USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts > Part 18
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Mr. Hobart's first wife, to whom he was united on February 21, 1844, was Esther P. Montague, a native of Sunderland, born Feb- ruary 7, 1824. Her parents were Moses and Polly (Pomeroy) Montague, the former a na- tive of Sunderland, the latter of Williams- burg. Mrs. Esther P. Hobart died October 21, 1851, leaving one son, Moses M., who
was born March 26, 1846, and is now a well- known lawyer of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Ho- bart's second marriage took place October 28, 1852, his bride being Harriet Adams, a native of Shutesbury, born November 28, 1822. Two sons were the fruit of this union, namely : Henry W., born July 31, 1855, who died De- cember 23, 1858; and Frank Adams, born November 22, 1866, who resides with his par- ents.
In politics Mr. Hobart is independent, fa- voring Republican principles; and he is a strong Prohibitionist. He takes an active interest in the public weal, and has served as Selectman for several terms and as Assessor for some years. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Congregational church in North Amherst, in which he has officiated as Deacon for the past thirty years. Deacon Hobart is one of the oldest and most respected residents of North Amherst to-day; and his life career exemplifies the power of accomplishment in the union of industry, perseverance, and in- tegrity.
ILAS R. COOLEY, a dealer in leaf tobacco, one of the most esteemcd young business men of Northamp- ton, Mass., was born in North Hadley, Janu- ary 26, 1858, being the descendant of a well- known family of that town.
The paternal grandfather of the subject of this brief sketch was Charles Cooley, who was a lifelong resident of Sunderland, owning and managing a good farm in that part of the town called Plumtrees. His wife, whose maiden naine was Mary Stowell, was born in Peters- ham, Worcester County. Their household circle was enlarged by the birth of eleven children -six sons and five daughters - of whom five sons and three daughters grew to adult life, and three are now living, namely :
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Edwin A., a retired farmer of Galesburg, Ill .; Clarissa C., wife of Benedict B. Will- iams, of Dexter, Mich .; and George L., who owns and occupies the old homestead at Plum- trees, he having been a soldier in the Civil War, belonging to Company F, Thirty- seventh Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. One daughter, Eliza A., born June 14, 1815, married Cornelius Hilliard, and lived with him more than fifty years, the golden anniversary of their wedding day being celebrated on June 28, 1888. She died in Northfield in 1892.
Simon F. Cooley, son of Charles, was born in Sunderland, Franklin County, October 28, 1817, and died April 12, 1879, in North Hadley. He was one of the prosperous mer- chants of Western Massachusetts, for eight years carrying on a large grocery trade in Springfield, and from 1852 until 1879 en- gaged in general merchandising in North Had- ley. He was a typical representative of the bright and enterprising self-made men of Massachusetts, he having started in life with- out cash capital, and by diligent effort, thrift, and good management acquired a competency, leaving an estate valued at twenty-five thou- sand dollars. He was influential in public life, a Republican in politics, serving as Se- Jectman scveral terms, and as Postmaster for twenty years. He married Esther E. Rose, who was born in Granville, Hampden County, but was reared in Springfield, where their union was solemnized October 27, 1847. Their three children were: Ella Rose, Addi- son G., and Silas R. Ella Rose died at the tender age of two and one-half years; and Addison G. died May 23, 1862, in North Hadley, aged eight years.
Silas R. Cooley received excellent educa- tional advantages in the days of his youth, at- tending Hopkins Academy two years, after- ward pursuing his studies a year at the New
Salem Academy, going from there to the Ag- ricultural College at Amherst, which, how- ever, he was obliged to leave after a year of diligent study on account of trouble with his eyes. He was then engaged for a year as a clerk in his father's store, being subsequently employed for a similar period in the locomo- tive works at Providence, R.I. In 1881, having then concluded the settlement of his father's estate, Mr. Cooley moved to North- ampton, bought his present property, consist- ing of one acre of land, at 36 High Street, where, besides his modest but pleasant resi- dence, he has an office and storehouse, and es- tablished his present profitable business. He packs and deals in leaf tobacco, having a very extensive trade, and conducting it most suc- cessfully.
