USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
In politics Mr. Marsh is a Democrat. He has always taken a keen interest in his town, and has served most acceptably as Secretary of the Association for Village Improvement and Treasurer of the Amherst Cemetery Asso- ciation. He is an attendant of the Congre- gational church, of which his wife is a mem- ber; and both are highly esteemed by all who know them.
ENRY S. ALLEN, a prosperous farmer of Pelham, was born in Belchertown, Mass., January 10,
1867, son of Baxter and Esther (Newell)
Allen. Mr. Allen's grandfather, Amasa Allen, was a native and a lifelong resident of Belchertown, where he followed agriculture successfully, and died in 1891. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a Republican in politics. He married
231
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Alice Sherman, and she became the mother of two sons, as follows: Henry D., who now resides in West Pelham; and Baxter, Mr. Allen's father. The mother died in Belcher- town at an advanced age.
Baxter Allen was born in Belchertown, and was reared to an agricultural life. He moved from Belchertown to Pelham, settled upon the farm where his son Henry S. now resides, and, being energetic and industri- ous, became a prosperous farmer. He died June 8, 1881. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for some time served it as a Trustee. He married November 27, 1862, Esther Newell, daughter of Le muel and Charlotte (Arnold) Newell. The father was born in Pelham, March 13, 1810; and the mother was born in Belcher- town, March 5, 1817. David Newell, the grandfather of Mrs. Baxter Allen, was an early settler in Pelham, where he passed the remainder of his life. Lemuel Newell owned and cultivated a large farm. He was highly respected, was prominently connected with public affairs, and served the town with ability as a Selectman, Overseer of the Poor, and in other offices. His death occurred August 26, 1887. He attended the Meth- odist church, and was a Republican in his po- litical relations. His wife, Charlotte Arnold before marriage, died August 15, 1845. Of her children four reached maturity. Two are now living, namely: H. Smith Newell, a resident of Chicopee Falls; and Esther, who is now Mrs. Baxter Allen. Mrs. Baxter Allen became the mother of five children, as follows: Lyman W., who was born February 23, 1864, is married, and resides in West Pelham; Henry S., the subject of this sketch ; Alice M., born March 7, 1871, and residing in Pelham; Myron N., born August 16, 1872, and now a prosperous farmer of Amherst; and
Estella N., born February 26, 1878, and now the wife of William Larned, a mechanic of Pelham. The mother, who still survives, re- sides at the old homestead.
Henry S. Allen received his education in the common schools of his native town. At the age of fourteen he commenced life for himself as a farm boy. In this employment he earned sixty-five dollars by working eight months. He continued to labor upon a farm for some time longer, and then was employed in a meat market in Amherst, where he re- mained for five years. After this he became a clerk in the Grange store of Amherst. He was thirteen months in this position, when he resigned it to settle upon his present farm in Pelham, and engage in agriculture upon his own account. The property, which was former- ly owned by Lemuel Newell, and later came into the possession of the Allen family, con- sists of two hundred acres of well-improved land. Mr. Allen devotes his time and atten- tion to general farming, and he enters into his occupation with a spirit which takes no defeat.
He is a Republican in politics, and is at the present time serving as a member of the Board of Selectmen and of the School Board. On September 30, 1890, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Ada A. Brainard. She was born in Vernon, Conn., December II, 1868, daughter of John and Fidelia (Goslee) Brainard, the former of whom resides in Am- herst. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have one daugh- ter, named Gladys H., who was born October 15, 1892. They are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church.
BENEZER A. KING, a leading farmer of Amherst, was born in North Am- herst, March 1, 1839, son of Cyrus and Achsah (Adams) King. Mr. King's
232
BIOGRAPHICAL, REVIEW
grandfather, Peter King, was born in Groton, Mass., in 1757. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, serving under General Matoon. He first settled upon a farm in Pel- ham, Mass., which he elcared from the wilder- ness, and resided there until 1820. He then moved to Amherst, locating on what is known as Flat Hill; and his farm is now owned by his grandson. He was a liberal supporter of the Methodist church and a Democrat in poli- tics. Peter King died in Amherst, aged ninety-eight. His wife, Abigail Ingram in her maidenhood, became the mother of six children : Ebenezer, Peter, Cyrus, Appleton, Abigail, and Dency.
