USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Amherst > The history of the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, pt 1 > Part 24
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David Mack was born in Middlefield in February, 1778. He fitted for college at Windsor Hill, but his eyes failing he was compelled to give
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up his studies. For twenty years he was a merchant in Middlefield, removing to Amherst in 1834. He was several times representative from Middlefield in the General Court, and at one time was a member of the state Senate from Hampshire county; he was also a member of the governor's council. In 1812, he commanded for some months the militia in Boston, thus acquiring the title of "General" by which he was usually known. For many years he was deacon of the First church. He was for eighteen years a member of the Amherst College board of trustees and for several years a member of the prudential committee. He was a man of great decision of character, a devoted Christian, and liberal in his benefactions.
Elijah Boltwood, son of Samuel, was born Feb. 19, 1780. He married, Nov. 5, 1807, Eliza Almy, and died April 13, 1855. He was, for many years, proprietor of the Boltwood tavern, which stood on the site now occupied by the Amherst house.
Thomas Hastings was son of Thomas and grandson of Lieut. Thomas Hastings, who removed from Hatfield to Amherst about 1753, and served in the war of the Revolution. Thomas Hastings, the subject of this sketch, was born in Amherst, Feb. 6, 1782. He was married Nov. 1, 1803, to Eunice Clark, by whom he had thirteen children. He served the town as selectman and overseer of the poor. He lived on the place now occupied by Edmund Hastings. The original homestead was just south of the Frederick Williams place.
John Dickinson, son of John, was born Feb. 25, 1782 ; was graduated from Williams College in 1800, studied law and was judge of probate at Machias, Me., returning to Amherst about 1837. He was twice married. (1) Oct. 12, 1807, to Rebecca Ellis ; (2) Jan. 5, 1848, to Olive S. Shepard of Lenox. He was a prominent man in the community and the church.
Enos Dickinson was son of Jonathan, and was born in Amherst. Oct. 23, 1785, in the house in which he died, Jan. 14, 1870. His early educa- tion was limited to the knowledge which could be gained at the public schools, then of inferior quality, but was supplemented by reading and study in later years. Brought up on his father's farm. he early acquired habits of industry, economy and temperance, which remained with him through life, and doubtless were responsible for much of the success which he attained. He devoted his life 'to farming, by which he acquired a handsome property, much of which was donated to benevolent objects. He. united with the First church in 1816: in 1824, he was one of the founders of the church in South Amherst, contributing liberally to its support during his life, and at his death bequeathing it funds with which the parsonage now in use was purchased. He was a regular attendant at town-meetings, seldom taking part in the discussions, but when he did
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speak his words bore with them the weight of character and wisdom. He served the town as selectman and, in 1828, as representative to the General Court. In IS12, he received a commission as lieutenant, and went with a company raised in this part of the state to Boston, but was not called into active service. From this time he was known as " Lieutenant " Dickinson .. He was married, April 27, 1809, to Lois Dickinson of Amherst ; having no children, he devoted, in later years, the income of his large property to charitable and benevolent objects. He gave generously to Amherst Academy, Amherst College and Mount Holyoke Seminary. The expenses; of the " Nineveh Gallery " at Amherst College were borne by him ; in his will he provided for a perpetual scholarship at the college, which bears his name.
Ithamar Conkey was born in Pelham, May 7, 1788. He was son of John Conkey, a strong-minded and intelligent farmer. His mother was daughter of Rev. Robert Abercrombie, the first minister settled in Pelham. He studied law with Noah D. Mattoon, Esq. in'Amherst ; in 1814, he opened an office for the practice of his profession in Pelham, remaining there until 1817, when, on the removal of Mr. Mattoon to Ohio, he succeeded the latter in his practice at Amherst. In 1828, he accepted the office of special commissioner, and in 1830, that of county commissioner. In 1834, he was appointed by Gov. Armstrong judge of probate for Hampshire county, an office he retained until 185S when the court was abolished. In 1853, he was a member of the convention for revising the state constitution. For many years he was a trustee of Amherst Academy, and. at the time of his death he was treasurer of that institution. He was a. member and firm supporter of the Second church.
