USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts > Part 21
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Mr. Tower is a Republican in political affiliation and a believer in Spiritualism. He is further represented in this volume by an excellent likeness, which appears on an- other page.
ENRY W. WARNER, Postmaster at Leeds and one of the substantial and progressive farmers of the district, was born in Northampton, on the farm where
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he now resides, in the year 1858. The War- ners are of English extraction, the American progenitor having been William Warner, who emigrated to America in 1637, and located in the town of Ipswich, Mass., the subject of this sketch being a descendant in the eighth generation.
Solomon Warner, grandfather of Henry W. Warner, was a son of Mark Warner, and was born at Northampton Centre, in the part then called "Black Pole." in 1783. He was a practical agriculturist, and settled in ISII on the farm of one hundred and fifty acres now owned by his grandson. The same year he erected the farm-house, and afterward from time to time he added to his tract of land until it eventually covered four hundred acres. His wife, whose maiden name was Allen, died in early life, leaving seven or eight children; one of whom was Moses Warner, the father of Henry W. He lived a widower for many years, and died in 1863.
Moses Warner was born in 1821 in the house now occupied by this son, and was en- gaged in agricultural work throughout his life. He married Susan Clark, a daughter of Sherman Clark, of Westhampton, their nup- tials having been celebrated in 1841. Of their union three children have been born, as follows : Betsey A., who married Harry Leigh, of Connecticut, and died in March, 1887, aged thirty-three years, leaving two children ; Henry W., the subject of this sketch; and Mary H., wife of George Blanchard, of Hart- ford, Conn.
Henry W. Warner was reared on the pater- nal homestead; and, after completing his edu- cation at the Northampton schools, he worked at civil engineering as a railway surveyor. He followed that occupation in New England for two years, when he returned to his child- hood's home, where he has since lived. He
is a partner in the well-known firm of Hen- drick, Taylor & Warner, contractors of dams, water-works, roads, etc., who do a large busi - ness, and are at present building roads for the State of Massachusetts. He has been Post- master of Leeds for some time, and is now serving his second term.
On April 30, 1884, Mr. Warner was united in marriage with Leila Caillat, born at Wolf Creek, Ind., November 8, 1857. The cere- mony was performed in Indiana. They are the parents of two children : Burt C., a boy of ten years; and Esther, eight years old. Mr. Warner is a man of prominence in social, po- litical, and educational circles, and a leader in all enterprises tending to the advantage of his native city. He is a member of the Dem- ocratic party, has served his fellow-townsmen as Councilman for two years, and has been a member of the Board of Education for three years. He is a member of the Masonic frater- nity, being a Master Mason, and of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the An- cient Order of United Workmen.
) OSWELL HALL ALLEN, a pro- gressive and successful farmer of Prescott and one of the oldest resi- dents of the town, having resided there since 1828, was born in Wilbraham, Mass., March 19, 1824. His parents were Roswell and Beulah (Chapin) Allen, the former a native of East Windsor, Conn., born January 2, 1798, the latter of Enfield, Conn., born Oc- tober 13, 1796. The Allen family were for many years well and favorably known in the vicinity of Windsor, Conn.
Mr. Allen's first ancestor in this country, Samuel Allen, who was born in Braintree, Essex County, England, came to America in 1632, settling first in Cambridge, Mass., and
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later removing to Hartford, and then to Wind- sor, Conn. He died at the latter place, April 28, 1648, at the age of sixty years. The grandfather of Roswell Hall Allen, who was also named Samuel, was born in East Wind- sor, June 16, 1764, and there spent his life, engaged in farming. He was an industrious and competent farmer, and attained a fair de- gree of prosperity. A boy of eleven when the Revolution commenced, he grew to manhood in the years when the Republic was in em- bryo, and became an ardent patriot, ready to do all in his power to protect the infant insti- tutions of his country. He died in East Windsor, October II, 1841. Samuel Allen was three times married. His first wife, Mary Allen, who was the grandmother of our subject, bore seven children: Samuel (first), Mary, Samuel (second), Harvey, Roswell, Cynthia, and Laura. His second wife, who was Azuba Moody, widow of Joseph Moody, was born January 5, 1765; and his third wife's name before marriage was Hannah Gleason.
