USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts > Part 11
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Luther Clark Wright received his early edu- cation in the public schools, supplemented by a course at Williston Seminary. He then en-
gaged in farming until 1884, when he was elected the first Tax Collector of the city of Northampton. He came to the latter place to live in 1864, locating on Fruit Street. IIe was united in marriage on May 23, 1895, to Mrs. M. R. Kingsley, who was born in Mon- treal. She had lost her first husband three years after their marriage. At the time of her second union she was Assistant Librarian in the Northampton Public Library, a posi- tion she had filled for nine years with satisfac- tion to its patrons.
Mr. Wright votes in the ranks of the Re- publican party, of which he is a faithful sup- porter. He is prominent in city affairs, and was chosen to succeed Mr. Clark as superin- tendent of the water works, chiefly upon the recommendation of the latter at the time of his resignation. Since then he has amply demonstrated his ability to fulfil the duties of that office. He and his wife, who is a woman of rare intelligence, reside at their fine new residence at 32 Crescent Street.
ARTIN WILLCUTT, widely known as a prosperous agriculturist and an extensive stock-raiser, was born in Chesterfield, August 23, 1827, son of Major Joel and Malency (Bates) Willcutt.
Major Willcutt was a farmer of industrious habits, and soon after his marriage, which was performed in Cummington, settled on a farm in this locality, and followed his customary occupation for a time. He subsequently sold his original purchase, bought the homestead property where his son Martin now resides, and thereafter made its cultivation and im- provement one of the chief objects of his life. He died in August, 1882. He was interested in military tactics, and for many years was drum-major in the old Home Guard. His
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wife, who was his faithful companion and counsellor for more than half a century, died in 1877. They reared a family of eleven chil- dren, namely: Jesse, a resident of Cumming- ton ; Clarissa, deceased; Malinda, wife of Ebenezer Shaw, of Cummington; Alvin, who died in Cummington in 1893; Martin, the subject of this sketch; Rhoda, deceased ; Lucretia, wife of Henry Dyer, of Cumming- ton ; Lydia, wife of Alexus Wells, of Cum- mington ; Clarissa, wife of Abner Damon, of Williamsburg; Joel, deceased; and Maria, wife of William Wells, of Williamsburg.
Martin Willcutt spent his childhood and youth in very much the same manner as most farmers' boys, by turns attending school and helping in the labors of the farm, but remain- ing beneath the parental roof-tree until mar- riage. He afterward worked at the carpenter's trade in this town and in Cummington for sev- eral years, and was likewise engaged to some extent in farming. After the death of his father Mr. Willcutt, who had always taken an interest in farm work, bought the claims of the remaining heirs in the homestead property, and has since carried on general farming with success. He has added much to the improve- ments already begun. There is a substantial and convenient set of buildings, with all the equipments required by a first-class modern agriculturist. He raises hay, corn, and the small grains, and makes a specialty of stock- raising, handling a large number of cattle each year.
On February 9, 1851, Mr. Willcutt was united in marriage with Miss Millury J. Shaw, a native of Cummington, being a daugh- ter of Ebenezer Shaw, an early settler of that place. Mr. Willcutt champions the principles of the Democratic party, and, although not an aspirant for public office, has served his town as Road Surveyor, as well as in some of the
minor offices. He is a true and loyal citizen in every respect, and has an unblemished repu- tation as a straightforward and upright man and a worthy member of society.
RADSHAW H. STONE has been a resident of Northampton for more than thirty years, having settled in his present home at 200 State Street, in 1862. He is a native of Windham, Vt., where he was born February 6, 1825, son of Horace W. and Hannah (Fisher) Stone.
Horace W. Stone was born in Ashburnham, Mass., January 6, 1800, being a son of Joseph Stone, of whose record little is definitely known. He was a railroad contractor, spend- ing the larger part of his life in New England, dying August 29, 1887, in Northampton. He had several contracts on the Boston & Al- bany Railroad, the Hartford, the Connecti- cut River, and the Fitchburg roads. In 1853 he built a portion of the Wabash & Indiana Railroad. Seven children were born to him and his wife, of whom five grew to adult life. These were : Bradshaw H., the subject of this sketch; Orlando F., formerly engaged in farm- ing at Westminster, Vt., who died December 30, 1863, aged thirty-seven years; George Kirk, formerly a trainman, who was killed December 1, 1853, aged twenty-one years ; Evander M., formerly a baggage master, who died September 15, 1863, aged twenty-eight years; and Hannah M., widow of the late Malery Locke, of Chicago, Il1.
