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DEXTER R. BARNES, formerly a
lumber dealer, now an enterprising and
well-to-do
farmer, diligently pursuing his
occupation in the town
of Granby, is a
native of Hampshire County, born October 8, 1842,
in the town of Pelham. He is a son of
the late Ansel Barnes, who was born in Hardwick, Worcester
County, and there worked for many years as a
machinist.
Ansel Barnes removed to Pelham while in the prime
of a vigorous manhood, and there carried on general
farming until his death on August 12, 1878. He married
Deborah Churchill, a native of Cornish Flat, N.H., and
they became the parents of eight children, namely: Susan; Lewis,
deceased; Lucretia, deceased; Martha, deceased; Louise;
Lois, deceased; Dexter R.; and Hosea.
Dexter, who was
next to the youngest of the family, acquired a good
common-school education in the place of his nativity,
and was nineteen years of age when, on August 13, 1862,
he enlisted in Company G, under Captain George Bliss,
Fifty-second Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. The
regiment, commanded by Colonel Greenleaf, was assigned
to General Banks's division; and Mr. Barnes, with his
comrades, took part in many of the important battles
that followed, being present at Jackson, Miss., Irish
Bend, and at the siege of Port Hudson, where Captain
Bliss, who was then standing within four feet of him,
was fatally shot. He was also in other skirmishes and in
the great gunboat expedition. After
receiving his discharge at Greenfield, he returned to
Pelham, being sick for some six months afterward. Coming to
this locality on his recovery, he worked for some time
as a farm
laborer, but in 1864 went
home again, and was there similarly engaged for a
year.
During the next six months Mr. Barnes owned and
operated a sawmill, being quite successful
therein,
and then resumed his agricultural
labors, continuing
about a year, when he embarked in the lumber
business.
We next hear of him in Holyoke,
where he was employed about six months in a sash and
blind factory.
Once more he
returned to the home farm, and while there, on October
17,
1868, was united in marriage with Miss Jennie M.
Kellogg, whose parents were Mr. and Mrs. David
Kellogg.
After his marriage Mr. Barnes came to the town of
Granby, and purchased a farm, which he conducted for six
months, when he sold it at an advance, and bought
another estate, on which he lived a year. Having an
advantageous offer, he sold that also, and then removed
to the village of Granby, where for three years he was
successfully engaged as a dealer in lumber, hay, and
straw, finally relinquishing the business to take
possession of the farm he now owns and occupies. He
has a snug property of thirty-five acres, which he
carefully tills, the improvements that he has made being
of a most excellent
character.
Politically, Mr.
Barnes is a strong advocate of the principles of the
Republican party, and is earnestly interested in the
welfare and advancement of his adopted town. He has
served
with ability in many
of the
local offices, having been Constable several years,
Selectman two years, a Tax Collector, and at the time
the State road was built a Road Commissioner. At present
he is serving as cattle inspector for the town of
Granby. Socially, he belongs to the E. J. Griggs Post,
No. 97, Grand Army of the Republic, and also to the
Granby Grange, of which he is Overseer.
The family
circle of Mr. and Mrs. Barnes has been enlarged by the
birth of six children, as follows: Nellie, who died in
infancy; Agnes; Henry; Addie; Chester, who lived but
twelve years; and Forest, whose life on earth was but
brief. In his religious views Mr. Barnes is quite
liberal, and Mrs. Barnes is a conscientious and esteemed
member of the Congregational church.
JAMES D. BARNES, a progressive
farmer of Prescott, born in Pelham, Mass., August 27,
1827, was the son of Dwight and Violet (Mellen) Barnes.
Mr. Barnes's
great-grandfather, Eli Barnes, was an early settler of
Hardwick, Mass., where he became a prosperous farmer and
resided for the remainder of his life. He raised
a family. of nine children,
respectively named : Dwight, Harvey, Horace, Lucius,
Eli, Lyman, Sophia, Minda, and Fanny. Of these the only
one now living is Lucius Barnes, a resident of Ware,
Mass.
Dwight Barnes, father of Mr.
Barnes, was born in Hardwick. He first settled in
Belchertown, and later in Pelham, where he owned and
successfully managed a good farm. He possessed a strong
constitution, was a tireless worker, a Democrat in
politics, and lived to the age of sixty-four years. His
farm is now occupied by Arthur Barnes. His first wife,
Violet (Mellen) Barnes, died at the age of thirty years.
His second wife was Lois Kingfield, who passed her
declining years at the home of James D. Barnes. Mr.
Barnes was the father of three children, as follows:
James D., the subject of this sketch; Estus H., who died
aged sixty-five; and Joseph M., a resident of West
Ware.