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Timothy J. Gridley was born in Connecticut in 1788 ; he was grad- uated at Yale College in 1818, and studied medicine with Dr. Nathan. Smith. He came to Amherst in 1822, and here practiced his profession until his death in 1852. During this time he sustained a reputation as physician and surgeon second to none in the western part of the state_ His reputation was not confined to Hampshire county, but his advice was. sought in consultation by physicians throughout this section. He served the town as representative in the General Court two years and was member of the Governor's council for one year. Dr. Gridley was a man of great native talent, excellent education and strong character. To a thorough knowledge of his profession was added keen judgment and strong com- mon sense. Few men of his time enjoyed so generally the confidence of the community.
Noah Dickinson Mattoon, son of Gen. Ebenezer Mattoon, was born in Amherst, Sept. 19, 1783. He was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1803, read law with Hon. Samuel Fowler Dickinson, and in 1806 began.
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the practice of his profession in his native town. He was prominent in town affairs until his removal, in 1818, to Painesville, Ohio. He married Lucy, daughter of Aaron Billings of Amherst ; he died in Unionville, Ohio, March 15, 1870.
Among the prominent residents of Amherst whose birth dates from 1789 to 1807, were Lucius Boltwood, Daniel Dickinson, Frederick A. Palmer, Silas Wright, Leavitt Hallock, Seth Nims, John Nash, Luke Sweetser, Osmyn Baker, O. M. Clapp, Edward Dickinson, L. M. Hills, J. R. Cushman, R. B. Hubbard, Albin P. Howe, Oliver Watson, Simeon Clark, John Leland, Calvin Merrill, and W. S. Howland.
Lucius Boltwood was son of William, and was born in Amherst, March 16, 1792. His father, a farmer in moderate circumstances with eight ·children dependent on him for support, could ill afford him the liberal education on which his heart was set. He studied Latin at the district school and attended the grammar-school at Hadley for a few weeks. spending the greater part of his time in labor upon the farm. In the fall of 1810, he entered the freshman class at Williams College, graduating with high honors in the class of 1814. During the winters of his fresh- man, sophomore and senior years he taught the center school in Amherst. .After graduation, he read law with Hon. Samuel Fowler Dickinson, was admitted to the bar in 1817, and entered into partnership with his instructor. In 1820, he opened an office of his own in Amherst, continuing in practice until 1836 ; at about the latter date he made extensive purchases of land in Michigan, the care of which gradually compelled him to abandon the law. He served Amherst College for several years as secretary of the corpora- tion : from 1833 to 1866, he was commissioner of the charity fund. From November, 1835, to October, 1836, he was president of the Amherst bank. In 1835, he built what was for many years known as the " Boltwood house " and now as " Hitchcock hall," where he resided until his death in 1872. At the time of his death he was senior member of the Hampshire county bar. He was an able lawyer, a wise counsellor, a magistrate whose decisions were respected. He was noted for public spirit and for benevo- lence. He was a warm friend of Amherst College, and among those who favored the establishment of the Agricultural College in Amherst. He was one of the organizers of the Liberty party, serving, in 1841, as its first candidate for governor of Massachusetts ; with this exception, he was never a candidate for elective office. For nearly sixty years he was a member the First church in Amherst. He married, Aug. 30, 1824, Fanny H. Shepard of Little Compton, R. I .; their children were, Lucius M., George S., Fanny S., Charles S., Charles U., Edward, Thomas K. and Samuel.
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Daniel Dickinson was son of Azariah, and was born in Amherst, June 18, 1793. His early education was obtained at the district schools of his native town. His father died in 1813, leaving to his care, while he was not yet of age, the management of a farm which he conducted success- fully for many years. He represented the town in the General Court in 1829 and 1833. In 1833, he was appointed a justice of the peace, holding the office for thirty-five years. He was, for many years, an elector under the provisions of the Oliver Smith will. He took a prominent part in the organization of the North Congregational church ; he served the church as a member of its prudential committee, twelve years; as clerk, fourteen years, and also, for many years, as assessor. When. in 1828, a board of trustees was appointed by the General Court to hold in trust a permanent fund for the benefit of the parish, he was chosen a member of the board, an office he held for more than forty years. Mr. Dickinson was twice married, (1) in 1819, to Miss Louisa Adams of Newfane, Vt., by whom he had two children ; (2) June 25, 1829, to Miss Tammy Eastman of Granby, by whom he had five children.
