USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts > Part 34
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Mr. Stevens died in June, 1889. His wife bore him two sons, namely: Arthur S., who died in 1884: and Arlin V., the subject of this sketch.
Arlin V. Stevens acquired a good practical education in the district school and at Wilbra- ham Academy. He then worked for three years as clerk in the hardware store of W. E. Thayer, of Williamsburg. He next went to Chicago, Ill., where he was employed as a salesman for the furnishing-goods department of Field & Lyter. He did not remain there long; and in 1874 he came to Cummington, Mass., and went into business with his father. His brother, Arthur, was also interested in the business; and at the latter's death he bought his interest. After his father's de- cease he came into full control, and is still conducting the business, which has been one of steady growth. Like his father, he is in- ventive; and some of the most valuable ma- chines employed in the work are creations of his brain. There are ten machines used in the manufacture of handles; and they turn out about two hundred and fifty gross per day, the larger part being varnish and paint brush handles of all grades. He employs forty people in the different departments, and uses annually about three hundred thousand feet of native lumber and about two hundred thousand feet of Florida cedar. He also owns a farm, and now has three fine horses that were raised there.
His marriage to Miss H. Imogene Pettin- gill was performed on February 6, 1878. She is a daughter of Aldin F. and Zeruiah (Shaw) Pettingill. Six children have come of the union, namely: Winifred S., born November 13, 1878, who is attending the high school at Medford, Mass .; Anne V .; Margery S .; C. Ashley; Leon A .; and Ruth W.
Mr. Stevens is a supporter of Republican
principles, and he has served as Treasurer of his town for several years. He was elected Representative of Second Hampshire County District to the General Court, November 5, 1895, receiving about eighty-five per cent. of the entire votes cast in the district. He and his family reside at their fine residence on Main Street, which was formerly known as the Vining Home.
ALTER A. CLARK, M.D., a suc- cessful physician of Prescott, was born in Petersham, Mass., May 8, 1857, son of Almond and Mary (Pattee) Clark. Dr. Clark's great-grandparents were Edward and Anna (Jenerson) Clark, the for- mer of whom was born June 25, 1738, and the latter July 4, 1739. His grandfather, Samuel Clark, was born March 30, 1765; and his grandmother, whose maiden name was Mehit- able Ingersoll, was born March 20, 1769.
Almond Clark, Dr. Clark's father, was born in Hardwick, Mass., February 10, 1809. He settled in Petersham, where he passed the greater part of his life. He engaged in farm- ing, an occupation which he followed for a time; and later he entered into trade. He finally returned to agriculture, and cultivated a farm with success for the remainder of his life. He was an industrious man, possessed a high order of intelligence, and was espe- cially well informed upon legal subjects. In politics he was a stanch Republican, and he entertained broad and liberal views upon re- ligious matters. Mr. Clark, Sr., died at the old homestead in Petersham in July, 1869. His wife became the mother of six children, as follows: John W., who enlisted in the Twenty-first Regiment, Massachusetts Volun- teers, and was killed in the Civil War at the age of twenty-one; Asa Wilbur, who died at
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the age of thirty; Philena, who is the wife of William Tolman, and resides in Barre, Mass .; Harriet, wife of Horace Hager, of Athol, Mass .; Lura, who married Charles H. Burroughs, and resides in Chicago, Ill .; and Walter A., the subject of this sketch, who is the youngest. The mother, who still sur- vives, is residing with her daughter in Barre.
Walter A. Clark commenced his education in the district schools of his native town, and completed his studies at the grammar schools in Barre. He went to Chicago in 1874, arriv- ing in that city on October 14 of that year, and entered the shops of the F. C. Wells Engine Works for the purpose of learning the trade of a machinist and engineer. He served an apprenticeship of three years, during which time he acted as an engineer in the machinery department of the Chicago International Exhi- bition in 1875. On August 16, 1877, having acquired his trade, he was united in marriage to Verena Gloor, a native of Switzerland, and returned with her to Massachusetts, making his home in Athol until 1880. He again went to Chicago; and on December 31, 1880, he secured a position in Dell's Pharmacy as prescription clerk. On March 12, 1882, he started East on a visit, remaining until the autumn of that year. Upon his return to the Western metropolis he entered the Rush Med- ical College (September 4, 1882), pursued a thorough course of medical study, and grad- uated February 17, 1885. On April I of that year he located on Madison Street, Chicago, where he conducted a good practice for two years, at the expiration of which time he re- turned to his native State. Settling in Pres- cott, February 27, 1888, he has since practised his profession in this and adjoining towns.
