USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts > Part 22
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USTIN D. BATES, a prosperous farmer and business man of Cum- mington, was born in that town, March 20, 1837, son of Dorrance and Hannah (Damon) Bates. Mr. Bates's great-grandpar- ents were Nehemiah and Mehitable (Marble) Bates.
Nehemiah Bates was born in Abington, Mass., in 1740. He moved from Abington to Chesterfield, Mass., where he settled upon the farm which is now owned by H. Bates, and followed agriculture successfully until his death, which occurred at a good old age. His children were: Joel, Mehitable, Nathaniel, Ephraim, Asa, Levi, Elijah, Mehitable (sec- ond), Gersham, Solomon, and Ruth. Levi Bates, grandfather of Austin D. Bates, was born in Abington, September 9, 1771. He learned the trade of a carpenter, and settled in Cummington, upon the farm which is now oeeupied by P. Bates. He became a prosper- ous farmer, owning one hundred and thirty aeres of land, and died aged thirty years. He was a Whig in polities and a Baptist in his religious ereed. Levi Bates married Lorina Hersey, who was born Mareh 5, 1775; and they had eight ehildren, as follows: Malensa, Levi, Dorrance, Melinda, Lueinda, Lueretia, Phidelia, and Philander. The mother died April 26, 1849.
Dorrance Bates, Mr. Bates's father, was born in Cummington, January 25, 1803, and, when a young man, acquired the earpenter's trade, which he followed as an occupation. He first settled upon two aeres of land, but later he purchased the adjoining property, which was known as the E. Culver homestead, consisting of one hundred acres; and here he resided until his death. He died aged forty- nine years. His wife, Hannah (Damon) Bates, who was born in 1812, became the mother of five children : Finley V .; Austin D .; Hollis- ter, who died young; Osmyn; and Hollister, second. She died at the age of seventy-nine.
Austin D. Bates was reared to agriculture, and sueceeded to the possession of the old homestead by purchasing the interests of the other heirs. At the age of eighteen he com- menced teaming in a small way upon a route which included the city of Northampton and the towns of Huntington, Dalton, and Adams ; and this undertaking later developed into an extensive business. He also engaged in the sale of feed, grain, flour, and fertilizer, which he buys by the earload; and in this branch of trade he has also become sueeessful. He has added thirty aeres to his farm, keeps ten choice cows, has enlarged his residenee, and remodelled his other farm buildings. The property is situated near the Hillside agri- cultural grounds ; and during the annual fair he provides dinners for a large number of people and provender for quite a number of horses. He also owns an interest in the creamery.
On November 27, 1862, Mr. Bates was united in marriage to Sarah D. Brewster, daughter of Andrew and Phoebe (Sherman) Brewster. Mr. and Mrs. Bates have one son, named Herbert A., who was born October 7, 1871, and is now in business with his father. Mr. Bates is a Republican in polities; and,
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although frequently requested to serve in town offices, he has always declined, as his busi -. ness requires his entire time and energy.
ANIEL H. GOULD, a prominent resident and a Selectman of Plain- field, was born in Charlemont. Mass., November 23, 1837, son of Aaron and Lucinda (Albee) Gould. Mr. Gould's father was a native of Heath, Mass., and in his early manhood learned the trade of a black- smith. He settled in Charlemont, where for some years he followed his trade in connec- tion with farming. He later resided in Haw- ley and Buckland, having been employed at farm work in both places. He was originally a Whig in politics and later a Republican. He died at the age of eighty-one years. His wife was born in Pelham, Mass., daughter of Laban Albee. She became the mother of seven children, all of whom are now living. They are: Lemuel, Wilson, Daniel H., Gil- bert A., Joanna R., Mary A., and Luther E. She died aged seventy-three years. Mr. Gould's parents were Adventists in religious belief.
Daniel H. Gould resided at home, and as- sisted his father in carrying on the farm until his majority, when he purchased one hundred and twelve acres of land in the town of Haw- ley. After conducting that farm for eight years, he sold it, and bought another, contain- ing one hundred and seventy-five acres. This also he sold, and it is now the property of D. Ingraham. He then bought the Alford farm of one hundred and twelve acres, which he still retains. In 1885 he moved to Plainfield, and bought the place of Colonel Richards, containing seven acres of land. He also pur- chased L. Campbell's blacksmith shop, which he has since conducted successfully. Besides
the blacksmith business, he now manufact- ures and repairs wagons, sleighs, and other conveyances. More recently he bought the Hallock farm, which consists of seven acres of meadow land. Mr. Gould is a Republican in politics, and is active in public affairs. He is a Constable of Plainfield, has been a mem- ber of the Board of Selectmen for the past five years, and served on the School Committee while living in Hawley.
