USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts > Part 29
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HARLES E. BLOOD, a retired straw-goods manufacturer living in Ware, was born in Pepperell, Mid- dlesex County, March 19, 1825. The Blood family trace their ancestry to the Thomas Blood portrayed by Sir Walter Scott.
Leonard Blood, father of Charles E. Blood, was born in Pepperell, Mass., in 1787. He was a cooper by trade. In 1829 he sold out his business in Pepperell, and removed to Ware, where he continued to follow his trade. He died there in 1870, eighty-three years of age. He married Miss Abigail Blood, a daughter of Amos Blood, who, though bearing the same name, was but slightly related. Mr. and Mrs. Blood reared a family of six chil- dren, four sons and two daughters. Of these Horace L., a painter, died in Worcester, Mass., aged thirty-five years, leaving one daughter, Marcia Ann, deceased, who married Zenas Marsh, but left no children. Ivory M. Blood was at one time a judge in California, was in the secret service of the government during the Civil War, more recently was a State detective of Massachusetts, and now rcsides in Washington. Henry Blood was
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engaged in the manufacture of straw goods with his brother Charles E., subsequently served in the Civil War as Assistant Surgeon in the Fifty-seventh Illinois Regiment, and died at Fort Donelson of disease caused by exposure, leaving one daughter. Mary E. Blood died in her twenty-fifth year. Charles E. is the subject of this sketch. Their mother died in Ware in 1859, when about seventy-two years of age.
Charles E. Blood attended the district and high schools; and, when fifteen years of age, he entered the straw shop of Avery Clark, who was at that time the only manufacturer of straw goods in Ware. Five years later he left that position, and went to Medway, Mass., where he taught school during two winters, and also worked in the straw shop there. The work was then all performed by hand. He remained there until 1848, at which time he went to Sag Harbor, Long Island, established a straw-goods manufactory as agent for a New York house, and conducted it for two years. He next returned to Ware, and, in company with his brother Henry, erected a straw shop. The firm was dissolved two years later, after which he carried on the business alone. In this business he employed for part of the time about three hundred women and twenty-five men. He disposed of the business in 1875, and then purchased a drug store, which he and his son Fred conducted for about fifteen years. Although he has now retired from regular business, he is connected with various enter- prises.
On June 10, 1850, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Perry, and their union was blessed by the birth of four children, namely: Frederick C., of Ware, who is mar- ried, and has four sons; George Franklin, a painter, who died when about thirty-two years of age, leaving a widow, but no children;
Gertrude C., the wife of Isaac Jeffries, of Ware, having four children ; and Mary Eliza, who married Elliott Cleveland, of Athol, Mass., and has three children. Mrs. Blood died in 1891, sixty-five years of age. On May 27, 1892, he was married a second time to Mrs. Eucla Blodgett, previously Miss Spooner, of Ware.
Mr. Blood belongs to the Republican party, of which he is a faithful adherent. He has served most acceptably as Selectman for two years, Overseer of the Poor for twelve years, and Assessor for two years. He has also served on the School Board, and has been Special Commissioner of Hampshire County since 1878. He acted as clerk of Fire Dis- trict No. I for several years, was for a long time the Treasurer of the Mutual Protective Association, and was also Treasurer of the Oregon Engine Company for a number of years. Mr. Blood is a communicant of the Congregational church, and served for several terms on the Prudential Committee. The family reside at 72 South Street, in the house erected by his father about fifty-five years ago.
B ENJAMIN T. HARWOOD, a prom- inent farmer of Enfield, also en- gaged in butchering, was born in that place on May 6, 1825. He is a son of Abel and Polly (Townsend) Harwood and a grandson of Benjamin Harwood.
Benjamin Harwood, who was born in Hard- wick, Mass., was one of the early settlers of Enfield. He was both a carpenter and a blacksmith, and followed both trades through- out the active period of his life. He served acceptably as Selectman of his town, and also as a Representative to the State legislature. He was a member of the Orthodox church. His death occurred in Enfield village, when
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he was eighty-six years of agc. He was the father of seven children, all of whom attained maturity, but none are now living. They were: Betscy, Abel, Harrict, Benjamin R., Harlen, Ezra A., and Burnice.
