USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Vol II > Part 36
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" The summons came unexpectedly, and, when the overtasked brain gave way and the intellect was shattered. it was beautiful to see the weary spirit dwelling on the great realities of eternity, struggling to see light through the chinks which the disease was making in that poor house of clay, and bringing out of the midnight of the soul. God is love! God is love! I have buried many strong. useful men-I have had Aarons and Hurs taken from me-but I have seldom more deeply felt my personal loss than in burying this man. But on the Sabbath morn, just after we had commenced service, the angel came, and took him away so gently that his footsteps were never heard, and his redeemed spirit went up to the everlasting Sabbath of heaven. So lived and so died the Model Deacon. Henry G. Davis."
LEMUEL GARDNER LLOYD.
Lemuel Gardner Lloyd, whose entire business life was spent in Pittsfield, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, in the latter part of September. 1816. He was one of fourteen children of William Lloyd. many of whom were prominent in business and social circles in Spring- field. His paternal grandfather came from Europe.
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Mr. Lloyd resided in Springfield until fifteen years of age. and then came to Pittsfield to learn his trade with an uncle, a Mr. Gardiner. After serving an apprenticeship of six years, during which time he learned every detail of cabinetmaking and became a highly skilled work- man, he went into business for himself at Belchertown. He would doubtless have continued there, but the building of the railway destroyed his trade and he felt obliged to close out. Returning to Pittsfield, he became a salesman for Mr. Goodrich: and after the death of his em- ployer he established a business of his own in North street, carrying a furniture stock, and in connection with that doing the work of an tin- dertaker. For this last somewhat difficult avocation he was remark- ably well fitted by nature, having tact, sympathy and a kind heart, and for fifteen years he was the leading undertaker here, being called on service by many of the old families. He was a man of unquestioned in- tegrity, and one of his contemporaries said of him that he had so full confidence in Mr. Lloyd that any bill presented by him was paid un- hestitatingly and without undergoing inspection to see if it were correct. He was a friend of the poor, and a liberal giver to every worthy cause. Much of his giving was done in secret, and not until after his death was it fully evident how unusually generous he was. Then the gratitude of many whom he had helped found expression, and during all the thirty years since fresh proofs of his great heart have been coming to light. He was highly prosperous in his business affairs, and could succeed . where others failed. This was shown by his buying up, and either carry- ing on himself or disposing of advantageously business enterprises which had been a complete loss to other men. Persons who came to Pittsfield from other places, hoping by superior inducements to win for them- selves the business that had been given to Mr. Lloyd, were not long in finding that his hold on the confidence of the public was unshaken and
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that all attempts to supplant him would be unavailing. Despite his generosity. he did not impoverish himself. but seemed to verify anew the Scriptural saying, " Give and it shall be given unto you." During the trying times of the Civil war his kindness of heart was manifested on many occasions. Widowed women who came to him with slender pocket-books, with a brave effort to pay their debts, and to keep even with the world after the havoc that death had wrought in their homes.
were kindly but firmly told to keep the money until better times should come and it could be more easily spared. No one who required it was obliged to go without the services of an undertaker for want of means to defray the expenses. Mr. Lloyd seemed to feel that his own success in life was only an added reason why he should help carry the burdens of others. It is no wonder that he had many friends.
By Mr. Lloyd's first marriage he had one daughter, Mary, who is now the widow of the Rev. George C. Thomas, a clergyman of the Methodist church. and resides in Kansas City. He married, on Janu- ary 29. 1851. for his second wife. Maria Terrett, who was born in Con- necticut, the daughter of George W. and Prudence (Dennison) Ter- rett. Her grandfather. William Terrett. was a seafaring man in his early years of activity, lived in Stonington. Connecticut, and was there at the time the British came on the point. He had seven sons. all born in Stonington, and. fearing lest they should desire to follow the sea. he came inland to West Granville. Hampden county. Massachu- setts, and bought a farm. This farm reverted to Mrs. Lloyd's father. and after her birth he returned to it, as the climate of Connecticut did not agree with his wife. It is now in the possession of Mrs. Lloyd's brother. and is prized by all the family. Mrs. Lloyd is one of ten chil- dren. nine of whom grew to maturity. Six of the nine were daughters. and five of these are living and in good health at the present time. The
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mother died suddenly at the age of eighty-four, and the father in old age fell downstairs and died almost painlessly from concussion of the brain.
