USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Franklin County, Massachusetts .. > Part 37
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ripe age of ninety years. Westwood Cook, the son of Aaron, was the great-grandfather of our subject. He married a lady named Joanna Cook, and their son Moses married Achsa Smith. Moses and Achsa (Smith) Cook were the parents of Levi, the father of our subject.
Levi Cook was reared and educated in Had- ley, and there learned the trade of a harness and saddle maker. In 1786 he opened a harness-shop in Ashfield, building up a sub- stantial business in the vicinity, and later invested a part of his savings in land, buying one hundred and fifty acres in the village. This he improved, erecting a new house and barn, and made it his permanent abiding- place, living until well advanced in years. He was a veteran of the War of 1812, and while in service had many hair-breadth es- capes and unique experiences, his horse hav- ing at one time been tarred and feathered. In politics he was closely identified with the Democratic party, being one of its most influ- ential official members, and serving for many years as Justice of the Peace, and for a great length of time as Postmaster, an office which has been held by the family for eighty-nine consecutive years, the present incumbent being a grand-daughter of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Cook was a strong Episcopalian, being one of the founders of the church of that denomination built in Ashfield in 1826. He was twice married, his first wife, whose maiden name was Achsah Smith, dying in the prime of life. She bore him ten children, as follows: Sarah, born August 22, 1786, who died in infancy; Sarah, born June 7, 1788; Achsa, who died in infancy; Rufus, born January 3, 1791 ; Achsa, born October 24, 1795; Levi, born January 7, 1797, who died in infancy; Levi, born August 1, 1798; Hannah, born December 29, 1800; Ralph,
born February 18, 1802; and Abigail, born June 25, 1805. After her demise he married Nancy Taylor, and of this union five children were born, as follows: Nancy, born November 19, 1807, who is now a resident of Hartford, Conn .; Richard, born August 29, 1809; Lu- cretia, born June 16, 1812; Harriet, born June 16, 1814; and Moses, whose name heads this article.
Moses Cook was educated for a mercantile life; and, after completing his studies at San- derson Academy, he was engaged as a clerk in New York City with his brother Levi, with whom he was afterward associated as a partner for many years. The close confinement to business was injurious to his health, so much so that he was obliged to resign his position, and seek the invigorating air of the country. Returning to the pleasant town of his birth, Mr. Cook in 1853 bought the old homestead, which is one of the finest, in point of location and improvements, in the locality. In 1873 he sold the house and a portion of the land surrounding it to George William Curtis, who makes it his summer residence. On a part of the farm that he retained Mr. Cook built his present house and barns, and is here living in quiet ease and contentment.
The most important event in the life of Mr. Cook was his marriage with Minerva Howes, a daughter of Nathan and Nabby (Phillips) Howes. Their union was solemnized in 1842; and fifty years later, surrounded by their children, grandchildren, and many friends, they celebrated their golden wedding in a most joyous manner, the bride and groom being as young in heart, if not in years, as on that sweet day fifty years before. Of their three children we record the following: Mary A. resides in Boston, Mass .; Elliott W., now a resident of Cambridge, married Mary Hol- ton, and they have two children - Winnifred
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and Edith; and Sarah W. is the wife of Abbott L. Hall, of Cambridge, and has two children - Minerva and Howard.
No man has taken a deeper interest in the prosperity of Ashfield than Moses Cook, who has ever indorsed all worthy enterprises to promote its industrial, educational, and moral advancements, and has served most faithfully in the various offices of Selectman, Assessor, and Overseer of the Poor. In politics he is a strong Republican. having been a supporter of the principles of the party since its forma- tion. He is an active and worthy member of the Episcopal church, in which he has served as Senior Warden for many years. Through- out the entire community Mr. Cook is held in high regard, his strict integrity and trust- worthiness in every position being recognized by all. Though nearing the eightieth mile- stone on life's journey, his faculties are as alert, his judgment as clear, and his mind as vigorous as in the days of his youth.
G ILBERT E. JONES, of Greenfield, carpenter, contractor, and builder, is one of the substantial business men of Western Massachusetts. He was born in Deerfield, Franklin County, Mass., October 17, 1844, and is a son of Amasa Jones, who was born at Blenheim, N.Y., in 1815, and during the same spring was brought to Deer- field by his father, Israel Jones, who was afterward a resident of that village.
