USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > History of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Volume II pt 2 > Part 42
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
* The foregoing sketch has been taken largely from " Durfee's Biographical Annals." and . Willigenstowe and Williams College " by Rev. N. H. Egleston.
602
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY,
lated of him as showing the means by which his party attained success. Shortly before election day he would start out with his dog and gan - minus the lock, and sometimes "withont lock, stock or barrel." He never failed, however, to bag his game, The results of which were shown on election day : and though in appearance the game " would compare favorably with " Falstaff's recruits," yet the votes counted all the same. He was elected to the Lower House of the Legislature in 1821. and for a number of years thereafter. He was for several years selectman, county commissioner, and during the greater part of his life held other offices of trust. He was a man of good judgment and clear head and was fre- quently called mon to abitate differences among his neighbors. He was a genial companion, fond of a joke and very entertaining in company. Few men have ever lived in this community who were better known ot more highly respected.
He manied Mary Bushnell, of Saybrook. Conn., a descendant of William Bushnell, one of the original proprietors who settled previous to 1618 at what was known as " Oyster River Quarters."
Mr. Danforth raised a family of children, each of whom inherited those remarkable traits of character from the father. Of eight children, four sons became successful lawyers, and each of the four daughters married a distinguished lawyer. One of them married Hon. Abram Orin. judge of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, formerly mem- ber of Congress from Troy ; another married the Hon. Joseph White. one of the most prominent citizens of Williamstown : a third marrie I the Hon. George H. Browne. of Providence, R. L, a member of Congress, and colonel of the 12th Rhode Island regiment during the war : a fourth married A. C. Geer, Esq., a prominent lawyer of Troy.
Keyes Danforth, one of the four sons, was born in Williamstown. January 11th, 1822. He attended the academy and preparatory school. also studied under a private tutor. He entered Williams College in 1842. and gradnated in 1846. Owing to failing health he worked for a time on his father's farm and subsequently studied law with his brother in-law. Hon. George H. Browne, of Providence, R. L., at which place he was ad- mitted to the bar. He soon afterward returned to his native town and in 185! commenced the practice of law. In 1853 he was appointed post- master of Williamstown, which position he held until 1861. He was elected to the Legislature in 1862 and again in 1850. During the absence of Mr. White, the treasurer of the college, he was for nearly twenty years assistant and acting treasurer. He was for many years associated with Mr. Chadbourne in the manufacturing business, but the death of Mr. Chadbourne and other causes necessitated the liquidation and closing of the business. Mr. Danforth has been for many years and until quite recently the only practicing lawyer of the town. He has been town treasurer and school committee and has held other offices of public trust in the community. He has recently been appointed by Gov. Robinson. judge of the Police Court of Williamstown.
1. Danfoto
693
TOWN OF WILLIAMSTOWN.
He was twice married. first to Anna L. Lyon, of Woodstock, Conn., and second to Caroline M. Smith, of Williamstown. He has but one child, a son, named Bushnell, who is now a member of the State begis- lature.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MILLS.
One of the most distinguished women of this country and whose fame was world-wide, who in early life was a poor orphan girl, and unaided and alone attained the topmost round of the ladder of fame, upon being asked by a friend the secret of her snecess in life exclaimed-" Why. I was in earnest -- Terribly in earnest!"
Benjamin Franklin Mills can point with pride to the institution which he after years of toil and labor has established, and which staeds to day firm as the rocks and hills which surround it --- an enduring monu- ment to his faithful and persevering efforts in the cause of education. Nature never lavished on him her choicest gifts ; Dame Fortune never opened to him her golden gates as he entered upon the stage of life ; he achieved success by his own exertions, the secret of which has been his intense earnestness and a firm determination to overcome all obstacles.
