USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts > Part 52
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education in the district schools and at the Monson and Hadley Academies. During his young manhood he taught school for several terms, also engaging in agriculture. At the death of his father he succeeded to the owner- ship of the farm, which he cultivated profitably for several years. In 1872 he sold the prop- erty to his son, purchased a home in the vil- lage, and there resided until his decease, which occurred February 25, 1888. The wife of Cyrus S. Bartlett, who was before her mar- riage Emily Stebbins, was born at Belcher- town, November 10, 1814, daughter of Samuel Hinsdale and Nancy (Reed) Stebbins, and a direct descendant in the seventh generation of Rowland Stebbins. (An account of Mrs. Bart- lett's early ancestors is given in the "Annals of Belchertown," by the late Hon. Mark Doo- little.) She died December 17, 1893, having been the mother of three children; namely, Eliza, Addison, and Julia. She and her hus- band were devout members of the Congrega- tional church, and contributed generously toward its support.
Addison H. Bartlett obtained the rudimen- tary branches of his education at the district schools. After completing his studies at the Wilbraham Academy he taught school for a time. His chief attention, however, was de- voted to agriculture, of which in due time he acquired a thorough knowledge. The family homestead is known as the "Cold Spring " farm, because it contains a never-failing spring of pure water. The town was origi- nally so named for the same reason. When the farm came into his possession in 1872, he gave his whole time to its cultivation. The home is very desirably situated upon the west side of a hill, commanding an extensive view of the surrounding country.
On November 18, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Violet Isabelle Bardwell, a
native of Belchertown, daughter of Antipas Steward Bardwell, who was also born there. He was a son of Martin Bardwell, whose father, also named Martin, was a son of Joseph, through whose father, John, the de- scent goes back to Robert Bardwell, who came from London to Boston about the year 1670, and settled in Hatfield, Mass. Robert was a hatter by trade, and his son, John Bardwell, was one of the first settlers of Belchertown, having come about the year 1732. The farm upon which Mrs. Bartlett was born was the original property of the family in that town. Antipas Bardwell, who inherited a portion of the old homestead, purchased the interests of the other heirs and resided there until his decease, which occurred on April 18, 1877. The maiden name of Mrs. Bartlett's mother was Caroline C. Sikes. She was from Lud- low, and was a daughter of John and Dorothy (Kellogg) Sikes. She died February 4, 1879, having been the mother of seven children; namely, George S., Alonzo J., Maria L., Francis N., Violet I., Martin W., and Charles E.
Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett have five children liv- ing : Lizzie Maria, Marion Estella, Dwight Stebbins, Francis Alonzo, and Edward Payson. Their third child, Alice Isabelle, died August 30, 1877, aged thirteen months; and their fourth child, Henry Addison, died May II, 1888, at the age of ten years. The family attend the Congregational church, of which Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett and several of their children are members. Mr. Bartlett has been a Deacon of this church since 1882.
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IRAM G. HILL, one of the leading business men of Williamsburg, was born in that town, June 22, 1840, of Otis and Philena (Packard) Hill.
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Mr. Hill's great-grandfather, Samson Hill, came from Hatfield, Mass., to Williamsburg in 1775, and settled upon a tract of wild land. Besides serving his country in the Revolutionary War, he cleared and improved the farm upon which his descendant, J. O. Hill, now resides, and followed agriculture successfully until his death, which occurred at the age of eighty years. His son, Ephraim Hill, Mr. Hill's grandfather, succeeded to the property, which he increased by purchasing more land. He erected the present house and barn, and conducted the farm with energy, until failing health caused him to retire from active labor. He died in 1851, aged eighty- six years. His wife, who died in 1849, eighty-three years old, was the mother of nine children, namely: Hiram, Russell, Willard, Calvin, Otis, Wealthy, Sarah, Cynthia, and Electa.
