|
REV. FATHER N. RAINVILLE, pastor of
the Church of the Sacred Heart at Northampton, is a
native of Canada, born at Marieville in 1846. His
parents, Godfrey and Liber (Masse) Rainville, have both
passed through death unto the life immortal, the father
having died in 1869, aged fifty-four years, and the
mother ten years later, having rounded out a period of
threescore years. Of their thirteen children but five
are now living, namely: four daughters, all of whom are
married; and one son, Father Rainville. One brother,
Issie Rainville, was for many years a Notary
Public.
Father Rainville is of French
extraction, the first of the family to settle in this
country having been Paul de Rainville, who emigrated
from Normandy, France, to Quebec, about 1640. For many
generations past the family have been engaged in
agricultural pursuits, belonging to the yeomanry of
France, though in earlier years they were of the
nobility. Francois de Rainville, father of Godfrey,
above named, removed from Quebec to St.
Marie, settling in the wilds prior to, or about
the time of, his marriage, and there improved a good
farm. He was a very prominent and influential resident
of that town, and was a member of Parliament one
term.
Father Rainville was educated at
Petit Seminary de St. Marie de Monnoir, and began his
professional labors in this State at the Holyoke Church
of the Sacred Heart, where he was assistant priest two
years. On
January 5, 1886, he assumed charge of his present
parish, which was then in its infancy; and his work in
this community has been greatly blessed.
His force of character, talent, and ability arc
phenomenal; and it is only through his persistent effort
and wise forethought that the French Catholic Church of
this city has been completed. He is
much beloved and revered by his parishioners, a large
number of people, there being now one thousand
communicants in his church; and he readily wins the
esteem of others with whom he comes in contact, and whom
he impresses by his evident sincerity, kindness, and
nobleness of purpose.
As the spiritual
director of a large congregation Father Rainville
occupies a position of influence and power which is
widely and deeply felt and must be the means of great
good.
CHARLES RANNENBERG, a retired
business man of South Hadley Falls, Hampshire County,
Mass., was born in Einbeck, Hanover, Germany, January 5,
1824, son of Henry and Dora T. (Sharfenberg)
Rannenberg.
Mr. Rannenberg's father was a stone mason, and
followed that occupation for many years. He assisted in
constructing the bridge which connects Einbeck with
Kupfenthal, and during his latter years was an overseer.
He died April 24, 1860. He was an
intelligent and well-known man, highly respected in his
community. Henry Rannenberg's wife, who died November
22, 1889, was the mother of four children, as follows:
Hammond, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Dane
County, Wisconsin; Charles, the subject of this sketch;
Dora T., who married and resides in Einbeck; and
William, who is an overseer in a cutlery factory in
Shelburne Falls, Mass.
Charles Rannenberg received
his education in the schools of Germany, and attended a
business college. He acquired the trade of a weaver, and
at the age of twenty-five years emigrated to the United
States, first settling in Thompsonville, Conn., where he
remained for one year. He
came . to South Hadley
Falls when the Glasgow Mills were opened, and was first
employed as a section hand, but rose step by step from
one position to another, until he was appointed
superintendent, a post which he resigned in 1876, after
having been in the company's employ for over
twenty-seven years. Mr. Rannenberg then engaged in the
manufacture of brick, in which he enjoyed a merited
prosperity until 1882, when he sold his enterprise to
the Lander Brothers, of Holyoke, and practically retired
from active business pursuits. He has invested
extensively in real estate, both in South Hadley Falls
and Holyoke, and has erected several houses, his
speculations in this direction having been productive of
satisfactory financial results. Mr. Rannenberg
owes his success in life to the spirit of energy and
perseverance which form the principal elements in his
character, and were the only capital he possessed. In
politics he has always voted with the Republican party,
and although well qualified to hold office has never
aspired to political honors.
On November 14, 1848, Mr.
