USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts > Part 15
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Mr. Cowing was twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Martha Burton, died at the age of thirty-five, leaving one son,
Wilson, a book-keeper in the Haydenville Brass Works, and married for some time to Miss Gettie Black. Mr. Cowing's second wife was formerly Miss Carrie Sleigher. No children have been born of this union.
In politics Mr. Cowing is a Republican. On the subject of religion his opinions are liberal. He is one of the representative citi- zens of Williamsburg, and is highly esteemed in the town.
EV. GEORGE E. FISHER, of North Amherst, pastor of the Congregational church in Leverett, Mass., was born in Harvard, Worcester County, Mass., January 22, 1823, son of the Rev. George and Mary (Fisk) Fisher. Mr. Fisher's grand- father, Luther Fisher, was a prosperous farmer of Wrentham, Mass. His son George was born in Wrentham, November 7, 1796, and graduated from Brown University, Provi- dence, R. I., being a classmate of Horace Mann. He was a ripe scholar and became a prominent Congregational minister, preaching in Harvard. The Rev. George Fisher died in September, 1853, at the age of fifty-six years and ten months. His wife, Mary Fisk, who was a daughter of the Rev. Elisha Fisk, was born in Wrentham, November 9, 1801. They were married December 12, 1821, and she became the mother of six children, as fol- lows: Elizabeth S., deceased; Harriet F., who married William A. Parker, of Harvard, and is now dead; Charles Luther, who died in infancy ; Mary R., widow of Andrew Farwell, of Harvard; Henry M., a resident of Milford, Mass. ; and George E., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Mary F. Fisher died April 29, 1852.
George E. Fisher commenced his education in his native town, and fitted for college at the Lawrence Academy in Groton, Mass. He
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entered Amherst College in 1842, was grad- uated with the class of 1846, and immediately began his theological course at Andover Semi- nary. He was graduated from that institution in 1849, and was ordained a minister on Feb- ruary 27, 1850. Since his ordination Mr. Fisher has been pastor of the following churches : the Congregational church in Rut- land, Mass., which was his first charge, and where he remained for three years; at North Amherst six years; Greenville, N. H., for three years; Ashburnham, Mass., five years; South Hadley Falls from 1867 to 1879; East Amherst from 1879 to 1885, at which time he moved to North Amherst, where he now re- sides. Since 1886 Mr. Fisher has been pastor of the Congregational church in Leverett. He is a Republican in politics, and takes a deep interest in all important issues of the day. In 1867 he ably served as a Representa- tive to the legislature from the district which includes Ashburnham and Winchendon.
The Rev. Mr. Fisher's first wife, whom he married May 1, 1850, and who died August 8, 1858, was Harriet B. Holt, of Amherst. On September 7, 1859, Mr. Fisher wedded for his second wife Ellen E. Kellogg. She was born in North Amherst, September 25, 1833, daughter of Lyman and Mary A. (Porter) Kel- logg. Lyman Kellogg was a native of Am- herst, and was a successful farmer. He died in North Amherst, October 19, 1885, just thirty-one days after the death of his wife. Mrs. Kellogg was born in Bolton, Conn., on the 18th of September. She and her husband were members of the Congregational church.
Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have had four chil- dren, namely: Hattie H., who was born in Greenville, N. H., May 22, 1861, and died July 29 of the same year; Alice Belle, born in Ashburnham, Mass., February 25, 1864, and died September 14, 1865; George Lyman,
born in South Hadley Falls, June 18, 1869, and died July 27, 1870; and Nellie Kellogg, born in South Hadley Falls, January 14, 1874, and died December 25, 1886.
Deeply imbued with the spirit of his sacred calling, for which he has an inherent love and capacity, the Rev. George E. Fisher has preached and faithfully devoted himself to his other pastoral duties continuously since 1850, exerting a moral and spiritual influence which has been widely felt. Mr. Fisher and his wife occupy a very pleasant home in North Amherst, and are highly esteemed members of the community, Mrs. Fisher also being ac- tively interested in the work of the church. The accompanying portrait of Mr. Fisher will be recognized with pleasure by his parishioners and many other warm friends.
A LDEN D. REED, a prosperous farmer of Prescott, was born in South Am- herst, Mass., May 22, 1852, son of Dwight A. and Mary A. (Haskins) Reed. Grandfather William Reed was an early settler in Shutesbury, where he was a farmer during the active period of his life. He owned a good farm, which he cultivated with profit, and was known as a conscientious man, fair and upright in his dealings and of broad and liberal views respecting religious differences. In politics he supported the Whig party. He lived to the age of seventy-three years. Nine of his children grew to maturity, and five are still living, all of whom are over seventy years of age. Of his four sons Dwight A., Mr. Reed's father, is the youngest.
