USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts > Part 8
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In 1861 Captain Tileston was united in marriage to Maria Thayer. She was the daughter of Minot and Cynthia (Hill) Thayer, the father having been a well-to-do farmer and a highly respected citizen of Will- iamsburg. He died at an advanced age, leav- ing his farm of seventy acres to his daughter Maria. His other children were: Henry, Henry C., Cordelia, Willard H., Sarah B., Sedate M., Alvin E., Charles M., and Cyn - thia M. Mrs. Tileston's mother died at a ripe old age. Captain and Mrs. Tileston have one daughter, named Inez B., who, with her husband, G. H. Bisbee, resides with them upon the farm.
Since taking possession of the farm, Cap- tain Tileston has improved the property, and added ten acres of adjoining land. He is a Republican in politics and a comrade of Post No. 86, Grand Army of the Republic, of Northampton.
HARLES L. WARNER, a prosper- ous farmer of Hatfield, was born at the Warner homestead, in this town, April 11, 1837, son of James W. and Lois B. (Longley) Warner. Mr. Warner is a descendant of Andrew Warner, one of the earliest inhabitants of Cambridge, Mass., as stated in Paige's History, residing there in 1635, but selling his estate in December, 1636, and moving to Connecticut. In 1659 Andrew Warner settled in Hadley, Mass.,
CHARLES L. WARNER.
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where he died in 1684. Among his children were: Andrew, Daniel, Isaac, Jacob, Robert, John. and Mary.
Daniel Warner settled in Hatfield, where he owned the farm which is now in possession of S. F. Billings, and was here engaged in farming until his death. He married Martha Boltwood as his second wife, it is said, and had a large family of children, among whom may here be named: Mary, Daniel, Sarah, Andrew, Abraham, Anna, Ebenezer, and Elizabeth. Ebenezer, son of Daniel and Martha B. Warner, was born in Hatfield, and settled upon a farm in Belchertown, Mass. He married Ruth Ely; and his son Moses, who married Sarah Porter, was the father of Deacon Moses Warner, great-grandfather of Charles L. Warner. Deacon Moses Warner was born in Belchertown in 1754, was there reared to farm life, and subsequently moved from Belchertown to Hatfield, where he bought the farm known as the Billings home- stead. On June 4, 1779, he married Mary King; and their children were: John, Elisha, Sarah, Mary, and Moses.
John Warner, son of Deacon Moses, was born in Hatfield. In early manhood he was engaged in teaming between Hatfield and Boston, carrying produce to market, and re- turning with merchandise. He later entered mercantile business, and also conducted a farm. In 1806 he married Caroline Whiton, who was born in Lee, Mass., December 6, 1786. They became the parents of seven chil- dren, as follows: Mary, John S., Jonathan D., Caroline R., Eliza, Lydia A., and James W. John Warner died in 1823.
James W. Warner, son of John, and above named as the father of Charles L. Warner, was born in Hatfield, May 11, 1809. He set- tled on the homestead, and was a progressive and prosperous farmer. He died November
20, 1891. He was a Democrat in politics. His wife, Lois B. Longley, whom he married March 30, 1836, was born January 14, 1816, and she became the mother of eleven children, namely : Charles L .; Mary L., born Novem- ber 26, 1838, now the wife of W. D. Billings, of Hatfield; Sarah A., born March 26, 1841, now wife of C. B. Bardwell; Moses E., born February 3, 1843; Egbert S., born February 5, 1845; John A., born October 10, 1846, who married Elizabeth Bacon; James D., born in 1849, who married Hannah Buck; Benja- min M., born January 14, 1853, who married Ella E. Fitch; George W., born July 5, 1855, who married Lillian Fisher; Caroline L., born February 15, 1858, now the wife of Arthur G. Holt; and Lewis W., who was born October 25, 1860, and died in 1864. Mrs. James W. Warner died on January 10, 1 890.