Rannenberg was united in marriage with Amelia
Winter. She
was born in Einbeck, Germany, January 24, 1829, daughter
of Frederick and Margaret Winter, the former of whom was
a German military officer, and his wife was of English
ancestry. They died in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Rannenberg
have two children, namely: Charles W., who married Clara
Rockwood, and resides in Springfield, Mass., where he is
employed as a traveling salesman by the Moody Provision
Company; and Matilda, wife of Charles Axman, a
book-binder in Holyoke, who resides in South Hadley
Falls. Mr. and Mrs. Rannenberg were members of the
Lutheran Church in Germany, but have never united with
any religious society in the United States. Their
children attend the Congregational church.
GEORGE R. RAY, Assistant
Treasurer and Secretary of the Nonotuck Silk Company at
Florence, Mass., is a capable and efficient business
man, and is held in high regard as an eminently useful
and worthy citizen. He is of
Connecticut birth, having entered upon this stage of
existence, February 22, 1843, in the town of Canterbury,
Windham County.
His father,
George K. Ray, now living with him in Florence,
was born at Griswold, Conn., February 13,
1818, son of Daniel
and Harriet (Tracy) Ray.
Grandfather Ray was a farmer. His other
children were: a daughter, who died;
and a son, Moses T. Ray, who is a prosperous
agriculturist in Mendota, La Salle County, ILL.
George K. Ray was a wheelwright, and was busily
employed at his trade in Canterbury, Conn., during the
most of his working years.
In May, 1842, he married Elizabeth Burnett, of
Canterbury; and they became the parents of four
children, of whom two, a son and a daughter, died in
infancy, George R. and Marion F. being the only ones now
surviving. The latter is
book-keeper at the Universalist Publishing House on West
Street, Boston.
George R. Ray was reared to
agricultural pursuits on the parental farm, and was a
constant and diligent pupil at the district school,
where he acquired a
substantial education, being fitted for the teacher's
calling, in which he engaged two winters during his
early manhood. In the
second year of the Rebellion his patriotism was aroused
to such an extent that, although he had not yet attained
his majority, he enlisted, in August, 1862, in Company
A, Eighteenth
Connecticut Volunteer Infantry.
He was at the forefront in many of the important
conflicts of the war, and on June 15, 1863, at the
battle of Winchester, Va., was taken prisoner, being
subsequently confined, endurance most vile and
abominable, at Libby Prison
and Belle
Isle, until he
was exchanged. He
was mustered out at Hartford in July, 1865, having
served three years lacking one month. On his
return to civil life Mr. Ray taught school one term at
Leeds, coming thence to Northampton, December 9, 1865.
He was first engaged in a mercantile business for a few
months, giving it up to accept the position of
book-keeper for the Nonotuck Silk Company, beginning his
duties February 11, 1867. Mr. Ray has been connected
with this company a period of twenty-eight years, and
has occupied his present office as Secretary and
Assistant Treasurer of the company for the past ten
years, a sufficient indication of his ability and
trustworthiness. He is likewise a stockholder and a
Director of the John M. Leonard Silk Company.
On May 21, 1867, Mr. Ray was united
in marriage with Miss C. Emily Chesson, of Northampton,
a daughter of Frederick W.
and Ann J. Chesson, of Chatham, England, being
one of their four children that came to America. Five
children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ray, one
of whom, George Burnett, died January 28, 1871, aged
three years; Annie James Ray, the wife of Harold
Chesson, of this place, has one son; Benjamin Eastwood
Ray was graduated from Amherst College in 1895;
Elizabeth Chesson Ray was graduated from the Northampton
High School in the class of 1895; and Julia Marion, a
young lady of sixteen years, is still a student.
In local affairs Mr. Ray has always
evinced genuine interest, and in the performance of
public duties has shown the same efficient capability
that has marked his private labors, devoting to them his
time and attention in a generous measure. In
politics he uniformly casts his vote with the Republican
party, and for three years was a valued member of the
School Board; he was also a member of the first City
Council. He is
also a Trustee of the Lilly Library. Socially,
he is a Master Mason and a member of the William L.
