USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Franklin County, Massachusetts .. > Part 71
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ARLOW M. PETERSON, a prosper- ous farmer of Colerain, was born June 2, 1840, on the farm where he resides, son of Nelson and Mary A. (Holland) Peterson, also natives of Colerain. Mr. Peterson's farm has been in the family over one hundred years, the first to break the soil hav-
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ing been his great-grandfather, Jonathan Peter- son, who lies buricd in the Branch Cemetery.
The grandfather, Sylvanus Peterson, was born March 10, 1788, carried on the work begun by his father, laboring assiduously to improve the estate. He was a good citizen, in politics a Whig, and in religion of liberal views. He died at the home of his son Jona- than, in Heath, August 22, 1867. On De- cember 24, 1808, he was married to Lovina Call, a native of Colerain, who was born March 26, 1789. Grandmother Peterson was a member of the Baptist church, following its teachings during her long life of nearly sev- enty years. She passed away on December 9, 1857. They had thirteen children, born between 1809 and 1836, all of whom reached adult life.
Nelson Peterson, the father of Mr. Peter- son, born in Colerain, May 16, 1811, was brought up on the home farm, and naturally took to the duties of agricultural life. At his father's death a part of the farm came into his possession. This he increased as pros- perity enabled him to, purchasing other land in the vicinity. He was an industrious and enterprising man, took an active part in the affairs of the town, serving as Assessor, be- sides filling minor offices, and acting as Se- lectman for several terms. In politics he was a Republican. He died in the house where he was born on July 25, 1876. His wife laid down the burdens of life on January 17, 1889. They had three children, as follows: Orinda, born December 6, 1835, wife of John B. Pur- ington, a farmer in Minnesota; Harlow M., the subject of this notice; Eunice L., wifc of W. W. Stowe, a farmer in Halifax, Vt.
Harlow M. Peterson attended the district schools of the town, following the same path which had lcd his father and grandfather to the larger knowledge of manhood. Living on
the home farm, at the age of twenty-four he took upon himself a large share of its manage- ment; and in 1875, one year before the death of his father, he bought the entire property, embracing two hundred and eighteen acres of land. It is a good farm, with substantial and well-kept buildings and other indications of the owner's wisdom. His occupations, be- sides general farming, include fruit-growing, stock -raising, and lumbering.
Mr. Peterson was married on November 17, 1864, to Ellen R., daughter of Orrin and Sophia (Taylor) Hawkes, of Charlemont, born January 5, 1845. Mr. Hawkes was born in Charlemont in 1794, and his wife in Buck- land, April 11, 1805. Both are now de- ceased. They had nine children, five of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have five children : Charles O., born Septem- ber 7, 1866, a brick mason in Springfield, married in 1889 to Susie V. McClellan, and father of two children, Herbert M. and Irene; James H., born March 8, 1872, a farmer at Shelburne; Myron N., born January 5, 1870, a carpenter in Springfield; Helen A., born July 21, 1877; and Ralph H., born April 7, 1885, at home with his parents. In politics Mr. Peterson is a Republican. He has been Assessor for four years, takes an active part in promoting the welfare of the town, and is counted among its leading citizens.
ATHANIEL S. RICE, a reliable and esteemed citizen of Rowc, was born in the town of Colerain, August 1, 1836, son of Moses and Ann (Smith) Rice, and grandson of Nathaniel Rice. The grand- father was born in Charlemont, and was a farmer by occupation. He also owned and conducted a tannery at East Charlemont for some years. He was a prominent and influ-
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ential man and an elder in the church. His children were: Emily, Amy, Moses, Mary Francis, Rosina, and Emeline.
Moses Rice, father of Nathaniel S., was born in Charlemont, Mass., and there edu- cated in the public schools. He learned the trade of tanner with his father, and worked for him until attaining his majority. He then bought the business, and conducted it for several years with fair success. Subse- quently he sold it, and moved to the town of Colerain, where he bought a farm, and also carried on the business of shoemaking for some time. Selling his farm, he went to Holyoke, where he engaged in the manufact- ure of boots and shoes, and also conducted a retail store. He was succeeding rapidly when he died, at the age of fifty-four years, closing an active and useful life. His wife, Ann Smith, survived him, and attained the remark- able age of ninety-seven years. Their chil- dren were: Prudence B., Clark M., Jennie A., Nathaniel S., Calvin S., and Emeline M. The family professed the Baptist faith, and the father was an old-time Whig in politics.
