USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Greenfield > History of Greenfield : shire town of Franklin county, Massachusetts, Vol. II > Part 16
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1884, May 7. Levi Jones died at St. Louis, aged 71. Mr. Jones was a native of Winchester, N. H., but came to Greenfield and bought an interest in the old Green river foun- dry in 1839 and was engaged in manufacturing there for thirty years. In company with his brother-in-law, Hugh M. Thomp- son, he built the present gristmill in 1852.
1884, November 6. Nathan F. Henry, president of the
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Packard National Bank, died. Mr. Henry was born in the old stage tavern in Halifax, Vt., and kept hotel all his business life. In the old boating days he kept the hotel at Cheapside, and in after years purchased the house at Mon- tague City, now the residence of B. N. Farren, where he ac- cumulated much money. He came to Greenfield and pur- chased a farm in the Meadows where he lived a few years, and then moved to Conway street in this village. " He was a care- ful, conservative man, possessing rare good judgment and sound common sense."
1884, November 14. Richard E. Field died, aged 88. He was one of the old time-business men of Greenfield, build- ing stage coaches, at which business he kept employed a large number of men. He was an ardent Whig, a zealous Episco- palian, and for a time in old Whig days, a custom house officer.
1884, November 17. Spencer B. Root died, aged 59. Mr. Root was the son of Colonel Spencer Root and was a former merchant here in company with his uncle, Cephas Root, under the name of C. & S. B. Root. About 1854, he, with John P. Rust, another Greenfield merchant, went to New York and made a fortune in the oil trade. Retiring, he took up his residence in Greenfield a few years before his death.
1884, November 22. Quintus Allen died, aged 79. He was of the fourth generation from Edward Allen of the old Allen fort and the owner of the old homestead in the Meadows. He inherited property and added to it, and became one of the wealthy men of the town. He became president of the Franklin County Bank at the death of William Keith, which office he resigned in 1884. He was selectman in 1839-40. He was a man of strong convictions, honest, and of great tenacity of purpose. He left no children.
1884, April 1. Died David Pratt in Bernardston. Mr. Pratt was born in Shutesbury, November 27, 1780, but for several years lived in Greenfield. He was in the battle of
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Plattsburg and witnessed the naval fight between McDonough and the British on Lake Champlain, and was one hundred and three years, four months and one day old when he died. He had a pension of ninety-six dollars a year.
1885, March 18. Lorenzo D. Joslyn died, aged 69. "Deacon" Joslyn served as deputy sheriff for many years and sustained a high reputation for courage and ability as an officer.
1885, April 24. Lucy P. Billings died, aged 96 years and 5 months. She was the granddaughter of the first minister of Greenfield and with her died much knowledge of the early history of the town.
1885, May 23. Solomon C. Wells died, aged 77. He was a native of Montague and served many years as deputy sheriff. He was elected in 1868 to succeed Major Reed as sheriff, which office he held for ten years.
1885, June 22. Robert Wiley died, aged 77. Mr. Wiley built the Wiley block on Main street and was the owner of much real estate in the village.
1885, July 25. J. Gilbert Wilson died in Springfield, aged 44. Mr. Wilson was a native of Greenfield and achieved success as an organist and musician.
1885, October 19. John Keith, aged 59, one of the most skilled and successful paper makers in the United States, died. He built the Keith mill at Turners Falls.
1886, February 21. Edmund Q. Nash died, aged 70. The Nash house is perhaps the oldest one in Greenfield. Mr. Nash a few years before his death moved it from its origi- nal location to the rear, and built a story underneath the old house which was found to be strong and sound. Mr. Nash inherited an interest in the mills known by the family name, and afterward was the owner for several years of the Green river mills. He was impulsive in his generosity as well as in business affairs, but thought his services were valued too highly when a judge of the Superior Court fined him fifty dol-
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lars for not putting in his appearance when summoned on a jury.
1886, December 23. Rufus Howland, aged 79, died. Mr. Howland was born in Barre, January 7, 1808. He came to Greenfield in 1835, having been for a few years in Wen- dell and Ashfield. He became a clerk in the store of Allen & Root, now S. Allen's Sons, and for several years was at Cheapside in charge of their storehouse which stood on the river bank opposite the old Abercrombie tavern. In 1846 he purchased the drug store left vacant by the death of T. O. Sparhawk, and in 1868, took Charles R. Lowell into partner- ship. He was town treasurer for several years, and largely interested in many of the business corporations of the town. He was candid and outspoken, and the people trusted and honored him.
