USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Franklin County, Massachusetts .. > Part 73
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vivor. The father died in 1854, at the age of seventy-six, and the mother five years later, aged seventy-four years. Their daughter So- phia died in her fourteenth year; Ann M. died at the age of twenty-four, in 1838; James died in 1854, leaving one son ; and George died June 6, 1864, aged forty, also leaving one son.
Charles Keith received his education in the common schools, and at the age of eighteen years commenced to learn the trade of a black- smith, at which he worked for one year. He then became clerk at the American House, of which his brother William was then propri- etor; and he continued to be closely identi- fied with that well-known hostelry for a period of twenty-eight years, being in company with his brother during eight years of that time, or until they sold the property, for which they realized about eighteen thousand dol- lars. In 1868 Mr. Keith engaged in the gro- cery business in company with Mr. J. H. Nutting, the firm continuing for about two years, at the expiration of which time Mr. Nutting retired; and Mr. Keith afterward conducted the business alone with the most satisfactory results. His large and increasing trade eventually outgrew the old quarters, and in 1891 he erected the substantial brick block to which he removed. He also conducted, in company with his son, a finely appointed and well-patronized market.
Mr. Keith was a Democrat in politics, and served as a Selectman for eight years, Asses- sor three years, and a Trustee of Charities for one year. He was also Postmaster for four years, during President Cleveland's first term. He was a Director of the Franklin Bank, and advanced in Masonry to the Commandery, in which he held many important offices, and was elected Commander of the Lodge of Knights Templars, but declined to serve.
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On February 8, 1860, he married Miss Cordelia Pierce, of Dummerston, Vt., daugh- ter of Hiram and Lydia ( Harris) Pierce, both of whom are now deceased, her father having been a manufacturer of slate roofing and owner of extensive quarries at Guilford, Vt. Mrs. Keith and her husband were early called upon to mourn the death of three of their chil- dren, namely: Grace, who died November II, 1867, at the age of five years; Anna, who died November 3, of the same year; and Sarah Gertrude, who died March 1, 1874, aged four months. The surviving children of Mrs. Keith are: Charles H., teller of the Franklin County Bank, who married Elizabeth C. Allen, of Greenfield; and William B. Keith, a book keeper in the same bank. Mrs. Keith is a communicant of the Episcopal church, with which her husband was connected. She and her family occupy a pleasant residence situated at the corner of Prospect and James Streets. They have a summer cottage at Heron Island, Me., erected by Mr. Keith in 1 892.
UCIUS S. FIFE, gardener and florist of Buckland, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, December, 22, 1840, son of Robert M. and Rebecca (Carrier) Fife. Mr. Fife's paternal grandfather moved from Florida Mountain, Berkshire County, Mass., more than one hundred and fifty years ago, to the State of Ohio, and bought eighty acres of unimproved land. He cleared a good farm, and resided there until his death, which oc- curred at the age of sixty years ; and his prop- erty is now included within the limits of the city of Cleveland. He left two children, namely: Robert M .; and a daughter, Mrs. Moore.
Robert M. Fife was born in the town of Florida, Mass. He was educated at the
schools of his native town, and accompanied his parents to Ohio. In early manhood he learned the trade of a tailor at Cleveland, where he worked for some time, and in 1850 came to Shelburne Falls. He established himself in the tailoring business, in which he was successful, and became a highly re- spected citizen. He was a Baptist in relig- ion and a Democrat in politics. Robert M. Fife died at his home on Charlemont Street. He and his wife reared two children: Ma- tilda; and Lucius S., the subject of this sketch.
Lucius S. Fife received his education at the Shelburne Falls Academy. He then learned the trade of a machinist in the shops of Richard Pratt, where he was steadily em- ployed for a period of twenty-five years; and at the expiration of that time he formed a partnership with E. E. Coleman for the pur- pose of manufacturing turbine water-wheels. He later purchased his partner's interest, and conducted that enterprise alone for seven years. Seeking an entire change of occupa- tion, he bought land on Williams Street, where he established his present business, and now has five large greenhouses, which are heated by steam. He is extensively engaged in the sale of cut flowers and potted plants, and is one of the leading florists in Franklin County. He owns the Woodard farm of forty acres, also the Creamery lot of eight acres, which he devotes wholly to gardening, includ- ing the cultivation of early vegetables; and he and his family occupy a handsome resi- dence, which was erected in 1894.