Abel Harwood became a mechanic, and for twenty-scven years was employed in the Woods Brothers' card manufactory at Enfield. Later in life hc engaged in the meat busincss. He lived but fifty-seven years, dying on the old homestead. His wife, whose maiden name was Polly Townsend, bore him six chil- dren, of whom four grew to maturity. Of these three are now living, namely: Benjamin T .; Myron W., a carpenter in Springfield, Mass .; and Charles E., a Congregational minister, living in Maine. The deceased were: William C., Elizabeth, and Reuel S.
Benjamin T. Harwood grew to manhood in Enfield, receiving his education in the public schools of that town. He then learned the trade of a butcher; and at his father's decease he proceeded to start in the business alone, and has continued to follow it since that time. For twenty-seven years hc ran a meat cart throughout Enfield and vicinity. He has made a specialty of killing veal calves for the Boston market, slaughtering as many as nine hundred in a single year. He has been en- gaged in this branch of his business during the past forty-six years. In addition to his meat business he owns a good farm, which he carries on with success. On May 1, 1848, he was united in marriage with Miss Lydia P. Chaffee. She died on June 10, 1878. In 1881, on January II, he married a second time, taking for his wife Miss Frances A. Hutchinson. He is the father of four chil- dren - namcly, Charles E., George S., Wil- lard I., and Clara J. - all of whom reside in Enfield; and the last named lives at home. Mr. Harwood is one of the best-known resi-
dents of Hampshire County, and has a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He votes the Republican ticket.
OBERT M. KEATING, Superintend- ent and Treasurer of the Keating Wheel Company, of which he was the organizer, and inventor of the renowned Keating bicycle, was born in the city of Springfield, September 22, 1862. His father and mother, Michael and Catherine (Devitt) Keating, were of Irish birth, and were small children when their respective parents emi- grated to America. Michael Keating, who was a mechanic, spent his life in Springfield, where he died, leaving a family of five chil- dren : Robert M., then a little child too young to realize the bereavement; Brightie E., wife of Frank E. Burtwell, of Springfield, Mass .; Mary E., the wife of Mr. Joseph F. Quirk, of Springfield, who was for some years the gen- eral agent of the United States Mutual Acci- dent Association of this city; Katie T., who is at home; and John D., who is in business with his brother Robert. Mrs. Catherine D. Keating is still living in Springfield, where her childhood, maidenhood, and married life have all been passed.
Immediately after completing the course of the city schools, young Robert, whose natural tastes all inclined toward mechanics, entered the machine shop of Richard & Dole, and there served an apprenticeship. He easily secured employment afterward in the city and vicinity, where his superior skill was speedily recognized, and brought its just compensation. While steadily engaged at his work, he re- ceived patents on several new inventions; and, when the bicycle was put on the market, he was among the first men in the city to own one. Mr. Keating worked in several bicycle
ROBERT M. KEATING.
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manufactories, in one of the largest of which he was superintendent; and thus, having ample opportunities to observe the imperfec- tions of the various kinds in use, he was led to make improvements. Before long he had designed, patented, and built the first model of his own invention, the wheel now known as the Keating wheel, which was the first light- weight bicycle ever made for road use. This was in 1890. The safeties had just come in; and Mr. Keating made many improvements in this style, besides originating the light- weight. The bicycles then in use weighed from fifty to sixty pounds, and Mr. Keating's thirty-two-pound racer was at first regarded as of doubtful success. Being firmly built, it kept its ground; and the subsequent build of racing wheels, which average from fifteen to twenty-one pounds, has proved his practical wisdom.
The Keating wheel having stood the test of many trials, he had no difficulty in organizing a stock company, which was incorporated a few years since with a capital of ten thousand dollars. At Westfield, Mass., the first factory was established, in which ten men were em- ployed and during the first season seventy-five wheels were made. Seeing that a larger field of action was necessary for the success of the enterprise, the company moved the plant to Holyoke; and the capital stock was increased to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. In this factory more automatic machinery is used than in any other bicycle factory, much of which machinery has been invented by Mr. Keating. The establishment is a four-story building, covering an area of fifty thousand square feet of space. Its three hundred workmen produce ten thousand wheels annu- ally. The company puts on the market wheels weighing from nineteen pounds up to twenty-three pounds, and conservative gaugers
pronounce the Keating bicycle factory the best equipped in the country. Mr. Keating has from the start been the Vice-President and Manager of this company, and its success is largely due to his foresight and capacity for business as well as to his mechanical skill and inventive talent. He is connected with other incorporated companies, but that bearing his own name naturally has the first place; and in its behalf his energies are always in requisi- tion.