Silas Wright, although a native of Amherst, removed when less than one year of age, with his father's family, to Weybridge, Vt. He cannot, therefore, be rightly classed among the prominent men of Amherst. but in view of the national reputation that he afterwards acquired. a history of the town would be incomplete without some reference to one of its most distinguished sons. He was son of Silas Wright, whose farm in Hadley, with the farms of three other men, was annexed to Amherst in 1789. Silas Wright, Sr. was married, Sept. 26, 1780, by Rev. David Parsons, to Eleanor, daughter of Isaac Goodale, of Amherst. Silas, Jr. was born May 24, 1795. He was graduated at Middlebury College in 1815, studied law, and in 1819 was admitted to the bar. He practiced law in Canton, N. Y., but soon turned his attention to politics, and was elected successively state senator, comptroller, representative and senator in the U. S. Congress, and governor of New York state. He died Aug. 27, 1847.
Leavitt Hallock, son of Rev. Moses Hallock, was born in Plainfield in 1796. He spent the greater portion of his life in his native town, carrying on a farm and at the same time conducting a large tannery and a country store. He came to Amherst for the purpose of educating his two sons, both of whom were afterwards graduated at Amherst College. During his stay in Amherst, he was prominently identified with the development and beautifying of the town. He purchased the Cowles farm from Hon. Osmyn Baker, and made building-lots of it, opening up Prospect, Hallock and McClellan streets. He also purchased the Baker farm and grove, laid out Snell street, circled the grove with a gravel road and presented it to Amherst College to be held as a grove forever; the College christened the
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property Hallock park, in his honor. He was for many years identified with the First parish, contributing liberally to its support.
Seth Nims, son of Israel, was born in Conway, Sept. 11, 1798. He married, Nov. 26, 1823, Emily Dickinson, by whom he had five children. He removed from Conway to South Deerfield, where he was in business for a few years, a part of the time as proprietor of the Bloody Brook hotel. While there he assisted in organizing an independent militia company, the " Franklin Cadets," of which he was chosen first lieutenant. He resided in Ware two years, removing to Amherst in 1830. He served the town as constable and tax collector several years. In 1852, he was appointed deputy-sheriff for Hampshire county. May 9, 1845, he was commissioned as post-master at Amherst by President Polk, serving four years. June 3, 1853, he again received a commission as post-master, this time from President Pierce, and was in charge of the office eight years, being suc- ceeded by Lucius M. Boltwood. He took great interest in town and church affairs, and was held in high esteem in the community. . He died Sept. 25, 1877.
John A. Nash, son of Elijah, was born in Conway in 1798. He was graduated from Amherst College in the class of 1824, taught in New York city and at Hopkins Academy in Hadley, studied theology at Yale College, conducted classical schools in Bloomfield, N. J., and New York city, was pastor of a Presbyterian church in Binghamton, N. Y., several years, conducted a boarding-school in Pittsfield eight years, and then came to Amherst, where, from 1846 to 1854, he conducted a boarding-school at Mt. Pleasant, continued since then by his son. Henry C. Nash. John A. Nash was appointed professor of scientific agriculture at Amherst College. was a member of the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture, traveled and studied in Europe, and on his return published a book on agricultural chemistry. He edited a paper entitled the Valley Farmer for a time, after- wards removing to New York city, when he purchased and edited the Plough, Loom and Anvil, and was for a time agricultural editor of the New York . Tribune and New York Evangelist. He was among the pioneers in the field of scientific agriculture, being active as well in the causes of anti- slavery and temperance reform. He died Oct. 7, 1877, at the home of his son, Henry C. Nash.