On October 5, 1881, Mr. Cooley was united in marriage with Sarah L. Wright, a daughter of George L. and Elizabeth A. (Cobb) Wright, her father being a thriving farmer of this town and among its most respected eiti- zens. Both parents are faithful members of the First Congregational Church, of which Mr. Wright has been a Deacon for many years. Mrs. Cooley, after her graduation from the Northampton High School and prior to her marriage, was one of the popular and successful teachers of this city. Three chil- dren have come to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Cooley, namely: Clara Louise, born June II, 1883; Arthur Rose, born May 4, 1888; and Alice Wright, born September 2, 1890. Exemplary in all the walks of life, a devoted husband and father, in society courte- ous and genial, in business upright and honor- able, Mr. Cooley is deservedly held in high esteem. Politically, he is an earnest Repub- lican, and has served with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents as Councilman and Alderman.
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LONZO C. WARNER, a highly re- spected native-born citizen of Granby, Mass., whose birth date was May 5, 1828. has been intimately associated with the agricultural interests of the town for many years, having begun when a boy to assist his father in clearing and improving the land which he now owns. He is at present, how- ever, practically retired from business. He is the descendant of a family of stability and worth, being a son of Alonzo and Anna (Cut- ler) Warner, the latter of whom was born in West Brookfield, Mass. Alonzo Warner, who was a tiller of the soil, was a lifelong resident of Granby and a most useful and influential member of the community, being often elected to office, and serving in various important po- sitions. He rounded a full period of life, dying in 1884. Seven children were born into his household, as follows: Alonzo C .; Mary Ann, who lived but a brief time; Stephen M., a general merchant at Centralia, Ill .; Mary Ann, the second to bear that name, re- siding in Springfield; Susan E., the wife of J. H. Barton, of Springfield; Pamelia B., who passed away at the age of twenty-five years ; and Elmina, who died in childhood.
The record of the life of Alonzo C. Warner begins when he was a pupil in the district school, which he left when comparatively young to assist in the farm work at home. The property has been under his direct man- agement for twoscore years, during which time he has intelligently and skilfully carried on general farming, and with exceedingly profit- able results, each year adding materially to his wealth.
The union of Mr. Warner with Margaret S. Towne was solemnized December 27, 1870. Mrs. Warner was born at Belchertown, Mass., October 7, 1840, being a daughter of Israel and Hannah (Stacy) Towne, of that place.
Of their marriage three children have been born, namely : Arthur Towne; Walter Stephen, who died at the age of seventeen years; and Anna Cutler. Both Mr. and Mrs. Warner are consistent members of the Con- gregational church.
In politics Mr. Warner is a steadfast Re- publican, and has served his fellow-townsmen in various minor offices of the town and county. With the exception of trips through the western part of our country, Mr. Warner has spent his years in the town in which he was reared, finding no place so congenial to his tastes, although he travelled extensively through Illinois, visiting Chicago, also To- ledo, Ohio, and other large Western cities. In 1895 Mr. and Mrs. Warner made their latest trip to the West, returning in the month of April. Since then Mr. Warner's health has not been good, the journey not proving as helpful as had been wished; and he has been obliged to give up all active labor.
DWARD PAYSON COPELAND, dealer in fancy goods and notions at 104 Main Street, Northampton, was born Au- gust 1, 1831, in Hartford, Conn., son of Mel- vin Copeland, who was born in Sturbridge, Mass., March 12, 1797.
Lawrence Copeland, the progenitor of the family in America, a native of England, born, it is said, in the reign of Queen Eliza- beth, crossed the Atlantic with Governor Winthrop or shortly after he came, and was identified with the Massachusetts Bay Colony until his death, at a very advanced age, De- cember 30, 1699. A record of his family and of several of their descendants is given in Mitchell's History of Bridgewater. Law- rence Copeland was married October 12, 1651, by the Rev. Mr. Hibbens, of Boston, to
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Lydia Townsend. They lived in Braintree, and had nine children. William Copeland, the third son of Lawrence and Lydia, married April 13, 1694, Mary, the widow of Christo- pher Webb and daughter of John and Ruth Alden Bass, a grand-daughter, it is interesting to know, of John Alden. Their son, Jonathan Copeland, married Betty Snell, and settled in West Bridgewater. He spent ninety years on earth; and one of his sons, Jonathan, Jr., lived to the age of ninety-two years. Daniel, the fourth son of Jonathan and Betty Copeland and great-grandfather of the gentleman of whom we write, married Susanna Ames; and both passed their remaining years in Bridge- water, he dying in 1827, aged eighty-six years, and she in 1834, at the age of ninety- one years. They were the parents of eleven children, the difference between the ages of the eldest and the youngest being thirty years. Daniel Copeland, Jr., son of Daniel and Susanna, was married April 28, 1791, to Abi- gail Shaw, a daughter of Gideon Shaw, of Raynham. His first wife dying March 26, 1810, leaving six children, in 1813 he again married, and by his second wife had two sons. He departed this life in Huntington, whither he had removed from Sturbridge, Mass., March 15, 1850, aged eighty-three years.
