Moses and Abigail Graves, old residents of Whately. She was called to rest at the age of fifty years. Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Dickinson raised a family of seven children, two of whom are now living; namely, Ashley G. and Hiram R.
Ashley G. Dickinson was educated in the district schools. He assisted his father in the farm duties until he reached the age of nine- teen years, at which time he commenced to learn the trade of a carpenter. After serving two years as an apprentice, he worked as a journeyman for some time at Worcester, Mass., later going to Westfield. There he resided for a period of thirty-five years, during which time he worked at his trade both as a
journeyman and contractor, becoming well and favorably known as a man of sterling worth. In 1888 he returned to his native town, and has since been occupied in farming at the old homestead. The farm, which is situated upon high ground, consists of one hundred and sixty-five acres, and is devoted principally to the cultivation of tobacco. Mr. Dickinson has completely rebuilt the residence, and also erected a new barn.
On December 5, 1855, Mr. Dickinson was united in marriage to Miss Jane Stebbins, daughter of Lansford and Sarah (Ames) Steb- bins. The Stebbins family also took an active part in the Revolutionary War, Mrs. Dickin- son's great-grandfather, Colonel Joseph Steb- bins, and her grandfather, Major Dennis Stebbins, being officers of note in the Con- tinental army. Her father, Lansford Stebbins, who was a native of Deerfield, spent the last years of his life in Illinois. Her mother was a daughter of Ebenezer Ames, of Greenfield, Mass. Mrs. Dickinson passed her childhood with her grandparents. She received a liberal education, attending the town schools and Deerfield Academy, and completing her stud- ies at Mrs. S. I. Barnard's boarding-school. After leaving school, she taught for some time. Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson have had four chil- dren, two of whom are still living. William A. is now superintendent of a carriage hard- ware manufactory. He married Jennie Giles- pie, a native of the State of Michigan; and they have one daughter, Marjorie. Jeannette Dickinson is the wife of Harry Leigh, of Buffalo, N. Y., cashier of the New York Cen- tral Stockyards in that city. Gertrude, who married John B. Hill, of Boston, died in 1894, at the age of thirty-seven years ; and Catherine died at the age of twelve years.
Mr. Dickinson is a Republican in politics. He and his wife are members of the Congrega-
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tional church, and Mrs. Dickinson is actively engaged in Sabbath-school work. She was formerly superintendent of a Sabbath-school in Westfield, and has always been identified with church matters.
OSWELL B. ROBERTSON, one of the leading men of Leyden, Mass., was born in Brattleboro, Vt., July 6, 1839, son of William and Mary E. Robert- son. Mr. Robertson is of Scotch descent, his great-grandfather, William Robertson, and his grandfather bearing the same name, having come to America from Scotland, of which country they were natives. Grandfather Rob- ertson, who was a young man when he im- migrated to New England, rode into the wilderness west of the Connecticut, north of the Massachusetts line, and selected a spot for his home in what was then an unbroken forest, but where now is the village of Brattleboro, Vt., his father also going there to live. The sturdy pioneer went to work heartily, with no resources but a willing hand and a strong con- stitution. He died at Hillsboro, N. H., at an advanced age. Grandmother Robertson's maiden name was Tamar Barton.
Roswell B. Robertson grew to manhood in Westminster, Vt., acquiring a fair education in the district schools. He was engaged as a polisher for a period of twelve years, working in Northampton, Shelburne Falls, and Spring- field, and in 1863 bought the farm that he now occupies, which covers about one hundred and eighty acres. Here he carries on general farming, working tirelessly to bring the prod- ucts of his labor up to a high standard, both as to quality and quantity.
In 1865 Mr. Robertson was married to Ada- line L., daughter of Wilder and Lectina (Wetherhead) Fisher, the former a well-to-do
farmer in Brattleboro. Mrs. Adaline L. Rob- ertson died when a little over forty-six years of age; and in June, 1886, Mr. Robertson was married again, taking for his bride Mary Wheeler, a native of Colerain, daughter of Whitman and Louisa Wheeler, of that town. Mr. and Mrs. Robertson have one son, Ray R., born June 2, 1891.
Mr. Robertson is a Republican in political affiliations. He is highly respected by his townsmen, and has filled several public offices, holding that of Selectman for three years. He and his wife are liberal in their religious views ; and they have a very pleasant home, the appearance of the estate speaking well for the owners.
OHN ANDREW ADAMS, formerly a well-known and highly respected farmer of Greenfield, but now no longer living, was born in that town August 14, 1840, son of Peleg and Lucinda (Hancock) Adams, the for- mer a native of Northbridge, born December 29, 1799, the latter of Long Meadow, Mass., born in 1809. The Adams family is believed to be of Saxon origin, springing from Ran- dall Adams, of Norwood, town of Wem, Shropshire, England, a direct descendant of whom, William Adams, who was born in Eng- land, February 3, 1594, came to America in 1628, and settled in Ipswich Hamlet (now Hamilton), Mass., in 1642. The farm which he cultivated is now occupied by a descendant, Sillsby Adams. Andrew Adams, the grand- father of John Andrew, represented the sixth generation from William, the line being traced, from father to son, through Samuel, who represents the second generation, Nathan- iel (the third), Samuel (the fourth), and John (the fifth), to Andrew (the sixth).
Andrew Adams was born in Sutton, now a part of Northbridge, Mass., November 7,
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1759, and removed to Greenfield, Mass., in 1803. He purchased a large tract of land in the Connecticut Valley, and settled on the farm where Mrs. John Andrew Adams now resides, living in a log house. He built part of the road from Greenfield to the old Peleg Adams homestead, known as "The Swamp Road," and was one of the leading citizens of Greenfield in his day. He attended church at "the old meeting-house," the first in Green- field. His death took place on the old farm, June 30, 1822. His wife, whose maiden name was Betsey Chapin, died January 6, 1846. They reared five children: Patty, Nahum, George, Eliza, and Peleg.
Peleg Adams received a good common-school education. He worked on his father's farm till of age, and chose farming as his life voca- tion, in which he was very successful. He was also a large cattle dealer and à saga- cious business man. Purchasing the Mansion House in Greenfield, in January, 1877, for which he paid fifty thousand dollars, he ex- pended thirty-five thousand dollars additional on improvements, making it a model hotel; and to-day it is one of the best as well as one of the oldest hotels in Franklin County. Mr. Adams was honest in all his dealings, and his ability and integrity won for him the respect of his townsmen. He served as Selectman, and filled other offices, always taking an active interest in public affairs. Though a liberal supporter of the various churches and in his youth an attendant at the Congregational ser- vice, and later at that of the Universalist soci- ety, he was never a professing member of any religious body; but his life was shaped by Christian principles. He died at the home farm September 8, 1887. Mr. Adams's first wife, Lucinda Hancock, to whom he was united in 1831, died in 1840, at the age of thirty. She was the mother of the following
children : Eliza Lucretia, born October 19, 1833; Elizabeth Lucinda, born February 2, 1836; Ruth Alma, born December 5, 1837; and John Andrew Adams, our subject. Peleg Adams's second wife, Sarah B. Meriam, who was born June 3, 1809, died in May, 1862. She was the mother of two children. One, born June 16, 1843, died in infancy. The other, Sarah Lucy, who was born December 10, 1846, is also dead. Mr. Adams's third wife, Jane Bascom, whom he married October 8, 1863, died April 13, 1890, without issue. Eliza L., wife of J. P. Morgan, is the only living child of Peleg Adams. She resides in Greenfield, Mass.
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