Cyrus King, Mr. King's father, was born in Pelham, January 9, 1803. He was a school-teacher in early manhood, and also learned the trade of a stone-cutter. He resided at the homestead for some years, and, selling that property, bought a farm in the eastern part of the town of Amherst, which is now occupied by his son Isaac. He was an industrious and a highly respected man, a Republican in politics, and served as a mem- ber of the School Board. He attended the Methodist church, and presented the society with the land on which its present house of worship stands. Cyrus King died in 1880, aged seventy-seven years. His wife, Achsah Adams, who was born in Shutesbury, Septem- ber 23, 1809, became the mother of six chil- dren, as follows: Edward P., who became a Methodist minister, and died nearly fifty years old; Woodbridge A .; Ebenezer A., the sub- ject of this sketch; Isaac N., a prosperous farmer of Amherst; Ella C., wife of J. L. Lowe, a professor in the university in Lin- coln, Neb .; and Emma, wife of Addison R. Jones, a resident of Amherst. The mother, who still survives, resides with her children.
Ebenezer A. King was educated in the
schools of Amherst. He grew to manhood in the King homestead at North Amherst; and in 1860 he purchased a farm of one hundred acres, situated on East Street. After resid- ing there for one year, he sold the property, and purchased the farm which he now occu- pies. He. conducts a dairy, keeping thirty Jersey cows, and has reached his present state of prosperity through his energy and good judgment. Mr. King is a Republican in polities, was a Selectman for three years, and has held other town offices.
On April 11, 1860, Mr. King was united in marriage to Clara J. Hawley. She was born in Amherst, daughter of Justin and Melinda Hawley, who were old residents of the town. Mr. and Mrs. King have two children, namely : Hattie J., wife of Abram W. Chase, who resides with her parents; and Frank A., a clerk in the employ of J. H. Prindle, North- ampton. Mr. and Mrs. King are members of the Congregational church.
OSIAH W. FLINT, a prominent lumber manufacturer of Enfield, Mass., was born in Athol, Worcester County, No- vember 4, 1839, son of Josiah and Elizabeth (Hill) Flint. Mr. Flint's paternal grand- father, Willard Flint, was a prosperous farmer of Royalston, another town in the county of Worcester, where he resided for a greater part of his life, and died at an advanced age.
Josiah Flint, son of Willard, was born in Sterling, Mass. He was an industrious farmer and a useful citizen. His wife, Eliza- beth Hill, who was a native of Athol, became the mother of eight children, all of whom lived to reach maturity, and five are now liv- ing, namely: Eliza A., who is now Mrs. Lord, and resides in Athol; Abbie H., now Mrs. Harvey, of Athol; Rebecca S., Mrs.
J. W. FLINT.
235
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Ellenwood, of Newton, Mass .; Jane A., who is now Mrs. Rickey, and resides in Athol; and Josiah W., who lives in Enfield, as above mentioned. A sister, Mrs. Mary G. Barlow, died in Athol: one brother. Cyrus F., died in Brooklyn, N. Y .; and another, George I., died in Athol.
Josiah W. Flint is the youngest of the family. He received his education in the schools of Athol and Hardwick; and at the age of sixteen he left home, and went to re- side with his sister in Hardwick, where he was engaged in farming and butchering for fourteen years. In April, 1874, he came to Enfield, and bought his first real estate, a farm of sixty acres, which he cultivated suc- cessfully for ten years. He also engaged in the lumber business in company with D. B. Gillett, with whom he is still associated; and they owned at one time a wooded tract of five hundred acres. They are extensive manufact- urers of all kinds of native lumber, and have conducted for some years a very profitable business. Mr. Flint now owns, individually, about one hundred and fifty acres of land; and he occupies a handsome modern residence, which he erected in 1894. He is prominent in public affairs, and has been a member of the Board of Selectmen for the past six years. He has also served as Road Commissioner . and Constable, and is at the present time Deputy Sheriff. He is a member of Bethel Lodge, A. F. & A. M.
Mr. Flint has been twice married, but has no children. His first wife, Emma E. Taft, whom he wedded in 1864, died in 1891 ; and his second wife, Kitty Shoals, a native of- Easthampton, who became Mrs. Flint in 1893, died in 1894. Mr. Flint is one of the most enterprising business men in Enfield, and his undertakings have been productive of the most gratifying results.