Otis Hill, Mr. Hill's father, was born in Williamsburg, April 1, 1808. He made the best of his opportunities for obtaining an edu- cation at the district schools. After complet- ing his studies, he taught school for several terms in the neighborhood during the winter season, his summers being passed in different occupations, but principally in farming. In 1838 he and his brother Hiram purchased the old mills in the village, and commenced manufacturing broom handles, later adding wooden boxes and buttons. In this business they were quite successful. Otis Hill pur- chased his brother's interest in 1853, but con- tinued the enterprise only two years longer, when the feeble state of his health compelled him to relinquish the cares of business. He sold out, and thereafter confined himself to agricultural pursuits, making a specialty of both pasturing and handling cattle. His par- ents passed their declining years with him upon the old farm, and were the objects of
his most affectionate care and devotion. He was originally a Whig in politics, and joined the Republican party at its formation. He was a member of the Board of Selectmen for several years, Town Clerk, and Treasurer for twenty years ; and in 1856 he represented his district in the legislature. As a business man he was both energetic and progressive, and as such was successful. He was kind- hearted and charitable, a steadfast friend and useful citizen. Otis Hill died December 7, 1883. He was a member of the Congrega- tional church. His wife was the mother of five children; namely, Lemyra A., Melvin W., Hiram G., Henry W., and John W. She died at the age of fifty-three years.
Hiram G. Hill commenced his education in the district schools of Williamsburg, and finished his studies in Amherst. He resided with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-one years. At this time he purchased the machinery and other mechanical effects of M. Way & Son, of Williamsburg, and began the manufacture of suspender buttons and moulds. In the autumn of 1861 he bought the factory of W. & W. E. Thayer, and after moving his machinery to his new quarters continued business upon a more extensive scale. He admitted his brother, John W., as a partner; and later another brother, Henry W., became interested in the enterprise. The firm, which was known as Hill Brothers, conducted a successful business until 1880, when Mr. Hiram G. Hill sold his interest to Damon & Wright. Owning the water-power and site formerly occupied by the old grist- mill, which was carried away by the flood of 1874, he erected a new mill there. The building stands upon the solid ledge that was laid bare by the flood, and contains the best improved machinery. Mr. Hill is engaged in grinding and dealing in all kinds of feed,
ZAAVAN A. MOORE.
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handling about one hundred carloads per year, and also does a large amount of custom grinding for others. He is the owner of the old homestead of his uncle, Hiram Hill, which escaped destruction during the flood, and was able to give the shelter sought there by many of the neighbors on that occasion, on account of the substantial manner in which it was built. He has improved the property, - and has one of the most attractive and com- fortable homes in the town.
Mr. Hill is chairman of the Board of Trus- tees of the Public Library. He was made a Mason in Jerusalem Lodge, later becoming a charter member of the Hampshire Lodge at Haydenville and a member of the Chapter and Commandery of Northampton. On De- cember 31, 1862, Mr. Hill was united in mar- riage to Charlotte M. Thayer, and has two daughters, namely: Genevra M., who resides at home; and Evalena, who married Albert Holton, and resides in Boston, having one son, named John Hill. Mr. Hill is indepen- dent in politics.
AAVAN AVERY MOORE, of North- ampton, who is now retired from active pursuits, has had a life of varied experience, and, notwithstanding that he has met with reverses, has accumulated enough of this world's goods to enable him to pass his declining years surrounded by all necessary comforts and in the enjoyment of as many pleasures as his feeble health will permit. He was born February 13, 1821, in Hampden County, just across the line from Hampshire County, in the town of Westfield. His grandfather, Luke Moore, was for some years a resident of that place, being engaged in tilling the soil. He died in middle life, leaving his widow, Lucretia Moore, with one
son, Zaavan, the father of the subject of this sketch, and two daughters. Mrs. Moore was married again, reared a family of children by her second husband, and lived to a very advanced age. Although blind the last years of her life, she was a very cheerful and happy old lady, and the life and comfort of the household.
Zaavan Moore was born about 1790 in Con- necticut; but, after attaining his majority, he bought a farm in Southampton, Mass., on which he engaged in mixed husbandry, living there until his decease, at the age of eighty- two years. In 1815 he married Margaret Root, of Westfield Farms, where her birth occurred in 1788. She died in Westfield two years before her husband. Eight children were born to them, of whom four sons and three daughters grew to adult life; and of these two daughters and two of the sons are now living. Zaavan A. is further spoken of below. Luke Henry, born in 1825, is mar- ried, and has two sons and several grandchil- dren. He was a soldier in the late Civil War, and subsequently settled on government land in Arkansas, where he carries on general farming. Margaret Arvilla is a widow living in Ohio. Electa Ann died in August, 1895, widow of Lysander B. Bates, of Westfield, who died, leaving her with a large family of children. Jane E. is the widow of Joseph Williams, of the same town.