Nathaniel S. Rice received a limited but practical education in the schools of his native town. When but thirteen years old, he commenced to work at farming. At six- teen he went to Holyoke, where he entered the machine-shops to learn the trade of ma- chinist, remaining there four years. He was then employed for some time by the Hadley Falls Manufacturing Company; but, finding a life of confinement in the shop unfavorable to his health, he laid down his tools, and started out on the road as salesman. After one summer's experience. in this occupation, he bought the stage line between Colerain and Greenfield, still with a view to benefit his health, and drove the coach for four years. At the end of that time, feeling inclined for
another change, he went to Halifax, where he worked in the saw-mills and among the pine and spruce timber for two years. He then engaged in agriculture, buying a farm at Wilmington, Vt., and following a farmer's life for two years. After a short stay in Shelburne, where he followed the occupation of turner, he came to Rowe in 1884, and pur- chased a home, where he has since resided. He has remodelled the house, and is now en- gaged in keeping city boarders. He also runs a stage route. He is a Democrat, and is lib- eral in his religious views.
On July 22, 1858, he married Miss Nellie M. Roberts, daughter of Goodwin and Lillian (Bishop) Roberts, the former of whom. was born in Colerain, son of Hoel and Susan (Sturdivant) Roberts Hoel Roberts was a native of Hartford, Conn., and came to Cole- rain when a young man, bringing with him as capital half a bushel of silver half-dollars, which he had inherited from his father. He bought a large tract of new land in Colerain, which he cleared; and on it erected good buildings, becoming very prosperous. He held several town offices. He died at the age of sixty-two, and his wife died in her seven- tieth year. His son, Goodwin Roberts, was born in Colerain, and came into possession of the old homestead of two hundred acres. This he afterward sold, and then went to St. Lawrence County, New York, where he en- gaged in farming for five years. Later he re- turned to Colerain, where he died at the age of sixty-two. His wife died at the age of thirty-eight years. They had two children: Clayton and Nellie M., the latter now Mrs. Rice. After his wife's death. he married again, his second marriage being to Mrs. Sarah Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel S. Rice have had two children: Hattie, who died at the early age of sixteen, just as she
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was budding into womanhood; and Lelia, an- other promising daughter, who was taken away at the age of nineteen.
AMES H. BABBITT, an extensive farmer and fruit-grower in Colerain, was born June 17, 1820, on the farm where he now lives, son of Henry and Mary (White) Babbitt. His paternal grandfather was Henry Babbitt, Sr., born December 27, 1764, the first of the Babbitt family to settle in Colerain. Grandfather Babbitt was among the early settlers of this part of the State, taking a tract of wild land, and improving it so that it became a fine farm. He was a good citizen and a valued member of the commu- nity. He died in Hartwell, Readsboro, Vt., when about eighty-five years of age. His first wife was Mary Faulkner, born February 7, 1762. She was the mother of six children, born between 1789 and 1806, all of whom at- tained maturity. They were: Mary, Anna, Sarah, Phœbe, Henry, and Enos. Mr. Bab- bitt's second wife lived to be ninety years of age.
Henry Babbitt, Jr., father of Mr. Babbitt, was born June 18, 1799, in the north-western part of Colerain, in which town he spent the greater part of his life. He was an industri- ous farmer, but lived hardly long enough to get a firm footing upon the road to prosperity, as he died at the age of thirty-nine. He was subject to heart disease, and on November 29, 1838, was found dead by the roadside. His wife, to whom he was united on April 6, 1819, was the daughter of James and Hannah White. Her father, the maternal grand- father of James Babbitt, was a Revolutionary soldier, who served throughout the War of Independence, fighting under Washington. When the army was disbanded, he cleared a
tract of land in Colcrain, and made a home, becoming quite an extensive owner of real es- tate here and in other towns. On his Cole- rain property he planted many fruit-trees, which produced plentiful crops. He also had a distillery and a cider-mill, and one year made over seven hundred barrels of cider from apples gathered from his own trees. He died at the age of eighty-six, his wife having laid down the cares of life some time previ- ously. They had fifteen children, thirteen of whom lived to a good age. One of them, Mrs. Alona Clapp, widow of Franklin Clapp, a resident of Deerfield, is now in her eighty- sixth year. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Babbitt, Jr., had six children, three of whom are deceased, namely: Mary Ann, born February 6, 1823, who became Mrs. Brown, and died in Septem- ber, 1894; Jane Maria, born March 1, 1825, who died January 24, 1831; and Esther So- phia, born April 29, 1827, and died in March, 1876. James H., Lewis W., and Elmer W. are the survivors.