On June 15, 1875, Mr. Fife was married to Elmira Elmer, daughter of Chester B. Elmer, and has two children; namely, Eleanor and Rena I. Mr. Fife is a Democrat in politics and liberal in his religious views, Mrs. Fife being a communicant of the Episcopal church.
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EREMIAH H. MAHONEY, a well- known mechanic and contractor in the Miller's Falls Company at Miller's Falls, Franklin County, Mass., was born in Ireland, August 16, 1844, where his father, John Mahoney, was a lifelong resident, fol- lowing the vocation of a farmer.
The subject of this sketch was but eleven years of age when he left his native land to come to America. For two years after his ar- rival in Massachusetts he attended school in Holyoke, and then removed to South Hadley, whence a year later he went to Northampton. From that place hc came to Greenfield, where he served a three years' apprenticeship at the machinist's trade, at the same time improving every opportunity of acquiring an education, attending school in the winter, and spending his evenings in study. In 1869 Mr. Mahoney came to Miller's Falls, where he secured a position with the Miller's Falls Company as a mechanic. At the end of a year, however, he again went to Northampton; and there he remained for two years, then returning to Mil- ler's Falls, since which time he has been em- ployed by the Miller's Falls Company to finish certain parts of the work on contract. There are only a few men now with the com- pany who have had so long a connection with it as Mr. Mahoney.
In 1872 he was married to Ann McGlaugh- lin, daughter of John and Mary (Courtney) McGlaughlin, of Irish descent. Her father spent his life in Ireland, where he was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, and was also interested in a flax-mill. Mrs. Mahoney is one of nine children, all of whom are still liv- ing. She has borne her husband four sons and two daughters, namely: Sarah B., who is attending the Northfield School, and fitting herself for foreign missionary work; William, who is attending a business college in
Worcester, Mass .; Bessie; Marshall and Mel- vin, who are twins, and are attending the high school at Orange; and Joseph. Mr. Mahoney appreciates the value of good education, and is giving to his children advantages which in his own youth he was not privileged to enjoy.
In politics Mr. Mahoney is a supporter of Prohibitionist principles, or, in other words, is a temperance Republican. He was for- merly a member of the Good Templars, and has served on the School Committee for three years. Mr. Mahoney united with the church in 1874; and he and his family are prominent members of the Congregational church at Mil- ler's Falls, in which he has served as Deacon for fifteen years. His twin sons, Marshall and Melvin, are members of the local Chris- tian Endeavor Society, of which his daughter Sarah is President ; and his wife and daughter hold other prominent positions in the church and Sunday-school.
ILAS W. ALLIS, a well-known farmer of East Whately, where he owns and occupies a valuable es- tate, was born in Whately on December 28, 1828. His family have been prominent and influential citizens of this town for more than a century, his great-grandfather, Colonel Josiah Allis, having been a pioneer settler, coming here from Hatfield, and clearing a homestead from the wilderness. He was a delegate to the State Convention which was called in 1788 to ratify the Federal Constitu- tion. Elijah Allis, son of Colonel Allis, was a lifelong resident of Whately, and per- formed his full share in developing its agri- cultural resources, improving a good farm from a tract of wild land. Like his father, he was public-spirited, and took part in town
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and State affairs. He reared a family of four children.
Josiah Allis, son of Elijah and father of Silas W., was reared on the ancestral home- stead. He also was a man of ability and in- fluence, a leader in his generation. An inter- esting biographical notice of Mr. Josiah Allis, together with a handsome portrait, is given in the Connecticut Valley History, his lineage being traced back to the immigrant progenitor of the family of New England. From this account we gather that the second Josiah, like the first, was a Franklin County farmer. He seems, however, to have engaged in various enterprises, and in middle life to have spent some time in the West. From 1840 to 1850, in addition to general farming, he was engaged in raising broom corn and in manufacturing brooms, carrying on a large business in Whately, making his home here until his demise, when somewhat past sixty years of age. He married Eliza White, a na- tive of Hatfield, daughter of Ebenezer White, a well-known farmer and hotel-keeper on the hill. She bore him five children, Silas W., the subject of the present sketch, being the only one now living. She was a woman of much force of character, very religious : and both she and her husband were faithful mem- bers of the Congregational church of East Whately. The father was an active politi- cian, being several times a delegate to State and national conventions, and one year a member of the General Court.
