USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts > Part 33
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Rachel Abbott, of Wallingford, Conn. She lived well into the seventies, and now rests in the Holyoke cemetery on Northampton Street beside her husband. They reared four sons and four daughters, of whom the only survivors are : Lyman F., a resident of Holyoke, who is nearly eighty years old; and Delia, now Mrs. Conklin, of New Haven, Conn. Grandfather Thorpe acquired a good deal of property for his time, and gave to each of his children sev- eral hundred dollars. He and his wife were exemplary Christians, living up almost to the letter, as well as the spirit, of the law.
Sherlock D. Thorpe devoted his life to agri- culture, spending his days on the farm where he was born. The farm contained over one hundred acres at the time of his death, which occurred in 1876, in his seventy-third year. He was twice married. In the early autumn of 1830 he took for his first helpmate Hannah Allen, of Holyoke, daughter of Bishop Allen. Her grandfather, Amos Allen, was a cousin of Ethan Allen, the hero colonel of the Green Mountain Boys, and took an active part in the French and Indian War, being taken pris- oner and held by the enemy four years. He also served in the Revolution. Mrs. Thorpe lived to the age of sixty-eight years, dying in 1872. Mrs. Hannah (Allen) Thorpe was the mother of five children, four of whom grew to maturity. Of these, Jane R., wife of Wesson E. Mansfield, of Shelburne Falls, died in 1877, aged about forty, leaving five children; Het- tie M., the youngest of the family, wife of Henry M. Bartlett, of Holyoke, died in 1887, in her forty-ninth year, leaving three children ; Eugene died in the spring of 1895, at Fari- bault, Minn., in his sixty-second year, leav- ing one son, Herbert; Dana W. died in consumption when fifteen years of age; John C. Thorpe is the only survivor of his parents' family. The second wife of Sherlock D.
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Thorpe is living on the farm with her step- son.
John C. Thorpe received a grammar school education, attending Wilbraham Academy. He has spent his life on the paternal acres with the exception of two years, during which he was in the grocery business in Holyokc. He has been extensively engaged in dairying for thirty or forty years, at one time keeping sixteen cows and delivering the milk to cus- tomers in Holyoke. Mr. Thorpe now keeps but ten cows, and disposes of his milk by wholesale at the door. Mr. Thorpe has sold some sixteen acres of his best arable land, but has left a fine estate of one hundred acres.
On December 16, 1863, he was married to Mary E., daughter of Dr. William G. Smith, of Chicopee. Mrs. Thorpe is a graduate of the Westfield Normal School, and was a teacher for some time previous to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Thorpe are the parents of three sons, namely : William S., a resident of Hol- yoke, book-keeper for William Whiting & Co., coal dealers ; Arthur B., book-keeper and pay- master for the Franklin Paper Company at Holyoke; and Frederick D., draftsman for the Coburn Trolley Company at Holyoke.
Mr. Thorpe votes the Republican ticket, but takes no active part in politics. He and his wife are valued members of the First Congre- gational Church of Holyoke, the church of his maternal great-grandfather, Amos Allen. His dwelling is a cosey farm cottage built by his father sixty-six years ago.
ON. JULIUS HAWLEY SEELYE, the distinguished President of Am- herst College from 1876 to 1890 inclusive, was born in Bethel, Conn., Sep- tember 14, 1824, during the last year of Presi- dent Madison's administration. He was a son
of Seth and Abigail (Taylor) Seelye, who had nine children. Of these four are now living, namely : Dr. L. Clark Scelye, the President of Smith College; Dr. Samuel T. Seelye, Pres- ident of the First National Bank of Easthamp- ton, Mass. ; Henry E. Seelye, of Chicago; and Hannah H. Scelye, of Bethel, Conn.
After some preparatory study Mr. Scelye, the subject of this sketch, entered Amherst College, from which he was graduated in 1849, ranking as the third scholar in his class. Among his classmates were: Dr. Edward Hitchcock; Dr. Henry Lobdell, the well- known missionary; Dr. William G. Ham- mond, the distinguished jurist; and William G. Rolfe, the noted Shakesperean scholar - a remarkable array of ability. He was a mem- ber of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity, and ever a champion of the Greek letter societies at Am- herst, attributing to them in large measure the development of the student. In college began his lifelong friendship with Dr. Edward Hitchcock, who has been associated with him in all his work at Amherst; and here, too, through Henry Lobdell and three other stu- dents, was kindled his abiding interest in for- eign missions.
