USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts > Part 6
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Harriet E. Sears was reared in Williams- burg, and received her education at Mount Holyoke Seminary. She became the wife of Enos Parsons in 1861. The only child born of their union was a son, Frank Sears Parsons, M.D., now a successful physician of Dor- chester, Mass. He began the study of medi- cine at the Harvard Medical School, and was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at New York City. He married Bertha Saxman, of Latrobe, Westmoreland County, Pa., on the 5th of September, 1891 ; and their union has been blessed by the birth of one son, Frank Enos Parsons, a winsome little fellow of three years. The fine brick house in which Mrs. Parsons resides was erected some forty -three years ago by Mr. Parsons, his first wife, formerly Mary Ann Crafts, having selected the rugged and pict- uresque site on the side hill, overlooking what was then the Mill River meadow, but which is now platted and covered with beauti- ful residences. Mrs. Harriet Parsons is a woman of much force of character, actuated by the highest Christian principles, and is held in universal respect and esteem. She is a valued member of the Jonathan Edwards Church, of which her husband was a generous supporter and one of the founders, he having contributed liberally to the building fund.
Mr. Parsons was a man of great influence and of sterling integrity and worth. He was a stanch Republican in his political princi-
ples, but always firmly declined elective office, although he was uniformly interested in local affairs and improvements. Before the establishment of the District Court for Hamp- shire County he was one of the Trial Justices, and was active in his practice as a lawyer until about the time of his decease, retaining his intellectual vigor to a remarkable degree. He took great interest in military tactics, and was familiarly known as Captain Parsons, having been appointed to that rank in a Northampton company in 1838. For eigh- teen years prior to 1890 Mr. Parsons was the attorney for the Massachusetts Central Rail- way Company and its successors, and without doubt settled more land claims than any other man in Hampshire County since the time of its formation.
OSES H. BEALS, Postmaster of Williamsburg, born in Goshen, Mass., June 5, 1829, is son of Moses W. and Rebecca (Joslyn) Beals. Mr. Beals's ancestors came from Hingham, Eng- land, and were among the first settlers of Hingham, Mass. Daniel Beals, Mr. Beals's grandfather, was born in Hingham, and set- tled on a farm in Cummington at an early date. He cleared and improved his property, and cultivated it successfully for many years. He raised a family of sixteen children, all of whom attained maturity; and his declining years were passed with them. He died in Medina, N. Y., aged seventy-six.
Moses W. Beals, father of Mr. Beals, was born in Cummington, Mass., November 20, 1803. He was reared to farming; and in early manhood he purchased a farm in the town of Goshen, and conducted it for a num- ber of years. Then he moved to Williams- burg, where he spent a long time in the em- ployment of G. Williams. After this he took
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up the stone-mason's trade, but soon aban- doned it, and bought the farm of twenty-seven acres known as the Rev. Lord homestead, where he resided thereafter until his death, in 1885. He was a member of the Congrega- tional church, was a Whig in politics, but later joined the Republican party. His wife, Rebecca (Joslyn) Beals, a daughter of Will- iam Joslyn, a prosperous farmer, was mar- ried to him February 1, 1828. They had four children, as follows: Moses H., the subject of this sketch; Addison W., now living in West Brookfield, Mass .; a child who died in infancy; and Clarissa, who died at the age of sixteen years. The mother died in 1890, aged eighty-seven years.
Moses H. Beals was educated in the town schools, and learned the trades of a harness- maker and carriage trimmer in the shops of Stearns Brothers, of Williamsburg. During the Civil War he was employed by Wilkinson & Cummings at Springfield, Mass., in making harnesses, saddles, and other army accoutre- ments. In 1872 he established himself in the harness business in Williamsburg, where he conducted a successful trade until 1893, when he retired. Mr. Beals is a Democrat in politics, and has ably filled various town offices, such as Town Clerk, Treasurer, and School Committeeman. In 1885 he was ap- pointed Postmaster, and held that position until 1889. He was commissioned Justice of the Peace in 1892. In 1893 he was reap- pointed Postmaster, and conducts the office to general satisfaction. He was a member of Nonatuck Lodge, No. 61, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Northampton, of which he is Past Grand; and he is also Past Chief Pa- triarch of the Encampment.
Mr. Beals has been twice married. On September 30, 1851, he wedded Mary Sher- wood, daughter of Eli Sherwood. She died
at the age of twenty-three years, leaving one son, Charles S., who is now a mechanic in Leeds, Mass., and who married Isadore Wal- bridge, and has three children: Grace, Abbie, and Lena. On July 5, 1855, Mr. Beals mar- ried his second wife, Mary Flynn, daughter of Patrick Flynn; and by this union he has one daughter, named Lucella D., who is now the wife of Homer Bradford, a mechanic of Will- iamsburg. Mr. Beals is liberal in his relig- ious views, a courteous official, and held in high esteem by his fellow-townsmen.