Melvin Copeland was the third child and second son born to his parents. He turned his attention to mechanical pursuits, becom- ing a plane-maker, following that trade in Hartford for twenty-five years. He then re- moved with his family to Hampshire County, locating in what is now Huntington, then known as Chester Village, in October, 1842. His wife, Lucinda Blake, whom he wedded October 13, 1824, was a daughter of Nathan- iel Blake, and was born in Hartford, Conn. Ten children were born to them, the sons and daughters being equally divided. The par-
ents journeyed together as man and wife for forty-six years, and in death were not long separated, the father closing his eyes to ·earthly scenes March 5, 1866, aged sixty-nine years, and the widowed mother following him a month later, dying April 6, 1866, aged sixty-eight years. He was a man of unusual intelligence and progressiveness, alive to the pressing questions of his day, an ardent sup- porter of the antislavery cause and of temper- ance. In politics a Whig and afterward a Republican, he took an active part in the important campaigns, being a ready and forci- ble speaker. His son well remembers seeing him, with his coat off, astride a log, helping to build a log cabin during the Presidential campaign of 1840, and being, probably, one of the loudest shouters of the stirring refrain,
"Tippecanoe, and Tyler too, And with them we'll beat little Van."
He was very much interested in the family history, and shortly before his death visited Boston, Quincy, Braintree, and Bridgewater, consulting Savage's Genealogical Dictionary, Winthrop's Journal, Thayer's Genealogy, and Mitchell's History of Bridgewater, and, better still, interviewing a surviving aunt and uncle, Chloe and Daniel Copeland, a son and daugh- ter of Daniel Copeland, Sr., she in her sev- enty-eighth year and her brother four years younger, both living on the old homestead established by their father one hundred years before that time.
In the manuscript left by Mr. Melvin Cope- land the family traits are thus given : "Physi- cally, medium height, well proportioned, com- pact, and muscular; capable of much hard service and endurance. Complexion, light and ruddy, with a sandy tendency, and blue eyes; not corpulent, and somewhat distin- guished for longevity and for rearing large
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families. Intellectual and studious; demon- strative and investigating; cautious and criti- cal, with inventive genius. Morally, strictly honest, with stern integrity, proving faithful to trusts, and law-abiding. Religiously, free from fanaticism and formality, but scriptural in belief, and uniformly cheerful and unob- trusive. Self-reliant, industrious, and frugal, but hospitable and generous, striving to be useful in public and private life. Character- istics like these, when strongly developed on the male side, will show themselves for many generations, and will occasionally stand out in individual cases almost as strong as in the original; and the man who by temperate habits and a well-regulated life transmits to his posterity good health and a strong consti- tution, with the above characteristics, leaves them the best possible inheritance."
Edward Payson Copeland, having attended the public schools until fourteen years of age, studied at a select school for three months, and then began working with his father in the manufacture of planes, at length being ad- mitted to partnership, and continuing with him until 1861. He is now conducting a well-established, lucrative business in North- ampton, and owns and occupies a pleasant home at 85 New South Street, where he has resided since 1893. Inheriting to a large ex- tent the personal characteristics above men- tioned, he has proved a valued citizen, and has the respect of the entire community. He is a Republican in politics, but has not been an aspirant to public office.
Mr. Copeland was married June 2, 1853, to Marietta Cowles, their nuptials being cele- brated in Amherst, at the home of the bride's parents, Moses and Chloe Cowles. Two chil- dren have been born of their union: Harriet and Lucien B. Harriet is the wife of A. H. Stocker, of this city. Lucien, who was grad-
uated from Amherst College in the class of 1886, is now an attorney-at-law in Omaha, Neb. He married Annie Herrick, of North- ampton; and they have one daughter, Doro- thy, now two years old.