Mrs. Lloyd taught school for some time previous to her marriage. She has been the mother of three children, namely: Lemuel G., Jr .; Sarah L., who died in infancy, and Carrie Wells, who died in 1882, at the age of twenty-seven. The son. Lemuel, who resided in Pittsfield, died in 1890. His wife died when their son Lemuel Gardner, third, was a babe of nine months, and Mrs. Lloyd was always a mother to the boy.
Mr. Lloyd built his first house on Linden street, where Mr. Hop- kins now lives. A few years later he built the fine residence at the corner of North and Bradford streets, which has since been the family home. Prior to his marriage in IS51, he was connected with the First Church; but after that event he transferred his membership to the Methodist church, of which Mrs. Lloyd was a member, and from that time until his death, which occurred on September 29, 1866, he was an active sup- porter in all affairs of the church. His business was such that he could not always be present at the services; but, whenever possible, he was in his place, and at all times his influence and example were in direct accord with his profession.
GEORGE EDWARD HAYNES.
Notwithstanding the brief period of his residence and professional service in Berkshire county, the subject of this sketch has attained an enviable reputation for ability and trustworthiness as an architect. George Edward Haynes was born in South Boston, Massachusetts, August 27, 1875, son of the late Francis W. and Ellen E. ( Miles) Haynes, both natives of Boston, and of Irish ancestry. The late Fran- cis W. Haynes was a well-known and professionally well-endowed
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scenic artist, connected for a number of years with the Boston theatre, and during the later years of his life engaged in furniture decorative work. He died in 1901 ; his widow continues to reside in Boston.
George E. Haynes attended the public schools of Boston and Chel- sea, and long before reaching man's estate had found in the study of architecture an especial charm. Determining upon the adoption of the profession of architect as his life work, he was fortunate in securing association with T. Edward Sheehan, of Boston, one of the best-known and most successful of the younger architects of Massachusetts, whose work was largely in the best of the newly-developed residential sec- tions of Boston, Brookline and Roxbury, and in general church work throughout New England. During the last five years of Mr. Haynes' employment by Mr. Sheehan he was head draughtsman in the latter's office. Among the notable edifices in the building of which Mr. Haynes was thus actively connected was the Italian Roman Catholic Cathedral in the north end of Boston, which is patterned in its domal construc- tion after St. Peter's, Rome, and is generally recognized by architects and laymen alike as a pronounced triumph of the builder's art. Mr. Haynes was also employed in an engineering capacity by J. H. Proctor, in the latter's coal handling projects, involving the building of plants of novel construction, equipped with newly devised appliances, which in combination solved the problem of necessary expedition in meeting the demands of this trade. Such instant and conspicuous success was attendant upon this enterprise as to challenge the attention of Englishi capitalists, and Mr. Jerry Campbell, late of the Metropolitan Coal Company. is now engaged in superintending similar constructions throughout Great Britain. In September, 1901, the services of Mr. Haynes were secured by the Stanley Company, Dalton, for the imme- diate purpose of the completion by him of that company's plant at
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Morningside. and as its regularly-employed architect and civil engineer. He therefore removed to Pittsfield, which he has constituted his place of permanent residence. The Morningside buildings of the Stanley Company having been completed, his further engagement therewith does not conflict with his acceptance of such architectural work as may come to him, and he has already designed and superintended the build- ing of a number of residences in Dalton and Pittsfield, including the well-known Frederick block in the latter city. His success in securing the $60,000 Orchard street school building is a sufficient commentary on his ability to compete with his local colleagues of the profession, a number of whom submitted plans for the proposed structure. Mr. Haynes was married October 6, 1901, to Mary Gertrude, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth ( Hurley) Cahill, of Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Haynes have one child, Gertrude. The family reside on North street, and are members of St. Joseph's church.
NATHAN GALLUP BROWN.
Among the progressive and aggressive business men of Pittsfield of the middle decades of the nineteenth century, the gentleman whose name introduces these memoirs made a most valuable impress. His coming to Pittsfield was contemporaneous with and the direct outgrowth of that most important era in the development of western Massachusetts, viz., the building of the " Western Railroad."