Silas W. Allis remained with his parents through his boyhood and youth, leaving home when eighteen years old to enter into the dry- goods business at New Haven, Conn., where he continued until 1856. Going then to New York City, Mr. Allis was for ten years engaged in business with Bliss & Wheelock. Returning to the scenes of his childhood
after the death of his father Mr. Allis took possession of the old homestead property, which consists of two hundred acres of valu- able land, and has since managed the place with excellent results.
During his residence here for the past thirty years Mr. Allis has been closely iden- tified with the interests of the town, and has served for ten years as Selectman, being chairman of the board during that time, and has also filled the office of Overseer of the Poor. In 1884 he was a member of the Gen- eral Court. He is a steadfast adherent of the Democratic party, as was his father, uphold- ing its principles by voice and vote, and is an active and worthy member of the Congrega- tional church.
NDREW E. WILLIS, M.D., a retired physician of Shelburne Falls, was born in Plymouth, Vt., April 15, 1832, son of James and Nancy (Morey) Wil- lis. Dr. Willis's great-grandfather was Dr. John Willis, a physician in the Revolutionary War and a noted man of his time. He died in Bridgewater, Vt., at the age of eighty- eight years. Marshall Willis, grandfather of Dr. Andrew E. Willis, was a native of East- ern Massachusetts, settled in Bridgewater, Vt., and became one of the leading farmers of that town. He was an extensive dealer in live stock, keeping from one to three thou- sand sheep at a time. Marshall Willis lived to the age of seventy-nine years. His wife, whose maiden name was Lydia Adley, died aged sixty-eight. She was the mother of five sons: James, Joel H., Joseph E., Jonathan, and Levi.
James Willis, father ot Dr. Willis, was born in Bridgewater, Vt. He first settled in Plymouth, where he followed the trade of mason, and later moved to Woodstock, where
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he died, aged sixty-seven. He was originally a Whig in politics, but later voted with the Republican party, and served as a Selectman in the town of Woodstock. His wife died at the age of eighty-two years, having been the. mother of five children; namely, Marshall W., Andrew E., Edward B., Henry O., and Isabella.
Andrew E. Willis received his education in Woodstock, Vt., and after leaving the high school commenced the study of medicine with Dr. E. C. Bartlett, of Battle Creek, Mich. He was graduated from the Scudder Medical School of Chicago in 1856, and, after prac- tising medicine and dentistry in Grand Rapids, Mich., for a year, joined a United States surveying party, with whom he spent three years in the West. He then returned to his native State, and a short time later began the practice of his profession in Hinsdale, N.H. After a time he moved to Hartford, Vt., then in 1873 to Sunderland, Mass., and finally in 1878 to Shelburne Falls, where he was enjoying a lucrative practice when in 1889 failing health caused him to practically abandon it.
Dr. Willis owns some valuable real estate in Shelburne Falls, including several build- ings which were erected by him. He is a member of St. John's Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Springfield; of Alethian Lodge, Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, of Shelburne Falls; and also of the Encampment, of which he is District Deputy. In 1860 he was united in marriage to Emma A. Wheeler, of Hinsdale, N.H., daughter of Otis H. and Melissa (Thurston) Wheeler. They have had two children, namely: Maud, who died at the age of six years; and George E., who was born December 20, 1871. Dr. Willis is in- dependent in politics and liberal in his relig- ious views.
RIEL W. HINSDALE, a well-to-do farmer of Colerain, was born in that town, July 21, 1844, son of Ariel and Emorett (Workman) Hinsdale. Grand- father Daniel Hinsdale, who was of English ancestry, was born at Greenfield. He fol- lowed agriculture as an occupation, and died in Greenfield at the age of fifty-five years. Mr. Hinsdale's father, who was born in Greenfield, December 4, 1806, settled upon the farm which is now owned by his son in 1840. He was in every way a worthy citizen and an upright man, an attendant, though not a member, of the church, and in his latter days a Republican in politics. He died at his home in Colerain on September 14, 1890, aged eighty-four years. He was twice mar- ried. His children by his first wife were as follows: Louise, wife of S. G. Davenport, of Colerain; Elizabeth, now deceased; and a son, who died young. His second wife, Em- orett Workman, of Scotch-Irish extraction, a native of Colerain, who died at the age of seventy-seven years, had two children: Ariel W., the youngest; and Augusta, who re- sides with her brother.
