USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Greenfield > History of Greenfield : shire town of Franklin county, Massachusetts, Vol. II > Part 14
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His son, Charles P. Russell, who is at the head of the Wiley & Russell Manufacturing Company, lives in this town.
GEORGE TEMPLE CHAPMAN, D.D.
Mr. Chapman was born in Devonshire, Eng., in 1786; was at school at Harrow ; came to this country in 1795, and came to Greenfield with his father, Thomas Chapman, about 1799. He was a graduate of Dartmouth, and wrote a history of that college which was extensively used. He was rector of churches in Portland, Me., Bennington, Vt., and Lexing- ton, Ky. While at Lexington he was also professor in Tran- sylvania University. Henry Clay was his parishioner and
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intimate friend. After leaving Kentucky he was rector of churches in Newark, N. J., Worcester, Pittsfield and Lee in Massachusetts. He died in Newburyport, Mass., in October, 1872. He was a man of strong character much beloved by- his family and friends.
REVEREND GEORGE RIPLEY
Perhaps the most learned and accomplished scholar who ever originated in Greenfield was George Ripley. He was the son of Jerome and Sarah (Franklin) Ripley, and was born in this town at the "old Dr. Hovey place," October 3, 1802. His father came from Hingham in 1790, and was an old-time merchant, and his mother was a cousin to Dr. Benjamin Frank- lin.
George Ripley graduated at Harvard in 1823 with high honors. He remained at Harvard a year as tutor, and in 1826 graduated at Cambridge Divinity School. The next year he became the settled minister of the Purchase Street church in Boston where he remained until 1831, when he went to Europe where he remained for several years, engaged in the study of French and German literature. Upon his return to this country, he gave his attention wholly to literary pursuits, his first work being the editing of fourteen volumes of "Speci- mens of Standard Foreign Literature." During his European trip he had become very much interested in the solution of the social problems of the day. In the summer of 1840 he and Mrs. Ripley boarded on a milk farm at West Roxbury, and there they "found a spot on which to carry out what had be- come their dearest wish," which was to found an institution "to insure a more natural union between intellectual and manual labor than now exists ; to combine the thinker and the worker, as far as possible, in the same individual ; to guarantee the highest mental freedom by providing all with labor adapted to their tastes and talents, and securing to them the fruits of their industry ; to do away with the necessity of menial serv-
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ices by opening the benefits of education and the profits of labor to all, and thus prepare a society of liberal, intelligent and cultivated persons, whose relations with each other would permit a more wholesome and simple life than can be led amidst the pressure of our competitive institutions." "To accomplish these objects," Ripley wrote to Emerson, "we propose to take a small tract of land which under skilful hus- bandry, uniting the garden with the farm, will be adequate to the subsistence of the families, and to connect with this a school or college, in which the most complete instruction shall be given, from the first rudiments to the highest culture." So, during that winter he purchased the " Brook Farm," and September 29, 1841, "The Brook Farm Institute of Agricul- ture and Education" was organized. The farm contained about 192 acres, and at the height of its prosperity about 120 persons were connected with it. Associated with Ripley were a most remarkable group of gifted men and women, and this prac- tical experiment in the principles of transcendentalism was given fair trial under the guidance of Ripley, Hawthorne, Emerson, Alcott, Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, and many others who be- lieved in the doctrines of Schelling.
Financially the scheme was a failure, and Ripley withdrew and removed to New York where he became associated with Greeley in the editorial management of The Tribune, continu- ing its literary editor until his decease, July 4, 1880. He did much other literary work during this period with Charles A. Dana, editing the New American Encyclopedia. He was one of the founders of Harper's Magazine and its literary editor for many years. The University of Michigan conferred upon him the degree L.L. D. in 1874. He was always interested in Greenfield affairs and contributed $100 toward the erection of the Greenfield Library Association building.
REVEREND SAMUEL MERRILL WOODBRIDGE The subject of this sketch was the son of Reverend Sylves-
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ter Woodbridge, the fourth pastor of the first church in Green- field. He was born here April 5, 1819, and removed to New York state in 1823, and was graduated at the New York Uni- versity in 1839. He studied theology at the Reformed Dutch Seminary, New Brunswick, N. J., and was licensed to preach in July, 1842. He was soon called to the South Dutch Church at Brooklyn, N. Y., where he remained until 1850, when he became the pastor of the Dutch Church at Coxsackie, N. Y. Two years after he was called to the Second Reformed Church in New Brunswick. Here he attracted a large con- gregation and in 1857 was elected by the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America as professor of church his- tory in its Theological Seminary in New Brunswick. Owing to his increasing years he resigned his chair in 1901, which was accepted, but the General Synod immediately elected him professor "emeritus," and until 1902 he continued to lecture as suited his convenience.