Luke Sweetser was born in Athol, Oct. 28, 1800 : he entered Amherst Academy in the winter of 1820-21. In the spring of 1821, he entered the. employ of H. Wright Strong, who at that time conducted the leading store in the village. In 1824. he bought the store of Mr. Strong, and engaged in business on his own account, associating with himself his younger brother, Joseph A. Sweetser, William Cutler and George Cutler. He continued in business thirty years, until March. 1854, when he sold his
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interest to William and George Cutler. On retiring from active business pursuits, he engaged in farming and collected the finest herd of Ayrshire cattle in this part of the state. He took a deep interest in agricultural · matters, and his name is found among the incorporators of the Hampshire Agricultural society. He was an active promoter of the Amherst & Belchertown Railroad company, the first corporation to build a railway line to Amherst ; he served as its first president and had charge of its construction. He served the town as selectman and assessor, and in 1847-8 was its representative to the General Court. It was largely through his efforts that the first almshouse in Amherst was built. For over thirty years he was a member of the prudential committee of Amherst College, had charge of erecting some of the college buildings and the oversight of the buildings and grounds for a time. For ten years he was a commissioner of the charity fund. He united with the First church in 1831 ; from 185 1 to 1871, he served as one of its deacons. Few men have enjoyed the . respect and high esteem of a community to a greater degree than was granted by Amherst to Mr. Sweetser. His name stood for honor, integ- rity and high Christian character. He died in Amherst, July 27, 1882.
Osmyn Baker, son of Enos, was born in Amherst, May 18, 1800. He fitted for college in his native town, entered Yale College at the age of 18 and was graduated in the class of 1822. He studied law in Amherst and at the law school in Northampton ; in 1825, he opened an office in Amherst for the practice of his profession. At about the same time he became editor of the New England Enquirer, a newspaper published in Amherst by J. S. & C. Adams. In 1830, he was commissioned as captain of an independent rifle company, organized in Amherst, which for several years was regarded as one of the finest companies in this part of the state. In 1833, '34, '36 and '37, he represented Amherst in the General Court. From 1834 to 1837, he served as county commissioner. From 1839 to 1845. he served three terms in Congress, during one of the most interesting periods of our national political history. During the presidential campaign of IS40, and the two succeeding congressional campaigns, he came into prominence as a political speaker. In 1842, he formed a copartnership with Charles Delano, Esq. for the practice of law, which continued, at Amherst first and afterwards in Northampton, until Mr. Baker retired from practice, in 1860. In 1845, he removed his office to Northampton. Mr. Baker was one of the counsel for the defence in the great legal struggle which took place over the will of Oliver Smith of Hatfield, and it was largely owing to his efforts that the will was sustained and the noble charity per- mitted to accomplish an even greater and more beneficent work than its founder had anticipated. Mr. Baker was chosen the first president of the
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board of trustees under the will, an office he retained until his resignation in 1870. Mr. Baker was twice married, (1) in August, 1832, to Elizabeth Olmstead, by whom he had one child ; (2) in 1838, to Cornelia Rockwell, by whom he had a son, William Lawrence, who served in the war for the preservation of the Union and was killed at the battle of Antietam, in 1863. Mr. Baker died Feb. 9, 1875.
Calvin Merrill, son of Calvin, was born in Amherst, Aug. 17, 1797. He was twice married, (1) in 1821, to Cordelia A. Leonard of Sunderland, by whom he had five children ; (2) to Mrs. Fannie Dickinson of Amherst. He was prominent in town affairs, holding for many years the offices of selectman and assessor. He was a member of the First Congregational church. After the death of his second wife, which occurred in the summer of 1872, he removed to Grand Rapids, Mich., where he resided with his daughter, Caroline H. Granger, until his death, Nov. 10, 1872.
Oliver M. Clapp, son of Oliver, was born in Amherst, Oct. 2, 1802. He married, May 10, 1826, Mary A. Reed of Claremont, N. H., by whom he had three children. He spent his life on or near the old Clapp home- stead in East Amherst. He assisted in organizing the Amherst rifle company in 1830, and served as one of its officers. He was a pioneer in the introduction of the silk-worm and the manufacture of silk in Amherst. For some years he conducted a hardware business, but later on gave his attention to marble and stone cutting, in which he excelled as a workman. He took a prominent part in laying out the walks in the old West cemetery, and in adding to its beauty in various ways. For many years he was an active and influential member of the Second church. He was deeply interested in the early history of the town and possessed a fine collection of Indian and other relics. He died in Amherst, June 13, 1887.