Israel Jones was a carpenter, and followed his trade the greater part of his active life. His work was much more laborious than that of the modern carpenter, as he lived before the time of modern improvements in the dressing of lumber; and in building he had to hew the timber for the entire frame. He married Eleanor Broderick, of Conway,
Mass., where their nuptials were celebrated in 1811; and the larger part of their wedded life was spent in Deerfield, where Mrs. Jones died in 1824, at the age of forty-four years. She reared four children - three sons and one daughter - of whom Charles Jones, one of the most esteemed citizens of Deerfield, is the sole survivor. Israel Jones subsequently mar- ried Cynthia, widow of Silas Atwood; and they reared one daughter. He lived to the age of seventy-five years, dying in 1862, and leaving a fair property, although he was not a man of wealth. Mr. Jones was a very intel- ligent man and remarkably well informed, having been educated for a physician.
Amasa Jones, the father of our subject, was a farmer by occupation, and settled in Deer- field soon after his marriage, which occurred in 1836. He was a man of sterling character, respected as a kind friend, obliging neighbor, a devoted husband and father, and a public- spirited citizen. He passed to the higher life in August, 1877. His widow, whose maiden name was Nancy Bangs Robbins, still occu- pies the home farm. Mr. and Mrs. Jones reared a family of six children, of whom we record the following: Julius Wellington, a contractor, resides at Holyoke; Susan Amanda is the widow of George W. Jones, of West Deerfield; Gilbert E. is the subject of this short personal narrative; Almon A. is a con- tractor, residing in Holyoke; E. Jenner is a farmer, living on the old homestead; and Spencer A., a carpenter, resides in Greenfield.
Gilbert E. Jones grew to man's estate on the parental homestead, living there nearly a quarter of a century, and working a portion of the time at the carpenter's trade. He then started out with his saw and hammer, begin- ning his labors as a journeyman at two dollars and a quarter a day, and gradually increasing his price until he received three dollars and a
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half per day. Five years later he established himself in business with Philip Traver in this city, and under the firm name of Traver & Jones carried on a good business in contract- ing and building for eight years. Mr. Jones then bought the entire plant, and, adding the manufacture and sale of lumber, has continued until the present time, having now one of the finest and most lucrative trades in the city. His office and shop are at 28 School Street. He has been very prosperous in all of his en- terprises, and considers that he owes much of his success in life to his uncle, Charles Jones, with whom he spent several years of his youth, and whose influence and wise counsels were of inestimable value to him. He has accumulated a large amount of this world's goods, having dealt extensively in real estate the past ten years, and is the owner of seven- teen tenement-houses and three shops within the city corporation, two excellent farms in Leyden, and a very valuable farm of three hun- dred and seventy-five acres at West Deerfield. He is a large-hearted, whole-souled, genial man, broad and liberal in his views, domi- nated by neither creed nor greed, and is the possessor of a strong and robust physique; and, notwithstanding that he braves the winds and weather of the changeable New Eng- land climate, often taking long drives in the coldest season without overcoat or mit- tens, is never sick and rarely weary, his con- stitution being as strong as that of the United States.
Mr. Jones was united in marriage January 5, 1869, to Elenora I. Eastman, of Decrfield, a daughter of N. H. and Eunice (Munsell) Eastman. She has passed to the bright world beyond, her death occurring in the beautiful month of June, 1887. Three children were born to her, one of whom, a daughter, Flor- ence M., died at the age of twelve years.
The two living are: Marion B., fifteen years old; and Grace R., five years younger.
Mr. Jones has a pleasant home at 82 Chap- man Street, where he has lived for twenty-six years, the house being of his own construc- tion, very convenient and comfortable.
ENRY O. SCOTT, Postmaster at Lyonsville, a versatile and success- ful business man, was born Novem- ber 10, 1839, in Colerain. He is the son of Henry A. and Mary A. (Call) Scott, the for- mer a native of Bernardston, the latter of Colerain. Mr. Scott's great-grandfather on the paternal side, Elihu Scott, was an early settler in Bernardston, where he owned a saw- mill. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and was fairly well-to-do. His wife's maiden name was Hannah Andrews. Their son Zora, grandfather of our subject, was born in Bernardston, and there spent the early part of his life in agricultural pursuits. In 1853 he entered the employ of the Griswold Manu- facturing Company as all-around man, and in time became one of their most trusted em- ployees. As old age crept upon him he re- signed his position, and retired to a farm in Charlemont ; and he passed away August 19, 1884, in Colerain, at the age of ninety-one. His wife, whose maiden name was Abigail Orvis, died August 22, 1877.