Dwight A. Reed was born in Shutesbury. He learned the trade of a stone mason, which, with farming, constituted his principal occupa- tion through life. At the breaking out of the Civil War he enlisted as a private in the
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Fifty-second Regiment, Massachusetts Volun- teers, and after one year, the stipulated term of his enlistment, he re-enlisted in the Thirty- seventh Regiment and served until the close of the war. He is now one of the oldest resi- dents of Shutesbury, has always been a stir- ring, energetic man, and is a Democrat in politics. Mr. Reed, Sr., has been twice mar- ried. His first wife, who was a native of Shutesbury, died at the age of forty-two; and he is living with his second wife. He has been the father of fifteen children, of whom eleven are still living, namely : Mary; Lucy ; Alden D., the subject of this sketch ; Dwight, Jr. ; Luther ; Alfred ; George; Abbie; Rector; Jennie; and Susan. Those deceased were : Willie, Eva, Ella, and Elizabeth.
Alden D. Reed was educated in the common schools of Shutesbury. At an early age he commenced work upon a farm, receiving six dollars per month for his first season's work. He continued as a farm assistant for some years. When twenty-one years old he left home, and was employed in a shoe factory in Hopkinton, Mass., for several years. In 1878 he moved to Prescott and purchased the farm upon which he now resides. The property contains about one hundred and thirty acres of improved land, and is used in general farming and dairying. He keeps from twenty-five to thirty head of cattle, and has erected a new residence. His other buildings are kept in the best of repair.
On July 9, 1878, he was united in marriage to Ella S. Hamilton, daughter of Harrison and Lucy A. (Gilbert) Hamilton, of Shutesbury, and has had eight children; namely, Harry, Lennie, Rector, Daisy, Mary, Helen, Guy, and Maud. The last named died at the age of ten years.
Harrison Hamilton, Mrs. Reed's father, was born upon his present farm in Shutesbury,
April 21, 1819, son of Samuel and Natalie (Aldrich) Hamilton. The first ancestor of the family to settle in America was John Hamilton, Mr. Hamilton's great-grandfather. He was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, and on his arrival in New England first settled in Pelham and later in Shutesbury, where he bought a tract of five hundred acres, for which he paid one hundred and fifty dollars. This was previous to the chartering of Shutesbury as a town, and when the locality was still part of the wilderness. A sturdy pioneer, he soon cleared a good farm, upon which he resided for the remainder of his life. He was the first Representative to the General Court from Shutesbury, and he made the journey to Cam- bridge in company with his wife on horseback, she returning home alone with the horse. John Hamilton was an uncle to the famous states- man, Alexander Hamilton, who met his death in a duel with Aaron Burr. Andrew Hamil- ton, Mr. Hamilton's grandfather, was born in Shutesbury and was a lifelong resident of that town. He resided upon the farm cleared by his father, and became a prosperous land-owner.
Samuel Hamilton, Mr. Hamilton's father, was born in Shutesbury in January, 1778. He followed agriculture at the old homestead successfully, and died in October, 1855. His wife, Natalie (Aldrich) Hamilton, who was born in New Salem in 1777, became the mother of seven children, of whom Harrison, Mrs. Reed's father, is the only one now living. The others were: Fanny, Mixter, Nancy, Har- riet, Merritt, and Augusta. The mother died in January, 1854.
Harrison Hamilton was educated in the dis- trict schools of Shutesbury, and in young man- hood learned the trade of shoemaker, which he followed as an occupation for upward of twenty years. He resided in Bernardston for five years, and after conducting a mercantile busi-
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ness on Shutesbury Hill for an equal length of time he returned to the old homestead in 1865, where he has since been profitably engaged in agriculture. His farm, which is a part of the original tract deeded to his great-grandfather, has been in the family's possession for one hundred and fifty years. Its extent now is about three hundred acres, located in Shutes- bury and in other towns. His son now shares its management, and both are counted among the wealthiest farmers in their section. Mr. Hamilton is a Democrat in politics, and has been Town Clerk and Treasurer for some years. He has been Postmaster of Shutesbury and chairman of the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Hamilton was married in 1845 to Lucy A. Gilbert, who was born in Shutesbury, June I, 1819. She became the mother of six chil- dren, as follows: Ella S. and William G., who are no longer living; Andrew J., who is in the insurance business in Athol, Mass. ; Emma L., a teacher; Ella S. (second), who is now Mrs. Alden D. Reed; and William G. (second), who resides at the old homestead. Mrs. Hamilton died in 1859.
