USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts > Part 49
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In political views Father Boyle is a Repub- lican, and has served on various town com- mittees, among others the building committee of the new high school. He is also an active temperance worker, and has won the esteem and respect of many besides his parishioners. He is a member of the Third Army Corps Union, the Society of the Army of the Poto- mac, and also of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion.
ILLIAM D. BILLINGS, Town Clerk of Hatfield, was born in this town, August 5, 1832, son of John A. and Clarissa (Dickinson) Billings. The Billings family have resided in Hatfield for more than two hundred years, having been large land-owners and extensive farmers, and figuring prominently in the development of the town's prosperity. They are descendants of Richard and Margery Billings, who emigrated
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from England, were residents of Hartford, Conn., in 1640, and settled in Hatfield in 1661. The original farm which Richard Bill- ings improved is now owned and occupied by Mrs. J. D. Billings, her husband being a di- rect descendant of Richard.
Richard Billings died in 1679, leaving one son, Samuel, who was born in Connecticut and died in Hatfield. He married Sarah Fellows, and his children were: Samuel; Ebenezer ; Richard; John, who was liked by the Indians ; and Sarah. Samuel Billings, second, was born in Hatfield, and succeeded to the possession of the homestead. He married Hannah Wright, and was the father of Sarah, Joseph, Zechariah, and Benjamin. Zechariah Billings followed agricultural pursuits in Hatfield, and died in 1771. He married Ruth Meekins; and they were the parents of David, Sybil, Lydia, and Silas.
Captain Silas Billings, great-grandfather of William D., was born in Hatfield, November 3, 1741. He bought a farm lying directly op- posite to the old homestead and became a pros- perous farmer. He died in Hatfield, June 6, 1808. He was a member of the Congrega- tional church. He married Miriam Dickin- son, who lived to reach the age of ninety years, and died in 1836. Their children were: Jo- seph, Erastus, Roswell, and Ruth. Colonel Erastus Billings, Mr. Billings's grandfather, was born June 30, 1778, and died October 27, 1838. A thrifty man, the owner of a large es- tate, he was influential in public affairs, serv- ing with ability in important town offices, and was Colonel of a regiment of cavalry. He was a Whig in politics and a Congregationalist in religion. He married Abigail Allis, who was born in 1779; and she became the mother of four children : Fanny, Silas, John A., and Erastus. Mrs. Abigail Billings died in 1829.
John A. Billings was born in Hatfield, Feb-
ruary 22, 1806. In early manhood he went to Avon, N. Y., where he purchased a farm, but after residing there for four years he sold the property and returned to his native town. He bought the farm which is now owned by S. F. Billings, and in 1856 built the present farm residence. He was a Republican in politics, and became prominently identified with public affairs, serving as a Selectman and Assessor. John A. Billings died May 27, 1886. His wife, Clarissa Dickinson, was born April 1, 1805. They had four children, two of whom grew to maturity, namely : Frances, born July 12, 1830, who died December 12, 1882; and William D., the subject of this sketch. Louisa, born September 4, 1840, died August 22, 1843 ; and Willard W., born August 22, 1845, died September 28, 1845. The mother died February 28, 1872.
William D. Billings commenced his educa- tion at Williston Seminary, and completed his studies at the Monson Academy. He engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1860, when he formed a partnership with H. P. Billings, with whom he conducted a general mercantile busi- ness in Hatfield for five years, at the expira- tion of which period he retired from trade. Resuming farming at the old homestead, which fell to his possession, Mr. Billings resided there until 1886, when he sold the property. Mr. Billings is a Republican in politics, and has always actively supported that party. He has served as an Assessor twenty-three years, since 1863 ; and in 1858 he was elected Town Clerk, a position which he has since filled with marked ability and efficiency. He has re- copied with utmost care the town records, which date from the original settlement in 1660, and has placed them in perfect order for reference, a work whose importance and value it would be difficult to overestimate.
On October 14, 1863, Mr. Billings was
FLAVEL GAYLORD.
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united in marriage with Mary L. Warner, a native of Hatfield. She was born on Novem- ber 26, 1838, daughter of James W. and Louisa B. (Longley) Warner, the former of whom was a prosperous farmer of Hatfield. Mr. and Mrs. Billings have been called to part with one of their two children, namely : Louisa D., who was born March 4, 1868, and died January 14, 1874. Her sister, Clarissa D., born September 10, 1873, is now the wife of Frederick U. Wells, of Springfield, Mass.
