JOHN F. AIKEN, a prosperous farmer of Prescott, Mass., was born upon the farm which he now owns and occupies, February 9, 1835, son of Benjamin and Lucinda (Paul) Aiken. Mr. Aiken's paternal grandfather was an early settler in Hardwick, Worcester County, where he followed agricultural pursuits during his entire life.

Benjamin Aiken was born in Hardwick and reared to farm life.    He settled in Prescott upon the farm where his son, John F., now resides, and conducted it successfully for many years.    He was an able and industrious farmer, and improved his property to a considerable extent, erecting the present buildings, which were the best and most substantial in town at that time.    He died at the age of fifty-two years.    His wife, Lucinda Paul, who was born in Berkley, Bristol County, became the mother of six children, four of whom are now living, namely:   Benjamin P., a resident   of West Brookfield; Mary, widow of Elbridge Ruggles, residing in Hardwick; James N., who resides in Prescott; and John F., the subject of this sketch, who is the youngest. The others, now departed, were: Julia, Mrs. Shaw; and Sarah, Mrs. Gould. The mother lived to reach the age of eighty-nine years.

John F. Aiken was educated in the district schools of his native town, and at an early age commenced to assist his father in the lighter labors of the farm. When he was nineteen he took charge of the farm, and at the age of twenty-one he purchased the homestead. He has added to the property since taking possession, and now owns eighty-five acres of well-improved land, which he conducts with ability and success. In connection with general farming he makes a specialty of fruit growing and dairying, and keeps a herd of from ten to twenty cows. He is a Democrat in politics, and was a member of the Board of Selectmen for two terms.

On December 21, 1859, Mr. Aiken was united in marriage to Mary A. Lovering, who was born in Spencer, Mass., September 16, 184f. Mr. and Mrs. Aiken have had five children, as follows: Elmer M., who was born July 16, 1863, and resides at home; Fidelia P., born April 25, 1867, and now the wife of Henry F. Drury; Luclla F., born October 26, 1869, residing in Athol, Mass. ; Estella and Florence, who are no longer living. Mr. and Mrs. John F. Aiken are members of the Congregational church. Mr. Aiken is an old and highly esteemed resident of Prescott; and his son, Elmer M., who is a well-known and progressive young man, is now a member of the Board of Selectmen of the town.

EDWARD A. ALLEN, a prominent merchant of Huntington, was born in Dalton, Mass., August 1, 1847, son of Henry M. and Electa C. (Davis) Allen. Mr. Allen's father was a native of Cummington, Mass., where he grew to manhood. Later he moved to Dalton, where he followed agriculture as an occupation. On March 21, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company B, Nineteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, and served through the Civil War, receiving his discharge from the service in 1865. He died in Chester, Mass. His wife was the mother of four children, as follows: Fidelia, whose husband, Albert A. Griswold, of Dalton, was killed at the siege of Port Hudson, and who died, leaving one son, Frank A., who married Lucy Herring, and resides in Holyoke; Caroline C, who married Dr. Loomis, a practicing physician of Springfield, Mass.; George H., who married Ellen Pendleton, and is engaged in farming in Russell, Henry M. who married Electa C. Davis having one son, named George; and Edward A., the subject of this sketch.

Edward A. Allen commenced life for himself at the age of fifteen, when he came to Huntington, and was employed in a bedstead manufactory for eighteen months. He then worked in the paper-mill for a year, after which he was employed by S. T. Lyman in the hardware business for nine years. While here, he learned the trade of a tinner. In 1872 Mr. Allen established himself in business at his present store, and has since conducted a successful trade in hardware, tin ware, ranges, etc., besides doing considerable work as a practical plumber. For the past six years he has also been engaged in the undertaking business, and later he made an investment in real estate located in Huntington that promises a satisfactory return. He is an energetic and able business man, and his enterprise has met with merited success. Mr. Allen is an active supporter of the Republican party.    He is Deputy Sheriff for Hampshire and Hampden Counties, and has been Constable for several years. He has been a Trustee of the Whiting Street Fund for the past six years. In Masonry he has advanced to the Commandery, and he is a member in good standing of the Red Men and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

On May 15, 1865, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Josepha M. Stanton, who was born .in Huntington, September 29, 1846, daughter of Joseph Stanton, Jr., a prosperous farmer of that town. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have two children, namely: Harry Edward, who was born February 24, 1874; and Grace S., who was born February 9, 1879. Both parents are members of the Baptist congregation, and are actively interested in church work.

HENRY S. ALLEN, a prosperous farmer of Pelham, was born in Belchertown, Mass., January 10, 1867, son of Baxter and Esther (Newell) Allen. Mr. Allen's grandfather, Amasa Allen, was a native and a lifelong resident of Belchertown, where he followed agriculture successfully, and died in 1891. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a Republican in politics.   He married Alice Sherman, and she became the mother of two sons, as follows: Henry D., who now resides in West Pelham; and Baxter, Mr. Allen's father. The mother died in Belchertown at an advanced age.

