USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts > Part 48
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Leonard Williams, son of Ebenezer, was a widely known physician of this county at an early period, being actively engaged in the duties of his profession fifty years. He began
practice in Worthington, but in 1804 removed to Chester, which was later known as Hunt- ington. Dr. Williams married Olive Wads- worth, of Becket, who bore him three chil- dren : Jabin B., James Holland, and Arvilla A. The daughter was twice married, her first husband being Jonathan W. Bartlett, and her second Elias Ballou. She lived past middle age, and at her death left three children, of whom only one is now living.
Jabin B. Williams was born January 5, 1800, in Worthington, and was but four years old when his parents settled in Huntington, where he was reared, receiving a liberal schooling. On attaining his majority he re- moved to Becket, and there lived a short time, but soon returned to Huntington and estab- lished himself in mercantile business, opening a store of general merchandise, and carrying a varied assortment of goods. He was very suc- cessful, beginning with a small cash capital and gradually increasing his trade until he had one of the largest stores in the county, his straight-forward business methods winning him friends and customers. He remained in busi- ness until his decease in 1859.
He married Lydia Wilson, of Huntington, a native of Woodstock, Conn., and they be- came the parents of six children, namely : Leonard Wilson, who died in Lenox, aged eighteen years; Lucien B., of whom we write ; Cynthia A., widow of Israel D. Clark, who resides in Northampton ; Ermina L., who died in infancy ; Henry F., deceased, who was in business with his brother Lucien for some years, and at the time of his death was Presi- dent of the First National Bank of Northamp- ton ; and Charles Edgar, a resident of Northampton. The father was very prominent in the administration of local public affairs, and one of the influential members of the Democratic party. Though averse to office-
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seeking or office-holding, he served as Magis- trate for many years, being recognized as an authority. on legal questions, and was a wise and friendly counsellor to his neighbors, who had great faith in his integrity and good judg- ment. He was also the pension agent for the Berkshire County Revolutionary soldiers, about forty in number, who used to meet at his store twice a year, March 4 and September 4, to receive their hard-earned bounty and rehearse the thrilling stories of their army experiences.
Lucien B. Williams completed his school life at the Wilbraham Academy, and, when a youth of seventeen years, became a salesman in his father's store. He was quick to learn, paying close attention to his duties, in time becoming a partner in the business, and at the death of his father succeeding to its ownership. Mr. Williams began the manufacture of baskets in Huntington, buying out the plant of an established firm and continuing there until 1862. In that year he came to North- ampton, where he increased his business to large proportions. He manufactured baskets of splint and rattan, of all sizes, including clothes baskets, peach baskets, and market baskets, the mill capacity being very large, turning out in good times as many as ten thou- sand baskets per day. The factory is a large building, two hundred by forty feet, with an L one hundred by thirty feet, and an engine- room in which is manufactured the steam that propels the machinery. Besides this the plant includes four storehouses, each two hundred by fifty feet ; and employment is furnished in prosperous times to two hundred hands.
Here Mr. Williams was as successful as in his mercantile business in Huntington, which he closed out in 1861, just prior to his re- moval to Northampton. This manufactory is now governed by an incorporated company,
which was organized some twenty-five years ago. Mr. Williams was the first President ; his son, Vice-President ; Frank E. Clark, his sister's son, Treasurer; and Robert G. Will- iams, a nephew, Secretary. Mr. Williams's exacting business interests necessarily absorbed much of his attention; but he was always identified with all philanthropic measures look- ing to the material and moral betterment of his town, county, State, and country. He was an ardent, working patriot in the Civil War, having up to the opening of that war been a Democrat in political convictions, but there- after was a Republican in sentiment and ser- vice. Mr. Williams was a Director in the Northampton Bank for many years, including the time of the famous robbery, and was promi- nently useful in aiding the adjustment of the serious difficulties which followed that calam- ity. A few years ago his failing health com- pelled him to resign the responsible trust, his son Harry being selected as his successor. Mr. Williams was also Treasurer of the Flor- ence Machine Company in its prosperous days, and was for many years a prominent Director of the Northampton Emery Wheel Company, whose treasurer, the late General Otis, was one of his very warm friends.