Baker Post, No. 86, Grand Army of the Republic, having
been Commander two years. He and his wife are valued
members of the Congregational Church, in which he is
Deacon.
CHARLES S.
RECORD, a prominent resident of Greenwich, was born in
Barre, Mass., January 26, 1819, son of Daniel and
Prudence (Warner) Record. Mr. Record's
grandfather was an early settler in old Middleboro,
Mass., and was the father of six children. Daniel
Record, son of Grandfather Record, was a native of
Middleboro. He was reared to
agricultural work, which he subsequently followed,
together with other occupations. He
settled in Barre, where he resided the greater part of
his life, and died at the age of fifty-six years. His wife
was born in New Braintree, Mass., of which her father
was one of the early settlers. He was a
typical New England pioneer, sturdy and industrious,
whose prosperity was the result of energy and
perseverance. His
children were large of frame, possessed robust
constitutions, and were noted for their longevity. Mrs. Daniel
Record bore her husband five children, three of whom
grew to maturity. The only
survivor now is Charles S., the subject of this sketch.
Those deceased were: Adams, an infant;
Martha H. ;
and Andrew C. The
mother lived nearly ninety-two years.
Charles S. Record came to Greenwich
in early boyhood and attended the district schools of
that town. His school days ended prematurely, as he was
bound out to General John Warner, of Greenwich, when
quite young. He learned the scythe-maker's and
blacksmith's trades, remaining with Mr. Warner for
twenty-one years. In 1855
he started a shop for general blacksmith work and
jobbing, which he conducted successfully for twenty
years. At the expiration of that time he sold his shop
and has since been engaged in various occupations. He was well
known throughout the county as a first-class horse shoe
businessman, and he has now a high reputation as a
horse-trainer, which is his present calling. He has
been an energetic and industrious man. Temperate
in his habits through life, he is still alert and
active, although nearing his fourscore years. In
politics he is a Republican, and has long been
identified with public affairs in his locality.
He has served as a Constable, Collector, Road
Commissioner, and moderator of Town Meetings for several
terms, but has now retired from official duties.
On January 24, 1850, Mr. Record was
united in marriage to Maria L. Loud. She was born in
South Weymouth, Mass., daughter of Cyrus and Louisa
Loud. Mr. and Mrs. Record have one
daughter, Clara Louisa, who is now the wife of Ambrose
Walker, and resides in Amesbury, Mass. Mr. Record is
held in high estimation by the people of Greenwich. He
is liberal in his religious views, and both he and his
wife were members of the Congregational church choir for
fifty years. He occupies a pleasant homestead in the
village, comprising about twenty acres of land.
ALDEN D. REED,
a prosperous farmer of Prescott, was born in
South Amherst, Mass., May 22, 1852, son of Dwight
A. and Mary A.
(Haskins) Reed. Grandfather William
Reed was an early settler in Shutesbury, where he was a
farmer during the active period of his life. He owned a good
farm, which he cultivated with profit, and was known as
a conscientious man, fair and upright in his dealings
and of broad and liberal views respecting religious
differences. In politics he
supported the Whig party. He lived to the age of
seventy-three years. Nine of his children grew to
maturity, and five are still living, all of whom are
over seventy years of age. Of his
four sons Dwight A., Mr. Reed's father, is the
youngest.
