USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Franklin County, Massachusetts .. > Part 4
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the Revolutionary army, and participated in the battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775. He died in his ninety-third year. Neither parent is now living, her father having de- parted this life at the age of fifty-eight years and her mother at the age of threescore and ten. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They had a large family of children, namely: Nathaniel R., who died in infancy ; Martha; Susan; Mary; William Z. ; Sarah J. ; an infant ; Lucinda; J. Wesley ; and John F. Mrs. Ramsey resides at the beauti- ful home at 6 Grove Street, which is a lasting memorial of her late husband.
ULIUS D. HORTON, of Charlemont, Franklin County, Mass., a progressive farmer, who is also engaged extensively in lumbering, was born October 23, 1846, at Mount Holly, Vt., and is a son of Warren and Aurilla (Johnson) Horton, of that place. His grandfather, Andrew Horton, owned and con- ducted a farm of four hundred acres at Mount Holly, and also dealt largely in lumber, operating two saw-mills. He was formerly a Whig in politics, but later joined the Republi- can party. He died aged eighty-two years; and his wife, whose maiden name was Lucy Hale, was called to rest at about the same age. Their children were: Alva, David, Warren, Darius, Lovina, and Lucinda. Warren Hor- ton, upon reaching his majority, purchased a greater part of his father's farm, which he carried on in connection with the coopering business, and was likewise much engaged in carpentering during his early manhood. He possessed a strong and vigorous constitution, capable of withstanding much exposure and fatigue, and was a tireless worker. He at- tained a prominent position in publie affairs, and, besides holding all of the important town
offices, represented his district in the State legislature. In politics he was a stanch Re- publican, and in his religious views a Baptist. Warren and Aurilla Horton were blessed with the following children : Carrie M., who mar- ried Alton Hammond; Marcella J., wife of Luther French; and Julius D., of this sketch.
At the age of twenty years Mr. Julius D. Horton commenced life's labors at a chair factory in Rutland, Vt., and, after remaining there steadily at work for seven years, returned to Mount Holly, where he was engaged in con- ducting a wheelwright and carpentering busi- ness for the next three years. In 1887 he purchased the L. Hawkes farm of one hundred and thirty acres, with a saw-mill thereon, in the picturesque town of Charlemont, Mass., which he continues to occupy, and with very satisfactory results. He gives considerable attention to the raising of stock, in which he has been very successful, especially with sheep. In 1891 Mr. Horton married Miss Rena Todd, daughter of Edward Todd, a sketch of whose career appears elsewhere in this work, and has one child, Erving J., who was born May 8, 1893. Mr. Horton is a Re- publican in politics, and, although frequently urged to accept town offices, has invariably declined, as he cannot spare the time neces- sary for the proper administration of publie affairs.
ENRY SLATE, a farmer and leading citizen of Bernardston, Mass., was born in this town, November 29, 1815, son of Joseph and Sylvia E. (Web- ster) Slate. The family is of English de- scent. Ancestors of Mr. Slate settled in Mansfield, Conn., at an early day. The first of the name in Bernardston was Joseph Slate, who came here about 1763 with his wife, Mary Strong, of Norwich, Conn., and took up land
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which is still held by some of his posterity. He died in Bernardston. Henry Slate's grandfather, Israel Slate, and his wife, Phœbe Hurlburt, were born in Chatham, Conn., in 1762. He came to Bernardston when but two years of age, with his father, Joseph Slate, who had been a soldier in the French and Indian War, and later on was in the Revolu- tionary War. Israel was a hard-working prac- tical farmer, and cleared much of the land in this vicinity. He was a leading citizen of Bernardston, a Corporal in the State militia, also a member and zealous worker in the Con- gregational church, and in politics a Whig. He had a family of ten children, all of whom grew to maturity.
Joseph, one of his sons, named for the elder Joseph, was born in Bernardston, January 28, 1789, and became one of its most influential citizens and a successful farmer. He was Selectman for several terms, and took an active part in the affairs of the town. Having inherited a large tract of land from his father, he resided on the old Slate farm till his death, which took place August 16, 1867. His wife, born in Bernardston, March 14, 1796, con- tinued to make her home here till her death, August 7, 1886. Both were members of the Congregational church, and strictly orthodox. Their ten children all grew to manhood and womanhood. A brief record is as follows : Melinda, born October 29, 1813, died March II, 1879; Henry, the second-born, is the sub- ject of this sketch ; Francis, born February 23, 1818, died June 2, 1894; Eunice A., born November 4, 1820, is now living in Montague ; Catherine S., born February 19, 1823, now resides in Bernardston; Edwin, born July 20, 1825, died April 17, 1851 ; Harriet A., born April 13, 1828, now lives in Harvey, Ill., near Chicago; Mary E., born December 31, 1830, lives in Brattleboro, Vt. ; Dwight, born
August 26, 1833, died in 1855; and Lewis A., born June 10, 1836, is a farmer of Ber- nardston.