On September 1, 1847, Mr. Williams was united in marriage with Harriet Copeland, of Huntington, a daughter of Melvin and Lu- cinda (Blake) Copeland. Mrs. Williams's parents died in the spring of 1866, her father in March and her mother in April. Mr. Copeland was a native of Sturbridge, Mass., but moved from there to Hartford, Conn., where he was married, and there engaged in the manufacture of carpenter's tools. Later he moved to Huntington and carried on the same business until his decease. Mrs. Will- iams was born and reared in Hartford, finish- ing her education in the Hartford Seminary,
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a noted institution of learning. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Williams was blessed by the birth of four children, three of whom have passed to the higher life: Mary, who died in infancy; Frederick at the age of five years; and Helen at the age of seventeen years. Henry L., the only child living, was grad- uated from Yale College in the class of 1882. He married Isabella Dewey, a daughter of Edward Dewey, of Boston, Mass.
The Williams residence, a spacious man- sion standing on a beautiful lawn and shaded by towering elms with graceful branches, is one of the most charming places in this vicin- ity. This property, containing about five acres of land, Mr. Williams purchased in 1867; and the house, which was built seventy- five years ago and is three stories high and sixty feet square, has been entirely remod- elled. It is furnished in a cosey, homelike, tasteful way, and pervaded with an air of com- fort, the handsome library with its three thou- sand volumes being especially attractive.
We take pleasure in quoting from an ap- preciative tribute to the memory of Mr. Will- iams, elsewhere in print, evidently from the pen of one who knew him well :-
"He was an example of the gentleman in business, and has been a power in directing business affairs in the Meadow City even out- side of those concerns with which he was directly engaged. He had a wonderful mag- netism, which asserted itself in various ways, not only in his affairs of business : but in his social and home life. He was a man of large heart, philanthropic and at the same time thor- oughly democratic; and these qualities, to- gether with a genial disposition, made him a host of loyal and loving friends and acquaint- ances. He was the same to rich and poor alike, and this accounts in large measure for the influence he had with his employees and
for the devotion the workingmen had for him. He was ever their friend and sympathizer."
RANCIS S. STEBBINS was a life- long resident of Granby, the date of his birth being August 22, 1812, and that of his death June 6, 1882. As the descendant of early settlers and a citizen whose memory is held in respect, he is deserving of honorable mention in this biographical volume. His father, John Stebbins, was born in this town, December 22, 1763, and from earliest man- hood was identified with the agricultural inter- ests of this section of Hampshire County, being one of its successful practical farmers. He died January 15, 1847. He was thrice married, his first wife being Susannah Warner, of Amherst, born October 16, 1772. Of this union six children were born: Ruth, Josephus, Aaron W., John A., Cyrus, and Susannah. His second wife was Jerusha Clark, of Amherst, born May 12, 1772. She bore him five children: Philena, Josephus, Lucius, Francis, and Simeon, all of whom, with the exception of Lucius, have passed to the life immortal. His last wife, sister of the second, was born in Amherst, December 13, 1767, and died June 30, 1855.
Francis S. Stebbins attended the district schools in his younger days, and when old enough to learn a trade selected that of a shoe- maker, working at it industriously and until 1846, when failing health compelled him to seek some other occupation. Having been reared on a farm, and therefore familiar with its labors, he then turned his attention to agri- culture in Granby, and in this pursuit also was prosperous, realizing both health and cash. He made excellent improvements on his farm, placing the fertile land in a good state of cul- tivation, and carrying on general farming with
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satisfactory results, year by year adding to his possessions. Mr. Stebbins held a secure position in the esteem and respect of his neighbors, and, being public-spirited and of wise judgment, was prominent in local affairs, and served with acceptance in various offices of trust, as that of Surveyor and also of Assessor. He was domestic in his tastes, enjoying the quiet of his fireside, and was a kind husband, an obliging neighbor, and a most worthy and valued citizen.
On March 2, 1843, Mr. Stebbins was united in marriage with Miss Acelia R. Dickinson, who was born January 7, 1820, in Granby, where she has spent her entire years. Her parents, Abner M. Dickinson, born December, 1790, and Ruth Warner Dickinson, born Au- gust 26, 1794, were well-known members of the farming community of this locality, where they reared their five children : Lucilla F., Acelia R. (Mrs. Stebbins), Sophronia, Orpha C., and Clarissa.
EV. RICHARD LARUE SWAIN, PH. D., pastor of the Congregational church in South Hadley Falls, was
born in Jefferson County, Iowa, June 17, 1860. He is the son of the Rev. Richard and Sarah Elizabeth (Carr) Swain, who are now living retired in Promise City, Ia. His par- ents are natives of Leicestershire, England, and came to America in 1857. His father was taught the Catholic faith, but when twenty years of age joined the Wesleyan Methodist church, and became a licensed min- ister of that denomination, preaching for them until he came to this country.