James D. Barnes received his
education in the schools of Pelham, and at an early age
commenced life as a farm boy, receiving for wages
thirteen dollars per month. He continued to work as an
assistant upon different farms until 1860, when he
purchased the property on which he now resides. The
farm, situated upon high ground, overlooking a
considerable portion of the surrounding country, is
conducted upon modern principles.
Its appearance, together with the excellent
condition of the buildings, tells the sterling qualities
of the owner. He has no specialty; but, while conducting
general farming operations, he is seldom found without
some fine cattle. He is a Democrat in politics, and has
served the town with ability for two terms each as
Selectman, Assessor, Overseer of the Poor, and Road
Commissioner. He is a Master Mason and a member of
Bethel Lodge.
On November 25,
1858, Mr. Barnes was united in marriage to Mary
J. Upton. She was born in Prescott, and was a daughter
of Otis and Minerva (Shaw) Upton. Both parents were
natives of Prescott. The father's occupation was that of
stone mason, and he was over eighty when he died. Mr.
and Mrs. Barnes have had five
children, namely: Addie Leola, who died at the age of
eighteen; Eugene and Herbert W., who are in the meat
business in Prescott; Allie L. and Clarence, who are
engaged in farming. Mr. Barnes is highly esteemed by his
fellow townsmen, and his sons are well and favorably
known in the community as bright and active business
men.
EDWARD T. BARRUS, a
leading merchant and real estate owner of Williamsburg,
was born in the town of Goshen,
Mass., October
13,
1861,
son of Theron L. and Czarina N. (Robinson)
Barrus.
Mr. Barrus's grandparents,
Levi and Almeda (Stearns) Barrus, moved from Salem,
Mass., to
Goshen,
and
settled upon four hundred acres of land. Levi
Barrus was a very prosperous farmer and a highly
esteemed citizen. He was originally a Whig in politics,
but later joined the Republican party. He
was a member of the Baptist church. He
died at his homestead in Goshen at the age of
seventy-three
years..
His
children were:
Hiram, Lorin,
Charles,
Alvan,
Laura, Jane, and
Theron L.
Theron L.
Barrus, Mr. Barrus's father, was born at the homestead
in Goshen, September 1, 1829. He attended the select
school three winter terms, working during the summer in
the turning shop of Ranney & Gage, and also at
plane-making. After finishing his studies he taught
school for nine winters, his summers being occupied in
farming and
working at plane-making in Swift River. He
purchased what is known as the red house property, a
farm of twenty acres, situated in the vicinity of his
present residence, and devoted his summers to
agriculture and his winters to the manufacturing of
ladders, which he sold
through the surrounding section. He
later bought the Cushman place of eight acres, and still
later the Parsons farm, which consists of one hundred
acres; and he has since resided upon that property. He
carries on general farming and dairying. He
has remodeled the farm buildings, keeps ten choice cows,
and is in good circumstances. He
is a Republican in politics, and has been a member of
the School Board for twenty years. He
united with the Congregational church in young man-hood,
and at the age of twenty-five was chosen a Deacon, a
position which he still holds. In 1852 Theron L. Barrus
married Czarina N.
Robinson, born
December
27,
1831, and daughter of James and Adeline (Randall)
Robinson. She became the mother of five children: James
L., William A., Edward T., Mary A., and Lida E. The
mother died May 6, 1895.
Edward T. Barrus commenced
his studies in the schools of his native town, and
completed his education at the Sanderson Academy in
Ashfield, Mass. At
the age of twenty years he began work as a wood polisher
in the shop of
the
Crosby
Manufacturing Company in
Swift River.
After remaining there for one year he went to
Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where he pursued a course at
Eastman's Business College. He then
went to Boston as a book-keeper in the wholesale
clothing
house of C.
N.
Mellen & Co., and after
remaining there for a time resigned his position in
order to devote his attention to teaching. He
later returned to mercantile pursuits, and after acting
as traveling salesman for a short time purchased an
interest in the general store of J. H. Godfrey in
Goshen, where he remained in business for six years, at
the expiration of which time he retired from the firm.
In 1890 he came to Williamsburg and purchased the stock
of S. K. Waite, which included buildings and the
adjoining land on Main Street. He refitted the store and
put in an extensive stock of general merchandise, so
enabling himself to supply a large and constantly
increasing patronage. He employs a force of five men,
and four teams are kept busy in delivering goods. He
also runs a provision store in Holyoke. Mr. Barrus is
President of the Williamsburg Co-operative Creamery
Association, which is proving a most profitable
enterprise. He purchased the Kingsley shop on South
Street, which he has enlarged and fitted up for storage
purposes.
He has also found it necessary to build an
addition to his store. He
has invested in a valuable piece of real estate on Main
Street, which he has subdivided into building lots for
residences, and in many other ways has displayed a
spirit of energy and enterprise, which will, without
doubt,
insure his future prosperity.
