History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 73

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 700

USA > Massachusetts > History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I > Part 73

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H. K. Parsons, son of Josiah Parsons and Lucy Markham Parsons, was born in Enfield, Conn., Sept. 11, 1835. He remained in his native town until he was eighteen years of age, and was educated at Thompsonville and the Wilbraham Academy.

At the breaking out of the Rebellion he was in the mercantile business in Thompsonville, Conn .; but, with that patriotism which distinguished the sons of this old commonwealth, he left the store for the battle-field, enlisting in October, 1861, in Company C, 10th Regiment Infantry. Lieut. Parsons par- tieipated in many of the severest battles of the war.

Ile was in the Burnside expedition ; battles of Roanoke Island; Newbern, N. C .; siege of Charles- ton, S. C. ; St. Augustine, Fla. ; Walthall Junction, Va .; Drury's Bluff; Bermuda Hundred; Straw- berry Plains; Deep Bottom ; Deep Run; siege of

Photo, by Hardie & Schadee.

Petersburg; Hatcher's Run; Fort Gregg; and Appomattox Conrt-House. Was commissioned 1st lieutenant and regimental quartermaster, and was detailed for special service on staff of Gen. J. R. Hawley, in the expedition to New York, at the re- election of President Lincoln. Served on staff's of Gens. II. M. Plaisted and G. B. Dandy, as brigade commissary, and with Maj .- Gen. Jolin Gibbon, as assistant quartermaster of the 24th Army Corps. He was mustered out, with regiment, Aug. 25, 1865.

In January, 1867, he moved to Florence, Mass., and for ten years was agent and manager of the

Florence Mercantile Company, one of the most suc- cessful co-operative stores in the State.

In 1860 he united in marriage with Sarah A. Leavitt, at Thompsonville, Conn. Their family consists of five children, viz., H. Lincoln, Charles O., Royal A., George K., and Harry M.

He has always commanded the utmost respect of the citizens of Florence, and has been a justice of the peace ten years. Politically, he is a Republican ; in religious matters, a Methodist.

Lient. Parsons is now engaged in the coal and flour trade at Florence, and has a fine residence on Main Street.

LITTLE

Photos, by Moffitt, Springfield.

233

IIISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

ANSEL WRIGHT

was of the eighth generation from Samuel Wright, who came from England and settled in Northampton in 1654. The father of Ansel was Asahel Wright, a Revolutionary soldier, who had two sons and one daughter,-Chester, Ansel, and Anna. Ansel Wright was born in Northampton, Oct. 29, 1797, and died Feb. 19, 1872. His parents were in humble circumstances, and were in part supported by him. He had few advantages of schooling, but possessed natural abilities of a high order, and which made him one of the most successful of business-men. From 1815 to 1825 he was in the employ of Hon. Lewis Strong, and in 1823, having saved from his earn- ings $115, he formed a copartnership with Theodore Rust, their united capital being $236. They commenced the grocery business in the basement of the old town-hall building. During the first two years of their copartnership he continued to work for Mr. Strong, assisting Mr. Rust in the evenings, after which he went into the store and continued until the firm expired by limitation, after an existence of twenty-five years. The firm-name of Wright & Rust was like a house- hold word to the citizens of Northampton. It was successful to a large degree, not by reason of its speculations, but by reason of its careful, persistent, and steady application of cor- rect business principles. On the dissolution of the firm in 1848, Mr. Wright associated with himself his son, George F. Wright, and continued in trade, afterward admitting as a partner another son, Ansel, the firm at first being Ansel Wright & Son, then G. F. Wright & Co, and last, A. Wright & Co.

Ansel Wright was a deputy-sheriff for Hampshire County or constable for the town of Northampton thirty-eight years, and during the most of that time he held both those offices. He was also deputy-sheriff for Franklin County sixteen years, and for Hampden County fourteen years. During this time he did an amount of legal business that was almost wonderful. He was keeper of the jail and master of the house of correction one year, and was the first officer to set the prisoners at work for the benefit of the county.

Ile was collector and treasurer of the town of Northampton twenty-two successive years. During the war of the Rebellion he received and disbursed, as town treasurer, over a half-mil- lion dollars for State bounties to volunteers and their families. Ile was engineer and fire-warden of the town nineteen years, and was a coroner twenty-four years. He was active in the effort to establish the Northampton Savings-Bank, and was one of its trustees for several years.