LAVEL GAYLORD, a well-to-do farmer of Amherst, Mass., a man of ability and integrity, prominent in pub- lic affairs, was born at Windsor Locks, Conn., April 27, 1827, son of Eleazer and Hannah (Haskell) Gaylord. His first ancestor in this country, whose name was William Gaylord, came from England to America in 1630. He had a grant of land in Dorchester, Mass., in 1633, and there held the office of Selectman ; but in 1638 he removed to Windsor, Conn., where he died in 1673, aged eighty-eight. He is said to have served as a member of the Gen- eral Court during forty-one semi-annual ses- sions. He was a landed proprietor, and was a Deacon of the church at Windsor. He had four sons and one daughter, his eldest son also bearing the name of William. In the second volume of Stiles's "History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor," it is stated that Na- thaniel Gaylord, son of the second William, took his portion of his father's estate at Pine Meadow, now Windsor Locks, of which he was the second settler. Nathaniel's son Na- thaniel was the father of Eliakim, who was born in 1717, and married Elizabeth Hayden. Flavel Gaylord's grandfather, Eleazer Gay- lord, born in 1753, son of Eliakim, was a life- long resident of Windsor Locks, where he was
engaged in farming ; but his son and namesake, who was born there October 1I, 1785, moved to Amherst in 1827.
He settled on the farm where his son Flavel now lives, and was an industrious and success- ful farmer and a prominent man in the town. In politics a stanch Whig, he was also an abolitionist. Eleazer Gaylord, the younger, served as Selectman of Amherst for some time. In the Congregational church he was Deacon nearly thirty-five years, and a zealous worker for the good of the parish. His death occurred in August, 1865, while he was on a visit in New Haven. His wife, Hannah Haskell, was born in Connecticut, November 4, 1787, and became Mrs. Gaylord in February, 1819. She died October 7, 1830, leaving five children, Flavel, the youngest, being then only in his fourth year. The eldest, Martha, born March 14, 1821, is the wife of the Rev. Nelson Scott, residing in Amherst. Frances Gaylord, born March 18, 1822, married George Cutler ; and they also reside in Amherst. Eleazer Gay- lord, born November 22, 1823, is a farmer in Melrose, Wis. Ebenezer, born September 18, 1825, is a retired grocer in New Haven, Conn.
Flavel Gaylord was educated in the schools of Amherst, finishing his studies at the acad- emy. He owns and occupies the old Gaylord place and gives his attention to general farm- ing and dairying. His farm, which comprised one hundred and ten acres when his father took possession of it, he has enlarged and improved, making it one of the finest in the vicinity. The fine old house is one of the landmarks of Amherst. It is solidly built and of generous proportions, the clapboards being all hand- made, the nails forged by hand; and there is a fireplace in almost every room. Mr. Gaylord is quite an extensive real estate owner, being the landlord of several residences in the vil- lage.
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On June 7, 1855, he was united in marriage with Fidelia S., daughter of Dennis and Amelia (Turner) Howe. Mrs. Gaylord was born in North Brookfield, Mass., August 17, 1828. Dennis Howe was a miller. He was born in Spencer, and died in that town at the age of sixty-nine. His widow, Mrs. Amelia T. Howe, who is now ninety-five years of age and is living with her daughter, Mrs. Gaylord, is a native of Pelham. Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord have one son, Walter F., who works in the paper-mills in Holyoke. Flavel Gaylord votes the Republican ticket, and is prominent in town affairs. He has been County Commis- sioner twelve years continuously, has served as Selectman three years, as Assessor for some time, and has held other offices. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church. Mr. Gaylord is the oldest resident in the part of the town where he lives.
A portrait of this well-known and highly es- teemed citizen will be seen on a neighboring page.
OHN FULLER, an enterprising farmer, stock-grower, and cattle dealer, residing in the town of Granby, Mass., is a na- tive of Hampden County, born November 14, 1854, at Chicopee Falls. His father, John A. Fuller, was born and reared in Spencer, Worcester County. He married a Miss Carver, of Chicopee, and located in Ludlow, Hampden County, where he was engaged for some time in farming, also carrying on an cx- tensive trade in cattle, going thence to Chico- pee Falls, where he was similarly engaged. He subsequently spent a short time in Ludlow, coming from there to Hampshire County, and settling at first near the village of Granby, but afterward purchasing the farm now owned and occupied by his son, above named. Here he continued as a tiller of the soil until his
death, June 6, 1891. His wife having died in 1854, leaving but one child, John, he had lived a widower for twoscore years.
