USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > History of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Volume II pt 2 > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
To accomplish this result Mr. Francis has of course devoted the greater part of his energies to the management of the bank, and he has the full confidence of its stockholders and directors. But a man's life does not lie altogether in his business. The general public recognize in Mr. Francis a gentleman of integrity and sernpulous uprightness, of lit- erary culture and of refined tastes. He was one of the nine gentlemen named in the act incorporating the trustees of the Berkshire Atheneum, Hon. Thomas Allen, Dr. Todd. General William F. Bartlett, and Senator Dawes being among the others. This noble institution has a large and rapidly increasing property, including, besides its treasures of literature, art. historical relies, and cabinets of natural history, a large amount of real estate and invested funds. Since the organization of the boarl Mr. Francis has been its treasurer and chairman of its finance committee, so
462
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
that its large fund and its considerable annual expenditure have been to a large extent in his care, while he has also been a member of the library and art committees.
In politics he is a pronounced republican, and when the occasion calls for it makes it known ; but he is no political manager and the taking of office would be entirely inconsistent with his ordinary duties. He is a member of the State Central Committee, and has for some years been chairman of the committee to fund the town debt, and has held other places in his own line of duty, no one ever questioning his ability or in- tegrity.
He finds relaxation from the manifold responsibilities and labors of business life in music, an art which he passionately lovesand in which he is proficient. His talent and skill as an organist, pianist, and vocalist are of a high order and would have given him fame and fortune had he chosen music as a profession. He has not devoted them entirely to his own en- josment or that of his own private social cirele. He gave his services sev- eral years gratuitously, and with no little added expense, to the Baptist church as organist and chorister, in addition to his other contribution to its support. Whenever public occasions which command his approval need the aid of his musical talent they receive it, as they do that of his purse.
He has acquired a fair fortune which he enjoys in good taste. With courteous and genial manners and a fine person, all this of course makes him a favorite in Pittsfield's refined society.
On the 13th of January, 1857, he married Miss Eleanor H. Tucker. who died October 1st, 1879, leaving one son, Edward Norman, born De- cember 27th, 1857, and one daughter, Nellie Agues, born April 15th, 1861. His second marriage was March 25th, 1585, to Miss Adelia Wells Buell, of Utica, N. Y .. daughter of Alfred L. Wells, formerly of Utica, N. Y., and a direct descendant of Governor Thomas Wells of Connecticut.
HON. JARVIS N. DUNHAM.
Hon. Jarvis N. Dunham, one of the ablest and most distinguished politicians, lawyers, and insurance men in Western Massachusetts, or indeed in the whole State, was born at Savoy, in Berkshire county, May 1st, 1828. His father, Bradish Dunham, who died many years ago, was for twenty five years or more a leading man in town affairs and constantly in local ofilce. He represented the town in the General Court and was selectman for thirteen years. His last public office was that of delegate to the State Constitutional Convention of 1820. He was a well to do farmer, a man of more than ordinary discretion, and a sort of general magistrate, a position which is filled in many New England towns boy men who win the confidence of their neighbors as to ability and integrity. and generally by only one in a village.
Jarvis N. was the third of five sons. He enjoyed the opportunities for education furnished by the common schools, and also, what was of
---. -
7
Del Dunham
.:
463
TOWN OF PITTSFIELD.
more value. excellent home instruction by his father. He worked on his father's farm until eighteen years old. He then taught school for two years. At twenty he had his own time and wages, which he saved to enable him to pursue the study of law. In 1850 he married Eliza Cuiti- mings, of Bennington, Vt. He served as clerk, bookkeeper, etc., until by the joint exertions of himself and wife they had accumulated a few hundred dollars, when he entered the law office of Hon. Daniel Noble Dewey, then secretary and treasurer of Williams College. Daring his student life Mr. Dunham not only received instruction from a most com- petent preceptor. but earned extra compensation for extra work relating to college affairs, students' bills, and the like.
He was admitted to the Berkshire bar at the May term of the Su- preme Judicial in 1856 and immediately opened an office in Adams. He remained there and had a good practice until, in 1862, he accepted the office of secretary of the Western Massachusetts Insurance Company. of Pittsfield, and removed to that place, and has ever since maintained his residence there. although for some years doing business at Spring- field.