On May 18, 1887, Mr. Barrus
was united in marriage to Mary L. Graves, daughter of
Samuel and Sarah (Bartlett) Graves, of Southampton,
Mass., and has one son, named Roger H., who was born May
16, 1893. Mr. Barrus is one of the brightest and most
progressive young business men in Hampshire County, and
is highly esteemed by his fellow-townsmen.
SHERIDAN E. BARRUS, a prosperous
farmer of Goshen and superintendent of stone crushing,
son of Loren and Lucinda S. (Naramore) Barrus, was born
in Goshen, September 29, 1868. Mr.
Barrus's grandparents, Levi and Almeda (Stearns)
Barrus, moved from Salem, Mass., to Goshen, where they
were among the early settlers, and purchased four
hundred acres of land. Levi Barrus was a member of the
Baptist church and a Whig in politics. He died at the
age of seventy-three. His children were: Hiram, Loren,
Charles, Alvin, Laura, Jane, and Theron L.
Loren Barrus, father of Mr. Barrus,
was born May 31, 1825. He resided with his parents until
reaching the age of twenty-one, when he went to
Cummington, where he engaged in the manufacturing of
scythe handles. He subsequently
worked in Ranney's turning-mill, and was also employed
in plane-making. In 1857 he settled
upon the Beals farm, and later purchased the Dawes
property, where he resided until 1884, when he sold out,
and bought the Shipman farm. Here, besides carrying on
general farming, he operated a grist-mill that was on
the premises. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in the
First Massachusetts Cavalry, and served in the Civil War
until October, 1864, when illness obliged him to go into
hospital. Upon his
recovery he acted for some time as ward master of the
hospital. He is a Republican in politics, and has served
as a Selectman and as Constable.
Loren Barrus's wife, Lucinda S. Naramore,
daughter of Franklin and Wealthy P. (Parsons) Naramore,
whom he married June 5, 1848, was born in Goshen,
December 10, 1828. Their children were: Walter F., who
died in infancy; Helen L., wife of W. O.
Bartlett; Charles F., who married Minnie Hubbard,
now deceased; Fred W., who died aged thirty-six; Anna
L., who died at eighteen; Eva, wife of C. Frost;
Sheridan E., the subject of this sketch; and Josephine
R., wife of C. E. Hubbard. Loren Barrus and his wife are
members of the Congregational church.
Sheridan E. Barrus, after taking
the usual course in the schools of Goshen, completed his
education at Amherst College. At the age of twenty-one
he bought an interest in his father's farm, and has
since been engaged in general farming and dairying. They
keep ten choice Jersey cows, use the separator, and
manufacture a superior quality of butter, which they
sell to regular customers. Mr.
Barrus is a Republican in politics. He
superintends the breaking and sorting of stone for use
upon the State road, having under his charge a force of
twenty men.
On November 14, 1894, Mr.
Barrus was united in marriage to Jessie F. Patterson,
daughter of William H. and Jane Patterson, and has one
child, named Russell Winthrop, who was born August 7,
1895.
WILLIAM A. BARRUS, of Goshen
principal of the Hampshire and Franklin County Truant
School, is the son of Deacon Theron L. and Czarina
A. (Robinson) Barrus,
and was born in Goshen, October 2, 1857. His
grandparents, Levi and Almeda (Stearns) Barrus, moved
from Heath, Mass., to Goshen, where the former purchased
four hundred acres of land, and began farming on an
extensive scale. Levi was a member of the Baptist
church, a Whig in politics, an energetic farmer, and a
progressive citizen. He died at the age of eighty-four
years. His children were: Hiram, Loren, Charles, Alvin,
Laura, Jane, and Theron L.
Theron L. Barrus, father of William
A., was born at the old homestead in Goshen, September
1, 1829. At the age of twenty-one he commenced work in
the turning shop of Ranney and Gage, and subsequently
engaged in plane-making. He gave only the summer months
to these occupations, as he still pursued his studies
during the school season. After completing his
education, he taught in the district schools for nine
terms, devoting the summer season to agriculture. His
first investment in real estate, known as the Red House,
included twenty acres of land, situated in the
vicinity of his present
residence. Here he resided for a
time, devoting his energies to farming and the making of
ladders. Then he bought the
Cushman farm of eighty acres, and later the Parsons
property, comprising one hundred acres, on which he now
resides. He has remodeled the buildings, keeps a dairy
of ten cows, and has otherwise improved the farm, which
he cultivates successfully. He joined the Congregational
church when a young man, and at the age of twenty-five
was made a Deacon, a position which he still holds. He
is a Republican in politics, and has been a member of
the School Board for twenty years. In 1852 he married
Czarina N. Robinson, daughter of James and Adeline
(Randall) Robinson, born December 27, 1831. They had
five children, as follows: James L., Willie A., Mary A.,
Edward F., and Lyda E. The mother died
May 6, 1895.