Zaavan A. Moore received an excellent academic education, and likewise a practical drill in agricultural labor on the parental homestead, where he remained until eighteen years old. Having a natural aptitude for mechanical pursuits, Mr. Moore then turned his attention to that branch of labor. Learn- ing the carpenter's trade of his brother-in-law, Lysander B. Bates, he worked for and with him thirty years, being in partnership with
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him a large part of the time. He afterward returned to the old home farm, which, with the outlands, consisted of about one hundred and fifty acres of land; and from the money which he had accumulated he bought out the remaining heirs, and thus acquired the estate. There he followed agriculture for some ten years, when he left the place to his father, and returned to his trade of cabinet-making. For some years his health has not permitted the active pursuit of business; and his time is spent mostly in Northampton, except the sum- mer season, when he usually goes to the sea- shore, to inhale the invigorating ocean breezes.
Mr. Moore is a self-made man, having started out for himself even with the world; and, notwithstanding that he has lost one fort- une, he still has ample to suffice him in all his needs, unless some unforeseen calamity should befall. He has travelled earth's jour- ney for many long years alone, with the exception of a few months' experience of mat- rimony in 1874, but has doubtless made many warm and lasting friendships. His life has been one of industry and perseverance, di- rected by good practical judgment, in business affairs meeting with general success. His portrait will be found in this gallery of rep- resentative citizens of men of Hampshire County.
ICHAEL P. LYNCH, a successful brick manufacturer and a Select- man of South Hadley Falls, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, June 23, 1833, son of Patrick and Catherine (Ken- nedy) Lynch. Mr. Lynch's father, who at one time was a prosperous farmer in Ireland, emigrated to the United States in 1849, and after deciding to locate in South Hadley Falls sent for his wife and family to join him. But he died in September, 1849, before
they reached America. His wife settled with her children in Holyoke, Mass., where she resided until her death, which occurred in March, 1892. The children numbered eleven, and were: John, who is a resident of Hol- yoke; Michael P., the subject of this sketch; Mary, Morris, and Thomas, who also reside in Holyoke; Patrick, Michael, Bridget, Timothy, Catherine, and Johanna, who are deceased.
Michael P. Lynch received a common-school education, After arriving in Holyoke he worked in a cotton factory for some time. He then learned the trade of a bricklayer, and subsequently, in company with his brothers, managed a brickyard in Holyoke for several years. In 1877 he, together with his brothers Morris and Thomas, purchased the brickyard in which they are now located, and have since carried on the business with success. Mr. Lynch is independent in his political views, and always votes for the candidates he con- siders the most capable of holding office. He has been Road Commissioner, and is now serving his third term as Selectman, and is a member of the Hampshire Club.
On January 25, 1861, Mr. Lynch was united in marriage to Catherine O'Donnell, a native of County Kerry, Ireland, daughter of Terrence O'Donnell, who died in Holyoke. Mr. and Mrs. Lynch have ten children, as follows: John, deceased; John F., who resides in South Hadley Falls; Margaret, deceased ; Annie; Patrick; Rosa; Joseph; Morris, re- siding at home; and two children who died in infancy. The family attend the Roman Catholic Church in South Hadley Falls.
RNEST W. REW, editor and proprietor of the Hampshire County Journal, is a native of England, born April 30, 1864, in Northampton. His father, now liv-
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ing retired from business pursuits in London, England, was born at Tiverton, Devonshire, about the time of the birth of the Prince of Wales, and was long engaged in the wholesale silk trade. He married for his first wife Josephine Bell, who died at the early age of twenty-two years, in 1868, leaving three sons and one daughter, Ernest WV. being the eldest child. He subsequently married a widowed sister of his first wife, and she died in 1891, leaving two children by her first marriage.