Nathan G. Brown was born at Preston City, Connecticut, January 27, 1818, and when twenty years of age came to the county seat of Berkshire county, and in conjunction with Dwight Stetson, railroad con- tractor, established a store in the old Callender block (still standing on North street) for the sale of goods of various kinds required by the
Mr.r. Brown
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building of the railroad named, which was then in course of construction through Berkshire county. Business integrity, business sagacity and industry were the characteristics of Nathan Gallup Brown throughout his life, and these estimable and valuable traits were never more in evi- dence than at the inception of his business career. The railroad supply store was a signally successful business venture, and the considerable profit yielded to him therefrom was judiciously invested in Pittsfield real estate. Among other properties he purchased the Edgar Willis Hotel, at the foot of East street, and conducted that old-time hostelry for a number of years, ultimately transforming it into a block of tene- ments, one of which he continued to occupy as his place of residence throughout the remainder of his life. Mr. Brown's investments in and about Pittsfield were not confined to his real estate operations. He was active as well in the development of the manufacturing resources of the vicinity. He bought the twine factory at Curtisville and operated that. plant to pecuniary advantage for some years. During the `6os he con- ducted a balmoral skirt manufacturing establishment on Beaver street, in the building formerly used as a twine factory, and this business proved one of the most successful with which he was ever identified. He was one of the founders and first president of the Kellogg Steam Power Company of Pittsfield and for many years a director of the Berk- shire Mutual Fire Insurance Company. As a member of the committee on finance of this company Mr. Brown was instrumental in making many of the investments which are still the best holdings of this very sub- stantial local institution.
While in no sense a politician, his public spiritedness led to his acceptance of numerous offices. He represented the town of Pittsfield in the state legislature, 1862: held the office of justice of the peace for a number of years; filled the office of water commissioner of Pittsfield
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from 1866 to 1872: acted as special sheriff in 1880, and served as lieu- tenant in the state militia. He was frequently selected to act upon im- portant committees. That he measured up to the full responsibility of every public and private trust is the tribute paid to the memory of Nathan Gallup Brown by all of those who knew him best.
He married, in 1840. Sarah Ann, daughter of the late John Brown, who, like his cousin and namesake, John Brown, of Ossawatomie, was notable for stalwartness in his advocacy of freedom for slaves. Nathan G. Brown died October 23. 1884. His wife, who was born February 22, 1823, died August 27, 1890. They had seven children, of whom three survive. Of the remainder, three died in childhood, and one daugh- ter, Lizzie, in 1863, aged twenty-one years. The surviving children are : Maria Agnes, who married Orson P. Green, carriage dealer of New York City; Charles H. Brown, of Pittsfield: and Jessie L., now the wife of a Mr. Jeffreys, of Chicago, Illinois.
Charles H. Brown was born in the house in which he still resides, at the foot of East street, Pittsfield, November 18, 1854. He married Laura Frances, daughter of Peter and Laura Prine ( Berrian) Gibson, late of New York City, where Mr. Gibson was a leading contractor, junior member of the well-known firm of Hennessey & Gibson. Mrs. Charles H. Brown died April 20, 1904, leaving two children-Harold G. Brown, graduate of Williams College, class of 1905: and Edna L. Brown, graduate of Pittsfield high school, class of 1903.
SAMUEL GARDNER FULLER.
Samuel Gardner Fuller, sexton of the Congregational church and cemetery at Dalton, is a representative of the Fuller family of English origin that was established in America about the middle of the eighteenth
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century. The early representatives of the name were sea captains, and William Fuller, grandfather of Samuel W. Fuller, was master of a vessel engaged in trade with the West Indies and sailing from the ports of Salem and Boston. He had several children, including Spencer Full- er, who settled at Whitingham, Vermont, and afterward lived in various places in Windom county, that state. In his early years he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for a long period. He engaged in the manufacture of shoes, but during the last years of his life devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. He married Maria Fleming, of Hinsdale, New Hampshire, and they had eight children: Elmira, born in 1837, died at the age of three years; Samuel G., born in Halifax, Vermont, May 24, 1840: Hiram W., born February 8, 1842, now lives in Halifax, Vermont ; Harvey A., born March 10, 1844, is a resident of Pittsfield, Massachusetts; Jerua, born in 1846, is the wife of John F. Gallup, of Dover, Vermont; Jerusha, born in 1849, is the wife of Gordon Cutler, of Palmer, Vermont ; Evelyn, born in 1853. is the widow of Addison Eams, her home being in Halifax, Vermont : and Willard, who died at the age of nine years.