Charles L. Warner received his education in the schools of Hatfield, and resided with his parents until reaching the age of twenty- two years. He has since conducted farming on his own account. He is a leading tobacco grower, fifteen acres of his farm being devoted to that product, and his crop averaging one and one-half tons to the acre. He is a Republican in politics, and has served as a Selectman and an Assessor.
In 1865 Mr. Warner was united in marriage to Maria E. Fitch, of Hatfield, daughter of John T. and Julia (White) Fitch. Mrs. Warner's great-grandparents, Ebenezer and Abigail Fitch, were early settlers in Hat- field. Ebenezer Fitch was a surveyor, also a successful agriculturist, and was a prominent man in the town. He died in 1825, aged eighty-nine years, his wife having died in 1818, aged seventy-three. Mrs. Warner's grandfather, John Fitch, was born in Hat- field, and followed general farming. A man
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of energy and enterprisc, he erected a new house and barn, and rcmodelled his other farm buildings. He also bought the old White Tavern, which he moved back from the road to usc for storage purposes, and which still stands as a landmark in the town. John Fitch died at the age of sixty-one years. His wife, Rachel Applebee, died in 1833, aged forty- seven. Their son, John T. Fitch, succeeded to the ownership of his father's place, becom- ing a prosperous farmer, and in his later years a very successful tobacco grower. He was a Republican in politics, and became prominent in public affairs, serving as a Selectman and an Assessor; and in 1862 he represented his district in the legislature. His wife, Julia White, whom he wedded March 3, 1842, was born May 17, 1821, daughter of Nehemiah and Sarah (Cogswell) White, the former of whom was a carpenter and cabinet-maker of Williamsburg. The children of Mr. and Mrs. John T. Fitch were: Maria E., Mrs. Warner; and Herbert, who died aged three years.
Mr. and Mrs. Warner have had three chil- dren, namely: Harry, born in 1867, who died at the age of six years; Edwin, born August II, 1872, who married Myra Field, and has one son, named Harold; and Luda F., born January 27, 1877, who resides at home.
The portrait, presented on an adjoining page, of the leading subject of the foregoing sketch will be of interest to the general reader as the likeness of a worthy representative of one of the first families of the historic old town of Hadley.
ARRY P. OTIS, general superintend- cnt of the Emery Wheel Company at Northampton, Mass., was born in Manchester, Conn., in 1853, son of General John Lord and Catherine (Preston) Otis. His grandfather, Hayden Otis, who was a res-
ident of Lyme, Conn., was a seafaring man, engaged in fishing, and mct his death by drowning in the Connecticut River when about sixty years of agc. His wife, who was a Miss Lord, became the mother of ten chil- dren, six sons and four daughters, of whom two sons and a daughter are yct living.
John Lord Otis, father of Harry P. Otis, was born in Lyme, Conn., in 1827. His childhood's days wcre brief, as hc began to work in a cotton-mill when eight years of age. At that time there were no trades-unions to protect children, and he spent sixteen hours a day at his work. But his mental or physical growth was not stunted by this unnatural life, for his after career was an exceptionally brill- iant and successful one. When twenty-five years of age, he became one of a firm of stock- inet manufacturers in Manchester, Conn., with no capital but his experience. In 1861 he joined the troops going to the front, enlisting at Manchester, Conn. He entered the army as a Lieutenant, and at the end of his term of service bore the rank of General, and was sub- sequently brevetted Brigadier-general. He was in active service from 1861 to 1864, and was twice wounded, his scars as well as his epaulets being visible proof that he had done his duty. In 1863 he located in Florence, Mass., and took charge of the Florence Ma- chine Works as superintendent. In 1867, in company with Lucien B. Williams, he estab- lished the emery wheel business in the same town. The plant was subsequently removed to Leeds, where the General continued in active business up to the time of his death, which occurred in March, 1894. He was a prominent Republican, and served three terms in the legislature, one of which was spent in the Senate. He was also on the Board of Se- lectmen of Northampton, and was a prominent Knight Templar.