From 1857 to 1864 he was, coincidently with his professor- ship in the Theological Seminary, professor of metaphysics and the philosophy of the human mind in Rutgers College. His successor in the pastorate of the Second Reformed Church of New Brunswick (where Rev. Dr. Woodbridge still resides), Reverend Mancius H. Hutton, writes: "In 1897 a public celebration of his fortieth year in his professorship at the Seminary was duly held. Delegates from Union Theo- logical Seminary in New York City, and from the Theologi- cal Seminary at Princeton, N. J., were present, together with many distinguished visitors and a host of the Alumni of New Brunswick Seminary who were drawn together to do him affectionate honor. During his long service he has been the signal ornament of the Seminary. No citizen of New Brunswick is more honored or revered. His presence among us is regarded as a benediction. If Greenfield had produced nothing else, it might well be proud of having produced him."
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REVEREND ARETAS G. LOOMIS
Mr. Loomis was son of Reverend Aretas Loomis, long a minister of Colrain and Bennington, Vt. His mother was Sarah, daughter of Elihu Goodman an early settler in Greenfield. He was born in Huntonville, W. Va., in 1821 and died in Greenfield, August 1, 1893. He graduated at Williams College under the tuition of Reverend Mark Hopkins, whom he ever held in grateful remembrance. After studying at Windsor, Conn., he preached for a season at Charlemont and at Colebrook, Conn. He was pastor at Bethlehem, Conn., for twelve years where he married Eliza- beth M., a granddaughter of the celebrated Reverend Dr. Bellamy.
Mr. Loomis came from Bethlehem to Greenfield and sup- plied at the First Congregational Church for a year, and afterward preached occasionally in the adjoining towns. For several years he received into his family five or six Chinese boys who were sent to this country by their government for education. Mr. Loomis served for several years as a member of the school board of this town. He was a studious man, of fine sensibilities, modest and unassuming in his manner and the exampler of a true Christian manhood.
REVEREND GEORGE LEWIS SMEAD
Mr. Smead was born in Greenfield and was the son of Deacon Charles L. and Lucy (Corse) Smead. He was edu- cated in the district schools, the select school at Science Hill, and prepared at Williston Seminary for entrance to Amherst College, where he graduated in 1857. He began soon after his graduation to teach school in Circleville, Ohio, from there he was called to a position in the Ohio Institution for the Blind, at Columbus. He was assistant superintendent under Dr. Lord for nine years, and at his death was chosen his suc- cessor. After twenty-five years' continuous service he was ousted by reason of a political overturn, and in 1886 became
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pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Savannah, Ohio. Here he remained until September, 1900, when he was again called to his old position at Columbus.
His people at Savannah, while feeling justly proud of the honor which had come to their pastor, parted from him with deep regret, as evidenced by the resolutions of the church passed in his honor.
REVEREND JOHN W. CUMMINGS
Father Cummings, the son of Patrick Cummings, was born in Greenfield and educated in the public schools of this town. He also studied at St. Charles School at Ellicott Mills, Md., took a collegiate course at Nicolet College, Can., and studied theology at Grand Seminary, Montreal. He was or- dained by the late Bishop Reily at the Cathedral at Spring- field in 1883, priest in the diocese of Denver, Col. Arriving at Denver, he for a season did missionary work at Leadville, and afterward held a pastorate at Boulder, Col. Mr. Cum- mings health gradually failed him and he became attached to the Cathedral at Denver, where he did good work for several years. At last the insiduous disease which had long been his foe gained such mastery that he returned to his father's home to die. He lingered for four months after his return to Greenfield, and died January 15, 1898, aged 37 years. His funeral was largely attended at Holy Trinity Church, high mass being celebrated by Reverend John A. Fitzgerald of Pittsfield, his friend and companion.
REVEREND JOHN A. FITZGERALD
Father Fitzgerald was born in Greenfield and the founda- tions of his education were laid in the public schools of this town. He is curate of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pitts- field, Mass., where he has been located for several years.
