USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts > Part 23
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Lewis McCloud, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Rowe, March 24, 1805. He also was a farmer, and in 1835 purchased a farm in North Amherst, on which he spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1884; and his wife, who was born in Ber- nardston, May 18, 1809, died in 1891. Polit-
ically, Lewis McCloud was a Republican. He and his wife were both members of the Congregational church. They reared four sons, namely : Milton L., a carpenter in Northampton; Brooks U., a carpenter in Charlemont ; Leroy J., a wire-maker in North- ampton ; and Henry M., who is the youngest.
Henry M. McCloud grew to manhood in Amherst, receiving his education in the public schools of that town. When sixteen years of age he entered the office of the Springfield Republican, where he learned the printer's trade, becoming familiar with all the practical branches of the business. He was for twenty- five years engaged as a printer and publisher, producing first-class work and earning a fair competency. He published the Amherst Rec- ord, a bright and newsy paper, from 1867 to 1879, disposing of his printing business in the latter year, and taking up his present occupa- tion in 1880. In addition to his other busi- ness he looks up pension claims, attends to the settling of estates, and for ten years has been a Justice of the Peace. Mr. McCloud is a veteran of the war, having enlisted December 12, 1861, as a member of Company H, Twelfth Connecticut Volunteers, under command of Captain Joseph Toy. He was a participant in some of the principal engagements, which included the siege of Port Hudson, the battles of Cain River, Mansfield, Georgia Landing, Atchafalaya River, Bisland, Centreville, and the capture of New Orleans. In September, 1863, he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant and transferred to Company B, Ninety-ninth United States Colored Infantry ; and on October 1, 1864, he was honorably dis- charged.
On June 24, 1865, Mr. McCloud was mar- ried to Sarah A., daughter of Dr. Elijah W. Carpenter, of Bernardston. They have one son, Albert C., born in Amherst, May 24,
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1870, who is associated in business with his father, and is married to Edna A. Carter. Henry M. McCloud votes the Republican ticket. In religious belief he is an Episcopa- lian. He is esteemed for his good judgment and business ability and for his strict integ- rity. In addition to his other offices of trust he holds the position of Trustee of the Smith Charities Institution of Northampton.
RA A. GUILFORD, a well-known bus- iness man of Northampton, Hamp- shire County, a member of the firm of Guilford & Wood, horse dealers, was born in Conway, Franklin County, Mass., October 24, 1847, son of Walter and Minerva (Amsden) Guilford. Both his grandfather, Walter Guil- ford, Sr., and his father were natives of Ash- field, the latter born in 1818. The family name of his paternal grandmother was Burnett. His father was a farmer by occupation. He died in 1872, at the age of fifty-four. His wife, Minerva Amsden Guilford, died in 1874, her span of life also embracing fifty-four years. They were the parents of seven children, six of whom reached maturity. The eldest, Man- ley Guilford, offered up his young life on the altar of his country, dying in the army of a disease contracted in camp at the age of twenty-two. The others may here be briefly designated as follows: Minerva is the wife of Frank Warren, of Boston; Ira A. is the sub- ject of this sketch, further mentioned below; Julius S. died in Ashfield, leaving a wife and two children ; Alice was drowned when a child a little over two years of age; Arthur is a hotel-keeper at Conway, Mass. ; Ralph M. resides in Northampton.
Ira A. Guilford was reared to farm life. He attended the district schools, and acquired a fair education, working for his parents on
the home farm until twenty-one years of age, when his father agreed to give him forty dol- lars a month. He was engaged in various work until November, 1886, when he formed a partnership with Frank J. Wood, of Shelburne Falls, and established a market for horses at Northampton Centre, under the firm name of Guilford & Wood. Their enterprise has pros- pered; and they are doing quite an extensive business, trading largely in Western and Canadian horses, buying principally in Michi- gan and Illinois, and bearing a wide reputa- tion for fair dealing. They usually import in this way about thirty carloads per year, care- fully selected, their average annual sales amounting to one thousand horses.
On Christmas Day, 1871, Mr. Guilford was united in marriage with Ella Brown, of Con- way, daughter of L. T. and Martha (Shippie) Brown. The one son who blessed their union passed away in infancy. Mr. Guilford is inde- pendent in political matters, using his own judgment in voting for the best men and meas- ures. Socially, he is an advanced member of the Masonic fraternity, being a prominent Sir Knight.
