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JAMES GRANGER, one of the oldest
and best known of the many enterprising agriculturists
of Middlefield, Hampshire County, Mass., was born in
Sidney, Delaware County, N. Y., on November 3,
1822. His father, Henry
Granger, was a native of Connecticut. He
removed in middle life to the State of New York, where
he spent his last years,
engaging in the vocation of a farmer,
which he followed with good results. He married Miss
Sophia Greisley, who was also born in Connecticut, and
their union was blessed by the birth of ten children,
seven sons and three daughters;
namely, Henry
(deceased), Edward, Maria, James, Norman
(deceased), Daniel, Reuben
(deceased), Eliza,
Dennis, and Clara. Their
parents were not in affluent circumstances, and
therefore the children received but meager educational
advantages, though a part were self-educated. The father
was a Whig. He died
April 6, 1836, and his wife in 1875.
James Granger, who was only about
fourteen years of age when his father died, was put out
during the remainder of his minority with Ezra Smith, a
farmer, with whom he came to Middlefield, Mass., in
1842. After being employed for about six years in
working out by the month in different places he
purchased the farm on which he now resides. It contains
one hundred acres of pasturage and of tillable land,
which is kept in a good state of cultivation and yields
profitable returns. He also engages to a moderate extent
in stock growing.
Mr. Granger was married in the fall
of 1846 to Miss Lucy Damon, a daughter of John and
Armena (Combs) Damon, the former of whom was a native of
Middlefield, Mass., and the latter of the town of
Chester. Eight children came to brighten their home, as
follows: Francis Henry, who married Miss Rebecca Smart,
and now resides in Chester, Mass. ; Mary Jane, living in
Huntington, Mass. ; Edward and Edwin, who are twins,
the latter of whom married Miss Ellen Dye and resides at
Unadilla Forks, N. Y., and the former married Miss Ellen
Spooner and settled in Barre, Mass. ; Almon, who lived
only to the age of nineteen years; Lucy Maria, who died
at seventeen years of age; James Edson, who died in his
fifteenth year; and George, when but ten years of age.
They were all educated in the common schools. Their
mother, who was a highly intelligent woman, died on
November 6, 1861.
On December 13, 1867, Mr. Granger
formed a second marriage with Mrs. Nancy A. Alvord, a
woman of superior worth, born June 15, 1828, in West
Springfield, Mass. Mr. Granger is a stanch
Republican and has always been a faithful supporter of
that party. He has served as Road Commissioner for
several years, and he and his wife are communicants of
the Baptist church.
DWIGHT GRAVES,
a prominent business man of North Amherst, son of
Fortin and Louisa (Russell) Graves, was born in Otselic,
N.Y., January 7, 1839. Fortin Graves was born in
Sunderland, Mass., August 24, 1801, and followed
agriculture in Hinsdale, Berkshire County, Mass., for
the greater part of his life. He was residing in South
Amherst with his son when he died, April 24, 1876. He
was an industrious and highly esteemed citizen and a
Republican in politics. His wife, who was born October
21, 1803, became the mother of nine children, as
follows: Samantha, Louisa, Emily, Julia, William, who
are dead; Nelson, a carpenter, who resides in Illinois:
Leonard, a resident of Deadwood, S. Dak.; Dwight, the
subject of this sketch; and Edward, a carpenter of
Williamsville, Vt. The mother died in Hinsdale, February
22, 1865.
Dwight Graves was educated in the
district schools of Berkshire County; and, when a young
man, he commenced to learn the trade of a wood-turner.
