USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Vol II > Part 26
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Tyler Ayres was born April 7, 1804, in Leveret, Massachusetts, and lived there until 1824, when he started to explore what was then " the great West," bringing his wanderings to an end in Stephentown. New York. There he engaged in farming. but after a time turned his face once more toward the east, and took up his abode in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where he passed the remainder of his life.
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Mr. Ayres married, while in Stephentown, Marian Jane Potter, whose ancestors had won distinction both in the Revolutionary conflict and in the war of 1812. To Mr. and Mrs. Ayres the following chil- dren were born: Abigail M., who married Samuel Cornelius, of Chat- ham, Massachusetts; Perry J., mentioned at length hereinafter; Sarah J., who became the wife of Sylvester Collins, of Pittsfield; John T., de- ceased; Mary, who is the widow of George C. Barnes, of Pittsfield; Frances, who is the wife of John Bline, also of Pittsfield; and William P., who lives in Providence, Rhode Island.
Perry J. Ayres, son of Tyler and Marian Jane ( Potter) Ayres, was born February II, 1830, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and in boyhood attended the public schools. At the age of twelve he began to do farm work, and continued his agricultural labors until 1855. He then went to Pittsfield, where he was four years in the service of Silas N. Foot, and subsequently became associated with the firm of Noble & Brewster. In 1870 he established a meat market on Fenn street, where for forty years he carried on a successful business. He was a charter member of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias. He was actively interested in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he and his wife were mem- bers.
Mr. Ayres married, February 13, 1851, Marietta, daughter of Will- iam D. Clark, who was of an old and respected family, and their chil- dren were: Theresa W., who is the wife of John H. Noble, of Pitts- field: Thaddeus Z., who married Harriet Harder, and has three sons ; Ida M., who became the wife of Walter Noble, and has three children : Nellie G., who married M. B. Hart, of Chicago, and is the mother of one son; Etta, who is married to George C. Cooper and has two chil- dren ; and Myron, who resides in Chicago.
It was felt that the death of Mr. Ayres, which occurred July 17,
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1900, had removed one who, in his long career as a business man, had set an example of fair and honest dealing. whose conduct as a citizen had been uniformly upright, and who in his domestic and social relations had left nothing to be desired.
DENNIS LINNEHAN.
Dennis Linnehan, a veteran of the Civil war. and for many years a mechanic of Pittsfield, was born in Ireland, July 6, 1842. When he was four or five years of age his parents came to the United States, set- tling in Berkshire county, his father, Michael Linnehan, finding em- ployment at the Richmond Iron Works.
During the boyhood of Dennis Linnehan there was little or no time allotted him for educational purposes and he began to support himself at an early age, and upon acquiring sufficient strength entered upon an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade, which he completed. At the age of twenty years ( 1862) he enlisted as a private in the Twenty-fifth Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry. with which he served for three years, or until the close of the Civil war, and upon his return to Berkshire county he resumed his trade. During the construction of the Hoosac Tunnel he was engaged in sharpening drills and other tools at the North Adams entrance for a number of years, and was subsequently employed at his trade by the city of Pittsfield. He died August 10. 1905.
On May 18. 1870, Mr. Linnehan was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Lyons, daughter of Matthew Lyons of Adams. Mrs. Linne- han belonged to one of the first Irish families to settle in Berkshire county, and it is worthy of mention that mass was first celebrated in Adams at the home of her parents. She died December 20, 1898, and
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left as a legacy to her bereaved husband and family the memory of a devoted wife and mother, who labored diligently and sacrificed much for the welfare of her family.
Dennis and Catherine Linnehan reared a family of five children, namely: John W., born in 1871: George A., born in 1875; Edward C., born in 1878; Matthew M., born in 1881; and Catherine, born in 1885. John W. Linnehan, who is now a Jesuit Father, is a graduate of the Pittsfield High School and of Holy Cross College. Worcester, and was for five years an instructor in the Catholic college at Fordham. New York. George A. Linnehan, who was graduated from Holy Cross and Georgetown Colleges, entered the medical profession, and was for several years connected with the hospital in Framingham, Massa- chusetts. and is now practicing in Jamaica. Long Island. Edward D. Linnehan is a graduate of Albany (New York) Business College and an office employe of the Stanley Electric Manufacturing Company. Matthew M. Linnehan is a graduate of Holy Cross College. Catherine A. Linnehan is residing at home. The family attend St. Charles' church.