DWARD CLARK POTTER, a promi- nent resident of Enfield and one of America's most noted sculptors, was born in New London, Conn., November 26, 1857, son of Nathan D. and Mary (Clark) Pot- ter, respectively natives of Warren, Mass., and South Hadley.
Nathan D. Potter was a pioneer of the town of Hancock, Mich. He was distinguished for his energy and perseverance, and died in En- field in 1879. His wife became the mother of two children, namely: Clara J., who is now the wife of Charles C. Hopkins, of Lansing, Mich. ; and Edward Clark Potter, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Nathan D. Potter, who
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still survives, is now residing with her son in Enfield.
Edward Clark Potter prepared for his colle- giate course at the Williston Seminary, and subsequently became a student at Amherst College. In 1880 he commenced his art stud- ies at the Boston School of the Fine Arts, and later continued them with D. C. French, of Concord, Mass. He has also had the advan- tage of European study, under such masters as Mercié and Frémiet, of Paris. His knowledge of arts has been greatly enhanced by much experience and observation while visiting the principal art centres. His first notable achievement was a bust of the Rev. Dorus Clark, which he completed in 1882. Among his succeeding works was a sleeping fawn with rabbit, completed in 1888, which is now in the Art Institute in Chicago. His bust of President Wheeler, which he executed for the Senate Chamber in Washington, was finished in 1889. In collaboration with Mr. French, his old master, he executed the large horses, bulls, and quadriga which ornamented the grounds of the World's Fair in Chicago, to- gether with other fine specimens of sculpture which were seen at the great exposition. He seems to particularly excel in the delineation of large animal figures. He has already com- pleted the horse which is to form a part of the equestrian statue of General Grant, to be placed in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, the statue proper of the General being now in proc- ess of completion by Mr. French. This fig- ure, which was commenced in 1893, Mr. Potter considers to be his finest achievement. His latest work is a bronze statue of Robert Ful- ton, which is to ornament the new Congres- sional Library in Washington. His works have successfully withstood the crucial test of able, critical judgment; and they are in the first rank of American art.
On December 31, 1890, Mr. Potter was united in marriage to May Dumont, at Wash- ington, D.C. ; and they have two children : Nathan D. and Hazel D. He is a Congrega- tionalist in his religious belief and a Repub- lican in politics.
Mr. Potter is still young and ambitious, and it is certain that under his pure conception and skilful technique American art will rise to a still higher standard of perfection.
SA DICKINSON, a thorough farmer and respected citizen of Amherst, was born in that town on February 24, 1809, son of Asa and Salome (Hastings) Dickinson.
His grandfather, Nathan Dickinson, came to Amherst from Hatfield, settling in the eastern part of the town. At that time there were few inhabitants, and the larger part of the town was covered with forests of primitive growth. Though settling in a new country, where the conditions demanded a great deal of labor and hardship, he nevertheless lived to a good age. He was the father of a large fam- ily of children. His son, Asa Dickinson, was reared to the business of a farmer, but was never a man of much physical strength. He died of consumption at sixty-three years of age, and his wife lived to be seventy-six years old. Their union was blessed by the birth of three children, of whom but one, Asa Dickin- son, is now living. The others were: Friend Dickinson, who was born April 6, 1806, and died November 22, 1851 ; and Noble Dickin- son, born December 14, 1807, who died Octo- ber 27, 1887.
Asa Dickinson was but fifteen years of age at his father's death. After that event he assisted his mother in running the farm, and later on he purchased the old home with its
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forty acres of land. To this he has since added, so that he now has a farm of one hun- dred and fifty acres. Intelligent industry has brought him success, and to-day he has an excellent farm and a desirable residence. At the present time the farm work is performed by his two younger sons, who carry on general operations.
On January 20, 1841, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Louisa Sprout, of Hardwick, Mass., where her birth occurred on May 24, 1809. Three sons and a daughter have been born to them in the following order, namely : Edwin H., born September 10, 1843, who lives in Pennsylvania; Albert S., born Decem- ber 22, 1845, residing on the home farm in Amherst ; William A., who was born Novem- ber 19, 1849, also living at the farm; and Emma L., born August 23, 1855, who is the wife of Fred Dickinson, and resides in Amherst. Their mother died on April 2, 1 890.
Mr. Dickinson's politics are independent. His religious views are liberal. His wife was a member of the Congregational church. Though well advanced in years, being one of the oldest citizens of Amherst, Mr. Dickinson still retains a good amount of mental vigor and bodily activity.
