USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts > Part 9
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Hollis B. DeWitt, who, with his brothers and sisters, was well educated at the district and select schools, remained at home until eighteen years of age, there acquiring a prac- tical knowledge of agriculture in its different branches. Desirous of perfecting himself in some trade, he went then to Chicopee, where he worked as a tinsmith for five years, going thence to Lynchburg, Va., and there continu- ing similarly engaged three years. In 1852 Mr. DeWitt returned North, and for the next six months worked in Williamsburg, N. Y., whence he proceeded to Iowa, there spending some time in Independence and Waverly, sub- sequently going to Chickasaw County, where he entered four hundred acres of land. This he soon sold, and in 1854, coming back to the place of his birth, during that summer as- sisted on the home farm. The following six months Mr. DeWitt worked at his trade in Westfield; and then on the death of his father he returned to the old homestead, south-west of the village of Granby, and for a year took charge of the property. After another trip West, Mr. DeWitt settled down to farming, buying the old home farm in 1858, and carry- ing it on for two years. In 1860 he disposed of that property, and bought a farm in South Hadley, known as the Hatfield farm, man - aging that successfully until 1865, when he sold out at an advance. In 1865 Mr. DeWitt purchased twenty-five acres of his present estate; and to his original purchasc he has since added until his farm contains fifty-three fertile acres, on which he has made valuable improvements.
On the 8th of April, 1857, while residing on the old home farm, Mr. DeWitt was united in marriage with Ellen E. Montague, a native of Granby, born November 27, 1833. Her parents were Giles and Elvira (Edwards) Montague, the former of whom was a lifelong
resident of Granby, while the latter was born and reared in Northampton. Mr. Montague was a farmer by occupation, and after the death of his wife spent his time with his daughter Ellen, Mrs. DeWitt. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt: Ben- jamin, who now manages the farm, married Mary E. Stacey, and they have three chil- dren - Ellen Stacey, William Hollis, and Giles Rollin; Ellen Elvira, their other child, died in infancy. In politics Mr. DeWitt affiliates with the Republican party, and for five years served as Tax Collector. He is identified, socially, with the Masons, belong- ing to Mount Holyoke Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Religiously, both he and his estimable wife are faithful members of the Congregational church of South Hadley.
HAUNCEY WITHERELL, a re- spected citizen of Chesterfield, who at one time was actively engaged as a merchant and farmer, but is now in re- tirement, was born in Westhampton, Mass., November 17, 1822, son of Edsel and Sybil (Chilson) Witherell.
Edsel Witherell was an independent farmer. He tilled a farm in Westhampton four years, and then moved to Chesterfield. Purchasing an estate in the southern part of the town, he there passed the remainder of his life, winning from the soil an ample income. He and his wife reared three children, namely: Chaun- cey, the subject of this sketch; Cordelia, wife of D. S. Axtell; and Sophronia, wife of Nor- man C. Rhodes. The latter two died some time since, and their husbands also are de- ceased.
Chauncey Witherell received a good com- mon-school education. He remained with his parents during their lifetime, gradually as-
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suming the responsibilities of the farm, until at length he had full charge. By unremitting industry and close attention to the details of business he acquired a modest fortune, and within ten years from the time that he took full charge of the home farm was able to re- tire, purchasing a lot in Chesterfield village, upon which he erected a comfortable home.
On February 27, 1843, Mr. Witherell was united in marriage with Asenath Bisbee, a native of Chesterfield, daughter of Elisha Bisbee, who was one of the early settlers of the town. Mrs. Witherell was a capable helpmate to her husband. Living at the home of her husband's parents after she was first married, she cared for them in their old age as tenderly as if they were her own par- ents. She died January 22, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Witherell had no children; but a nephew of the former resides with him, and superin- tends the work of the farm.
Mr. Witherell is an adherent of the Repub- lican party. He has served as Selectman, and filled other official positions. Mrs. Witherell was a member of the Congrega- tional church in Chesterfield. What he owns he has well earned. It is but the re- ward of industry and a well-spent life. He may rest beneath the shadow of his own vine and fig-tree with the satisfied content born of duty fulfilled.