Mr. Mills was born on the 13th of March, 1816. His grandfather was one of the early settlers of Williamstown, who came here previous to 1770, and who, when the toesin of war sounded the call to arms, marched with his neighbors to join the army of patriots at Bennington. The father of Mr. Mills was Reed Mills, an industrious, enterprising farmer. His mother was Abigal Comstock, a descendant of an old baronial family, who date their German ancestry previous to the fifteenth century. The early life of B. F. Mills was one of extreme toil and hardship. Beyond the few weeks spent at the public school during the winter months, he was self taught, yet no one ever studied more assiduously or labored harder to aquire an education than did he. His great ambition was to fit himself for college, and in order to raise the necessary funds for this purpose, he entered a store as clerk, where he eventually became a part- ner in the business. His prospects brightened and he hoped soon to be able to carry out his long cherished plans, but in course of time his part- ner became embarrassed through outside transactions. which seriously affected the business of the firm, necessitating a dissolution of partner. ship. Mr. Mills was compelled to discharge the habilities of the firm. and he toiled and struggled for years to rid himself of this heavy burden of debt. He determined to give up the business in which he had been engaged, and being too far advanced in life to complete his education. he. in connection with his brother, in 1812, opened a preparatory school at South Williamstown, now known as Greylock Institute. The pros- peet at first was very discouraging. The school opened with two pupils and for three or four years there was an average of only about twenty. five pupils. The number of boarding scholars continued to increase from year to year, and in 1858 his brother withdrew, leaving him in sole
604
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
charge of the school. The building used was an old one, but was en- larged from time to time as the number of pupils increased. In 1862 his eldest son, George F., having just graduated from Williams College, joined his father and finally became principal of the school, while his father assumed the general management. The school was prosperous and proved a financial snecess. Ten years later Mr. Mills might have re- tired from active life and settled down with a fair competence, but in 1872 the building was totally destroyed by fire. Few mon at the ad- vanced age of fifty-six years would have had the courage to take up the burden of life anew and again assume the cares and responsibilities that such a course devolved ; but Mr. Mills had consecrated his life to this service, and more than ever he felt the weight of responsibility resting upon his shoulders, and he resolved that, let the final result be what it might, he would make one grand effort to retrieve his fallen fortunes and complete the work to which he had dedicated his life. The building was burned April 14th, 1872, and in November of the same year a new build- ing was completed. which, with the furniture and other additions. cost
upward of $80,000. Such was the confidence of the people of this local- ity in the integrity and ability of Mr. Mills that he had no difficulty in negotiating the necessary loans to enable him to prosecute the work : but he assumed individually the whole financial responsibility. Such in- stitutions are usually supported by public corporations or private capital- ists, but from the very beginning of the enterprise Mr. Mills has assumed its entire burden and control, and during the long period of its existence has promptly met all his financial obligations.
The institution was reopened ou the 20th of November, 1872. with seventy pupils, and since that period a kind Providence has smiled upon him, and he can truly say " My lines have fallen in pleasant places and I have enjoyed a goodly heritage."
As a teacher Mr. Mills has always enjoyed the unbounded confidence of his pupils. He trusted them implicitly, and every pupil was made to feel that he had a kind friend and adviser, who was interested in his per sonal welfare.
" He taught them the goodness of knowledge; They taught him the goodness of God."
To mould and guide and shape the minds of these vonth was to him a matter of constant and prayerful study. Michael Angelo looked upon the rough, unent stone and exclaimed " There's an angel in it!" and he cut and carved until the angel was brought forth. So Mr. Mills saw in each individual an angel, whose destiny was committed to his hands, and he toiled and labored to bring it forth. How far he has succeeded will never be known until that Great Day when the books are opened and the works of every man revealed, whether they " be good or whether they be evil." Of the hundreds that have gone forth from his institution and graduated with honors from college, many have attained success in life. and remember with kindly feelings and deep gratitude their Alma Mater.
3.
C
Bong . Niels
TOWN OF WILLIAMSTOWN.
Whatever success Mr. Mills has attained is owing to a firm trust in Divine Providence, an unswerving faith in the cause to which he was de- voted. and an indomitable will and perseverance that crushed all obsta- cles beneath his feet. His integrity and nice sense of honor under the most trying circumstances have won for him the respect and confidence of the whole community and he will bequeath to his posterity the rich legacy of an untarnished escutcheon.