WIGHT GRAVES, a prominent business man of North Amherst, son of Fortin and Louisa (Russell) Graves, was born in Otselic, N. Y., January 7, 1839. Fortin Graves was born in Sunder- land, Mass., August 24, 1801, and followed agriculture in Hinsdale, Berkshire County, Mass., for the greater part of his life. He was residing in South Amherst with his son when he died, April 24, 1876. He was an indus- trious and highly esteemed citizen and a Re- publican in politics. His wife, who was born October 21, 1803, became the mother of nine children, as follows: Samantha, Louisa, Emily, Julia, William, who are dead; Nel- son, a carpenter, who resides in Illinois; Leonard, a resident of Deadwood, S. Dak .; Dwight, the subject of this sketch; and Ed- ward, a carpenter of Williamsville, Vt. The mother died in Hinsdale, February 22, 1865.
Dwight Graves was educated in the district schools of Berkshire County; and, when a young man, he commenced to learn the trade of a wood-turner. In 1861 he came to Am- herst, and entered the employ of John W. Haskins, a carpenter, with whom he remained for a number of years. In 1869 he formed a partnership with B. F. Kellogg; and, pur-
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chasing Haskins's business, the new firm continued it. They did wood-turning and general jobbing, manufacturing sashes, doors, and blinds. In 1880 they sold their old shops, and moved to their present mill, where they have built up a prosperous business. Their mill has much enlarged capacities, is equipped with modern machinery for sawing all kinds of lumber, and employs from four to ten men. Mr. Graves is a Republican in politics and a member of the Pacific Lodge of A. F. & A. M. On April 11, 1863, he mar- ried Mary E. Kellogg, a daughter of Dexter and Mary (Town) Kellogg, old residents of Amherst. Mrs. Graves is a member of the Con- gregational church. Mr. Graves is a stirring business man, full of energy and ability; and his success is the result of untiring and patient industry.
NDREW J. DAVIS, who with his brother, Henry C. Davis, is engaged in the insurance and real estate business, is one of the eight surviving children of Benjamin and Cordelia (Buffington) Davis, his birth having occurred on February 6, 1860. Mr. Davis was reared on the home farm, remaining with his parents until he reached his majority. After graduating from the Ware High School, he took a special course at the Ann Arbor High School in Michigan. He left there in February, 1881, and soon after entered the employ of Tobias New, of New York City, a manufacturer of roofing materials and asphalt pavement. He remained with him until April, 1888, when he returned to Ware, and in the year follow- ing took charge of his father's farm. In De- cember, 1889, he entered into partnership with his brother, Henry C. Davis, in the real es- tate and insurance business, which has since been quite successful.
On May 4, 1887, the anniversary of his father's and this brother's wedding day, his own marriage to Miss Emma A. Glines was performed. She is the second daughter of David B. and Adeline O. (Draper) Glines, of Ware. Her father died in February, 1895, at the age of sixty-one years, leaving a goodly estate to his family. He was a native of Maine; but he came to Ware about forty years ago, and after a time established a successful business. In his last years he did little be- yond looking after his property and invest- ments. His elder daughter, Grace D., mar- ried Frank M. Sibley, of the firm of Hitchcock & Co. Mr. and Mrs. Davis's home has been made happy by the advent of two daughters and one son, namely: Grace G., a little woman of six years; Esther Helen, who is four years old; and Benjamin, born in Sep- tember, 1895.
The Republican party counts Mr. Davis among its faithful adherents, and he served as Postmaster at Ware during General Harrison's administration. Among his other official trusts may be mentioned that of Deputy Sher- iff and Notary Public. Fraternally, he is a Knight Templar, being a member of the Northampton Commandery, King Solomon's Chapter of Warren, and Eden Lodge of Masons of Ware. He is also a member of the Ware Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Ancient Order of United Workmen. At present Mr. Davis and his family reside on Spring Street; but he is now building a new and larger home on Elm Street, adjoining the residence of his brother, Henry C.
AMES RUSSELL TRUMBULL, a much respected resident of Northamp- ton, has been identified with the indus- trial, educational, and literary interests of
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this section of Hampshire County for many years, and has ably assisted in maintaining and advancing its welfare. He is a native of this county, born in Haydenville, Williams- burg. December 21, 1825, a son of Guy and Clarissa (Nash) Trumbull.