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General Otis married Catherine Preston, daughter of Cyrus and Olive (Gleason) Pres- ton, all of South Hadley. Her grandfather, Samuel Preston, was also a native of South Hadley, and there spent his life, engaged in general farming. He lived to an advanced age, and reared a large family. Cyrus Pres- ton, maternal grandfather of Harry P. Otis, was a carpenter by trade, and for many years a contractor and builder in South Hadley. He reared, besides his-daughter Olive, one son, Elbridge, who died in the prime of life, leaving a wife and child. Mrs. Otis resides at 19 Main Street, where her husband erected a home in 1866, and where, with the exception of one year spent in Leeds, she has resided ever since. She reared two sons: Harry P., the subject of this sketch ; and Philip Arthur, who has charge of the company's emery goods and machinery at Chicago.
Harry P. Otis graduated from the Massa- chusetts State Agricultural College in 1875, qualifying as a civil engineer. He entered the works of the Emery Wheel Company shortly after graduation, and has been ac- tively interested in that business ever since, eventually taking his father's place. He is general superintendent and director of the Northampton branch of the Eniery Wheel Company's enterprise, occupying the former position for the past fifteen years. The pros- perous condition of the company's affairs and the length of Mr. Otis's continuous term of service together practically demonstrate his efficiency as manager. Mr. Otis is also Presi- dent of the Norwood Engineering Company.
In November, 1883, Harry P. Otis was united in marriage with Nannie M., daughter of Charles W. and Sarah (Eldridge) Worth, of Nantucket. Of the union there have been born: Preston, a promising boy of ten; and Berenice, a little woman of eight years.
Mr. Otis votes the Republican ticket, gen- erally is active in municipal affairs, and has served as Councilman, Alderman, and Clerk of Registry. He has a handsome and home- like residence at 104 North Main Street, which he purchased soon after marriage.
HERIDAN E. BARRUS, a pros- perous farmer of Goshen and super- intendent of stone crushing, son of Loren and Lucinda S. (Naramore) Barrus, was born in Goshen, September 29, 1868. Mr. Barrus's grandparents, Levi and Almeda (Stearns) Barrus, moved from Salem, Mass., to Goshen, where they were among the early settlers, and purchased four hundred acres of land. Levi Barrus was a member of the Bap- tist church and a Whig in politics. He died at the age of seventy-three. His children were: Hiram, Loren, Charles, Alvin, Laura, Jane, and Theron L.
Loren Barrus, father of Mr. Barrus, was born May 31, 1825. He resided with his par- ents until reaching the age of twenty-one, when he went to Cummington, where he en- gaged in the manufacturing of scythe handles. He subsequently worked in Ranney's turning- mill, and was also employed in plane-making. In 1857 he settled upon the Beals farm, and later purchased the Dawes property, where he resided until 1884, when he sold out, and bought the Shipman farm. Here, besides carrying on general farming, he operated a grist-mill that was on the premises. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in the First Massachu- setts Cavalry, and served in the Civil War until October, 1864, when illness obliged him to go into hospital. Upon his recovery he acted for some time as ward master of the hospital. He is a Republican in politics, and has served as a Selectman and as Constable.
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Loren Barrus's wife, Lucinda S. Naramore, daughter of Franklin and Wealthy P. (Par- sons) Naramore, whom he married June 5, 1848, was born in Goshen, December 10, 1828. Their children were: Walter F., who died in infancy; Helen L., wife of W. O. Bartlett; Charles F., who married Minnie Hubbard, now deceased; Fred W., who died aged thirty-six; Anna L., who died at eigh- teen; Eva, wife of C. Frost; Sheridan E., the subject of this sketch ; and Josephine R., wife of C. E. Hubbard. Levi Barrus and his wife are members of the Congregational church.