Ansel Wright was one of the most active men that ever lived in Northampton, and perhaps no man in Hampshire County in a life of equal duration accomplished more. Ile possessed an iron constitution, which enabled him to endure a vast amount of hard labor and exposure. He was a man of won- derful perseverance and energy. He was never discouraged nor cast down; so self-possessed, so careful, cautious, and painstaking, so methodical and accurate, was he in all that he did, that he seldom, if ever, made a mistake. Considering the great amount of important and intricate business which he transacted and the delicate nature of a great portion of it, the accuracy which he displayed and the satisfaction which he always gave were most remarkable. His prisoners were al- ways his friends. His business was largely with those who were in trouble ; yet he ever manitained the most friendly re- lations with them all, and they regarded him rather as a helper and protector than as one armed with the hostile authority of the law. He was a kind-hearted man, and many will remem- ber his acts of kindness and deeds of charity.

Politically, he was first a Democrat, then a Free-Soiler, and at the time of his death was a member of the Republican party.

Religiously, he was a Unitarian. He married Elizabeth Bolyn, daughter of Elijah Bolyn, of Northampton, and for-

merly of Enfield, Conn. Mrs. Wright died Sept. 10, 1848. By this union they had nine children,-seven sons and two daughters,-only one of whom, Ansel, is now living. One of the sons, Frederick C., was a promising officer (first lieutenant 27th Massachusetts Infantry ) in the late war of the Rebellion, and died from the effects of a gun-shot wound received in the battle of Cold Harbor, Va. Another son, Chauncey, was a graduate of Cambridge University. He was noted as a mathe- matician and metaphysician, and was the author of several scientific works. He was extensively known among scientific men, numbering as his correspondents Canon Kingsley, Chas. Darwin, cte., and was a teacher in Professor Agassiz' school. He died in Cambridge, Sept. 12, 1875.

Ansel Wright, one of the present deputy-sheriff's of Hamp- shire County,-appointed in 1867,-inherits largely the quali- ties which distinguished his father. Nov. 22, 1858, he married Sarah L. Fitts, daughter of Robert Fitts, of Northampton, formerly of Leverett, Mass. They have four children, all liv- ing,-Elizabeth B., Frederick W., Lucy F., and Sarah H.

GEORGE F. WRIGHT,

eldest son of Ansel Wright, was born in Northampton, Mass., March 13, 1826. He was educated at the common schools of his native town, and was subsequently associated with his father in business in Northampton. He was appointed deputy- sheriff by Sheriff Hinckley in 1847, the day after he attained his majority, and continued in the uninterrupted and active discharge of the responsible duties of that office until his last illness.

He was remarkable for promptness, correctness, and effi- ciency in executing whatever business was intrusted to him, rarely failing to meet the highest expectations of those whom he served. He possessed a noble and generous nature and kindness of heart much beyond the average of men, and no one of the poor and humble, as well as the rich and influen- tial, ever appealed to him in vain for words of sympathy or for an act of kindness. His business brought him much in contact with the poorer classes, and among them he numbered his chiefest mourners. Though always pressed with business, he never was too much engaged to afford the assistance re- quired, so ready was he on all occasions to devote bis time and labor to others ; and so successful was he in advice and in exe- cution that he came to be regarded as the one necessary man in the community, to whom all classes appealed in times of trouble, and with whom all rejoiced in days of prosperity. As may be naturally inferred, his friends were numerous, limited only by the extent of his acquaintance ; and not only were they many in number, but strong and steadfast in their attachment and appreciation of his excellent qualities.

He was appointed deputy-collector of internal revenue for a large portion of Hampshire County when the revenue law first took effect, and gave the same degree of satisfaction in that office that distinguished him in others. He was one of the best accountants and general business managers in the county. His engagements were always faithfully fulfilled, for promptness, truthfulness, and conscientiousness were among his leading characteristics. His promise he never violated. As an officer of the town, and, in fact, in whatever situation he was placed,-being often summoned to positions of respon- sibility and trust,-he never failed to meet the public expecta- tion. As a friend, he was faithful, steadfast, and true; as a citizen, upright, reliable, and public-spirited; and in his family he was all that the affectionate and trusting heart could wish.