In 1866 he was offered the secretaryship of the Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company, then, as now, the largest fire insurance com- pany in the State. After a few years' service in that capacity he opened an insurance office in Pittsfield in which he had great success : but in 1880 President Smith. of the Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company, dying. he returned to that institution to fill the vacancy and has since been its president. His connection with it has been continuons since 1866 in some form. It will go without saying that institutions of which Mr. Dunham is head or secretary need not employ an ontside attorney or legal counsellor.
In addition to the institutions mentioned to which he has given the largest share of his attention, Mr. Dunham has for many years been di- rector and vice president in the Agricultural Bank and director in the Berkshire Life Insurance Company of Pittsfield, which position he still holds. Ile has been a director of the Boston & Albany Railroad since 1879.
He is an earnest politician of the democratic school and a thoroughly informed and eloquent. but ealm speaker. Although he does not devote his time to political management, he is always ready to give his voice and money if they are needed for the support of his principles, and he is consequently a favorite with his party.
He represented the Third Representative District of Berkshire. com- posed of Pittsfield and Dalton, in the Legislatures of 1874, 1877. and 1878, and was the democratie candidate for Congress in the Berkshire and Hampden District in 1878 and 1884.
464
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
EDWIN CLAPP.
Edwin Clapp, eldest son of Jason Clapp, was born in Pittsfield, May 1st, 1809, and died July 27th. 1884. His father was born at Northamp- ton in 1783, being the son of Ebenezer Clapp. In 1802 he removed to Pitts- field, on the invitation of his friend, Lemuel Pomeroy, by whom he was employed as master wheelwright till 1800. In that year he purchased the land now included in Clapp avenne and the building lots adjoining that street on the west, where he built the shop around which afterward grew up Clapp's carriage factory. Of his life and character, Rev. Dr. Todd thus spoke in his funeral sermon :
" He began life by serving a regular apprenticeship; receiving the almost in. credibly small pay of eight dollars per year. But so economical were his habits that, during the four years of his apprenticeship he expended only ninety-three dollars. On reaching his majority, he immediately paid off the debt of sixty dollars thus un- * avoidably incurred, and at once began to assist in the support of his parents.
* I have seldom known a man whom I could hold up with more confidence as a model for our young men to study and copy. He began on a small scale ; never asking a man or a bank to loan him a dollar ; never asked a note discounted, never asked a man to indorse for him; I doubt whether he was ever sued at law. Slowly, steadily, surely, he advanced until he stood at the head of his business ; the man whose name was a warranty, whose workmanship was as perfect as care and labor could make it, and whose production it was an honor to possess."
He was one of the corporators of the Pittsfield Mutual Fire Insurance Company in 1819, one of the first directors of the Berkshire Mutual Fire Insurance Company in 1835, and one of the first trustees of the Berkshire County Savings Bank in 1846.
The carriage factory established by Jason Clapp soon grew to be one of the most important manufactures of the town and one of the leading carriage factories in the country. Pittsfield then being the halfway station between the Connecticut River and AAlbany. Jason Clapp, with a Mr. Rice, of Albany, as a partner, established a line of stage coaches between the points mentioned. There was a rival line and competition was sharp. Young Edwin Clapp entered eagerly into the contest and did much to help his father's line to gain the victory. In 1830, at the age of twenty- one, having thoroughly learned the carriage making business, he was ad. mitted to partnership with his father.
The line of stage coaches continued to prosper until 1842, when the business was ended by the completion of the Western Railroad. The stages of this line, built by Jason Clapp & Son, were the best in the country and the horses of corresponding character. When General La Fayette visited the town. in 1825. he rode in "an elegant coach, provided by Mr. Jason Clapp, which. richly festooned with flowers, and drawn by four spirited greys, bore him pleasantly and rapidly to the village of Pittsfield."
The carriage factory continued to rise in reputation until it had no superior in the elegance, style, and strength of its work. After the death
1
---
١
465
TOWN OF PITTSFIELD.
of the father the son continued to carry on the business until a few years previous to his death, when he leased the factory and retired from business.