UKE BROWN WHITE, Postmaster and merchant at Bay State, was born at Whately, Mass., October 3, 1 864. He is the son of Samuel B. White, who was son of Luke Brown White, who was son of Deacon John White, who was son of Deacon Salmon White, the first member of the family to settle in Whately. The Whites are the lineal descendants of John White, who emigrated from England to the Colony of
Massachusetts, and settled in Cambridge, where he was made a freeman in 1633. In 1636 he removed to Hartford, Conn., where he became a ruling Elder in the South Church, and passed the remainder of his days. His son, Daniel White, resided at Hartford, Mass., where he married Sarah Crow, was a Lieutenant of militia, and died July 27, 1713. Their son Daniel, who was born on July 4, 1671, settled at Windsor, Conn. He was married three times, his first wife having been Sarah Bissell; his second, Anna Bissell; and the third, Elizabeth Bliss. His death occurred in 1726. His son, Captain Daniel White, resided at Windsor, Conn., from which place he moved to Hatfield, Mass., where he died in 1786. His first wife was Mary Dick- inson, his second Elizabeth White; and his son Salmon, who was baptized October 31, 1731, became the original settler of the farm known as the Luke B. White place in Whately, which has been in the family's pos- session since 1762. He married Mary Waite, was a Deacon in the church, a leading spirit in the community, and died June 21, 1815. His wife survived him until the same date in 1821, when she passed away, at the age of ninety-one years. They had four sons and four daughters, of whom John White was the paternal great-grandfather of Luke B. White, of this article. He married Elizabeth Brown, of Worcester, who brought to Whately the first chaise; and she died in 1853, aged eighty-three years, having been the mother of ten children - three sons and seven daugh- ters. Of these Luke B. was born on May 8, 1797, wedded Mary Wells, daughter of Cap- tain Luke Wells, and raised a family of six children, of whom two are living, namely: Mary E., born in 1834, widow of O. D. Root, M.D .; and John Newton White, a farmer of East Whately, who was born in 1838.
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L. B. White attended the schools of his na- tive town, and at the age of sixteen became a clerk in the store of P. D. Willis & Co. at Thompsonville, Conn. After spending one year there, he took a similar position with C. D. Waite at Haydenville, Mass., holding it for about the same length of time. Then he came to Northampton, where he entered the employ of E. E. Hart. Five years later he went to Springfield, and for some three years was clerk with B. Frank Steele & Co. At the end of this time he returned to Bay State, and, in company with his brother, Charles W. White, purchased the stock and trade of his former employer, E. E. Hart, in September, 1890. Two years later he bought out his brother's interest, and has since con- tinued to carry on the business, which is now well established and exceedingly profitable.
On September 10, 1886, he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie E. Wetherbee, of Landgrove, Vt., and the union has resulted in two children: Edna Emily, aged seven; and Charles Herbert, aged four years. Mr. White is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is independent in politics, and is at present serving on the Common Council, having been elected upon the Repub- lican ticket. He has been Postmaster for the past five years, and has resided at his present comfortable home since 1892. His father died in 1882; and his mother, who is still bright and active, resides with her sons.
5 DOLPH FRANZ, M.D., a well-known physician of South Hadley Falls, son of Adolph and Eliza (Birnie) Franz, was born in Washington, D.C., July 26, 1862. Dr. Franz's father was a native of Mecklenburg, Germany, and emigrated to the
United States in 1849. He was for a short time after his arrival engaged as a grocer's clerk in New York City. In 1850 he enlisted in the regular army, joining Company B, Third United States Infantry, which was stationed in New Mexico, and was engaged in Indian warfare until the commencement of the Civil War. The regiment was then ordered to Washington, and from there to the front, arriving in time to participate in the second battle of Bull Run. In 1862 Adolph Franz, Sr., was assigned to duty in the War Depart- ment in Washington, where he remained until 1869, when he received the appointment of Orderly Sergeant, and was once more sent to New Mexico. After remaining there for a time, he was transferred to Fort Jackson, La., then to Fort Jackson, Ga., and finally to Fort Constitution, N.H. Here he continued to serve until December 12, 1890, at which time he was retired, with an honorable record of forty years of continuous service in the United States Army. He now resides in Brooklyn, N.Y. His wife, whom he wedded on June 21, 1861, is of Irish ancestry. She is the mother of two sons, namely: Adolph, Jr., the subject of this sketch; and Frederick H., who is now engaged in the jewelry business in Attleboro, Mass.