As a medical practitioner he is energetic and skilful, and is a pleasant gentleman to
meet. He possesses a disposition and charac- ter well calculated to inspire confidence. As an illustration of the esteem he has won it may be mentioned that, while yet a student, he was summoncd East for the purpose of examining a patient and rendering an opinion in regard to the case. Since coming to Pres- cott he ha purchased the property formerly known as the Atkinson Tavern, where he now resides. It is an old landmark in the town, and was built by John Atkinson in 1820. It was for many years used as a public house, and is still in a good state of preservation, its huge chimneys and broad, open fireplaces giving the interior a cheerful and comfort- able appearance. Dr. Clark is liberal in his religious and political views and a lover of the fine arts.
ENRY M. SMITH, a carpenter and builder, now practically retired from active participation in business, was born in the town of Whately, Franklin County, July 14, 1831, son of Henry and Almira (Holmes) Smith. Henry Smith, also a native of Whately, born in 1800, one of the seven children of Rufus and Anna (Munson) Smith, was a successful farmer in Whately. In 1820 he was married to Almira Holmes, a native of Williamsburg; and the union was blessed by the advent of five sons and one daughter, all of whom grew to maturity and married. Besides the subject of this sketch the only survivor is L. J. Smith, of Saratoga, N.Y. The mother died in 1841, when forty- three years old. The father was again mar- ried, but had no children by his second union, and died in 1846. He was a man of great personal merit, was highly respected for his integrity, and was a consistent member of the Universalist church.
JOSEPH CUDWORTH.
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Henry M. Smith left home at the age of sixteen years, and came to Northampton, where he learned his trade of H. I. Clapp. He worked for Mr. Clapp and others until IS61. Afterward he was employed by the government, boring and straightening guns in the Springfield Armory one year, and for two years in Norwich, Conn. In 1865 he became a partner in the firm of Currier Brothers & Smith, who for seven years carried on a large business in contracting and building. The firm was then changed to Smith & Stevens, under which name it carried on business for six years, when Mr. Smith became the sole proprietor. He subsequently formed with Mr. Livermore a copartnership that lasted nine years, during which the firm became the leading contractors and builders in this sec- tion of Hampshire County. Many of the finest residences and business blocks of the city were built by them. The Northampton Savings Bank building is their work, and so are the two dormitories, the observatory, the . scientific building, and the art gallery of Smith College. In 1890 Mr. Livermore sold out his share of the business, and one year later Mr. Smith disposed of the whole to Avon C. Matthews.
On Christmas Day in the year 1854 Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Edna Hill, a native of Fair Haven, Conn., born in 1833. She was an infant when her father, Joseph Hill, a sea captain, died of consump- tion, at the early age of thirty-five years. Six years later Mrs. Hill, whose maiden name was Emily Thompson, passed away, also the prey of that fatal disease. Mrs. Smith, the only child of their union, has not inherited the malady, as her fresh and youthful countenance amply testifies. Carrie E., the only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, married George Buffington, of Springfield, a postal clerk in
the railway mail service between Springfield and Newport; and they have one child, Lucy, now thirteen years old. Mr. Smith's house at 20 Monroe Street, which he built a quarter of a century since, is a very comfortable and attractive residence. In social circles, as in business life, he is held in high esteem. He is a loyal member of the Republican party, and he belongs to the Legion of Honor.
OSEPH CUDWORTH, a prosperous farmer of Worthington, was born in Chesterfield, Mass., July 14, 1823, son of Charles and Susanna (Kith) Cudworth. Mr. Cudworth's grandfather, John Cudworth, was a lineal descendant of General James Cud- worth, who was made a freeman in Scituate in 1634, and became one of the leading men in Plymouth Colony, commanding its whole military force in the early part of King Philip's War, and being Deputy Governor in 1681. He went to England as Colonial agent in 1682, and died in London in the autumn of that year. His children were: Captain James, Israel, Jonathan, Mary, and Hannah. John Cudworth, born in 1677, son of the second James, settled in Scituate, and was the father of a second John, born in 1706. The latter had a son, John Cudworth, the third of the name in direct line, who married Elizabeth Clap in 1772, and had five sons : John, Job, Charles, Abiel, and Arvin.
Charles Cudworth, Mr. Cudworth's father, was born in Scituate, Mass., March 7, 1781, and in 1800 went to Chesterfield, where he labored diligently for some time. In com- pany with a brother, he purchased a farm, and followed agriculture with success. Aside from farming he engaged in the meat busi- ness, and became a well-known man through- out that region. He was an active member of
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the Baptist church and a stanch Democrat in politics. He died April 25, 1846.