Lewis W. Babbitt was born in Heath, May 3, 1836, and was a little over two years old when his parents moved to Colerain, in which town his life has since been passed, following the quiet routine of farm life. He is the owner of seventy-five acres of land in Colerain and forty-five in Heath. He is unmarried, a stanch Republican, and for ten years Highway Surveyor. Elmer W. Babbitt was born July 5, 1838, in Heath. He is a carpenter and joiner by trade, and has passed the greater part of his life in Whitingham, Vt., whither he went shortly after attaining his majority. He is now a resident of Readsboro, Vt. He also is a bachelor. In politics he is a Repub- lican.
James H. Babbitt was born on the farm where he now resides. He attended school in this town and also in Heath, and has been en-
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gaged in agricultural pursuits since childhood, spending the greater part of his life on the home farm, his share of which comprises sev- enty-five acres. It is part of the old Whiten estate, which originally covered one hundred and fifty acres, and descended to the Babbitts through their mother, being now divided be- tween Lewis and James, who carry on general farming, making a specialty of dairy products and fruit-growing. Some of the old trees planted by Grandfather White are still on the farm. and the vigorous growth of later years is not behind its predecessors in the produc- tion of abundant crops.
James H. Babbitt was married at the age of twenty-seven to Tryphena Harris, daughter of Bariah and Irena Harris, who were among the early settlers of the town, and are both now deceased. Mrs. Babbitt's grandfather, Tim- othy Harris, was born May 11, 1765, in Rhode Island, and moved to Colerain in 1805, settling in the north-western part. He was an industrious farmer, and lived to be upward of eighty years old, spending his last years in Indiana. He was an old-time Whig, and in his religious views was liberal. His wife, Ann, a native of the same State, born December 13, 1767, was the daughter of Caleb Howard, a wealthy ship-builder, who was at one time candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island. Mrs. Howard lived to the age of ninety years, dying in Colerain. They had thirteen children, all of whom are now deceased. Bariah Harris, Mrs. Babbitt's father, was born July 23, 1790, and died in Masonville, N.Y., Febru- ary 7, 1877. His wife, to whom he was mar- ried January 17, 1814, was Miss Irena Smith, of Halifax, Vt. She died in 1866. Mrs. James H. Babbitt died at the age of fifty-four, leaving a daughter, Martha S., who lives on the farm with her father.
James H. Babbitt is a Republican in poli- tics, and has been Highway Surveyor for sev- eral years. He represents one of the oldest families in the town, and he and his brother together possess one of the finest fruit farms in the county.
OSEPH C. SEVERANCE, of Shel- burne, owning one of the choicest farms of the county, and prominently identified with the agricultural interests of the district, is a native of Conway, where his birth occurred September 7, 1842. His par- ents, Ruel and Electa (Rice) Severance, were also natives of Franklin County, his father having been born in Leyden and his mother in Conway. (Further facts respecting the ancestors of this family are given in the no- tice of Dr. Severance, to be found on another page.)
Ruel Severance was a general farmer, He spent the first few years of his married life in the place of his nativity. Coming to Shel- burne in 1847, he bought a farm situated about one mile north of the centre of the town. He labored diligently on it during the remainder of his life, and left it to his suc- cessor well stocked and cared for, and bring- ing in a good income. He died February 17, 1882, beloved and respected by all. His wife, whose death occurred in 1878, bore him five children, as follows: Nancy, deceased, the wife of Charles S. Allen; Lucy, de- ceased, married to L. A. Peck; Diana L., re- siding in Greenfield, widow of William T. Peck; Arabella, widow of H. S. Shepardson, a resident of Shelburne Falls; and Joseph C., the subject of this sketch.
Joseph C. Severance, after receiving his early education in the district school, finished his studies at Powers Institute in Bernard- ston. In May, 1863, soon after attaining his
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majority, he responded to the call for volun- tecrs to defend the Union by enlisting in the Second Massachusetts Artillery. He fought bravely in many of the most hotly contested battles of the Rebellion, was severely wounded at the battle of South-west Creek, or Five Forks, as it was sometimes called, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. On his return to civil life Mr. Sever- ance took his old place on the home farm. After a while he was intrusted with the en- tire management, which, together with the care of his parents in their old age, thereafter received his exclusive attention. He subse- quently bought the interest in the homestead held by his sisters; and, having also pur- chased an adjoining estate, he now possesses three hundred acres of rich and productive land, comprising one of the most valuable farms in the locality.