Baxter Allen was born in Belchertown, and was reared to an agricultural life. He moved from Belchertown to Pelham, settled upon the farm where his son Henry S. now resides, and, being energetic and industrious, became a prosperous farmer.    He died June 8, 1881.   He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for some time served it as a Trustee.   He married November 27, 1862, Esther Newell, daughter of Lemuel and Charlotte (Arnold) Newell. The father was born in Pelham, March 13, 1810; and the mother was born in Belchertown, March 5,   1817.    David Newell, the grandfather of Mrs.   Baxter Allen,   was an early settler in Pelham, where he passed the remainder of his life.    Lemuel Newell owned and cultivated a large farm.   He was highly respected,   was   prominently connected with public   affairs,   and   served   the town with ability as a Selectman, Overseer of the Poor, and in other offices.     His death occurred August 26, 1887.    He attended the Methodist church, and was a Republican in his political relations.   His wife, Charlotte Arnold before marriage, died August 15, 1845. Of her children four reached maturity.   Two are now living,   namely:   H. Smith Newell, a resident of Chicopee Falls; and Esther, who is now Mrs.   Baxter Allen.   Mrs. Baxter Allen became the mother of five children, as follows: Lyman W., who was born February 23,   1864, is married, and resides in West Pelham; Henry S., the subject of this sketch; Alice M., born March 7, 1871, and residing in Pelham; Myron N., born August 16, 1872, and now a prosperous farmer of Amherst; and Estella N., born February 26, 1878, and now the wife of William Larned, a mechanic of Pelham. The mother, who still survives, re-sides at the old homestead.

Henry S. Allen received his education in the common schools of his native town. At the age of fourteen he commenced life for himself as a farm boy.    In this employment he earned sixty-five dollars by working eight months.   He continued to labor upon a farm for some time longer, and then was employed in a meat market in Amherst, where he remained for five years.   After this he became a clerk in the Grange store of Amherst. He was thirteen months in this position, when he resigned it to settle upon his present farm in Pelham, and engage in agriculture upon his own account. The property, which was formerly owned by Lemuel Newell, and later came into the possession of the Allen family, consists of two hundred acres of well-improved land. Mr. Allen devotes his time and attention to general farming, and he enters into his occupation with a spirit which takes no defeat. He is a Republican in politics, and is at the present time serving as a member of the Board of Selectmen and of the School Board.

On September 30, 1890, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Ada A. Brainard. She was born in Vernon, Conn., December 11, 1868, daughter of John and Fidelia (Goslee) Brainard, the former of whom resides in Amherst. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have one daughter, named Gladys H., who was born October 15, 1892. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

ROSWELL HALL ALLEN, a progressive and successful farmer of Prescott and one of the oldest residents of the town, having resided there since 1828, was born in Wilbraham, Mass., March 19, 1824. His parents were Roswell and Beulah (Chapin) Allen, the former a native of East Windsor, Conn., born January 2, 1798, the latter of Enfield, Conn., born October 13, 1796. The Allen family were for many years well and favorably known in the vicinity of Windsor, Conn.

Mr. Allen's first ancestor in this country, Samuel Allen, who was born in Braintree, Essex County, England, came to America in 1632, settling first in Cambridge, Mass., and later removing to Hartford, and then to Windsor, Conn. He died at the latter place, April 28, 1648, at the age of sixty years. The grandfather of Roswell Hall Allen, who was also named Samuel, was born in East Windsor, June 16, 1764, and there spent his life, engaged in farming. He was an industrious and competent farmer, and attained a fair degree of prosperity. A boy of eleven when the Revolution commenced, he grew to manhood in the years when the Republic was in embryo, and became an ardent patriot, ready to do all in his power to protect the infant institutions of his country. He died in East Windsor, October 11, 1841. Samuel Allen was three times married. His first wife, Mary Allen, who was the grandmother of our subject, bore seven children: Samuel (first), Mary, Samuel (second), Harvey, Roswell, Cynthia, and Laura. His second wife, who was Azuba Moody, widow of Joseph Moody, was born January 5,   1765; and his third wife's name before marriage was Hannah Gleason.

Roswell Allen, the father of Mr. Allen, left East Windsor in 1823, moving to Wilbraham, where he lived five years, engaged principally in general farming, and aided materially in the building of the old Wilbraham Academy.   In 1828 he moved to Prescott, and settled in the neighborhood of his son's present residence, purchasing first seventy acres of land, and afterward adding to this until he owned quite a large tract. Progressive in his views and enterprising in his methods of procedure, he soon took a leading place in the town, and filled various public offices.   He represented the district in the General Court in 1839 and 1840, and was also Selectman, Overseer of the Poor, and Assessor.     His political principles were at first those of a Whig, but later those of a Democrat.   He was a member of the Congregational church, and on religious subjects his opinions were broad and liberal.   He died April 28, 1868,   in Belchertown, where the last twenty-three years of his life were spent. His wife followed him   to the grave nine years   later,   passing away May 16, 1877. They were the parents of   eight children, namely: Roswell Hall, the subject of this article, who is the eldest; Persis C, born March   9,   1826, who died July 18, 1840; Samuel, born August 14, 1828, a farmer and surveyor of Belchertown; Cornelia B. (now Mrs. Cowle), born April 11, 1831, who resides in Milton; Diantha, born August 29, 1833, wife of Robert Lyman, of Northampton; George,   born February 16, 1836, who died May 9, 1857; Albert E., born February 27, 1839, a farmer in Longmeadow, Mass.; and Guy C, born April 27, 1841, a farmer in Belchertown.