While attending strictly to his educational duties Mr. Mills has found time to devote to public affairs. In 1856 he was elected to the State Senate, and in 1870 was a member of the Lower House. While in the latter instance he was the nominee of the democratic party, he was elected by the aid of republican votes. He has filled other prominent offices in the town. He was for a number of years an active member of the Congregational church of Williamstown, but on the organization of the church at South Williamstown, he was one of the constituent mem bers and has since been an active supporter and liberal contributor to that church. His strongly sympathetic nature and large hearted liber- ality have often led him to make great personal sacrifices in aid of beney- olent objects.
A man of positive convictions, and orthodox in his religions views, he is liberal and charitable toward those who differ from him in their re- Jigions belief.
Mr. Mills was married on the 16th of October, 1838, to Jane S. Butler, of Lanesboro'. He has four sons and one daughter, all living.
SUMNER SOUTHWORTH.
Of the early life of Summer Southworth probably little is known by the people of Williamstown. During a residence of over fifty years in the town he was known as an honest, upright, successful business man. and many of those who were his intimate friends will doubtless be sur- prised to learn of his humble origin, and of the means by which he at- tained success.
Sumner Southworth was born in Cheshire, Berkshire county, Mass .. May 3d, 1804. His parents were plain, honest, hard working people. and the educational advantages he enjoyed were exceedingly limited. At that early age, when most boys have hardly acquired the rudiment- ary branches of education, he was sent to New Ashford, where he was employed by his brother-in-law as bar keeper in a country tavern. In those days the country parson and the village doctor were frequently found among the " patrons of the bar," and the occupation was consid- ered an honorable one. Young Southworth. however, while he was obliged to deal out the "fire water" to others, would never touch a drop himself. While serving his earthly master in this capacity, he re- ceived a call from his Divine Master, which he implicitly obeyed, and which changed the whole current of his life. In the bar room of that country tavern he organized a Methodist society and raised funds for
1
696
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
building a church, and from that time forward, while he continued to labor only as a layman, his life was devoted to the service of his Divine Master. Soon after he married he removed to Hoosick and opened a country store. In 1833 he removed to Williamstown and entered the store of his brother-in-law, Caleb Brown, as clerk. He subsequently entered into the manufacture of cotton goods at the old mill which formerly stood at the foot of Main street. In 1865 he sold his interest to his partner, Stephen Walley, and bought stock in the new mill which was then being built rear the present railroad depot. He became book- keeper for the firm and continued his connection with the mill for several yeals. He finally sold his interest to Mr. Chadbourne, president of Williams College, and retired from active business.
He took a deep interest in the affairs of his adopted town and in 1854 and again in 1874 he was elected to the State Legislature. It was, how- ever, his devotion to the cause of religion and the interests of the Metho- dist church that made him conspicuous in this community. Soon after he came here he gathered together the few members of that denomination and commenced holding prayer meetings in private houses. He met with some opposition at first, but persevered in his efforts and finally succeeded in raising money enough to build a house of worship. That. to him, was an important event. For many years he labored earnestly in the cause of his Divine Master and for the upbuilding of the church. In the meantime his riches increased, and he was enabled to gratify his inclination to help the poor and unfortunate, and to give liberally in aid of religious and benevolent objects. Through his efforts the church in- creased in numbers and influence, and in 1872 he purchased the land where the old Union Honse stood and gave it to the church. On this site now stands a large and commodions edifice of fine architectural appear- ance, built mainly through his efforts, he being the largest contributor to the building fund. This was the crowning effort of his life, and he could say with one of old, " Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace. for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." Although he had passed " three score years and ten," the allotted age of man, he was permitted for several years more to enjoy the fruit of his labors.
He knew the meaning of the declaration, " It is more blessed to give than to receive," and the pleasure he derived in doing good. and con- tributing to the wants of the needy, was doubtless far greater than that of the recipients of his bounty and kindness. He was excessively fond of children, although he never had any of his own, and many a day's plea -- ure have the children of the Sabbath school enjoyed at his expense. Orphans were brought to him, whom he generously cared for and educa- ted, and gave them a fair start in the world. He was modest and un- assuming in his demeanor, but a man of strong convictions and few words. His advice was sought by his fellow citizens on matters of im- portance where great interests were involved : his cool judgment and unbiased opinions could always be relied upon.