Mr. Reed is a Democrat in politics, but has always refused public office. He and his fam- ily attend the Congregational church.
ICHAEL NORRIS, Postmaster at Southampton and a prosperous farmer, was born in this town, July 3, 1854, son of Walter and Helen (Foley) Norris, both natives of Ireland.
The father, born in Waterford, Ireland, in the year 1818, spent the early years of his life in the land of his birth. Leaving there in 1852 to seek his fortune in America, he landed in New York. From there he went to Hol- yoke, Mass., where he had friends. He came to Southampton in 1857 and rented land for
three years. Being a farmer by occupation, the investment repaid him, so that he was able to buy the farm now occupied by his widow. The property consists of one hundred acres of land, which at the time of purchase was but partly improved. He worked on it untiringly, and before his death, which occurred October 3, 1869, had it in a good yielding condition. He was a man of sterling character and loyal to all his obligations. His wife was born in Ireland in 1825, and courageously came alone to America in 1850. Four children were born of their union, as follows: Michael, the sub- ject of this sketch; John, born July 24, 1857, a section boss on the New York & Hartford Railway, married to Mary Kane (a native of Ireland), and father of four children - Julia, Walter, Edmund, and Mary; Thomas, born June 7, 1860, superintendent of a whip factory in Quebec, married to Mary Farrell, of West- field, and the father of one child, Walter L., born in 1892; and Martin, born November 13, 1863, yet unmarried, and living on the old homestead, where he is engaged in general farming. All were reared to lives of industry. After passing through the public schools they were sent to academies or seminaries to pursue the higher branches of study. The father was a Democrat in politics and an earnest worker for that party. He was a devout member of the Catholic Church of Easthampton, to which his widow and family still belong.
Michael Norris was reared on the home farm, and since the death of his father has had its care and supervision. He is now assisted by his brother Martin. They carry on mixed husbandry, paying some attention to dairying and raising a good deal of tobacco, which they sell at the home markets. In 1886 Mr. Norris was appointed Postmaster, and in the dis- charge of his official duties has given universal satisfaction. A Democrat from his youth, he
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has never swerved from his allegiance to his party. As a citizen and as a business man he is held in high esteem throughout the com- munity, and has been chosen Selectman for several years.
On June 4, 1895, Mr. Norris was united in marriage with Mrs. Margaret Brophy, who was born in Southampton in April, 1864, being the daughter of John and Margaret Lavin, of this town, both now deceased.
UGENE H. LYMAN, conspicuously identified with the agricultural inter- ests of Hampshire County as one of its most skilful and enterprising farmers, owns and occupies a well-tilled farm in the town of South Hadley. He was born August 10, 1844, in Hadley, being a son of A. H. and Amanda M. (Alvord) Lyman.
The father was also born in Hadley, and here spent the greater part of his life. He was a hard-working and industrious man, en- gaged in agriculture the most of his time. In his later years he purchased the property known as the old Lyman farm, where his son now lives. He died while yet in the prime of life, leaving two children, Eugene and Irving
L. The latter is now living in Lincoln, Neb., and is connected with a publishing house there. He has been married twice, the first time to Lizzie Connover, who died in 1873; and the second time to Mary Dean, of Nebraska. The mother, whose early life was spent in Northampton, now makes her home with her son Eugene on the old homestead.
Eugene H. Lyman was but six years old when his father died. He acquired his early education in the common schools. When a lad of thirteen years he began working on the home farm, laboring with fidelity, and there gleaning a practical knowledge of farming.
Subsequently he and his brother assumed the entire control of the property, carrying it on in partnership until the brother removed to the Far West, since which time Mr. Lyman has managed it alone. He has been very success- ful. The farm, which contains one hundred acres of land, is in a fine state of cultivation. He carries on general farming, has a fine dairy of twelve cows, besides other stock, the prod- ucts of which he disposes of to the Granby Creamery, makes a specialty of poultry-rais- ing, which he finds quite profitable, and gives much attention to fruit growing, having so far made quite a success with peaches.