In 1861 he came to Amherst, and entered the employ of
John W. Haskins, a carpenter,
with whom he remained for a number of years. In 1869 he
formed a partnership with B. F. Kellogg; and, purchasing
Haskins's business, the new firm continued it. They did
wood-turning and general jobbing, manufacturing sashes,
doors, and blinds. In 1880 they sold their old shops,
and moved to their present mill, where they have built
up a prosperous business. Their mill has much
enlarged capacities, is equipped with modern machinery
for sawing all kinds of lumber, and employs from four to
ten men. Mr. Graves is a Republican in politics and a
member of the Pacific Lodge of A. F. & A. M. On
April 11, 1863, he married Mary E. Kellogg, a daughter
of Dexter and Mary (Town) Kellogg, old residents of
Amherst. Mrs. Graves is a member of the Congregational
church. Mr. Graves is a stirring business man, full of
energy and ability; and his success is the result of
untiring and patient industry.
MELVIN L. GRAVES, senior member of
the firm of M. L. & M. W. Graves, dealers in grain,
flour, feed, etc., in Northampton, was born in South
Leverett, Mass., September 17, 1847.
He is of English extraction, being a lineal
descendant of Admiral Thomas Graves, who came from England some
time during the 1630's, and settled on the peninsula of
Mishawum, now called Charlestown, in Massachusetts. It
is probable that this emigrant ancestor is the Thomas
Graves recently alluded to by B. F. DeCosta, in the New
England Magazine, in stating that the Sprague brothers,
going from Salem to Mishawum in 1629, were accompanied
by an engineer, one Thomas Graves, who proceeded there
to lay out a town.
After a few generations the
descendants of the said Thomas Graves began to settle in
other sections of Massachusetts. Daniel Graves, the
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, removed to
Franklin County with his wife, a native of Dublin, N.
H., whose maiden name was Phoebe Mason. He settled in
the town of Leverett, buying a farm on which he worked
during seed-time and harvest. He also manufactured
agricultural implements when there was water enough in
the stream to run his factory. When he died is not
re-corded. His wife, who bore him three children, one
son and two daughters, died in 1865, aged sixty-five
years.
Cyrus M. Graves, the father of
Melvin L. Graves, was born in
Leverett. He had a natural aptitude for the trade of a
mechanic, and worked for several years in his father's
shop. When nineteen years old he embarked in the
manufacture of hoes, rakes, etc., building up a large
business in the town of North Leverett.
He was skilled in all branches of his business,
and a very ingenious workman. He was the first man to
fasten the nib on a scythe snath with a screw. In 1854,
in the month of October, he moved to Northampton to take
charge of the factory of the Bay State Manufacturing
Company, and remained in that position until the firm
failed. In 1857 he went to Columbus, Ohio, where he had
charge of the shops at the State Penitentiary for four
years. Returning then with his family to his home and
property in this city, he became an employee of the gun
and cutlery works here until within two years of the
time of his death, which occurred at his home on
Washington Avenue, January 12, 1886.
The maiden name of his wife was Jane
Gunn, a native of Montague, being the daughter of Samuel
Gunn. She and her daughter, Lucy J., still occupy the
old home. She has reared five children, as follows: Myron
W., who is in business with the subject; Melvin L. ;
C. M., a railway freight clerk in Northampton; Lucy J.,
a teacher; and Herbert R., book keeper for the firm
of M. L. & M. W. Graves, and a dealer
in bicycles.
Melvin L. Graves attended the high
school in Columbus, Ohio, and after
returning to Northampton studied at the high school here
for a while. At the age of
sixteen years heentered the gun works as an
inspector of bayonets, remaining there three years. He left
then to continue his studies in the Springfield Business
College, later taking a post-graduate course there. He
subsequently became book-keeper for Thayer
& Sergeant,
dealers in grain, flour, etc., including broom corn,
continuing with them until the dissolution of the
firm.
Then, in
October, 1875, forming a partnership with his
brother Myron, he continued the business, renting the
property for the first five years, and then purchasing
the entire plant, including store and mill. The firm in
this way established conducted an extensive and
profitable business until March 27, 1894, when the
entire plant was destroyed by a disastrous
conflagration, involving a loss of thirty-five thousand
dollars, partially covered by an insurance of thirty
thousand dollars. Since that time the
firm has carried on business in temporary quarters,
pending the decision of the grade crossing
question.