Dwight A. Reed was born in
Shutesbury. He learned the trade of a stone mason,
which, with farming, constituted his principal
occupation through life. At the breaking out of the
Civil War he enlisted as a private in the Fifty-second
Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, and after one year,
the stipulated term of his enlistment, he re-enlisted in
the Thirty-seventh Regiment and served until the close
of the war. He is now
one of the oldest residents of Shutesbury, has always
been a stirring, energetic man, and is a Democrat in
politics. Mr. Reed,
Sr., has been twice married. His first
wife, who was a native of Shutesbury, died at the age of
forty-two; and he is living with his second wife. He has
been the father of fifteen children, of whom eleven are
still living, namely: Mary; Lucy; Alden D., the subject of this sketch;
Dwight, Jr. ; Luther; Alfred; George; Abbie; Rector;
Jennie; and Susan. Those
deceased were: Willie, Eva, Ella, and
Elizabeth.
Alden D. Reed was educated in the
common schools of Shutesbury. At an early age he
commenced work upon a farm, receiving six dollars per
month for his first season's work.
He continued as a farm assistant for some
years. When
twenty-one years old he left home, and was
employed in a shoe factory in Hopkinton, Mass., for
several years. In 1878
he moved to Prescott and purchased the farm upon which
he now resides. The property
contains about one hundred and thirty acres of improved
land, and is used in general farming and dairying. He keeps
from twenty-five to thirty head of cattle, and has
erected a new residence. His other
buildings are kept in the best of repair.
On July 9, 1878, he was united in
marriage to Ella S. Hamilton, daughter of Harrison and
Lucy A. (Gilbert) Hamilton, of Shutesbury, and has had
eight children; namely, Harry, Lennie, Rector, Daisy,
Mary, Helen, Guy, and Maud. The last named died at the
age of ten years.
Harrison Hamilton, Mrs. Reed's
father, was born upon his present farm in Shutesbury,
April 21, 1819, son of Samuel
and Natalie (Aldrich) Hamilton. The
first ancestor of the
family to settle in America was John
Hamilton, Mr. Hamilton's great-grandfather.
He was born in Ayrshire, Scotland,
and on his arrival in
New England first settled in Pelham and later
in Shutesbury,
where he bought a tract of five hundred acres,
for which he paid one hundred and fifty dollars. This
was previous to the chartering of Shutesbury as a town,
and when the locality was still part of the
wilderness. A sturdy
pioneer, he soon cleared a good farm, upon which he
resided for the remainder of his life. He was
the first Representative to the General
Court from Shutesbury, and he made the journey to
Cambridge in company with his wife on horseback, she
returning home alone with the horse. John Hamilton was
an uncle to the famous statesman, Alexander Hamilton,
who met his death in a duel with Aaron Burr. Andrew
Hamilton, Mr. Hamilton's grandfather, was born in
Shutesbury and was a lifelong resident of that town. He
resided upon the farm cleared by his father, and became
a prosperous land-owner. Samuel Hamilton, Mr.
Hamilton's father, was born
in Shutesbury in January, 1778.
He followed agriculture at the old homestead
successfully, and died in October, 1855. His wife,
Natalie (Aldrich)
Hamilton, who was born
in New Salem in
1777, became the mother of
seven children, of whom Harrison, Mrs. Reed's father, is
the only one now living. The others were:
Fanny, Mixter, Nancy, Harriet, Merritt, and
Augusta. The mother died
in January, 1854.
Harrison Hamilton was educated in
the district schools of Shutesbury, and in young manhood
learned the trade of shoemaker, which he followed as an
occupation for upward of twenty years. He resided in
Bernardston for five years, and after conducting a
mercantile business on Shutesbury Hill for an equal
length of time he returned to the old homestead in 1865,
where he has since been profitably engaged in
agriculture. His farm, which is a part of the original
tract deeded to his great-grandfather, has been in the
family's possession for one hundred and fifty years. Its
extent now is about three hundred acres, located in
Shutesbury and in other towns. His son now shares its
management, and both are counted among the wealthiest
farmers in their section. Mr.
Hamilton is a Democrat in politics, and has been
Town Clerk and Treasurer for some years. He has been
Postmaster of Shutesbury and chairman of the Board of
Selectmen. Mr. Hamilton was
married in 1845 to Lucy A. Gilbert, who was born in
Shutesbury, June 1, 1819. She became the mother of six
children, as follows: Ella S. and William G., who are no
longer living; Andrew J., who is in the insurance
business in Athol, Mass. ; Emma L., a teacher; Ella S.