Samuel Gardner Fuller, of this review, was born May 24. 1840, in Halifax, Vermont, and in his early boyhood attended the district schools. He assisted his father in the manufacture of shoes, and at the age of nineteen years started out upon an independent business career. He was employed at various places until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted for nine months' service as a member of Company F. Sixteenth Vermont Regiment, at Searsbury, Vermont, in 1862. When his first terin of service had expired he immediately re- enlisted in June, 1863, and became a member of Company E. Sixth Ver- mont Volunteer Infantry, serving with that command until the close of the war. He was in the army for almost three years and gives some
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very graphic descriptions of some of the battles in which he participated, including the engagements at Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Cold Har- bor. Slaughters Pen, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, again at Petersburg and in the siege of Richmond. He was never taken prisoner and was only slightly wounded on three occasions. He was one of fifty men who volunteered for skirmish duty at the battle of Weldon Railroad, and was the only one of them to return alive. Following the close of the war Mr. Fuller returned to his native state, and two years later was married on the 2d of April, 1867, to Miss Anna P. Crosier, of Sears- bury, Vermont, the wedding taking place in Colerain, Massachusetts. He afterward lived in Halifax, Vermont, for a short time, thence re- moved to Wilmington and afterward came to Dalton. Here he drove the mail wagon and conducted an express business for about five years, while his wife conducted the Crane Company boarding house in Dalton. Two children have been the issue of this union : Minnie Julia, born at Reedsboro, Vermont, April 21, 1870; and Samuel Scott, born in Sears- bury. Vermont, October 22, 1873. He died in Dalton, July 15, 1887, and his loss was deeply mourned by his parents and many friends. In his later years Mr. Fuller has been sexton of the Congregational church and cemetery, and his wife and daughter are employed in the paper mills of the Crane Company. All are members of the Congregational church and take an active part in its work. Mr. Fuller is a stanch Republican in politics. He and his family occupy a handsome home in the town of Dalton.
SIDNEY MARCELLUS TORREY.
Sidney Marcellus Torrey, who having retired from agricultural pursuits makes his home in Dalton, represents a long line of sturdy an- cestors. The first of the name coming to this country from Wales settled in the eastern part of Massachusetts, and now the descendants
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are found in many parts of the United States. Sidney M. Torrey traces his ancestry in direct line back to Luther Torrey, who removed from eastern Massachusetts to Cummington, where he married Dorothy Green, who belonged to one of the old families of Connecticut. They had a number of children, including Seth G. Torrey, who married a Miss Leonard, of Worthington, and resided for many years in Windsor.
Hiram P. Torrey, father of Sidney M. Torrey, married Betsey Whitman, also belonging to one of the old New England families and a relative of the renowned Marcus Whitman. As early as 1805 Hiram Torrey removed with his father from Cummington to a farm in Wind- sor, Massachusetts. He had but one sister, Hannah Almira, who be- came the wife of Noah Ford, of Windsor: The children born to Hiram and Betsey (Whitman) Torrey were: Rodney W., whose birth oc- curred September 30, 1836, and who is now living on the farm in Wind- sor ; Sidney M., born May 28. 1839: Sarah A., born August 28, 1843, lives in Windsor ; and Cassius, born November 7, 1845, in Windsor, and during his youth worked at farm labor on the old homstead, attending school for only a brief period through the winter months as opportunity afforded. His father also owned a sawmill in connection with the farm, and for some time this was operated by Sidney M. Torrey and his brother, who formed a partnership under the firm style of Torrey Brothers. They conducted the enterprise for a number of years after the death of their father. In 1893 Mr. Torrey sold his farm in Wind- sor and removed to Dalton in order to provide his daughters with better educational privileges, and is now a well known and respected resident of that place. Mr. Torrey is a Republican in his political views. The family are members of the Congregational church, and his wife is a most earnest worker in the cause of temperance. In 1874 Sidney M. Torrey married Clarissa M. Hathaway, a daughter of Wilson and
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Eunice (Pierce ) Hathaway, and a descendant of John Hathaway, who settled in Taunton, Massachusetts, while later representatives of the name removed to Peru and to Windsor. Mrs. Eunice Pierce Hathaway, now in her ninety-eighth year, makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Torrey, in Dalton, and is one of the few widows who are pensioners of the war of 1812. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Torrey : Homer Newton. April 18, 1875, died in infancy ; Arthur Rodney, May 30, 1879, died October 22, 1879: Bessie Adeline, September 27, 1885. is a student at Mount Holyoke College: Bertha Adelaide, February 17, 1887, is at home.