He was an active supporter of the Free-Soil party, connect- ing himself with it when it was just forming, and later was a Republican. He was an active member of the Unitarian Society of Northampton, and its treasurer for many years.

234

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

Nov. 20, 1855, he married Hannah B. Fitts, by whom he had two children,-Harriet E. and George F. He died Novem- ber 16, 1865.

GEN. JOHN LORD OTIS.

The subject of this sketeli is a descendant of one of the oldest New England families, many of whose ancestors fought in the ardnous struggle for American liberty. His mother was a member of the celebrated Lord family, of Lyme, Conn.

Samuel Otis was born in Lyme, New London Co., Conn., July 15, 1827. He was educated at the common schools in his native State, and early manifested a decided predilection for mechanical engineering, the study of which profession he pursued with diligence and attention, and soon became master of his business. He remained in South Manchester for four years, during which time he started for Messrs. Cheney Bros. the first set of machinery ever put in operation in the United States for the manufacture of silk and wool knit goods.

In 1859 he disposed of his interest in South Manchester, and returned to the Pacific Mills, which, during his absence, had been so unsuccessful in business as to necessitate their stoppage.

In 1851, after putting in operation several sets of delieate foreign machinery for the Pacific Manufacturing Company of Manchester, Conn., designed for the manufacture of knit goods, and which the men who accompanied the machinery from France were unable to put in operation, he remained for five years superintendent of the business, which was very successful. In 1855 he left this coneern and established the Otis Manufacturing Company of South Manchester.

When war's " loud alarm" sounded over this republie, call- ing for brave men to strike at the hideous head of Rebellion, Mr. Otis promptly responded to the President's first call for troops, and in August, 1861, enlisted as a private in Company B of the 10th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry ; was made a second lieutenant in September, 1861, first lieu- tenant November 4th, and captain a week later. In November, 1862, was made major, colonel in February, 1863, and brevet brigadier-general, as his commission recites, " for special gal- lantry at the crossing of the James River, June 20, 1864, and at the battles of Flusser's Mills and Deep Run."

He was in all the engagements of Burnside's and Foster's commands in North Carolina, Roanoake Island, Newbern, Kinston, White-Hall, Goldsboro' Bridge, etc; was wounded once at the battle of Newbern, and twice at Kinston. At the latter place his regiment charged over three other regiments, who had been previously ordered to make the charge, but had halted and laid down. Col. Otis' regiment carried the posi- tion with the loss of one-third of the enlisted men engaged and seven commissioned officers, capturing twice as many prisoners as the regiment had men in the ranks, with several pieces of artillery. They drove the enemy across the Neuse River, and extinguished the fire which they had set to burn the bridge. Was twice wounded in this engagment, but con- tinned with the command, and was the next day in the battle of Whitehall, and two days later in that of Goldsboro' Bridge. The battle of Kinston was fought on Sunday, Dec. 14, 1862.

In January, 1863, went to South Carolina with Gen. Fos- ter's army, and commanded the advance in the capture of Sea- brook Island, landing under the guns of Com. Geo. Rogers' monitor. Had a sharp skirmish with the enemy's cavalry at nine in the evening in front of Seabrook Mansion, drove the enemy off, and took possession of the causeway leading to John's Island. June 10th, while in command of a reconnoi- tring party of a small force of infantry and two guns, was attacked by a force of cavalry and artillery from John's Isl- and, which they defeated and drove back. In July aceom- panied Terry's command to James and Morris Islands. On James Island two causeways, half a mile apart, connected

that part of the island occupied by our forees with that oceu- pied by the enemy. Col. Otis, with his regiment, the 10th Connecticut Volunteers, was ordered to advance over the causeway opposite our left, while Col. Shaw, with the 54th Massachusetts, performed the same movement on the right- hand causeway. During the night of the 14th the enemy planted two batteries at Grimball's plantation, just in front, and at daylight opened a fearful fire on the gunboat " Pawnee," lying in the Stone River, not one hundred yards distant, at the same time attacking the eanseways; the 10th Connectient held its ground and repulsed the enemy, but the 54th was driven back in confusion, suffering considerable loss, while the gun- boat was compelled to slip her cables and drop down the stream to get range. The 10th did not retire until twice ordered to do so by Gen. Stevenson, their right and rear being exposed by the defeat of the 54th. The day following, Terry's entire command marched across Coles' to Morris Island.