The marriage of Mr. Severance with Eliza Dinsmore, of Conway, was celebrated Novem- ber 24, 1863. They have had five children, as follows: Alvin, who died in his fifth year; Alice M., who died at the age of twenty-five ycars; George A., born in July, 1873, a farmer, living at home; Lulu E., born May 23, 1875, also living at home; and Mary, the wife of George Chesbro, of North Adams. Mr. Scverance is a man of mark and of recog- nized worth as a citizen, his business ability being unquestioned and his character above reproach. He takes a lively interest in local affairs, is at present Road Commissioner, has been Selectman for four years, and has filled other officcs to general satisfaction. In poli- tics he is a Republican. Both he and Mrs. Severance are worthy members of the Congre- gational church. Socially, Mr. Scverance is quite prominent in the Grand Army organiza- tion, and has filled in turn all of the offices of the Ozro Miller Post, No. 93.
J OB G. PICKETT, a progressive farmer of Greenfield, was born in that town, April 14, 1838, his father, Henry L., and his mother, Dorothy (Lage) Pickett, being natives of that place.
His great-grandfather, Samuel Pickett, was the first of the family to settle in Greenfield. He was a capable farmer and an active citi- zen, serving as Selectman of the town, and dying there at an advanced age. Grandfather Samuel Pickett was also a farmer of Green- field, where he and his wife, after living a useful life, died at a good old age. They raised a family of three children, all now de- ceased. Of these Henry L., father of Job G. Pickett, followed the calling of his fore- fathers, and owned the fine farm where his son Job now resides. His political principles were Democratic, and his religious belief that of a Universalist. He died on the' old homestead, at the age of seventy-seven, and his wife died at seventy-three. They had four children, all of whom are now living, as follows: Job G. Pickett, the subject of this memoir; Lucy, now the wife of Richard New- comb, residing in Greenfield; Henry L., of Colerain; and Fanny Pickett, of Greenfield.
Job G. Pickett grew to manhood in Green- field, where he has followed successfully the business of farming. Since the family estate came into his hands he has kept all the build- ings in fine repair and the land in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Pickett married April 14, 1863, Nancy Phillips, who was born in Greenfield, April 7, 1838, daughter of Noble P. and Nancy (Kennedy) Phillips. Her father was a native of Greenfield, a shoe- maker in his earlier years, but later a farmer. He spent his last six years with his daughter, Mrs. Pickett, living to be eighty-five years of age. His wife was born in Bernardston, and lived to the age of seventy-four. They
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had eight children, of whom five are living. Dwight M., Clement C., and Hilda J. are de- ceased. Ellen A. is now Mrs. Park, of Cali- fornia; Nancy is Mrs. Pickett ; Newton R. lives in Connecticut : Elvira S., now Mrs. Larabee, and Charles M., both reside in Greenfield.
Mr. and Mrs. Job Pickett have two chil- dren : Frank M. Pickett, born in Greenfield, February 23, 1864, a farmer, and unmarried; and Ellen A., born in Greenfield, November 13, 1866. Mr. Pickett has served as Assessor for four years, and has been Selectman for two years, which position he still holds. Politically, he is a Democrat. He is a mem- ber of Pocomptuck Lodge, No. 67, Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, and has also been actively identified with the Agricultural Soci- ety. Mr. and Mrs. Pickett are both liberal in their religious faith. She is a prominent member of Rebecca Degree, Siloam Lodge, No. 87.
HARLES H. KNOWLTON, a suc- cessful hardware merchant, well- known and highly esteemed in Shelburne Falls, was born in Worcester, Mass., October 9, 1819, son of Joel and Polly ( Brooks) Knowlton.
Joel Knowlton was a native of Shutesbury, Mass., where he was brought up to the busi- ness of farming. Leaving this place, he went to Grafton, Mass., purchased a farm of two hundred acres, and thereafter managed it with such success that he came to be counted among the leading agriculturists of that sec- tion. His death occurred in 1839, when he was but fifty-five years of age. He was a Whig in politics, and took a lively interest in most public questions. His wife, who was a daughter of Elijah Brooks, gave birth to five sons and two daughters : Reuel F., John C., Elijah B., Daniel H., Charles H., Laura
B., and Harriet E. She died in 1877, at the advanced age of ninety years and three months.