Mr. Clapp always took an active interest in town affairs, and was one of the foremost in important public undertakings. He was especially interested in the fire department. In 1834 he repaired the little old box engine, purchased by the town in 1814, and of whose company he was captain. At the organization of the Housatonic Engine Company, in October, 1844, he was chosen first assistant. Eighteen months later he became its foreman, and continued to hold that position until 1883, when he declined re election. During his long administration the company included among its members many of the best citizens of the town, and became one of the best drilled companies in the State. When, in 1872, the town bought two new engines, his services to the department were recognized by giving his name to one of them.
He was one of the board of water commissioners from 1860 to 1864. and also served on other important committees in the town and district : but, as a rule, he avoided public office. He was one of the directors of the Agricultural Bank, the Berkshire County Savings Bank, and the Berkshire Mutual Fire and Life Insurance Companies. He was one of the trustees of the Berkshire Athenaeum from its incorporation in 1872 until his death. With Hon. Elias Merwin, of Boston, he was designated in the will of Phinehas Allen as one of the trustees of the estate of which the Athenannt is the residuary legatee, but he offered to perform the du- ties of the trust alone, without compensation, and did so most faithfully and generously.
Mr. Clapp was a man deservedly popular and commanded to an unu- sual extent the confidence and esteem of the people. He was kind and genial in disposition. and ever ready to lend a helping hand to the poor and unfortunate. He cared for his employes in sickness and in health. with no grudging charity, but as if it were a cheerful duty. He retained his mental activity and interest in public affairs to the last. He was a keen observer of human nature and detested all shams. In every position in life he evinced that rectitude of purpose, that firm determination to adhere to what he believed to be right, regardless of the opinions of others.
He was one of the few men to be found in almost every community whose lives are so intertwined with the growth and development of the place that the extent of their power and influence is not felt, and their usefulness not fully appreciated, until the brittle thread of life is snapped asunder, and the shock is felt by the whole body politie ; then men ex- claim : " He was a valuable citizen, and we have suffered an irreparable loss."
Mr. Clapp was twice married ; first to Emily, daughter of Captain Jabez Peck. She died leaving no children. He afterward married Mary. daughter of Hon. Calvin Martin, who survives him, with one daughter, Mary Campbell.
466
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
JUDGE JOSEPH TUCKER.
The name of Tucker has long been one of honorable prominence in Berkshire life and society. The father of the subject of this sketch. George Joseph Tucker, Esq., was born at Lenox in 1804, graduated at Williams College in 1825. studied law with Hon. William P. Walker in Lenox, and at the Litchfield Law School. He was admitted to the Berk. shire bar in 1825. He was chosen county treasurer in May, 1847. and register of deeds in September of the same year. He held both offices without any appreciable opposition until his death at Pittsfield in 1878, except that of register of deeds for six years when the law forbade the union of the two in one person.
In 1829 Mr. Tucker married, at Lenox, Eunice S. Cook, who died in 1843 ; and in 1845 he married Hannah Sill, of Middletown, Conn. There are several children of the second marriage, one. of whom succeeded his father as treasurer of the county ; but Judge Tucker was the only child of the first now living.
He was born at Lenox, August 31st, 1832, and entered Williams Col- lege as a sophomore in 1848, his preparatory studies having been at the Lenox Academy, of which Principal John Hotchkin was then the head, and at the private boarding school of Alexander Hyde in Lee ; both schools being of a reputation whose memory is still a pride to their sev- eral towns, and the Lenox Academy having been recently restored to its first estate.
He graduated in 1851 and immediately began the study of law in the eminent firm of Rockwell & Colt, at Pittsfield. He attended a course of lectures in 1853 at the law school connected with Harvard University, and was admitted to the Berkshire bar in the same year. He first settled at Detroit, Mich., in 1854, but soon afterward commenced the practice of his profession at St. Louis, Mo. He continued there with a fair pecuniary success until the fall of 1859, when he returned to Berkshire to recruit his impaired health, but intending to resume his business at St. Louis as soon as might be. The outbreak of the Rebellion broke that purpose, and in 1860 he opened a law office at Great Barrington, in which he found promising practice ; but a different career was before him.