William A. Barrus received his
education in the schools of his native town; and at the
age of eighteen he engaged in agriculture as an
occupation, which he followed for some years. He was
later employed in Swift River as a plane-maker and wood
polisher, at which business he continued for two years.
In 1885 he purchased the Russ farm in Goshen, consisting
of one hundred and fifty acres. Since then, besides
making other, improvements in the property, he has
remodeled the buildings, and has conducted general
farming, together with dairying, for which he keeps
eight graded Jersey cows. He owns an interest in the
Ashfield Co-operative Creamery, and has furnished teams
for the construction of the State road.
On
October 11, 1889, Mr. Barrus was appointed principal of
the Hampshire and Franklin County Truant School, and has
since filled that position to general satisfaction. In
this capacity he has fitted up a suite of dormitories,
which are well lighted and ventilated, and provided a
yard for outdoor exercise.
Mr. Barrus was united in
marriage on October 5, 1881, to Lucy M. Hall, daughter
of Allen and Olive (Howe) Hall, of Ashfield. They
have three children, namely: Alice E., born October 5,
1882; Myrtle E., born March 5, 1887; and Ida E., born
August 12, 1889. Mr. Barrus is a Republican in
politics.
EUGENE PRENTISS BARTLET, of
Pelham, a Director and superintendent of the
Montague City Rod Manufactory, was born in Pelham,
January I, 1853, son of Marshall and Abigail (Warren)
Bartlet. Mr. Bartlet's
ancestors were early settlers in Enfield, Mass., where
they were engaged in agriculture. Marshall Bartlet, Mr.
Bartlet's father, was born in Enfield, and was a son of
Gideon Bartlet. He settled in Pelham in 1845, and
followed his trade of shoemaking during the active
period of his life. He was an industrious worker and an
estimable man. In politics he was a
Republican, while he held liberal religious views. Marshall
Bartlet died in Amherst at the age of seventy-two
years. His wife, who
was a descendant of General Warren of Revolutionary
fame, was born at Fort Warren in Boston Harbor. She
became the mother of ten children, as follows: Erastus;
Livingston, a resident of Amherst; Calista, wife of
Henry Wheeler, of Hartford, Conn.; Joseph F. a
resident of Turner's
Falls, Mass.;
Myron M., who resides
in Belchertown; Leander L., of Montague City; Henrietta,
wife of Edwin Wade, of Ludlow; Carrie, wife of Charles
Aldridge, of Keene, N.H.; Eugene P., the subject of this
sketch; and Lora, wife of Charles Engel, of Springfield,
Mass. The mother died
at the age of sixty-eight years.
Eugene Prentiss Bartlet commenced at
an early age to contribute toward his own support. When
thirteen years old, he became farm boy for Marcus
Daniels in Wilbraham, receiving twenty-five dollars for
his season's work. He then found employment in the Hills
Company's factory in Amherst. The Hills were then the
exclusive manufacturers of Shaker hoods, and Mr. Bartlet
was with them at different times during the space of
three years. He next went to Turner's Falls, where he
was engaged with his brothers in learning the painter's
trade. He continued at that occupation for three years.
In 1872 he entered the employment of Gray & Sons,
fishing rod manufacturers, receiving at first
seventy-five cents per day. His wages were increased as
he advanced in proficiency; and in less than a year
after entering the factory he was receiving two dollars
per day. Though he commenced in a humble capacity, he
made such rapid progress through the various departments
that on January 1, 1874, he was made superintendent of
the factory. He later became
a stockholder in the concern, and finally obtained
possession of the whole business. He subsequently
enlarged the factory, and placed it in the hands of a
stock company, known as the Montague City Rod
Manufactory. Although Mr. Bartlet
is a large stockholder and a Director, he continues to
act as superintendent ; and each department is conducted
under his personal supervision. The company has
factories located in Pelham, Montague City, Mass., and
in Postville, Vt., and manufactures all kinds of fishing
rods except steel ones. The Pelham factory
employs forty-five workmen the year round. Its products
are shipped to various parts of New England and to New
York City. During the season of 1893 and 1894 this
factory alone completed seventy-five thousand rods, of
two hundred and fifty different styles. This concern is
one of the largest of its kind in the United States, and
its present flourishing condition is due principally to
the skill and business ability of Mr. Bartlet.
Mr. Bartlet is a Republican in politics, and has
served as a Selectman and Assessor for two terms. He is
a member of Pacific Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of the
Northampton Commandcry.
On July 8, 1874, Mr. Bartlet
was united in marriage to Jennie Ward, daughter of
Joseph and Amanda A. Ward. Joseph Ward was a prosperous
farmer and a lifelong resident of Pelham. He owned and
operated a stone quarry, and was a well-known citizen.