REVEREND ALLEN C. MORGAN
Reverend Allen C. Morgan, born in Greenfield became an
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Episcopalian minister, but I have been unable to obtain facts regarding his life.
REVEREND DAVID BACON
Reverend David Bacon, son of Jonathan Bacon, an early settler, was born in Greenfield and preached for many years in Kentucky, but I have no other information of him.
REVEREND HIRAM P. ARMS
Reverend Hiram P. Arms was a Congregational minister and spent some of his early days in this town. Reverend Jubilee Wellman, also a Congregational minister, was born in that part of Greenfield now Gill. Reverend Avery Williams, the father of the Misses Williams who became celebrated teachers, was a resident of this town.
CHAPTER LVII
SKETCHES OF LIVES OF FORMER CITIZENS
But little information can now be gained of the lives of men who were prominent in business affairs of the town in the early part of the nineteenth century.
1756, December 19, Edward Allen died. He built the fort where now stands the Hollister house.
1787, January II, Ebenezer Wells died. Mr. Wells owned the land lying at the east end of Main street and northerly along High street.
1788, June 13, Captain Ebenezer Arms, an officer of the Revolutionary War, died, aged 68.
1801, May 25, Samuel Wells who built the large house at the west end of Main street which was removed when B. B. Noyes erected his residence. He was a man of prominence in his day. He was the father of Colonel Samuel Wells who died May 16, 1838, aged 68.
1813, March 6, died Jonathan Bird, Sr., aged 37. He married Betsey, sister of Hon. George Grennell, who survived him till December 27, 1873, being 94 years of age. Mr. Bird was a merchant. Their son Jonathan in 1845 built the present residence of Judge Fessenden. He died January 25, 1 872, aged 65.
1815, July 26, Colonel Daniel Wells died, aged 55. He was the father of Hon. Daniel Wells, at one time chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas. His wife, Rhoda (Newton) survived him until July 22, 1833, dying at the age of 73 at Byron, N. Y.
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1819, May 25, died Thomas Chapman, aged 73. He was born in Barforth, England, and built the old Chapman house, owning the land where Chapman street is located. He was a fine courtly old English gentleman.
1821, November 10, Moses Munson, father of Morris Munson, late of this town, was drowned in Deerfield river. He was once an owner of an interest in the Green river mills. He was 54 years of age.
1828, May 30, Nathan Draper died aged 66. He was a man who had done much for the building up of the town, and was a good citizen.
1831. On the 28th of May, at Buffalo, N. Y., Pliny Mar- tindale, of Greenfield, while on board a canal boat upon his passage home from a visit to the West, was struck by a bridge at the guard lock and falling into the water was drowned. He was the father of Mrs. S. O. Lamb.
1834, February 21, John Pinks, one of Burgoyne's men, died.
March 20, Moses Newton, a Revolutionary pensioner died, aged 78.
September 22, John Newton, aged 84, a Revolutionary pensioner died.
Jerome Ripley began business in Boston, but came to Greenfield in 1789 and began business as a merchant with small means but a strong determination to succeed. September 6, 1790, he purchased from Samuel Wells one of the original eight-acre home lots, bounded south on the highway, north on land of Lemuel Bascom, east on Beriah Willard. His store was where the old Dr. Hovey block now stands. Eight acres there now would be worth quite a little sum of money. By industry, economy, and perseverance he accumulated a handsome estate. For almost fifty years he gave daily per- sonal attendance upon his affairs up almost to the close of his life. He was a member of the old Court of Sessions, and a magistrate for about forty years, a member of the General
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court, and was called to other municipal and civil offices, all of which he filled with the same conscientious sense of duty that he gave his own business affairs. He was a gentleman of the old school, and held an important place in the business and social concerns of the town. He died December 28, 1838.
1840, March 25, died Samuel Pierce, aged 73. Mr. Pierce built the Pierce (now Strecker) block, was a first-class business man, engaged largely in boating, and carried on a coppersmith and tinning business. He manufactured lead pipe, pewter ware, block tin teapots and was a skilled mechanic. He was the grandfather of Captain George and John D. Pierce. 1 840, April 22. Elihu Goodman, formerly of South Hadley but long a resident of Greenfield, and a much respected citizen, died aged 88. He was a soldier of the Revolution.