SUMNER SOUTHWORTH.
697
TOWN OF WILLIAMSTOWN.
Mr. Southworth was twice married. His first wife was Emily Bur- bank, to whom he was married in 1825, at the small school house in New Ashford, which is still standing. She shared his joys and his sorrows for nearly sixty years, her death occurring in 1883. Antoinette Weed, a niece of Mrs. Southworth, was a faithful attendant on the aged couple for twenty years, and soon after the death of her aunt, she became the wife of Mr. Southworth, and tenderly cared for and watched over him up to the day of his death, which occurred on the 22d of January, 1885. She occupies the homestead and manifests her regard for his memory by trying to promote the objects which were nearest the heart of her de- ceased husband during his long and useful life.
COL. EPHRAIM WILLIAMS.
At the outbreak of the war between Great Britain and France in 1744, the provincial government of Massachusetts Bay authorized the con- struction of a line of forts extending from Fort Dummer on the Connecti- cut River near the boundaries of New Hampshire to the west border of the province. The superintendence of this work and the command of this line of defenses were entrusted to Capt. Ephraim Williams, then about thirty years of age. and a resident of Stockbridge in this county. Under his direction Fort Shirley (named from Gov. Shirley) in Heath. Fort Pelham in Rowe, and Fort Massachusetts in East Hoosuck, near the northern base of Saddle Mountain, were erected in the summer of 1744. Fort Massachusetts, the strongest of these works and farthest west, and consequently in the most exposed position, was the headquarters of Capt. Williams till the close of the war in 1749. During these five years of labor and peril and hardship, he had ample opportunity to become familiar with this portion of the valley of the Hoosick and doubtless ex- plored personally that part of it which bears his name. He became in- terested in its early settlement, was an original proprietor of the town- ship by drawing house-lots Nos. 8 and 10, and was active and influential with the military anthorities of the province in obtaining help for the defense of the early settlers-and with the provincial government in securing legislation favorable to the settlement of the town.
When hostilities began again between Great Britain and France in 1754, Captain, now Major Williams was again given the command of the defenses of the province west of the Connecticut. In March, 1755, be re- ceived from Gov. Shirley his commission as colonel with authority to en- list one of three regiments to join in the Crown Point expedition. These regiments were ordered to ren lezvous at Albany, and while there awaiting orders. Col. Williams made and executed his will, one item of which is as follows :
" It is my will and pleasure that all the residue of my real estate not otherwise disposed of be sold by my executors or the survivors of them within five years atter an established perce which a good God soon grant according to their discretion, and that the same be put out at interest on good security, and that the interest money
698
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
yearly arising therefrom and the interest arising from my just debts due to me and not otherwise disposed of, be improved by said executors, and by such as they ap- point trustees for the charity aforesaid after them for the support and maintainance of a free school in the township west of Fort Massachusetts (commonly called West Township) forever provided said Township fall within the jurisdiction of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and continue under that jurisdiction and provided also the Governor of said Province with the Assembly of said Province shall (when a suitable number of inhabitants are settled there) incorporate the same into a town by the name of Williamstown."
Otherwise it was to be applied to certain other pious and charitable nses. Both of these conditions took place.
The will was dated July 22d. 1755. Soon after its execution Col. Williams left Albany and was with his regiment at the southern extrem- ity of Lake George on the 29th of August. On the morning of the Sth of September following he was entrusted by Col. Johnson, the officer in charge of the expedition, with the command of a scouting party consist- ing of his own regiment and two hundred Indians. They were surprised by an ambush party of French and Indians, and Col. Williams was killed. near French Mountain ; shot through the head by a musket ball.
The alumni of Williams College have caused a marble monument to be erected upon the rock near or upon which he fell. A mural tablet has also been placed in the chapel of Williams College to his memory.