Roswell Hall Allen, who was a boy of four years when his parents removed to Prescott, received his education in the schools of that town, and taught school for six terms. When twenty-two years of age, he hired out as a farm hand at twelve dollars a month, and at the end of a season of seven months had drawn but five dollars of his wages, reserving the rest to purchase land for a homestead. In this way he worked until 1852, when he made his first purchase, consisting of seventy acres, the of the farm in Prescott on which he now resides.   To this he has since added, and in all he is owner of two hundred acres of good land.   Mr. Allen has worked hard and long to attain the prosperity which he now enjoys; and the well-kept buildings and flourishing condition of the farm, which is one of the best in the town, silently witness to the thrift and enterprise of the owner.

Mr. Allen was twice married.   The first occasion was on April 5, 1848, when Sarah C. Hyde, of Prescott, became his wife. She was born in that town, February 18, 1825, and was a daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Child) Hyde. Andrew Hyde, who was born in Pelham, Mass., November 3, 1790, lived in Pelham when the town was new, and worked at shoemaking. He died there, December 2, 1854. His wife, who was born in Roxbury, Mass.,   November   23,   1795,   died June 4, 1847. They were the parents of four children, namely: Sarah C, the wife of Mr. Allen; Martha A., born December 5, 1827; Andrew, born February 16, 1829; and Mary E., born December 28, 1830. An adopted son, Andrew O., who was born February 2, 1842, died in Gettysburg, July 3, 1863, during the late war. Mrs. Allen died February 10, 1861. She was the mother of the following children: George F., born December 12, 1848, a farmer in Prescott; a daughter, born February. 13, 1850, who died in infancy; Calvin C, born February 21, 1851, who died thirteen months after birth; Mary E., born August 11, 1853, who died January 16, 1867; Edward H., born August 21, 1855, a farmer, who died April 6, 1893; Delia P., born December 24, 1856, who is living with her father; Sarah B., born November 7, 1858, who died February 28, 1874; and Franklin R., born August 16, 1860, a graduate of Amherst in the class of 1882, and now a lawyer by profession and District Attorney in Minnesota. Mr. Allen's second marriage took place August 28, 1861, when he was united to Melinda Shaw, of Prescott, who was born in New Salem, April 10, 1817.

Mr. Allen votes with the Republican party, and has been Selectman, Assessor, and Overseer of the Poor. In religious work he is also active, and is a prominent member of the Congregational   church.    He and   his wife, both being over seventy years of age, are counted among the oldest residents of the town. He still engages in farm work, and in it displays remarkable activity.

SAMUEL ALLEN, a very successful farmer and prominent resident of Belchertown, was born at Prescott, Mass., August 14, 1828. His father, Roswell Allen, was born at East Windsor, Conn., in the year 1798; and his grandfather, Samuel Allen, was a lifelong resident of that State.

Roswell Allen received a good common-school education, and in his young manhood taught school. In 1824 he married Beulah Chapin, and they had a family of eight children. In 1828 he moved to Prescott, where he continued to reside until 1845. He then removed to Belchertown, and settled upon a farm of two hundred and thirty acres, situated in the central portion of the town. He con-ducted this farm very successfully during the remainder of his life, and died on April 28, 1868. He was a Whig in politics, and was a member of the legislature during the years 1839 and 1840.

Samuel Allen made the most of his opportunities for procuring an education in the common schools and at the Hopkins Academy. He was an apt scholar and afterward an apt teacher. He commenced teaching school at the age of sixteen, and continued in that calling for the greater part of the succeeding fifteen years. He also engaged in land surveying both in his native town and the adjoining counties. But finally, attracted by the independent life of a farmer, he purchased in i860 the property on which he now resides, and has since been prosperously engaged in farming.