1844, March 8, died George Grennell, father of Judge George Grennell, aged 93.
1845, September 13, David Long, Jr., died, aged 43 years. He was a blacksmith having a shop near the fire department building on Federal street. His father, David Long, Sr., was born July 4, 1776, and died January 4, 1860. They were men of worth.
1847, February -, Lyman Kendall died in Cleveland, Ohio. He built the store at the corner of Main and Federal streets, and was a leading merchant for several years.
1848. April 10, Sylvester Allen died aged 66 years. He was born in Providence, R. I., the son of a farmer, and had the usual educational advantages of farmers' sons. When he was fourteen years of age his leg was crushed while working in the woods, and amputation followed. He went into business in Brookfield, and in 1812 removed to this place. He always declined public office, excepting in connection with the bank, but gave his life to mercantile affairs, being largely interested in boating upon the Connecticut. He was an honest man and his descendants have added honor to the family name.
Francis Russell, the youngest son of Major John Russell,
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the silversmith, was born in Greenfield, August 9, 1806. He received his education at Westfield Academy, and entered the employment of Lyman Kendall in the " corner store." Ken- dall and Nathaniel Russell became partners both in general trade and in the manufacture of cashmeres at Factory Hollow.
When his brother John began manufacturing he became the New York agent, and went to England (perhaps more than once) and brought over skilled workmen to carry on their business. He was in delicate health, and returned to Greenfield, in 1848, purchasing from Cephas Root the house now owned by William H. Allen at the corner of Main and Congress streets, where he died of apoplexy, March 5, 1850. He married Dorcas, a daughter of Colonel Spencer Root, but left no issue. He was a bright and attractive man of singular personal beauty and his early death was mourned by a large circle of relatives and friends.
1849, Sept. 27, Thomas Nims died. The following no- tice is from the Franklin Democrat of October 1, 1849 : " Mr. Nims was one of our most useful and esteemed citi- zens. In all the private relations of life he sustained an irre- proachable character, and he discharged the duties of the various public stations to which the suffrages of his fellow citizens from time to time assigned him, with ability and the strictest fidelity. He faithfully served his town in the most important offices, and as a representative in the state legis- lature, and his county for several years as a member of the Board of County Commissioners.
He was a democrat of the Jeffersonian school, and was several times the candidate of his party for the state senate and for Congress. He was a man who did his own thinking ; his investigations were philosophical and profound ; his informa- tion was extensive ; his views of private and public matters were characterized by sound common sense, which com- mended them to general approbation. His influence was ex- tensive, and his loss will be severely felt by our community."
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Mr. Nims, one son and three daughters all died the same year of typhoid fever.
1854, June 14. Samuel A. Winslow, a carpenter, was drowned while bathing near the Newton bridge.
1855, April 18. George P. Field, baker, was accidentally killed on the Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad track at Cheapside.
1858, June 20. George Bird, a native of Greenfield, died of apoplexy in New York city, aged 53. Mr. Bird was a successful merchant and " achieved an ample fortune and uni- versal respect and confidence."
August 29, 1858. Ambrose Ames died, aged 94. Captain Ames came here about 1788 with Colonel William Moore, and was by trade a nail maker. He married December 9, 1790, Hannah, granddaughter of that Edward Allyn who built the fort where the Hollister place now stands. She was the daughter of Amos Allen and was born on the old Quintus Allen place, in Greenfield meadows, that house having been built about 1757. Mr. Ames was a very prominent man, he having been postmaster from 1805 until his removal by the Harrison administration, and was representative to the Gen- eral Court in the years 1829-30-31-36 and 1840. He purchased the lot where the house of his grandson, W. A. Ames, now stands, in 1791, and the house was built soon after.
1860. Hon. Ansel Phelps, son of Colonel Ansel Phelps of Greenfield, ex-mayor of Springfield, died in that city June 2, aged 45.
1863, October. Deacon C. J. J. Ingersoll died, aged 57. Deacon Ingersoll spent the most of his very active and useful life in Greenfield. Apprenticed when sixteen years old to Colo- nel Ansel Phelps, he thoroughly learned the printers' art on the Gazette. Soon after he became of age he became the partner of Colonel Phelps and after four years he purchased the Franklin Mercury. In about two years the two papers were
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consolidated, and he remained with Colonel Phelps until 1841, when he removed to Westfield, N. Y., where he published the Messenger. He was back in Greenfield in 1847 and for a year was again with Colonel Phelps. Disliking the tenden- cies of the Whig party, he withdrew and established the Ameri- can Republic in 1848, becoming an active advocate of Free Soil principles. In 1857 he was appointed to the office of register of probate, and when the office became elective, he was con- tinued in that position until the time of his death. Deacon Ingersoll was a conscientious and active Christian, faithful in all his duties, and died lamented by the whole community.