Mr. Graves was united in marriage October 18,
1870, with Miss Annie L. Leonard, of this
city, the
youngest child of the late
Archellas and Emeline (Alvord) Leonard, the latter of
whom is still living. Mr. and
Mrs. Leonard were the
parents of five children, as follows: Henry, a volunteer
in the late Civil War, who died at the age of twenty
years; Sarah, who died soon after the death of her
brother; Chester, an employee of the government,
residing in Hartford; Mary, married to Stephen D.
Sprague, of this city; and Annie L., Mrs. Graves. Mr. and
Mrs. Graves are the parents
of three children, as
follows: Leonard M., a shoe
dealer in Greenfield,
carrying on an extensive business; Mabel G., who was
graduated from the high school in 1894,
living at
home; and Myron H., a clever
youth of fifteen years.
Mr. Graves is very active and
influential in political, social, and educational
circles. He
belongs to the Legion of Honor, of which he has been
Treasurer since its organization, in 1880. He has
also been a member of the Board of Education since the
incorporation of the city, being the oldest member in
point of service. He has
been an elector and Auditor of the Smith Charities for
several years. He has
likewise been Treasurer of the Northampton Co-operative
Bank since its establishment. Mr. and
Mrs. Graves have a delightful home at 40 Washington
Avenue, where they take genuine pleasure in
welcoming their many friends,
entertaining them with true
New England hospitality.
Myron W. Graves was born in North Leverett,
Mass., August 27, 1845, and has been in business with
his brother Melvin since 1875.
On December 6, 1871, he married Melvina E.
Jepson, formerly
of Ashfield, and
one of three children born to the late George R.
Jepson and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Leach.
The other children were:
Lyman A. Jepson, and Lewis E., deceased.
Five children have blessed the union of Mr. and
Mrs. Myron Graves, one of whom died in infancy. The others are
: Lewis E., a carpenter of this place; Cyrus M., a
plumber of Northampton; Edith
M., an accomplished young
lady; and Anna Marion, seven years old. In
politics Mr. Graves, like his brother, is a stanch
Republican, and has been a Councilman two years.
Religiously, he is a valued and conscientious
member of the Baptist
church. He and
his family occupy a pleasant residence at 101 West
Street, he having purchased the house before his
marriage. They are much
esteemed by their neighbors.
HON. GEORGE HENRY BARTLETT GREEN. This
gentleman is one of the foremost young men of Hampshire
County and has filled many important positions of public
trust with marked ability. His birth
occurred at Southampton, Mass., in December, 1845. He is
a son of Francis D. Bartlett, who
was born at Westhampton in 1822. His grandfather,
Delano Bartlett, a native of Westhampton, Mass., settled
in 1826 at Blandford, Hampden County, where he followed
his trade of a blacksmith. He removed in 1840 to a farm
in Southampton, which he conducted in connection with
his trade for more than half a century. He married Sally
Sikes, daughter of Increase Sikes, of Ludlow, Mass. ;
and they reared a family of eight children. Francis D.
Bartlett received a common-school education, and during
his later youth was engaged in agricultural pursuits.
When a young man he acquired the trade of a carriage
blacksmith, and in 1842 settled in Belchertown, being
there employed by Nehemiah Smith. His wife, whose maiden
name was Sarah Y. Bennett, was a daughter of Charles and
Sally (Young) Bennett. Their union was blessed with two
sons, Alonzo F. and George Henry. The father being removed by
death while the children were yet infants, and the young
mother being unable to provide for both, the younger,
George Henry, was offered a home with his uncle, Reuben
Green, who,
being without children, treated him as a son; and,
although never
legally adopted, he was always known by the name of
Green.