(second), who is now Mrs. Alden D. Reed; and William
G. (second), who resides
at the old homestead. Mrs. Hamilton died in
1859.
Mr. Reed is a Democrat in politics,
but has always refused public office. He and his family
attend the Congregational church.
ERNEST W. REW, editor and
proprietor of the Hampshire County Journal, is a native
of England, born April 30, 1864, in Northampton.
His father, now living retired from business
pursuits in London, England, was born at Tiverton,
Devonshire, about the time of the birth of the Prince of
Wales, and was long engaged in the wholesale silk trade.
He married for his first wife Josephine Bell, who died
at the early age of twenty-two years, in 1868, leaving
three sons and one daughter, Ernest W. being the eldest
child. He subsequently married a widowed sister of his
first wife, and she died in 1891, leaving two children
by her first marriage.
Although young in years Ernest W.
Rew has had a varied and eventful career. Leaving
college at the age of fifteen years, he was apprenticed
for three years to a wholesale grocer in Malvern,
England, and after serving his time he remained still
another year in Malvern. Going thence to Hereford he was
engaged in trade a year, and was afterward for the same
length of time in the wholesale grocery business in
London. Not
satisfied with mercantile life, Mr. Rew next sought and
obtained a place in the Royal Horse Artillery, which by
the advice of his father he gave up, and passed a year
or so at his father's home in Cheltenham, whence he went
to France, where he traveled for a while. In the autumn
of 1S83 Mr. Rew enlisted at Brighton, England, in the
Royal Dragoon Guards, and was in active service three
and one-half years, in the course of that time taking
part in quelling the Belfast riot. Having been bought
off by his father for nineteen pounds, he returned to
London, and in January, 1888, sailed for New York City,
having a hope of obtaining work on a New York
paper.
Failing in his purpose and running
rather low in his funds, he next answered an
advertisement for a stud groom on a large stock farm;
and he there remained with a Mr. Akers until the
following spring, when he again endeavored to secure a
position in New York as a journalist and again
failed. Finding
the city overcrowded with idlers of all classes,
Mr. Rew struck out into
Connecticut, traveling on foot, and working at anything
he could find to do to pay his way, whether it was
chopping wood, digging potatoes, or husking corn, at
which he was quite an expert. In one
town he worked a few days for Mr. Herman Sellick, a
member of the Board of Selectmen, who told him as he
went away if he did not find a permanent employment to
come back and spend the winter and do the chores about
the place for his board and tobacco. He walked
forty miles one day, being very vigorous, but did not
secure the coveted position. Returning, therefore, to
Farmer Sellick, he spent a pleasant winter, keeping
busily employed about the farm. He also
received money from home, and, becoming decently
clothed, he joined the New Canaan choir, to which he had
been invited, and in the spring was engaged by Mr.
Sellick to work
on the
farm during the
summer.
But one hot day in July, while
digging a ditch, he was offered a position as companion
and reader to a wealthy blind man, who was going to a
sanitarium for his health. After a year in the
sanitarium Mr. Rew again sought journalistic work in the
city, and through a friend obtained work on Judd's
paper, but was soon obliged to leave the office on
account of malaria. Going
thence with Emerson Judd to Greenwich, Mass., in hopes
that the invigorating upland breezes would restore his
health, he heard that the management of the Hampshire
Weekly Gazette was about to start a daily paper, and
came at once to Northampton to secure a position, in
which he was successful, finding plenty of congenial
work. Three
years later he left that office to take charge of the
Springfield Union, remaining there about a year, during
which time he was a correspondent of the Boston Globe
and the Boston Journal, besides which he contributed a
weekly letter to the Hampshire County Journal, writing
under the pen name of "Malvern." In May, 1894, Mr. Rew left the Springfield
Union; and the next month he purchased from Wade &
Daniels the paper which he has since managed so
ably. This paper was
established about thirty years ago by D. W. and H.