In Jefferson County, Iowa, where he first located, he did not find the Wesleyan church, hence joined the United Brethren in Christ, and has since remained a minister of that
communion. After five years he removed to Wayne County, where he purchased a farm near Promise City. For a number of years he combined preaching and agricultural pur- suits; but finally he gave his time wholly to the ministry, his last pastorate being at Lis- bon, Ia.
Mr. Swain has four sisters. His oldest sister, Mary, who was born in England, now lives in Washington. His sisters Sarah, Clara, and Lauretta live near their old home in Wayne County. His brother John was killed by lightning when twenty-one years of age.
Richard L. completed his classical course in Western College, Iowa, took his divinity course in Union Biblical Seminary, Ohio, and pursued a course in philosophy at Yale and Otterbein. He also gave much attention to the study of music, and almost entirely de- frayed the expenses of his education by teach- ing music. He was given license to preach when seventeen years of age; and, while he did not yet take a church, he preached fre- quently during his various courses of study. His first regular pastorate was in Otterbein University, Westerville, Ohio, where he was college pastor and Lecturer on Evidences of Christianity for five and a half years. He was also one of the Trustees of the United Society of Christian Endeavor for about four years, which position he resigned on leaving Ohio for Massachusetts. He accepted a call to his present church in December, 1893, and was here installed on March 13, 1894. The church in South Hadley Falls is in a flourish- ing condition, with a membership of nearly three hundred and about the same number of families who look to this church for pastoral care.
While in college Mr. Swain was married to Miss Anna E. Shuey, who was a professor in
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the college at that time. Her parents were William and Catherine (Baker) Shuey. Her father was a Captain in the late war, and after the war edited a paper in his college town. He died in 1876, from injuries received dur- ing the war. Mrs. Swain's mother now re- sides with her youngest daughter in Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Swain have four children : Rich- ard S., Philip W., Esther Helen, and Stuart Frederick.
ORATIO BISBEE, an extensive real estate owner in Chesterfield, where he is actively engaged in farming, lumbering, and manufacturing, was born in this town, November 20, 1833, son of Orin and Wealthy (Damon) Bisbee, both natives of Chesterfield. Mr. Bisbee is of English de- scent. Some of his ancestors settled in Plym- outh Colony less than twenty years after the landing of the Pilgrims. The names of John Bisbee and his son Gideon appear on the old records of Marshfield, Mass. Gideon Bisbee came to Chesterfield in 1755 and spent one summer, returning in the fall for his family and coming here the following spring just in time to engage in the French and Indian War. He died soon after with the small-pox. His widow, two sons, and two daughters then came to Chesterfield. Jotham Bisbee, son of Gid- eon, married Lydia, the daughter of Luther Curtis; and their son Elisha, who was one of a family of ten children, was the grandfather of Horatio Bisbee.
Orin Bisbee, son of Elisha, settled on a farm in the neighborhood of his son Horatio's present residence, and during his lifetime cul- tivated the soil for family needs, at the same time pursuing other occupations, working as a carpenter and joiner, later at wagon-making, and finally engaging in lumbering. He died July 24, 1887, at the age of eighty. His
wife, who is now eighty-five years old, is liv- ing at the homestead. They were the parents of the following children: Wealthy, wife of Chandler Macomber, of Chesterfield; Horatio; Mary, who died at the age of twenty-three; Lydia, wife of Joseph Macomber, one of the Selectmen of Chesterfield; Jane Z., widow of Cornelius Van Slike, who resides in Florence, Mass. ; a child who died in infancy; and Almarin O., who married Martha Tilden and lives near his brother Horatio.
Horatio Bisbee received a good common- school education. When he was twenty-five years of age he purchased for a home the estate where he now lives, and has since been exten- sively engaged in general farming and stock- raising. He is sole proprietor of a grist-mill and a saw-mill, known throughout the county as Bisbee's Mills, which have been in pos- session of the family seventy-five years, and has the grain trade of the town, with customers also in Williamsburg and a large lumber busi- ness. He also has near his farm a whip- butt factory, which has a large output, many of the goods finding market in Westfield. Mr. Bisbee's real estate in all comprises about seven hundred and fifty acres. He is a man of rare business ability, and is acknowledged as such throughout the county. He has been Vice-President of the Hillside Agricultural Society ever since it was started, except two years, and is a Director in the Williamsburg Creamery Association.