The educational facilities
afforded
to
the
lad were meager; but by perseverance and the
proper application of his leisure time he succeeded
in
perfecting
himself in the
elementary branches to an extent which was sufficient to
secure his entrance to the Wesleyan Academy, where he
remained for a time; and he subsequently taught school
for twenty-five terms in all. At the death of his uncle
he inherited the latter's property by will, and still
resides upon the farm, which consists of one hundred and
forty-five acres, situated in the south-western section
of Belchertown and known as "The Folly."
On May 4, 1869, Mr. Green was
most happily married to Nancy Howe, daughter of George
C. and Sophia (Burnett) Sanford, of Belchertown, and of
their eight children five are now living, namely: Iva
Louise; Sarah Sanford; Harriett Sophia; Clayton Reuben;
and George Henry Bartlett, Jr. Of these Iva Louise was
married October 8, 1890, to Lurin Eugene White, of
Chicago, son of Wilbur S. and Orrilla C. White, of
Belchertown, and has one son, named Carlton
Vannice. Sarah
Sanford is the
wife of Addison D. Moore, Jr., son of Addison D. and
Kate (Buckingham) Moore, of Belchertown.
Their eldest son, Carlton Dewitt, who was born
October 21, 1871, was a very bright and promising
youth.
After graduating at the head of his class from
the Belchertown High School he became a student at the
Massachusetts Agricultural College, and in
November,
1890, he entered the employ of the Otis Company
at Palmer,
Mass., where he attained rapid advancement, and
established for himself a remarkable record as an
accountant by adjusting the entire pay-roll of more than
one thousand employees, whose wages varied to a
considerable extent, without a single error. He was
called from earth in the very springtime of his life, on
January
11,
1892, beloved and respected by all who knew
him.
Mr. Green
conducts general farming and dairying, but makes a
specialty of raising fruit, at which he is an expert,
having in his extensive orchard upward of one hundred
and fifty varieties of apples, pears, peaches, and
grapes; and he has secured many premiums for his
beautiful fruit displays. He is an active member of
Union Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and a Director and
Secretary of the Belchertown Creamery Association. Mr. Green is an earnest supporter of the
principles of the Republican party, which he has so
faithfully and honorably represented in the various
important offices he has been called upon to fill, and
where he has displayed a rare knowledge of public
affairs, together with a judicious understanding of
their proper administration. He has served as a member
of the School Board since 1876, and has been an Assessor
eight years. He was a member of the House of
Representatives in the State legislature of 1892, and
was in the Senate in 1893 and 1894. During his
legislative service he was a member of various
committees, including Education, Public Health, Labor,
Libraries, and Printing, being chairman of the three
last named.
JOSEPH W. GREEN, jr., is the
treasurer of the Glendale Elastic Fabric Company at
Easthampton and a well known and influential business
man. He was born in the
quaint of town of Marblehead, Mass., in 1848, son of
Joseph W. and Abbie T. (Girdler) Green, the former of
whom was likewise a native of that place, born in
1823.
His grandfather, who first bore the
name of Joseph W. Green, was born in Marblehead in 1795.
Though hardly more than a boy at the time of the War of
1812, he, nevertheless, bore his share in that struggle.
He became a fish merchant and exporter, and did quite an
extensive business both in Marblehead and in Boston.
Alive to the commercial interests of his town and the
benefits to be derived from a local banking institution,
he was one of the leaders in the founding of the
National Grand Bank at Marblehead. He was interested in
governmental affairs, and was at one time a member of
the State legislature. He married Miss Hannah Goss, and
they reared twelve of the fourteen children that were
born of their union - five sons and seven daughters.
Five are now living, namely: Joseph W.; Charles W., who
is a merchant in Boston; Sarah L., the wife of Henry R.
Chadbourne, of East Watertown, Mass.; Charlotte, who is
unmarried, and also resides at East Watertown; and
Harriet G., the widow of Thomas Courtis, living at
Salem, Mass. Their father
attained the goodly age of eighty-four years, and their
mother lived to be eighty.