John Fuller has spent the larger part of his life in Granby, where he acquired his educa- tion in the district schools. He began his life work by assisting on the farm, in addition to which labors he also made much money by buying and selling cattle. On the death of his father Mr. Fuller succeeded to the owner- ship of the estate, and he has since conducted general farming with excellent pecuniary re- sults. He also continues dealing in stock, and makes a business of butchering cattle and selling dressed beef to the markets, a most lu- crative industry. In politics Mr. Fuller is a firm supporter of the principles promulgated by the Republican party, and uniformly casts his vote for their nominees.
Mr. Fuller's first wife, formerly Emily Bartlett, to whom he was united June 1I, 1877, died on the 27th of the following No- vember. On December 25, 1879, he married Miss Ella Clark, of South Hadley Falls, who died on Christmas Day, 1883, leaving him one child, George Albert. On Decem- ber 25, 1884, Mr. Fuller was again married, Mrs. Charlotte Keith, a native of North- ampton, a daughter of Esquire Zebina Squires and the widow of the late Henry Keith, be- coming his third wife. Of this union six chil- dren have been born, namely: Henry Russell, born August 29, 1886; John Robert, born in 1889; Percy Worthington, born in 1891 ; Roy Dowling, born in 1892; Charles Milton, born in December, 1893; and Raymond Lee, born in 1895.
BENEZER COOLIDGE RICHARD- SON, M.D., who was for forty-three years a prominent physician in Ware, was born at Townsend, Mass., April 25, 1820,
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and died in Ware, January 10, 1886. He was the only son of Dr. Samuel Richardson and Polly (Kidder) Richardson, the latter a niece of the famous Dr. Moses Kidder, of Lowell. His only sister, Harriet Richardson Gardner, died in Paris, March 4, 1871. Dr. Richard- son graduated from Harvard Medical College in 1842, and in that year settled in Ware. He acquired an extensive practice there and in the surrounding towns, and became widely known. Dr. Richardson was entirely de- voted to his profession. In him were com- bined all the qualities of a successful practi- tioner. He was highly valued in consulta- tion with prominent physicians throughout Massachusetts. He was a member of the Massachusetts Medical Association. He was also connected with the Brookfield Medical Club, and was surgeon of the Ware J. W. Lawton Grand Army Post. At the time of the Civil War Dr. Richardson accepted a government appointment as surgeon of the Board of Enrolment for the Ninth District of Massachusetts, being stationed at Green- field. Returning to Ware after a little more than two years' service, he resumed his prac- tice, and in the succeeding year was ap- pointed the district examining surgeon for government pensions. Dr. Richardson was an accomplished musician, being more than ordinarily skilful on the violin. His sensi- tive musical temperament enabled him to enter deeply into the feelings of others. He was always good to the poor and distressed, in many instances refusing pay for his services. He was a member of the East Congregational Church of Ware for thirty years.
Shortly after coming to Ware, Dr. Richard- son married Clara Reed Hartwell, the only daughter of Captain Joseph Hartwell, of Ware. Capt. Hartwell had served in nearly all the more important offices in the gift of the town,
and had represented the district in the legis- lature of 1863. His wife was before mar- riage Clarissa Reed, whose home was the famous old Reed castle, in Bolton, Mass. Mrs. Clara (Hartwell) Richardson was born April 15, 1830, at Ware. She received her education in the schools of Ware and the Belchertown Academy, then conducted by Mr. J. F. Pearl. She also passed her examinations for Mount Holyoke Seminary. She studied vocal and instrumental music in Boston, and was an accomplished musician. A prominent feature of former times were the musical festivals given in Ware, Brookfield, and neigh- boring towns. In these Dr. and Mrs. Rich- ardson took active part as soloists. Mrs. Richardson was a woman of great strength of character, yet she had a manner that charmed young and old alike. Love was the key-note of her life - love to God and man. She ever exercised a broad charity; and, with her far- sighted judgment and gentle words and deeds of kindness, she will long live in the hearts of her many friends, a beautiful and blessed mem- ory. She died August 17, 1895. Five chil- dren survive her : Mari Anita, wife of Marshall Otis West, a successful manufacturer of Port Chester, N. Y .; Carrie Virginia, wife of Edwin Howard Baker, who is connected with the firm of Wright, Bliss & Fabyan, of New York; Harriet Gardner, wife of Osborne Mowry Billings, of St. Louis, Mo. ; Martha Reed, wife of Dr. William Oliver Barrett, a well-known dentist of Ware; and Charlotte Houghton Richardson, of Ware, Mass.