REDERIC DAN HUNTINGTON,
S.T.D., LL.D., L.H.D., first Bishop
of the Diocese of Central New York, was born May 28, 1819, in the historic town of Hadley, the house where he was born being now his summer home. He is a son of the Rev. Dan Huntington, who acted for some time as pastor in Litchfield and Middletown, Conn., but moved in 1816 to Hampshire County, Massachusetts. For some time he taught at Hopkins Academy in Hadley, his home being the house now owned by the Bishop. The Rev. Dan Huntington married Elizabeth W. Phelps, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Porter) Phelps, of Hadley. The latter was the only daughter of Captain Moses Porter, who in 1753 built the house which afterward became the home of his grand- daughter, Mrs. Huntington, and her family. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps had but two children : the mother of Frederic Dan Huntington and Major Charles P. Phelps. Mrs. Huntington at the time of her marriage owned some three hundred acres of the farm; and her brother built a dwelling on the land, and named the place "Pine Grove." Mr. and Mrs. Hunting- ton were the parents of eleven children, namely : the Hon. Charles P. Huntington, an attorney and judge; William Pitkin; Eliza- beth P., Mrs. Fisher; Bethia Throop; Ed- ward P .; John Whiting; Theophilus Parsons; Theo Gregson; Mary Dwight; Catherine Carey; Frederic Dan, our subject.
Frederic Dan Huntington graduated from Amherst in 1839. After graduation he took charge of the South Unitarian Church in Boston, over which he presided till 1855, when he was called to Harvard College, where he served as professor and preacher five years. Mr. Huntington was a deep and ear- nest thinker on the subject of religion; and in 1860, after mature deliberation, he joined the
236
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
fold of the Protestant Episcopal church, tak- ing charge of the newly organized parish of Emmanuel Church, Boston, where he laborcd for nine years. At the end of that time he was chosen and consecrated Bishop of the Diocese of Central New York.
The works of Bishop Huntington's pen are too many to enumerate here. They embrace poetry and prose and a diversified list of sub- jects, all treated gracefully and forcibly. His literary work alone covers a broad sphere of action ; for, besides writing books, pamphlets, and poems, he contributed to the old Demo- cratic Review, the Christian Examiner, the North American Review, the Forum, the American Church Review, the Homiletic Re- view, the Independent, the Boston Courier, the Churchman, and the Congregationalist ; and he was editor for several years each of the Chris- tian Register, the Monthly Religious Maga- sine, and the Church Monthly. Bishop Hunt- ington has been connected with educational institutions in the following capacities: Trus- tee and Visitor of Hobart College; professor and preacher at Harvard (1855-60); Trustee at St. Paul's School, Concord, several years ; Trustee of St. Mark's School, of the Keble School for Girls, Syracuse, and of Vassar College; President of the Board of Trustees of St. John's School for Boys; and lecturer for one season at the Episcopal Theologi- cal School, Cambridge, and for two seasons at the General Theological Seminary, New York.
The above is a brief synopsis of Bishop Huntington's career, giving merely the step- ping-stones on the way to his present posi- tion. Of the years of conscientious and loving labor in behalf of his fellow-men, of pathetic and thrilling incidents in his career as a minister to needy souls, and of his own mental struggles and achievements space is
not here given to write. A man of broad scholarship and unusual intellectual force, by personal effort and by the use of a facile and powerful pen he has done a great work for the Episcopal Church. He it was who first recog- nized the uses of an order of evangelists, and whose sympathy and encouragement brought into existence the Parochial Missions Society and the well-known St. Andrew's Brother- hood.
On the 8th of April, 1894, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the consecration of Bishop Huntington was observed throughout his dio- cese; and the parishes of Syracuse united in service at St. Paul's Cathedral, Bishop Hunt- ington pronouncing the benediction. A more formal and elaborate commemoration of the anniversary was made in connection with the annual Diocesan Convention, held at the cathedral on Wednesday, June 13, 1894, when three bishops and ninety-eight other clergymen were present, besides ninety-nine lay delegates and a large congregation, com- posed of people from Syracuse and other parts of the diocese. Many were present who at- tended the consecration at Boston twenty-five years ago. After the services in the church a public reception was held in the parlors of the Yates Hotel, where a large number of persons took occasion to offer congratulations to the Bishop.
In 1843 Bishop Huntington was united in marriage to Hannah Dane, daughter of Epes Sargent, of Boston, and five children blessed their union, namely: the Rev. George P. Huntington, rector of the parish at Hanover, N.H .; Arria Sargent, who lives with her parents; Ruth G., wife of A. L. Sessions, of Brooklyn, N. Y .; the Rev. James O. S. Huntington, known as Father Huntington, a preacher and evangelist; and Mary L., who is with her parents.