Although young in years Ernest W. Rew has had a varied and eventful career. Leaving college at the age of fifteen years, he was apprenticed for three years to a wholesale grocer in Malvern, England, and after serving his time he remained still another year in Malvern. Going thence to Hereford he was engaged in trade a year, and was afterward for the same length of time in the wholesale gro- cery business in London. Not satisfied with mercantile life, Mr. Rew next sought and obtained a place in the Royal Horse Artillery, which by the advice of his father he gave up, and passed a year or so at his father's home in Cheltenham, whence he went to France, where he travelled for a while. In the autumn of 1883 Mr. Rew enlisted at Brighton, England, in the Royal Dragoon Guards, and was in active service three and one-half years, in the course of that time taking part in quelling the Belfast riot. Having been bought off by his father for nineteen pounds, he returned to Lon- don, and in January, 1888, sailed for New York City, having a hope of obtaining work on a New York paper.
Failing in his purpose and running rather low in his funds, he next answered an advertise- ment for a stud groom on a large stock farm ; and he there remained with a Mr. Akers until the following spring, when he again endeav- ored to secure a position in New York as a |
journalist and again failed. Finding the city overcrowded with idlers of all classes, Mr. Rew struck out into Connecticut, travelling on foot, and working at anything he could find to do to pay his way, whether it was chopping wood, digging potatoes, or husking corn, at which he was quite an expert. In one town he worked a few days for Mr. Herman Sellick, a member of the Board of Selectmen, who told him as he went away if he did not find a per- manent employment to come back and spend the winter and do the chores about the place for his board and tobacco. He walked forty miles one day, being very vigorous, but did not secure the coveted position. Returning, therefore, to Farmer Sellick, he spent a pleas- ant winter, keeping busily employed about the farm. He also received money from home, and, becoming decently clothed, he joined the New Canaan choir, to which he had been in- vited, and in the spring was engaged by Mr. Sellick to work on the farm during the summer.
But one hot day in July, while digging a ditch, he was offered a position as companion and reader to a wealthy blind man, who was going to a sanitarium for his health. After a year in the sanitarium Mr. Rew again sought journalistic work in the city, and through a friend obtained work on Judd's paper, but was soon obliged to leave the office on account of malaria. Going thence with Emerson Judd to Greenwich, Mass., in hopes that the invigorat- ing upland breezes would restore his health, he heard that the management of the Hampshire Weekly Gazette was about to start a daily paper, and came at once to Northampton to secure a position, in which he was successful, finding plenty of congenial work. Three years later he left that office to take charge of the Springfield Union, remaining there about a year, during which time he was a correspond-
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ent of the Boston Globe and the Boston Jour- nal, besides which he contributed a weekly letter to the Hampshire County Journal, writ- ing under the pen name of "Malvern." In May, 1894, Mr. Rew left the Springfield Union ; and the next month he purchased from Wade & Daniels the paper which he has since managed so ably. This paper was established about thirty years ago by D. W. and H. H. Bond, and has been among the leading jour- nals of the county, and under the judicious management of its present proprietor has lost none of its former prestige, its circulation hav- ing been increased. Mr. Rew is an enthusias- tic and thorough master of his business, and in his aim to publish one of the brightest and best journals of this section of the State he has been eminently successful.
On September 8, 1892, Mr. Rew was united in marriage with Miss Katherine Lord Clark, of Willimantic, Conn., daughter of David H. and Annie L. (Turner) Clark. Her father died in Denver, whither he had gone for his health, in 1887, at the age of fifty years. His widow, who is still living in Willimantic, has three children, Mrs. Rew and two sons, one in Willimantic and the other in Danielsonville. Mrs. Rew is an accomplished musician, and is well known in this vicinity and in New York as a phenomenal whistler, being able to imitate almost any member of the feathered tribe, her rendition of the notes of the mock- ing-bird being most natural and charming.
EORGE W. TINKER, a practical and successful agriculturist of Worthing- ton, Mass., who began in life as a poor boy, is now the owner of the well-stocked and highly cultivated farm of one hundred and forty-five acres on which he resides. He was born here, April 13, 1839, son of Omri and
Salome (Crozier) Tinker, the former of whom was a native of Connecticut, from which place he came with his parents to Massachusetts.