MRS. ELLEN CURTIN GRIFFIN.
Mrs. Ellen Curtin Griffin is conducting a coal and wood yard in Dalton which was founded by her husband. Martin Griffin, who came to America from county Galway, Ireland, in 1879. Three Griffin brothers, on emigrating to the new world, settled near Pittsfield, where they found employment, and by close application to labor gained very credit- able success. Martin Griffin was first employed as a watchman in the old Berkshire mill, and later established a meat market on his own ac- count. This he conducted for a short time, and then began dealing
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in coal and wood, establishing the business which is yet conducted by his widow.
In 1878 Mr. Griffin was married to Miss Ellen Curtin, a mein- ber of one of the best known families of Dalton. Her parents, Daniel and Hannah (Ryan) Curtin, lived in the town of Washington, Berk- shire county, and she is a sister of Mrs. Thomas Leamey, who lives with her and aids her in her business. Her two brothers, John and William, are residents of Fairfield, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Griffin had no children. He died in 1896, just as his business had be- come a prosperous one and he was able to enjoy the fruits of his labor. He was a recognized leader among the followers of Catholicism in this part of the state, and was a member of the Foresters of America, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. In politics he was a Democrat, and in all matters of citizenship manifested a public-spirited interest. He built a large block on the corner of Hoosatonic and Depot streets, in Dalton, and it is now occupied as a coal office and residence.
EDWARD FRANKLIN RICE.
Edward Franklin Rice was born in Enfield, Connecticut, April 8, 1865, son of Charles E. and Julia A. (Wardwell) Rice, natives of Con- necticut, in which state they were married and whence they removed during the infancy of the immediate subject of this sketch to Springfield, Massachusetts, and there Mr. Charles E. Rice established the tin man- ufacturing business, in which he is still engaged.
Edward F. Rice received his education in the public schools of Springfield, and had not attained his majority when he made the first business venture, viz., the establishment of a bakery and confectionery at Chicopee Falls. In the conduct of this he was successfully engaged
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for five years, selling out in 1889 and coming to Pittsfield to invest his substantial accumulation of earnings in the same line of business on a much larger scale. Here, too, industry, integrity and enterprise have met with their reward, and he had the best equipped and most largely patronized establishment of its kind in Berkshire county. In October, 1905, Mr. Rice sold his North street establishment to C. R. Stevens & Company, and is now dealing in securities, engaged as a rep- resentative of Douglas, Lacey & Company, with offices in Pittsfield. Mr. Rice is a Republican of the stalwart type and has been as active as the demands upon his time of a rapidly increasing business would permit in advancing the interests of his party's work in Pittsfield. He served acceptably for one term as a member of the city council from the sev- enth ward. His fraternal connection is with Mystic Lodge, F. and A. M .; Berkshire Chapter, R. A. M .; Berkshire Commandery, K. T .; and Os- ceola Lodge No. 125, I. O. O. F. Mr. Rice married, June 20, 1884. Julia M., daughter of the late Julius Gowdy, formerly a well-known merchant of Springfield. Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have five children: Clifford E., a student at Pittsfield high school; Lula M., Mil- dred E., Edward F. and Marion E. Rice. Mr. and Mrs. Rice reside at 163 Bradford street and are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Pittsfield.
LOUIE LEGRAND SHERMAN.
Louie Legrand Sherman, of Hinsdale, Berkshire county, Massa- chusetts, was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, January 5, 1862. The Sherman family are of English descent, and came to this country by much the same route that was followed by the Pilgrims, first settling in Holland for a short time before coming to this country. On arriv- ing here with their large families, Louie Sherman, who settled in Con-
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necticut, made his home in Stratford, Connecticut. Louie Sherman married Julia Bennett, of Monroe, Connecticut. The Bennett family was one of the best known in that vicinity, and there still remains today many descendants from the original Bennett family in that part of Con- necticut. Their children were: Bennett, born in 1823; Philo, born about the year 1825. in Newtown, Connecticut.