Charles H. Knowlton remained with his parents until he came of age, receiving a good practical education in the district schools of Grafton. He then learned the trade of a shoe- maker, but not liking the business he gave it up after following it four years. The next two years he was employed on the Boston & Albany Railroad, after which he purchased a small farm in Leominster, Mass., and culti- vated it with profit for five years. He engaged in lumbering then for an equal period of time, at the end of which he purchased another farm in Templeton, Mass., and resumed his previ- ous occupation. This time he continued at it for eleven years, and then sold out. He next secured a position in the chair factory in Cole- rain, this county, and later in the Leominster piano factory, where he remained for several years. From this place he went to Charle- mont, Mass., and there, in company with his son, during the following three years con- ducted a general tin and hardware store. Sub- sequently this store was sold; and the hard- ware business of C. Wilcox in Shelburne Falls, together with the block on Bridge Street, in which also the store is located, was purchased by these enterprising men. They have carried on the business since then. The first floor and basement of the block are de- voted to its needs, while the second floor is rented. Besides general hardware, they carry a line of stoves, furnaces, and refrigerators, and do a general tinware and plumbing trade. They are the leaders in their line in Shel- burne Falls, and have put heaters in many of its residences and prominent buildings. In addition to the block on Bridge Street, Mr. Knowlton owns his residence, and another house which he rents. Both are situated on
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Water Street, and have been remodelled since he bought them.
On April 18, 1844, Mr. Knowlton was united in marriage with Miss Martha Bayden, daughter of Peter Bayden, of Leominster, Mass. She died in 1866, when but forty-one years of age, leaving three sons: Charles L., Albert B., and Edward P. Charles L. Knowlton, who is in partnership with his father, first married Miss Jane Goodnow (de- ceased), by whom he has one son, Frank E. ; his present wife was Miss Mary Fellows, who has borne him one daughter, Alice. Albert B. Knowlton married Miss Abbie Pratt, and resides in Grafton, Mass., where he is a suc- cessful florist and gardener. Edward P. Knowlton lives at home with his father.
Mr. Knowlton is a Republican, and takes a keen interest in town affairs. He has served very acceptably as Selectman, Assessor, Over- seer of the Poor, and as a member of the School Committee. He is a member of the Universalist church.
OHN W. CHAPIN, road commissioner and mill owner, was born in Bernards- ton, Mass., January 28, 1859, son of Alason and Patience L. (Fox) Chapin. Alanson Chapin was also a native of Bernards- ton, but his wife was born in Franklin County, Massachusetts. He was a farmer and lumber-man, living most of his life in Ber- nardston. One of the hard workers, he was quite successful in his business, and died at the age of forty-five years. He was a Repub- lican in politics. His wife, who died aged sixty-three, belonged to the Methodist Epis- copal church. They reared five children, four of whom are still living. John Chapin is the eldest; Edgar A. Chapin resides in Bernards- ton; Eliza, who became Mrs. Wright, resides
in Leyden; Maria, who also became Mrs. Wright, lives in Bernardston; and Frank Chapin died at the age of three years.
John W. Chapin grew to manhood and was educated in the public schools of Bernardston. When twenty-one years of age, he began work- ing in a saw-mill, and has followed that busi- ness since. In the year 1888 he started a mill on his own account, where he is now lo- cated. The work consists in custom sawing and in the manufacture of all kinds of lumber. The patronage is good and constantly increas- ing. The mill has a capacity of ten thousand feet per day, and is well equipped with im- proved modern machinery. Mr. Chapin has been honored by his fellow-citizens with the office of Road Commissioner, in which capac- ity he serves the community well. Mr. Cha- pin is a very popular man, a prominent mem- ber of the A. F. & A. M., and an earnest Republican. On April 15, 1880, he was married to Hattie E. Woods. They have three children: Lucy F., Eveline, and Harry. Mr. Chapin and his wife are both members of the Congregational church.
OSEPH O. CARPENTER, a success- ful and highly respected citizen of Leyden, was born there, April 29, 1828, son of Jotham O. and Eliza (Potter) Carpenter.
His grandfather, David Carpenter, was a native of Rhode Island, where his ancestors had settled on their arrival from England. He and his brother, Abel Carpenter, came to Leyden, Mass., when young men; and he set- tled in the south part of the town. Here he engaged in farming, and kept a hotel. He continued in the latter business for fifteen or twenty years. The old hotel building, now owned by John Newcomb, which was built in
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1830, is still in a fair state of preservation, and is occupied as a dwelling-house. Mr. Carpenter was also engaged in teaming, and made frequent trips to Boston. He served in various town offices, among which was that of Selectman. filled by him very acceptably. In religious matters he was liberal, and in politics a believer in Democratic principles. His wife died in Leyden in 1830, and his death occurred in the same place eight years afterward. Of their ten children, all of whom reached maturity, Dwight Carpenter is the only survivor. The others were: David N., Charles, Jotham O., Harriet E., Char- lotte, Sarah, Mary, Austin, and Warren.
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