His first wife, Susanna Briggs Cudworth, a native of Scituate, died in Chesterfield, leav- ing eight children, all of whom are now dead. His second wife, who was a daughter of Ed- ward Kith, was born in Chesterfield in 1786. By this union he had three children, as fol- lows: Joseph, the subject of this sketch; Mary, who married Asa Todd, a farmer of Chesterfield, and died in 1846; and Julia Ellen, who became Mr. Todd's second wife, and reared seven children. This family may here be briefly named: Isabella, who married Walter Trow, of Cummington, Mass. ; Lyman, who married Mary Pease, and resides in Worthington; Mary, who died in infancy; Esther, who married James Dunham, of Ches- terfield, and is now dead; Monroe, who mar- ried Lettie Middlebrook, and resides in West Chesterfield; Flora, who married William Trow, and resides in Westfield; and Augus- tus, who died young. Mrs. Susanna Kith Cudworth died in June, 1871.
Joseph Cudworth was reared to agriculture, and resided with his parents until reaching the age of twenty-one, when he engaged in farming in Chesterfield and Savoy, an occupa- tion which he followed for three years. He then returned to the parental roof, and for a time managed the home farm, after which he purchased a farm in Worthington, and con- ducted it with prosperous results until his retirement from active labor, which occurred in 1883. He is a Democrat in politics.
On February 3, 1847, Mr. Cudworth was married to Aurelia F. Todd, who was born in Chesterfield, June 6, 1825, daughter of Lyman and Sarah (Kinny) Todd. Mrs. Cudworth's father was a farmer and a teamster between Boston and Albany before the introduction of railroads. Mr. and Mrs. Cudworth have had
three children, who are now grown to matu- rity, and are heads of families. Mary, the eldest, who was born April 16, 1848, married A. M. Locke, of the Smith Carr Baking Com- pany of Northampton, and has seven children, as follows: Etta M .; Josephine; Minnie A., who is now dead; Walter Joseph; Owen A .; Alice, also deceased; and Ellen. Alice Au- gusta, second child of Mr. and Mrs. Cud- worth, was born March 20, 1850, and married Isaac H. Steel, superintendent of the Cum- mington Creamery, and has two children : George W. and Frank D. Charles Monroe Cudworth, their youngest child, who was born July 8, 1860, married Mary Isadora Tower, daughter of Alden and Mary Tower, and has had three children: Joseph Harold, deceased ; Mary Eva; and Alice Rosamond.
ILLIAM AUSTIN DICKINSON, Treasurer of Amherst College since 1873, was born in Amherst, April II, 1829. His parents were the Hon. Edward and Emily (Norcross) Dickinson, his mother being the daughter of Joel Norcross, of Mon- son, Mass.
The earliest known ancestor of this family was Nathan Dickinson, who came to Amherst from Hatfield in 1742. His son, Nathan Dickinson, Jr., was the great-grandfather of William Austin Dickinson. Samuel Fowler Dickinson, son of Nathan Dickinson and grandfather of William Austin, was in his time the leading lawyer in Western Massachu- setts. After he was graduated from Dart- mouth College, he studied law in the office of Judge Simeon Strong. Subsequently, while engaged in the practice of his profession, he filled many positions of trust and responsibil- ity. For fifteen years he was Town Clerk, and for twelve years he represented the town
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in the legislature. He was one of a half-dozen men to whose exertions was due the founding of Amherst Academy. Later he took a prom- inent part in establishing Amherst College.
Edward Dickinson, born in Amherst in 1803, graduated from Yale College in 1823. He subsequently studied law, was admitted to the bar, began practice in his native town, and became one of the leading lawyers in Hampshire County. In 1835 he was chosen Treasurer of Amherst College, which office he held for thirty-eight consecutive years. He was also prominent in public affairs, serving three years as member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, two years as State Senator, two years in the Governor's Council; and in 1853 and 1855 he represented his dis- trict in Congress. He largely helped in securing the building of the New London Northern Railway and later the Massachu- setts Central Road. The late Emily Dickin- son, the literary recluse, whose remarkable writings were not known until after her death, was one of Mr. Edward Dickinson's daugh- ters. Miss Lavinia Dickinson survives him, and occupies the Edward Dickinson home- stead.