Political questions have thus far been of small interest to him, his faculties having been devoted to the perfecting of intricate mechanical appliances and the details of busi- ness management. He is yet unmarried, and lives with his mother at 30 Adams Street, Springfield, Mass. On another page of the "Review" will be seen a portrait of this well- known wheelman and prominent member of the Springfield Bicycle Club, Mr. Keating being not only a successful inventor and prac- tical machinist, but an accomplished wheel- man.
SAHEL GATES, a well-to-do farmer of Pelham, was born in that town, August 24, 1827, son of Levi and Anna (Houston) Gates. Mr. Gates's grand- father, Reuben Gates, was a prosperous farmer of Stowe, Mass. He moved to Wendell, where he died. Levi Gates, father of Mr. Gates, was born in Stowe, February 19, 1797. He was reared to agriculture; and in 1827 he moved to Pelham, where he settled upon a farm situated in the vicinity of his son's pres- ent residence. He was an industrious farmer, and became a prominent man in the town. He was a Whig in politics, and served as a Selectman and in other town offices. He was highly esteemed by the community, and at- tended the Congregational church. Levi
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Gates died in Pelham, September 12, 1851. His wife, who was born in Pelham, March I, 1799, became the mother of five children, as follows: Margaret, who died at the age of eighteen; Wealthy, a resident of Easthamp- ton; Asahel, the subject of this sketch; Lansford, who has been janitor of Amherst College for twenty-five years; and Sarah A. The mother died March 21, 1847.
Asahcl Gates was educated in the public schools of his native town, and resided with his parents until he reached the age of twenty- one. He then engaged in farming upon shares, being thus employed for five years in Amherst and two years in Chicopee. In 1859 he bought the farm where he now resides, and which originally consisted of one hundred acres. He has since enlarged it by adding a valuable wood lot. He carries on general farming, and deals in stock to some extent. Being a hard worker, he has earned the success which has rewarded him.
Mr. Gates has been twice married. On February 24, 1852, he wedded for his first wife Laura A. Barrows. She was born in the house where Mr. Gates now resides, April 8, 1827, daughter of Joseph and Patience Bar- rows, the former of whom was a prosperous farmer of Pelham, and died in 1863. His wife, who died in 1859, was the mother of five children, all of whom are deceascd. By this union Mr. Gates has one son, George L., who was born in Pelham, January 8, 1856, and is a box manufacturer of Leverett. Mr. Gates's first wife died November 3, 1888; and on December 13, 1893, he married for his second wife Mrs. Roselend B. Ober, formerly Miss Cook, widow of Asa Ober and daughter of Nathaniel and Bethiah (Ward) Cook. Mrs. Gatcs's ancestors came from Rhode Island; and her grandfather, Eseck Cook, was an early settler and a prosperous farmer of Pelham.
Hc was a strict Quaker and an upright man in all of his dealings. Hc dicd at the age of eighty-two; and his wife, Thankful Cook, died aged seventy-two years. Nathaniel Cook, Mrs. Gatcs's father, was born in Pel- ham, and followed agriculture during his cn- tire life. He was deeply interested in the welfare of the town, was a prominent man in his day, and was a Democrat in politics. Nathaniel Cook died in Pelham, agcd seventy- six. His wife, who was a native of Belcher- town, died in Pelham, aged sixty years. She was the mother of twelve children, namely: Sarah, deceased, who married George Gard- her; Horace W .; Henry N., a farmer of Pel- ham; Roselend B .; Theodore F., of Pelham; Smith M., of Pelham; Fenner D., a mechanic of Florence; Delphia, who married Abner Peck, and resides at the Cook homestead in Pelham; Elisha W., a dentist of Cambridge, Mass .; Hattie E., widow of S. C. Neal, re- siding in Amherst; Mary, who married Fred Staples, and resides in North Attleboro, Mass. ; and Elmira, who lives in Belchertown, and is the widow of Theodore Gould.
Mr. Gates is a Republican in politics, and has served with ability in positions of respon- sibility and trust. He has been a member of the Board of Selectmen for several years, has filled the offices of Assessor, Overseer of the Poor, and member of School Committee, and in 1874 represented his district in the legis- lature. He attends the Congregational church.
YMAN D. POTTER, a retired farmer and the chairman of the Board of Se- lectmen of Enfield, was born in that town, May 31, 1832, son of Benjamin F. and Lydia (Day) Potter.