Henry Slate grew to manhood, and was edu- cated in the public schools of Bernardston and Goodell Academy. He has followed farming all through life, and being intelligent and thoroughly practical has by close attention to business made a success of it, owning ninety- nine acres of good land in Bernardston, with substantial buildings. He enjoys the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens, having filled the position of Town Clerk for seventeen years, and has now entered upon his nineteenth year as Town Treasurer.
Henry Slate was married April 28, 1841, to Sylvina Hale, who died June 14, 1849, leaving four children: Cornelia, Irvilla, Jo- seph, and John, the youngest, who died soon after. Cornelia married A. Alford, who is now a retired business man, residing in Ber- nardston. Irvilla A. became the wife of E. B. Burnham, and lives in Montague. Joseph is a merchant residing in Edinburg, Ill. On June 5, 1850, Mr. Slate married Mary Clapp, who died April 24, 1864, leav- ing one child, Kate M., now Mrs. H. L. Crowell, of Bernardston. On the 7th of Feb- ruary, 1866, Mr. Slate married for his third wife Miss Elizabeth S. Holton, who was born in Gill, November 4, 1829, daughter of George L. and Content B. (Snow) Holton. Her father was a farmer, was liberal in his religious views and in politics a Democrat. He died at the age of sixty-three years, his wife at fifty-one. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are living : Thomas S. Holton died in Boston; Emeline P. became Mrs. Fay, and resides in Athol ; Jonathan P. Holton resides in Gill; Harriet C., who became Mrs. Smith, resides in Green- field; and Elizabeth S., Mrs. Slate, is the
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eldest child. Mr. and Mrs. Slate are mem- bers of the Congregational church, where he has served as Deacon the last thirty years. They are among the oldest residents of Ber- nardston, and all their children are faithful members and earnest workers in the Congre- gational church.
ASSCALL MARVEL, whose por- trait appears on the opposite page, a worthy octogenarian retaining his faculties to a remarkable degree, long known as one of the leading farmers of Gill was born in Shutesbury, in the southern part of the county, December 1, 1810, son of Pass- call and Polly (Davis) Marvel. Passcall Marvel, Sr., who was a native of Rehoboth, Bristol County, where his early life was passed on his father's farm, learned the trade of shoemaker, which he followed for some time, but later purchased land, and devoted his last years to tilling the soil, dying in Shutesbury in his sixty-fourth year. He mar- ried Polly Davis, and they reared a family of four children : Jesse, Mary, Passcall, and Martha, of whom Passcall is the only survivor. The mother died in Shutesbury at the age of sixty-four years.
The younger Passcall on his father's death purchased the old home in Shutesbury, and lived there for ten years, coming to Gill on April 1, 1844. He took care of his wife's parents until their death, when he purchased the Harris homestead, a farm of fifty-eight acres, on which he now resides. Mr. Marvel was married December 3, 1835, to Catherine C., daughter of Samuel Harris, a farmer of Petersham. They reared four children: Sarah J., who is the widow of Orison Knight; Lucy A., who married Marcus Pratt, and has two children -Carl M. and Carrie E .; Willard
H. and William C., twins. Willard married Jane Woodward, and has two children - Her- bert P. and Katie B. William worked for over twenty years as a machinist in Fitch- burg, Mass., but returned home to care for his parents. He is a Republican in politics, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, having served two years in the Civil War as a soldier of Com- pany G, Tenth Massachusetts Infantry. He was in many battles, and was wounded at Fredericksburg. He married November 30, 1885, Helen, daughter of Alfred and Martha (Mahoney) Brick. Alfred Brick was for- merly a chairmaker in Gardner, Mass. He and his wife, Martha Mahoney, a daughter of Cor- nelius Mahoney, of Providence, R.I., were the parents of six children.
In politics Passcall Marvel has been allied with the Republican party, but is a Prohibi- tionist in principle. He is a member of the Baptist church of Bernardston, in which he held the office of deacon for many years.