He died in Pelham, at over seventy years of age.
His wife, who survives him, now resides with Mr.
Bartlet. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlet have two children, namely:
Lotta A., wife of R. M. Aldridge, who is
employed in the factory; and Jessie E., who resides at
home. Mr. Bartlet contributes
liberally to the support of the Methodist Episcopal
church, of which Mrs. Bartlet is a member.
ADDISON HOMER BARTLETT was born
upon the farm at Belchertown where he now resides,
February 15, 1843, son of Cyrus Sabin and Emily
(Stebbins) Bartlett. His father, who was born at
Stafford, Conn., May 6, 1814, was a son of Cyrus
Bartlett, a native of the same place, born in 1778.
Cyrus Bartlett owned and
operated a saw and grist mill in his native town for
some time before 1816. He then moved to Belchertown,
settling upon the farm now owned by his grandson. Here
he resided for the remainder of his days, and died at
the age of seventy-nine years. The maiden name of his
wife was Anna Sabin, a native of Ellington, Conn. (An
account of Mrs. (Sabin) Bartlett's ancestors may be
found in a work entitled, "The History of the Sabin
Family.") She died at the age of ninety years, having
raised a family of four children, named: Selden, Elvira,
Cyrus S., and Louisa. Cyrus S. Bartlett was two years of
age when his parents moved to Belchertown. He
received a good education in the district schools and at
the Monson and Hadley Academies.
During his young manhood he taught school for
several terms, also engaging in agriculture. At
the death of his father he succeeded to the ownership of
the farm, which he cultivated profitably for several
years.
In 1872 he sold the property to his son,
purchased a home in the village, and there
resided
until
his decease, which occurred February 25,
1888.
The wife of Cyrus S. Bartlett, who was before her
marriage Emily Stebbins, was born at Belchertown,
November 10, 1814, daughter of Samuel Hinsdale and Nancy
(Reed) Stebbins, and a direct descendant in the seventh
generation of Rowland Stebbins. (An
account of Mrs. Bartlett's early ancestors is given in
the "Annals of Belchertown," by the late Hon. Mark
Doolittle.)
She died December 17, 1893, having been the
mother of three children; namely, Eliza, Addison, and
Julia.
She and her husband were devout members of the
Congregational church, and contributed generously toward
its support.
Addison H. Bartlett obtained
the rudimentary branches of his education at the
district schools.
After completing his studies at the Wilbraham
Academy' he taught school for a time. His
chief attention, however, was devoted to agriculture, of
which in due time he acquired a thorough knowledge. The
family homestead is known as the "Cold Spring"
farm,
because it
contains
a never-failing spring of pure water. The
town was originally so named for the same reason. When
the farm came into his possession in 1872, he gave his
whole time to its cultivation. The home is very
desirably situated upon the west side of a hill,
commanding an extensive view of the surrounding
country.
On November 18, 1868, he was
united in marriage to Miss Violet Isabelle Bardwell, a
native of Belchertown, daughter of Antipas Steward
Bardwell, who was also born there. He was a son of
Martin Bardwell,
whose father,
also
named
Martin,
was
a
son of Joseph, through whose father, John, the
descent goes back to Robert Bardwell, who came from
London to Boston about the year 1670, and settled in
Hatfield, Mass.
Robert was a hatter by trade, and his son, John
Bardwell, was one of the first settlers of Belchertown,
having come about the year 1732. The
farm upon which Mrs. Bartlett was born was the original
property of the family in that town. Antipas Bardwell,
who inherited a portion of the old homestead, purchased
the interests of the other heirs and resided there until
his decease, which occurred on April 18,
1877. The
maiden name of Mrs. Bartlett's mother was Caroline C.
Sikes.
She was from Ludlow, and was a daughter of John
and Dorothy (Kellogg) Sikes. She
died February 4, 1879, having been the mother of seven
children: namely, George S., Alonzo J., Maria L.,
Francis N., Violet I., Martin W., and Charles
E.
Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett have
five children living: Lizzie Maria, Marion Estella,
Dwight Stebbins, Francis Alonzo, and Edward Payson. Their third
child, Alice Isabelle, died August 30, 1877, aged thirteen months; and
their fourth child, Henry Addison,
died May 11, 1888, at the age of ten years. The
family attend the Congregational church, of which Mr.
and Mrs. Bartlett and several of their children are
members. Mr.
Bartlett has been a Deacon of this church since
1882.
ELIHU P. BARTLETT, an old
resident of Westhampton, was born there, March 19, 1825,
son of Elihu and Sarah (Hurlburt) Bartlett, the former a
native of Westhampton, the latter of Southampton. The Bartlett
family has been well known in the locality since the
latter part of the last century, when Mr. Bartlett's
grandfather removed from Northampton to
Westhampton.