Joseph W. Green, second, was an apt
scholar, and pursued his studies at the schools in
Marblehead and in the academy at Andover, qualifying
himself for a teacher. When the news came of the
discovery of gold in California, being among those who
were filled with a desire to try their fortunes in that
El Dorado, he went thither with the forty-niners; and
his life since has been one of varied experiences and
fortunes. At the present time he resides in Ranier,
Ore., whither he went in 1880, and in recent years has
been successfully engaged in teaching. He married Abbie
Girdler, a daughter of Lewis Girdler and Hannah Turner
Girdler, the former of whom was a merchantman. Of the
three children born to them one son, Lewis G. Green, who
was an accountant, and unmarried, died in 1876, at
twenty-eight years of age. The living are: Ellen T.
Green, who was educated in Marblehead, where she is now
a successful teacher; and Joseph W. Green, Jr., the
subject of the present sketch.
Joseph W. Green, Jr., received his
education at Marblehead and in Boston, graduating from
the Eliot School in that city in the class of 1862,
being then but fourteen years of age.
He was employed at his grandfather's place of
business in Boston for about four years, working there
during his vacations until he left school; and at
eighteen years of age he secured a position with the
house of Nichols & Farnsworth, dealers in shoe
manufacturers' goods, with whom he remained for twelve
years. In the winter of 1878 he came to Easthampton,
where he entered the position he now holds. Treasurer
and Manager of the Glendale Elastic Fabric Company,
which was established in 1863
by Samuel Williston, H. G. Knight, and E. H.
Sawyer. Mr. Green is also
interested in the Easthampton Rubber Thread Company and
the Nashawonnock Manufacturing Company.
He was married on September 30,
1889, to Mrs. Hannah C. Richmond, nee Courtis, a
daughter of Stacey and Hannah (Green) Courtis. Her first
husband, Mr. James H. C. Richmond, died in the
prime of life, leaving her with five children, as
follows: Fred C. Richmond, who resides
at Schullsburg, Wis., where he is engaged in zinc and
lead mining; Stacey Courtis Richmond, who is engaged in
the banking business with Spencer, Trask & Co. of
New York City; and James H. C.
Richmond and Catherine C. Richmond, who are
twins. The former, who is a stock clerk and accountant
with the Glendale Fabric Company, was educated at New
Bedford and Providence, and resides at home; and the
latter, who was educated at New Bedford, Mass.,
Providence, R.I., and Boston, Mass., is an accomplished
kindergarten teacher at Boston, making a success of her
chosen vocation. Clifford Ambrose
Richmond, the youngest child, was educated at New
Bedford, Mass., Schullsburg, Wis., and Easthampton,
Mass., and is a weaver in the Glendale Fabric Company,
and is a man of keen intellectual powers.
The Republican
party counts Mr. Green among its faithful and loyal
adherents. He has considerable musical talent, and for
many years has been actively interested in church choirs
and many musical organizations.
About 1890 he
purchased the pleasant residence on Park Street which he
and his family have since occupied.
C. A. GRIDLEY, a general
merchant of South Hadley, was born in Granby, Mass.,
October 27, 1845, son of Addison and Sibel (Ayers)
Gridley. Mr.
Gridley's grandfather, the Rev. Elijah Gridley,
moved from Mansfield, Conn., to Granby, and became
pastor of the church in that town, where he was a
well-known and much esteemed clergyman. He also engaged
in agriculture, and resided in Granby until his death,
which occurred June 10, 1834.
Addison Gridley was born in
Granby in 1801. He was twice married. His first marriage
was with Sibel Ayers, a native of Granby, who made him
the father of five children, of whom the subject of this
sketch is the only survivor. His second wife is the
present Mrs. Gridley, whose maiden name was Maria
Burnham.