ORDYCE BATES, a successful farmer of Worthington, was born in this town, February 25, 1823, son of Quincy and Lovica (Knapp) Bates. Mr. Bates's paternal grandparents were residents of Weymouth, Mass. Quincy Bates was born in Cummington, Mass., March 17, 1791 ; but, having grown to manhood, he settled upon a farm in Worthington, where he became a prosperous and well-known farmer. He died in October, 1875. His wife was born in Cummington, April 19, 1790, daughter of Jonathan Knapp, and she became the mother of ten children, namely: Shepard F., who died in Cummington in 1842; Herman L., who is now engaged in agricultural pursuits in Peru, Mass. ; Emily L., widow of Talmage Church, a former manufacturer of Middlefield; Marcus A., now deceased; Mary L., who died October 3, 1838; Fordyce and Gordyce, twins; Laura T., who married Jabez Hazzard, a druggist of New York City, and is now de- ceased; Jonathan L., who died October 13, 1838; and Austin, who died on the passage to California, at the age of eighteen. The mother died January 1, 1839.
Gordyce Bates resided with his parents until he reached the age of seventeen, when he commenced to learn the trade of a carpen- ter and joiner. He worked at that trade as a journeyman for five years, and then, in com- pany with his brother Marcus, erected a saw- mill in the vicinity of the old homestead, in which they manufactured fork, rake, broom, and shovel handles, besides sawing lumber for
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other parties. They conducted a successful business until some time in 1866, when the mill was burned. In 1843 Mr. Bates pur- chased the old home farm, which originally consisted of forty acres; and he has increased his property to one hundred and sixty-five acres. He carries on general farming, and makes a specialty of raising beef and vege- tables for the market. Mr. Bates is a Repub- lican in politics, and has always taken an ac- tive interest in local political issues. He was for five years a member of the Board of Selectmen, and served one year as Collector.
On April 29, 1846, Mr. Bates married for his first wife Corinth Wing, a native of Hins- dale, Mass. She was born November 27, 1824, daughter of Zeri and Triphenia (Ing- ham) Wing, the former of whom was a prac- tising physician. Four children were born of this union, namely: Emma L., who married Andrew Brewster, of Cummington; Clarence E., who married Ida Hancock, and resides in Huntington, Mass .; Shepard F., who died in infancy ; and Shepard F., second, who mar- ried Nellie A. Tower, and resides in Worth- ington. The mother died July 21, 1894; and on June 5, 1895, Mr. Bates wedded for his second wife Mrs. Malina Graves, a sister of his first wife. Mrs. Malina Bates was born March 26, 1823, and has been three times married. By her first husband, Sherman Geer, she had one son, Elwin W. Geer, who married, and resides in Dalton, Mass. Her second husband was Amasa Graves, Jr., of Middlefield, by whom she had one son, Ar- thur W. Graves, who is married, and resides in Pittsfield, Mass.
Mr. and Mrs. Bates are members of the Congregational church. Fordyce Bates, Mr. Bates's twin brother, went to California in 1849, and remained there for several years, during which he was successful both as a
merchant and a miner. While there he served as a member of the legislature in 1860. Marcus A. Bates was a member of the legis- lature in 1880.
EMUEL BATES FIELD, who has been superintendent of lumber and construction for the Nonotuck Silk Company of Leeds for the past thirty ycars, is recognized as a man of unusual business acu- men and a most worthy and valued citizen. He is a native of Franklin County, having been born July 28, 1832, in the town of Whately, in the same house, on the old Field homestead, where his father, John Field, was born, October 10, 1792.
Zenas Field, the father of John Field, was born August 10, 1753, and on March 12, 1778, married Sarah Burroughs. She died September 10, 1810; and the following year he was again married, but of this union there were no children. The children borne to Zenas Field by his first wife were as follows : Lydia; Orange; John; Lydia, second; Or- ange, second; John, second; Sarah; Zenas; and Esther B., the wife of John Bridgman, who was an uncle of Sydney Bridgman.
John Field was a lifelong farmer, working hard on his hilly land, and improving a good property. He married Abigail Warner, a daughter of Paul Warner, of Williamsburg; and they became the parents of eight children. The following grew to mature years: Cly- menia, who was the wife of Cornelius Pome- roy, of Southampton; Paul W., who is still living on the old homestead; Lemuel Bates; and John Wright Field, who was a volunteer soldier in the Union army, belonging to Com- pany F, Thirty-seventh Massachusetts Volun- teer Infantry, and lost his life at the battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864, being Sergeant
LEMUEL B. FIELD.
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of his company, and dying with the regi- ment's colors in his hands. He left a wife and one daughter, the latter being now the wife of Clifford Haynes, of Springfield. Mrs. Pomeroy, the eldest daughter, departed this life in 1854, aged thirty-six years, and leaving two children.