He was then a young man, was many years a
resident of the town, and engaged, like his neighbors,
in farming.
The elder Elihu Bartlett,
father of Elihu P., also engaged in agriculture. He
lived in the western part of the town till he was
sixty-five years of age, when he went to reside with his
son Elihu P. He died December 11, 1866. His wife had
passed away nine years before, on October 12, 1857.
Their home was brightened by eight children, namely:
Mary, deceased; Elihu P., the subject of this sketch;
Asaph H., now in Leavenworth, Kan.; Christopher C, who
lives near his brother Elihu; Horace C., Diana D., and
two daughters named Sarah A., all of whom died some
years ago.
Elihu P. Bartlett received a
fair education in the schools of Westhampton. Living on
the farm he necessarily became familiar with farm work.
When twenty years of age he went to work in Westfield
for a season, and later was employed in Springfield for
a year. In
1848 he rented the farm which he now occupies, and which
in course of time he was able to purchase. At first it
comprised one hundred and fifty acres.
Since then Mr. Bartlett has added to it, and now
it is one hundred and eighty acres. He has made a great
many improvements, carries on general farming in an
intelligent and progressive way, and derives from his
bountiful crops an ample income.
On June 14, 1850, Mr.
Bartlett was united in marriage with Elsie E. Kingsley,
who was born in Westhampton, daughter of Orrin and Emily
(Hooker) Kingsley. Orrin Kingsley, who was a farmer in
Westhampton, died in Northampton in December, 1876. Mrs.
Bartlett died in 1855, and the place left vacant by her
decease has never been filled, her husband remaining
faithful to her memory. She left two children, Edward A.
and Emily H.
Edward A. married Emma Jessamine, of Brooklyn,
N.Y., and they are the parents of six children, three of
whom are living: Elsie K., Ruby B., and Clifford M. He
lives with his father, his wife superintending the
household. Emily H. is the wife of Henry Warner, of
Leeds, Mass. In politics Mr. Bartlett was
originally a Whig, and is now a Republican. He has a
comfortable home, and the goodly acres which surround it
are the recompense of a life of honest and persevering
labor.
JOHN A. BARTLETT, a substantial
Citizen and a practical agriculturist of Enfield, has
spent his whole life within the borders of that town,
his birth occurring there on June 26, 1843. He is a son
of Alexander, Jr., and Susan (Robinson) Bartlett,
respectively natives of Enfield and Hardwick,
Mass.
Alexander Bartlett, grandfather of
John A., was one of the pioneer settlers of Pelham, this
county, where he purchased a farm and lived for a number
of years. Later on he resided in Belchertown for a time;
but the last years of his life were spent in Enfield,
where he died at the age of seventy-six years. He was
drafted for service in the War of 1812, and went to
Boston; but although he was sent to Boston he was not
called upon for active service. He married Miss Deborah
Brown, who reared him a family of seven children. Two of
these are still living, namely: Mrs. Sarah Rogers, of
Greenwich, Hampshire County; and Sylvan us Bartlett, of
Concord, N. H. Alexander Bartlett,
Jr., was reared to farm life; and on starting for
himself he chose farming for his occupation. He
finally purchased the excellent farm of one hundred and
fifty acres that his son now owns, and on which the last
twenty years of his own life were successfully spent. He
lived sixty-seven years; and his wife, whose maiden name
was Susan Robinson, died in the sixty-fifth year of her
age. But one child, John
A. Bartlett, was born of their union. Both parents were
liberal in their religious views.
John A. Bartlett received
his education in the common schools of Enfield and
Pelham. He remained with his
parents, caring for them during the last years of their
life. At their death
he became the owner of the old homestead, on which he
continues to reside. He is profitably engaged in mixed
farming, and his dwelling and barns indicate comfort and
prosperity. On May 20, 1867, he was joined in marriage
with Miss Lydia A. Aldridge, who was born in Belchertown
in 1842. They have no children. Politically, Mr.
Bartlett is a faithful adherent of the Republican
party. Both he and his wife
are liberal in their religious views.
AUSTIN D. BATES, a prosperous
farmer and business man of Cummington, was born in that
town, March 20, 1837, son of Dorrance and Hannah (Damon)
Bates. Mr. Bates's great-grandparents were Nehemiah and
Mehitable (Marble) Bates.
Nehemiah Bates was born in
Abington, Mass., in 1740. He moved from Abington to
Chesterfield, Mass., where he settled upon the farm
which is now owned by H. Bates, and followed agriculture
successfully until his death, which occurred at a good
old age. His children were: Joel, Mehitable, Nathaniel,
Ephraim, Asa, Levi, Elijah, Mehitable (second), Gersham,
Solomon, and Ruth. Levi Bates, grandfather of Austin D.