C. A. Gridley was educated in
the schools of Granby and South Hadley, and later
at-tended the business college in Springfield, Mass. He
commenced life for himself at the age of twenty, and
worked for a time in his native State. He then went to
La Salle, ILL., and, after remaining there for a time,
returned to Massachusetts, and in 1871 came to South
Hadley, where he engaged in mercantile business with Mr.
Montague. The
next year Mr.
Montague sold his interest to W. A. Warner, who,
after remaining one year, sold his interest to E. W. Gridley,
brother of C. A., after which the business was continued
under the firm name of C. A. Gridley &
Co. In 1876 the store was destroyed by fire, but was
rebuilt; and later, selling out to his brother, C. A.
Gridley went to Brattleboro, Vt., where he conducted a
boot and shoe business for two years. He
then returned to South Hadley again, and resumed
business at the old store, from which his brother
retired. It
is at present a general country store, well stocked with
the varied line of goods usually carried in such an
establishment; and it has a large amount of trade. He
has also invested in real estate, carries on an
insurance business, and owns the home farm in
Granby.
On June 4, 1874, Mr. Gridley
was united in marriage to Martha P. Miller, who was
born in South Hadley in 1852, daughter of Edward C. and
Elizabeth Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Gridley have two
children: James Leonard and Bessie Maria. They are
active members of the Congregational
church.
Mr. Gridley is independent in
his political views, believing that the most capable
should serve in offices of public trust. He has been
prominently identified with political questions, and was
a member of the School Board for four years. He is also
a Justice of the Peace and a Notary Public. His
successful life is due entirely to his own energy and
business ability.
IRA A. GUILFORD, a
well-known business man of Northampton, Hampshire
County, a member of the firm of Guilford & Wood,
horse dealers, was born in Conway, Franklin County,
Mass., October 24, 1847, son of Walter and Minerva
(Amsden) Guilford. Both his grandfather, Walter
Guilford, Sr., and his father were natives of Ashfield,
the latter born in 1818. The family name of his paternal
grandmother was Burnett.
His father was a farmer by
occupation. He died in 1872, at the age of fifty-four.
His wife, Minerva Amsden Guilford, died in 1874, her
span of life also embracing fifty-four years.
They were the parents of seven children, six of
whom reached maturity. The eldest, Manley Guilford,
offered up his young life on the altar of his country,
dying in the army of a disease contracted in camp at the
age of twenty-two. The others may here be briefly
designated as follows: Minerva is the wife of Frank
Warren, of Boston; Ira A. is the subject of this sketch,
further mentioned below; Julius S. died in Ashfield,
leaving a wife and two children; Alice was drowned when
a child a little over two years of age; Arthur is a
hotel-keeper at Conway, Mass. ; Ralph M.
resides in Northampton.
Ira A. Guilford was reared to farm
life. He attended the
district schools, and acquired a fair education, working
for his parents on the home farm until twenty-one years
of age, when his father agreed to give him forty dollars
a month. He was engaged in various work until November,
1886, when he formed a partnership with Frank J. Wood,
of Shelburne Falls, and established a market for horses
at Northampton Centre, under the firm name of Guilford
& Wood. Their enterprise has prospered ; and they
are doing quite an extensive business, trading largely
in Western and Canadian horses, buying principally in
Michigan and Illinois, and bearing a wide reputation for
fair dealing. They usually import in this way about
thirty carloads per year, carefully selected, their
average annual sales amounting to one thousand
horses.
On Christmas Day, 1871, Mr. Guilford was
united in marriage with Ella Brown, of Conway, daughter
of L. T. and Martha (Shippie) Brown. The one son who
blessed their union passed away in infancy. Mr.
Guilford is independent in political matters, using his
own judgment in voting for the best men and measures.
Socially, he is an advanced member of the Masonic
fraternity, being a prominent Sir Knight.