Ariel W. Hinsdale commenced his studies at the district schools, and completed his edu- cation in the Worcester Academy. He has always given his attention to agriculture. He owns, besides the Hinsdale property, the old Workman homestead, which together make about ninety-five acres of fertile land. Here he successfully carries on general farming, and keeps his buildings, which are substantial structures, in the best repair. On Novem- ber 21, 1887, he was united in marriage to Miss Mattie S. Dewar, a native of Prince Edward's Island. Mrs. Hinsdale is a member of the Congregational church. Mr. Hinsdale is liberal in his religious views and a Demo- crat in politics.
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DWIN N. HAWKES, a prominent farmer in Charlemont, was born on March 30, 1835, on the farm where he now resides. He is a son of Deacon Hor- ace and Rachel (Smedley) Hawkes, and grand- son of Jared and Elizabeth Hawkes. Jared Hawkes was one of the first settlers in Charle- mont, purchasing a tract of three hundred acres on the south side of the river at a time when this part of the country was an almost unbroken wilderness; and it was his privi- lege
" To see a world, from shadowy forests won. In youthful beauty wedded to the sun : To skirt his home with harvests widely sown, And call the blooming landscape all his own, His children's heritage, in prospect long."
He was also the owner of several acres where is now the village of Charlemont. The home that he established here shows him to have been a man of means and of refined taste. The house, which stands in a grove of majes- tic hard maple-trees of his planting, was built in 1790, and with its large halls, heavy panels, and elaborate fireplaces is of the finest workmanship both inside and outside. In his early manhood Jared Hawkes served in the Revolutionary War. He died at the age of seventy-seven, having long been an active member of the Congregational church. His wife died in 1830, aged seventy-four. Jared Hawkes had six sons and two daughters. Jared James was the first male child born in Charlemont. One son, Erastus Hawkes, was a physician and surgeon. Another, the Rev. Roswell Hawkes, with Mary Lyon founded Mount Holyoke Seminary; and, after living there and helping in the school for some time, he went West, and established an academy on the same plan.
Horace Hawkes was born on October 14,
1812, on the homestead of which he at length came into possession. The first bridge across the Deerfield River, a part of which is stand- ing to-day, was built of timber that Mr. Hor- ace Hawkes cut from his land and rafted down the river. In addition to farming he carried on an extensive teaming business, taking prod- uce to Boston, and bringing back merchan- dise and salt. He took an active interest in politics, voting with the Whigs and later with the Republicans, and held office at different times in the town. He was a Dea- con in the Congregational church for several years. He died at the age of eighty-one. Eight of his twelve children lived to adult age. Three or four of his daughters studied at Mount Holyoke Seminary, and one son went through college at Williamstown, Mass.
Edwin N. Hawkes, who was the youngest- born, acquired a good education in Charle- mont, finishing his school days at the acad- emy. He has spent his life on the homestead, having cared for his parents in their old age, and took full possession of the farm after his father's death. He here has about three hundred acres of land, and has repaired and remodelled the house built by his grand- father, and also improved other buildings upon the estate. He has raised some fine stock, including horses and sheep, and has a choice dairy; and he is interested in opening a sulphur mine, veins of sulphur, which prom- ise well, showing on the land which he pur- chased on the opposite side of the river.
On November 26, 1865, Mr. Hawkes was married to Mary Lester, daughter of Charles and Mary (Forbes) Lester, and grand-daugh- ter of Franklin and Nancy (Haskins) Lester, of Greenfield. Her grandmother Lester lived to be one hundred and five years old. Charles Lester, Mrs. Hawkes's father, was the eldest of four children, and was born in
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Greenfield. He was a mechanic by trade, living to be seventy-five years old. His wife died in her forty-fourth year. They had six children, Mrs. Hawkes being the eldest.
Mr. and Mrs. Hawkes have cared for five children, to whom they have given a good ed- ucation and a fair start in life, namely : Isaac Hill; George and Hattie Lester; Katie Hawkes, who is now with them, a very prom- ising young lady; and Thomas Barlow, who is in the hardware business in Keene, N.H. Mr. Hawkes is an ardent Prohibitionist; and he and his wife are active members of the Congregational church, in which he has been Deacon for a long time, also often holding other offices. He has also been superintend- ent of the Sunday-school for twelve years.
ENRY W. BILLINGS, a successful insurance agent and highly esteemed business man of Conway, Franklin County, Mass., was born in that place, son of Henry P. and Emily (Hitchcock) Billings, and grandson of Elisha and Elizabeth (Will- iams) Billings.