The Trumbulls were well-known manufact- urers of Connecticut during the last part of the eighteenth century. David Trumbull, the grandfather of James Russell Trumbull, was a resident of Windsor for many years. His last days were spent at his home in East Windsor, where his death occurred in January, 1800, at the age of fifty-five years. He mar- ried Sarah Harper, by whom he had eight children. of whom seven grew to maturity, and married, the most of them having large families, one son rearing nine children.
Guy Trumbull, born in East Windsor, Conn., July 6, 1786, grew to manhood in his native State, coming to this county when a young man. He was a member of the firm of Hayden, Trumbull & Co., manufacturers of machinery, looms, etc. On June 20, 1822, he was married to Clarissa Nash, of Williams- burg, a daughter of a prominent farmer, John Nash, and his wife, Martha (Little) Nash. Three children were born to them, namely: Julia Shepherd, who was wife of E. L. Miller, and died in 1892, aged sixty-nine years; James Russell, the subject of this sketch; and Martha Howard, a maiden lady, living at South Hadley Falls. The father, who was a man of exceedingly good habits and reputation and an esteemed citizen, died before reaching the noon-tide of life, in Haydenville, June 19, 1828. His widow survived him, departing this life July 26, 1873, at the venerable age of fourscore years.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools. When a lad of seven- teen years, he was apprenticed to the printer's
trade, entering the office of the Hampshire Gasette, and serving his three years' time under William A. Hawley. He became an expert compositor, and finally was made fore- man of the office, remaining in that position until 1847. Then he bought from Homer A. Cooke the Hampshire and Franklin Express, which was established in 1844 by J. S. and C. Adams, and subsequently came into the hands of Samuel Nash, the predecessor of Mr. Cooke. Mr. Trumbull became printer and editor of it in 1849. He subsequently became editor of the Hampshire Gazette, published by Hopkins, Bridgeman & Co., and was serving in that capacity until January 1, 1858, when Thomas Hale, of Windsor, Vt., became half- owner and the editor. The following October Mr. Trumbull purchased the entire plant, merging the Gazette and the Northampton Courier into one publication, under the name of the Gazette and Courier, thenceforth jointly edited by Trumbull & Gere. The firm did a good paying business until January 1, 1877, when the senior partner sold his interest in the paper to Mr. Gere. Since that time Mr. Trumbull, who has been somewhat of an in- valid, has lived in retirement at his pleasant home, 45 Prospect Street, which he built twenty-seven years ago.
On November 6, 1848, Mr. Trumbull mar- ried Harriet T. Kingsley, of Northampton. Her father, Edwin Kingsley, was by occupa- tion a blacksmith, and died in 1874, aged eighty-two years. He married Belinda Kingsbury, who was born in Brattleboro, Vt., in 1804, and died in Northampton in 1886. She bore her husband eight children, six of whom grew to maturity. Mr. Trumbull has always been identified with the Republican party, and has held public offices in the town and city. He was chosen City Treasurer in 1884, and filled that office for six years, de-
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elining a renomination in 1889. For over thirty years he was a valued member of the Library Committee, and is now serving as one of the Trustees of the Forbes Library, having been elected in 1894. He was one of the Board of Almoners for the Whiting Street Fund, and was for many years clerk of the old Parish Church. He still devotes a portion of his time to literary pursuits. Having, in connection with George W. Hubbard, pur- ehased the Judd manuscript, he has been work- ing for the past eighteen years on the history of Northampton, which, no doubt, will be a valuable accession to our historical records.
ORACE L. CLARK, secretary of the Williston & Knight Company of Easthampton, was born in West Springfield, October 2, 1837, and is the son of Anson Kingsley and Laura (Brown) Clark. He is a scion of one of the oldest and most honored families in New England, tracing his lineage to Lieutenant William Clark, who eame from England in 1630 with the first set- tlers of Dorehester.