Mr. Allen has been twice married. His first marriage, which was performed in 1857, was   with   Levica   Sherman,   daughter of Thomas Sherman, of Ware, Mass.   They had four children; namely, Elizabeth S. A., Mary L., Roswell, and Thomas.   Of these Elizabeth married J. B. Ellis, of Crockett, Tex. The mother died February 26, 1879; and Mr. Allen wedded for his second spouse, in October,   1881, Mrs. Sarah E. (Rice) Walker, daughter of Lyman and Nancy (Bugbee) Rice, of Belchertown.   Mrs. Allen's first husband was Henry L. Walker, son of Lyman and Mary (Gilbert) Walker, of Belchertown, where he was a successful farmer and resided his entire life. He died at the age of twenty-nine years, having been a member of the Congregational church and also an active worker in the Sabbath-school. Mr. Allen was for a period of twenty-five years a member of the School Board, and has always manifested a lively interest in all matters relating to education. He is independent in politics, and Mrs. Sarah E. Allen is a member of the Congregational church.

HENRY B. ANDERSON, an able and practical agriculturist residing near Ware, was born in that town, May 28, 1853, son of Nathaniel H. and Lavasta (Ruggles) Anderson.

His great-grandfather, William Anderson, whose birth occurred in 1749, came to Ware as a young man and took up a half-mile square tract of heavily timbered land.    He married Miss Sarah Holmes, of New Braintree, Mass. ; and there, in a region that might well be called a wilderness, they reared a family of three sons and three daughters.    Many and stern were the hardships they suffered. These were caused not only by the newness of the country, but also by the hostility of the Indians, whose descents more than once caused them to flee for safety to the fort near by. The price paid for the land was two cents per acre    By diligent work he soon had a portion of it cleared and producing crops of grains and vegetables.    Both he and his wife lived to a good age, his death occurring when he was eighty-three years old, and that of his wife in her seventy-fifth year. They are buried at Ware Centre. Their son, Nathaniel H. Anderson, was married to Miss Salome Snell, a daughter of Thomas Snell, of Bridgewater, Mass.    He took his bride to the old homestead; and there they spent their lives, he in clearing the land and tilling the soil, and she occupied with   her household duties. Five children were born of their union, two sons and three daughters.    Of these, one daughter, Louisa, died at eight years of age. Susanna A., the wife of Emory G. Howard, died in 1891, seventy-eight   years of age; another daughter died unnamed in infancy; and Erastus died when twenty-five years old, in the second year of his college course at Williamstown.   Their mother was orthodox in her religious belief.   Both parents died in early life, she in 1825, when but thirty-three years of age, and he in 1827, at forty-four.

Nathaniel H. Anderson remained on the old homestead, which he inherited after his parents' death; and his life has been spent there in successful farming. On March 20, 1845, he was joined in marriage with Miss Lavasta Ruggles, of Enfield, Mass., a daughter of Benjamin Ruggles.    She bore her husband five sons and a daughter.   The daughter, Elizabeth F., is the wife of Joel Nutting, who resides on the adjoining farm.    Albert Carey, one of the sons, died in 1870, twenty years old. Edward N., another, born August 27,   1857, a young man of marked musical talent and possessing a fine tenor voice, having studied in Boston and   London, taught both vocal and instrumental music, first   in Ware, where for a number of years he acted as leader of the Congregational church choir, and later at the Union and Central Church in Worcester, at the Elms in Springfield, at the Hartford Theological School, and in Boston, where he had pupils.   He was also a composer of music. His early death on April 1, 1894, at the age of thirty-six years, was a deep regret to all who knew him; and he had many friends and admirers.   William Augustus, who is also a musician and a professor of vocal culture, received his musical education under his brother's instruction. He still follows the vocation of teacher in Ware. George Walter died aged twenty months. Both parents are members of the Congregational church, of which the father is senior Deacon, having served over forty years. In politics he is a Republican, but votes the Prohibition ticket. He served acceptably on the School Committee, and also as Selectman.

Henry B. Anderson received a good practical education, graduating from the Ware High School. Later on he studied music in Boston ; and, though his life work has been that of an agriculturist, he has given much time to music. He succeeded his brother Edward as choir leader in the Congregational church at Ware. He was married on February 27, 1884, to Miss Mary E. Bowdoin, who is a graduate of Ware High School, and who prior to her marriage was successfully engaged in teaching.   She is a daughter of Jabez E. and Maria E.   (Marsh)   Bowdoin, the former of whom was born in Belchertown in 1825. He is a son of John Bowdoin, who was born in Ware in 1791, son of William Bowdoin. William Bowdoin followed with success two-fold vocations of carpenter and farmer, and for many years served as Justice of the Peace, in which capacity he came to be known as "Squire   Bowdoin."     He   married Miss Eunice Hixon, who became the mother of six children.   After her death he again married, his second wife being a widow, Mrs. Nell Tyler Brigham; and she also bore him six children.    He died in 1831, seventy-one years of age.    His son, John Bowdoin, married Miss Hannah Lewis,   who was born in Dedham, Mass., daughter of Jesse Lewis.    They were the parents of seven children, of whom Jabez E. was the third in order of birth.   Four are now living, namely: William, residing in Colorado; Jabez E. ; John A., living in Springfield, Mass. ; and Emily H., who lives on the old homestead with her brother. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have two sons, namely: Arthur B., born June 4, 1888; and Herbert H., born August 19, 1893. In politics Mr. Anderson is a Republican. The family reside on the Bowdoin homestead.