Adolph Franz pursued a collegiate course at Dartmouth College. At its completion he entered the College of Physicians and Sur- geons in New York City, where he graduated in 1887. Then he supplemented his medical studies with a period of practical observation in the hospitals of the metropolis. In De- cember, 1887, Dr. Franz located in South Hadley Falls, where he has since established a lucrative practice. By his skilful handling of cases he has acquired a high reputation both in Hadley and South Hadley Falls. He is also esteemed socially for his many and admi-
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rable character traits. On June 11, 1890, he was united in marriage to Louise M. Norton, of Portsmouth, N.H. They have three chil- dren : Dorothy, Louise, and Frederick. Both attend the Roman Catholic church. He is independent in politics.
ILLIAM A. BARRUS, of Goshen, principal of the Hampshire and Franklin County Truant School, is the son of Deacon Theron L. and Czarina A. (Robinson) Barrus, and was born in Goshen, October 2, 1857. His grandparents, Levi and Almeda (Stearns) Barrus, moved from Heath, Mass., to Goshen, where the former purchased four hundred acres of land, and began farming on an extensive scale. Levi was a member of the Baptist church, a Whig in politics. an energetic farmer, and a progressive citizen. He died at the age of eighty-four years. His children were: Hiram, Loren, Charles, Alvin, Laura, Jane, and Theron L.
Theron L. Barrus, father of William A., was born at the old homestead in Goshen, September 1, 1829. At the age of twenty- one he commenced work in the turning shop of Ranney & Gage, and subsequently engaged in plane-making. He gave only the summer months to these occupations, as he still pur- sued his studies during the school season. After completing his education, he taught in the district schools for nine terms, devoting the summer season to agriculture. His first investment in real estate, known as the Red House, included twenty acres of land, situated in the vicinity of his present residence. Here he resided for a time, devoting his ener- gies to farming and the making of ladders. Then he bought the Cushman farm of eighty acres, and later the Parsons property, com-
prising one hundred acres, on which he now resides. He has remodelled the buildings, keeps a dairy of ten cows, and has otherwise improved the farm, which he cultivates suc- cessfully. He joined the Congregational church when a young man, and at the age of twenty-five was made a Deacon, a position which he still holds. He is a Republican in politics, and has been a member of the School Board for twenty years. In 1852 he married Czarina N. Robinson, daughter of James and Adeline (Randall) Robinson, born December 27, 1831. They had five children, as follows : James L., Willie A., Mary A., Edward F., and Lyda E. The mother died May 6, 1895.
William A. Barrus received his education in the schools of his native town; and at the age of eighteen he engaged in agriculture as an occupation, which he followed for some years. He was later employed in Swift River as a plane-maker and wood polisher, at which business he continued for two years. In 1885 he purchased the Russ farm in Goshen, con- sisting of one hundred and fifty acres. Since then, besides making other improvements in the property, he has remodelled the buildings, and has conducted general farming, together with dairying, for which he keeps eight graded Jersey cows. He owns an interest in the Ashfield Co-operative Creamery, and has furnished teams for the construction of the State road. On October 1, 1889, Mr. Barrus was appointed principal of the Hampshire and Franklin County Truant School, and has since filled that position to general satisfac- tion. In this capacity he has fitted up a suite of dormitories, which are well lighted and ventilated, and provided a yard for outdoor exercise. Mr. Barrus was united in marriage on October 5, 1881, to Lucy M. Hall, daugh- ter of Allen and Olive (Howe) Hall, of Ash- field. They have three children, namely:
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Alice E., born October 5, 1882; Myrtle E., born March 5, 1887; and Ida E., born August 12, 1889. Mr. Barrus is a Republican in politics.
ILSON DEWEY, the worthy octo- genarian whose portrait is here in view, a retired citizen of Hayden- ville, was born in Granby, Conn., July I, 1815, son of Aaron, Jr., and Lovisa (Gillett) Dewey. Mr. Dewey's paternal grandparents, Aaron, Sr., and Beadee (Gillett) Dewey, were lifelong residents of Granby. Grandfather Dewey, who was a well-to-do farmer, was a Whig in politics, and was a member of the Baptist church. Both he and his wife died at a ripe old age. Their children were: Aaron, Jr., Beadee, and Theda.
Aaron Dewey, Jr., was born in Granby in 1791, and died at the age of forty-five years. He was educated in the schools of his native town; and in early manhood he inherited part of the homestead, and purchased additional land till he had a farm of one hundred acres. He was a Whig in politics and a Baptist in his religion. He and his wife, whose name before marriage was Lovisa Gillett, became the parents of eight children, as follows: William, Mary, Watson, Wilson, Willis, Susan, Laura, and Wayne, the last of whom died young. Mrs. Lovisa G. Dewey married for her second husband a Mr. Stone, and died at the age of seventy-two. She was a member of the Congregational church at the time of her death.