Philo Sherman followed the trade of carpenter until about 1875. when he exchanged his property in Bridgeport, Connecticut, for a farm in Hinsdale, where he made his home until his death in 1891. He was married twice, his first wife being Miss Warner, who bore him a daugh- ter, Imogene, who became the wife of Smith Robinson, and they make their home in Bridgeport. Connecticut. They have no children living. His second wife was Delia Patcher, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, daugh- ter of a southern farmer. and their children were: Louie Legrand, born 1862 (see forward) ; William, born 1864. died in infancy; Carrie, born 1868, became the wife of George Griswold, of Hinsdale, Massachusetts, and with their three children live at Pittsfield Junction; Jennie, born 1870, married Edward Baird, of Huntington, Connecticut, and live in New Haven, same state; they have no children; John, born 1872, died in infancy : William, born 1874, resides in Westfield, Massachusetts, and is unmarried : Frederick, born 1877, lives in Huntington, Connecti- cut.
Louie Legrand Sherman was educated in the public schools of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and was fourteen years of age when his parents removed to Hinsdale. Berkshire county. Massachusetts, from their home in Connecticut, where all the children were born with the exception of the youngest child, Frederick Sherman. The family settled upon one of the Putnam farms, and Louie assisted his father with the labor thereon for some time, afterward securing employment on the Tracy farm, and
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then on the Simon White farm, where he remained until 1885. In that year he established a business on his own account, that of teaming, and subsequently formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, John Mack, in the conduct of the old Mack farm, which connection terminated at the end of two years by Mr. Sherman disposing of his interest to Mr. Mack. The following two years he was employed in the store of Thomas Frizzell, after which he purchased the farm which two years before he had sold to Mr. Mack, and has since conducted the same, achieving a large degree of success by persistent and painstaking labor. He has a number of cattle, and is a dealer in milk and cream. The farm is situated on high land, the soil is rich and productive, and yields a plentiful harvest. Mr. Sherman has served the town in several capacities, and at the present time (1904) is constable and assistant engineer. He is an active and earnest worker in the cause of temper- ance, and a member of the local lodge of Sons of Temperance. He is also affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Grange, and the Improvement Society of the town. Both Mr. Sherman and his wife are members of the Congregational church, in which they take an active interest. He is an adherent of the principles of Republicanism.
In 1886 Mr. Sherman married Mary E. Mack, daughter of Lyman and Maria Mack, representatives of one of the best known and most highly respected families of what was then known as Partridgefield. They have had six children : Gertrude, born June 6, 1888; Lyman M., born May 2, 1890; Gladys, born April 18, 1893; Robert, born Decem- ber 27, 1894. died in infancy : Ruth, born August 22, 1896; Jane, born May 26, 1898.
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CHESTER BARNUM SCUDDER.
Chester Barnum Scudder, of Dalton. Berkshire county, Massa- chusetts, a veteran of the Civil war. and a man of sterling character- istics, well respected by all who enjoy his acquaintance, is a descendant of two brothers who came to this country from England about the year 1760, one of whom settled in the eastern portion of Massachusetts, while the other made his way across the state and settled in Connecti- cut, near the site of the present city of Bridgeport. It was from this latter branch that Chester B. Scudder is descended.
John Barnum Scudder, father of Chester B. Scudder, was united in marriage to Mary A. Ward, of Woodbury, Connecticut, and they made their home in New Milford, and later in Salisbury, both in the same state. Mr. Scudder was engaged in the lumber business. and was the proprietor of a small establishment in which he manufactured shingles. He died when not very far advanced in years, leaving his wife and children to face the trials and struggles of this world as best they might. Their children were: John, Mary, Maria, who died at the age of fifteen years ; Royal, who died at the age of seventeen years : William, who died at the age of fourteen years ; and Chester B. Scudder.
Chester B. Scudder was born October 6, 1842, and was the only member of the above named family who lived to attain middle age. His father died when he was nine years of age. He attended the public schools of Salisbury, Connecticut, and afterward those of Monterey, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, whither his mother removed about three years after her husband's death. Mrs. Scudder married Russell Pomeroy, of Tyringham, Massachusetts, and Chester resided with them until he was nineteen years old. He enlisted in Company A, Tenth Massachusetts Regiment, from Monterey, Massachusetts, in 1861, and
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served his country three years and three months. He participated in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac-Gettysburg, Fair Oaks, Antietam, and the Wilderness; in the Peninsula campaign-at Will- iamsburg, Malvern Hill, Yorktown, and other places. He was severely wounded at Spottsylvania Court House in May, 1864.