Sheridan E. Barrus, after taking the usual course in the schools of Goshen, completed his education at Amherst College. At the age of twenty-one he bought an interest in his father's farm, and has since been engaged in general farming and dairying. They keep ten choice Jersey cows, use the separator, and manufacture a superior quality of butter, which they sell to regular customers. Mr. Barrus is a Republican in politics. He superintends the breaking and sorting of stone for use upon the State road, having under bis charge a force of twenty men.
On November 14, 1894, Mr. Barrus was united in marriage to Jessie F. Patterson, daughter of William H. and Jane Patterson, and has one child, named Russell Winthrop, who was born August 7, 1895.
DWARD M. COBB, whose handsome property lies in the town of Chester- field, is a man of good business ca- pacity, much intelligence, and enterprise, and is deservedly prominent in the agricultural community. A native of Hampshire County, he was born May 20, 1833, in the town of Northampton, being a son of John and Electa (Bolyne) Cobb. His father was a native of
Bridgewater, Mass., where he was engaged for a while in the manufacture of shoes, and also gave instruction in vocal music. After re- siding in this county for many years, attend- ing professional engagements in Hatfield and the surrounding towns, he died at Northamp- ton in 1860. He was twice married. His first wife, formerly a Miss French, bore him nine children, two of whom are living. His second wife was Miss Bolyne, who survived him, making her home with her children until her decease, which occurred at the home of Mr. Cobb in 1880. Three children were born to them, as follows: Edward M., the subject of this sketch; Lewis B., who married Miss L. Field, and now resides at South Deerfield ; and Anna, who lived but eighteen months.
Edward M. Cobb was educated in the com- mon schools of his native town. At the age of eighteen years he entered a broom-making establishment at Northampton, and worked there and in Holyoke for ten years. On Oc- tober 21, 1861, inspired by patriotic ardor, he enlisted in Company G, under Captain R. R. Swift, of Chicopee, and was assigned to the Twenty-seventh Massachusetts Volunteer In- fantry, commanded by Colonel H. C. Lee, of Springfield. The regiment was sent to the front, and participated in the battles of Roa- noke Island and Newbern. In the summer of 1864 it was detached from the division at Norfolk, and Company G went back to North Carolina. On March 8, 1865, the entire com- pany was captured, and taken to Libby Prison. After spending three days here, it was sent to Annapolis, where Mr. Cobb was discharged June 26. On his return to civil life he en- gaged in his former occupation for two years, and then took charge of his present farm for one year. Then, after staying a short time in Northampton, he came to this town, and con- ducted the farm of his father-in-law for five
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years. After that he purchased his present estate, consisting of one hundred and twenty- five acres of rich and fertile land, in the care and cultivation of which since he has evinced much practical judgment and ability. He has brought the land to its present fine condition, and has made a most pleasant home for him- self and wife, as well as an attractive resort for their many friends.
On the first day of May, 1868, Mr. Cobb was united in marriage with Mary A. Dady, a native of Northampton, born August 23, 1844, being the daughter of Liberty and Maria Dady. Mr. and Mrs. Dady lived in North- ampton until 1862, when Mr. Dady bought a farm in Chesterfield, where they spent the re- mainder of their years. He died in 1884, and she followed him to the grave in 1895. In politics Mr. Cobb is independent, voting for the candidates who are, in his opinion, the best qualified for the positions to which they respectively aspire. He is a member of Northampton Post, No. 86, Grand Army of the Republic. Having been disabled by the exposure and hardships incident to his army life during the late war, he receives a pension from the government.
HARLES H. UPSON, a prominent citizen of Easthampton, who has the general superintendence of the ex- tensive buildings of the Williston Seminary, was born in Northampton in 1848, son of Justus and Caroline (Smith) Upson. His father was a native of Southington, Conn., born in 1803; and his mother was a native of Ludlow, Mass. His grandfather, Thomas Upson, was also a native of Connecticut, born about 1757. He gained a livelihood by till- ing the soil, and died on his farm at the age of eighty-three. Thomas Upson reared two
sons and two daughters. One of the former, Edward Upson, was a well-known shipbuilder at Kennebunkport, Me. He also lived to a good age, dying in his seventieth year. He reared three sons and two daughters.