Omri Tinker was then a young man, and for several years he continued to live at the paren- tal home. When his father and mother moved to Rochester, Lorain County, Ohio, he re- mained behind and soon purchased the farm in Worthington on which his son now lives. The estate at that time contained one hundred and forty acres, but he later on purchased fifty acres additional. He was a hard-working and enterprising farmer; and besides performing his ordinary farm duties he was often em- ployed by others in laying stone walls, being an excellent workman in that line. He con- tinued to carry on his farm until his death on March 12, 1892, at the age of eighty-nine years and eleven months. His first wife, Salome Crozier, bore him four children, namely: George (deceased) ; Louisa (de- ceased) ; George; and Mary, the wife of Charles Cole, who is now living in Hinsdale, Mass. Their mother died in 1854. Mr. Tinker's second wife was Sarah Chapman, a native of Becket, Mass. Of this union one daughter was born: Ella, the wife of Lewis Walsh, a prosperous farmer residing in Pitts- field, Mass. In political affiliation Mr. Omri Tinker was a Republican, and an active worker for his party. He and his wife were commu- nicants of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which they were well known as faithful helpers.
At twenty years of age George W. Tinker left the paternal roof to gain a livelihood for himself. He began by working out during the first year, after which he went to Chester, Mass., where during the succeeding six years he was successfully engaged in conducting a saw-mill. Buying a farm from Lawrence Smith he thenceforward profitably turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, having re-
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ceived good practical instruction therein dur- ing his boyhood and youth. He continued to carry on this place for fifteen years, and then purchased the old Tinker homestead, on which he has since resided. He is successfully en- gaged in general farming, raising for his prin- cipal products corn, oats, and wheat; and he is also engaged to some extent in dairying. On his farm is a fine sugar orchard, which yields yearly from two to three thousand pounds of maple syrup and sugar of nice quality.
He married Miss Mary Bidwell, who was born in Connecticut on February 17, 1854; and their union was blessed by the birth of four children, as follows : Harry, born Novem- ber 4, 1877; Lottie J., born November 9, 1879; Charlie, who died in infancy; and Agnes, born June 26, 1881. The children have received the advantages not only of the schools of Worthington, but have also attended school at Pittsfield, Mass. Mrs. Tinker died on July 20, 1890. Mr. Tinker has always been a stanch supporter of the Republican party. He is well known and universally liked by his associates.
ALPH M. GUILFORD, owner of a large livery and hack stable in North- ampton, is carrying on a thriving business, having by his courtesy and square methods of dealing won an extensive patron- age. He was born in the town of Conway, Franklin County, in 1861, being the son of Walter Guilford, a lifelong resident of Con- way, whose birth occurred in 1819, and his death in 1872.
Walter Guilford was the fifth child of a family of five sons and one daughter. He was a hard-working man and an experienced tiller of the soil, owning and improving a good home-
stead. He married Minerva Amsden, who was one of six children, five daughters and a son, born to her parents, Ira and Minerva Amsden, of Conway. Of their union seven children were born, five of them being sons; and four are now living. Minerva is the wife of Frank H. Warren, of Boston; Ira is a horse dealer, with headquarters in this city, but spending much of his time in the West, buying horses for the Eastern markets; Arthur C., proprietor of the Conway hotel, is a well- known and substantial farmer of that place, and superintendent of the electric railway company.
Ralph M. Guilford lived at home until seven or eight years old, and from that time until he was fifteen he attended school in Ashfield. Having early been left an orphan he was thrown somewhat upon his own resources; and being a great lover of horses and an able man- ager of them he secured the position of stage driver, running from Conway to South Deer- field. He being very small of his age, the pas- sengers were at times afraid that he would not be able to manage the four horses, but he was always equal to any emergency. Mr. Guilford was next employed as clerk in a Conway hotel, where he remained three years, when, at the age of nineteen years, he accepted a similar position in the Massassoit House at Spencer, continuing there a year. Coming then to Northampton, he and his brother Julius bought the livery stable of John Daniels, paying for it thirty-five hundred dollars, an investment which his friends prophesied would prove a disastrous failure, deeming it impossible that he could continue the business through the winter season, even if he made a living through the summer. This prediction has fortunately proved unfounded, as Mr. Guilford is still here, after thirteen years of activity, during which time he has had a steadily in- creasing trade, and is now recognized as the
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leading liveryman of the city, his urbanity and prompt attention to the wants of his customers winning deserved popularity. He has had different partners, his brother having sold out to his brother-in-law, F. H. Warren, and he in turn to Alfred W. Prouty, a brother of Mrs. Guilford. In 1893 Mr. Guilford purchased Mr. Prouty's interest, and has since conducted the livery stable himself. He keeps from twenty-five to thirty horses, and runs three hacks regularly to and from the stations.
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