William Austin Dickinson was fitted for college in his native town and at Williston Seminary, Easthampton. In 1850 he was graduated from Amherst College, and after- ward studied law in his father's office and at Harvard Law School. He took his degree at Cambridge in 1854, being admitted to the bar in Boston the same year. He then joined in practice with his father at Amherst, a partner- ship that lasted nearly twenty years, when it was dissolved by his father's death in 1873. Mr. Dickinson rather avoided the trial of cases. Hence he never attained prominence before the courts; but he was a singularly clear-headed and conscientious counsellor,
whose advice and assistance were much sought in the community. He often rendered his services gratuitously. He was in partnership with James I. Cooper in the Palmer Block in the winter of 1888, when their office was burned, together with many valuable papers of historical value to the town and college. He became treasurer of the college in 1873; and thereafter he devoted himself with enthusiasm to the various concerns of the institution, not confining himself to the care of its funds, but looking carefully after all its material inter- ests. By his fine tact and excellent judgment he was able to do much for the improvement of the college. He exerted a purely benefi- cent influence with the faculty and the trus- tees in the administration of its internal affairs, and by both bodies he is greatly missed. The town was also an object of his care. In the First Congregational Church, of which he was a member, in the town govern- ment, in school matters, banks, and business matters generally, he was an honored and trusted counsellor. Mr. Dickinson was active in the formation of the Cemetery Association, and the grounds in Wildwood Cemetery were laid out under his supervision. He was also connected with the gas company and Village Improvement Society, and no man has done more to beautify the town he loved so well. He was for many years President of the Am- herst Water Company, and was one of the first to take an interest in supplying water to the town. He served as moderator of town meet- ings for nearly twenty years, always presiding with dignity and fairness. In politics he was a Republican ; but he would not support nomi- nations that he regarded as unfit. Had he cared for political honors, he might easily have attained them. He was not specially gifted as a speaker, but he had the faculty of communicating much in few words.
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Mr. Dickinson's was a strong, forceful per- sonality, public-spirited in the larger mean- ing of the term, and so outspoken that there was no misunderstanding his attitude on any subject. He disliked mere show and hypoc- risy, and never sought to cloak disagreeable matters in diplomatic language. Though loyal in his friendships, it was not easy to gain his confidence. Those, however, who once won his regard were welcome to the best of his heart and life. He had a wide acquaint- ance with prominent men, many of whom enjoyed the hospitality of his home. He was exceedingly fond of fine pictures, a most ap- preciative reader of the best literature; and he was optimistic in faith, thoroughly believ- ing that "Evil is only the slave of God, sor- row the servant of Joy."
On July 1, 1856, he married Susan Hunt- ington Gilbert, daughter of Thomas Gilbert, then living in Greenfield, Mass. Mrs. Dick- inson survives her husband with two children. These are: Edward, assistant librarian of Amherst College; and Miss Martha G. Dick- inson. A younger son, Gilbert, died twelve years ago. Mr. Dickinson died of heart fail- ure, August 16, 1895. There is no doubt that his end was hastened by overwork. Rarely has any community been called upon to mourn the death of a man who was so thoroughly rep- resentative of its best citizenship.
EACON LYMAN SABIN, an old and highly respected resident of Belchertown, was born in that place, August 15, 1813, son of Thomas and Abigail (Durfey) Sabin, both natives of Ellington, Conn. Mr. Sabin is of French descent, his first ancestor in this country being a Hugue- not who fled from France to England, and thence to Wales, coming to this country in
the year 1630. Being a man of wealth and culture, he was prominent in Rehoboth, Mass., at the time when that town was organ- ized, and was very influential in the colony. His will was probated in Boston, and it is believed on good authority that he is buried in the old Granary Burying-ground in that city. (See History of the Rev. Anson Titus, Jr., published in 1881.)
Monsieur Sabin's son Benjamin, who was born in Rehoboth, removed to Roxbury; and there his son Nehemiah, the great-grandfather of Deacon Sabin, was born. Nehemiah Sabin went to Pomfret, Conn., and married Ruth Cooper. She bore him several children, of whom one, named Thomas, born in 1744, was the grandfather of our subject. Thomas Sabin had a son, Thomas, Jr., born in Elling- ton, Conn., December 22, 1783, who was Deacon Sabin's father. In early manhood Thomas Sabin, Jr., settled in Wilbraham, and later removed to Belchertown, where he pur- chased a farm of one hundred acres. On this farm he spent the remainder of his life, sow- ing and reaping the harvests of many busy years, and passed away in March, 1885, at the age of one hundred and one. His wife was born July 3, 1787, and died in August, 1846. They reared five children: Lewis, Laura, Sherman, Lyman, and Abigail. Lewis Sabin became a widely known and respected preacher of the Congregationalist faith, and was pastor of the church at Templeton for thirty-five years. He was a very scholarly man, and was beloved and looked up to by all who knew him. He married Maria P. Dickinson, of Hadley.