Bradshaw H. Stone was reared to manhood on his father's farm. He subsequently as- sisted his father in his business of contracting and building. He was first employed as a train master on the Cheshire Railway, and afterward as section man on the Connecticut River road. He was also a train conductor for
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many years, and a road master for a shorter time. He is now quietly engaged cultivating a meadow farm of nine acres, on which he keeps a horse and cow. In politics he was a Whig, but since the organization of the Republican party he has been one of its strongest adher- ents. He was superintendent of streets for sixteen years, and had charge of much of the work of constructing the city water works. Religiously, both he and his wife are valued members of the Baptist church, and active workers in the denomination.
Mr. Stone has been twice married. He was first married November 17, 1850, to Mary Ellen Stoddard, who died fourteen months after. On December 6, 1852, Mr. Stone was united in wedlock a second time with Eliza P. Barrett, born August 15, 1823, in Windham, Vt., a daughter of Simeon and Edith (Farr) Barrett. Mrs. Stone was liberally educated, and for several years prior to her marriage was engaged in teaching school. Of the union two children have been born, namely : Kirk H., who has been book-keeper for eighteen years with the same firm, is married and has four children, three sons and a daughter; and Urban S., a ranchman at Montrose, Col. Mr. and Mrs. Stone are highly esteemed by their neighborhood.
EORGE SMITH, a lifelong resident and native of Middlefield, Hamp- shire County, and one of the best- known agriculturists of that town, was born on July 17, 1834, son of Asa and Sally (Root) Smith.
His father, who was a native of Connecti - cut, where he was born March 23, 1788, when a small boy, came with his parents to Massa- chusetts, making the journey thither on horse- back. They settled in Middlefield, where
Grandfather Smith purchased a large farm, on which he passed the remainder of his life, engaged in the healthful labors of farming. Asa Smith successfully followed the same occupation throughout his life. He died May 6, 1869. His wife, who was born August 19, 1790, was a native of Massachusetts, as were both her parents. She died September 3, 1836. Their union was blessed with nine children. Asenath, the eldest, born Septem- ber 17, 1811, married Parsons P. Meacham, a successful farmer in New York State, both of whom died, she October 8, 1892, and he September 6, 1887. Six children were born to them; namely, Harriett (deceased), George (deceased), Charles H., Francis W., Cynthia C. (deceased), and Lawrence L. Calvin Smith, born July 17, 1813, died August 23, 1814. Calvin Smith (second), born December 9, 1814, married for his first wife Miss Har- riet M. Crozier, who was born March 18, 1818, and died in March, 1842. He then married his second wife, Miss Aurelia Love- land, who was born August 18, 1822. He had one son by his first union, Jerome, and four sons by the second union: Edwin; Dwight (deceased) ; Lofton J. ; and Frank. Calvin Smith died December 10, 1882. Harriett Smith, born April 6, 1817, died Jan- uary 6, 1844. Almira Smith, born Septem- ber 4, 1819, married Benjamin Pratt, and died March 4, 1889, leaving five children : Clara, Arthur D., Sumner G. (deceased), Elma, and Edwin D. Caroline Smith, born February II, 1822, married Edwin Dudley, and died June 1, 1894, leaving five children : Emma M., Oakley S., Helen E., Lofton F., and Car- roll E. Harmony Smith, born June 4, 1824, is the widow of Cyrus Dudley, who died Jan- uary 26, 1876; she now resides in New Jer- sey. Angeline, born December 15, 1828, died May 7, 1829.
OREN WILLIAMS.
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George Smith, the youngest of the family and the subject of this sketch, remained with his parents and helped his father in carrying on the farm. After their death he purchased the old homestead, which he has profitably conducted since. He devotes his attention principally to general farming, raising good crops of the staple products of the vicinity. He also engages to some extent in dairying.
Mr. Smith has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was united November 12, 1862, was Miss Anna Belle Walker, who was born in 1844. She died September 1, 1866, leaving one son, Arthur L., whose birth occurred September 1, 1863; he married Miss Florence Marshall, and is now a success- ful physician in New Brunswick, N. J. Mr. Smith's second union was with Miss Julia E. Bartlett, a native of Worthington, where she was born December 25, 1847, daughter of Asa and Polly Bartlett, both of whom were also natives of Massachusetts. Her father is a car- penter by trade, and is also engaged in farm- ing. Her mother died June 24, 1891. Mrs. Smith has borne her husband five children : Herbert, born April 9, 1870, who died Octo- ber 1, 1870; George Ernest, born April 14, 1872, who died August 19, 1872; Edith M., born December 9, 1873; Walter A., born December 1, 1875; and Kirby W., born July 1I, 1880.