On March 24, 1858, Mr. Gould was united in marriage to Maria Sprague, daughter of Rufus Sprague. Mr. and Mrs. Gould have two children, namely: Carrie E., born in April, 1862, who was married to John King, and died August 10, 1886, leaving one daugh- ter, named Anna; and Clark F., born in 1864, who resides at home.
EWTON SMITH, an extensive dairy farmer and a lifelong resident of South Hadley Falls, was born where he now resides, December 2, 1837, son of Philip and Sarah (Smith) Smith. Mr. Smith's father was born in South Hadley Falls, and followed agriculture as an occupa- tion all of his life. In early manhood he set- tled upon the farm which is now owned and occupied by his son, and resided there until his death, which occurred in 1868, at the age of seventy-two years. He was a successful farmer and a highly respected citizen. His wife, who was a native of Leverett, Mass., became the mother of three children, as fol- lows: Sarah, who died in 1866; Newton, the subject of this sketch; and Philip Henderson, who married Frances J. Butterfield, and re- sided with Mr. Smith. Philip Henderson Smith was formerly an architect, and resided in the vicinity of Boston.
Newton Smith was educated in the schools
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of South Hadley Falls. At an early age he commenced to assist his father upon the farm, and rapidly attained proficiency in all branches of agriculture. At the age of twenty-six he was placed in charge of the farm, and has since managed it with success. He has made numerous improvements, adding materially to the value of the property, which consists of one hundred and fifty-five acres, one hundred and fifteen acres being under per- fect cultivation. He conducts one of the largest dairies in Hampshire County, keeps a herd of one hundred and twenty cattle, and eleven horses. He is the owner of three large milk routes - two in Holyoke and one in South Hadley Falls - which are the source of considerable profit.
Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics, and has served three years as a Selectman. He is a member of the Congregational church.
RVIS F. BIGELOW, M.D., a promi- nent physician of Amherst, was born in Perkinsville, town of Weathers- field, Windsor County, Vt., September 1, 1835, son of Barnay and Joanna (Nichols) Bigelow. Dr. Bigelow is a descendant of John Bigelow, who was born in England in 1616, and settled in Watertown, Mass., in 1632.
Dr. Bigelow's great-grandparents were Solomon and Sarah (Newton) Bigelow, who were residents of Shrewsbury, Mass. His grandfather, Silas Bigelow, was born in Shrewsbury, December 24, 1766. He became an early settler in Perkinsville, Vt., where he followed agriculture the greater part of his life, and was classed among the most success- ful farmers of his day. He was a sturdy and industrious man and a useful citizen. He died in Perkinsville, aged sixty-six years.
Hle was a member of the Baptist church. His family of six children all grew to maturity; and of these Barnay Bigelow, Dr. Bigelow's father, was the eldest.
Deacon Barnay Bigelow was born in Per- kinsville in 1794. He adopted agriculture as an occupation, which he followed successfully through life, and, after succeeding to the pos- session of his father's farm, resided there until his death. He was a Whig in politics, and was active in town affairs. In his relig- ious belief he was a Baptist, and was a Dea- con of that church. Barnay Bigelow died in Perkinsville in 1858. His wife, Joanna Nichols before marriage, who was born in Perkinsville in 1796, became the mother of five children, as follows: Pharcellus K., who now resides in Antioch, Cal .; Carlton B., of Springfield, Mass .; Orvis F., the subject of this sketch; Adoniram, who died aged seventy years; and Elizabeth, who died aged twenty years. The mother died in 1876.
Orvis F. Bigelow passed his boyhood in as- sisting his father upon the farm. He com- menced his education in the schools of his native town; and at the age of eighteen he attended the New Hampton Institute in Fair- fax, Vt., where he prepared for his collegiate course. He then entered the University of Vermont in Burlington, where he studied a thorough course of medicine, and graduated with the class of 1862. He began the prac- tice of his profession the same year in Bran- don, Vt .; and, after residing there for three years, he came to Amherst, where he has since conducted a large and lucrative practice.
Dr. Bigelow is at the present time the old- est medical practitioner in Amherst. He is skilful and reliable, and possesses the esteem and confidence of the general public. He is a Republican in politics.
On July 8, 1863, Dr. Bigelow was united
STEPHEN P. BAILEY.