A week later, having been so ill from malarial fever for three weeks as to be almost unfit for duty, was detailed to go North and take command of the conseript camp at New Haven, Conn. The camp had a regular garrison of eighty officers and five hundred men. The position was an arduons and disagreeble one, entailing constant care and watchfulness night and day. After remaining in command for two months was detailed by Gen. Dix to preside at a court-martial detail for the purpose of trying a number of officers for grave offenses. After presiding for six weeks, and finding that the court was liable to continue in session some time longer, asked to be relieved and ordered baek to the front. Was re- lieved, joined the regiment at St. Augustine, Fla., in Novem- ber, and was soon after placed in command of that post. Was relieved April 17, 1864, and ordered to join the Army of the James. Joined at Gloucester Point, and was in all the move- ments and engagements of that command.

On the 20th of June, Terry's division, with an additional brigade from Turner's, marched down to the James River after dark for the purpose of placing a pontoon-bridge aeross at Jones' Landing and capturing the position of Deep Bottom. But it was found that there would be so much delay it would be day- light before it was accomplished and the entire movement frustrated, and it was decided to send a small foree across in boats to make the attack. Col. Otis was given the command and allowed to select any two regiments in the command. He took his own, the 10th Connecticut Volunteers, and the 11th Maine, commanded by Lieut .- Col. Hill, erossed just after mid- night, carried the position, and held it, repulsing an attack of the enemy at sunrise, the main body getting aeross about eight o'clock. It was for this and his conduet at Flusser's Mills and Deep Run-at both of which he had command of the advance of his corps, and, at the latter, of the rear-guard in the retreat-that he was breveted a brigadier-general. At Strawberry Plain, in the latter part of July, with two regi- ments, he attacked and drove baek a force of the enemy which had just driven in a brigade of the 19th Corps, and early the next morning, with the same regiments, drove the enemy out of a strong work from which they had just repulsed Barlow's division, capturing three guns.

To mention in detail all of the battles and lesser affairs in which Terry's division of the Army of the James took part would be simply tedious, nor within the bounds of this work.

At the elose of his military career, in January, 1865, he took charge of the business of the Florence Sewing-Machine Company, at Florenee, as superintendent. His skill and abil- ity in the management of these works have never been ques- tioned. In the spring of 1867 he established the Northampton Emery-Wheel Company, of which he is still treasurer. The business, under his management, has been very successful.

Gen. Otis has ever been alive to the advancement of the pub- lic interest, and all measures tending to the public good found in him an earnest advocate. Politically, he is a Republican,

NOTE .- In the beginning of the fifth line of the above biography, Samuel should read General.

[ERRATA.] GEN. JOHN LORD OTIS.

The subject of this sketch is a descendant of one of the oldest New England families, many of whose ancestors fought in the arduous struggle for American liberty. Ilis mother was a member of the celebrated Lord family, of Lyme, Conn.

General Otis was born in Lyme, New London Co., Conn., July 15, 1827. He was educated at the common schools in his native State, and early manifested a decided predilection for mechanical engineering, the study of which profession he pursued with diligenee and attention, and soon became master of his business. He remained in South Manchester four years, during which time he started for Messrs. Cheney Bros. the first set of machinery ever put in operation in the I'nited States for the manufacture of silk and wool knit goods.

In 1851, after putting in operation several sets of delicate foreign machinery for the Pacific Manufacturing Company of Manchester, Conn., designed for the manufacture of knit goods, and which the men who accompanied the machinery from France were unable to put in operation, he remained for five years superintendent of the business, which was very successful. 1n 1855 he left this concern and established the Otis Manufacturing Company of South Manchester.

In 1859 he disposed of his interest in South Manchester, and returned to the Pacific Mills, which, during his absence, had been so unsuccessful in business as to necessitate their stoppage.

234

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

Nov. 20, 1855, he married Hannah B. Fitts, by whom he had two children,-Harriet E. and George F. He died Novem- ber 16, 1865.

GEN. JOIIN LORD OTIS.