Roswell Allen, the father of Mr. Allen, left East Windsor in 1823, moving to Wilbra- ham, where he lived five years, engaged prin- cipally in general farming, and aided materi- ally in the building of the old Wilbraham Academy. In 1828 he moved to Prescott, and settled in the neighborhood of his son's present residence, purchasing first seventy acres of land, and afterward adding to this until he owned quite a large tract. Progres- sive in his views and enterprising in his methods of procedure, he soon took a leading place in the town, and filled various public offices. He represented the district in the General Court in 1839 and 1840, and was also Selectman, Overseer of the Poor, and Asses- sor. His political principles were at first those of a Whig, but later those of a Demo-
crat. He was a member of the Congrega- tional church, and on religious subjects his opinions were broad and liberal. He died April 28, 1868, in Belchertown, where the last twenty-three years of his life were spent. His wife followed him to the grave nine years later, passing away May 16, 1877. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Roswell Hall, the subject of this article, who is the eldest; Persis C., born March 9, 1826, who died July 18, 1840; Samuel, born August 14, 1828, a farmer and surveyor of Belchertown; Cornelia B. (now Mrs. Cowle), born April 11, 1831, who re- sides in Milton; Diantha, born August 29, 1833, wife of Robert Lyman, of Northampton ; George, born February 16, 1836, who died May 9, 1857; Albert E., born February 27, 1839, a farmer in Longmeadow, Mass .; and Guy C., born April 27, 1841, a farmer in Belchertown.
Roswell Hall Allen, who was a boy of four years when his parents removed to Prescott, received his education in the schools of that town, and taught school for six terms. When twenty-two years of age, he hired out as a farm hand at twelve dollars a month, and at the end of a season of seven months had drawn but five dollars of his wages, reserving the rest to purchase land for a homestead. In this way he worked until 1852, when he made his first purchase, consisting of seventy acres, the nucleus of the farm in Prescott on which he now resides. To this he has since added, and in all he is owner of two hundred acres of good land. Mr. Allen has worked hard and long to attain the prosperity which he now en- joys; and the well-kept buildings and flourish- ing condition of the farm, which is one of the best in the town, silently witness to the thrift and enterprise of the owner.
Mr. Allen was twice married. The first
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occasion was on April 5, 1848, when Sarah C. Hyde, of Prescott, became his wife. She was born in that town, February 18, 1825, and was a daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Child) Hyde. Andrew Hyde, who was born in Pel- ham, Mass., November 3, 1790, lived in Pel- ham when the town was new, and worked at shoemaking. He died there, December 2, 1854. His wife. who was born in Roxbury, Mass., November 23. 1795, died June 4, 1847. They were the parents of four chil- dren, namely: Sarah C., the wife of Mr. Allen; Martha A., born December 5, 1827; Andrew, born February 16, 1829; and Mary E., born December 28, 1830. An adopted son, Andrew O., who was born February 2, 1842. died in Gettysburg, July 3, 1863, dur- ing the late war. Mrs. Allen died February 10, 1861. She was the mother of the follow- ing children : George F., born December 12, 1848, a farmer in Prescott; a daughter, born February 13, 1850, who died in infancy; Calvin C., born February 21, 1851, who died thirteen months after birth; Mary E., born August II, 1853, who died January 16, 1867; Edward H., born August 21, 1855, a farmer, who died April 6, 1893; Delia P., born De- cember 24, 1856, who is living with her father; Sarah B., born November 7, 1858, who died February 28, 1874; and Franklin R., born August 16, 1860, a graduate of Am- herst in the class of 1882, and now a lawyer by profession and District Attorney in Minne- sota. Mr. Allen's second marriage took place August 28, 1861, when he was united to Me- linda Shaw, of Prescott, who was born in New Salem, April 10, 1817.
Mr. Allen votes with the Republican party, and has been Selectman, Assessor, and Over- seer of the Poor. In religious work he is also active, and is a prominent member of the Congregational church. He and his wife,
both being over seventy years of age, are counted among the oldest residents of the town. He still engages in farm work, and in it displays remarkable activity.
USTIN HUNTER, a progressive farmer and a well-known resident of Green- wich, was born in Enfield, Decem- ber 22, 1823, son of Amos and Abigail (Marsh) Hunter. Mr. Hunter's grandparents were Isaac and Catherine (Dix) Hunter, the former of whom came from Leicester, Mass., and settled upon a farm in the northern part of Enfield. He was an industrious and suc- cessful farmer, and resided in Enfield until his death, which occurred August 4, 1821. He was a Democrat in politics. His wife became the mother of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, all of whom reached maturity. She died in August, 1803.