Bates, was born in Abington, September 9, 1771. He learned the trade
of a carpenter, and settled in Cummington, upon the farm
which is now occupied by P. Bates. He became a
prosperous farmer, owning one hundred and thirty acres
of land, and died aged thirty years. He was a Whig in
politics and a Baptist in his religious creed. Levi
Bates married Lorina Hersey, who was born March 5, 1775;
and they had eight children, as follows: Malensa, Levi,
Dorrance, Melinda, Lucinda, Lucretia, Phidelia, and
Philander. The mother died April 26, 1849.
Dorrance Bates, Mr. Bates's father,
was born in Cummington, January 25, 1803, and, when a
young man, acquired the carpenter's trade, which he
followed as an occupation.
He first settled upon two acres of land, but
later he purchased the adjoining property, which was
known as the E. Culver homestead, consisting of one
hundred acres; and here he resided until his death. He
died aged forty-nine years. His wife, Hannah (Damon)
Bates, who was born in 1812, became the mother of five
children: Finley V.; Austin D.; Hollister, who died
young; Osmyn; and Hollister, second. She died at the
age of seventy-nine.
Austin D. Bates was reared to
agriculture, and succeeded to the possession of the old
homestead by purchasing the interests of the other
heirs. At the age of eighteen he commenced teaming in a
small way upon a route which included the city of
Northampton and the towns of Huntington, Dalton, and
Adams; and this undertaking later developed into an
extensive business. He also
engaged in the sale of feed, grain, flour, and
fertilizer, which he buys by the carload; and in this
branch of trade he has also become successful. He has
added thirty acres to his farm, keeps ten choice cows,
has enlarged his residence, and remodeled his other farm
buildings. The property is situated near the Hillside
agricultural grounds; and during the annual fair he
provides dinners for a large number of people and
provender for quite a number of horses. He also owns an
interest in the creamery.
On November 27, 1862, Mr. Bates was
united in marriage to Sarah D. Brewster, daughter of
Andrew and Phoebe (Sherman) Brewster. Mr. and Mrs. Bates
have one son, named Herbert A., who was born October 7,
1871, and is now in business with his father.
Mr. Bates is a Republican in politics; and,
although frequently requested to serve in town offices,
he has always declined, as his business requires his
entire time and energy.
GORDYCE BATES, a successful farmer
of Worthington, was born in this town, February 25,
1823, son of Ouincy and Lovica
(Knapp) Bates. Mr. Bates's paternal grandparents
were residents of Weymouth, Mass. Ouincy Bates
was born in Cummington, Mass., March 17, 1791; but,
having grown to manhood, he settled upon a farm in
Worthington, where he became a prosperous and well-known
farmer. He died in
October, 1875. His wife
was born in Cummington, April 19, 1790,
daughter of Jonathan Knapp, and she became the
mother of ten children, namely: Shepard F.,
who died in Cummington in 1842; Herman L., ; who is now
engaged in agricultural pursuits in Peru, Mass.; Emily
L., widow of Talmage Church, a former manufacturer of
Middlefield; Marcus A., now deceased; Mary L., who died
October 3, 1S 3 8 ; Fordyce and Gordyce, twins;
Laura T., who married Jabez Hazzard, a druggist of New
York City, and is now deceased; Jonathan L., who died
October 13, 1838; and Austin, who died on the passage to
California, at the age of eighteen. The mother died
January 1, 1839.
Gordyce Bates resided with his
parents until he reached the age of seventeen, when he
commenced to learn the trade of a carpenter and joiner.
He worked at that trade as a journeyman for five years,
and then, in company with his brother Marcus, erected a
sawmill in the vicinity of the old homestead, in
which they manufactured fork, rake, broom, and shovel
handles, besides sawing lumber for other parties. They
conducted a successful business until some time in 1866,
when the mill was burned. In 1843 Mr. Bates purchased
the old home farm, which originally consisted of forty
acres; and he has increased his property to one hundred
and sixty-five acres. He carries on general farming, and
makes a specialty of raising beef and vegetables for the
market. Mr. Bates is a Republican in politics, and has
always taken an active interest in local political
issues. He was for five years a member of the Board of
Selectmen, and served one year as Collector.
On April 29, 1846, Mr. Bates
married for his first wife Corinth Wing, a native of
Hinsdale, Mass. She was born November 27, 1824, daughter
of Zeri and Triphenia (Ingham) Wing, the former of whom
was a practicing physician. Four children were born of
this union, namely: Emma L., who married Andrew
Brewster, of Cummington; Clarence E., who married Ida
Hancock, and resides in Huntington, Mass.; Shepard F.,
who died in infancy; and Shepard F., second, who married
Nellie A. Tower, and resides in Worthington. The mother
died July 21, 1894; and on June 5, 1895, Mr. Bates
wedded for his second wife Mrs. Malina Graves, a sister
of his first wife. Mrs. Malina Bates was born March 26,
1823, and has been three times married. By her first
husband, Sherman Geer, she had one son, Elwin W. Geer,
who married, and resides in Dalton, Mass. Her second
husband was Amasa Graves, Jr., of Middlefield, by whom
she had one son, Arthur W. Graves, who is married, and
resides in Pittsfield, Mass.