H. Bond, and has been
among the leading journals of the county, and under the
judicious management of its present proprietor has lost
none of its former prestige, its circulation having been
increased. Mr. Rew
is an enthusiastic and thorough master of his business,
and in his aim to publish one of the brightest and best
journals of this section of the State he has been
eminently successful.
On September 8, 1892, Mr. Rew was
united in marriage with Miss Katherine Lord Clark, of
Willimantic, Conn., daughter of David H.
and Annie L. (Turner)
Clark. Her
father died in Denver, whither he had gone for his
health, in 1887, at the age of fifty years. His widow,
who is still living in Willimantic, has three children,
Mrs. Rew and two sons, one in Willimantic and the other
in Danielsonville. Mrs. Rew is an
accomplished musician, and is well known in this
vicinity and in New York as a phenomenal whistler, being
able to imitate almost any member of the feathered
tribe, her rendition of the notes of the mocking bird
being most natural and charming.
HARVEY RHOADES, a successful
farmer of Chesterfield, was born in that town, December
26, 1831, son of Chapman and Cynthia (Cogswell)
Rhoades.
Chapman Rhoades, also a native of
Chesterfield, followed farming as an occupation on the
estate now held by his son Harvey. His death occurred
July 8, 1856. His wife, Cynthia Cogswell, likewise born
in Chesterfield, became the mother of nine children. Of
the number John, Mary Ann, Norman, and Joseph are
deceased. Those surviving are: Horace, who married
Sabrina Pomeroy, and resides in Chesterfield; Harvey,
the subject of this sketch; Sarah, widow of Charles
Thayer, who formerly lived in Williamsburg, and now
resides in Somerville, Mass. ; Jane, who resides in
Loudville, and is the widow of Medad Pomeroy; and
Jeannette, who married G. Higgins, and resides in
Springfield, Mass. The mother died July 6,
1870.
Harvey Rhoades attended the schools
of his native town, and has always resided upon his
farm. He succeeded to the ownership of the property
after the death of his father, and has since followed
agriculture with success. The land consists of two
hundred acres, and is devoted to general farming.
Mr. Rhoades is a
Republican in politics, and has always supported the
principles of that party.
On October 21, 1860, Mr. Rhoades
was united in marriage to Sarah J. Damon. She was born
in Goshen, Mass., December 10, 1843, daughter of Gershom
C. and Sarah (Bird) Damon, the former of whom was a
native of Chesterfield, where he died. Her mother, who
was born in Williamsburg, Mass., still survives. Mr. and
Mrs. Rhoades have had five children, namely: Frederick,
born October 2, 1863, and married to Rebecca Valcourt,
who is now deceased; William, born February 6, 1866,
married to Eva Bisbee, and residing on a farm adjoining
that of his parents; Nellie Bird, born November 5, 1871,
who died November 29, 1878; Joseph, born November 18,
1878, residing at home; and Jennie Belle, born July 3,
1880, also residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. Rhoades are
members of the Congregational church, of which Mr.
Rhoades is a Deacon.
LEANDER L. RHODES, a well to do
farmer in Westhampton, Hampshire County, Mass., was born
in this town, March 23, 1833, son of Spencer L. and
Esther (Ludden) Rhodes, the former of Westhampton, the
latter of Chesterfield. Spencer L. Rhodes was a farmer,
whose entire life was spent in Westhampton, where he
died in July, 1876, his wife having passed away nine
years before. They were the parents of three children,
namely: Leander L. ; Albert A., a farmer in Huntsburg,
Ohio; and Horace S-, who is associated in business with
Jacob Holley in Northampton.