Mr. Smith is a faithful supporter of the Republican party, and has always been actively interested in politics. He and his wife are communicants of the Baptist church at Mid- dlefield.
REN WILLIAMS, one of the old and respected residents of the beautiful college town of Amherst, was born in South Amherst, September 16, 1812, and comes of a race of independent farmers. His
parents were Justice and Sally (Warner) Williams. His paternal grandfather, Justice Williams, Sr., who was one of the first set- tlers of South Amherst, owning and tilling a large farm there, was an industrious and thrifty man, whose labors were crowned with success. He and his wife, Sarah Pomeroy Williams, both lived to be quite old. They were church members, attending what is now the Second Congregational Church. They had a family of seven children, all of whom attained maturity.
Justice Williams, the younger, was a hard- working and successful man. At one timc he owned what is now the town farm in South Amherst; and during his whole lifetime he was a large property owner, winning from the soil a comfortable livelihood. In politics he was a Whig, and was a leading man in the district, serving as Sheriff for a number of years. He died on his farm at the age of fifty-six, his wife living to be sixty-three. They had six children -five sons and a daughter - only one of whom, the subject of this sketch, is living to-day.
Oren Williams grew to manhood on the old farm. He attended the district schools of South Amherst, and studied one term at Am- herst Academy, then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and up to 1882 was suc- cessfully engaged in general farming, being industrious and painstaking, shirking no task, however difficult, and a good business man. At one time he owned three hundred acres of land; but in 1882 he sold his farm, and pur- chased a pretty home in Amherst, where he now resides retired from active work.
On May 29, 1839, Mr. Williams was united in marriage with Eliza J., daughter of Sylvanus and Sukey (Joslyn) Howe, who was born in Enfield, Mass., November 17, 1812. Sylvanus Howe also was a farmer; and his
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life was passed far from the noise of city traffic, in the open country, where
" Mother Nature laughs around,
Where even the deep blue heavens look glad,
And gladness breathes from the blossoming ground."
Mr. Howe was a good citizen, he and his wife both being members of the Congrega- tional church, and was universally regretted when he passed from earth, at the age of sev- enty-two. Mrs. Howe, long surviving her husband, attained the advanced age of eighty- seven. Four of their six children are now living.
Politically, Mr. Williams is a Republican. He and his wife are Congregationalists, at- tending the church at South Amherst. They have no children. Deservedly esteemed by all who know them, this venerable couple are ending their days in the peace and comfort which are the fitting rewards of early and long-continued useful toil. A portrait of Mr. Oren Williams is appropriately placed in this collection of Hampshire County worthies.
D AVID EDWARDS HOXIE, a well- to-do farmer of Northampton, Mass., was born February 25, 1840, in the house in which he still resides. Nearly one hundred and fifty years have elapsed since Nathaniel Edwards, third, the first occupant of the farm, took possession of it.
Nathaniel was a descendant of Alexander Edwards, who came to this country from Wales. This progenitor was a tanner by trade, and also engaged in sheep and cattle raising at the start. He afterward combined these avocations with that of tavern-keeper. His inn was close by the first toll-gate west of Northampton, on the Boston and Albany turn- pike, over which the stage lines ran. With
the advent of steam railways to take the place of the old coach lines, this wayside hostelry, like others of the same description, was aban- doned some forty-five years ago. Mr. Hoxie's maternal grandfather, Captain David Edwards, was born in Northampton ; and his wife, l'en- ninah Judd, was a daughter of Sylvester Judd, of Westhampton. They were the parents of five children, two sons and three daughters, all of whom, except one son, married. The youngest, who was the last survivor, died in 1895, aged seventy-eight years. His first wife having died, Captain Edwards married again, but had no children by the second wife. His sister Esther married Leander Moody, and in commemoration of the event there was planted the elm-tree which now overshades Mr.
Hoxie's home.
Grandfather James Hoxie, who had lost one limb, was a tailor by trade, and originally lived in Rhode Island, whence he came on horseback accompanied by his wife, who rode behind him on a pillion.