1887, February 28. Thomas Wade, aged 75, died. Mr. Wade was a druggist and established a store in the Mansion House block in 1851. He was not successful in business and received an appointment in the Boston Custom House in 1861, which he held for 13 years.
1887, April 10. James W. Lander died, aged 79. He was in the United States navy in the War of 1812, and in the Chesapeake and Shannon fight.
1887, September 8. Peleg Adams died, aged 88. He was born in Northbridge, December 29, 1799, and came to Green- field with his father, Andrew Adams, when four years old. By his perseverance, close economy, and good business abil- ity, he accumulated, in his long life, a handsome fortune. At the time of his death he owned the Mansion House, but he resided on his fine farm near Fall river.
1887, October 1. George W. Potter died, aged 75. He was born in the old yellow one-story house which formerly stood on the Spear lot south of the cemetery on High street. He was in early days a raftsman on the river. He had the Yankee faculty of knowing how to do things, and his most
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notable work was the construction of the present Turners Falls dam. He was a selectman for seven years, and a mem- ber of the legislature for one year. He became a large owner of real estate, but lost his property by endorsing for others. His courage and coolness was much relied upon during the" troublous times and drafting riots of the Civil War.
1887, October 5. William B. Washburn died. Mr. and Mrs. Washburn were in attendance at the meeting of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions at Springfield, and Mr. Washburn had just taken a seat upon the platform, and in answer to an inquiry about his health, had said that he was feeling very well. Soon after those near him noticed that his head fell forward as though he would fall from his chair, and he was helped into an ante-room and laid upon a sofa, but before a physician upon the platform could reach him he had expired.
Mr. Washburn was born in Winchendon, January 31, 1820. His father died when he was but a child, and his means were limited, but he had industry, ambition and a great desire for learning, and improved every opportunity to obtain an education. He fitted for college at Lawrence Academy in Groton, and there made the acquaintance of a clerk in the village store, in the person of George S. Boutwell, whom he was destined in after life to meet in the Congress of the United States. He was graduated with honor at Yale, in 1844, and was for many years in after life a trustee of that college. When he left college he intended to make the law his profes- sion, but the business affairs of his uncle, William B. Whit- ney, of Orange, being in a condition requiring immediate at- tention, he felt called by ties of kindred and in return for the aid he had received in obtaining his education to enter busi- ness with him, and if possible avert the danger which threat- ened his affairs. This proved impossible, but it introduced Mr. Washburn to business conditions which led him to suc- ceed where his uncle had failed. He was elected state senator
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in 1850, but declined re-election the succeeding year. In 18 54, at the urgent demand of those interested in the Hoosac Tun- nel scheme, he accepted an election to the House of Repre- sentatives from Orange, where he then resided.
By the ability and efficiency displayed in these positions, he laid broad and deep the foundation of that political success which came to him in later years. He was a promoter and an original director of the Franklin County Bank, but resigned the position after several years' service. He came to Green- field in 1857 and soon after was elected president of the Greenfield Bank, (which afterward became the First National,) and held that position until the day of his death. He was also a trustee from 1856 of the Franklin Savings Institution, and nearly all the time a member of its investing com- mittee. When settled in Greenfield he immediately became interested in the Greenfield Library Association, and gave to it the building (except its foundations) which it now occupies, and an endowment fund for the purchase of books, which yields the sum of six hundred dollars per year. He con- tributed largely toward the erection of the Second Congrega- tional church, the various missionary societies received his generous aid, and for several years he was the president of the American Missionary Society, and a corporate member of the American Board. He was at times a member of the Board of Overseers of Amherst College, one of the trustees of Massa- chusetts Agricultural College and also of Smith College. He gave largely to Smith's and built the Washburn house con- nected with that institution.