1864, April 11. Justice Willard, son of Ruel Willard, a native of Greenfield, born in 1790, died in Springfield. He studied law with Elijah Alvord, was representative and sena- tor, and for twenty years register of probate for Hampden county.
1865, July 27. Deacon David Smead, formerly of Green- field, and much beloved, was killed by a bull at Madison, Ohio. He once said, "There is a great deal of Christianity in a watering-trough."
1866, February 13. Charles Ripley, a native of Greenfield, and a successful lawyer at Louisville, Ky., died in that city. The Louisville bar passed very complimentary resolutions to his memory.
1867, February 23. Elijah Mitchell, printer, one of the "oldest of his craft " in the state, died at Adams in the alms- house. He was a native of Greenfield.
1867, November 5, Lucius Dickinson died. He was an old-time resident of Greenfield and well remembered by many of our older citizens. He lived for many years in the house which was moved back from Main street to Wells street when the Baptist church was built. He afterwards lived in the house at the corner of Franklin and Church streets, removed by W. N. Potter when his present residence was built. Mr. Dickinson was born in Amherst, July 13, 1788. He lived in
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Cambridgeport fourteen years, where he was the keeper of a tavern. He came to Greenfield in early life and devoted himself to farming. He was the village wood measurer many years, and probably did more in that line than any other man who has ever lived here. Mr. Dickinson was the first mes- senger of courts in this county, a Whig in politics, and was a man of quiet, unassuming manner, and respected by his fellow townsmen. He was made a member of Republican Lodge of Masons in 1817. He was the father of nine children,-two sons and seven daughters. Mrs. Joel Lyons and Mrs. W. N. Potter were his children.
1868, January 31. William Wilson, formerly one of the leading business men of Greenfield, died of apoplexy.
1868, February 4. Rejoice Newton, son of Captain Isaac Newton, a native of Greenfield, aged 85, died at Worcester. Mr. Newton was a graduate of Dartmouth, was ten years a member of the legislature, and seven years county attorney of Worcester county.
1868, May 25. Eber Nash died aged 93 years and 4 months. He lived with his wife, Margaret Hitchcock, sixty-eight years. He was a prominent man in town affairs for many years.
1869, March 17, Henry W. Clapp died. Mr. Clapp was born in Springfield in 1798, and when sixteen years old began to learn the trade of goldsmith and jeweler at Newark, N. J. He entered into business in New York, and soon ac- cumulated what was considered a good fortune in those days. His mother was a daughter of Dr. Henry Wells of Montague, which fact probably accounts for his location in this town. He came here in 1835 and purchased the Gould place, where he resided until his death. He took great interest and pride in everything which promoted the interests of the town. He never would accept political office, but was president of the Greenfield Bank, the Franklin County Agricultural Society, the Green River Cemetery Company, the Greenfield Gas Light Company, the Franklin Savings Institution and of the
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Connecticut River Railroad Company. It was largely through the influence of Mr. Clapp that the "Greenfield Branch" of the Vermont & Massachusetts Railroad was made a part of the main line from Grouts to Greenfield, and from thence to Brat- tleboro, the branch. He was the leading spirit in the consoli- dation of the Springfield & Northampton and the North- ampton & Greenfield railroads to form the Connecticut River Railroad Company. In this matter he had the sharp opposi- tion of other leading men of Greenfield who were officers in the local road. As an example of his interest in the town, he and Jonathan Bird employed at their own expense a dis- tinguished engineer to come here and estimate the expense of bringing in an abundant water supply, either by erecting a res- ervoir upon the Rocky Mountain and forcing the supply from the Connecticut, or other means. He built the first town hall, as is related in the town records. He sold to the labor- ing men of the town little homes, giving easy terms of pay- ment and doing much for their prosperity and success. The great elms on Franklin and east Main streets are a living monument to his memory. He loaned his money to promote Greenfield industries, and at his death was mourned as the leading man and well beloved citizen of the town.
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