237
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Bishop Huntington's diocesan residence is at Syracuse, N. Y., where he is to be found the greater part of the year. The house in Hadley, where he spends his leisure seasons, and which is endeared to him by early asso- ciations, is one of the oldest in the State. A fine estate of more than a hundred acres of land adjoins the residence, and the whole makes an ideal country home. Though now in his seventy-seventh year, Bishop Hunting- ton's faculties are still undimmed. At the last Commencement exercises of Amherst he was the oldest alumnus present, and the num- ber of his contemporaries is yearly dwind- ling ; but all who have lived under his wise and far-sighted administration pray that he may be spared many years yet to watch over the spiritual welfare of the diocese of Central New York.
ELIX BOMBARD, a resident of Ware, engaged in the livery business and in the wholesale and retail liquor trade, was born in the Province of Quebec, February 2, 1856, son of Jacob and Clara (Carpenter) Bombard.
His father, Jacob Bombard, began life in humble circumstances, working at first as a laboring man in saw-mills and at other kinds of work. Later on he became a boatman on the Champlain Canal, in which occupation he first began to make progress financially. He afterward opened a hotel and store in Sandy Hill, N.Y., whither he had gone on leaving Quebec. Being a man of good business abil- ity, his ventures were generally successful; and at his death he left property valued at between twenty-five and thirty thousand dol- lars. He died in 1893, sixty-nine years of age, leaving with his widow five children, the survivors of thirteen born of their union. His widow is a daughter of Lewis Carpenter,
who was at one time a farmer in Canada. Toward the close of his life he removed to Washington County, New York, where he died in 1876, eighty-two years of age. Mrs. Bombard's children, with the exception of Felix Bombard, the subject of this sketch, all reside in Sandy Hill, N. Y. They are: Jo- sephine Bombard, a maiden lady, living at home; Nelson J., of the mercantile firm of Bombard Brothers; James, proprietor of the St. Clair House of Sandy Hill, N. Y., having succeeded his father; and Henry L., who is associated in business with his brother Nel- son J. Their mother, who is now seventy- one years of age, is still strong and active. She is the eldest of a large family, of whom seven sons and three daughters are still liv- ing ; and the youngest is forty-four years old. Three of her brothers served in the Civil War.
Felix Bombard received only a limited edu- cation; and at the age of twelve years he began to assist his father on the canal, per- forming the work of a man. In his twentieth year he started out in business for himself, and for two years kept the St. Clair Hotel. He next removed to Southbridge, Mass., where he drove a tinware cart for three years, being engaged on a salary. He then started in the business for himself, and kept five carts on the road the larger part of the time. In 1880 he went to North Brookfield, Mass., and three years later came to Ware, continuing in the tin business in both places until 1886, when he closed out his store, and engaged in the importation of Canadian horses. When he started, he had only a barn with four stalls; but he has since done a very successful busi- ness. In 1890 he sold horses to the value of about forty-five thousand dollars, besides transacting a large business in carriages and harnesses. He now has a barn suitable for thirty-two horses, and usually has from five
238
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
to twenty on hand. In 1894 he erected his block at the corner of Parker Street, where he now carries on horse dealing, a livery, and the carriage, harness, and saddlery business. Also in the building are commission auction rooms, where he holds weekly sales of horses. He opened his restaurant, with which he com- bines a wholesale and retail liquor business, in 1895.
When twenty years of age, he was united in marriage with Miss Apoline Vannier, of Sandy Hill, N. Y., who was a daughter of John Vannier. Three children were born of this union. She died at Southbridge, Mass., in 1879, leaving an infant daughter, Delia, who is now sixteen years of age. The other children are: Carrie; and Frederick, who is seventeen years of age. On April 25, 1881, Mr. Bombard was again married, his second wife being Miss Mary Goyette, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Bolio) Goyette, of North Brookfield, Mass. Her parents had fifteen children, of whom nine are now liv- ing. Mr. Bombard has no children by his second marriage.
In political affiliation Mr. Bombard is a Democrat. During his residence in North Brookfield he served as Constable, and since he has resided in Ware he has filled for two years each the offices of Constable and Road Commissioner. He and his family are con- sistent members of All Saints' Church, which is now under the charge of Father Boyle. They reside in the pleasant home which Mr. Bombard erected in 1888.
ILLIAM H. TODD, manager of the Academy of Music at North- ampton, is a native of New York City, born May 16, 1838, a son of Calvin and Emma (Todd) Todd, who were not related by
consanguinity. His father was born in Men- don, Worcester County, Mass., and for many years was one of the substantial business men of Fitchburg, Mass.