Amos Hunter, Mr. Hunter's father, was born November 28, 1778, and in his early manhood followed the occupation of a tanner. He later engaged in agriculture in Enfield, owning a farm of one hundred acres, which he conducted prosperously. The latter years of his life were passed in Greenwich, where he died at the age of eighty-six years. His wife, Abigail Marsh before marriage, who was born June 6, 1782, became the mother of eleven children, ten of whom grew to matu- rity. Six are now living, namely: Paulina C., widow of Thomas Conkey, born October 3, 1804, now the oldest resident in Green- wich, residing with Mr. Hunter; Amos, who resides in Enfield; David, who occupies the old homestead in Enfield; Charles, who re- sides in Belchertown; Austin, the subject of this sketch; and Abbie, widow of Elisha Moody, of South Hadley. Those deceased were: Shepherd, Elbridge, Thomas, Lorency,
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and Moriva. The last named died in infancy. The mother lived to the age of eighty-five years.
Austin Hunter grew to manhood in Enfield, and received his education in the schools of that town. He resided at home until he reached the age of twenty-one, when he en- gaged as a farm assistant with Thomas Conkey for the compensation of twelve dollars per month. He continued in this employment for some ten years, after which Mr. Conkey, in consideration of being supported by him during the rest of his life, gave him the farm, situated in the town of Prescott, where he resided until April, 1864, when he acquired his present farm in Greenwich. He has en- larged his property, which originally consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, by the addi- tion of adjoining land; and he now owns an exceedingly productive and well-located farm of two hundred and fifty acres. He conducts general farming in a practical and progressive manner, being well acquainted with the im- proved methods of agriculture. His residence and other buildings, which were substantially constructed, are kept in the best of repair. In politics Mr. Hunter is a Republican, and was formerly identified with public affairs for some years. He served with ability as a member of the Board of Selectmen, and also held other official positions.
On April 20, 1859, Mr. Hunter was united in marriage to Mary L. Smith. She was born in Pelham, Mass., October 27, 1834, daughter of Job and Martha (Conkey) Smith, both of whom were natives of Pelham. Job Smith was a prosperous farmer during his entire life, and he lived to the age of sixty-four. He raised a family of four children, as follows: Mary L., who is now Mrs. Hunter; Hannah, who is now Mrs. Horr, of Pelham; Laura, now Mrs. Boynton, of Pelham; and Mehita-
ble, who became Mrs. Sanborn, and died in Westfield, December 6, 1892. The mother died aged sixty-three years.
Mr. and Mrs. Hunter have nine children, namely: Alice M., who was born April 30, 1860; Mary, born October 31, 1861; Elmer A., born June 20, 1863 ; Walter L., born July 22, 1865; Myron A., born April 7, 1867; Edward M., born October 19, 1869; David M., born March 13, 1871; Harry E. and Henry E., twins, born March 23, 1877.
Mr. and Mrs. Hunter are old and highly esteemed residents of Greenwich, and she is a member of the Congregational church. Mr. Hunter has lived a busy and useful life, and is passing his declining years in comparative ease and comfort.
RANCIS L. HATCH, of Huntington, a retired merchant and manufacturer, was born in Worthington, Mass., April 3, 1832, son of William and Abigail (Leon- ard) Hatch.
Mr. Hatch's father was a lifelong resident of Worthington, and was born in 1797. He followed the trade of a mechanic, and also en- gaged in agriculture with much success. He was originally a Democrat in politics, but later he joined the Whig party. In his relig- ious opinions he was a Congregationalist, and for many years led the singing in that church in Worthington. He possessed many ster- ling qualities, and was highly esteemed by his fellow-townsmen as an intelligent and use- ful citizen. William Hatch was accidentally killed in November, 1843. His wife, Abigail Leonard in maidenhood, who was born in Worthington in 1802, became the mother of twelve children, as follows: Fordyce E., born in October, 1822; Almond, born April 5, 1824; Martha A., born March 14, 1826; El-
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mira L., born April 5, 1828; Royal F., born April 18, 1830; Francis L., the subject of this sketch; Louisa H., born October 6, 1834: Rosalia M., born April 5, 1837 ; Carlos W. and Caroline A., twins, born April 19, 1839; Ellen S., born in June, 1841; and Anna S., born in May, 1844. The mother died in March, 1894, aged ninety-two years.