Mr. Potter's father was born in North Brookfield, Mass., September 7, 1791. He
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learned the trade of a brick mason, an occupa- tion which he followed in early manhood. Later he engaged in agriculture, becoming a prosperous farmer, and continuing in that call- ing for the remainder of his life. He settled in Enfield in 1823, and purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres, which he cultivated successfully. He was also a horse dealer, making a specialty of buying and sell- ing good horses. Another source of profit were his investments in outlying land. By industry and careful judgment he acquired through these means a comfortable competency. He was a Democrat in politics, was prominent in local public affairs, and served as a Se- lectman for two terms, besides holding other important offices. He died in Enfield, No- vember 29, 1843. His wife, who was born in Holliston, Mass., in 1790, became the mother of five children. Two of them died young, three reached maturity, and one survives. The survivor is Lyman D., the subject of this sketch, who was the youngest. Those deceased were: Appleton, who died aged two years; Nathan, who died at the age of fifty- five; Henry M., who died aged sixty-two; and a child who died in infancy. The mother died in Enfield, August 10, 1868.
Lyman D. Potter received his elementary education in the common schools of his native town, and completed his studies at the East- hampton and Monson Academies. When eigh- teen years old, he engaged in general farming at the homestead. This property he inherited at his father's death, and he continued to re- side there for nearly forty years. He devoted much attention to dairying, with the most gratifying results, and became exceedingly proficient in that branch of agriculture. In 1879 he sold his farm property, and, retiring from agricultural pursuits, moved to his pres- ent home in the village, where he has since
passed his time in managing his private affairs and attending to his official duties.
In politics he is a supporter of the Republi- can party, and is a leading spirit in public affairs. For the past seventeen years he has been a member of the Board of Assessors; and for the past twelve years he has been in the Board of Selectmen, of which latter body at the present time he is the chairman. In 1884 he was elected to represent his district in the legislature, and performed his duties with marked ability.
Mr. Potter has been twice married. On October 25, 1855, he was first married to Jane F. Shearer, of Enfield. She died December 27, 1861, leaving two children, namely: Al- bert H., who died in 1863; and Charles F., who died in 1892. On March 24, 1863, he wedded for his second wife Mary J. Gleason, who was born in West Brookfield, Mass., March 29, 1834. Mr. Potter has been a stirring, industrious, and successful farmer, and is an intelligent and useful citizen. He is well known and highly esteemed by his fellow-townsmen both for his distinguished public services and his many amiable quali- ties. He resides in one of the most charm- ing and picturesque locations in the beautiful village of Enfield. He is a member of the Congregational church, and has served as a member of the parish committee for the past twelve years.
REDERICK AUSTIN OSGOOD, a native of Hampshire County and a practical and enterprising agriculturist of Middlefield, Mass., was born in Worthing- ton, February 23, 1859, son of George and Lucy Maria (Allen) Osgood.
His grandfather, Safford Osgood, who was born in Keene, N.H., lived in his native town until he was fourteen years of age. He
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then moved to Lebanon Springs, N. Y., where he stayed for several years. He next went to Peru, Mass., and engaged in farming. Later on he moved to Worthington, where he passed the last years of his life. Hc dicd when within but three years of being a centenarian.
George Osgood was born in Worthington, and lived with his father until the latter's death. He then purchased the old homestead, which contained two hundred and fifty acres of good farm land. He was a mason by trade, and devoted his attention chiefly to that avo- cation, delegating the management of his farm to his son Frederick Austin as soon as the lat- ter was old enough to take the responsibility. The father died July 18, 1889. The mother, a native of Washington, Mass., is still living on the old homestead. She and her husband had seven children, namely: F. A. Osgood; Alice; Eddie; Ida, deceased; Lena, who is a successful school-teacher; George, who re- sides at home; and a child that died in in- fancy. The children had few educational advantages, and were for the most part self- educated. In politics the father was a Repub- lican. He was a popular man, and served his town several terms as Selectman.
Frederick Austin Osgood remained with his father until he attained his majority. He then worked in different places until his mar- riage, when he settled down to an agricultural life, in which he has been deservedly success- ful. In 1883 he was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Brown, who was born in Worth- ington in 1862, and is a daughter of Castanas Brown. Her father is a carpenter by tradc, and also a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Osgood's home has been brightened by the birth of three children; namely, Lillian, Vrena, and Roy.
