USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts > Part 42
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A. B. Curtis was educated in the district schools and Mountain Academy, and reared to agricultural life. He taught school in Middle- field, Peru, and Worthington for several terms, but has always resided upon the farm which he inherited after his father's death. He has con- ducted general farming with good results, and is a successful stock-raiser. In politics he is a Republican, and has always supported the principles of that party with zeal. He has been a Selectman for several years, and has rendered good service to the town in other po- sitions of trust.
On September 13, 1846, Mr. Curtis was united in marriage to his first wife, whose maiden name was Fidelia H. Harrington. She was born in Rowe, Mass., in 1827, daugh- ter of Thomas Harrington. Mr. Curtis's first wife died March 3, 1863. On February 10, 1864, he wedded for his second wife Mary Emily Noble, a native of Washington, Mass., where she was born October 9, 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have three children, namely : Mary F., born February 3, 1868; Alden Noble, born February 16, 1876; and Elmer Noble, born July 21, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis and children are members of the Con- gregational church.
A. GRIDLEY, a general merchant of South Hadley, was born in Granby, Mass., October 27, 1845, son of Addison and Sibel (Ayers) Gridley. Mr. Gridley's grandfather, the Rev. Elijah Grid- ley, moved from Mansfield, Conn., to Granby, and became pastor of the church in that town,
where he was a well-known and much esteemed clergyman. He also engaged in agriculture, and resided in Granby until his death, which occurred June 10, 1834.
Addison Gridley was born in Granby in 1801. He was twice married. His first mar- riage was with Sibel Ayers, a native of Granby, who made him the father of five chil- dren, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only survivor. His second wife is the present Mrs. Gridley, whose maiden name was Maria Burnham.
C. A. Gridley was educated in the schools of Granby and South Hadley, and later at- tended the business college in Springfield, Mass. He commenced life for himself at the age of twenty, and worked for a time in his native State. He then went to La Salle, Ill., and, after remaining there for a time, returned to Massachusetts, and in 1871 came to South Hadley, where he engaged in mercantile busi- ness with Mr. Montague. The next year Mr. Montague sold his interest to W. A. Warner, who, after remaining one year, sold his in- terest to E. W. Gridley, brother of C. A., after which the business was continued under the firm name of C. A. Gridley & Co. In 1876 the store was destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt ; and later, selling out to his brother, C. A. Gridley went to Brattleboro, Vt., where he conducted a boot and shoe business for two years. He then returned to South Hadley again, and resumed business at the old store, from which his brother retired. It is at pres- ent a general country store, well stocked with the varied line of goods usually carried in such an establishment ; and it has a large amount of trade. He has also invested in real estate, carries on an insurance business, and owns the home farm in Granby.
On June 4, 1874, Mr. Gridley was united in marriage to Martha P. Miller, who was born
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in South Hadley in 1852, daughter of Edward C. and Elizabeth Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Grid- ley have two children : James Leonard and Bessie Maria. They are active members of the Congregational church.
Mr. Gridley is independent in his political views, believing that the most capable should serve in offices of public trust. He has been prominently identified with political questions, and was a member of the School Board for four years. He is also a Justice of the Peace and a Notary Public. His successful life is due entirely to his own energy and business ability.
) EV. EDWARD E. KEEDY, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Hadley, was born in Rohrersville, Washington County, Md., January 6, 1869, son of the Rev. David D. and Lucinda (Brech- bill) Keedy. The ancestors of the family were early settlers in Washington County, the village of Keedysville being named in their honor. The Rev. David Keedy was connected with the United Brethren church, serving the church for a long time as Presiding Elder. He died in Keedysville, on January 12, 1895. His wife is still living, and resides in Keedys- ville. Mr. Keedy's family consisted of nine children, all of whom are living. They are : Daniel, Louisa, Lillian, Cyrus, Horace, Ed- ward E., John, Anna, and Homer.
Edward E. Keedy, after acquiring the rudi- ments of knowledge, began his more advanced studies in the college at Lebanon Valley in the fall of 1885. He graduated from that institu- tion in 1889, and then attended the Yale Divinity School at New Haven for two years, and for one year filled the position of principal of the high school in Rohrersville, Md. At the end of this period he returned to the Yale Divinity School, and, after a year's further
study, was graduated, remaining in New Haven as a graduate student for one year. In April, 1894, he came to Hadley, and took charge of the First Congregational Church, in which position he has since remained. He was ordained to the ministry on October 17, 1894. The church of which he is pastor was organized in 1658, and is well known as one of the oldest churches in the State and the old- est west of Springfield.