Benjamin B. Hoxie, the father of the sub- ject of this sketch, was born in Greenfield in 1809. He afterward removed to Charlemont, where his youth was spent. At the age of eighteen years he came to the farm on which his son resides and learned the tanner's busi- ness of Nathaniel Edwards, third. About 1834 he went to that part of New York State on which the city of Buffalo has since arisen, then covered with timber, and spent the suc- ceeding two years in the woods there. At the end of that time he returned to Northampton, and, with the exception of a brief visit to Cali- fornia, there spent the remainder of his life. He engaged in the tanning business in partner- ship with his brother-in-law, Horace Wright, and also carried on his farm, which contained between four and five hundred acres of land. He was married in 1833, to Miss Hannah
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Burt Edwards, a grand-daughter of Nathaniel Edwards, third. They reared two of the five children born of their union, namely : David Edwards; and Esther Moody, wife of Alphonso Witherell, residing in Northampton Centre, and mother of one son, Philip With- erell.
David Edwards Hoxie was reared on the farm in Northampton, and after completing the course in the district school entered Will- iston Seminary. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in Company C of the Tenth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. This regi- ment was the first which went to the front from Western Massachusetts. This was in the spring of 1861. In the spring of 1863 he was discharged on account of disability. Five years later, in 1868, he entered the employ of the Davison Watch Company, jewellers of Northampton Centre, with whom he remained until 1875, after which he conducted the busi- ness on his own account. In 1884 he closed out his store and returned home to care for his aged mother and recuperate his health. This proved profitable in a pecuniary way as well as salutary to his health and consoling to his mother.
In September, 1868, he was joined in mar- riage with Miss Sarah J. Perkins, of Lyme, Conn., a daughter of Charles and Temperance (Chapman) Perkins. Her parents had ten chil- dren. She now has three brothers living, namely: Elisha and George, who are well- to-do farmers in Oskaloosa, Ia. ; and William, who lives in Chesterfield, Conn. These, with their brother James, served in the Civil War. James (a twin brother of Andrew J., who died aged five years) was wounded and did not live to reach his home. Mr. and Mrs. Hoxie's home has been blessed by the birth of three promis- ing sons, namely : James Benjamin, a young man of twenty-four years, residing at home,
who was a student at the Connecticut Literary Institute; George Perkins, who is eighteen years of age, and is attending the Northamp- ton High School; and Sylvester Edwards, a youth of thirteen years.
Mr. Hoxie has always voted the Republican ticket. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and has served as Secretary of his Chapter. He is a charter member of the William L. Baker Post, No. 86, Grand Army of the Republic. He has served on the Common Council two years, as an Alderman one year, and for three years as a member of the Board of Health. Mr. Hoxie is a man of superior intelligence, and by his business ability and integrity has won respect and esteem in both business and social intercourse.
ACOB HOLLEY, the oldest liveryman in Northampton and the proprietor of a flourishing livery stable at 270 Main Street, is of German nativity, having been born in Würtemberg in the year 1826. His father, Martin Holley, was a farmer, and also engaged in the baking business, in his native country, which he never left. He married Agnes Wilbur, who bore him five sons and three daughters, all of whom grew to maturity and married. But three of them came to America, those being Jacob, the subject of this article, a sister that died in Boston in 1893, and his youngest brother, John Holley, a miller and a manufacturer of lumber in Amherst.
Jacob Holley was but six years of age when his father died. He then went to live with an uncle, who sent him to school until he was twelve years of age. He was apprenticed to the cabinet-maker's trade for a term of three years, afterward continuing to work at it until 1846. On May 5, 1847, accompanied by his
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brother, John L., Mr. Holley bade adieu to his friends and the Fatherland, and started for America. The journey from London to Que- bec was made in a sailing-vessel, and lasted forty-two days. Of the forty-two emigrants aboard the ship only he and his brother had any money on their arrival in Canada, and that amounted to three dollars. The brothers pro- ceeded to Montreal, and soon found work in the haying and harvest fields, where they worked for four months at six dollars per month. Then, drawing all their wages, they journeyed to New York City, thence to Hart- ford, Conn., and subsequently to the neighbor- ing town of Broad Brook, where, at length, they secured work in the woollen factory, re- ceiving six dollars per month and board. Six months later they went to Leeds, then called Shafer's Hollow, in Hampshire County, and again found employment in a woollen factory. They labored twelve hours each day through the winter for small pay, and were glad to do so. In the spring Mr. Holley found a situa- tion in the grist-mill at Northampton, a posi- tion which he retained nearly eleven years. Beginning with the modest salary of twelve dollars and fifty cents a month, his pay was increased from time to time until he received ten dollars and fifty cents per week. In 1857, having accumulated some money, he purchased the livery property of Ashael Wood, including residence and stable, and has since carried on the business. The strict and honorable methods he has adopted were guarantees of the success he has had. They have won for him in an especial manner the confidence and pat- ronage of the best people in the city. From eighteen to thirty horses are used, and he employs from three to five men. By thrift, shrewdness, and foresight in the business, he has acquired a considerable property in real estate, being the owner of a ten-acre lot on
King Street and of a valuable farm in Ches- terfield. He is an industrious and respected citizen and an independent voter, being bound to neither man nor party.