RALPH M. GUILFORD, owner of a large
livery and hack stable in Northampton, is carrying on a
thriving business, having by his courtesy and square
methods of dealing won an extensive patronage. He was
born in the town of Conway, Franklin County, in 1861,
being the son of Walter Guilford, a lifelong resident of
Conway, whose birth occurred in 1819, and his death in
1872.
Walter Guilford was the fifth child
of a family of five sons and one daughter. He was a
hard working man and
an experienced tiller of the soil, owning and improving
a good homestead. He
married Minerva Amsden, who was
one of six children, five daughters and a son, born to
her parents, Ira and Minerva
Amsden, of Conway. Of their
union seven children were born, five of them being sons;
and four are now living. Minerva
is the wife of Frank H. Warren, of Boston; Ira is a horse
dealer, with headquarters in this city, but spending
much of his time in the West, buying horses for the
Eastern markets; Arthur C., proprietor of the Conway
hotel, is a well known and substantial farmer of that
place, and superintendent of the electric railway
company.
Ralph M. Guilford lived at home
until seven or eight years old, and from that time until
he was fifteen he attended school in Ashfield. Having
early been left an orphan he was thrown somewhat upon
his own resources; and being a great lover of horses and
an able manager of them he secured the position of stage
driver, running from Conway to South Deerfield. He being
very small of his age, the passengers were at times
afraid that he would not be able to manage the four
horses, but he was always equal to any emergency. Mr.
Guilford was next employed as clerk in a Conway hotel,
where he remained three years, when, at the age of
nineteen years, he accepted a similar position in the
Massassoit House at Spencer, continuing
there a year.
Coming then to Northampton,
he and his brother Julius bought the livery stable of
John Daniels, paying for it thirty-five hundred dollars,
an investment which his friends prophesied would prove a
disastrous failure, deeming it impossible that he could
continue the business through the winter
season, even if he made a
living through the summer. This prediction has
fortunately proved unfounded, as Mr. Guilford is still
here, after thirteen years of activity, during which
time he has had a steadily increasing trade, and is now
recognized as the leading liveryman of the city, his
urbanity and prompt attention to the wants of his
customers winning deserved
popularity. He
has had different partners, his brother having
sold out to his brother-in-law, F. H. Warren, and he in
turn to Alfred W. Prouty, a brother of Mrs.
Guilford. In 1893 Mr. Guilford purchased
Mr. Prouty's interest, and has since conducted the
livery stable himself. He
keeps from twenty-five to thirty horses, and runs
three hacks regularly to and from the
stations.
On Christmas Day,
1881, Mr. Guilford was united in marriage with Mary E.
Prouty, of whose companionship he was deprived in a few
short years, her death occurring in March, 1889, at the
age of twenty-six years. She left one son, Walter R.,
now a fine boy of eleven years. On May 12,
1891, Mr. Guilford married Miss Susie Flagg, daughter of
Mrs. Ellen (Donaldson) Flagg. Mrs. Guilford's
mother, who, when quite young, was left a widow with two
daughters, died in the winter of 1894, in the sixtieth
year of her age. Prior to her marriage Mrs. Guilford was
a popular and efficient saleswoman in McCullum's dry
goods store. In politics Mr. Guilford is guided by his
own judgment, voting independent of party lines. He is
connected with several fraternal organizations, being a
Knight Templar, a charter member of the tribe of Red
Men, and belonging to the Knights of Honor.
His home at 31 Union Street he bought in 1887,
and here he and his estimable wife entertain their
numerous friends with a generous
hospitality.
ALBERT N. GURNEY,
a prominent farmer and produce dealer of
Plainfield and a member of the Board of Selectmen, was
born in Cummington, Mass., April 6, 1847, son of
Rush and Cordelia (Joy) Gurney.
Mr. Gurney's great-grandfather,
Benjamin Gurney, was a native of Abington, Mass., and
settled upon a tract of wild land in Cumming-ton in
1770. He cleared and improved the farm which W. E. Tower
now owns, and re-sided there during the remainder of his
life, which was prolonged to an advanced age.