Mr. Osgood is a stanch Republican. He is actively interested in the welfare of his town,
which he has served acceptably as Road Com- missioncr for two years. He is well known throughout the county as a man of good busi- ness ability and upright character.
RS. MARY F. ANDREWS, widow of the late Willard G. Andrews, who died in Warc, Mass., on June 28, 1880, sixty-nine years of age, was born in Granby, Mass., November 6, 1813, and is a daughter of Timothy P. and Esther (Dunbar) Marsh, respectively natives of Old Hadley and Foxboro, Mass.
Her father was a successful agriculturist, and also engaged in the business of a clothier, having his cloth-dressing establishment on his farm. His wife bore him ten children, five sons and five daughters, all of whom, except two sons, lived to adult life. Three sons and three daughters married, and all except Mrs. Andrews reared families of children. One daughter, Laura, died at the age of nineteen years. Their father died in 1828, sixty-two years of age; and their mother in 1856, eighty years old. Mrs. Andrews was the ninth child born to her parents, and is now the only sur- vivor.
Her marriage with Willard G. Andrews was performed in 1836. He was a son of Prince and Clarissa (Morse) Andrews, of Ware, and grandson of Phillip Morse. His parents had a family of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters. Of these, two sons died in in- fancy, and all the rest subsequently, with the exception of Calvin and Jerome, who reside in De Kalb County, Illinois. Their mother died in 1837, over eighty years of age. After Mrs. Andrews's marriage she and her husband lived for a year in Illinois. In 1840 they re- turned to Ware, where the remainder of the forty-four years of their married life was hap-
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pily spent, and where she is still residing. Mr. Andrews, who was a highly respected and honored citizen of Ware, was a successful dealer in farm machinery, and had acquired a moderate competency before his death. Mrs. Andrews is a consistent member of the First Congregational Church of Ware Centre, of which her husband was also a communicant.
OHN N. PITMAN, a prominent citi- zen of Pelham, who owns and culti- vates a fine farm in that town, was born in South Kingston, R.I., May 19, 1828, son of George B. and Abigail (Nichols) Pitman, the former a native of Newport, born July 5, 1788, the latter of South Kingston, born Sep- tember 13, 1792. George Pitman was a hat- ter by trade, but spent the greater part of his life in agricultural occupations. He moved to Pelham in 1830, and settled on the farm where his son now resides. His steady and judicious labor upon it greatly enhanced its value for his son. He died April 28, 1861. He was married March 5, 1820, to Abigail Nichols, who died March 27, 1845. She was the mother of five children, only one of whom - the subject of this sketch - is now living.
John N. Pitman grew to manhood in Pel- ham, receiving a good common-school educa- tion in that town. He became familiar with agricultural life on the home farm; and when a young man, he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked at intervals during his after life. He purchased many years ago the land which he now cultivates, and has spent many a busy day in the labors of hus- bandry, from the time
" When the summer calleth On forest and field of grain, And with equal murmur falleth
The cooling drip of the rain,"
till the season when the forces of nature fall asleep under the stilling mantle of the snow. His estate comprises forty acres of land, which is devoted to general farming; and Mr. Pitman also has some fine live stock.
In politics he is independent. On religious subjects he holds liberal views. He is well endowed with the goods of this world, which he acquired by his own untiring labor, and is one of the oldest, as he is one of the most re- spected, residents of Pelham. Mr. Pitman is unmarried.
LMER F. RICHARDSON, Town Clerk of Ware for nearly twenty years, was born there on October 21, 1847, son of Winthrop and Fannie D. (Thompson) Richardson.
Willard Richardson, his grandfather, fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer, and was also a nail-maker by trade, wrought nails being then in use. He was the father of three sons and two daughters, all of whom are now dead, although they all lived to marry and rear fam- ilies of children. Winthrop Richardson, who was born in Brookfield, Worcester County, Mass., in 1804, turned his attention to shoe- making, and was also the owner of a small farm. He died in 1877, seventy-three years of age. His wife, to whom he was married in March, 1832, was a daughter of Samuel Thompson. She was born in Ware in 1805. Her mother, whose maiden name was Barnes, reared a family of two sons and four daugh- ters, all of whom have since died. Mrs. Richardson bore her husband seven children, four sons and three daughters, as follows : Theodore, who died when about eleven years old; Adeline and Laurinda, who died in childhood; Edwin E. Richardson, now resid- ing in Ware; Laura J., who married Henry H. Bush, and died in 1888, at forty-six years
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