ATHANIEL CHENEY, a retired man- ufacturer and an extensive landholder of the town of Orange, where his birth occurred June 23, 1824, is a man of solid worth, possessing in an eminent degree those traits that command respect in the business world, and gain esteem among friends and associates. The immigrant ancestor of his family was William Cheney, who came to America in 1635, settling in Roxbury, Mass., the line of descent from him being William the second, then William the third, who was born at Mendon, Mass., in 1704, and whose children by his wife, Margaret, included Levi Cheney, the grandfather of the subject of this biographical sketch.
Levi Cheney was born November 23, 1750;
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1193890
PASSCALL AND CATHERINE C. MARVEL.
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and, after reaching man's estate, he came to Franklin - County, where he purchased eight hundred acres of wild land in the town of Orange. Clearing a space in the vast pine forest, he built a log house near the site where Mr. Jerome now lives; and here he reared his family. Much of the timber which he cut down he had to burn to get rid of ; but, after clearing and cultivating a portion of his land, he erected a saw-mill, the first in the vicinity, and carried on a large lumber busi- ness in addition to general farming. He lived to the extremely advanced age of ninety-six years, dying in 1846. He was a man of excel- lent business ability, and, acquiring a compe- tency, gave to each of his sons a good farm. He was twice married. His first wife, Mary Hill, bore him the following children : Levi, Esther, Peter, Mary, Louis, Stephen, and Alexander. His second wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Ballou, bore hint two chil- dren, Ursula and Preston Cheney.
Peter Cheney was born in the primitive log house in which his parents first lived on com- ing to Orange, and was there reared to habits of industry and thrift. When ready to estab- lish a home of his own, his father gave him a portion of the homestead property, now occu- pied by his son Nathaniel; and here he erected a residence, a commodious barn, and the requi- site farm buildings for successfully carrying on his work, which he conducted most ably, meeting with in his undertakings. He became very prominent in the management of local affairs, being a sound Democrat in his politics and serving his fellow-citizens in the various minor offices of the place, besides being Town Clerk for about twenty years and Justice of the Peace the same length of time. To him and his wife, Abigail Goodell Cheney, thirteen children were born; namely, Pru- dence, Charlotte, Luther, E. Peter, Elijah B.,
Nathaniel, Ebenezer, Abner, Abigail, Jane and Janette (twins), and two others, also twins, that died in infancy.
Nathaniel Cheney received the ordinary educational advantages of a New England country lad, completing his studies at the Westminster Academy, going from there to Boston, where he was employed for a year as a clerk in a grocery store. He was gifted with keen business abilities, however; and at the age of twenty years he became a partner with George W. Adams and S. A. Denio, composing the firm of G. W. Adams & Co., manufacturing iron for building purposes, and continuing seven years in Boston, when he sold out his interest in the works, and went on a trip to Europe. In 1852 Mr. Cheney returned to New York City, where he was a partner for five years in the iron works estab- lishment of D. D. Badger & Co., which after- ward was managed by a stock company, Mr. Cheney being its Treasurer and Vice-Presi- dent. He continued in the same business in New York for thirty-eight years, the last ten years being in company with Mr. Hewlett and carrying on a substantial business under the firm name of Cheney & Hewlett. In 1893 he retired from the active pursuits of life, and came to Orange to the old homestead, where he and his family had spent their summers for about twenty-five years, during which time extensive buildings were erected and costly improvements made, the place being now one of the finest and most valuable estates in this section of the county. Mr. Cheney is a man of exceptionally pure morals and correct habits, and has never used tobacco or intoxicating liquors of any kind. He is of broad and ear- nest religious views and a faithful adherent of the Universalist church. Politically, he is a Republican.
Miss Mary A. Eddy, to whom Mr. Cheney
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was united in marriage in 1846, was born in Warwick, Mass., July 5, 1823, being the daughter of Abijah Eddy, one of Warwick's thrifty and respected merchants and farmers. Seven children have been born of their union; but the Angel of Death has crossed their threshold three times, each time bearing a loved infant to its eternal home. The living are : Martha R., Charles E., Clara J., and Lizzie J. Charles E., who is engaged in the iron works at Brooklyn and New York City, married Lillian Walker; and they have one child, Bessie M. Clara J. is the wife of A. W. Newhall, a highly esteemed and enter- prising agriculturist of Franklin County, hav- ing charge of Mr. Cheney's farm, where he pays especial attention to dairying, keeping twenty-five choice cows of a fine grade. Liz- zie J., the youngest daughter, with her sister, performs the active duties of housekeeping, the mother being in feeble health.