Lieutenant Clark lived in Dorchester until 1659, when he removed to Northampton, and there established a homestead on a site that is now ineluded in the grounds of Smith Col- lege. He was a man of sterling parts, and held among other public offices that of Judge of the District Court. His son John, who was occupied much as his father had been, first married in 1677 Sarah Cooper, who bore him a daughter, Sarah, afterward wife of Zachariah Field. He married again Mareh 20, 1679, Mary Strong, daughter of Elder John Strong. His son, John Clark, Jr., mar- ried October 31, 1704, Elizabeth Cook, daughter of Noah Cook and grand-daughter of Major Aaron Cook, and reared five sons and
six daughters, nearly all of whom had fam- ilies. The youngest son, Josiah, lived to be ninety-two; and at the time of his death there were living nine hundred and twenty-eight deseendants of his grandfather, of whom at one time there were eleven hundred and fifty- eight. Eliakim, son of John Clark, Jr., was the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketeh. He removed from Northampton to what is now Easthampton, where he was one of the early settlers and a large land- holder, and gave the land for the East Street Cemetery. He married December 10, 1730, Esther Wright, daughter of Ebenezer Wright and grand-daughter of Samuel Wright, Jr., who was killed by Indians at Northfield, Sep- tember 22, 1675. His son Asahel, our sub- ject's great-grandfather, was a soldier in the French and Indian wars, in active service at Lake George in 1755, and at Ticonderoga in 1758. He also served in the Revolutionary army, being promoted to the rank of Lieuten- ant. He married October 31, 1761, Submit Clapp, daughter of Major Jonathan Clapp. His son Eliakim, Horaee L. Clark's grand- father, enlisted as a minute-man in 1777, and fought in the ranks of the Revolutionary army when a youth of eighteen. He first went to the war, on alarm to Tieonderoga, at the age of fifteen, with his grandfather, Major Jonathan Clapp, a member of one of the most distin- guished families of Northampton, of whom an extended account is given on another page. Eliakim Clark died in 1828, at the age of sixty-one. He was three times married, and had several ehildren by each wife. He was the father of the twin brothers, Willis Gaylord Clark, editor of the Philadelphia Gazette and a poet of some note, and Lewis Gaylord Clark, of the Knickerbocker Magasine. The mother of Horace L. Clark's father was Lydia, daugh- ter of Jonathan and Lydia (Lyman) Kingsley.
HORACE L. CLARK.
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Anson Kingsley Clark was born in 1790, and was the oldest of his father's children. He also was a soldier, served in the War of 1812, and died in 1864. In 1815 he was united in marriage with Laura, daughter of Eli and Sarah (Lyman) Brown, of Easthamp- ton, who also was of Revolutionary stock, both of her grandfathers, Captain Silas Brown and Captain David Lyman, having a record of service as Lieutenants in the Second Hamp- shire County Regiment. She died in 1879, and her remains rest with those of her hus- band in the West Springfield Cemetery. Of their children the following reached adult life: Harriet, wife of Harrison Bennett, now deceased ; Mary Ann, deceased, wife of Oliver F. Pinney, of Springfield; Edson and Julia IV. Clark, in West Springfield; and Horace Lyman, whose name heads this article.
Horace L. Clark finished his education at the Chicopee High School in 1853. He first worked as a salesman in a store of South Had- ley, and from 1856 to 1860 was in Darien and Savannah, Ga. In 1862 he entered the em- ploy of the Williston & Knight Company, and for the past twelve years has been secretary and superintendent of these large mills-a responsible position, which only a man of business ability and mental acumen could fill successfully. He is a Director of Easthamp- ton Public Library Association and of the Easthampton Gas Company, as well as of the Williston & Knight Company.
On May 18, 1869, he was married to Sarah Webster, of Owego, N. Y., daughter of Moses L. Webster, of Vermont, and they have an interesting family of three daughters: Mary Webster Clark, a graduate of Smith College in the class of 1895; and Alice and Edith, young ladies in the class of 1898 in the same college. Mr. Clark votes in the ranks of the Republican party, and is interested in public
matters, although not an active politician. He is a Knight Templar, being Past Master of Ionic Lodge. For some years he has been Deacon and Treasurer of the Payson Congre- gational Church, of which his wife and family are also members. He has a pleasant home on Park Street, which he erected in 1870.
NSLOW G. SPELMAN, a retired manufacturer and one of the most wealthy residents of Williamsburg, was born in Granville, Mass., September II, 1821, son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Gross) Spelman. Mr. Spelman's grandfather, Elijah Spelman, was born in Granville, Mass. He was descended from the Spelman that origi- nally settled in Durham, Conn. Aaron Spel- man was born August 18, 1792, and received a good education. He settled in Granville, where he became a school-teacher. He was accidentally killed March 21, 1828, while cut- ting wood for the church and parsonage. His wife, Elizabeth Gross, was born May 8, 1793. She became the mother of four children, as follows: Solon S .; Onslow G .; Oscar F .; and Urseline, who died at an early age. The mother died October 26, 1848.