Francis L. Hatch began life for himself at the age of seventeen, when he took charge of the finishing department of a basket factory in Knightsville. After following that occu- pation for a year, he engaged in the manufact- ure of wooden bowls upon his own account. Failing health then caused him to suspend ac- tive labor for two years, and after his recovery he engaged in the manufacture of carriages and sleighs. In 1856 he went to New York City, where he was employed as a clerk in a hardware store for several months. He then went to Oneida, N. Y., where he established himself in the grocery business. At the ex- piration of a year he was again taken ill; and, disposing of his investment, he returned to Huntington. He resumed his connection with the carriage business, and continued in that employment until 1860, when he became a clerk in New York City. In 1863, in com- pany with his brother, he purchased the busi- ness in which he was employed, and engaged in the hardware trade, dealing in stoves and tinware, etc. The firm became extensive manufacturers of shipping and milk cans, and conducted a successful business until Novem- ber, 1894, when the feeble condition of his health compelled Mr. Hatch to permanently retire. Having disposed of his business in the metropolis, he once more returned to Hun- tington for the purpose of settling there per- manently; and in February, 1895, he pur- chased his present farm in Norwich, where he is now engaged in farming. He was formerly
a Republican in politics, but at present votes with the Democratic party. He has been a successful business man, and is now enjoying a well-earned rest from the cares of business life.
Mr. Hatch has been three times married. His first wife, whom he wedded on March 9, 1853, was Ellen E. Randall. She was born in Huntington, March 9, 1836, and had one child, who died in infancy. She died July 29, 1856. On September 9, 1859, Mr. Hatch was united in marriage to Mary J. Coit, who was born in Huntington, October 19, 1838. She became the mother of four children, as follows: Foster L., who married Jane E. Cherry, and is engaged in mercantile business in Newark, N.J .; Frank L., who married Carrie York, and is employed in the office of the United States Express Company in New- ark; Mabel W., wife of J. Vreeland Harring, a draughtsman of Newark; and Maria, who died at the age of eighteen months. The mother died March 16, 1878. Mr. Hatch then wedded Ella Hayden, who was born in Huntington, November 19, 1845. By this union he has two children; namely, Ellen A. and Jennie B. Mrs. Hatch is a member of the Dutch Reformed church of Newark, N.J.
RANK W. CARY, junior member of the firm of Kimball & Cary, dealers in coal, at Northampton, came here at the suggestion of his partner, Mayor H. A. Kim- ball, to engage in his present business, he and Mr. Kimball having been reared on adjoining farms, pupils in the same school, and later entering respectively into the relations of pupil and teacher. The friendship thus formed in early youth has continued without break to the present time, and has resulted in the establishment of this prosperous firm.
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Mr. Cary is a native of Connecticut, born in the town of Windham in 1850, a son of Dwight and Susan ( Bass) Cary.
Sanford Cary, the paternal grandfather of Frank W., was a lifelong resident of Wind- ham, and owned a good farm. He was a Se- lectman of the town for many years, and also represented the district in the legislature. He died in the year 1856, leaving a substan- tial farm property. His wife, whose maiden name was Caroline Tracy, survived him about ten years, leaving at her death three sons and a daughter, all of whom are living except the daughter.
Dwight Cary, son of Sanford, had a thor- ough knowledge of agriculture, and owns one of the best-managed farms in Windham County. In 1843 he married Susan Bass, of Scotland, Conn., the daughter of the late John Bass; and they became the parents of a large family of children. Of these, four are de- ceased, namely: two daughters, twins, who had lived eighteen months; Sanford, who had lived five years; and Ann B., who mar- ried George E. Wood, and was forty-two years old at the time of her death, in 1890. Those living are as follows: Rosella, wife of Joseph Congdon, residing in Hampton, Conn. ; Frank W., the subject of this sketch; Jane, wife of Arthur Clark, of Scotland, Conn .; George, a farmer on the old homestead; and Susan, wife of Charles Willis, of Scotland, Conn. The parents are hale and vigorous people for their years. The father has served as Selectman, and has represented his district in the legislature.
Frank W. Cary was reared to farm life, re- ceiving a practical education, and might have taken a collegiate course had he then appreci- ated its importance. He, however, continued in the occupation to which he was reared until nearly thirty years old. He came to North-
ampton, May 10, 1881, to engage in the coal and wood trade, as before mentioned. The firm conducts a wholesale and retail business. Under the wise management of the partners it has become quite large and remunerative. Mr. Cary belongs to the Knights Templars, and is a valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a zealous sup- porter of the Republican party, but steadily refuses office.