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in marriage to Mary Pingry, daughter of William M. Pingry, of Weathersfield, Vt. Dr. and Mrs. Bigelow had six children, as follows: Jessie E., born August 20, 1864; William P., born March 29, 1867; Frank B., born February 7, 1869; Lucy M., born July 14. 1872; Fred C .. born June 30, 1875; and Edward Rutherford, born February 18, 1877, who died January 14, 1894. Dr. Bigelow is a member of the State and Hampshire Dis- trict Medical Societies, and both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
TEPHEN P. BAILEY, a leading citizen of Greenwich, who for over seventy years has been a resident of this beautiful valley town, and up to within a few years was actively identified with its farming and lumbering interests, was born in Worcester, Mass., February 13, 1818. He is the son of Eber W. and Elizabeth (Powers) Bailey and grandson of John and Bethiah (Blackmer) Bailey, all natives of Massachu- setts. His grandfather, John Bailey, settled in the northern part of Greenwich over one hundred years ago, and lived to be eighty-six years of age. A sturdy farmer, accustomed to hard labor, he was a public-spirited man, endowed with the courage of his convictions, and joined the patriot ranks at the time of the Revolution. He filled for some time the office of Sheriff. His wife, Bethiah Black- mer, who was a native of Belchertown, was an esteemed member of the Congregational church, to which he also belonged. They had but three children: Eber W .; Esther, who never married; and one child who died in infancy.
Eber W. Bailey was born in Holden, Mass., and in early manhood was a coachman in the service of the Waldorf family in Worcester,
but subsequently settled on a farm in Green- wich, devoting the rest of his life to agricult- ure. He was a progressive and successful man, and attained a fair degree of prosperity. In political matters he took an active inter- est, and was first a Whig, then an ardent Free Soiler, and later a Republican. He was a church member also, belonging to the Con- gregational Society of the town. He died in 1865, at the age of seventy-five. His wife, who was a native of Prescott, Mass., died in her seventieth year, in December, 1856. They had five children, all of whom grew to maturity, and two of whom are now living: Stephen P., the subject of this sketch; and Sophronia R., wife of T. P. Root, of Barre, Mass. Those who died were named respec- tively : Eber O., Adaline E., and Mary A.
Stephen P. Bailey was six years of age when his parents removed to Greenwich. He re- ceived a good common-school education, and on starting to earn a livelihood gave his at- tention to farming, buying his first land in Greenwich many years ago. He subsequently was engaged in the lumber business, manu- facturing all kinds of building material and also box lumber, and for thirty years was a leader in that industry. Within a few years he retired from active business pursuits, and is now engaged in looking after his extensive real estate interests, owning to-day more land than any other man in the town, and being the largest tax-payer.
The town of Greenwich, of which Mr. Bailey is so prominent a citizen, and whose prosperity he has done much to promote, is one of the most beautiful parts of the county. It contains two villages, Greenwich and Greenwich Plains. Among the most promi- nent and picturesque features of the land- scape are the twin peaks, Mount Lizzie and Mount Pomeroy, both rising abruptly from a
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level plain, imperishable monuments of the mighty forces of nature. Both have their Indian traditions, as romantic and poetical as those which envelop the ruined castles and ancient battle-grounds of the Old World. Miniature lakes of great beauty, whose banks are dotted with cosey summer cottages, reflect from their placid waters the ever-changing glories of flying cloud and deep ethereal blue. Such scenes of rural quiet could not remain long hidden from weary toilers in search of rest and recreation, and accordingly ample ac- commodations for the temporal and spiritual comfort of summer visitors may be found in the well-kept and commodious hotels - one in each village - and in the different denomina- tional places of worship; and good schools, also, are not lacking for the benefit of the younger generation of the native inhabitants. The fact that the town is out of debt and has a surplus in the treasury is convincing proof of good financial management on the part of its leading citizens; and the good roads and bridges and other useful and necessary public works show that they are men of enterprise and action, and are worthily representative of the best New England traditions.
June 24, 1852, Mr. Bailey was united in marriage with Lydia A. Haskell, a native of New Salem, who died October 4, 1857; and on April 23, 1863, he was married to his sec- ond wifc, Mrs. Abbie L. (Snow) Wetherell, a native of West Brookfield. After a wedded life of thirty-one years Mrs. Abbie L. Bailey was called to her long rest, August 14, 1894. Mr. Bailey has no children. He is a stanch Republican, and takes an active interest in the public welfare. In the legislature of 1880 he represented the Fifth Hampshire District, which includes Enfield, Belcher- town, Ware, Greenwich, and Granby; and he has served for some years as Selectman of
Greenwich. He aided financially in the building of the Athol & Enfield Railroad. Mr. Bailey is very active for a man of his age, and is still a leader in the public affairs of Greenwich Village, where he has resided since 1852. On the subject of religion his views are liberal.