In 1862 the country made pressing demands upon her young sons, and Mr. Tucker enlisted in August of that year as a private in the 40th regiment, which was raised at that time practically entirely in Berkshire county. He was at once chosen first lieutenant of Company D. and de- tailed for duty as acting assistant adjutant general, and continued in that position until the regiment, which was destined for the Department of the Gulf, reached Louisiana. On the reorganization of the army there he was assigned to the staff of General Chapin as one of his aides-de camp. the position being urged upon him and accepted, although he was willing to remain with his home company.
The regiment reached Baton Rouge, May 19th, 1863, without en- countering the enemy, but the order continued to be to advance upon
467
TOWN OF PITTSFIELD.
Port Hudson, and was hailed with pleasure by a great portion of its members. On the 21st the battle of Plains Store occurred. This was one of the sharpest battles of the war except when whole battle corps were engaged, and must have severely tried the courage of a corps com- posed of men entirely unused to the terrors of a battlefield, but it showed nothing but bravery. The brigade flag near which Lieutenant Tucker was riding was a conspicuous mark for a shower of such unpleasant missiles as shells and schrapnell balls. He was very severely wounded in the right leg. After the serious consideration which was due in such a case, it was determined that amputation was necessary. and it was per- formed on the field. Lieutenant Tucker submitted to it with the patience of a true man and the fortitude of a true soldier ; we will not recall the phrase after writing it, although the distinction between a true man and a true soldier consists only in the opportunities given each to exercise the virtue of courage. The man who is brave only to do wrong is a ruffian and not a soldier ; he who believes in the right, and is not willing to defend it at the risk of life, limb, and property, is either a coward or a miser and no " true man."
Col. William F. Bartlett, afterward Major General Bartlett, was commander of the regiment, but had gone into the battle when only his mind and soul, not his physical strength, enabled him to go through it. At its close he was too far exhausted to visit his friend, Lieutenant Theker, but he had suffered amputation himself, and he sent word to him not to permit an error in the operation, which, though tempting for the moment, was afterward the source of pain and danger. The opera- tion was skillfully performed, and aided by a strong constitution Lien- tenant Theker was restored to full health. Returning home he was ap- pointed, by Governor Andrew, superintendent of recruiting for Berkshire. In this office he was zealous and efficient, but also conscientious and truthful. While he urged all able bodied men to enlist. he severely con- demned the practice of enticing or indneing those whom youth or other circumstances rendered peculiarly liable to camp diseases to take places which could be more safely filled by others, merely for the sake of filling a quota and avoiding a draft.
At the close of the war he resumed the practice of the law in Great Barrington, and represented that town in the Legislature of 1865. He was State Senator from the Southern Berkshire District in 1868 and 1867. In 1868 he was appointed by Chief Justice Chase register in bank- ruptcy for the Eleventh Congressional District of Massachusetts.
His popularity acquired by his services during the war, and his ju- dicious and able service in his subsequent offices, led to his nomination by the republican party, in 1868, and his election as lieutenant governor of the commonwealth. the term commencing January 1st, 1869. By suc- cessive re-elections he continued in this office until 1873, being associated with Gov. William Claflin until the last year, when William B. Wash- burn took the gubernatorial chair. Gov. Washburn appointed him judge
468
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
of the District Court of Central Berkshire. which is held at Pittsfield. to which place he removed, and where he has since resided. His interest in Lenox has, however, in no whit abated, and hardly his social intercourse and almost identification with the highest class of its society, although he holds a high place in that of Pittsfield. In the latter town he has taken a deep interest in municipal affairs, and has been an influential speaker upon important matters before the town meetings. His conduct as judge has made him very popular, and gives his advice great power with the voters, which he strengthens by well chosen words. His ripe culture, varied experience, versatility of talent, tried integrity, and ster- ling character unite to make him eminently serviceable to society, and constitute the grounds for a safe prophecy of a still more honored and useful future.
Judge Tueker was married September 20th, 1876, to Elizabeth, daughter of Judge Henry W. Bishop, of Lenox, one of the most distin- guished citizens of Western Massachusetts. Mrs. Tucker died February 12th, 1880, leaving no children.
CEBRA QUACKENBUSH.
No citizen of Pittsfield has done more than Cebra Quackenbush to make the town attractive to strangers and provide its own people with the means of enjoying life, so that his biography properly finds a place in its annals.