NDREW J. WOODS, a farmer of Bernardston, was born in the town of Bath, Grafton County, N. H., April 22, 1833, son of William A. and Martha (Minot) Woods. His father was born in Bath in 1793, and his mother in Jaffrey, N. H., in the year 1800. The father of William A. was Andrew Woods, who was of Scotch descent, but residcd for a time in the north of Ireland, and came from that country to America, landing in Boston.
He purchased some land in the town of Bath, N.H., without having seen it, and, tak- ing his family with him, moved to his new home, making the journey with ox-teams. He was one of the pioneers of that town, and, being without previous training in woodcraft, he experienced some difficulty in initiating himself into its mysteries. After repeated
trials at felling trees, he came to the conclu- sion that it was very dangerous work, as he could never tell which way the tree was about to fall. Great was his satisfaction when he learned from one of his neighbors the proper method of proceeding, and it was not long before he became an expert wood- man. He resided in the town of Bath till his death, which occurred at the age of sev- enty-three years. His wife, Isabella Jameson Woods, also lived to a good old age. They had three sons and one daughter who grew up, all of whom are now deceased. One of the sons, Andrew Salter Woods, LL.D., a gradu- ate of Dartmouth College in 1825, was for fifteen years (1840-1855) an Associate Justice of the Superior Court of the State of New Hampshire, being then advanced to the posi- tion of Chief Justice, which he filled with ability during his short term of office. He is spoken of as a man of strictest integrity; as a judge, "even-tempered, patient, impartial, upright."
William A. Woods grew to manhood in the town of Bath, succeeding to his father in the possession of the homestead; and he, too, fol- lowed farming with gratifying success, from time to time making additions to his real es- tate, till he had one thousand acres of land, constituting one of the largest farms in the town of Bath. He was a leader in the Ma- sonic fraternity in the State of New Hamp- shire and a man of considerable note, serving as Selectman of his town. In politics he was a Democrat, and both he and his wife were Universalists in religion. On the old farm, which his father had cleared and worked so many years before, he died, at the age of sev- enty-three years, and his wife at eighty-seven. They had nine children, seven of whom ar- rived at maturity, and three are now living : Arthur Woods, the eldest son, resides in
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Bath, and still cultivates the old Woods homestead; Andrew J. Woods is the subject of this sketch; and Luella became the wife of Charles W. Leighton, a farmer of Greenfield. The deceased are: John, Emily, Martha, Julia, Caroline, and Myra.
Andrew J. Woods grew to manhood on the paternal homestead in Bath, receiving his education in the schools of that town and the academy of St. Johnsbury, Vt., which he at- tended two terms. He lived on the old farm with his parents till the year 1874, when hc left New Hampshire, and settled for a time in the town of Greenfield, Mass., removing shortly to Saratoga, N. Y., whence in 1878 he returned to Franklin County, Massachusetts, and took up his abode on his present farm in Bernardston. He has thirty-five acres of land and good buildings of his own erection, mak- ing a pleasant home. On the 25th of May, 1876, Mr. Woods was united in marriage to Mary Osgood Sanderson, a daughter of John Sanderson. (See sketch elsewhere.) They have no children. Both Mr. and Mrs. Woods are attendants of the Unitarian church. In political matters Mr. Woods gives his support to the Democratic party.
REDERICK W. UPTON, a young and progressive farmer of the town of Heath, was born in the town of Goshen, Hampshire County, Mass., August 28, 1859, son of Washburn A. and Mary F. (Damon) Upton and grandson of Chester and Miranda (Edgerton) Upton. From the valuable genea- logical work, "Upton Family Records," com- piled by Judge Upton, of Walla Walla, Wash., we learn that the parents of Chester Upton were Joseph and Thirza (Flint) Upton, the father a native of Bedford, Mass., son of Josiah Upton, a native of what is now North Read-
ing. Josiah Upton, who settled in Charle- mont, Franklin County, in 1778, was a son of Ebenezer, grandson of Joseph, and great-grand- son of John Upton, the immigrant progenitor of the New England family of Uptons. Chcs- ter Upton was a native of the town of Charle- mont, where he was born, January 6, 1804.
He was the owner of a farm and saw-mill, and was engaged for some time in turning broom handles and manufacturing other wooden-ware. Besides his farm in Charlcmont he owned lands in Hawley, where he lived for some time. He also resided at different times in Florence and Williamsburg ; and, whatever his locality, he was always known as one of the foremost and most trustworthy citizens. His death occurred in 1886. His wife, Mi- randa Edgerton, was born July 4, 1807, and died in 1865. Her children were as follows : Olive, Washburn A., Aurelia, Mary, Lucy, Sarah, Charles, and Joseph.