He was active in procuring enlistments at the beginning of the Rebellion, and when in 1862 it became necessary to nomi- nate a member of Congress for the ninth district, the desire was expressed that only one candidate be put forth, and that Mr. Washburn be sent to represent the district at Washington. He received all but three votes at the election, and in 1864 had 12,000 plurality. His work in Congress is known to the
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nation. In 1871 he was called upon to become the candidate of the Republican party against the self-seeking of a distin- guished citizen of the commonwealth, for the office of gov- ernor, and received the nomination, and subsequent election by large pluralities. He was three times governor of Massa- chusetts. In 1874, upon the death of Charles Sumner, a long contest took place in the legislature for the election of a suc- cessor, which finally resulted in the choice of Governor Wash- burn as a compromise. He ably sustained the high reputa- tion which he had gained in the House of Representatives, and retired with honor. President Hayes tendered him the position of collector of the port of Boston, but the place did not attract Governor Washburn from his home.
1887, October 20. Manley McClure, for some years select- man, died aged 60.
1887, December 5. George Field, a native of Greenfield, and formerly proprietor of the Mansion House, died in Chi- cago, aged 71.
1888, April 29. William Elliot died aged 86. Mr. Elliot came from Boston to Cheapside about 1819 as a clerk for Clark Houghton, who did an extensive wholesale trade at that busy place. In 1820 he came to Greenfield and entered the employ of Lyman Kendall at the " corner store." Mr. N. E. Russell was also connected with Mr. Kendall, and by their aid, Mr. Elliot went into trade on his own account. Richardson Hall was his partner for some years. They did business in the Bird block, now the Hovey drug store. Later Mr. Elliot went into the agricultural tool and seed trade in the store then standing where the Arms block now is. Mr. Elliot was an original Free Soiler, strong in his convictions of the sin of slavery. He was active in the warfare against the sin of intemperance ; it was with him a matter of conscience, he did not believe in licensing an evil, and never feared to ex- press his convictions. For many years he was the prudential
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committee in charge of the village schools, and performed the trying duties of that position to the satisfaction of the people. He was a consistent and devout member of the Second Congre- gational Church for sixty years. With him died much knowl- edge of the early history of the town in which he had so long lived.
1888, October 28. Sarah H. Kellogg died, aged 93. The same day, six hours later, her husband, Asa Kellogg, died, aged 93. They were married sixty-eight years. They came to this town in 1858 from Halifax, Vt.
1889, January 8. Willis H. Beals, son of Dr. Joseph Beals, aged 30, died. He was an artist of much promise.
1889, March 8. Oren Wiley died aged 84. Mr. Wiley was born at Rockingham, Vt., went west when a young man, and settled in Greenfield in 1845. He was a tinner and celebrated for doing good honest work. He was an ingenious, well-informed man of the old school.
1889, September 10. Seth Wood, for many years post- master at the Factory Hollow, died, aged 84.
December 14, 1889. Reverend John Shepardson died at Taunton, aged 72.
1889, August 19. Newell Snow died, aged 73. Mr. Snow was born in Savoy, and at a very early age found himself the main reliance of his widowed mother and a family of six. He worked in the cotton mills at North Adams and in Colrain, and became the superintendent of the Griswold mills. In 1 850, having accumulated a small capital, he removed to Shel- burne Falls and began a mercantile business, in which he was successful. From 1857 to 1864 he was in the grocery trade in Chicago. He became interested in gold mining in Nova Scotia, and took the management of property there which yielded him a competency, and came to Greenfield to enjoy his later years with more leisure. He was a person of good business qualifications, and his word was as good as his bond. He was greatly interested in Masonic affairs, and during his
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residence in the provinces was grand lecturer for New Bruns- wick and Nova Scotia. The town impressed with his in- tegrity called him to the office of selectman, and he was a member of the legislature in 1877. He was president of the Greenfield Savings Bank for several years, but resigned- because of failing health, a year before his death.
1890, April 9. John Thayer was injured by a bull, and died, aged 75. He was a son of Ebenezer Thayer, Sr., and studied at Franklin Academy, Shelburne Falls, and had as- pirations for a college education, but his father had recently removed from Charlemont to Greenfield and purchased the expensive farm known as the Arms place in the Meadows, and felt that he must have the aid of his son, so the current of his life was changed. He kept a hotel at Wilmington several years, then removed to Greenfield and conducted the Sever- ance farm, while P. P. Severance was living at the canal head- quarters in Montague. He afterward purchased of his father the western part of the Arms place, and accumulated a com- petence in the dairy business. He was a rough diamond, a kind-hearted generous man, always ready to aid those who needed help.