Mr. and Mrs. Bates are
members of the Congregational church. Fordyce Bates,
Mr. Bates's twin brother,
went to California in 1849, and remained there for
several years, during which he was successful both as a
merchant and a miner. While there he served as a member
of the legislature in 1860. Marcus A. Bates was a member
of the legislature in 1880.
JOHN H. BATES, a resident of
Northampton and senior partner in the firm of Bates,
Lyman & Locke, was born in South Hadley, Mass., June
12, 1847, being a son of Emerson and Sarah Ann (Edwards)
Bates. The Bates family originated in England, the first
of the name to cross the ocean and locate in this
country having been one Joshua Bates, who settled in
Hingham, Mass., at Cohasset, at an early period in the
settlement of New England.
John Bates, grandfather of John E.
Bates, was born March 12, 1772, in Cohasset, and, when a
young man, came to this county. He lived for a while in
Chesterfield, and was there married to Nancy Cogswell.
Soon after their union they removed to Westhampton,
where their ten children, five sons and five daughters,
were born, all of whom, except one who died in infancy,
grew to adult life. Of these one daughter still lives.
This is Mary Ann, widow of Asahel Judd, formerly a
resident of Charlemont, but now of Aurora, ILL.
Emerson improved his land and spent his life and
remaining days upon it with his family, dying March 12,
1856. He was united in marriage in 1833, to Sarah Ann
Edwards, who was born at Roberts Meadow, Northampton,
daughter of David Edwards, grand-daughter of Nathaniel
Edwards, former well-known residents of the locality.
For many years after their union they kept the hotel and
toll-gate on the old Boston and Albany Pike, and also
owned and operated a tannery. They reared five children,
as follows: Henry E., a volunteer in the late Rebellion,
Corporal of Company H, Fifty-second Massachusetts
Volunteer Infantry, born in 1844, died August 19, 1863;
Mary A., the wife of T. C. Cooley, of Springfield;
Catherine L, living on the old homestead; John E., the
subject of this sketch; and Nathaniel Edwards, who owns
and occupies the old home farm. The mother survived her
husband, passing away March 22, 1895, at the good old
age of seventy eight years. She was buried beside her
husband in the South Hadley cemetery. The
soldier son was laid to rest in the Cypress Grove
Cemetery in Louisiana.
John E. Bates was a student in the
high school when his eldest brother enlisted. The
departure of his brother obliged him to give up his
studies to assist on the home farm. This he continued to
do until 1870, when he came to Northampton and secured
work in the biscuit factory of Carr & Lyman, where
he remained until the death of Mr. Carr, which occurred
more than fifteen years afterward.
Mr. Bates subsequently became a member of the new
firm. The company was organized March 15, 1886, and has
since carried on a flourishing business under the title
of the Smith Carr Baking Company. This bakery was first
established a century ago, since which time it has
passed through different hands.
The firm carry on a large trade. The factory
at times
has made
one hundred and seventy-five barrels of crackers
per day. The larger part of this output consists of the
Smith Carr Butter Crackers, which are unsurpassed by any
other, and are extensively sold throughout New England
and the West. The firm keeps three commercial travelers
busily employed.
Mr. Bates was united in marriage
October 1, 1872, to Harriet E. Wright, of Northampton,
by the Rev. Ephraim M. Wright, formerly Secretary of the
State of Massachusetts, and an uncle of the bride. Mrs.
Bates is a daughter of Ozro C. and Emeline (Clark)
Wright, her mother being a native of Easthampton and a
daughter of Luther Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Bates
reside at 14 Fruit Street, having settled in this
locality soon after their marriage. Since then they have
changed their residence but once, on that occasion
having been compelled to do so by a fire which burned
them out. This was in 1876, when they bought the Daniel
Kingsley place. They are the parents
of five children, namely: Clinton Monroe, born July 25,
1874, now in the office of the company; Edith W., born
January 28, 1876, attending the high school; S.
Emeline, born in October, 1880; Harriet I., born
July 18, 1882; and Lucy A., born August 9, 1886. Mr.
Bates evinces a warm interest in the progress and
advancement of the city. In politics he is independent
of party. He has served three
years as a member of the City Council. He has passed all
the chairs up to that of Clerk in the Canton,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is also a Knight of
Pythias, and belongs to the American Legion of Honor and
to the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
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