Washburn A. Upton, father of Frederick W., was born in the town of Hawley, Feb- ruary 8, 1833, and in early life purchased a farm in Chesterfield, Mass., which he soon sold, and then rented one at Northampton. From that town he went to Whitingham, Vt., where he rented another farm for two years, and next he rented one in Colerain for two years. He then purchased a farm in Cole- rain, and remained a tiller of the soil there for twelve years, after which he sold his farm, and removed to Agawam, again investing in farm land. He remained in Agawam until his death, at the age of sixty years. His wife, Mary F. Damon, was born July 5, 1835, daughter of Salma Damon, a successful farmer of Chesterfield, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Wash- burn A. Upton were the parents of the follow- ing children : Stephen F., born July 3, 1856, who married Addie Culver; Frederick W., whose name appears at the head of this
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sketch; and Sarah M., born March 21, 1865, who died at the early age of fourteen years.
Frederick W. Upton, after acquiring a suffi- ciently practical knowledge of the common branches of learning, taught in the schools of his native town, became initiated into farm life and labor, remaining at home until the age of twenty-one. Three years later he mar- ried, December 2, 1883, Miss Sarah M. Dun- nell, an amiable and interesting young lady, daughter of Darius and Diantha (White) Dun- nell, well-known and respected residents of the county. Mr. Upton then purchased his present property of one hundred and twenty acres, known as the Sanford farm, situated in the north-east part of the town of Heath. He has improved the place by remodelling the house and barn; and here he remains engaged in general agriculture, his estate presenting the typical appearance of the homestead of a New England farmer. He has fifteen head of fine stock, besides sheep and horses, his dairy products being of excellent quality. Mr. Upton is a Republican in politics, is a mem- ber of the Baptist church, and is among the substantial and esteemed residents of the town.
EORGE F. ALEXANDER, one of the leading farmers of Northfield, Mass., was born September 12, 1815, in the house where he now resides, and which was the birthplace of his father, Samuel Alex- ander. His grandfather, Simeon Alexander, Jr., was a son of Simeon Alexander, Sr., one of three brothers who came over from Scotland and settled, in the year 1644, on the site of the present village of Northfield, where they be- came prominent and successful agriculturists.
In 1779 Simeon Alexander, Jr., bought the farm on which his grandson now lives, erected the house, and here lived to the advanced age
of ninety-four. He served with the minute- men and was in many of the hard-fought bat- tles of the Revolution, being present at the taking of Burgoyne's army. He was actively interested in the affairs of the town, serving as one of its first Selectmen. Samuel Alexan- der spent his whole life of more than fourscore years on the place, beginning as soon as old enough to assist his father in the care of the farm, and later becoming the owner of the property. He married Elvira, daughter of Theodore Field, whose ancestors were also among the early settlers; and they reared three children, of whom George F. Alexander is the only survivor. Mrs. Samuel Alexander died at the age of sixty-seven years.
George F. Alexander was educated in the district school, and remained on the farm with his father until about thirty years old, when he went to Boston, where he was employed for a year as hotel clerk, and in the following year served in the same capacity in Brattleboro, Vt., going from there to the Union House in Spring- field, Mass. A year and a half later he secured the position of clerk in the Astor House in New York City, where he remained for twenty years, from 1849 to 1870, during which time he saw many of the prominent and noted men of those days. Returning to Northfield in March, 1870, Mr. Alexander took care of his father as long as he lived; and at his father's death he became the possessor of the old homestead, on which he has since resided.
He was first married in 1842, to Hepsibah Munn, a native of Gill and daughter of Seth Munn, of that place. She died November 14, 1845 ; and some time after Mr. Alexander was married to his present wife, Ann Eliza, daugh- ter of William and Fannie (Simonson) Pinck- ney, of New York City. Mr. Pinckney was a native of West Chester, N. Y., but had moved to New York soon after marriage and engaged
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in the livery and hotel business, dying in that city at the age of seventy-eight. He served in the War of 1812, and was a prominent member of the old Militia Artillery Company. Of his eight children only four are now living ; namely, Ann Eliza (Mrs. Alexander), George W., Samuel, and Adeline. The mother was seventy-nine years old at the time of her death, which occurred in Staten Island. Mrs. Alexander was educated in public and private schools of New York. She and her husband have one child, George L., who married Julia Graham, of Boston, and is engaged in the livery business in that city.
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