Lyman Sabin was reared and received a fair education in his native town, and there taught school for some time before entering upon his life vocation of farming. He succeeded to the proprietorship of the homestead, and
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to-day harvests from the same broad acres the bountiful crops that smiled upon his father. The farm is pleasantly located upon the west side of Sabin Hill. The house occupies a commanding position upon an eminence, from which the view is magnificent. The line of vision takes in Mount Holyoke and Mount Tom; and on a clear day Mount Greylock is plainly visible, outlined against the western horizon. The buildings on the Sabin farm are in good condition, the house is cosey and homelike, and the whole domain is a heritage to be proud of.
In 1839 Mr. Sabin was married to Lucy Colton Stebbins, who was born in Belcher- town, November 2, 1812, daughter of Samuel H. and Nancy (Reed) Stebbins and a direct descendant in the seventh generation of Row- land Stebbins. (For a history of the Steb- bins family see the " Annals of Belchertown," by the late Hon. Mark Doolittle.) Mr. and Mrs. Sabin reared three children: Maria Dickinson, Abigail Durfey, and Laura So- phia. Maria D. Sabin graduated from Mount Holyoke Seminary, and followed the profes- sion of teacher up to the time of her marriage, when she became the wife of Joshua Longley, of Belchertown. who died in 1875. They had one child, Marion Sabin Longley, born Octo- ber 15, 1874, who passed away in August, 1887. After her husband's death Mrs. Long- ley resumed teaching. Abigail D. Sabin married Lewis Williams, and lives in Kent, Ohio. Laura Sophia's life has been spent at the home of her parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Sabin have spent together fifty-six years of married life, strengthened to bear life's burdens by mutual aid and sym- pathy. Although so advanced in years, they enjoy fairly good health. They are members of the Congregational church, in whose affairs Mr. Sabin has always taken an active part,
being Deacon for many years, teacher in the Sunday-school, and one of the leading singers in the choir. Ranking among the oldest resi- dents of the town, he and Mrs. Sabin are regarded with esteem by all who know them.
APTAIN WILLIAM BIRD KIM- BALL, one of Enfield's prominent citizens, a veteran of the Civil War, and formerly a member of the Massachu- setts legislature, was born in Oakham, Mass., June 2, 1833, son of James and Emily (Parker) Kimball. Captain Kimball is a direct descendant of Richard Kimball, who, in company with his brother Henry, emigrated from England in 1634, and settled in Water- town, Mass. Richard Kimball, who was a wheelwright by trade, moved to Ipswich, Mass., where he died in 1675; and the de- scent continues as follows: Benjamin, son of Richard Kimball, who resided in Bradford, Mass., died January 11, 1696. His son, Cap- tain Richard Kimball, who also resided in Bradford, married Sarah Spofford, September 17, 1682, and raised a family of six children. He died January 21, 1732 or 1733; and his son, Richard Kimball, who was born May 27, 1689, married Mary Stickney in 1716. He was the father of three children; namely, Richard, Sarah, and Dorothy, of whom Rich- ard, who was born September 21, 1721, was Captain Kimball's great - grandfather. He married Sarah Harriman, and raised a family of eight children, of whom James, Captain Kimball's grandfather, was the second son. James Kimball was born in Haverhill, Mass., February 4, 1758. He resided in Bradford, was a successful business man, and died Janu- ary 15, 1829. He was three times married; and his third wife, Ruth Kimball, Captain Kimball's grandmother, who was born January
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28, 1761, became the mother of one son, James, Jr., Captain Kimball's father. The grandmother dicd January 6, 1832.
James Kimball, Jr., was born in Bradford, October 5, 1797. He graduated from Middle- bury College in 1821, and became a Con- gregational preacher. He relinquished his pastoral dutics, and engaged in missionary work in Boston, where he laborcd diligently and successfully for some years. He was a resident of Oakham for twenty-nine years, and was actively engaged in church work until his death, which occurred March 15, 1861. His wife, Emily Parker before marriage, who was born in Groveland, Mass., September 5, 1800, became the mother of six children, four of whoni reached maturity; and of these Captain William B., the subject of this sketch, is the only survivor. Those deceased were: Martha A., James P., Maria L., Daniel T., and Leonard D. The mother died in Hayden- ville, Mass., October 18, 1874.
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