He was born at Hoosick. Rensselaer County. N. Y., September 7th, 1838, and is a descendant of John Quacenbush, one of the earliest set- tlers of that town, in 1761, who represented oue of the oldest families of the Empire State, and which, as a local chronicler truthfully writes. "was distinguished for correct business habits and the quiet, unobtrusive performance of the duties which society and citizenship required of them." It had also social distinction, members of it early intermarrying with the Van Schaicks, Knickerbockers, and other families, to which the leaders of New York society are now proud to trace their origin. We shall have occasion to again touch upon this point.
Pieter Quackenboss, in 1668, bought a brick yard in Albany of Adriaen Van Ilpendam, from whom the Christian name of Adrian was introduced into the family. We have in other connections explained the manner in which the spelling of proper names of persons and places have been changed, which is the more natural where the ancestors were Dutch. Adrian, the son of Pieter, in 1699, married Catharina, daughter of Sybrant Van Schaick, and settled at Sehraghticoke.
Eight children were born to Adrian and Catharina Quackenboss, and their names show the habit of educated Dutch people of that period of Latinizing them. They were all baptized between Jannary 7th, 1700, and October 29th, 1719. Sybrant, baptized June 14th. 1702. married Eliz- abeth Knickerbocker.
John, or as it appears on the record in the Latin form, " Johannes,"
Petra Lucaskenbush
469
TOWN OF PITTSFIELD.
was baptized October 28th, 1710, and married Elizabeth Rumbly. Decem- ber 22d, 1730. He purchased a farm on what was then known as the " Schneyder Patent," which had been granted by the Crown in 1762 and covered 10,000 acres extending along the eastern border of the present town of Hoosick, and was called Mapletown after it was settled. This was as early as 1765, and he lived to the age of St years, "leading the active and laborious life of a frontiersman." He had six children. three sons and three daughters. Adrian, of this generation, a grand uncle of Cebra, was born in 1746, and died a soldier on a Revolutionary battle field. John married Hannah, daughter of his neighbor. Peter Ostran- der-"another of those fortunate individuals in whom Dutch persever- ance and Yankee enterprise were united."
'The children of this marriage were Peter, Benjamin. John L., and Susannah. In 1874 all the sons were living and owned valuable farms on the " Schneyder Patent," although they carried on business elsewhere.
Peter, the father of Cebra, was a powder manufacturer at Fair Haven, Vt., in the firm of Quackenbush, Steer & Armstrong, and was a leader in that manufacture. After retiring from that business he was a fre- quent visitor to Berkshire county, where he had, besides his son. Cebra. two danghters, wives of cashier E. S. Wilkinson, of the Adams Na tional Bank. and A. E. Richmond, proprietor of the Richmond House in North Adams. He led a very quiet life while in the county, and was of a very retiring disposition, but he nevertheless became well known and won the esteem of the best citizens of Pittsfield and Adams.
He married. November 13th, 1833, Mary Cebra, daughter of James Breese, who, in 1805, had married Maria Cebra, of Greenbush. N. Y. James Breese was a descendant of Hendrick Breese, one of the early set- tlers of Albany, and whose son, Anthony, was high constable of that city in 1696. Mr. Quackenbush purchased the farm of his wife's father at Hoosick and lived on it for many years. Mrs. Quackenbush is described in the Annals of Hoosick as "a lady rich in graces and virtues," an opinion which will be fully confirmed by those who have known her in Berkshire. She is still living. Among the notable ancestors in the Breese family were Maria Bogardus, whose mother was Anneke Janse. from whom Trinity Church, in New York, obtained its immense wealth. and William Cebra Breese, who became a successful banker in South Carolina.
Anthony Breese, son of Henry Breese and Wyntje Van Vechten Breese, married Carayntje Yates about the year 1759. John Yates Cebra. a great unele of the subject of this sketch. in April. 1809, married Mary Harriman, a daughter of a distinguished Long Island family. He was himself a merchant and politician of great note and much influence half a century ago. From him Mr. Cebra Quackenbush received his name.
Cebra Quackenbush was educated at the Ball Seminary in Hoosick Falls, founded by Hon. L. Chandler Ball, and at the Hudson River Insti- tute at Claverack, where he graduated July 23.1. 1857, delivering an ora -
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.