Leander L. Rhodes in his childhood
attended the public schools of Westhampton, where he
mastered the common English branches, and at home
learned to do farm work, acquiring in the mean time the
knowledge of natural history and the principles of
growth and fruition which come to every farmer's boy, to
whom Nature's work room is open from the time when the
first tender bud appears on the branch.
In 1858 Mr. Rhodes bought for a
home the estate in Huntington known as the Knight farm,
and was there engaged in general farming till 1864, when
he purchased the handsome property of which he is now
owner. This estate comprises two hundred and seventy
acres, about fifty of which are devoted to raising
crops. Mr. Rhodes also keeps
some good stock. On January 1, 1857,
he was united in marriage with Mariette Adams, who was
born in Huntington on April 30, 1837. Her parents,
Martin and Sallie (Brown) Adams, were life-long
residents of Huntington. They died some time since. The
union of Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes has been
blessed by the following children, now grown to
maturity: Lyman, a farmer in Gove County, Kansas; Lilla,
who is with her parents; Carrie, wife of A. M. Coit, of
Huntington; and Alice, wife of P. A. Connery, also of
Huntington. All enjoyed in childhood and youth good
educational advantages.
In politics Mr. Rhodes
favors the Republican party. He is not an office seeker,
but has served with credit on the Board of Selectmen for
four years in Westhampton. Mrs. Rhodes is a member of
the Congregational church in this town. They have a
pleasant home, and are enjoying in the afternoon of life
the comforts of prosperity for which the master of the
house has worked long and well, his good wife, needless
to say, performing her full share of the daily tasks, as
farmers' good wives do.
STEPHEN H. RHODES, a veteran of
the Civil War, who is now
a prosperous resident and an extensive real estate owner
of Pelham, was born in that town, June 14, 1836, son of
Joel and Lucy (Allen) Rhodes.
Mr. Rhodes's father, who was the
son of Zebulon Rhodes, was born in Leyden, Mass., and
was employed in lumbering. He also
worked at the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a
greater part of his active period. He
settled in Pelham, where he resided for the remainder of
his life, and died
July 6, 1864. His wife, Lucy
Allen, who was born in Pelham, became the mother of nine
children, four sons and five daughters. Of these four are
now living, namely: Caroline, widow of Nelson Horr, of
Enfield; Nancy, widow of Lorin Woods, of
Enfield; Stephen H.,
the subject of this sketch,
who is the eldest son; and John, a resident of Enfield. The
mother died in 1891.
Stephen H. Rhodes was educated in
the district schools of his native town; and, after
completing his education, he learned the carpenter's
trade. When a young man, he started as a carpenter and
builder upon his own account; and that has been his
principal business through life. In 1861 he
enlisted as a private in Company C, Thirty-first
Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers. He participated
in several important battles of the Civil War, receiving
injuries from the effects of which he has never fully
recovered. He was
honorably discharged in May, 1864, and, returning to
Pelham, resumed his former occupations, which he has
followed since. For the thrift and industry he has
practiced he now can show his large farm in Pelham of
four hundred acres, besides valuable real
estate in Amherst and Holyoke.
In March, 1874, Mr. Rhodes was
united in marriage to Lizzie Benjamin. She was born in
Pelham, daughter of Peter and Lorisa Benjamin, the
former of
whom is no longer living. Mr. and
Mrs. Rhodes had seven children,
one of whom died in
infancy. The others are: Bertie A., Joseph E.,
Mertie E., Edward H., Nina L., and
Alice C. The mother died June 22, 1885. Mr. Rhodes is
independent in politics
and liberal in his
religious views.
LYMAN RICE, a lifelong resident
and a prosperous farmer of Belchertown, was born there, September 29,
1812. His father, Horatio Rice, also a native
of Belchertown, received a good common-school education,
and, adopting agriculture as an occupation, purchased a
farm in his native town about the year 1810. Here he
resided for the remainder of his life. He married
Elizabeth Allen, daughter of Edward Allen, of
Belchertown. The five children that blessed their union
were: Almena, Lyman, Elvira, Horatio, and Marcus. His
wife died on November 22, 1822; and he passed away in
1871, aged eighty-four years.