AIRUS E. CLARK, Sheriff of Hamp- shire County, was born at Southamp- ton, May 8, 1835. His father, Strong Clark, was born in the same town in 1801; and his grandfather, Noah Clark, a native of either Southampton or Northampton, was born December 1, 1762. He was an extensive and successful farmer, owning a farm of over four hundred acres of land situated at the foot of Montgomery Mountain. On February 5, 1786, he married Eunice Strong, whose birth
occurred in 1764. They reared a family of nine children, one daughter having died young. Those who grew to maturity became heads of families, most of them settling in New Eng- land. Noah Clark died in 1844, at the age of eighty-two, and his wife in 1853, aged eighty- nine years.
Sheriff Clark's father was also a very pros- perous farmer and a prominent man in public affairs, being a Selectman for several years and a Representative to the General Court dur- ing the sessions of 1846 and 1847. He was known as an industrious and prudent man, but exceedingly benevolent, bestowing generously the fruits of his labor upon the needy and unfortunate. A sincere Christian, gifted in prayer, he was a consistent member of the Congregational church. His wife, Roena Searle, of Chester, whom he married in the month of December, 1823, became the mother of two sons, Joseph S. and Jairus E. The former was a merchant of Westfield, where he died at the age of seventy-one years, leaving a widow and one son. Mr. Clark's mother still survives at the age of ninety-two years, bright and active mentally, though suffering from lameness which is the result of an accident. She resides at Southampton, where her sister, Mrs. Rachel Edwards, died at the advanced age of ninety-six. Mrs. Roena Searle Clark is the youngest of eight children born to her parents, Zenas and Rachel (Bates) Searle, four of whom died in the short space of four days, of scarlet fever. Two sons and two daughters lived to reach maturity, and Mrs. Clark is now the only survivor.
Jairus E. Clark received a good education in the public schools of his native town and at the Sheldon Academy. He continued to re- side at home, assisting his father upon the farm and also conducting a profitable lumber business until 1868, when he engaged in the
JAIRUS E. CLARK.
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meat business at Easthampton, which he car- ried on with satisfactory results for a period of seven years. He next became station agent of the New Haven Railroad, a position which he held for twelve years; and during that time he was elected High Sheriff of Hampshire County, having previously served as a Deputy. He is now (November, 1895) serving his twelfth year in office, and has recently been re-elected by the vote of both the Republican and Democratic parties, to serve a fifth term of three years, a fact showing the public appre- ciation of the ability and faithfulness with which he has discharged his trusts.
On October 1, 1856, Mr. Clark was united in marriage with Miss Almanza M. Hubbard, of Southampton, who had been a school- teacher. Mrs. Clark's father, David C. Hub- bard, died early in life ; and her mother became the wife of Seth Bartlett. Mr. and Mrs. Clark became the parents of three children, but have been called to part with two of them : Myron W., who died at the age of twenty-one months; and Eugene B., at the age of five years. Their only surviving child, Gertrude A. Clark, is a bright and promising student at Lasell Seminary, Auburndale, Mass. Mr. Clark is well advanced in Masonry, being a member of the Mystic Shrine, and, although a Republican in politics, owes his election, as before mentioned, to both the great parties, which united in his support. He has also served as a Selectman at Southampton, as Chief of the fire department, and chairman of the Town Hall Committee at Easthampton, and is a Director of the Hampshire County National Bank of Northampton and a Trustee of the old savings bank at Easthampton.
The portrait of Sheriff Clark shown in con- nection with this brief record of his career to date may well call to mind the poet's delinea- tion of the ideal citizen in power, who
" fixes good on good alone, and owes To virtue every triumph that he knows; Who, if he rise to station of command, Rises by open means, . . . Who comprehends his trust, and to the same Keeps faithful with a singleness of aim."
ODOLPHUS C. CLARK, a well- known farmer of Prescott, was born
in Rutland, Vt., December 18, 1832, son of Elijah and Zeviah (Weston) Clark. Mr. Clark's grandfather, Asahel Clark, was one of the first settlers in Belchertown. He owned a large tract of land, upon which he fol- lowed agriculture successfully, and was a prominent man. He died in Belchertown at the age of ninety years. His family consisted of twelve children, eleven of whom, five sons . and six daughters, reached maturity. Of these, Elijah, Mr. Clark's father, was the youngest.