HARLES W. FELTON, a stirring and enterprising farmer of Enfield, was born in the town of Ware, Sep- tember 9, 1859, son of Daniel B. and Arvilla (Grover) Felton.
The first representative of the Felton family in this country came from England in the per- son of Nathaniel Felton. He was born about the year 1615, and settled in Salem, Mass., when only sixteen or seventeen years of age. In the course of time he became a prominent citizen of that place, winning the esteem of his fellow-men as a man of good judgment and integrity. He married Miss Mary Skelton, a daughter of the Rev. Samuel Skelton, who was the first minister of Salem. Mr. Felton died on July 30, 1705, at the advanced age of ninety years; and his wife died on May 8, 1701, aged seventy-five years. Ebenezer Fel- ton, son of Nathaniel Felton, born in Salem in 1685, was a carpenter by trade. He was one of the first settlers of New Salem, Mass., to which place he went with his five sons in 1740, when fifty-five years of age. In Novem- ber, 1742, he and his wife were transferred from Salem church to the church in New Salem. He was the first Deacon of the church, and was the first Town Clerk in New Salem. He was one of the Selectmen in 1753, the year the town was incorporated.
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He died in 1776, aged ninety years. His wife, it is believed, lived several years after her husband's death.
Amos Felton, grandson of Ebenezer, and grandfather of Charles W. Felton, was born in Shutesbury, Mass., December 5, 1779. He followed the calling of a farmer throughout his life, residing in the town of New Salem, which was formerly a part of Shutesbury. He died in New Salem on April 24, 1850. For his first wife he married Miss Lydia King, who was born January 27, 1779, and was a daughter of Samuel King, of New Salem. Nine chil- dren of this union were reared, but all have since died. Their mother's death occurred July 31, 1839. Mr. Felton's second union was with Mrs. Eunice Thomas. She died in 1874, leaving no children.
Daniel B. Felton, who was a native of what is now called New Salem, Mass., was born August 31, 1814. Soon after leaving his par- ental home to start in life for himself, he set- tled in Abington, Mass., and remained there until about the year 1857, when he removed to Ware. Here, in company with others, he en- gaged in a large lumber business, and operated a saw-mill. He died in Ware, August 24, 1861. He was an attendant of the Universal- ist church, and was a Republican in politics. He was twice married. His first union was with Miss Lydia Felton. She died on Febru- ary 18, 1847, leaving five children. After her death he married Miss Arvilla Grover, who was born in Denmark, Me., in 1835, daughter of Lemuel and Hannah (Long) Grover, of Den- mark, Me. Six children were born of the lat- ter union. Of all Daniel B. Felton's children seven are now living, as follows: Mary L., who married William Wheeler, residing in Worcester, Mass. ; Hattie A., the wife of Ar- thur Hunt, of Brockton, Mass. ; Daniel T., re- siding in Worcester; Lydia A. R., who mar-
ried Lyman Hathaway, of Ware; John W., residing in Hinsdale; Webster F., who lives in Greenwich ; and Charles W., the subject of this article. The deceased were: Henry C., Joanna B., Ida E., and Frank B. After her husband's death Mrs. Arvilla Felton was joined in marriage with Sidney Richards, of Enfield, where he resided, on the farm now owned by her son, Charles W. Felton. This farm had been in the Richards family since about 1800, having been first occupied by James Richards and his wife, formerly Sarah Rich. They were succeeded at their death by their son Sidney, who was born on Septem- ber 7, 1797. He died January 9, 1881. His union with Mrs. Felton was blessed by the birth of a daughter, Susan A., now the wife of Edgar O. Cogswell, and residing in Allston, near Boston, Mass. Mrs. Richards died Feb- ruary 23, 1895.
Charles W. Felton was five years old at the time his mother settled in Enfield. He ac- quired a good practical education in the com- mon schools of Enfield and at New Salem Academy, after which he turned his attention to farming, and has continued in that occupa- tion since. He now has a choice farm of two hundred acres, where he successfully carries on mixed farming and dairying. He keeps fifty head of cattle. The farm buildings have been remodelled and improved since he pur- chased the place. Everywhere can be seen evidences of the proprietor's enterprise and good judgment.