Samuel Otis was born in Lyme, New London Co., Conn., July 15, 1827. Ile was educated at the common schools in his native State, and early manifested a decided predilection for mechanical engineering, the study of which profession he pursued with diligence and attention, and soon became master of his business. IIe remained in South Manchester for four years, during which time he started for Messrs. Cheney Bros. the first set of machinery ever put in operation in the United States for the manufacture of silk and wool knit goods.

In 1859 he disposed of his interest in South Manchester, and returned to the Pacific Mills, which, during his absence, had been so unsuccessful in business as to necessitate their stoppage.

In 1851, after putting in operation several sets of delicate foreign machinery for the Pacific Manufacturing Company of Manchester, Conn., designed for the manufacture of knit goods, and which the men who accompanied the machinery from France were unable to put in operation, he remained for five years superintendent of the business, which was very successful. In 1855 he left this concern and established the Otis Manufacturing Company of South Manchester.

When war's " loud alarm" sounded over this republic, enll- ing for brave men to strike at the hideous head of Rebellion, Mr. Otis promptly responded to the President's first call for troops, and in August, 1861, enlisted as a private in Company B of the 10th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry; was made a second lieutenant in September, 1861, first lieu- tenant November 4th, and captain a week later. In November, 1862, was made major, colonel in February, 1863, and brevet brigadier-general, as his commission recites, " for special gal- lantry at the crossing of the James River, June 20, 1864, and at the battles of Flusser's Mills and Deep Run."

He was in all the engagements of Burnside's and Foster's commands in North Carolina, Roanoake Island, Newbern, Kinston, White-HIall, Goldsboro' Bridge, etc; was wounded once at the battle of Newbern, und twice at Kinston. At the latter place his regiment charged over three other regiments,

that part of the island occupied by our forces with that oceu- pied by the enemy. Col. Otis, with his regiment, the 10th Connecticut Volunteers, was ordered to advance over the causeway opposite our left, while Col. Shaw, with the 54th Massachusetts, performed the same movement on the right- hand causeway. During the night of the 14th the enemy planted two batteries at Grimball's plantation, just in front, and at daylight opened a fearful fire on the gunboat " Pawnee," lying in the Stone River, not one hundred yards distant, at the same time attacking the causeways; the 10th Connectient held its ground and repulsed the enemy, but the 54th was driven back in confusion, suffering considerable loss, while the gun- boat was compelled to slip her cables and drop down the stream to get range. The 10th did not retire until twice ordered to do so by Gen. Stevenson, their right and rear being exposed by the defeat of the 54th. The day following, Terry's entire command marched across Coles' to Morris Island.

A week later, having been so ill from malarial fever for three weeks as to be almost unfit for duty, was detailed to go North and take command of the conscript camp at New llaven, Conn. The camp had a regular garrison of eighty officers and five hundred men. The position was an arduous and disagreeble one, entailing constant care and watchfulness night and day. After remaining in command for two months was detailed by Gen. Dix to preside at a court-martial detail for the purpose of trying a number of officers for grave offenses. After presiding for six weeks, and finding that the court was liable to continue in session some time longer, asked to be relieved and ordered back to the front. Was re- lieved, joined the regiment at St. Augustine, Fla., in Novem- ber, and was soon after placed in command of that post. Was relieved April 17, 1864, and ordered to join the Army of the James. Joined at Gloucester Point, and was in all the move- ments and engagements of that command.

On the 20th of June, Terry's division, with an additional brigade from Turner's, marched down to the James River after dark for the purpose of placing a pontoon-bridge across at Jones' Landing and capturing the position of Deep Bottom. But it was found that there would be so much delay it would be day- light before it was accomplished and the entire movement frustrated, and it was decided to send a small force across in boats to make the attack. Col. Otis was given the command and allowed to select any two regiments in the command. lle took his own, the 10th Connecticut Volunteers, and the 11th Maine, commanded by Lieut .- Col. Ilill, crossed just after mid- night, carried the position, and held it, repulsing an attack of the enemy at sunrise, the main body getting across about

James Island two causeways, half a mile apart, connected 1 in him an earnest advocate. Politically, he is a Republican,

NOTE .- In the beginning of the fifth line of the above biography, Sanmel should read General.

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History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 73

Author: L.H. Everts & Co Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts Number of Pages: 700

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 700