Onslow G. Spelman was but seven years of age at the time of his father's death. At about the age of ten years he went to West- field, Mass., where he entered into an agree- ment with a Mr. Dewey to work for his board, clothing, and education until sixteen. Six months before arriving at the required age he purchased his time, and went to North Had- ley, where he worked on a farm, and engaged in broom-making. After pursuing a course at the Buckland Academy, he went to Hayden- ville, and obtained employment in Josiah Hayden's pen factory. Finding the work in the factory not to his liking, he entered the
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store as a clerk, at a salary of twenty-five dol- lars per year and board. When twenty-one, he took a vacation, during which time he sold steel pens to help bear his expenses. He spent the following winter in a store in North- ampton, and in the spring of 1843 came to Williamsburg, where for three years he acted as clerk and travelling salesman for Mr. Thayer. When D. W. Graves established his button manufactory, Mr. Spelman became its general manager. He later secured an inter- est in the business, after which the firm was known as O. G. Spelman & Co. Under his energetic management the business rapidly developed, finally becoming an important in- dustry. An interesting feature of the man- agement was the establishment by the com- pany of a store in connection with their business, in which they carried on a profit- able trade. The firm finally dissolved; and Mr. Spelman rented a factory on Mill River, which he soon after purchased. There he conducted a successful business until the buildings were swept away by the flood of 1874. He rebuilt the factory, and then sold it. He afterward became interested in an- other button factory for the space of three years more, when he retired. He also had an interest in the Textile Manufacturing Company of Westfield, Mass., being the pres- ident and general manager. This connection he resigned one year later, and then perma- nently retired from active business. In 1864 he erected his present residence on Main Street, one of the finest and most substantial houses in the village.
In 1849 Mr. Spelman was united in mar- riage to Harriet B. Sears. She died at the age of fifty-ninc, leaving one daughter, Eliza- beth, who resides at home. He wedded for his second wife Mrs. Olive (Merrill) Guild, daughter of Ira Merrill. He is independent
in politics. That he has climbed to so high a rung on the ladder of life from the ground must be entirely credited to his own efforts. A life such as his is a liberal education in pluck and perseverance for our young men of to-day.
VERETT C. STONE, editor and propri- etor of the Northampton Daily Herald, was born at Newburyport, Mass. He is a son of John Q. A. Stone, who is now a resident of Danielson, Conn., publish- ing the Windham County Transcript, and is one of the oldest and best-known editors in that State.
Everett C. Stone received his elementary education in the public schools. He began to attend Phillips Academy at Andover, in- tending to take a full course of study, but fail- ing health obliged him to abandon his pur- pose. He early became acquainted with the "art preservative," and made his first busi- ness venture in 1871 by starting the Putnam Patriot at Putnam, Conn. He continued its publication eleven years, selling out in 1882, and removing to Worcester, Mass. There Mr. Stone engaged in job printing and book publishing. He also established the Worces- ter Home Journal, a weekly paper, which he disposed of in 1885. Coming then to North- ampton, he bought the Hampshire Herald, which was then published as a two-cent daily. Lowering the price to one cent, and changing the name to the Northampton Daily Herald,. he has since successfully continued its publi- cation. It is the oldest daily paper published in Hampshire County, and under his efficient management the circulation has increased sixfold. Mr. Stone, when reducing the price of the paper, increased its size, which is now double what it was originally. He has also erected the new three-story block in which his
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printing establishment is located. The plant, which is one of the best-equipped in this vi- cinity, includes a Webb perfecting press and type-setting machine.
ILBUR H. H. WARD, a retired business man of Amherst, was born in Southbridge, Mass., April 8, 1845, son of John B. and Louisa (Cook) Ward, and grandson of Reuben H. and Polly (Shaw) Ward.
Mr. Ward's grandparents were natives of Belchertown, where his great-grandfather, John Ward, was an early settler. He owned a good farm there, and was generally known as an industrious and honest man. Both he and his wife lived to advanced age. They had a family of four sons and two daughters. John Ward was a member of the State militia, and was in Springfield at the time of Shays's Rebellion. Politically, he was a Democrat. His son, Reuben H. Ward, succeeding to the ownership of the homestead, was engaged dur- ing his lifetime in agricultural pursuits. He prospered in his undertakings, and he owned land at the time of his death aggregating one hundred and twenty-five acres. Politically, he was independent. In religious matters his views were not restricted by creed, being broadly liberal. He died at the age of seventy-five. Grandmother Ward lived to be eighty-two. They had a family of seven sons and six daughters, four of whom are now liv- ing, namely: John B., the father of our sub- ject; Warren S., in Michigan; Alfred, in Gilbertville; Lutheria (Mrs. Davis), in South Orange.
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