HENRY LYMAN SABIN, M. D.,
The subject of this sketch was a son of Jesse Sabin and Esther Bulk- ley, and a grandson of Lieutenant Zebediah Sabin. He was born at Wil- liamstown on the 29th of May, 1801. At an early age he was sent to Lenox Academy and subsequently entered Williams College, where he was graduated at the age of nineteen. While at college he taught school at intervals and assisted in the support of his father and mother. He continued teaching after he left college, and studied medicine at Chat- ham, N. Y. He attended lectures at the Pittsfield Medical School and at New York. After completing his medical education he returned to Williamstown where he commenced practice and continued for over fifty years. During this period he endeared himself to the people of his native town and no man ever lived in this community who was more be- loved. No man knew so intimately and sympathetically the lives of the people among whom he practiced as Dr. Sabin. He shared in their joys. sorrows, hopes, and associations. He remembered faces, incidents, dates, and family records, and his visits were a household event.
Outside of his profession Dr. Sabin assumed his full share of public duties. His religion was the old-fashioned, genuine New England article, and for just half a century he was deacon of the Congregational church. When abolitioni'm was a reproach, Dr. Sabin took it up with unselfishness, made his house a center for its advocates, and he preached temperance when New England rum was a popular beverage. He never
TOWN OF WILLIAMSTOWN.
narrowed his interests within his immediate limits, but kept abreast of the great popular movements outside. He early became a republican, was sent to the lower branch of the Legislature, served with credit in the Senate of 1857 and was prominent in county affairs. In 1850 he was president of the Massachusetts Medical Society ; he was for many years a trustee and also a medical examiner of the Northampton Lunatic Hos- pital. For more than thirty five years he was one of the board of trus- tees of Williams College, having assumed the office in 1838, about the time Mark Hopkins became president. Dr. Sabin enjoyed the official association and was cordially esteemed by his associates of the board. among whom was for many years his classmate, the Hon. E. C. Benaliet. of New York, judge of the United States District Court.
Probably no citizen of his county possessed a finer vein of natural eloquence than appeared in Dr. Sabin on many public occasions. He was admirable as an occasional off hand speaker, shining in after deiner efforts, when the inspiration of warm feeling was guided by nice native tact. A brilliant and tonching example of this power that never left the doctor was shown at the grave of his wife. The event was peculiarly sad. for she had died on their golden wedding day, and preparations had been made for celebrating that anniversary. When the body was lowered to its rest, Dr. Sabin thanked his neighbors of half a century for their kind. ness in words of simple pathos. It was a touch of nature that illumi- nated the formalities of Puritan burial with a light as clear and tender as a gleam of sunshine. The home thus broken had been the center of a re. fined and gracious hospitality, and in it the members of the county med- ical society had been bidden to celebrate the golden wedding of the local father of their profession. Dr. Sabin was bound up in his household and carefully cherished all family associations. Few men, indeed, have ever been more widely loved or better deserved the general respect.
Dr. Sabin was twice married ; his first wife, Lucy Whitman, survived only about a year. He subsequently married Abba, daughter of Nathan Benjamin, of Catskill. N. Y. As the issue of this marriage there are now five living children, viz: Nathan Henry and Charles, who are in business in New York city : and three daughters, Mrs. John Adriance and Mrs. Fred. Leake, of Williamstown, and Mrs. Joseph Benjamin, of New York
Dr. Sabin survived his second wife only about two months, his dorth occurring on the 24th of February, 1884. Of his wife it is said that " che" was an exemplary Christian, a wise and devoted mother and a model wife. Her house had been for many years the center of a refined mit cordial hospitality. The social cheer and friendship of that bowel) home became one of the permanent attractions of commencement Bon Dr. Sabin had a warm grasp and hearty welcome for every friend wy.l. his gentle and genial wife completed the attraction by her winning fact. intelligence, sincerity, and judgment. She was a superive wow .. though of frail physique and delicate health, she was poste de mest. wisdom of love, of sweetness, of cheer, of courage, and of divine Puth
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.