Wilson Dewey received his education in Granby, and at the age of eighteen began work in a brass foundry, where he was em- ployed in making andirons, fire shovels, and tongs by hand for twelve years. He then en- gaged in the carpenter's trade with his brother Watson, and, being a natural mechanic, soon
developed into a skilled workman. He later relinquished the carpenter's trade to engage in manufacturing wagons and sleighs at North Granby; and, a short time after, he, in com- pany with his brother Willis, purchased that business, to which they added the manufact- uring of coffins. They conducted the enter- prise successfully for seven years, at the ex- piration of which they sold to good advantage. In the mean time Mr. Dewey had bought a house in Granby, which he improved to a con- siderable extent; but this he later disposed of, and bought a farm. He followed agricult- ure for two years, and then went to Collins- ville, Conn., where he was employed for seven months in finishing bayonets. From that place he moved to Northampton, Mass., and was similarly employed for another seven months. He later became Postal Clerk upon the route from New Haven to Northampton. Some years previous to this he was financially interested in the wholesale and retail fruit and produce firm of Dewey & Pratt. Later buy- ing his partner's interest in the business, he admitted his son Mortimer as a partner; and the firm of Dewey & Son conducted an exten- sive business for some time. Mr. Dewey re- linquished mercantile business to enter the postal service, later being transferred to the Williamsburg route, on which he remained for fourteen years, and then retired.
Mr. Dewey is a Republican in politics, and is active in public affairs. He has been a member of the Board of Selectmen for three years, and he represented his district in the legislature in 1888. He is Vice-President and a Director of the Haydenville Savings Bank. He was made a Free Mason in Granby, and is now a member of Hampshire Lodge, and also of the Chapter and Council. He became a charter member of the lodge of Odd Fellows in Granby, of which he was Past
WILSON DEWEY.
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Grand and District Deputy; but that lodge is now extinct. In 1884 Mr. Dewey bought the Briggs house, which is pleasantly located on West Main Street, Haydenville; and he has since resided here with the exception of a short time passed in Boston.
On September 28, 1841, Mr. Dewey was united in marriage with Mary M. Spencer, who was born in New Hartford, Conn., daugh- ter of Milton and Amanda (Garrett) Spencer. Mrs. Dewey's grandparents were Nathaniel S. and Louis (Steele) Spencer, the former of whom was a large real estate owner and an ex- tensive manufacturer of wagons and sleighs in New Hartford. He built the first two-horse covered carriage, or " bus," ever seen in his neighborhood, and was complained of by the deacons for driving his family to church in the new vehicle, which created considerable excitement on the Sabbath day. Nathaniel Spencer served as a soldier in the Revolution- ary War; and his son Milton, Mrs. Dewey's father, served in the War of 1812. Milton Spencer was born in New Hartford, and be- came a prosperous farmer of that town. He lived to the age of eighty-six years. His wife, Amanda Garrett, who attained the same age, was the mother of eight children : Flora, Orvilla, Mary M., Harlow, Ralzy, John, Waite, and Theda.
Mr. and Mrs. Dewey have had five chil- dren, as follows: Mortimer A., who married Georgie A. Wilcox, and died April 7, 1882, leaving two children - Fred W., who married Charlotte Crane, and is a boot and shoe mer- chant of Northampton, and Grace, wife of John Ross; Ella J., who died aged fourteen months; Eva L., who died at the age of five years; Carrie, who died aged seven years ; and Everett H., who was born January 23, 1857, and is now occupying his father's former position in the postal service.
R ICHARD F. UNDERWOOD, an es- teemed citizen of Northampton, who owns and cultivates a farm at Mount Tom Station, was born in Belchertown, Mass., March 11, 1842, son of Charles and Abilene (Bennett) Underwood.
His grandfather, Urijah Underwood, was a farmer in Wales, Hampden County. He was killed by a fall when quite an old man, and his remains rest in the churchyard at Wales. He married a Miss Staunton, who lived to see many of her neighbors and kinsfolk pass away, dying of old age in 1857. They reared five sons and four daughters, of whom two daughters and a son are yet living. The daughters are widows, residing in Mashapaug, Conn .; and the son, William Underwood, is a spinner in a woollen factory in Wales. Urijah Underwood was a member of the Bap- tist church, officiating many years as Deacon.