After his discharge from the United States army Mr. Scudder re- turned to Monterey, Massachusetts, but after a short period of time de- cided to test the business opportunities in the western section of the United States, and accordingly located in the state of Illinois. He engaged in the tobacco and cigar business, which he prosecuted assid- uously until his health failed him, and after an absence of four years returned to Berkshire county, Massachusetts, to recuperate. He then engaged in outside carpentering work, but not finding this occupation congenial to his taste he secured employment as clerk in a grocery store at Stockbridge, where he remained for several years. He was appointed by President Arthur as a guard at the Crane Government Mill, at Dal- ton, and later was promoted to captain of the guard, a position he held until the Democratic administration came into power, when he was sup- planted by an adherent of that party. Having taken up his residence in Dalton during his incumbency of the latter named office, he remained there and soon secured employment in the paper business, in which he has continued up to the present time, being now a supervisor in the old Berkshire Mill, in Dalton. In 1896 he represented his district in the state legislature, serving on several important committees.
In 1873 Mr. Scudder married Hannah M. Dobson, daughter of John and Martha Dobson, of Housatonic. Their children are: George B., born in 1877, who is a resident of Los Angeles, California; Helen R., born in 1879, who became the wife of Hal D. Burgaurdt, and they reside in Springfield, Massachusetts ; Charles, born in 1881, is a student
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in the New York Dental College, and works at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York city. Mr. Scudder married for his second wife Isabelle Perry, of Monterey, Massachusetts, a descendant of the Perry family of northern New York. They have one child, Earl V., born in 1894, who attends the schools of Dalton. Mr. and Mrs. Scudder are members of the Congregational church of Dalton, and their residence is located on Central avenue, one of the most select residential sections of the town of Dalton, Massachusetts.
LEMAN WOOD.
This venerable octogenarian, who is fast approaching his ninetieth birthday, is a retired farmer and lifelong resident of Lanesboro, where he was formerly an active participant in local public affairs. His par- ents, Titus and Elizabeth (Weed) Wood, were both natives of Lanes- boro, and his father was a prosperous farmer. The children of Titus and Elizabeth Wood were: William, George, Leman, Mary, Louisa, Hannah, Helen and Sarah, the latter being the wife of Edward Tower.
Leman Wood was born in Lanesboro, November 10, 1817. He was educated in the district schools of his native town and reared upon the homestead farm, where he acquired a good knowledge of agriculture, which has been his principal occupation in life. In addition to carrying on a farm he was engaged quite extensively in teaming. and for many years was one of the busiest of Lanesboro's prosperous inhabitants. Some time ago he retired from active business pursuits, and is enjoying a season of rest and recreation at his comfortable home in that town. Politically he acts with the Republican party, and during the period of his activity he took a lively interest in local public affairs, serving as a member of the board of selectmen and in other important town offices.
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For many years he has been a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and at one time acted as its treasurer.
Mr. Wood has been three times married. Of his union with his first wife, whose maiden name was Louisa Curtis, there were two chil- dren : Curtis B., and Anna, who became the wife of Frank Nourse, and died September 1, 1905. Mr. Wood's second wife, who was before marriage Jane E. Humphrey, bore him one son, Leman, who did not live to maturity. For his third wife he married Mrs. Betsey Watson, and of this union there are no children. Mr. Wood is one of the best known residents of Lanesboro, and is highly esteemed for his many numerous commendable qualities.
WILLIAM DIMICK.
The late William Dimick, who is well remembered in Pittsfield for his philanthropic labors in behalf of the poor and needy, was born in South Cambridge, New York, October 28, 1826.
His opportunities for attending school were limited, but through his own unaided efforts he overcame this deficiency and was therefore largely self-educated. Turning his attention to general farming he followed that occupation successfully for many years, or until 1885, when he established his residence in Pittsfield. Here he devoted the remaining years of his life to religious and philanthropic work, serving as city almoner for a period of twelve years, a greater part of which time was spent in aiding the poor, supplying them with the necessities of life and alleviating distress wherever he found it. Mr. Dimick was frequently called upon to serve as trustee of estates and as arbitrator in disputes relative to the ownership of property. As a member of the Methodist Episcopal church he was actively interested in religious
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work, having served for some time as superintendent of the Sunday school at Buskirk, New York, and he was also treasurer of the West- ern Massachusetts Bible Society. In politics he supported the Re- publican party, and was quite active in public affairs, serving with ability as county commissioner and supervisor. He also acted as a justice of the peace. His death occurred at Pittsfield, October 19, 1902, at the age of seventy-six years, and was the cause of general regret.
In 1874 Mr. Dimick was joined in marriage with Mrs. Fidelia H. Upton, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, who survives him, and is residing in Pittsfield. Mrs. Dimick is descended from the Nash family of South Hadley, this state, and is a sister of Homer and Emory Nash, of Pittsfield.