On October 14, 1858, Mr. Bisbee was united in marriage with Louisa L., daughter of Lyman Rice, of Chesterfield, who was born July 6, 1837 ; and the following children were the fruit of their union : Mary L., who is with her parents; Willard Lyman, who died in early childhood; Charles Allen, who has charge of the grain business in Williamsburg, established by his father; and Homer Rice,
HORATIO BISBEE.
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who is with his parents. Mr. Bisbee has given to all his children the advantages of a good education.
In politics Mr. Bisbee is a Republican. He is a prominent man in the town, where he has served as Selectman two years; and he is a Trustee of the Haydenville Savings Bank. He and his household attend the Congregational church in Chesterfield and take an active inter- est in church work. Mr. Bisbee is a member of an old and respected New England family, whose prestige he maintains in a creditable manner, having attained his present state of prosperity through his own enterprising indus- try. His portrait here given shows a man not afraid of hard work and one not accustomed to squander time, which, as Franklin says, is the stuff that life is made of.
J OHN C. AVERY, a well-known farmer of Huntington, in the south-west part of Hampshire County, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Westfield, Mass., August II, 1843, son of John and Lydia Avery. Mr. Avery's father was born in Westfield, where he followed the occupation of a mechanic, and was also engaged in agricult- ure. He died in 1853. His wife, who was a native of Westfield, became the mother of five children, as follows : Dolly, who married Guy D. Green, an artist of Springfield, Mass .; Eliza, who married for her first husband Charles Chapin, and for her second, George Haven, and died in 1882; Lucinda, who mar- ried for her first husband Morgan King, and, for her second, John Hebron, and died in 1892; Isaac, who married Ellen Clark, and was accidentally killed at Norwich, Mass., in 1891 ; and John C., the subject of this sketch. The mother died in 1894, aged eighty-four years.
John C. Avery was reared to an agricultural life, and commenced to work for his own sup- port at a very early age. He was then em- ployed as a farm laborer until 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company D, Thirty- fourth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, went to the front, and served through the most im- portant period of the Civil War. He partici- pated in the battles of Winchester, Cedar Creek, Hatch's Run, Piedmont, Lynchburg, Petersburg, Fisher's Hill, and was present at Lee's surrender. He was wounded in the left foot at the battle of Piedmont, January 5, 1864, and was confined to the hospital for four weeks. After his discharge from the service Mr. Avery returned to Westfield, and later went to New York, where he resided four years. In 1870 he came to Huntington, and engaged in buying and selling horses, and also in carrying on a farm. He raises some ex- cellent cattle and poultry, and conducts a prosperous business in shipping his products to New York City. Mr. Avery is Republi- can in politics. He was a Selectman for three years, and is now serving as Constable. He is a comrade of Post No. 176, Grand Army of the Republic.
On January 21, 1874, Mr. Avery was united in marriage with Lucy Maria Porter, who was born in Huntington, June 23, 1849. Her par- ents were Seth and Maria Porter, her father having been a prosperous farmer and tanner. Mr. Avery and his wife have three children : Ogden Porter, Byron Lyman, and Jay Morton. Mr. and Mrs. Avery are members of the Con- gregational church.
ENRY W. HILL, Town Clerk and Treasurer of Williamsburg, Mass., was born in this town, June 16, 1844, son of Otis and Philena (Packard) Hill.
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Mr. Hill is a descendant of Samson Hill, who came from Hatfield to Williamsburg in 1775, and, clearing a good farm, resided thereon until his death, which occurred at the age of eighty years. Mr. Hill's grandfather, Ephraim Hill, succeeded to the ownership and occupation of the farm, and devoted his energies to its culti- vation and improvement. He died in 1851, aged eighty years. His children were : Hiram, Russell, Calvin, Otis, Wealthy, Sarah, Cyn- thia, and Electa.