Charles Underwood, son of Urijah Under- wood and father of Richard F., was born in Woodstock, Conn., in 1801. He spent his entire life on his farm, dying November 1, 1875, at the age of seventy-four. On Decem- ber 30, 1824, he was united in marriage to Abilene, daughter of Joseph and Esther (Green) Bennett, who was born in 1809. Mrs. Underwood's grandparents on the mater- nal side were Nathaniel and Sarah (May) Green. Her grandfather, Nathaniel Green, was one of the first patriots who suffered in defence of his country, being wounded at the battle of Bunker Hill. Her father also, Jo- seph Bennett, was a Revolutionary soldier, and received a pension for his services. She died in 1889, and is resting with her husband in the cemetery at Belchertown. Mr. and Mrs. Underwood had eight children, seven of whom reached maturity, namely: Emily, wife of E. I. Allen, of Westfield, Mass .; Mary, wife of D. M. Olds, of Belchertown ;
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Richard F., the subject of this sketch; Emma J., wifc of William Johnson, of Westfield; Harriet L., subscquently Mrs. Beebe, who died at the age of twenty-six; Charles S., who dicd in September, 1875, at the age of forty-thrcc; and Albert W., who dicd in 1888, lcaving one son.
Richard F. Underwood attended the dis- trict school regularly until eight years of age. After that he worked on the farm during the busy season, attending school in winter only. In December, 1861, when in his twentieth year, he cnlisted at Belchertown in Company F, Thirty-first Massachusetts Regiment, and served four years in the Civil War, the greater part of which time he was in active service. He took part in the Red River cam- paign, his regiment then being the Sixth Massachusetts Cavalry, and on April 8, 1864, was shot through the right leg. He was among the one hundred and one disabled soldiers who, left for a time in New Orleans, were shipped on board the steamer "Poca- hontas" to be sent to New York City. The " Pocahontas" was run down by another vessel in the night, and forty of the poor fellows found a watcry grave. Mr. Underwood will never forget the cxperience of that night. The vessel went down soon after she was struck. He and many of the men were strug- gling for a long time in the water. They clung to everything they could lay hold of to kccp themselves afloat. For some time, while holding afloat with one hand, Mr. Un- derwood tried to savc a man with the other hand by holding on to his beard, but was at length compelled to release his hold. During the whole of the struggle he was cool and composed, and felt no pain in his wounded limb. The physical suffering came later, when fceling returncd to his benumbed frame.
During his term of service in the army Mr.
Underwood saved up some one thousand one hundred dollars. A patent-right man, who induced him to go to Ohio, swindlcd him out of one-half of the sum. He returned to Belchertown with more wisdom, if less money, and went to work for his brother-in- law at twenty-five dollars a month. Later he worked for one dollar and a half a day, when it took nine days' work to pay for a barrel of flour, and kerosenc was seventy-five cents a gallon. About this time he purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty acres below Mount Tom Station, and there he has since made his home. His business is general farming, which he carries on in a sensible and practical way. He is President of the Farmers' Club of Easthampton. He has a handsome, large two-story house, finished in the finest hard maple, cherry, cyprus, and oak, which he erected in 1892-93, when he performed most of the work himself, cutting the trees in Mon- tague, and floating the lumber down the river. He is a man of considerable mechanical gen- ius, who can turn his hand to almost any- thing; while his dwelling bears high testi- mony to his good taste.
On December 28, 1869. Mr. Underwood was united in marriage with Leona, daughter of E. A. and Sophronia (Pease) Lyman. Mrs. Underwood's mother was before marriage Clarissa Cook, a native of Chester, now Hun- tington, Mass. Both parents are deceased, the father dying in 1880, aged sixty-seven years, and the mother in 1891, aged seventy- nine years. Mrs. Underwood, who was a rarely intelligent woman, a model wife and mother, died April 11, 1894, in her forty-fifth year. They had eight children, of whom six survive. Lewis F. in his third year dicd of the bite of a rabid dog, and Walter A. died when thirteen months old. The remaining children are as follows: Laura K., who is her
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father's housekeeper; Charles L., who is an able assistant on the home farm: Arthur J., a pupil in the Easthampton High School; Hat- tie Louise, a child in years, but a woman in stature and in character, who rides her bicycle with the ease and skill of a professional ; William Albert and Chella Maria, aged re- spectively thirteen and eight years. Mr. Underwood took for his second wife Miss Myra L. Clark, to whom he was united in marriage October 9. 1895. She is a daughter of E. Alonzo Clark, a native of Easthampton.
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