In January, 1880, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Angenette I. Cogswell, who was born in New Salem, June 22, 1861, a daughter of Henry and Lura (Underwood) Cogswell. Her father is successfully engaged in farming and lumbering in New Salem. Her mother died on July 23, 1873. Mr. Cogswell entered into a second marriage
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with Miss Faustina A. Stone, on June 2, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Felton have no children. Mr. Felton casts his vote with the Republican party, and for several years he has been chair- man of the Republican Town Committee. He takes much interest in the welfare of his town, and for several years has served faithfully as Assessor. He has also filled the office of Road Commissioner since it was created. He is a member of Bethel Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Mrs. Felton is a communicant of the Congre- gational church at Enfield.
EORGE C. MONTAGUE, a wide- awake, progressive, and industrious agriculturist of the town of Granby, owns and occupies a farm that, in regard to its appointments, compares favorably with the best in the locality. The neat and orderly ap- pearance of the property makes manifest to the most casual observer the thrift and care of the proprietor, and most conclusively his thorough understanding of his business, as well as the good judgment he exercises in its management.
He is a native of Massachusetts, born in Wilbraham, March 5, 1845. Mr. Montague, having married Jane C., daughter of Amos and Ruth (Clark) Ferry, of Granby, on April 27, 1864, then began farming on his own account. He continued in that occupation until 1881, when he had the misfortune to be burned out, losing all of his buildings and stock. Instead of rebuilding he then bought the farm adjoin- ing, with the buildings upon it. He now resides there, is very pleasantly located, and continues his business as a farmer. Mr. Montague takes an interest in politics, work- ing for the prosperity of the Republican party. He has served the town in many ways, and is now filling the office of sexton. He is a great admirer of fine stock, and is especially inter-
ested in nice horses. He is a liberal contrib- utor to the advancement of the religious and moral culture of the town.
HARLES S. CROUCH, an enterpris- ing real estate dealer in Northampton, who is also a practical carpenter and builder, was born in Wardsboro, Vt., Au- gust 17, 1829, son of Elisha and Olive (Brown) Crouch. His father was a twin brother of Elijah Crouch, of Stowe, Mass., and his mother was a native of Princeton. They had two sons and four daughters. One son passed away in infancy ; and one daughter, Lucinda, wife of Zimri Scott, a farmer in Gill, is yet living.
Charles S. Crouch attended school in Brat- tleboro, Vt., Chicopee and Springfield, Mass., studying in the latter city at the Lawton Pri- vate School. When a boy he sold papers on the street in Springfield, and developed a keen business talent, selecting the most taking topics to call out when vending his wares. In his seventeenth year he began to learn the car- penter's trade, which he worked at in Spring- field and Chicopee. With the exception of three years when he was engaged in manufact- uring tools in Northampton, he has since fol- lowed this vocation. A man of foresight and untiring energy, he deals extensively in real estate, buying large tracts of vacant land, which he divides into house lots, laying out streets and building good houses for sale.
On June 26, 1846, Mr. Crouch was united in marriage to Susan M., daughter of Isaac Alvord, of Northampton. She passed away in March, 1855, leaving three children, who are located as follows : Nellie, wife of Samuel L. Graves, a decorator, is living at Buffalo, N. Y., and has five children ; Emma, wife of Elbridge Wait, lives in Hartford, Conn., and has one
CHARLES S. CROUCH.
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son : Alice, wife of Henry Lander, resides in Boston. Mr. Crouch subsequently married Jane B. Bardwell, of Hartford, Conn., who for many years was a teacher in the public schools; and one child was born to them, Anna Elizabeth, who died in infancy. Their pleasant home at 66 Pleasant Street, in which they have lived for the past fifteen years, Mr. Crouch built in 1880. In politics Mr. Crouch
is a Republican. He has been a member of the Common Council two terms, and is serv- ing the second year as Alderman of Ward One. In religious belief he is a Congregationalist.
On a page near by will be seen a portrait of this well-known, progressive, and eminently useful citizen.
EV. WILLIAM E. DICKINSON, pastor of the College Mission Church in Amherst, was born in North Amherst, June 11, 1832, son of Daniel and Tammy (Eastman) Dickinson, respectively na- tives of Amherst and Granby, Mass. Mr. Dickinson comes of a distinguished family which up to the present time has numbered many prominent professional men among its members. His grandfather, Azariah Dickin- son, was an early settler of Amherst, he and his brother Oliver having been large land- owners and wealthy citizens in the town. His wife also, Mary Eastman, was a member of a prominent family. They both lived to an advanced age, rearing five children, all of whom became prominent in church work. They were: Ransom, a Deacon; Daniel, the father of William E .; Austin, a minister ; Baxter, a doctor of divinity; and Hannah, wife of Deacon Austin Loomis.