ENRY S. SHIPMAN, a general mer- chant of Hadley, was born in that town, November 18, 1851, son of William S. and Catherine (Gaylord) Ship- man. Mr. Shipman's grandparents were William and Betsey (Smith) Shipman, both of whom were natives of Hadley, where they passed their entire lives.
William S. Shipman, Mr. Shipman's father, was born in Hadley, November 28, 1812. In early manhood he engaged in the manufacture of brooms, later giving his atten- tion to farming and the cultivation of tobacco. He finally established himself in mercantile business in Hadley, and followed that suc- cessfully for the remainder of his life. He became prominent in public affairs, and was elected Town Treasurer in 1853, Town Clerk in 1854, and Postmaster in July, 1867, and satisfactorily attended to the duties of these offices until his death, which occurred Novem- ber 26, 1881. William S. Shipman's wife, who was born in Hadley, December 5, 1814, was a daughter of Israel G. and Susan (Smith) Gaylord. Her parents were natives of Had- ley, where they resided until their death. Mrs. William S. Shipman became the mother of four children, as follows: James A., who died January 23, 1841 ; William N., who died February 13, 1872; Charles E., a merchant of Northampton; and Henry S., the subject of this sketch.
Henry S. Shipman was educated in the
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schools of Hadley, and resided with his par- ents until he reached the age of twenty-one, when he commenced life for himself. He en- gaged in agriculture, which he continued to follow until his father's death. Since 1881 he has conducted the business formerly car- ried on by his father - that of a general coun- try merchant -and has been very successful. He is a Republican in politics, is a Justice of the Peace, was Postmaster from 1881 until 1893, and was elected Town Clerk and Treasurer in the same year, which last two offices he still holds. Mr. Shipman was ini- tiated in the Masonic Order at Northampton in 1884. Mrs. Shipman is a member of the Congregational church.
On November 18, 1872, Mr. Shipman was united in marriage to Jennie W. Morton, who was born in Hadley, August 5, 1855, daugh- ter of the Hon. John A. and Sophronia (Thayer) Morton. John A. Morton was a na- tive of Ware, came to Hadley at an early day, and resided in that town until his death. He became one of the largest farmers in Hamp- shire County, and represented his district in the legislature during the years 1845 and 1846, and died December 27, 1878. His wife, who was a native of Enfield, Mass., died in Hadley, November 20, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Shipman had three children, namely: William A., born March 27, 1874, who died September 2 of the same year; Mabel L., born January 6, 1876, now a school-teacher in Hadley; and Grace N., born January 7, 1883.
EORGE G. HITCHCOCK, M.D., a leading physician of the homœo- pathic school of medicine, residing at South Hadley Falls, has an extensive prac- tice in this village and in the town of Hol- yoke. He began his professional career in
this place in 1870, and during his many years of successful experience has won the confi- dence and respect of the community and the patronage of the best class of people. He was born February 22, 1845, in the town of Farm- ington, Conn., being a son of Rufus Augustus and Mary Ann (Goodwin) Hitchcock.
Rufus A. Hitchcock was a native of Chesh- ire, Conn., born November 2, 1812, and in his early days was a clock-maker by trade, fol- lowing that vocation until thirty-five years of age, his place of business and his residence being located at Terryville. He subsequently purchased land in Unionville, and there tilled the soil during his remaining years, dying on April 16, 1886. His first wife, Mary A. Goodwin, was born December 15, 1822, in Harwinton, Conn., and there reared. She bore her husband four children : William Au- gustus, Dexter, George G., and Mary. Will- iam A. served in the late Rebellion for three consecutive years, belonging to the Sixteenth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry; and, being captured at the battle of the Wilderness, he was taken to Andersonville Prison, where he soon after died. Dexter, who married Miss Adele Brockway, of Norwalk, Conn., is there successfully engaged in the practice of medi- cine; he is likewise interested in a brick busi- ness at Calhoun, N. Y. Mary, the youngest child, received a severe injury from which she has never recovered, and is now under treat- ment at an asylum. After the death of his first wife, on August 29, 1875, the father was married in West Springfield to Mrs. Eliza (Doolittle) Baley, a native of Cheshire, Conn., and now a resident of Meriden, Conn.