Mr. Lyman's marriage with Miss Clara J. Stacy, a daughter of William Stacy, of South Hadley, occurred January 1, 1874. They had six children, as follows : Jennie A., a teacher in the public schools; Nellie E., deceased at the early age of nine years; William H., who died in infancy; Mary I. ; Eugene H., Jr., who lived but two years; and Charles E. Mr. Lyman takes an active interest in promoting the welfare of his native town and county, uniformly giving his support to the cause of morality, sobriety, and good order, and is ranked among the most valuable citizens of the community. In politics he is an uncom- promising Republican, but is not an office- seeker, although he served his town during the years of 1888 and 1889 as Assessor. Relig- iously, both Mr. and Mrs. Lyman are active members of the Congregational church.
REDERICK H. JUDD, a gentleman of extended business experience and an esteemed resident of Westhampton, was born here July 14, 1839, being the descendant by both parents of old and honored pioneers of this section of Hampshire County.
His father, John Adams Judd, was a lifelong
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resident of Westhampton, and during the car- lier years of his life was engaged in agricult- ure. Having the natural Yankee instinct for trade, however, he subsequently established in the village a store for the sale of general mer- chandise, and before many years became one of the most prominent merchants of Hamp- shire County. Later he was appointed Post- master, and thereafter attended to the duties of that office, as well as to his mercantile business, until his death, which oceurred July 25, 1860. His wife, whose maiden name was Wealthy Kingsley, was born and bred in this town, and here spent her life, dying February 13, 1876. The record of their children, four in number, is as follows: Amoret R., now deceased, was the wife of the late E. H. Lyman, formerly a prominent business man of this place, and for many years a member of the Board of Selectmen and a County Commis- sioner ; Jane W., the widow of Josiah Hooker, lives in Springfield, Mass. ; Harriet T. mar- ried Amos C. Shepherd, a carpenter in this town; and Frederick H. is the subject of this sketch. These children were given the best educational facilities afforded by the town. They attended public and select schools, and one of them graduated from the academy at Southampton.
Frederick H. Judd, who attained his major- ity a few days prior to the death of his father, at once assumed charge of the store and post- office, and carried on the business for five years. Going then to Springfield he worked on a farm in that vicinity for a year, and was employed as a clerk in the city for two years. After remaining there another year, during which time he was engaged in the insurance business, he returned to Westhampton, and has since made his home in this village. In 1880 he bought out his present business. He sells and repairs jewelry, and so far has met
with limited success. A stanch adherent of the Republican party, Mr. Judd has served in various offices within the gift of his fellow- townsmen, always with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. For the past twenty-five years he has been Town Clerk, and for some years was Town Treasurer and a member of the School Committee. He has always taken an active interest in religious work, and has served as clerk of the Congre- gational church for many years, he and his wife being among the prominent members of that organization.
Mr. Judd was married October 15, 1862, to Miss Elizabeth A. Hubbard, a native of Will- iamsburg, Mass., and a daughter of Sylvanus Hubbard, who is still living in that town. Six children have been born of their marriage, as follows: Myra L., wife of W. R. Jones, residing in Stamford, Conn .; Guy H., who died when nineteen years of age; Hattie F. ; Fred H., who died in infancy; Ada M. ; and Delbert L.
ANIEL W. WELLS, President of the Smith Charities of Northamp- ton, Mass., is widely known in this part of Hampshire County as an able finan- cier, a man of stanch integrity, and an es- teemed and valued citizen. He was born on his present homestead in Hatfield, April 17, 1842, being a son of Elisha Wells, whose birth occurred at the same place, April 29, I797.
The founder of the Wells family of Hatfield was Thomas Wells, who was born in England about 1620, and after reaching manhood eame to this country, locating first at Wethersfield, Conn. According to the History of Hadley, his mother, the widow Franees Wells, married Thomas Coleman, and removed from Wethers- field to Hadley with her family, which in-
DANIEL W. WELLS.
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cluded Thomas and his brother John Wells, in 1660. Thomas Wells died in 1676. He was the father of Thomas, Jr., whose son Ebenezer was born in Hadley, July 20, 1669. Ebenezer's son Joshua was born in Hatfield, August 31, 1695, and died in Greenfield, April 1, 1768. The next in line, Elisha, son of Joshua, was born July 23, 1731, and lived until October 5, 1792. His son, Amasa Wells. who became the father of a second Elisha, was born September 23, 1762, and died in Hatfield, the place of his nativity, June 12, 1816.