Daniel Dickinson grew to manhood in Am- herst, receiving his education in the schools of that town and in Hadley Academy. His chief
occupation was agriculture, and he was a large land-owner in the town. Politically, Mr. Dickinson was first a Whig and then a Re- publican. He represented his district in the legislature, was Selectman of the town for many terms, Assessor, and Justice of the Peace. He was often called upon to settle differences respecting estates. In military matters also he was interested, and acted as Captain of the State militia. In religious be- lief he was a Congregationalist, and was influ- ential among the members of the church in North Amherst. He died December 25, 1875, aged eighty-two years. He was twice mar- ried, and was the father of two children by his first wife and of six by his second. The latter was the mother of the subject of this sketch. She lived eighty-six years, passing away in 1887. Of these children four are now living, namely : Daniel, a farmer in Illinois; William E., the subject, as before mentioned; Sarah, wife of the Rev. Frederick Phelps, of Whit- ing, Vt. ; and Charles R., a farmer residing on the old Oliver Dickinson farm in North Amherst. Louisa, wife of the Rev. J. M. Green, D. D., of Lowell, died at the age of fifty-one; Edward B., a Sergeant in Company D, Twenty-seventh Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, died when a young man of twenty- eight, soon after the close of the war, from a disease contracted while in the service; and one child died in infancy.
William E. Dickinson received his early education in the public schools of Amherst and Easthampton. He graduated from Amherst College in 1855. He subsequently studied theology at the Union Theological Seminary, New York, and at Andover. He graduated at the latter place in 1858, and was ordained at Orleans in 1860. He was in poor health at the time of his ordination, but bravely took up the duties of his vocation. His first charge
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as a regular pastor was at Canton, Mass., where he remained four years, subsequently filling pulpits at Walpole, N. H., and at Chic- opee, Mass. In the latter place he remained twelve years. He was dismissed from Chico- pee to accept a call to Fitzwilliam, N. H. After four years of service there he removed to Amherst, where he is now pastor of the Col- lege Mission Church. He is enjoining by word and deed the great principle of Chris- tianity, "Love thy neighbor as thyself," while blessed in return by the love of all in his flock.
In 1860 Mr. Dickinson was united in mar- riage with Eliza H. Hobart, a native of Am- herst, daughter of Joshua Hobart, an early settler of the same town. Their union was blessed by one son, Edward B., who was born in Amherst, and is now a leading dentist there, an adept in his profession and a capable busi- ness man.
Mr. Dickinson votes the Republican ticket. He has been active and efficient in educational matters, having been called to serve on various school boards during his pastorates both in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. He and his wife are Congregationalists in religious be- lief. Mr. Dickinson belongs to one of the old families of the town, which for several genera- tions has sustained a reputation for probity, in- tellectual ability, and prominence in church work.
HARLES S. RECORD, a prominent resident of Greenwich, was born in Barre, Mass., January 26, 1819, son of Daniel and Prudence (Warner) Record. Mr. Record's grandfather was an early settler- in old Middleboro, Mass., and was the father of six children. Daniel Record, son of Grand- father Record, was a native of Middleboro. He was reared to agricultural work, which he
subsequently followed, together with other oc- cupations. He settled in Barre, where he re- sided the greater part of his life, and died at the age of fifty-six years. His wife was born in New Braintree, Mass., of which her father was one of the early settlers. He was a typi- cal New England pioneer, sturdy and industri- ous, whose prosperity was the result of energy and perseverance. His children were large of frame, possessed robust constitutions, and were noted for their longevity. Mrs. Daniel Record bore her husband five children, three of whom grew to maturity. The only survivor now is Charles S., the subject of this sketch. Those deceased were: Adams, an infant ; Martha H. ; and Andrew C. The mother lived nearly ninety-two years.
Charles S. Record came to Greenwich in early boyhood and attended the district schools of that town. His school days ended prema- turely, as he was bound out to General John Warner, of Greenwich, when quite young. He learned the scythe-maker's and blacksmith's trades, remaining with Mr. Warner for twenty- one years. In 1855 he started a shop for gen- eral blacksmith work and jobbing, which he conducted successfully for twenty years. At the expiration of that time he sold his shop and has since been engaged in various occupa- tions. He was well known throughout the county as a first-class horse-shoer ; and he has now a high reputation as a horse-trainer, which is his present calling. He has been an ener- getic and industrious man. Temperate in his habits through life, he is still alert and active, although nearing his fourscore years. In poli- tics he is a Republican, and has long been identified with public affairs in his locality. He has served as a Constable, Collector, Road Commissioner, and moderator of Town Meet- ings for several terms, but has now retired from official duties.