AMES FORSYTH, a highly respected citizen of Williamsburg and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Ches- ter County, England, August 4, 1828, son of Andrew and Anna (Hackett) Forsyth.
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Mr. Forsyth's father was a native of Paisley, Scotland. He learned the trade of a silk weaver in Chester County, England, and fol- lowed that occupation through life. In 1857 he came to live with his son James in the United States, but in 1858 returned to Eng- land on a visit, and died there, aged seventy- five. Andrew Forsyth was the father of thir- teen children, three of whom died young, and ten reached maturity ; namely, John, James, William, Andrew, Thomas, Joseph, Mary, Hattie, Eliza, and Martha. Their mother died in this country in 1873.
At an early age James Forsyth entered the silk-mills in England, where he acquired the trade of a silk weaver, and became an expert workman. When he was twenty years old, he came to the United States, and obtained his first employment in this country at Lyman's wagon factory in Manchester, Conn., where he worked one winter. He then se- cured a position as overseer and inspector in Thompsonville, Conn., from which place he came to Williamsburg, Mass., and was em- ployed in the button factory of Thayer Brothers for one year, going thence to North- ampton for the purpose of learning the trade of a wood turner. The skill acquired in this useful craft he was not long, it may be be- lieved, in turning to good account. After spending a year in manufacturing bedsteads in Chester, Mass., he returned to Williams- burg, where he was engaged for five years in Thayer's cabinet shops, and then went to Hadley to work for J. Adams in turning hubs. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in Company H, Fifty-second Regiment Massachusetts Vol- unteers, for nine months' service in the Civil War, and faithfully discharged his duties in the ranks until overcome by illness at Baton Rouge, from which place he was sent to the Marine Hospital in New Orleans. After hav-
ing served eleven months, he received his dis- charge from the army, and, recovering his health, returned to the employ of W. E. Thayer in Williamsburg, where he has since remained, being one of the most skilful work- men in his trade. He purchased a house in the village, but later sold that property, and moved to the vicinity of Skinnersville, and while residing there had the misfortune to lose his entire possessions in the flood of 1874, his family barely escaping with their lives. Being a man of energy and persever- ance, he recovered- from his losses, and now owns one of the most pleasant residences in the village.
On March 18, 1854, Mr. Forsyth was mar- ried to Margaret A. Stewart, who was born in Dublin, Ireland. Her father, Alexander Stewart, who was a prosperous farmer, of Scotch ancestry, is now dead. Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth have had four children, as follows : Anna, who married W. W. Nash, a farmer of Williamsburg, and has three children - Grace, Gertrude, and Ethel; Ellen I., who married W. E. Smith, a progressive farmer of North Chester, and has one daughter - Mabel; James A., who married Florence J. Merriam, and died at the age of twenty-five, having one son - Richard J .; and William A., a twin brother to James A., who married Margaret Joice, and resides in Paterson, N.J., having four children. Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Forsyth is a Republican in politics and a comrade of Post 86, Grand Army of the Republic.
ELLS BRAINARD, a successful farmer of South Hadley Falls, son of Robert and Mercy (Snow) Brain- ard, was born June 19, 1839, upon the farm
JOSEPH H. SHEARN.
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he now owns and occupies. Mr. Brainard's grandfather, Robert Brainard, Sr., a native of Haddam, Conn., moved to South Hadley Falls in 1805, and was the first Methodist to settle in the town. He purchased a farm, which he improved, and resided thereon until his death.
Robert Brainard, the younger, succeeded to the possession of the property and conducted it successfully until his death, which occurred February 2, 1871. He was a prominent citi- zen and for many years held the office of Se- lectman and Overseer of the Poor. His wife, Mercy Snow Brainard, who was born in South Hadley Falls, became the mother of five chil- dren, as follows : Olive, who married Edward Lester, of South Hadley Falls, and now resides at South Hadley; Mercy Ann, who married Edward Judd, and died at the age of thirty- nine; Wells, the subject of this sketch; Will- iam, who died in infancy; and Julia, who married Theodore P. Palmer, of Miller's Falls, Mass. The mother died June 4, 1894, at the age of ninety-five.
Wells Brainard was reared to an agricultural life, obtaining his education in the public schools near his home. Later on in his youth he was sent to Wilbraham School, where he completed a business course, returning at the age of twenty-one to work on the farm. After the death of his father he took charge of the farm, and by dint of hard labor has brought it up to its present standard. Pleasantly situ- ated, with a broad and picturesque view, for a country home Mr. Brainard's place is unsur- passed. Mr. Brainard married Adaline Wil- son, of Belchertown, Mass., and they have had six children, three of whom are living; namely, Harry E., Gertrude Evelyn, and Win- nie May. Lilla A. died at the age of seven years; William Erwin died at the age of four- teen ; and Robert C., aged ten months.