Lemuel B. Field attended school regularly until nine years of age, his schooling the next eight years being limited to three months dur- ing the winter season. Not being satisfied to earn his living by delving in the rocky soil, he decided upon a mechanical trade, and ac- cordingly entered the employment of a Mr. Graves in Whately, serving as an apprentice until attaining his majority, and then remain- ing with him six months more. By the terms of the apprenticeship he was to receive forty dollars per year, and after that the agreement was for one dollar per day; but this sum was withheld, the dishonest employer leaving the town without paying his debts. Mr. Field next worked for four years with Harvey Moore, a millwright in Whately, going thence to Allegan, Mich., where he was en- gaged in carpentering when the panic of 1857 occurred, putting an end to all building oper- ations. From that time until 1863 he was engaged, in company with the Densmores, as a carpenter and millwright in Hatfield, Mass. In 1864 Mr. Field came to Leeds, locating here in the month of March; and since that time he has been the faithful and trusted em- ployee of the Nonotuck Silk Company. He has been very industrious and thrifty, invest- ing his surplus money judiciously, and has accumulated a goodly estate, being the owner of four tenement-houses here besides his resi- dence property, containing three acres of land, which he purchased in 1879, and on which he has since erected his present fine dwelling.
Mr. Field was first married on June 14,
1855, to Harriet Lilly, a daughter of Chip- man Lilly, of Ashfield. She died in Leeds, September 20, 1868, leaving one child, Mrs. Lilly Isabelle Clark, who has one son, Daniel L. Clark, a student in the high school. On September 2, 1869, Mr. Field was united in wedlock with Augusta Jane Robbins, a daugh- ter of the late T. M. Robbins, of Guilford, Me. Mrs. Field is one of four children born to her parents, her only sister being a resident of Guilford, and Leroy T. Robbins, her sur- viving brother, being a resident of Leeds. A brother George was killed at the close of the war. Mrs. Augusta J. Field was engaged in teaching school before her marriage, and since then has done efficient service in this place as a member of the Board of Education.
In politics Mr. Field is a stanch adherent of the Republican party, and in the adminis- tration of local affairs he is a conspicuous figure. Though never an office-seeker, he is now serving his third term as Alderman, hav- ing been elected in 1892 by eight votes, and the following term by sixteen, and at the last election by a majority of seventy-two votes, being now President of the Board, and, in the absence of the Mayor, chairman of the Com- mittee on Highways and of the fire depart- ment. Mr. Field belongs to the Knights Templars, being Past Eminent Commander, and having passed all the chairs of the North- ampton Royal Arch Chapter and Jerusalem Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He is a leader in the social life of Northampton, and, whenever he absents himself from the club, is greatly missed. Business associates and friends who know his worth hold him in high esteem, and strangers are attracted toward him by his pleasing personality and cordial manners. That he is happily endowed mentally and physically may be seen from his portrait here given.
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DWARD C. PACKARD, Town Clerk and a member of the Board of Select- men of Goshen, was born in this town October 14, 1847, son of Hiram and Lurane (Carpenter) Packard. Mr. Packard's great-grandfather, Joshua Packard, settled in Goshen in 1770; and here Willard Packard, one of his thrce sons, became a large land-owner and was an extensive raiser of cattle and sheep. The farm now occupied by J. Beals was a part of his estate. Willard Packard married Bath- sheba Smith, and had a family of nine chil- dren : William S., Cordelia, Edmund, Malesta, Julia, Willard, Emeline, Hiram, and Free- man S.
Hiram Packard, one of the two younger sons of Willard, bought a portion of his father's farm, which he later sold, and purchased the Smith farm of one hundred acres. He im- proved the place, erected a new house and barn, and resided there for twenty years. He then sold that property and bought the Carpen- ter farm, which consisted of one hundred acres ; and here he also erected new buildings. Hiram Packard was a Republican in politics, and became prominent in public affairs, serv- ing as a Selectman, Town Treasurer, and as a member of the House of Representatives in 1873. He was a progressive and public-spir- ited man and a member of the Congregational church. He died in 1894, aged seventy-six years. His wife, Lurane Carpenter, who sur- vives him, became the mother of three chil- dren, as follows: Henry W., Edward C., and Charles S.
Edward C. Packard resided with his par- ents until reaching the age of twenty-one. During the mining excitement in 1869 he went to Colorado, where he was successful ; and returning to Goshen he purchased the old homestead, upon which he has since conducted general farming. He has also engaged in
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