His great-grandfather, Fellows Billings, was a native of Hatfield, Mass. He removed to Sunderland with his father, who was one of the forty proprietors and first settlers of that town, where he owned a large farm, and where, in connection with his farm duties, he also profitably conducted a hotel for more than thirty years. In 1780 he sold his property in Sunderland, and removed to Conway, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty acres of land, and lived there until his death, at eighty-nine years of age. He married Miss Mary Eastman, who also lived to an advanced age.
Elisha Billings was born in Sunderland, October 1, 1749. He graduated at Yale Col-
lege in 1772 as valedictorian of his class. After suitable preparatory studies he was li- censed to preach the gospel in 1775. But soon after his health failed, and he spent the remainder of his life as a farmer at Conway. He was a Director of the Hampshire Educa- tion and Missionary Societies and a Trustee of Sanderson Academy and Amherst College. He was active and earnest in starting the col- lege, and contributed liberally to its pecun- iary aid. He was also active in church work at home, and both in church and town held important offices, serving three years as Town Treasurer, and as Representative to the Gen- eral Court in 1812, 1813, and 1814. His wife was Elizabeth Williams, of Hatfield.
His son, Henry P. Billings, was born in the town of Conway in 1771. He received his education in the common schools and at Deerfield Academy, and later on went to New York State, where he was engaged in school-teaching for a time. He afterward re- turned to Massachusetts, settling in Berkshire County ; but he subsequently moved to the old homestead, which he purchased, and on which he made various improvements, especially in the buildings, which he remodelled. The remainder of his life was profitably spent in the healthful vocation of a farmer, his death occurring on the old homestead in 1856, at seventy-five years of age. In political affilia- tion he was a Whig until the formation of the Republican party, after which he supported the latter. He served as Sheriff for a number of years while he was a resident of Berkshire County, and afterward in Franklin County. His wife, Emily Hitchcock Billings, was a daughter of Justin Hitchcock. They reared two sons, namely: Henry W .; and Charles H., who resides in St. Louis, Mo. The mother died in 1854, at sixty-four years of age.
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Henry W. Billings remained with his par- ents, receiving a good practical education in the district schools and at Deerfield Academy and Williston Seminary. At the death of his parents the farm was sold. For four years he was engaged in railroad work on the Rutland & Burlington Railroad. He then returned to Conway as insurance clerk and agent, and general servant for the public in town offices, and Trial Justice and Notary Public, where he has served until the present time. He is also often employed in the settlement of estates. On June 10, 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Bates, daugh- ter of Ephraim and Euphemia ( Bridges) Bates, of Vermont, where her father was a successful and progressive farmer. She died in 1883, at fifty-two years of age. She bore her husband five children, of whom three survive as follows: Harry H., born 1857, is engaged as a clerk with Matthews & Sons, merchants, of Brooklyn, N. Y .; Mary A., born 1861, resides at home, and is a successful music teacher; Edward C., born 1868, is also engaged as a clerk for Matthews & Sons, of Brooklyn, N.Y.
In politics Mr. Billings is a stanch Repub- lican. Since 1864 he has served most accept- ably as Town Clerk and Treasurer. He is a member of Morning Sun Lodge of A. F. & A. M., in which he has filled all the chairs, and is now Past Master. Mr. Billings is an influential member of the Congregational church, of which his wife was also a com- municant. He resides in the village, on the place purchased by him when he returned to Conway.
EMUEL F. GRAVES, a prominent Franklin County farmer, living at East Whately, present owner and occupant of the old Graves homestead, which
was his birthplace, and has been the family residence for nearly a century and a half, was born on September 4, 1858. His parents were Rufus and Julia (Nutting-Dane) Graves. His great-grandfather, David Graves, who probably was a native of Hatfield, as the orig- inal ancestor of this branch of the family is known to have settled there at a very early period in Colonial history, was one of the first settlers of Whately, becoming the proprietor of a large tract of land, which he cleared and improved into a good farm. He erected the present farm residence, which is still one of the finest and most substantial houses in the locality, although it has served continuously as the family dwelling for so long a period. He was a man of prominence in the town, and here spent the remainder of his life. After his death the farm passed into the hands of his son, Levi Graves, who was born November 7, 1769, and died on April 22, 1844.
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