After graduation Mr. Seelye entered Auburn Theological Seminary, and in 1853 became pastor of the First Dutch Reformed Church at Schenectady, N. Y., where he remained five years. Mr. Seelye's very pronounced bent for mental philosophy was increased by a year's study in Halle, Germany. During that time he translated and published Schwegler's "His- tory of Philosophy."
The work of Dr. Seelye has been carefully described by one of his pupils in the Springfield Republican : -
"His propositions in philosophy were pre- sented in a convincing way, not through the claim of authority, but through his own sincer-
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ity and strength. His ideals in teaching were the Greek philosophers, and his favorite sys- tem was to lead the pupil away from unsound propositions by a series of concessions. It has been a frequent comment of his pupils, in later life, that they always realized in the class-room that there was a large man in the chair. Pro- fessor Seelye appreciated the fact that a weak student might easily adopt conclusions without question, and sought to stimulate inquiry. He believed in the freest investigation, holding no theme too sacred for thoughtful inquiry. He believed, too, that reverence and faith, instead of being endangered by the fullest freedom, are only encouraged and established thereby.
"He was keenly alive to the fact that his personality carried power, and reverently used such power to influence the students for good.
"The small college has its opportunity in moulding student character by individual influ- ence, for which Amherst graduates give grate- ful tribute to Professor Seelye.
"His thought led up to clear and lofty realms instead of dazzling the mind, and his metaphysical teachings were profound rather than brilliant ; but his mental equipment was of the highest order.
"So remarkable was his memory that he could accurately recall the statistics for an address on finance, and his ability to quote from the classics aroused wonder and admira- tion; yet he perferred to clinch his points in the class-room by the conclusions from his own reasoning rather than call up the histori- cal authority on a given line.
"In his philosophy President Seelye held that there is no inherent law of progress in human nature, but that it is revolutionary, and that religious impulse has given inspiration to all high art and genius. During his profes- sorship he revised and edited Hickok's 'Men- tal Science' and 'Moral Science.' "'
In 1873 the American Board sent out Dr. Seelye to convince the well-educated Hindus of the error of their position. His hearers were so impressed by his lectures on the truths of Christianity that they were published in Bombay. His book, "The Way, the Truth, and the Life," was the outcome of these lect- ures. Soon after his return political honors were thrust upon him. In 1874, when the best men in his Congressional district became tired of machine rule, he was elected member of Congress. Not until the result of the elec- tion had been known was he officially informed of his nomination. His election expenses amounted to two cents, the price of the stamp on his letter of acceptance. With the advan- tage of an election as an independent candi- date, no party ties restrained him, and he was able to begin a glorious career in politics. He was a careful student of the Indian problem, and as an advocate of needed reforms his abil- ity won other earnest men to act with him in securing ends of lasting benefit to the country. Although usually acting with the Republican party, he strenuously opposed the seating of Mr. Hayes as President. Aside from speeches in Congress, which received marked attention, he wrote political pamphlets and newspaper articles on "The Electoral Commission," "Counting the Electoral Vote," "The Need of a Better Political Education," and other kindred topics of the day. In 1874 he was appointed by the Governor of Massachusetts to serve on a commission to revise the laws of taxation. Later the Prohibition party nom- inated him for Governor, but President Stearns's death during Mr. Seelye's second Congressional year cut short his promising political career.
Dr. Seelye was the first Amherst graduate elevated to the presidency of that institution and the first man from the literary side of the
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faculty to hold the office. There was much opposition to his election, on the ground that he would have neither time nor ability to raise the funds needed, that he would slight the scientific departments, and that he could neither sympathize with the students nor con- trol them. But, nevertheless, because Presi- dent Seelye was not the man to undertake what he could not perform, the results were eminently satisfactory.
In this position, in the important duty of selecting teachers he was peculiarly fortunate. Professor Tyler says: "He always insisted that the strength of a college lies, not in magnificent buildings, large endowments, nor a large number of students, but in the high character and faithful work of its faculty." In pursuance of this policy he brought to Am- herst Professor Elihu Root, Anson D. Morse, Henry B. Richardson, John M. Tyler, Charles E. Gorman, David R. Todd, John F. Genung, Henry A. Frink, and William L. Cowles, most of whom were his pupils. Their work attests his insight and training.
Important changes in methods of govern- ment and in the curriculum were introduced by President Seelye. Under his administration the Amherst system of student self-government was inaugurated. All the students were ad- mitted to college on a contract to conduct themselves as gentlemen. At first the faculty were the judges as to when a student had vio- lated his contract ; but later a college senate was organized, and in its hands were placed many of the powers of government. Professor Tyler says of the movement : "The day of common interests, mutual confidence, and hearty co-operation, the day of representation of the alumni in the Board of Trustees, and of undergraduates in the faculty, the day of larger liberty and more self-government, the day of elective studies, manly development, and
practical preparation for the duties of citizen- ship under free institutions, has come in Am- herst and is coming to stay in all our colleges ; and we may thank President Seelye for hasten- ing its dawn."