J OSEPH H. SHEARN, general superin- tendent of the three mills belonging to the Nonotuck Silk Company at Leeds, Mass., is a native of Somersetshire, England. He was born in 1847. His grandfather, Sam- uel Shearn, was a lifelong resident of Somer- setshire, being one of the English yeomanry and the owner of an estate which has been in the family many generations. He reared nine children, six sons and three daughters, the most of whom have remained in their native land.
Austin Shearn, one of the six sons of Sam- uel, was born in Somersetshire in 1820. He married Sarah Cottrell, and in 1854 came with his family to America, embarking on the fa- mous ship "Constellation," which brought one thousand passengers, being but six weeks on her voyage. Locating in New Jersey he re- sumed merchandising, in which he had for- merly been engaged on the Channel Islands ; but he subsequently lived a few years in Leeds, coming here in 1861, and being employed as a commercial traveller, running his own team and dealing in tea and coffee. He finally bought a farm in Easthampton, where he spent the last decade of his years, but died in Hay- denville in 1892. Six children were born to him and his wife, namely : Charlotte, who mar- ried Charles Scrivener, of Jersey City, N. J., and died at the age of thirty-five years, leaving five children; Louisa, the wife of Martin Flagg, of Northampton; Frances, wife of Samuel Ewing, who is her second husband, her first husband having been Stanley Howard ; Joseph H., the subject of this biography ; Frederick S., an instructor in music at North- ampton ; and Charles, an employee of the Beld- ing Silk Company at Northampton.
Joseph H. Shearn was educated in the pub- lic schools in New Jersey and at Leeds, begin- ning at the age of twelve years, when not in
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school, to work in the mill in which he is now employed. He was earnest and faithful wherever placed, and was gradually promoted through the different departments of the mills until reaching his present responsible position, which he has held for a score of years, his long tenure of office being strong evidence of the value placed upon his services. This plant, in which Mr. Shearn is one of the stock- holders, is one of the finest in its construction and equipments of any in the State, and gives steady employment to about one thousand hands.
On May 26, 1869, Mr. Shearn was united in marriage with Miss Mary Kearney, of Leeds, a daughter of the late Robert J. Kearney, who was a native of Ireland and a graduate of the Dublin University. Their pleasant wedded pathway has been brightened by the birth of two children, Clarence J. and Edith G. Clar- ence is a graduate of the New York Law School, and now a promising young lawyer of New York City, being the managing attorney with Einstein & Townsend. A brilliant stu- dent from his early years, he was graduated from the Northampton High School when but sixteen years of age and from Cornell Univer- sity in the class of 1890 with high honors. Edith, having early manifested artistic taste and ability, pursued the study of art at Smith College for a while, and later at the Art Stu- dents' League in New York City. She is now cultivating her talent in Paris, having gone abroad for that purpose the second time. Her attention, however, is not wholly devoted to the use of the pencil and brush, Miss Shearn also taking pleasure in music and playing both the guitar and the piano.
As a citizen Mr. Shearn is held in great es- teem, his judgment in local affairs being every- where respected. He is a stanch member of the Republican party, ever ready to forward its
interests, and has served as Alderman two years and as a member of the Common Council one year. He is a Master Mason, a member of Jerusalem Lodge of Northampton. Relig- iously, he and his wife are liberal, and attend the meetings of the Cosmian Hall Society of Florence.
The accompanying portrait of Mr. Shearn will be recognized at a glance by his friends and acquaintances.
AMES A. BYRNS, a successful and en- terprising baker of Ware, was born in Framingham, Mass., September 8,
1849. He acquired his education in the schools of Ware. When he was eighteen years of age he left the high school to work in his father's bakery. He continued in the em- ploy of his father until the death of the latter, which occurred April 3, 1890. He succeeded his father, and by close attention and careful management he has considerably increased the good business which, by many years of patient labor and persevering effort, his father had es- tablished. He sells both at wholesale and re- tail, and gives employment to ten men. He uses three wagons in delivering his goods. Mr. Byrns resides at 64 West Street. The building next to his residence is occupied by the bakery, and was erected by his father more than twenty-five years ago. In politics Mr. Byrns is a Democrat ; and, though having little desire for official position, he has, never- theless, during the past two years served ac- ceptably as a member of the Board of Water Commissioners.
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