JAMES R. ANDERSON, general foreman of the Montague City Rod Manufactory in Pelham, was born in Lowell, Mass., March 27, 1859, son of Hugh and Isabella (Stuart) Anderson. Mr. Anderson's father was born in Ayrshire, Scotland; and in 1846, when he was eighteen years of age, he emigrated to the United States. He was a carpet weaver by trade, and   followed that occupation during his early manhood. He finally located in Belchertown, where he purchased a farm, and resided on it for the remainder of his life. He was energetic and industrious, and became a prosperous farmer. He was a Methodist in his religious belief and a Republican in politics. Hugh Anderson died at the age of sixty-three years. His wife, also a native of Scotland and daughter of a peasant residing upon a large estate, became the mother of two children, of whom one, James R., reached maturity, the other having died at the age of six years. The mother, who survives, now resides with her son.

James R. Anderson passed his boyhood in Springfield, Mass., and received his education in the schools of that city. In 1883 he was engaged as a book-keeper by the Montague City Rod Manufactory in Pelham, and later was advanced to the position of foreman of the Pelham factory.   His thorough knowledge of the business, together with the energy and decision he displayed in the performance of his duties, was appreciated by his employers; and in 1885 he was appointed general foreman of the entire enterprise. Mr. Anderson is a Republican in politics, and is prominently identified with public affairs. He is chairman of the Board of Selectmen and of the Board of Assessors and a member of the School Board. In 1890 he was a candidate for Representative to the legislature, and has been chairman of the Republican Town Committee since 1886. He is a member of Pacific Lodge of Free Masons in Amherst.

On September 8, 1885, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Mary M. Brainard. She was born in Pelham, daughter of John L. and Fidelia L. Brainard. Mrs. Anderson died   August 10,   1889, leaving one child, named Fidelia L. Mr. Anderson is a rising young business man, and is highly esteemed by his fellow townsmen.

MRS. MARY F. ANDREWS, widow of the late Willard G. Andrews, who died in Ware, Mass., on June 28, 1880, sixty-nine years of age, was born in Granby, Mass., November 6, 1813, and is a daughter of Timothy P. and Esther (Dunbar) Marsh, respectively natives of Old Hadley and Foxboro, Mass.

Her father was a successful agriculturist, and also engaged in the business of a clothier, having his cloth-dressing establishment on his farm. His wife bore him ten children, five sons and five daughters, all of whom, except two sons, lived to adult life. Three sons and three daughters married, and all except Mrs. Andrews reared families of children. One daughter, Laura, died at the age of nineteen years. Their father died in 1828, sixty-two years of age; and their mother in 1856, eighty years old. Mrs. Andrews was the ninth child born to her parents, and is now the only survivor.

Her marriage with Willard G. Andrews was performed in 1836. He was a son of Prince and Clarissa (Morse) Andrews, of Ware, and grandson of Phillip Morse. His parents had a family of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters. Of these, two sons died in infancy, and all the rest subsequently, with the exception of Calvin and Jerome, who reside in De Kalb County, Illinois. Their mother died in 1837, over eighty years of age. After Mrs. Andrews's marriage she and her husband lived for a year in Illinois. In 1840 they returned to Ware, where the remainder of the forty-four years of their married life was happily spent, and where she is still residing. Mr. Andrews, who was a highly respected and honored citizen of Ware, was a successful dealer in farm machinery, and had acquired a moderate competency before his death. Mrs. Andrews is a consistent member of the First Congregational Church of Ware Centre, of which her husband was also a communicant.

JAMES D. ATKINS, a venerable and honored resident of Florence, Mass., is living in pleasant retirement with his wife at their beautiful home, 18 Pine Street, excepting when they are traveling or sojourning for the winter in the sunny South, whither they are driven by the chilly mountain breezes that sweep across Western Massachusetts. He was born in Boston, February 17, 1817. His father, John Atkins, a native of Nova Scotia, born in 1795, was for many years a resident of that historic locality known as the North End, once inhabited by the leading families of Boston. John Atkins married Jane Dunn, of Maine, the daughter of a Commissary-general in the Revolutionary War, and reared nine children, five sons and four daughters. James D. and his brother John, Jr., late of Boston, now living with a daughter in Canada, are the only survivors of the family.