Mr. Cary was united in wedlock February 10, 1875, to Effie Fuller, a native of Brook- lyn, Conn., daughter of Edwin T. and Louisa (Snow) Fuller. Her mother died in 1853, aged forty-three years, having borne her hus- band five children, two of whom are deceased. Mr. Fuller subsequently married Sarah Par- sons, who bore him two children. She has survived him, being now a resident of Plain- field, Conn., where his death occurred in May, 1894, at the venerable age of fourscore years. Mr. and Mrs. Cary have lost one infant daugh- ter. They have three children living, namely : Irving L., nineteen years of age, a graduate of Child's Business College, and now in the Northampton Savings Bank; Edwin T., fifteen years of age; and Freddie D., nine years old. Mr. and Mrs. Cary are much es- teemed for their many admirable qualities. They have a pleasant home at 154 State Street, erected in 1886, where their many friends are hospitably welcomed. In their religious belief they are members of the Con- gregational church.
RRIN E. LIVERMORE, of North- ampton, a carpenter, contractor, and builder, whose portrait is now before the reader, is among the foremost men in his line of business in this part of Hampshire County. He owns and occupies the property
O. E. LIVERMORE.
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at 103 West Street, which he bought in 1871, having rebuilt the house six years later in its present modern style. Mr. Livermore is a native of Berkshire County, born November 28, 1837, in Hinsdale, son of Chester Liver- more. His father was born in Shutesbury, Mass., March 28, 1809, and was a son of Elijah Livermore, who was born and reared in Leicester. Mass., but afterward removed to Shutesbury, where he engaged in general farming. Grandfather Livermore reared a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters, none of whom are now living.
Chester Livermore learned the carpenter's trade when a young man, and, removing to Hinsdale, there followed carpentering for fourteen years, when he changed his occupa- tion to farming, which he carried on in the towns of Worthington and Peru for several years. In 1835 he married Betsey Pratt, of Shutesbury, and they had a family of five children, namely: Orrin E., of Northampton ; David E., an unmarried man; Adeline M., wife of Andrew S. Cook, a wood-turner, of Springfield : Frances L., wife of Edwin Skill- ings, of East Bridgewater, Mass .; and Ma- rinda, who died in infancy. The father died in 1864, the mother in 1870.
Orrin E. Livermore was reared on the home farm, and, after receiving an academic educa- tion, taught school one term. In 1863 he came to Northampton, having secured work with Moses Breck, by whom he was employed nine years, after which he succeeded to his well-established business. Some of the most elegant and substantial buildings of the city have been erected by Mr. Livermore, among the principal public ones being the Hamp- shire County bank, McCallum's store, the Northampton Institution for Savings, Lilly Hall, the art gallery, and the annex to the main building of Smith College, and the Hat-
field and Washburn houses that are connected with the college; and among the fine resi- dences those of Messrs. McCallum, Crook, Porter, H. A. Kimball, and Professor H. M. Tyler.
Elizabeth W. Ferguson, who became the wife of Mr. Livermore on April 3, 1861, was born in Newark, N. Y., but was reared in Hinsdale, Mass., her parents, the late Selden K. and Margaret (Stowell) Ferguson, having died in early life. She was one of three young children who were left orphans, her brothers being Myron Ferguson, of Harris- burg, Pa., and Charles Stowell, who was adopted by his uncle, Marshall Stowell, a farmer in Peru. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Livermore two daughters and one son have passed to the brightness of the eternal life, the daughters dying in infancy, and the son, Ernest Howard, when nineteen years old. He was a young man of great promise, a fine scholar, and for one and one-half years was a clerk in the post-office, under Mr. Campbell. Although dead,
" their silent ministry Within our hearts has place, As when on earth they walked with us, And met us face to face."
The remaining children are: Minnie, wife of John W. Draper; Alma B., a talented young musician, pursuing her studies under Profes- sor Greene, taking lessons in voice culture and on the piano, having developed a remark- able taste and talent for that instrument when a child of three years; and Carleton, a win- ning little fellow of two years.
Mr. Livermore is a public-spirited citizen of Northampton, ever evincing a genuine in- terest in all things pertaining to the general welfare and advancement. He is a promi- nent member of the Republican ranks, and has
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served in the Common Couneil three years, having been president one year and an Alder- man two years. He is a Master Mason and an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having passed all the chairs up to and ineluding that of the Canton. Relig- iously, he is an esteemed member of the Bap- tist ehureh, in which he has served as Deaeon for twenty-three years, and for the past eigh- teen years has been superintendent of its Sun- day-school.
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