Amasa Wells was one of the substantial farmers of Hatfield; and through his marriage with Eunice White, a daughter of Daniel White, of Hatfield, two families of promi- nence became connected. The White family were long conspicuous in military circles, some of its members having been officers in the State militia for three generations. A Daniel and a John Wells were among the sol- diers of the Revolutionary army, and were killed at Crown Point. The present home- stead of Mr. Daniel W. Wells was the origi- nal land granted in 1660 to John White, the immigrant ancestor of Eunice White. It descended in the White family down to Daniel White, Eunice's father, and at length fell into the possession of his grandson, Elisha Wells, second. Amasa Wells and his wife reared five children: Horace; Cephas; Barnabas; Hannah, who married Joseph Smith; and Elisha. He lived a little past middle age; and his widow survived him, dying in Conway at the age of sixty-two years, although her home was in Hatfield until the year of her decease.
Elisha Wells, son of Amasa and Eunice (White) Wells, was one of the most prosper- ous agriculturists of the town, and was a citi- zen of influence. He was a Democrat in
politics, and represented his district in the legislature in 1848. On January 14, 1823, he married Louisa Field, a daughter of Daniel and Tabitha (Clark) Field, of Conway, and of their six children that grew to maturity three are now living, namely: Hannah S .; Daniel W., with whom the sister makes her home; and Joseph S., his twin brother, who is now a steward at Mount Holyoke College at South Hadley. The father lived a long, useful life of nearly fourscore years, dying in 1873; and the mother, who survived him, died August I, 1878, aged seventy-five years. Both were attendants of the Congregational church and liberal contributors toward its support, Mrs. Wells being a member of the church.
Daniel W. Wells, being the youngest child of the household circle, cared for his parents in their last years, and has made the home- stead on which he was born his permanent abiding-place. During the late Civil War Mr. Wells enlisted in Company K, Fifty-sec- ond Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, going out as a nine months' man, under General Banks. On his return he engaged in general farming, tobacco being his staple crop. He has been identified with the leading enter- prises and industries of his native town, and holds a high position among its honest and law-abiding citizens. He is a man of excel- lent judgment and ability in business affairs, and has often been called upon to act as ad- ministrator of different estates. For seven- teen years he has been one of the Directors of the First National Bank of Northampton, for six years a Trustee of the Smith Charities, and for five years has ably filled the position of president of the board. He is a firm adherent of the Democratic party, and has served in the State legislature two years, 1883 and 1884.
On October 19, 1875, Mr. Wells was united
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in marriage with Hannah A. Belden, a daugh- ter of Deacon Reuben H. Belden, of Hatfield. This union has been brightened by the birth of two children: Reuben F., born in 1881; and Louisa B., born in 1884. A portrait of Mr. Wells is placed on a preceding page.
EWIS S. COWING, a successful farmer of Chesterfield, was born in Huntington, July 20, 1830, son of Job and Clarissa (Taylor) Cowing, the latter of Chester. Job Cowing, a native of Hunt- ington, was a farmer, and followed his calling in Chester, Huntington, and Worthington. The latter part of his life was spent in Leeds, Mass., where he died. His wife breathed her last in Chester, October 29, 1839. They were the parents of five children, namely : Lewis S., the subject of this sketch; John W., who married Laura Smith, and is now living near his brother Lewis; Nancy, wife of Edwin Dodge, of Worthington, Mass., who is a farmer; Mary, who died January 5, 1853; and Samuel D., who was married to Louise Hilman, now deceased, and resides in New Jersey.
Lewis S. Cowing received a good common- school education. He began to work on his father's farm when a boy of twelve. At eigh- teen he abandoned farm work to learn tool- making at Ringville, Mass. In 1853 he moved to the Cole homestead in Chesterfield, and once more engaged in farming. Eleven years later he went to live on the farm where he now resides. This estate, containing one hundred acres, has been much improved by Mr. Cowing. Hay and corn are the staple products, and some stock is also raised. Mr. Cowing's methods are well up to date.
On May 25, 1853, Mr. Cowing was united in marriage with Maryann, daughter of Con-
sider and Deborah Cole, of Chesterfield. Mr. Cole was a well-to-do farmer, the property now owned by our subject originally belonging to him. He and his wife have both passed away. They were cared for in their old age by their daughter and her husband, who moved to the farm in Chesterfield in order to relieve the old folks of the cares incident to farm life. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Cowing was blessed by three children, namely: Horace W., a school-teacher, who was married first to Emily Streeter, and is now living with his second wife in Johnstown, N. Y .; Truman S., formerly a teacher in Hampshire County, and now a railroad man in Charlotte, Mich., married to Libby Merritt; and Mabel C., who died at the age of six years. Mrs. Cowing died February 8, 1885; and Mr. Cowing sub- sequently married Mrs. Ellen (Middlebrook) Sanderson, who died October 5, 1888.
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