George G. Hitchcock as a lad was very fond of his books, and after leaving the public schools was sent to a business college in New Haven, whence he went to Suffield, where he pursued his studies at the Connecticut Literary
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Institute for three years. Returning to the place of his nativity he began the study of medicine with Dr. William Sage, now of New Haven, being under his instruction for three years, and then going to New York City took a complete course of study at the Homco- pathic College, where he was graduated in the class of 1870. Coming at once to Hampshire County, Dr. Hitchcock settled at South Hadley Falls, and has since devoted himself untiringly to the duties of his profession. He is said to have the largest practice of any physician at the Falls.
On September 2, 1870, soon after coming to South Hadley Falls, Dr. Hitchcock was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth M. Weller, daughter of Royal M. and Malvina (Penney) Weller, of Watertown, Conn. Their home has been brightened by the birth of two children, namely: Florence Weller Hitch- cock, born October 10, 1875; and Bessie Adele Hitchcock, born October 10, 1878. Mr. Weller moved to East Granby, Conn., after the death of his first wife, Mrs. Hitch- cock's mother; and there he married again. The Doctor is a stanch Republican in poli- tics, and both he and Mrs. Hitchcock are es- teemed members of the Congregational church. They have a pleasant and attractive home, and entertain their many friends with genuine hospitality.
ORACE HAUNTON, a prominent citizen of Westhampton, and in charge of the Loudville grist-mill, was born in County Norfolk, England, Decem- ber 13, 1850, son of Thomas and Miriam (Ellis) Haunton, both natives of the same county. Thomas Haunton, who was a shoe- maker, worked at his trade up to the time of his death in 1872. His wife lived through seventeen years of widowhood, passing away in
1889. They had a large family - fifteen chil- dren - five of whom died in infancy. The others were named : Miriam, Fannie, Thomas, Sarah, Ellen, Hermon, Tabor, Charles, Hor- ace, and Horeb.
Horace Haunton received his education in the national schools of England, and at sixteen started to earn a livelihood in a paper-mill. At the end of two years he obtained employ- ment in the chemical works at Thetford, where he remained four years. He had a brother-in- law living in America, from whom he heard good accounts of the country; and in 1872 he sailed for the United States, taking passage on the "James Foster, Jr." The voyage occu- pied five tedious weeks, and Mr. Haunton was well pleased at the end of that time to find himself in the city of New York. He went direct to Loudville and obtained work in a paper-mill owned by Caleb Loud, remaining three years. In 1875 he went to Georgetown, Province of Ontario, Canada, and, obtaining work in the government mills under the charge of William Barber & Brothers, paper manu- facturers, remained something over four years. He returned to Loudville in 1880, and again entered the employ of Mr. Loud. Nine years after he was made superintendent of the mill then owned by Buchanan & Bolt. Subse- quently he was given charge of the Loudville grist-mill, which he has conducted for two years, making many important repairs. He is also to some extent engaged in farming.
In 1875 Mr. Haunton was married to Mary J. Clark, a native of Unionville, Conn. Her father, Kenas Clark, sacrificed his life on the altar of patriotism, having been killed in the Civil War. Mrs. Haunton died May 3, 1888, leaving four children, namely: Hermon Vic- tor, now in Easthampton; Percy Claude, Charles Kenas, and Mattie Ellen, at home with their father. On December 3, 1890, Mr.
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Haunton was again married, taking for his wife Susan E., daughter of Franklin and Dor- cas Strong, of Westhampton. Mr. and Mrs. Strong are both deceased. Mr. Haunton is a naturalized citizen and a zealous Republican. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., belonging to Ionic Lodge of Easthampton. In religious belief he is a Congregationalist, and attends the church in Westhampton, in which he leads the choir. While a strong business man, Mr. Haunton appreciates the refinements of life. He is especially a lover of music, as his office in the church choir indicates ; and he is always a willing assistant, when not too inconvenient, in any musical project in need of his services.
ENRY M. McCLOUD, a prominent business man of Amherst, who acts as insurance agent, real estate broker, and notary public, was born in that town September 22, 1838, son of Lewis and Minerva (Slate) McCloud, both natives of Franklin County, Massachusetts. The Mc- Clouds are of Scotch origin. Mr. McCloud's grandfather, Charles McCloud, who was a native of New Hampshire, was an early settler in Rowe, Mass., where he was engaged in farming up to the time of his death. He was an industrious and successful man, and, though he worked early and late, lived to an advanced age. He was the father of a large family, one of whom, Mrs. Louie Brown, of Colerain, is yet living.
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