Edward Dickinson, son of Hon. Samuel Fowler Dickinson, was born in Amherst, Jan. 1, 1803; he was educated in the public schools of his native town and at Amherst Academy, was a member of the first junior class at Amherst College, although the other three years of his collegiate course were spent at Yale College, where he was graduated in the class of 1823. He studied law two years in his father's office in Amherst, and one year at the Northampton law school. In 1826, he opened an office for the practice of his profession in Amherst. continuing in practice until the time of his death in 1874. During this time he was the leading lawyer in Amherst, being held in high esteem by his associates of the Hampshire county bar. He was a man of great public spirit, a leader in all enterprises looking to the welfare of the town. In 1838 and 1839, and again in 1874. he represented the town in the General Court ; in 1842 and 1843, he was a member of the Massachusetts Senate ; in 1845 and 1846, a member of the Council ; from 1853 to 1855, a member of Congress. He held also many
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other offices of trust, by local election or executive appointment. In 1861, he was nominated by the republican party for lieutenant-governor, on the ticket with Andrew, but declined the honor. In 1835, he was chosen ' treasurer of Amherst College, an office which he held until 1873, when he resigned and was succeeded by his son, William Austin Dickinson. He bore an active part in the labors which resulted in the building of the Amherst & Belchertown railway and, later on, was deeply interested in the building of the Massachusetts Central road; to assist in this work he consented, at the age of 70, to represent the town in the General Court. It was while making a speech in the House of Representatives in relation to this road that he was stricken with apoplexy, resulting in death. The General Court and the Hampshire county bar passed resolutions of respect to his memory, indicative of the high regard in which he was held by his associates in public life. Mr. Dickinson was a man of great strength of character, sound learning, keen intellect. spotless integrity and deep-seated · religious principle. He was held in high esteem by all with whom he came in contact, and honored by the community as few other men have been.
Leonard M. Hills, son of Leonard, was born in Ellington, Conn., Jan. 8, 1803. He came to Amherst in 1829 and entered the employ of Knowles & Thayer, carriage-makers; he remained with them but a short time, leaving them that he might engage in the manufacture of palm-leaf hats, of which branch of industry he was the pioneer in Amherst. Con- cerning this business, more will be related under the heading of manufac- tures, later on. The business increased so rapidly as to demand the greater part of his time and care. Soon after the Amherst & Belchertown railway company was organized, 'he was elected president, holding that office until the road passed out of the hands of the original corporation. On the organization of the First National bank he was chosen president, remaining in office until his death in 1872. In 1836, he lost all the property he had accumulated and found himself heavily in debt through the failure of a friend, for whom he had endorsed notes to a large amount. With characteristic honesty, he paid every cent of his indebtedness. He united with the Second church in 1864, but three years later became a member of the First church. He was a liberal contributor to the church and to many objects of benevolence. Mr. Hills was twice married, (1) in 1$29, to Amelia Gay of Stafford, Conn., (2) in 1843, to Betsey Hunter of Lee. He died in New York city, Feb. 8, 1872.
John R. Cushman, son of Ephraim, was born in Amherst, Sept. 6, 1803. His father, Ephraim Cushman, was a veteran of the war of the Revolution. In 1835, in partnership with his brother Ephraim, he engaged in the manufacture of paper, at North Amherst. He was a prominent man in the community, ever ready to lend his aid to all matters that made
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for public improvement. He served the town as selectman, and in 1862 was its representative in the General Court. He united with the North Congregational church in 1839. He was active in temperance matters, serving as president of the first temperance society organized at the "City." He married, Sept. 14, 1826, Rhoda Crafts of Whately, by whom he had ten children. He died at his home in Amherst, Aug. 30, 1883.
Rodolphus B. Hubbard, son of Giles, was born in Sunderland, Sept. 3, 1803. He fitted for college at Amherst Academy, entered Amherst Col- lege in 1825, remained a member of that institution two years, then went to Union College, where he was graduated in 1829. Having studied theology with Rev. Nathan Perkins at East Amherst, he preached for a few years in Northampton and surrounding towns. The greater part of his life was spent in teaching. For three years he was principal of Mount Pleasant institute, and from 1855 to 1868, conducted a boys' boarding- school in Amherst. During his residence .of twenty years in Amherst he took an intelligent interest in town affairs and was well known and highly esteemed. For ten years a deacon of the First church, he served as a member of the building committee when the church edifice now in use was erected. For a number of years he was a member of the school committee. He died, Sept. 29, 1875, in California.
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