Dr. Seelye acted both as president and pas- tor of the college church, and continued his instruction in philosophy. £ He considered that the greatest service he ever rendered the college was the introduction of Spiritual Phi- losophy in its curriculum. On account of ill health in 1886 he gave up his favorite work, the pastorate of the college church.
The most striking feature of President Seelye's administration was the hold he had on his pupils as individuals. He held spe- cial classes in the Catechism, and conducted a question box for his Senior class, in order to bring to them personally subjects of great- est moment. Dr. Parkhurst, the great re- former, is a conspicuous example of President Seelye's high moral training. Amherst Col- lege prospered in all its interests under its honored president.
Walker Hall was rebuilt after the disas- trous fire, and additional endowments amount- ing to over eight hundred thousand dollars were given.
Other work claimed his time and attention. He took an active interest in the Clark Insti- tute for Deaf Mutes at Northampton, being one of its Trustees; and he was interested in the Mount Holyoke College. He served sev- eral years as President of the American Mis- sionary Association, and was an active worker in the American Board. He was also one of the Visiting Committee at Andover Theologi- cal Seminary, and took a prominent part in the discussions that came before the board during the celebrated Andover controversy. Union College gave him the degree of D. D. in 1862 and Columbia College that of LL. D. in 1875.
CHARLES H. DICKINSON.
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President Seelye's intellectual and spiritual endowments place him head and shoulders above the crowd. Nature had given him rich gifts, but discipline had much to do with his great character.
On October 26, 1854, he married Elizabeth Tillman, daughter of the Rev. William James, of Albany. She died March 5, 18SI, leaving four children : Professor William J. Seelye, of Wooster, Ohio, and the Misses Elizabeth, Anna H., and Mabel Seelye. Elizabeth sub- sequently married James W. Bixler, of New London, Conn., and died in 1894. The two other daughters are at home.
In 1885 he had an attack of erysipelas, which so weakened his health that two trips abroad were taken in hope of recovery. A hereditary disposition to paralysis then began to show itself, and in 1890 he was compelled to resign. President Seelye then resumed his uncompleted literary work, in which he took great interest. His death occurred May 12, 1895. The thirteenth chapter of First Corin- thians, which Mr. Seelye called "the descrip- tion of a Christian gentleman," was exempli- fied in his own godly walk and conversation.
HARLES H. DICKINSON, a re- tired merchant of Northampton, where for many years he has been an es- teemed citizen, is the son of Moses B. and Ruth B. (Osborne) Dickinson and grandson of Medad Dickinson, who for years kept a hotel on East Street, Amherst. Moses B. Dickin- son was born in Amherst, and having grown to manhood took up the same kind of business in which his father was engaged, for some time managing a hotel in Cambridgeport, Mass. Thinking to better his prospects, he went West; and there he died in 1827, at the age of thirty. His wife, Ruth B. Osborne, was a
native of Windsor, Conn., daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Bissell) Osborne. At her hus- band's death she found herself obliged to pro- vide sustenance for herself and only son, the subject of this sketch.
" The widowed Indian, when her lord expires, Mounts the dread pile and braves the funeral fires."
The American woman takes her husband's place in the battle of life and conquers fate. Mrs. Dickinson engaged in the millinery busi- ness, starting in a small way, and, being an energetic business woman, soon ranked as one of the leading milliners in Westfield and Northampton. She lived to be ninety years old, a widow over sixty years, and was bright and active to the last.
Charles H. Dickinson attended school until he was fifteen, when he went to work in a drug store. For six years he was employed as a clerk in Amherst and Northampton, and when about twenty-two years of age he went into business with his mother, opening a millinery and fancy goods store in Northampton, which he conducted forty-four years. The enterprise prospered to such an extent that at the end of that time Mr. Dickinson was enabled to retire, and in 1893 he sold the business to Mrs. S. I. Mills. Mr. Dickinson owns three stores and two fine estates, his home residence and the one adjoining.