Otis Hill, the fourth son of Ephraim, as named above, was born in Williamsburg, April I, 1808. After completing his studies in the district schools he taught school for several terms, and then in company with his brother Hiram engaged in the manufacturing of broom handles, wooden boxes, and buttons at the old mills, which were located just above the vil- lage. He later bought his brother's interest, and continued in business until failing health caused him to relinquish the enterprise, when he retired to the old homestead, where he passed the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits. Otis Hill was prominently identified with public affairs for many years. He fol- lowed the majority of the old Whig element into the ranks of the Republican party at its formation, and served as a Selectman for sev- eral years, was Town Clerk and Treasurer for twenty years, and in 1857 was a member of the House of Representatives. He died December 27, 1883. His wife, Philena Packard, became the mother of the following children : Lemira A., Melvin W., Hiram G., Henry W., and John W. Mrs. Philena P. Hill died in 1865, at the age of fifty-three years.
Henry W. Hill was educated in the schools of Williamsburg, and then entered mercantile business as a clerk for D. W. Lovell, in Cum- mington, Mass., where he remained a few months. In 1870 he engaged in running an
express from Williamsburg to Northampton, and three years later bought an interest in the button manufactory established by his brother, Hiram G. Hill. When the Co-operative Creamery was started, Mr. Hill was elected clerk and treasurer of that enterprise, a posi- tion which he still holds. He is a Republican in politics, and was School Committee for six years. He was elected Town Clerk and Treas- urer in 1894, and is President of the Williams- burg Library Association.
On October 28, 1868, Mr. Hill was married to Mary S. Morton, daughter of Nehemiah M. and Asenath S. (Miller) Morton. Mr. Mor- ton, who was a prosperous farmer of Williams- burg, died July 8, 1878. His widow is still living, and makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Hill. Of the two children born to Mr. Hill and his wife, the only son, named Harry, died in infancy. The daughter, Myra A., is now a student at Mount Holyoke College. The family attend the Congregational church, of which Mr. Hill is a Deacon, and has been for thirty years organist. Mr. Hill also owns real estate in the village, besides his very pleasant residence.
EV. JAMES BOYLE, rector of All Saints' Catholic Church at Ware, Hampshire County, Mass., is a na- tive of Birkenhead, England, where he was born August 15, 1845.
His father, Nicholas Boyle, was a native of Ireland. He learned the trade of a stone mason, which he followed with success throughout his life. In 1848, accompanied by his wife and three children, he came to the United States, and settled at Dobbs Ferry, in Westchester County, New York, where he became a contractor. He was killed in a rail- road accident when but thirty-seven years of
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age, leaving his widow and five children, of whom those now living are: James; Mar- garet, of Washington, D.C., the widow of Samuel Watkins, a non-commissioned officer in the United States Navy, who died in middle life. leaving one son; and Lawrence Boyle, of New City, N. Y. Mrs. Boyle, whose maiden name was Mary Bray, and who was born in Dublin, Ireland, afterward married John Aungier, and had five children by this union. She died in 1878, at the age of fifty-two years.
James Boyle acquired his early education in the public schools, in 1870 entered the col- lege at Allegany, N. Y., and later on attended the St. Theresa College in Canada. He obtained his theological education at the Grand Seminary of Saint Sulpice in Mon- treal, where he was ordained on the 18th of December, 1875. His first appointment was at Uxbridge, Mass., where he remained for two and a half years. From there he went to Springfield, and served as curate for three years, at the expiration of which time he was appointed rector of a parish in Grafton, Mass., remaining there from 1881 to 1887. On February 8, 1887, he was appointed to the parish at Ware. The society was then wor- shipping in an old church adjoining the Cath- olic cemetery on the Palmer road; but in the following year work was begun on the present fine large brick edifice, known as All Saints' Catholic Church, which was completed in November, 1894, at a cost of about one hun- dred thousand dollars. Father Boyle now has under his charge about two thousand souls, and the church is in a prosperous condition.
Although only in his sixteenth year when the patriotism of the North was aroused by the siege and fall of Fort Sumter in April, 1861, James Boyle was among those who rendered efficient service during the great civil strife
that followed, having entered the army as a volunteer in May, 1861, from New York City. He enlisted in Company C of the Thirty-seventh New York Regiment, and served as private, Corporal, and Sergeant until November, 1862, at which time he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant. At the battle of Williamsburg, Va., May 5, 1862, he was wounded by a gunshot which passed through his left wrist; and, after being in the hospital at Baltimore a short time, he returned home on a furlough, but within six weeks was with his company again. He was with his regiment in the second battle of Bull Run, in the battles of Chantilly, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville, and was mustered out of service with his regiment on the 22d of June, 1863, the regimental term of service having expired several days previous to that date.
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