James D. Atkins received but a limited education in the public and private schools of his native city, being bound out at the age of seventeen years to learn stereo typography at the office of the University Press in Cambridge, Mass., where he worked eight years. When the constitution of the Florence community was being printed there in 1842, Mr. Atkins was favorably impressed by its resolutions, and decided at once to cast his lot with this energetic and enterprising people. Accordingly, before the close of that year he journeyed to Florence by way of Wilbraham. He was soon after engaged by the Northampton Educational Association to learn the dyer's trade of the Englishman then in charge of that department of the silk industry, they being desirous that a member of the community should fill the position. Mr. Atkins became a thorough master of that business, which was then in its incipiency here, and for two years managed it alone. After that he had to have assistants, the force being gradually increased from time to time. His pay was also advanced as his labors and responsibility became greater, so that during his last years of service He received an annual salary of twenty-five hundred dollars. He had always commanded good wages, and, when a young man, would save up a hundred dollars or so, and then take a trip somewhere for pleasure or in the interest of his work, having thus been able to come to this place. The first hundred which he saved after coming here Mr. Atkins invested in stock in the silk company for which he was employed, afterward buying more, and was a Director in the works for several years, until selling out his stock in 1887.

On entering the factory to learn his trade, Mr. Atkins found many young women employed in the Nonotuck Silk Works; and the first of these to whom he was introduced was a winsome maiden, named Octavia Melvina Damon. Both were mutually attracted; and the acquaintance thus formed ripened into love, and culminated in the marriage of the young couple on September 13, 1844. Fifty years later, assisted by their children, grand-children, kinsfolk, neighbors, and friends, they celebrated their golden wedding, about six hundred guests participating in the festivities of that happy occasion, and the Rev. Mr. Hinckley reading an original poem of fifty-four lines. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Atkins, the following being a brief record: George D., who is in charge of the Nonotuck Silk office in Boston, married Carrie Eaton, of Chaplin, Conn., and they have one son and two daughters. Effie D. is the wife of George A. Willey, for many years a teacher, but now agent of the new Old South Church property in Boston; they are the parents of two sons and a daughter. Frederick T., a dyer in the silk works, residing next door to his parents, married Lillian Graves, of this place; and they have two daughters.

In 1846 Mr. Atkins purchased his present home estate, giving one hundred dollars for the two acres, and soon after erected a modest cottage, which has since been enlarged and improved.    It is situated in the centre of a large and finely shaded lawn, his lot being about three hundred feet front, and extending from street to street, the house being back from the dust and din of the roadway. In politics Mr. Atkins was for many years identified with the Republican party, but of late has voted independently,   and   has always steadfastly refused all official honors. Socially, he is a Mason of thirty-four years standing,   belonging   to   Jerusalem Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Northampton.

JOHN C. AVERY, a well-known farmer of Huntington, in the south west part of Hampshire County, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Westfield, Mass., August 11, 1843, son of John and Lydia Avery. Mr. Avery's father was born in Westfield, where he followed the occupation of a mechanic, and was also engaged in agriculture. He died in 1853. His wife, who was a native of Westfield, became the mother of five children, as follows: Dolly, who married Guy D. Green, an artist of Springfield, Mass. ; Eliza, who married for her first husband Charles Chapin, and for her second, George Haven, and died in 1882; Lucinda, who married for her first husband Morgan King, and, for her second, John Hebron, and died in 1892; Isaac, who married Ellen Clark, and was accidentally killed at Norwich, Mass., in 1891; and John C, the subject of this sketch. The mother died in 1894, aged eighty-four years.

John C. Avery was reared to an agricultural life, and commenced to work for his own support at a very early age. He was then employed as a farm laborer until 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company D, Thirty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, went to the front, and served through the most important period of the Civil War. He participated in the battles of Winchester, Cedar Creek, Hatch's Run, Piedmont, Lynchburg, Petersburg, Fisher's Hill, and was present at Lee's surrender. He was wounded in the left foot at the battle of Piedmont, January 5, 1864, and was confined to the hospital for four weeks. After his discharge from the service Mr. Avery returned to Westfield, and later went to New York, where he resided four years. In 1870 he came to Huntington, and engaged in buying and selling horses, and also in carrying on a farm. He raises some excellent cattle and poultry, and conducts a prosperous business in shipping his products to New York City. Mr. Avery is Republican in politics. He was a Selectman for three years, and is now serving as Constable. He is a comrade of Post No. 176, Grand Army of the Republic.

On January 21, 1874, Mr. Avery was united in marriage with Lucy Maria Porter, who was born in Huntington, June 23, 1849. Her parents were Seth and Maria Porter, her father having been a prosperous farmer and tanner. Mr. Avery and his wife have three children: Ogden Porter, Byron Lyman, and Jay Morton. Mr. and Mrs. Avery are members of the Congregational church.

STEPHEN P. BAILEY, a leading citizen of Greenwich, who for over seventy years has been a resident of this beautiful valley town, and up to within a few   years was actively identified with its farming and lumbering interests, was born in Worcester, Mass., February 13, 1818.   He is the son of Eber W. and Elizabeth (Powers) Bailey   and grandson of John and Bethiah (Blackmer) Bailey, all natives of Massachusetts.   His grandfather, John Bailey, settled in the northern part of Greenwich over one hundred years ago, and lived to be eighty-six years of age.   A sturdy farmer, accustomed to hard labor, he was a public-spirited man, endowed with the courage of his convictions, and joined the patriot ranks at the time of the Revolution.     He filled for some time the office of Sheriff.    His wife, Bethiah Blackmer, who was a native of Belchertown, was an esteemed   member   of   the Congregational church, to which he also belonged. They had but three children: Eber W.; Esther, who never married; and one child who died in infancy.