His son, Asa Gurney, Mr. Gurney's grand-father,
was born in Abington in 1758, and was twelve years of
age when his father moved to Cummington. He assisted in
clearing the land, and resided at home until the
commencement of the Revolutionary War, when he enlisted
as a private in the Continental army. After his
discharge he returned to Cummington, and bought his
father's farm, which he later sold. He then purchased
eighty acres of land, upon which he settled, and cleared
a productive farm. He erected a substantial house and
other farm buildings, which have stood since 1808, and
are now occupied by John W. Gurney. He received a
pension of ninety-six dollars per year for his services
in the war. Asa Gurney died in Cummington at a good old
age. He married Polly Reed, and she became the mother of
ten children: Reed, Charles, Zenus, Lydia, Charlotte,
Alonzo, Rush, Betsey, Lydia (second), and Polly. She died in
Cummington at an advanced age.
Rush Gurney, Mr. Gurney's father,
was born in Cummington in 1804. He resided with his
parents until their death. He succeeded to the ownership
of the homestead; and, with the exception of a short
time passed in the village, during which he leased it,
he resided there until his death, on April 22, 1856. He
left the farm enlarged by forty acres of adjoining
land. He was an
Abolitionist, casting the first antislavery vote in
Cummington, and was a Methodist in his religious belief.
He was twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name
was Amelia Cowen, died in 1841, aged thirty-two years,
having been the mother of five children: Sarah A.; John
W. ; Amelia; and two others who died in infancy. Rush
Gurney married for his second wife Cordelia Joy, and his
children by this union were: Justus W.; James F.; and
Albert N., the subject of this sketch. The mother died
in 1847.
After his mother's death Albert N.
Gurney, who was then but five months old, was taken in
charge by his aunt, Emeline Joy, of Plainfield. She was
the daughter of Leonard and Polly (Warner) Joy, who were
old residents and highly respected farming people of
Plainfield, owning
a good
farm on High Street. It was here that Mr. Gurney
was reared to manhood. When capable, he assisted on the
farm; and during the declining years of his aunt and her
aged parents he provided for them every comfort that
could be expected. He succeeded to the ownership of the
Joy farm, and has since remodeled the house, and built
new barns. He keeps ten choice cows and sixty head of
sheep, besides a number of horses and young stock. In
1875 Mr. Gurney engaged in handling feed, grain, and
flour; and in 1880 he commenced the buying and shipping
of country produce, dressed hogs, beef, etc. Both
enterprises proving profitable, he continues them. He
also keeps a grocery store that is doing a good
business, and which he stocks by exchanging his produce
for groceries. He purchased some time ago the Campbell
property in Plainfield village, which he now uses for an
office and business headquarters, the finest location in
town. Mr. Gurney is a
Republican in politics, and has been a Selectman,
Assessor, and Overseer of the Poor for eight years, five
of which he has served as chairman of the board.
He has also held other town offices.
On June 7, 1868, Mr. Gurney was
united in marriage to Sarah O. Dunham, to whom as a life
partner Mr. Gurney largely attributes his success. She
was born in Savoy, Mass., January 16, 1849, daughter of
Oren and Roxanna (Stiles) Dunham, the former of whom was
a prosperous farmer of that town. He died in 1887, aged
eighty years; and his wife still survives, at the age of
eighty-one. She is the mother of nine children: Warren,
James, Ann S., Eliza M., Sarah O., Fannie L., Henry W.,
Augusta M., and Charles F.
All but one are still living. Mr. and Mrs.
Gurney have one child, named Bertha B., who was
born February 3, 1870. She married Henry C.
Packard, a well-to-do
farmer of Plainfield, and has two children:
namely, Lillian G. and William A. Bertha B.
received a common-school education, and was a successful
teacher for several terms before her
marriage.
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