In 1847 Mr. Charles H. Dickinson was united in marriage to Martha C. Kellogg, who died in 1893, leaving one son, Charles H., Jr., who resides on the adjoining estate, and has a wife and two children, a son and a daughter. Mr. Dickinson was again married in January, 1895, his second wife being Eliza- beth S. Willcutt, of Northampton, daughter of Daniel Willcutt. In politics Mr. Dickinson is a Democrat, but he has never sought or held office. Socially, he is a Master Mason, and
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in religion he follows the teachings of the Con- gregational church. Though modest and unas- suming, he holds a prominent position in the town, and is one of the most esteemed citizens.
ORIN A. SHAW, an enterprising farmer of Amherst, was born in Bel- chertown, February 17, 1848, son of William and Elvira (Thayer) Shaw. Mr. Shaw's father was a native of Belchertown, where he had a farm that he successfully cul- tivated. He was a stone mason by trade, which calling he also followed with much profit to himself. He was a good workman and at different times was employed in the construction of railroads and the erection of public buildings. In politics he was a Re- publican. He served in the Civil War as a private in Company H, Forty-sixth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers. William Shaw died in Belchertown over sixty years old. His wife, who was born in Belchertown, bore him five children, as follows: Mary and Horatio W., both deceased; Lyman A., a carpenter, who resides in Georgia; Lorin A., the sub- ject of this sketch ; and Sarah J., who married Dwight Gibbs, and resides in Georgia. The mother, who still survives, resides with her son in Amherst.
Lorin A. Shaw grew to manhood in Belcher- town, and received his education in the public schools. At the age of twenty-one he went to Michigan, where he acquired a knowledge of the lumber business, and became familiar with the duties of a lumber inspector. He returned East, and was for a time employed in a lumber yard in Northampton. He then went again to Michigan, and was engaged in lumbering for some years. He finally returned to Massachu- setts, and followed different occupations until 1888, when he purchased his present farm of
one hundred acres in Amherst. Here he has since resided, conducting general farming. HIe also keeps a dairy with sixteen finely bred Jersey cows, besides other stock. His under- takings are nearly always successful. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Grange.
On October 22, 1883, Mr. Shaw was united in marriage to Anna L. Dickinson, who was born upon the farm where she resides, and is a daughter of Bela and Pamelia Dickinson, who were both natives of Amherst. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw have two children, namely: Ethel D., born July 13, 1885; and Ezra I., born December 28, 1890. Both parents are mem- bers of the Congregational church.
EVI W. KINGMAN, deceased, was born in Worthington, May 16, 1825, son of Isaiah and Lucy (Daniels) Kingman. Isaiah Kingman was a native of Connecticut, and came from that State to Worthington, where he engaged in agricult- ure, at the same time working at his trade, which was that of a tailor. His wife, who was born in Connecticut, became the mother of eleven children, as follows: Alphonzo, who married Sally Parsons, both now deceased ; Franklin, deceased, who married Theodosia Smith; Sophronia, who died young; Mary, deceased, who married George Davis, of New York; Sophronia (second), who married the ' Hon. Elisha Brewster, formerly a prominent resident of Worthington, both deceased ; Emily, who also died young; Lucy, deceased, who married Jonathan Davis; Charles, who died in his youth; Samuel A., an ex-Chief Justice in the State of Kansas; Levi W., the subject of this sketch; and Emily, who died in infancy.
Levi W. Kingman received his education at
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the district schools and at the Worthington Academy, and was reared to agriculture. He taught school for some time, and assisted his father in carrying on the farm. He was a successful agriculturist and a highly esteemed citizen. He is well remembered as a kind- hearted and sympathetic neighbor. Levi W. Kingman died November 2, 1852, sincerely regretted by all who knew him.
On June 9, 1850, Mr. Kingman was united in marriage to Miranda B. Bartlett, of Worth- ington. She was born October 26, 1831, daughter of Russell and Nancy (Jones) Bart- lett. The father was born August 1, 1806, and became a prominent man in the commu- nity. He was a Republican in politics, was Postmaster in West Worthington for thirty- four years, and served as a Selectman for over eight years. He and his family were mem- bers of the Congregational church, and de- voted much of their spare time to church work. Russell Bartlett died in April, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Kingman had but one child, Mary Jane, who was born March 22, 1851, and died October 7, 1852.