Eber W. Bailey was born in Holden, Mass., and in early manhood was a coachman in the service of the Waldorf family in Worcester, but subsequently settled on a farm in Green-wich, devoting the rest of his life to agriculture.   He was a progressive and successful man, and attained a fair degree of prosperity. In political matters he took an active interest, and was first a Whig, then an ardent Free Soiler, and later a Republican.    He was a church member also, belonging to the Congregational Society of the town.    He died in 1865, at the age of seventy-five.    His wife, who was a native of Prescott, Mass., died in her   seventieth   year,   in   December, 1856. They had five children, all of whom grew to maturity, and two of whom are now living: Stephen P., the subject of this sketch; and Sophronia R., wife of T. P. Root, of Barre, Mass.   Those who died were named respectively: Eber O., Adaline H., and Mary A.

Stephen P. Bailey was six years of age when his parents removed to Greenwich. He received a good common-school education, and on starting to earn a livelihood gave his attention to farming, buying his first land in Greenwich many years ago. He subsequently was engaged in the lumber business, manufacturing all kinds of building material and also box lumber, and for thirty years was a leader in that industry. Within a few years he retired from active business pursuits, and is now engaged in looking after his extensive real estate interests, owning today more land than any other man in the town, and being the largest tax payer.

The town of Greenwich, of which Mr. Bailey is so prominent a citizen, and whose prosperity he has done much to promote, is one of the most beautiful parts of the county. It contains two villages, Greenwich and Greenwich Plains. Among the most prominent and picturesque features of the landscape are the twin peaks, Mount Lizzie and Mount Pomeroy, both rising abruptly from a level plain, imperishable monuments of the mighty forces of nature. Both have their Indian traditions, as romantic and poetical as those which envelop the ruined castles and ancient battle grounds of the Old World.

Miniature lakes of great beauty, whose banks are dotted with cozy summer cottages, reflect from their placid waters the ever-changing glories of flying cloud and deep ethereal blue.

Such scenes of rural quiet could not remain long hidden from weary toilers in search of rest and recreation, and accordingly ample accommodations for the temporal and spiritual comfort of summer visitors may be found in the well-kept and commodious hotels - one in each village - and in the different denominational places of worship; and good schools, also, are not lacking for the benefit of the younger generation of the native inhabitants.

The fact that the town is out of debt and has a surplus in the treasury is convincing proof of good financial management on the part of its leading citizens; and the good roads and bridges and other useful and necessary public works show that they are men of enterprise and action, and are worthily representative of the best New England traditions.

June 24, 1852, Mr. Bailey was united in marriage with Lydia A. Haskell, a native of New Salem, who died October 4, 1857; and on April 23, 1863, he was married to his second wife, Mrs. Abbie L. (Snow) Wetherell, a native of West Brookfield. After a wedded life of thirty-one years Mrs. Abbie L. Bailey was called to her long rest, August 14, 1894. Mr. Bailey has no children. He is a stanch Republican, and takes an active interest in the public welfare. In the legislature of 1880 he represented the Fifth Hampshire District, which includes Enfield, Belchertown, Ware, Greenwich, and Granby; and he has served for some years as Selectman of Greenwich. He aided financially in the building of the Athol & Enfield Railroad. Mr. Bailey is very active for a man of his age, and is still a leader in the public affairs of Greenwich Village, where he has resided since 1852. On the subject of religion his views are liberal.

EDWARD BAKER, is a practical farmer in prosperous circumstances, living in the eastern part of Chesterfield. He was born in this town, November 12, 1839. His parents were Andrew K. and Evelina (Edwards) Baker, both of Chesterfield, the former born February 6, 1806, the latter November 10, 1810. Andrew K. Baker was a prominent citizen, and was engaged in farming up to the time of his death. He was a man of amiable disposition, open-hearted and kindly in his ways, and was universally regretted when he died, on February 20, 1866. His wife, to whom he was united in Chesterfield, December 29, 1831, is yet living. They were the parents of four children, namely: Esther, born August 28, 1833, who lives with her mother in Chesterfield; Clemina, born October 28, 1835, who married Amos Hawkes, of Goshen, on December 27, 1855, and died December 13, 1889, her husband following her to the last home in February, 1893; Edward, the subject of this sketch; and John Howard, born November 19, 1846, who died in St. Paul, Minn., November 30, 1872.

Edward Baker received a good education in the schools of Hampshire County.   At the age of nineteen he left home, going to work in a grocery store owned by Almon S. Ludden at Easthampton, which had a market attached, where he learned the trade of meat cutting. Two years later he went to Goshen to work as a butcher, remaining for some time.    In 1865 he purchased the farm that he now occupies, which then comprised one hundred acres; and he has since doubled his possessions, being now the owner of two hundred acres. Mr. Baker worked at his trade during the first four years that he lived on the farm, but now his whole time is devoted to farming, and his crops are the source of a handsome income.