Elijah Clark was born in Belchertown and reared to an agricultural life, in which he con- tinued for the active period of his life. He owned several farms. The greater portion of his life was passed in Belchertown, and he died at the age of eighty years. In religion he was a Baptist, while he was a Democrat in politics. His wife, Zeviah (Weston) Clark, who was born in Willington, Tolland County, Conn., became the mother of ten children. Five of these are living, namely : Rodolphus C., the subject of this sketch; John, a resi- dent of Springfield; Elmina, wife of Rodol- phus Cooley, of Springfield; Maria, widow of Rodolphus Converse, of Springfield; and Sophia King, widow of Captain King, now residing in San Francisco, Cal. Those de- ceased were : Weston E. and Orlando M., both of whom died in the Civil War; Elbridge, who died in Boston; Zeviah; and Mary Ann. The mother died comparatively young.
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Rodolphus C. Clark passed his boyhood and youth in Ludlow and neighboring towns. At the age of eight years he went to live with Dr. WV. Alden in Ludlow, with whom he re- mained eight years. He then engaged in ped- dling tinware and stoves, an occupation which he followed for ten years. He next busied himself in various pursuits, and during the Civil War became a government contractor, in which capacity he furnished the War Depart- ment with twenty-five hundred horses. He then turned his attention to lumbering, and while in that business contracted to furnish the Boston & Albany Railroad Company with a large amount of material. He has been an exceedingly active and busy man, and his vari- ous enterprises have all terminated success- fully. In 1882 he purchased the farm where he now resides, which consists of one hundred and twenty acres, on which he is engaged in general farming, making a specialty of raising hay, grain, and fruits. His substantial resi- dence, which is pleasantly situated, was erected by him ; and he also owns real estate in other towns. He is a Democrat in poli- tics and liberal in his views of religious differences.
On June 28, 1860, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Lorinda P. Hubbard, who was born in Ludlow, December 1I, 1837, daughter of John P. and Harriet M. (Parsons) Hubbard, neither of whom is now living. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have three children, as follows: Minnie L., who resides at home; Mattie Howry, a resident of Prescott; and Mabel H., wife of Fred B. Purdy, of Belchertown.
ASHINGTON I. RICE, an enter- prising and progressive farmer of Chesterfield, was born there June 4, 1833, son of Lyman and Miranda (Taylor)
Rice, both natives of the town. His paternal grandfather, Alvin Rice, was an early settler.
Lyman Rice was a blacksmith by trade, and in connection with this industry also carried on general farming, being an active worker until his demise, in April, 1870. His wife survived him until January, 1883, when she died on the old homestead. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Samuel Davis and another child, both of whom died in infancy; Samuel Davis, second, engaged in farming in Champaign County, Ill. ; George T., a resident of Rice, Benton County, Minn. ; Washington I., the subject of this sketch ; Louisa L., wife of H. Bisbee, of Chesterfield ; and Amasa C., who died when but two years of age.
Washington I. Rice ended his school life at the Westfield Academy. At the age of twenty-one years he assumed the management of the home farm, leaving his father to devote his entire time to his trade. On the death of his parents Mr. Rice bought the interest of the remaining heirs in the homestead property, which he has since conducted with the same success that characterized his previous man- agement. The farm includes two hundred acres of land, which, under his efficient man- agement, yields profitable harvests of corn, hay, and fruit.
Mr. Rice was united in marriage December 20, 1870, to Mrs. Martha S. (Sampson) Boulls, a daughter of Abner Sampson, for- merly engaged in farming in the town of Chester, of which he was a lifelong resident. Of her union with Mr. Boulls Mrs. Rice had one child, Cora E., who married J. L. Clark, of Bridgeport, Conn. Mr. Rice is active in both social and political life. He is a stanch member of the Republican party. He has been a Selectman for nineteen years, for fif- teen of them serving as chairman of the
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board. He has also been Assessor and Over- seer of the Poor.
EORGE W. COTTRELL, a resident of Middlefield since his early youth, was born in Hinsdale, Mass., on March 15, 1856, son of George W. and Angie M. (Dyer) Cottrell. His parents were George W. and Angie M. (Dyer) Cottrell. George W. Cottrell was a native of Worthington, Mass., where his birth occurred August 31, 1830. He spent his life in farming, which, while involving an almost unceasing round of toil. still allows to its followers a freedom and independence not found in many other occupations. In 1861 he removed to Middle- field, where he purchased a farm, on which he resided during the remaining years of his life. He died there on June 23, 1883. His wife, who was born in Plainfield, Mass., October 4, 1831, is still living. They had four children, as follows: George W .; Mary, the wife of Herbert H. Prentice, a successful agricult- urist residing in Middlefield; Carrie, who married King Phillips, and now lives in Peru, Mass., where her husband is profitably en- gaged in farming; and John, who died at twenty-one years of age. All the children enjoyed the advantages of a common-school education. Mr. Cottrell was a Republican in politics. He also took a keen interest in the affairs of his town, which he served as Se- lectman ; and he was at one time a member of the School Board. He and his wife were both members of the Congregational church at Middlefield.