Henry A. Scott, the father of our subject, was born November 24, 1816. He has been engaged in various pursuits during his life, spending thirty-five years in the Griswoldville Cotton Mills, and is now engaged in the coal business and in farming, owning an estate of one hundred acres in Colerain. Mrs. Scott, the mother of Henry O., was born in Cole- rain, June 22, 1819, and died December 15, 1870. She was a model wife and mother,
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devoted to the interests of her home and fam- ily. In politics Mr. Scott is a Republican. His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, which he also attends. They had five children, two of whom have passed to the world beyond, namely: Zora W .. born October 30, 1842, who died Novem- ber 15, 1843; and Edwin W., born January 27, 1847, who died January 29, 1879. Henry O., our subject, is the oldest of those now living. Abbie O., born August 17, 1844, is the wife of Charles W. Billings, of North Adams. Zora L .. born May 9, 1858, is clerk in a wholesale seed and hardware store in Syracuse, N.Y.
Henry O. Scott received his education in the schools of Colerain, Guilford, and North Adams, and entered the cotton factory at North Adams, Mass., when a boy of ten. He worked as a factory hand in various places, in 1856 moving to Lyonsville with his parents. Here he engaged as salesman on the road, selling crackers for a while, and later went into the teaming business, at one time having charge of all the teaming done between here and Greenfield. In this way he was employed for seven years, at the end of which he en- gaged in the manufacture of harnesses and livery findings in Lyonsville, the site of his business being the same as the one now occu- pied. At the start he erected a one-story building, twenty by thirty feet, putting in at first a line of tobacco and cigars in addition to his harness business. To this he has added little by little, until to-day he carries a complete line of the goods usually found in a general store. By his own unaided efforts he has built up a large business from a small beginning, and now has a flourishing trade. He is also engaged in the manufacture of palm-leaf hats, and has realized as much as three thousand dollars in a season from this
branch of his business. Mr. Scott has a small farm, which he cultivates for family needs ; and his voice is often heard in public, encouraging the highest bidder, he being the town auctioneer.
On January 6, 1863, Mr. Scott was married to Mary A., daughter of Moses C. and Maria (Fuller) Goodnow, of Shelburne, both of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Scott have two children: Kate May, born April 20, 1865, wife of William T. Francis; and Ross D., born January 27, 1874. Mr. Scott's son- in-law and son are both employed in his store.
In politics Mr. Scott is a Democrat. He has been Postmaster of the town since the office was created, and he has also been Town Auditor since the creation of that office. Mr. and Mrs. Scott are liberal in religious views, and attend the Baptist church, in which he is organist and musical director. Mr. Scott is an accomplished musician, and has taught vocal and instrumental music for many years. He is the musical director of the local band (twenty pieces) which bears his name, and violinist and leader of the orchestra connected with it.
ASON MANN, a resident of the town of Montague, Mass., where he is well known as a manufacturer of various kinds of soap, was born in Richmond, N. H., July 17, 1839, son of Joseph Mann, a native of Richmond. His grandfather, who was a farmer, spent the chief part of his life in the same locality, dying there at an advanced age.
Joseph Mann, the father of Jason, was one of six children. He acquired a good educa- tion, attending the district schools and the academy, and taught for many years in the schools in the vicinity of Richmond, also carrying on the work of farming. His latter days were spent with his son Jason, at whose
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home he died, at the age of eighty-nine. He married Miss Silence Newell, daughter of Benjamin Newell, a prominent farmer of Richmond, who held the office of Justice of the Peace. Mrs. Mann died at Richmond, aged sixty-four years. She and her husband attended the Universalist church. They brought up two children, namely: Jason; and Josephine M., wife of Brooks S. Merriam, of Little Falls, N. Y.
Jason Mann left his home at the age of fourteen, and later became an attendant in the Insane Asylum at Brattleboro, Vt., where he remained nine years. He then engaged in the manufacture of soap, still remaining in that locality. In 1862 he enlisted as Ser- geant in Company B, Sixteenth Vermont Regiment, in which he served nine months. On receiving his discharge, he returned to Brattleboro, and took up his old business of soap manufacture. At the end of two years he went to Akron, Ohio, and two years later removed to Montague, where he now has a small farm, with dwelling-house, near which he carries on the manufacture of soap for local trade.