On July 4, 1861, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth A. Damon, daughter of Marlon and Adeline (Campbell) Damon, who was born June 5, 1845. Mr. Damon was a native of North Adams, and his wife of Northampton. He has been for many years engaged in farming in Goshen; and there his daughter was born, and there she met her fate in the shape of the young butcher, for it was during his stay in Goshen that Mr. Baker became a benedict. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Baker has been brightened by three children, namely: Addie Florence, born November 7, 1862, who died March 21, 1864; Lettie Isabelle, born February 5, 1865, who married Arthur A. Brooks, and lives in Housatonic, Mass. ; and Ida Agnes, born October 1, 1867, who married John E. Burr, of Worthington, and has one child, Harold.

Politically, Mr. Baker is an advocate of Prohibition. He is not an office seeker, but was for several years Road Surveyor in Chesterfield. Mrs. Baker is a member of the Advent church in Goshen, and has always taken an active interest in church work. They have a comfortable dwelling, which, surrounded by its ample grounds, makes a pleasant country home.

JOHN BAKER, who owns and occupies a well improved farm in the town of South Hadley, is a native of Germany, having been born in Bavaria, June 16, 1841, son of Thomas and Margaret (Gebhardt) Baker, both lifelong residents of the same place. Thomas Baker followed farming in his native land, and died in .1845, when the subject of this sketch was but four years old. The wife died six years after. They reared eight children ; namely, Conrad, Margaret, George, Annie Margarita, Cooney, John, Johnnie, and Hermann.

John Baker, left without the guardianship of parents at an early age, was taken in charge by his sister.    He received a good education in the German schools, which are noted for their excellence.    In 1859 Mr. Baker, who had a sister living at South Hadley Falls, emigrated to America, embarking on the ship "Toocsco. " After a voyage lasting eight weeks he arrived at New York.    At once joining his sister he secured work in the Glasgow Mills, where he was employed as a weaver for eight years.

While here he met a pretty German girl, Miss Catherine Cohler, who had migrated from Bavaria, the place of her birth, the previous year. The acquaintance ripened into an affection, which resulted in marriage, August 16, 1860.   She, too, was an orphan, both of her parents having died in Germany.    After his marriage Mr. Baker worked in a paper mill until 1868, when he bought twenty-one acres of land, which are included in his present farm.    It was mostly timber land, and he cleared it and otherwise improved it. Having saved some money, he subsequently bought more land; and he now has seventy acres, mostly under cultivation.    He has met with signal success in general farming, and has a profitable dairy business.   As a man and a citizen Mr. Baker is held in high respect, his manliness and honest integrity winning the confidence of all with whom he comes in contact.   Mr. and Mrs. Baker have three children,   namely: Henry, who resides near his parents, married to Rosanna Pickett; Emma, living at home; and   Johnnie,   who married Nellie Thristan, also living near the parental homestead.    In politics Mr. Baker votes with the Republican party.    In religious matters he and his wife are members of the German Congregational Church.    Mr. Baker has considerable musical talent, and belongs to the Singing Club of South Hadley Falls.

LEONARD BAKER, a well known farmer of Pelham and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Springfield, Mass., May 24, 1824, son of Daniel and Rachel (Reynolds) Baker. Daniel Baker was a native of Tolland, Conn. During his life he conducted farms in Connecticut, Vermont, and Massachusetts, finally settling upon land in the eastern part of Springfield, which is now the Eighth Ward of that city.   He was a Democrat in politics, a Methodist in religion, and died at the advanced age of ninety-six years. His wife, who was born in Troy, N. Y., became the mother of thirteen children, all of whom reached maturity except two, who died in infancy. Three are now living, namely: Lester, a resident of Springfield; Colonel Baker, of Connecticut; and Leonard, the subject of this sketch. The mother died at the age of eighty-five.

Leonard Baker was educated in the public schools of Springfield, and at the age of twenty-one commenced to learn the trade of a stone cutter, which he subsequently followed for some years. On Januarys 1864, he en-listed as a private in the Third Regiment, Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, was later transferred to the engineer's department, and was honorably discharged from service September 26, 1865. After the close of the war Mr. Baker resided in Ludlow, Mass., for some five years.    Then, in 1870, he settled upon a farm in Pelham of ninety-five acres, which he has since successfully cultivated. He is a Republican in politics and a comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic Post of Belchertown.

On July 4, 1850, Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Esther M. Kibbe, who was born in Springfield, Mass., December 30, 1827, daughter of Alvin Kibbe. They had two children, namely: Alice, who was born June 7, 1853, and resides with her father; and Minnie, who married Elbridge Packard, and resides in Enfield. Mrs. Baker died December 30, 1892, aged sixty-five.

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