ON. JOHN B. O'DONNELL, of Northampton, Mass., attorney and counsellor - at - law, was born in Inch, County Kerry, Ireland, September 8, 1846. His parents, James and Bridget (Her- lihy) O'Donnell, came to America in 1849, bringing with them three young children. Mr. O'Donnell was a tenant farmer in Ire- land, and, like many of his countrymen, was driven from home at that time by the potato failure and ensuing famine. He had little wherewith to establish a home for his family in the new country, but he had a strong con- stitution and a willing hand, which count for much in the land where "there is bread and
work for all"; and he soon found employment at railroad construction in New Hampshire. Later he worked as a laborer on the buildings of the Colt Pistol Works in Hartford, Conn., and in 1855 removed to Northampton. In 1859 he established a home in Florence, where he and his faithful wife died in 1882, he being then sixty-four years of age and she fifty-seven. Seven children were born to them, one of whom, Thomas, died at the tender age of four years. The youngest, born in this country, Michael, died at Florence in 1887.
John B. O'Donnell attended the common schools in Northampton until eleven years of age and at Hadley the next year. He then started out as a wage-earner, entering first the cotton-mill of the Greenville Manufacturing Company at Florence, where he was employed four years, and next working a year in the gun-works at Bay State village. He was subsequently in the employ of the Florence Sewing Machine Company until 1872 as a contractor, and the next three years he was in mercantile business in Florence. During this period -from the time that he was twelve years of age until he was twenty-one - young O'Donnell studiously improved every spare moment, regularly attending evening school, often burning the midnight oil in the pursuit of knowledge. He also took private lessons of Miss James and the late Daniel D. Gorham, principal of the Northampton High School. In 1875 he began to read law with his brother, T. B. O'Donnell, in Holyoke, continuing with him one year; and later he attended the Boston University Law School for two years. He was admitted to the bar in 1878, and soon opened an office in Northamp- ton, where he has been in active practice ever since, winning h s way steadily to the front rank in the legal profession, so that now he is
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one of the foremost lawyers in Hampshire County. In politics Mr. O'Donnell is a Democrat, and has represented his party in various official positions. He was a member of the first Common Council of Northampton, and was for two years chairman of the Board of Assessors, resigning in 1889 in order to go to Europe, where he spent three months tour- ing through England, Ireland, France, Ger- many, Switzerland, Belgium, and Holland. In December, 1891, he was elected Mayor of the city, and served two years, 1892-93.
On November 28, 1869, Mr. O'Donnell was united in marriage with Bridget T. Coughlin, daughter of Daniel and Honora Coughlin, natives of Ireland, where Mrs. O'Donnell also was born. She died December 14, 1887, leaving five children, namely: James C .; George P., who graduated from the Boston Law School in 1895; John B., a youth of eighteen, in the Northampton High School; Charles H. and Edward, aged respectively twelve and nine. The eldest son, James C., was a student in the Northampton High School, a graduate from Holy Cross College in the class of 1892, and is now, 1895, a stu- dent in the College of Physicians and Sur- geons in New York City.
The Hon. John B. O'Donnell is a Knight of Honor and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He resided in Florence until October, 1894, when he removed to Round Hill, where in 1895 he erected one of the handsomest residences in this part of the county. He also owns considerable other real estate, including dwelling-houses and business blocks. Successful as a lawyer, a politician, and a financier, Mr. O'Donnell is thoroughly respected as an honest and honorable citizen, one who has gained the heights of success through his own efforts alone, spurred by a worthy ambition.
RLIN V. STEVENS, of Cummington, prosperously engaged in the manufact- ure of brush handles, is a native of Worthington, Mass., born June 15, 1854, son of Nathan S. and Sybil (Cowing) Stevens.
Nathan S. Stevens was also born in Worth- ington, and spent his early years in that town. When a young man, he was employed as por- ter at the Warner House in Northampton. He had been there but a short time when he was given an opportunity to learn the trade of a machinist. He availed of it, and served an apprenticeship with his brother Aaron. In 1834 the two went to Worthington, and built a saw-mill and factory, where they established a good wood-working business, manufacturing sieve rims and other kinds of bent wood-work until 1860. He then came to Cummington, purchased the old Hayden cotton-mills, fitted them up with new machinery, and began the manufacture of pen-holders and cedar brush handles. In company with a Mr. Rhodes, he also engaged in the manufacture of the Dia- mond Grit Scythe Stones, the material for which was quarried in the rough, and then converted into merchantable shape. This industry was carried on successfully for five years. In 1874 he took his two sons, Arthur S. and Arlin V., as partners, and extended the scope of the wood-working business, add- ing new machinery, much of which was in- vented by himself. At that time their factory was the leading one of its kind in this coun- try. On February 23, 1883, the mill was destroyed by fire. A new one was ready for occupancy by the 15th of April following; and business was soon again in progress, although for a time they were obliged to set up a saw to cut the timber out of doors. From 1884 to 1887 they also engaged in the manufacture of the New York lead pencil, turning out on an average about one hundred gross per day.
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