Justus Upson, son of Thomas Upson and father of Charles H., was a carpenter, and fol- lowed his trade during the greater part of his life. In 1849 he removed from Northampton to Easthampton, and there spent the rest of his days. He died at the home of his son, Charles H., in 1886, being then eighty- three years of age. His wife, to whoni he was united in 1835, was the daughter of Martin Smith, of Ludlow, Mass. By her first husband, Mr. Chapin, she had one son, Stephen Chapin, now a resident of Springfield and a conductor on the Boston & Albany Railroad. Of her union with Mr. Upson the following children were born: Emma, widow of Ralph Wolcott, residing in Amherst ; Lydia, who married Calvin Strong, and died in Easthampton in 1885, at the age of forty- two; Julia, wife of William Miller, of Tor- rington, Conn .; Alvin, who met his death through an accident in 1858, when a boy of sixteen; and Charles H., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Upson died in 1882. Mr. Upson was a member of the Congregational church, to which his wife also belonged.
Charles H. Upson received a good common- school education in Easthampton, and finished his studies at Williston Seminary. He learned the carpenter's trade, and worked for E. R. Bosworth, a prominent builder of East- hampton, till 1883. He was then appointed superintendent of the Williston Seminary buildings, a position which he has efficiently filled up to the present time. This school is one of the largest institutions of the kind in the State. It was established with a generous endowment by Samuel Williston in 1841, and
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four large brick buildings were built between 1841 and 1865. In 1892 the large hotel near by, a frame structure, was purchased, and added to the school property; and the old Williston home, now occupied by the princi- pal of the school, Dr. Gallagher, is also a part of the estate. The property comprises six acres of ground, and is situated in the heart of the city. Mr. Upson's position is no sine- cure, as on him devolves the care of the whole estate, the responsibility of making needed repairs, and the superintendence of all work necessary to keep the buildings and grounds in good condition.
Mr. Upson was united in marriage June I, 1871, to Mary M., daughter of Benjamin and Catherine (Foote) Dingman, of Stockbridge, Mass. Mr. Dingman and his wife are now nearly eighty years of age. They reared four daughters and one son. Mr. and Mrs. Upson are the parents of two children, namely : Grace F., wife of Henry G. Camp, teller in the Pyncheon Bank in Springfield; and Alvin L., a student in the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, and assistant pharmacist in the Boston City Hospital.
In politics Mr. Upson is a Republican. He takes an active part in the town govern- ment, and is now serving his fifth year as Selectman. In Masonic circles he is promi- nent, and is at present Past Master of Ionic Lodge of Easthampton. He has a handsome home at 3 Summer Street, where he has re- sided since 1886.
EORGE PITMAN MOULTON, a prosperous farmer of Pelham, son of Levi H. and Abbie (Pitman) Moul- ton, was born in that town, July 25, 1865. The Moulton family are of English descent; and the original ancestor, who emigrated to
America, settled in Monson, Mass., residing in the locality known as Moulton Hill. Mr. Moulton's great-grandfather, Daniel Moulton, who was a son of the original settler, was born in Monson. He was reared to agricult- ural pursuits, and became the owner of a large farm situated upon Moulton Hill, which he cultivated successfully. He lived to be over eighty years of age, having raised a fam- ily of nine children. His son, Levi Moulton, Mr. Moulton's grandfather, was a native of Monson, and passed his youth upon his father's farm. He followed the occupation of a mechanic during his earlier years, and then devoted his attention to conducting boarding- houses in different localities. He reached the age of seventy-two, and his declining years were passed with his son in Pelham. He married Nancy Farnham, a native of Ox- ford, Mass., and the union was blessed with six children, three of whom are still living, namely: Levi H .; Cyrus, who was born in Providence, R.I .; and Mary, who married Franklin Smith, and resides in Providence. The mother lived to the age of eighty-seven years.