GEORGE H. RAY.
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On January 24. 1850, Mr. Record was united in marriage to Maria L. Loud. She was born in South Weymouth, Mass., daughter of Cyrus and Louisa Loud. Mr. and Mrs. Record have one daughter, Clara Louisa, who is now the wife of Ambrose Walker, and re- sides in Amesbury, Mass. Mr. Record is held in high estimation by the people of Greenwich. He is liberal in his religious views, and both he and his wife were members of the Congregational church choir for fifty years. He occupies a pleasant homestead in the village, comprising about twenty acres of land.
EORGE H. RAY, Assistant Treas- urer and Secretary of the Nonotuck Silk Company at Florence, Mass., whose portrait is presented in this connection, is a capable and efficient business man, and is held in high regard as an eminently useful and worthy citizen. He is of Connecticut birth, having entered upon this stage of existence, February 22, 1843, in the town of Canterbury, Windham County. His father, George K. Ray, now living with him in Florence, was born at Griswold, Conn., February 13, 1818, son of Daniel and Harriet (Tracy) Ray. Grandfather Ray was a farmer. His other children were: a daughter, who died; and a son, Moses T. Ray, who is a prosperous agri- culturist in Mendota, La Salle County, Il1.
George K. Ray was a wheelwright, and was busily employed at his trade in Canterbury, Conn., during the most of his working years. In May, 1842, he married Elizabeth Burnett, of Canterbury; and they became the parents of four children, of whom two, a son and a daughter, died in infancy, George H. and Marion F. being the only ones now surviving. The latter is book-keeper at the Universalist Publishing House on West Street, Boston.
George H. Ray was reared to agricultural pursuits on the parental farm, and was a con- stant and diligent pupil at the district school, where he acquired a substantial education, being fitted for the teacher's calling, in which he engaged two winters during his early man- hood. In the second year of the Rebellion his patriotism was aroused to such an extent that, although he had not yet attained his majority, he enlisted, in August, 1862, in Company A, Eighteenth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was at the forefront in many of the impor- tant conflicts of the war, and on June 15, 1863, at the battle of Winchester, Va., was taken prisoner, being subsequently confined, in durance most vile and abominable, at Libby Prison and Belle Isle, until he was ex- changed. He was mustered out at Hartford in July, 1865, having served three years lack- ing one month. On his return to civil life Mr. Ray taught school one term at Leeds, coming thence to Northampton, December 9, 1865. He was first engaged in a mercantile business for a few months, giving it up to ac- cept the position of book-keeper for the Nono- tuck Silk Company, beginning his duties Feb- ruary II, 1867. Mr. Ray has been connected with this company a period of twenty-eight years, and has occupied his present office as Secretary and Assistant Treasurer of the com- pany for the past ten years, a sufficient indica- tion of his ability and trustworthiness. He is likewise a stockholder and a Director of the John M. Leonard Silk Company.
On May 21, 1867, Mr. Ray was united in marriage with Miss C. Emily Chesson, of Northampton, a daughter of Frederick W. and Ann J. Chesson, of Chatham, England, being one of their four children that came to America. Five children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ray, one of whom, George Burnett, died January 28, 1871, aged
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three years; Annie James Ray, the wife of Harold Chesson, of this place, has one son ; Benjamin Eastwood Ray was graduated from Amherst College in 1895; Elizabeth Chesson Ray was graduated from the Northampton High School in the class of 1895; and Julia Mar- ion, a young lady of sixteen years, is still a student.
In local affairs Mr. Ray has always evinced genuine interest, and in the performance of public duties has shown the same efficient capability that has marked his private labors, devoting to them his time and attention in a generous measure. In politics he uniformly casts his vote with the Republican party, and for three years was a valued member of the School Board; he was also a member of the first City Council. He is also a Trustee of the Lilly Library. Socially, he is a Master Mason and a member of the William L. Baker Post, No. 86, Grand Army of the Republic, having been Commander two years. He and his wife are valued members of the Congrega- tional Church, in which he is Deacon.
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