In 1861 Mr. Mann was married to Miss Lura A. Babcock, a native of Guilford, Vt., a daughter of Henry Babcock, of that town. She was born July 14, 1843, and was the youngest of four children. Her ancestry is traced back to Godfrey Babcock, who came from England, and settled in Deerfield, where during the Revolutionary War his house was burned by the British. He died in Deerfield in 1805. His son John married Eliza Hull; and their son Thomas married Esther Martin- dale, and settled in Deerfield. The latter couple had several children, only one of whom lived to rear a family of his own. This was Hull, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Mann. His son Harris, Mrs Mann's grandfather, was
a farmer of Guilford. Her father, Henry Babcock, also was a farmer of Guilford. He died in Montague, at the home of his daughter, aged eighty years. His wife was Miss Elvira L. Baker, daughter of Peter Baker, a farmer of Guilford. Mr. Babcock reared four children, namely: Amanda, widow of Clark Stark, of West Brattleboro, who has two children - Willard and Minnie; Ellen; Baxter; and Lura, wife of our subject. The mother died at her daughter's home, at the age of seventy- six years. She was a Methodist in religious belief. Mrs. Mann's childhood days were passed in Guilford. When sixteen years of age, she went to Brattleboro to live, and spent seven years as attendant in the Brattle- boro Insane Asylum. After her marriage (in 1861), she travelled as general agent in the interest of a patent system of dress-cutting, her business requiring journeys through the States of Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New England. The length of her engagement - fifteen years - is ample proof of her capacity and business ability.
Mr. Mann is a Democrat in his political views, and takes an active interest in town affairs. He has filled the offices of Selectman and of Overseer of the Poor three years each. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity of the town, and has been some time connected with the Grand Army of the Republic, and Commander of the Post four years, besides filling other offices. His wife is a member of the Orthodox church.
J OHN GEORGE YETTER, an active and prosperous dry-goods merchant of Greenfield, Mass., stands in a foremost position among the prominent business men of the city, having attained this place by the exercise of good judgment and a close applica-
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tion to the details of his trade. He is of German birth, having been born January 18, 1851, in Weilheim, State of Balinger, Wür- temberg, a son of Conrad and Margaret (Hoelle) Y'etter.
Conrad Vetter spent the larger portion of his brief life in the Fatherland, emigrating to America and locating in Massachusetts in 1852. He was a weaver by trade, and while in Germany was employed as overseer of the weaving-room in a factory. He settled in Conway, where his death occurred in 1855, while yet a comparatively young man, being only thirty-six years of age. He left a widow and two children: John G., the sub- ject of this article; and Johanna, wife of John George Voetsch, of Turner's Falls. His widow subsequently became the wife of William Hoelle, of Turner's Falls; and of this union three children were born -two sons and a daughter.
John George Yetter was reared to manhood and educated in his native country, which is famed for the number and excellence of its public schools, graduating from the high school. At the age of sixteen years he came alone to America, landing at New York, and going from that city to Greenfield. His first employment was with the Lamson & Goodnow Cutlery Company, in whose factory he re- mained until it was swept away by a flood three years later. Going then to New Brit- ain, Conn., Mr. Yetter accepted a similar position with Landers, Frary & Clark. He then established himself in business, taking contract work in finishing forks, and employ- ing a force of seven men. The business proved a very profitable one, but he was obliged to give it up on account of failing health. Returning to Franklin county, Mr. Yetter opened a fancy-goods and periodical store at Turner's Falls, where he continued for
two and one-half years, when he sold out to John Eppler. He was subsequently employed for seven years as a clerk in the dry-goods house of William F. Root at Greenfield, remaining with him until his retirement from business in 1882. Mr. Yetter next accepted a similar position in the establishment of Knowles & Thompson, for whom he clerked four years, the succeeding two years being an employee of W. A. Forbes. During the later years of his clerkship Mr. Yetter was on the lookout for a favorable location for business; and on April 21, 1887, he purchased his present stand at 88 Main Street, being aided by trust- ing friends. He put in a stock of dry and fancy goods, cloaks, etc., valued at ten thou- sand dollars; and to this he has made contin- ual additions, his stock being now appraised at from fifteen to seventeen thousand dollars. Mr. Yetter has cancelled all his indebtedness, and has a very extensive trade, including the patronage of the leading people of the city, and employing several saleswomen. He has made his store very attractive to his cus- tomers, who feel confident of receiving a good article at a fair price.