George W. Cottrell was but five years of age when his parents settled in Middlefield. He remained at home until he was twenty- three years of age, when he established him- self as a farmer. His efforts turned out
prosperously. Beginning in moderate circum- stances, his business ability and prudence have since acquired for him a comfortable compe- tence. Besides his general farming and dairying there is an excellent sugar maple orchard on his farm, which yields him yearly about four thousand pounds of choice maple sugar, for which he finds a ready market in Hartford, Conn. He is one of the largest maple sugar manufacturers of the town.
On May 8, 1879, Mr. Cottrell was married to Miss Elsie Wright, who was born August 19, 1855, and is a native of Middlefield, where her life has been spent. She is a daughter of Charles and Sallie (Smith) Wright. Four children have come to brighten their home, as follows: Mary Addie, born on St. Valentine's Day, February 14, 1881; Frank Arthur, born August 8, 1882; Sarah Elsie, born March 7, 1884; and John W., born November 20, 1888, who died July 1, 1892.
In politics Mr. Cottrell supports the Repub- lican party, to which he has ever been loyal. Besides attending to his agricultural labors, he finds time to give due attention to such interests of the town as his fellow-citizens have intrusted to his care. At the present time he is serving as Selectman, and has been chairman of that board for two years. He has also been a member of the School Board for several years. Mr. Cottrell and his wife attend church at Middlefield, where both are well known and respected.
DWIN D. MARSH, a resident of Am- herst and a dealer in carpets, furni- ture, and upholstery, was born in Chicopee, Mass., on Washington's Birthday in 1845, son of Merrick M. and Louisa (Bart- lett) Marsh.
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His grandfather, Rufus Marsh, who was a native of Rome, N.Y., resided in Franklin County, Massachusetts. During the greater part of his life he followed the tradc of a car- penter, and also successfully operated a saw- mill and a grist-mill. He was a man of in- dustrious habits and a respected citizen of his town. He dicd in Whately, Mass., fifty-two years of age. His wife, whose maiden name was Camilla Church, bore him eleven children. The seven now living are: Norman C., Elccta, Amoretta, Merrick M., Edwin D., Brigham, and Sabra. The mother was seventy-two years of age at the time of her death. Both parents were Episcopalians in their religious bclief, and in politics he was a Democrat.
Merrick M. Marsh, who was born in Erving, Mass., January 14, 1822, came to Amherst when but sixteen years of age to learn the trade of a cabinet-maker with the firm of Mckinney & Bangs. Several years later, about 1844, he went to Brattleboro, Vt., for a brief time, and thence to Enfield, Mass. After a short interval spent in other places he finally returned in 1846 to Amherst, and has since resided in that place. In 1838 he engaged in business for himself as a cabinet- maker; and, with the exception of about two years, he followed it continuously until he retired from active participation in a mercan- tile life. After 1860 the business was con- ducted under the firm name of Marsh & Young for a number of years. His son, who afterward entered into partnership with him, when the father retired took full control of the business. His wife, Louisa Bartlett be- fore marriage, who was born in Leverett, Mass., on October 30, 1822, bore him two sons : Edwin D. and Charles D. The latter died in childhood. Mr. Marsh and his wife are members of the Episcopal church, and in politics he is a Democrat.
Edwin D. Marsh received a good practical education in the common schools of Amherst. When fifteen years of age, he entered the hardware storc of William Kellogg as clerk ; and, after remaining with him two years, hc worked a year for George Cutler. He next went to Springfield, Mass., where he was cm- ployed for three years. The four years fol- lowing werc spent in different places in the West. In 1869 he returned to Amherst, and, as already stated, was taken into partnership by his father, succeeding to the business in 1883. He still conducts the store, carrying a large stock of furniture, carpets, uphol- stery, and draperies. He is also engaged in the undertaking business. On February 22, 1871, his twenty-sixth birthday, he was united in marriage with Miss Cornelia G. Strickland, who was born in Lee, Mass. Their union has been blessed by the birth of a daughter, Nellie L. Marsh, who lives with her parents.
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