1890, June 25. Hopkins Woods died, aged 77. Mr. Woods came to Greenfield with the Greenfield Tool Company. He was much interested in the fire department and was at one time chief engineer. He carried on the marble industry for many years. He was a keen observer of public events and a man of good information.
1890, August 20. Roswell Wells Cook died, aged 83. He was a native of Hadley and came to Greenfield to learn the blacksmith's trade of his brother-in-law, the late John J. Graves. In 1837, while with his brother, Dr. Cook, in Canada, he was taken prisoner charged with aiding the insurgents in their disturbances, but was released when quiet was restored. He was selectman and assessor, and a good citizen. By rigid economy he accumulated a handsome estate.
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1890, August 28. Elijah Coleman, of Philadelphia, died at Cottage City, aged 77. Mr. Coleman was born at the old Coleman place in the Meadows,-son of Captain Thaddeus Coleman. Soon after he became of age he was drawn into a purchase of the Mansion House property, and lost a good share of his patrimony. He found employment in the Adams Express Company, and soon became the agent at Bridgeport, Conn. He was soon called to Philadelphia and was for many years superintendant of the company. He spent his business life in their service, and was a valued officer. He created a sufficient fund for the perpetual care of the North Meadows cemetery in which his forefathers are buried, and its well cared for grounds are a constant memorial of his generosity.
1890, October 16. William Riddell died, aged 92. He was a native of Colrain, lived in Charlemont and came to Green- field in 1872. He was for many years deputy sheriff for this and Berkshire counties. His memory was good to the last and he had an interesting way of telling of events which hap- pened early in the nineteenth century.
1890, October 17. George Kendall, a son of Lyman Ken- dall, the Greenfield merchant, died at Grand Rapids, Mich., aged 77. He was born in Greenfield and went west in 1840. His contemporaries say, " He was a man of great purity of thought and speech, and his heart went forth to the poor and suffering." He was a man of prominence and wealth.
1890, December 14. Lyman A. Nash died, aged 86. Mr. Nash was one of the owners of Nash's mills, had been town assessor and school committee and was a respected man.
1891, January 16. Edwin J. Jones died, aged 63. He was a native of Deerfield and by industry and good business habits acquired a competency. He was elected selectman of the town but resigned the office, the duties of which were not congenial to his taste.
1891, January 19. Elias A. Parmenter died, aged 81. Deacon Parmenter was a native of Bernardston and came to
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Greenfield in 1849. He was assessor for several years, a forehanded farmer, a deacon in the Baptist Church for many years, and one of its chief supporters, a man of influence and character.
1891, February 21. Colonel Charles H. Munn died at Holyoke, aged 74. Colonel Munn was the son of Loring Munn, who kept a hotel where the Union House now stands, and his grandfather, Calvin Munn, kept the old Munn tavern, now the Mansion House. Colonel Munn when a boy was the leading athlete of the old Fellenberg Academy in its palmy days. General Whitney when sheriff of this county appointed him a deputy and jailor. He gained his military title in the militia. He was a power in the management of town affairs, and gained the name of the "watchdog of the treasury."
1891, May 24. James C. Converse died, aged 84. He was president of the National Tube Works at Mckeesport, Pa., and came to Greenfield about 1875 and purchased the residence of his brother-in-law, P. P. Severance (the present Franklin County Hospital), which he improved and made into an elegant country home. He was chairman of the first Massachusetts board of railroad commissioners, and had a high reputation as a business man.
1891, August 19. James Newton died aged 90 years. Mr. Newton came here from Hubbardston in 1835. The first five years he lived at the H. G. Woodard place, and in 1840 built the house in which he died. In 1848 he built the sawmill which was the foundation of the Newton fortunes. The idea of building a sawmill on the little stream where it is located was scoffed at by his neighbors, but it proved that the Newtons knew best. He was a man of strong convictions, quiet, determined and prosperous. He took great pride in the success of his sons at Holyoke.