On December 23, 1873, Mr. Yetter was married to Miss Frances Sessler, of Green- field, a daughter of Jacob and Francisca (Ker- ber) Sessler; both natives of Germany. They emigrated to America when young, and were married at Brattleboro, Vt., in 1848, settling on a farm, where they lived until the death of Mrs. Sessler, in 1886. The father, now re- tired from active pursuits, makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Yetter. Five chil- dren were born to them, one of whom - Frank J .- died when four years old. The record of the others is as follows: William, a farmer, lives in Colerain; Frances is the wife of Mr. Yetter; Eva Rose is the wife of Andrew Schwilling, of Miller's Falls; and
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Frederick is a farmer, residing in Greenfield. The parents were both members of the Con- gregational church. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Yetter has been blessed by the birth of six children, namely: Frances S., a clerk in her father's store; Rose Louise, a student of music; Frederick G., an active youth of fif- teen years, who is learning the mercantile business; Frank Jacob, thirteen years of age; Elizabeth Amelia, eleven years old; and Mabel, eight years old. Mr. Yetter and his family live at 36 Davis Street, in the house which he bought in 1892, and have a very pleasant and attractive home. . They are held in high esteem throughout the community, and are valued members of the Episcopal church.
DGAR L. BARTLETT is an extensive farmer, residing in Montague, who also carries on a very profitable butchering business. He was born in that town on July 6, 1856, and is a son of Gideon Bartlett, a native of Enfield, Hampshire County, Mass., where his father, also named Gideon, was born. The latter was a prosper- ous farmer, who resided in Enfield until his decease, at the age of seventy years.
Gideon Bartlett, Jr., the father of our sub- ject, was reared to agricultural life, and also acquired the trade of a wheelwright at Mon- tague, where he first went to live in 1833. He followed his trade for many years, broken by an interval when he remained with and assisted his father during his decline. After his father's death he returned to Montague, and there passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1876, at the age of sixty-one years. He was a stanch Republican in politics; and during his later residence in Enfield, which extended over the period from 1856 to 1870, he held the offices of Selectman and Assessor
for several terms. His wife was Julia Law- rence, daughter of Colonel Cephas Lawrence. The latter was prominently identified with the State militia for many years, and was closely connected with the business interests of Montague, where he operated a large saw- mill and fulling-mill. Mrs. Bartlett was one of a large family. She became the mother of ten children who lived to reach maturity, namely: Juliet, who married George W. Holden, of Enfield; Alphonso, a resident of Miller's Falls; William, also of Miller's Falls; Lucia, who married F. A. Amsden, of Gardner; Eugene C., of Orange; Flora, wife of A. E. Whitney; Edgar L., the subject of this article; Nettie M., wife of John Good- win; Nellie M. (deceased), twin sister of Nettie M., who married H. F. Shaw, of Bel- chertown; and Eva L., wife of A. B. Dudley, of Gardner. Mr. Bartlett's parents attended the Congregational church; and, although his father was not a member, he took deep inter- est in all religious affairs. The mother was called to rest in November, 1883, at the age of sixty-eight years.
The first fourteen years of Edgar L. ' Bart- lett's life were passed in Enfield, upon the farm which his father conducted; and, al- though he was obliged to walk a mile and a half to school, through the cold of winter and the oppressive heat of summer, he considered it no great hardship, and always managed to occupy a position of prominence in his classes. When his parents removed to Mon- tague, he continued to pursue his studies there, and completed his education at the age of seventeen, having, in the mean time, dur- ing spare hours, worked in the shop of a cabinet-maker. He then entered the employ . of Benjamin Fay, the village butcher, with whom he remained in a subordinate position until 1880. His employer's health failing at
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HENRY E. GOODELL.
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that time, he became a partner with him in the business. At the expiration of five months Mr. Fay died: and Mr. Bartlett pur- chased his interest. although, in order to do so, he was under the necessity of incurring a heavy debt. This he paid off in the space of three years, through the practice of the most rigid economy and the closest attention to business. He conducted a very successful trade at the old stand for some time. In 1889 he was burned out, and conducted busi- ness in the basement of Masonic Hall until April I of that year, when he moved to the old Ward farm, which is considered one of the very finest pieces of agricultural property in the locality, where he has since conducted a brisk butchering business in connection with farming, employing three teams permanently, and sometimes five, in order to supply his large and increasing trade. He also makes a specialty of breeding fine Jersey cattle, of which he generally keeps twenty-five head, and raises many excellent draft horses. Mr. Bartlett was the first President and is now a member of the Co-operative Creamery. He keeps in touch with the progress of the times in agricultural matters, and is very successful in all his operations.
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