Mr. Todd was deprived by death of a mother's care when but an infant. For a time he was cared for at Ashburnham, Mass., by a nurse, subsequently by his maternal grandmother, and later by an aunt in North- ampton. He completed his education at the Moravian Academy in Nazareth, Pa. At the age of sixteen years he began an apprentice- ship to the hardware trade with Luther I. Washburn, husband of his aunt, Mary C. Todd. Five years later Mr. Todd became a clerk in a hardware store at Elkhart, Ind. On the death of Mr. Washburn, which oc- curred shortly after his departure, he returned to take charge of the business he left. This he managed successfully from 1859 until 1878, when F. I. Washburn, his aunt's son, succeeded him. Mr. Todd again went West. He bought out a hardware store in Oskaloosa, Ia., ran it for nearly two years, and then sold out at an advantage. He next became interested in a stock company established at Lorain, Ohio, for the manufacture of brass goods, acting as secretary for the company for a few years. From 1881 until 1886 he was the New York agent of the Lorain Manufact- uring Company. He then came to Northamp- ton, which he has since made his home. For the past few years he has been the efficient manager of the Academy of Music.
The union of Mr. Todd with Nancy, daugh- ter of Charles P. Kingsley, of this city, oc- curred in 1862. They had four children, one of whom, a daughter, died in infancy. Those living are as follows: Emma, the wife of John W. Hartwell, of this place; William Baker Todd, a resident of Lorain, Ohio, mar- ried, and father of three children - Thomas
239
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
G., William Henry, and Mina; and Elizabeth N., who lives with her parents. Mr. Todd has ever evinced a warm interest in local ini- provement, heartily indorsing all enterprises calculated to advance the welfare of the city. He accepts the principles of the Democratic party. He is connected with the Masonic fraternity as a Knight Templar.
RS. LUCINDA MEEKINS, widow of the late Christopher H. Mee- kins, is a well-known and highly respected resident of Williamsburg. Christo- pher H. Meekins, her late husband, was born in Williamsburg, February 15, 1810, son of Stephen and Sarah (Hecox) Meekins.
Mr. Meekins's great-grandfather, Thomas Meekins, emigrated from England, and settled in Hatfield, Mass., where he became a large land-owner and a prominent citizen. His son, Thomas (second), Mr. Meekins's grand- father, was born in Hatfield, and from there moved to Williamsburg when it was mostly a wilderness. He bought one hundred acres of land at a nominal price, the terms includ- ing an agreement that he should settle in the town and clear the land. He succeeded in complying with the terms, although the life of a pioneer was an arduous one in those early days. He cleared and improved a valuable farm, upon which he later erected a substan- tial frame house. He became a well-to-do farmer, and died at the age of eighty-five years. His wife, whose maiden name was Hannah Carey, died at the age of sixty. Stephen Meekins, Mr. Meekins's father, was born in Williamsburg, and was reared to agri- culture. He assisted his father in improving the property and in otherwise attending to the farm. He afterward purchased a portion of the farm, built the house which now stands
upon the Gilbert farm, and also erected the residence in which Mrs. Meekins now lives. He kept two hundred sheep and about thirty head of stock, and was in very prosperous cir- cumstances when he died, at the age of sev- enty years. His wife, Sarah Hecox, became the mother of the following children: Han- nah; Louis; Theodosia; Thomas; Christo- pher; Stephen; John; and two others, who died in infancy. She died at an advanced age.
Christopher H. Meekins was born at the old homestead in Williamsburg, and at an early age became proficient in agriculture. He cared for his parents during their declin- ing years, and succeeded to the possession of the homestead by purchasing the interests of the other heirs. He was an energetic and progressive farmer, and made various im- provements in his property, planting many fruit-trees, which at the present time attest his labor and industry. He also dealt largely in sheep and cattle. On February 18, 1850, Christopher H. Meekins was united in mar- riage to Lucinda Wolcott, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Meekins is a daughter of Luther and Rizpah (Curtis) Wolcott. The father was a native of Williamsburg, was a successful farmer, and kept a hotel. He later moved to Ulster County, New York, where he held the office of Sheriff for a number of years, and died there at the age of thirty- eight. He was a Democrat in politics and a Congregationalist in his religious belief. His wife became the mother of five children : Lucinda, Cyrus, Mehitable, Elizabeth, and Luther. She was a member of the Baptist church, and died at the age of seventy-four years.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.