Levi H. Moulton, Mr. Moulton's father, was born in Charlton, May 7, 1822. When a young man, he adopted agriculture as an occu- pation, and has perseveringly followed it with satisfactory results. He has lived on three farms in Pelham at different periods, exhibit- ing in each the energy and industry for which he has always been remarkable. He now re- sides with his son, George P. Moulton, and is a Methodist in his religious views and a Repub- lican in politics. His wife, Abbie Pitman, whom he married on June 20, 1850, was born in South Kingston, R.I., November 22, 1824. She was daughter of George and Abbie (Nich- ols) Pitman, both of whom were natives of Rhode Island. George Pitman settled upon
HOLLIS B. DeWITT.
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a farm in Pelham, where he followed agricult- ure successfully, and passed the remainder of his life. He raised a family of four children, one son and three daughters, of whom the only survivor is John Pitman, a resident of Pelham. Levi H. Moulton's children were: Abbie, who married Marcus Pease, and re- sides in East Douglass; George Pitman, the subject of this sketch; Martha A., wife of George Bowles. of Amherst; John B., who resides in Pelham; Levi H., Jr., a resident of Amherst; and Walter N., who died at the age of fourteen years and three months. The mother's decease occurred March 12, 1879.
George Pitman Moulton was reared to agri- cultural life, and has always resided at the homestead. At an early age he became pro- ficient in the various farm duties, and is now chiefly engaged in the cultivation of hay and grain. He displays an unusual amount of thrift and energy, which is productive of ex- cellent results.
On June 27, 1885, Mr. Moulton was united in marriage to Mrs. Jennie Cleveland, of Pel- ham, daughter of William and Martha (Allen) Montgomery. They have one son, George William, who was born August 14, 1888. Mr. Moulton is a Republican in politics and liberal in his religious views.
OLLIS BENJAMIN DEWITT, whose portrait accompanies this brief biog- raphy, is a prosperous and progres- sive farmer of Granby, Mass., owning a valu- able farm of fifty-three acres in this town and another in South Hadley, besides being the proprietor of a livery stable in the village. A man of good practical ability, energetic and stirring from his youth, he visited different States, and engaged in various employments before settling down as a tiller of the soil in
Hampshire County. He is a son of Ben- jamin DeWitt, and was born in Granby, Au- gust 26, 1829. His paternal grandfather, Joseph DeWitt, who was a native of Belcher- town, there married Lovisa Montague, and afterward settled on land in Granby, where both spent their remaining days. They reared five children - Joseph, Benjamin, Harry, Clarissa, and Lucy - none of whom are now living.
Benjamin DeWitt followed the occupation to which he was bred, buying and improving a tract of wild land in Granby, on which he and his wife passed their years of wedlock. He was prominent in military circles, being Colonel of a company of cavalry in the State militia. Colonel DeWitt married Mary, bet- ter known as Polly, Eastman, the daughter of Captain Joseph and Hannah (Lyman) East- man, her father being a well-to-do farmer of this town. Mrs. Polly Eastman departed this life on May 30, 1854, survived by her hus- band, who died October 15, 1855. They were the parents of ten children, a brief record of whom is here given: Mary Ann, born Sep- tember 8, 1822, died November 15, 1827; Hannah E., born December 7, 1824, is the widow of the late Caleb S. Bliss, and resides with her children in Washington, D.C .; Helen M., born March 22, 1827, married Ad- dison S. Dickinson, of Granby, both being deceased; Hollis Benjamin; Mary Ann, born March 3, 1832, the widow of the late William H. Hayward, of Hadley, lives in Washington, D.C .; Clinton, who married Octavia Otie, was born August 6, 1834, and is a resident of Lynchburg, Va .; Sarah Jane, born September 9, 1836, is the widow of Norman S. Stanner, and resides in Washington, D.C .; Louisa, born March 13, 1840, died January 2, 1865; Martha E., born December 10, 1843, died December 8, 1845; and William D., born July 12, 1846, died September 30, 1870.
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