OTIS RICHMOND BARKER.
Otis R. Barker, born in Moriah, Essex county, New York, July 13, 18II, was one of the oldest and best known citizens of Pittsfield, Massa- chusetts, being hale, hearty and very active, up to his ninety-fourth year. He is a son of Gardner T. and Harriet (Lyon) Barker.
Gardner T. Barker (father) was born at Cheshire, Massachusetts, January 27. 1779. In early life he learned the trade of shoemaker. The respect in which he was held by his fellow citizens is evidenced by the fact that he served as trial justice and supervisor in the town of Moriah, Essex county, New York, for many years, and served as an officer in its military company at the battle of Plattsburg. He married Harriet Lyon, who was born in Warrensbush, New York, in 1790, daughter of Dr. John Lyon, a physician at Cheshire, Massachusetts, dur- ing the period of years that elapsed between 1780 and 1795. Their children were: John V., born 1807; Charles T., 1809; Otis R., 1811; Gardner T., Jr., 1814; Isaac L., 1816; Mary A., 1818; Isaac L., 1820; Luther H., 1822: Harriet L., 1825; Betsey, 1827; George W., 1830; and Benjamin F., 1838. All these children but John V. and Charles
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T. were born in Moriah. New York, while the parents made their home there. John V. and Charles T. were born in Cheshire. After the death of his wife Mr. Barker moved from Moriah, New York, and lived in the families of his sons in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, until his death in April. 1873, aged ninety-four years.
Otis R. Barker acquired a limited education in the mixed schools which existed in that early day, and during his boyhood and young manhood devoted his attention to farming. In 1833 he came from his home in New York state to live with his brother, John V. Barker, in West Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and the following year became a part- ner with him in business. John V. Barker learned the business of wool carding and cloth dressing, and in 1830 came to Pittsfield, Massachu- setts, where he found employment with Messrs. Stearns in their mill at West Pittsfield. In 1832 John V. and his brother Charles T. formed a partnership under the firm name of J. & C. Barker, at this time taking the Daniel Stearns mill, built in 1811, with a view of opening it up to manufacture in. In 1834 Otis R. was taken into the firm and it was then known as J. Barker & Brothers. The mill was almost an instant success, and it was enlarged and rebuilt from time to time as their capital allowed, until it was some one hundred and eighty feet long, three stories high, with a thirty foot wing of the same height. A new mill was built by this enterprising firm, and it was thoroughly equipped for the manufacture of union and all wool cassimeres, both broad and nar- row. In 1865 Messrs. Barker purchased the entire lower property of D. and H. Stearns, consisting of seventy acres of land, two stone fac- tories, a wooden weave shop and wool house and a number of dwellings. The firm continued for more than fifty years to be a most successful and sound financial establishment, but after the death of Charles T. Barker, which occurred in 1884, and owing to the depression of busi-
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ness in the country and the great competition in trade the mills lost money. After the retirement of the brothers from active business, Otis R. Barker devoted his time and attention to looking after and taking care of his home. He was a member of the Congregational church of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and even at his advanced age always attended Sabbath service. He was a Republican in politics, and represented his district in the state legislature. September 20, 1836, Mr. Barker mar- ried Electa Tracey, born in West Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in 1818, but no children were born to them. Having a great love for children they took care of seven, one of whom, Harriet M. Barker was then only twenty-two months old. Mrs. Barker died March 16, 1902. Otis R. Barker was instantly killed October 18, 1904.
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