1891, December 19. George B. Grinnell died at Audu- bon Park on the Hudson, aged 68. He was a son of the late Judge Grennell, and was for a time in the mercantile business
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in New York with his cousin, George Bird. He afterward was in business with Levi P. Morton. When the War of the Rebellion came the repudiation of southern dues caused their failure. The firm paid fifty cents on the dollar and were dis- charged from their debts. In seven years' time, Mr. Grinnell had paid, at an expense of $330,000, the balance of every one of those claims with interest. He retired from business in 1875, and afterward spent much time upon his fine farm at Milford, Ct.
1891, December 21. George H. Hovey died, aged 71. Mr. Hovey came here with his father, Dr. Daniel Hovey, in 1842. He was with him in the drug business until 1857, when he began business for himself, leaving the old stand to his brother Luther. He was a successful business man, and at the time of his decease owned some of the most valuable real estate in the village.
1892, February 14. Joseph W. Miller died, aged 73. Mr. Miller was of Colrain birth and had lived here forty years, manufacturing in a small way fanning mills and baby carriage material. He was a peculiar man, kind hearted and a good citi- zen.
1892, March I. David S. Simons aged 70 died. He was a native of Oxford, New Hampshire. He commenced life as a day laborer, removed to Lawrence, and began to take small contracts, made some money, and went to North Adams and took contracts in tunnel work, which ended in his financial ruin. He became a drover, in which business he made money and bought the Berkshire House. In 1867 he came to Greenfield and bought of William Keith the old wooden American House. He built the large new block, and became a man of property. He was interested in town affairs, was selectman for one year, and the staunch friend of the Free Library.
1892, March 12. Lewis Merriam, aged 81, died. He was born in West Brookfield in May, 1811. He was a member of
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the celebrated book-making Merriam family. He came to Greenfield when about thirty years of age as clerk in the store of his brothers, and in 1843 commenced business as L. Merriam & Company. He was a good citizen, always attended the town meetings, and took great interest in the schools, and in fact in everything which he thought would make the town better and more desirable as a home. He was a good business man, an active and zealous member of the Second Congregational Church, and was largely instrumental in procuring the nomi- nation of William B. Washburn as governor. For twenty- one years he was the village postmaster, the duties of which office he performed to the acceptance of all parties.
1892, March 31. Noble P. Phillips died, aged 85. An honest and respected man.
1892, May 16. Alonzo Parker died, aged 85. Mr. Parker was suffocated by entering the well containing a gas machine which supplied gas for his house. He came to Greenfield when the manufacture of planes was removed from Conway to this town, and was the agent and active manager of the Green- field Tool Company. He was a builder of great experience, having designed and built two churches in Conway, one in South Hadley and one in North Adams. He was a fine me- chanic, and was instrumental in bringing to town some of the best citizens the place ever had. When the Greenfield Tool Factory began work, with its hundred young men, mostly di- rect from the farms of Franklin county, the town received a direct benefit of countless value, far transcending any pecuniary loss suffered by the failure of the concern.
1892, June 5. Henry A. Potter died, aged 73. He was brother of George W. Potter, an honest, exemplary man. He was extremely fond of fox hunting, and never became so old but that with elastic step he would travel the hills and valleys in successful pursuit of the cunning fox.
1892, June 6. William L. Taintor died, aged 60. Mr. Taintor was constable of the town for many years, and never
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failed to perform any duty imposed upon him by his supe- rior officer.
1892, October 19. Charles Henry died, aged 76. Mr. Henry was a native of Halifax, a descendant of Hugh Henry, one of the first settlers of Colrain. He lived in Greenfield about forty years. He was one of the stage drivers on the old line extending from Hartford to Hanover, N. H. For several years he was partner of John J. Graves in the grocery trade and afterward with L. L. Luey, and later with Wm. M. Smead. He was fond of a practical joke, was everybody's friend, a good citizen and kind neighbor. Every- body loved him, and when it was found that he was the bonds- man holden for a large sum to the town for money embez- zled by its treasurer, the town voted to instruct its officers not to enforce the penalty of the bond.
1893, January 8. James Madison Ames died, aged 87. Son of Captain Ambrose Ames, always lived in Greenfield, was a farmer, upright, honest and a capable business man.
1893, March 7. George E. Lyons died, aged 42. Mr. Lyons was a native of Gill. He was a well known granite contractor, and was connected with A. H. Wright. He had recently purchased extensive quarries at Dummerston, Vt., and was giving employment to a large number of hands. He was a respected citizen, doing much for the prosperity of the town.
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