ARTHUR WELLS SAFFORD.
The gentleman whose name introduces these memoirs is the effi- cient register of deeds of the northern Berkshire district, a resident of Adams. He is lineally descended from John Safford, one of the early English settlers of New England. John Safford, Jr., the great-great- grandfather of Arthur Wells Safford, was a resident of Norwich, Con- necticut, and there married Lydia Hebard. Their son, Silas Safford, born in Norwich, September II, 1757, married Clarinda Hawley, De- cember 25, 1780. Of the children of Silas and Clarinda (Hawley) Saf- ford, Erwin Safford, born at Fairhaven, Vermont, January 17, 1786, died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March, 1855. He spent the greater part of his life in Bennington, Vermont. He married, May 15, 1810, Lucia Swift Wells. Silas Satterlee Safford, a son of Erwin and Lucia Swift (Wells) Safford, father of Arthur Wells Safford, was born at Bennington, Vermont, June 24, 1822. He entered Williams College
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when twenty-four years of age. and while in the sophomore class left that institution to enter the employ of his father, then a coal merchant in Philadelphia. He died in Williamstown, Massachusetts, December 2, 1854. His wife was Louisa J., daughter of Samuel Tyler, a farmer of Williamstown. Samuel Tyler, her grandfather, served as captain in the local militia ; his commission as such from John Hancock, dated June 12, 1788. and a commission as justice of the peace from Governor Chris- topher Gore are in the possession of A. W. Safford. Mrs. Silas Satter- lee Safford now resides in Oneonta, New York.
Arthur Wells Safford was born in Philadelphia, August 15, 1850; received his preliminary educational training in the private school con- ducted by his mother at Williamstown, Massachusetts, and continued his studies at a private boarding school at Pottsville, Pennsylvania; still later at a Burlington, New Jersey, school, and completed his education at the well-known academy conducted by Professor B. F. Mills at South Williamstown, Massachusetts. His first employment was at Philadel- phia. where he was for four years in the wholesale and retail dry goods house of Homer Colladay & Co., on Chestnut street. He was subse- quently for a short period engaged in clerking at Locust Gap. near Scranton, Pennsylvania, and for a year following in the general store of Charles Mather at Williamstown, Massachusetts. He then located at Adams, and after serving W. B. Green as salesman, became bookkeeper for the Adams Brothers Manufacturing Company, with which estab- lishment he continued to be associated during the greater part of the time up to his election as the Republican candidate to the office of which he is the incumbent. His oath of office as register was first taken Jan- uary 5, 1898, since which time he has continuously served in that capacity. Mr. Safford is a member of Berkshire Lodge, F. and A. M .: Corinthian Chapter, R. A. M .; and St. Paul Commandery, Knights Templar. He
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has held all chairs in both lodge and chapter save that of master in the former. He married, May 20, 1874, Helen G., daughter of John W. Richmond, of Adams. Of their six children, a daughter Helen is de- ceased ; Edna is the wife of Fred J. Buntin, clerk in the Adams postoffice ; John is in the office of the L. L. Brown Paper Company, Adams ; George is an agent for the John Hancock Life Insurance Company; and Edith and Ruth, students.
HENRY STURGES.
Henry Sturges, of Dalton, is a direct descendant of one of the early Cape Cod families that about the year 18co left their homes in that sandy stretch of land to take up their abode in the beautiful and fertile district of Berkshire county. Thomas Sturges, with his two brothers, William and Russell, accompanied by their father, settled in the neigh- boring town of Lee. Thomas Sturges was a weaver by trade, and soon after his removal to East Lee formed a partnership with his brother and carried on business as a mason and stone cutter for several years. He wedded Mary Hinckley, who was also born in Cape Cod, at Sandwich, but prior to her marriage removed to Lee. They became the parents of seven children: Edwin, born 1809, in Lee, Massachusetts, died in 1901 at the advanced age of ninety-three years; Elizabeth. born 181I. married Carlos Pinney, of Lee: Mary A., born 1813, married Ortor Heath. of Tyringham, Massachusetts; Charles, born 1815. married Lucretia Gifford, of Lee: Lydia D., born 1817. married Henry Coe, of Lee : Henry (see forward) ; George, born 1822, married Lydia Miner. and after her death wedded Hannah Kyle. He died in 1860.
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