On October 13, 1853, Mr. Holley was mar- ried to Anna Jones Graves, a native of Ireland ; and they had three sons and two daughters. Two of the sons have passed away, William L. dying in Northampton at the age of twenty years, and Robert Jacob in St. Joseph, Mo., aged twenty-three years. The latter was a very smart and active young man. His body was brought back to the home of his nativity and placed in the cemetery beside that of his brother. The record of the children living is as follows : Anna J., who married H. P. Dewey, has a son ten years of age; Agnes M. Nettio lives with her sister; Henry Graves Holley is a farmer and deals largely in meat. The mother died in 1887; and Mr. Holley subse- quently married her sister, Maria E. Graves. Mr. Holley is a fine representative of the sturdy and thrifty German element that has so materially advanced the industrial interests of the country.
ON. MONROE KEITH, one of the substantial business men of the town of Granby and a leading member of the farming community, was born on the farm where he now resides, March 28, 1835. His father, Avery Keith, who was a native of Bel- chertown, this county, born November 5, 1802, came to Granby in 1832. He was a tiller of the soil and bought the family home- stead, which includes thirty-one and one-half acres, for the sum of twelve hundred and fifty dollars. He cleared and improved the land, working laboriously for many years. He re- linquished the management to his son, Mon- roe, a few years prior to his decease, which occurred December 27, 1863. His wife,
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whose maiden name was Lydia Hathaway, was born in Eastern Connecticut in 1803, and died on the home farm, December 26, 1873. They were the parents of three children, as follows : Marietta, born July 25, 1825, who married A. T. Sabin, and died March 26, 1885, in Ross, Mich. ; Margaret, who died in infancy ; and Monroe, the subject of this notice.
In common with the farmers' children of his day, Monroe Keith acquired a good public- school education. To this was added a valua- ble experience in farming, gained in assisting his father. On the death of the latter he took the entire control of the property, which he has carried on since with remarkable success. His rule is never to be satisfied with less than the best possible results. His land is in a high state of cultivation. In addition to gen- eral farming Mr. Keith has been considerably interested in the lumber business, which he has found quite profitable. A citizen in whom his fellow-townsmen have confidence, he has served with credit to himself and with honor to his constituents in various offices, having been Assessor from 1870 until 1875, Select- man for nine years, during eight of which he was chairman of the board, and in 1876 a Representative to the State legislature. He is a decided Democrat in his political views and quite prominent in party movements. He is at present one of the Directors of the Granby Co-operative Creamery Association, for which he supervises the sales of butter.
On November 29, 1859, Mr. Keith was united in marriage with Caroline A. Nash, a native of Hampden County, born December 22, 1838, being a daughter of Asahel and Samantha (Robinson) Nash, both of whom died in Ludlow, Hampden County. Mr. and Mrs. Keith have a daughter, Alice Bertha, who was born May 10, 1871, and died August 21, 1894. She married J. Leroy Simonds,
who now makes his home with Mr. and Mrs. Keith, and assists in the labors of the farm.
A" LBERT NICHOLS, a veteran agricult- urist, is one of the oldest native-born citizens of Hampshire County, his birth having occurred in the town of Chester- field, January 5, 1812. He is a son of the late Joshua Nichols, who was born in Plym- outh County, Mass., in that part of the town of Pembroke now included within the limits of Hanson. Joshua Nichols was a farmer by oc- cupation, and came to this county in his early manhood. He was united in marriage to one of Chesterfield's fairest daughters, Miss Re- becca Witherell, who died in 1828. He was a man of prominence in these parts, having served as Selectman, Assessor, and Overseer of the Poor. After living to a good old age he died in 1853. He reared nine children, of whom Albert, the subject of this sketch, is the only survivor. Those deceased were : Olive, Harvey, Varnum, Lucy, Mary, John, Asahel, and Theron.
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