Lyman Rice attended the public
schools of his native town, where he became proficient
in the common branches of study. He was reared to an
agricultural life. Until he was twenty years old he
resided at home, where he assisted his father upon the
farm, thereby acquiring the practical knowledge
necessary to make a successful farmer. He then purchased
a small piece of property. Later he added to this until
he had a farm of one hundred and twenty acres. It is
situated in the south-western part of the town. Under
his wise management it has become very productive, and
now yields him very satisfactory returns for his
outlay.
Mr. Rice has been twice married.
His first wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Bugbee, was
a daughter of Nehimiah Bugbee.
The ceremony was performed November 2, 1837. By
this union he had two children, as follows: Sarah E.,
born August 23, 1838, now the wife of Samuel Allen; and
Jennie C, born August 23, 1840. His second wife, Sophia
A. Rice before marriage, daughter of John and Jerusha
Rice, of Springfield, also became the mother of two
children: Edward Lyman and George Allen. Mr. and
Mrs. Rice are members of
the Congregational church.
WASHINGTON I. RICE,
an enterprising and progressive farmer of
Chesterfield, was born there June 4, 1833, son of Lyman
and Miranda (Taylor) Rice, both natives of the town. His
paternal grandfather, Alvin Rice, was an early
settler. Lyman Rice was a
blacksmith by trade, and in connection with this
industry also carried on general farming, being an
active worker until his demise, in April, 1870. His wife
survived him until January, 1883, when she died on the
old homestead. They were the parents of seven children,
namely: Samuel Davis and another child, both of whom
died in infancy; Samuel Davis, second, engaged in
farming in Champaign County, 111. ; George T., a
resident of Rice, Benton County, Minn. ; Washington I.,
the subject of this sketch; Louisa L., wife of H.
Bisbee, of Chesterfield; and Amasa C., who died when but
two years of age.
Washington I. Rice ended his school
life at the Westfield Academy. At the age of twenty-one
years he assumed the management of the home farm,
leaving his father to devote his entire time to his
trade. On the
death of his parents Mr. Rice bought the interest of the
remaining heirs in the homestead property, which he has
since conducted with the same success that characterized
his previous management. The farm includes two hundred
acres of land, which, under his efficient management,
yields profitable harvests of corn, hay, and
fruit.
Mr. Rice
was united in marriage December 20, 1870, to Mrs. Martha
S. (Sampson) Boulls, a daughter of Abner Sampson,
formerly engaged in farming in the town of Chester, of
which he was a lifelong resident.
Of her union with Mr. Boulls Mrs. Rice had one
child, Cora E., who married J. L. Clark, of Bridgeport,
Conn. Mr. Rice is active in both social and political
life. He is a stanch member of the Republican party. He
has been a Selectman for nineteen years, for fifteen of
them serving
as chairman of the board.
He has also been Assessor and Overseer of the
Poor.
CHARLES RICHARDS,
Town Clerk and Treasurer of Enfield, was born in that
town, September 30, 1818, son of Ephraim and Susanna
(Chennery) Richards.
Mr. Richards's father was probably
born in Ashford, Conn., in 1774. He
settled in Enfield in 1812, and was one of the early
manufacturers of Enfield cloth. He also engaged
in mercantile enterprise. He was a
successful business man, accumulating a considerable
amount of property; and he became prominent
in public affairs. He
was an anti-Mason,
a Whig, and later a
Republican. When the town of Enfield was incorporated,
he was its first Treasurer, and held that office for
three years. In 1820 or 1821
he served as a member of the Board of Selectmen. He was
for several years a Representative to the General Court
in Boston. Subsequently,
de-siring to retire from public life, he made his wishes
known to his constituents. These refused
to allow his name to be withdrawn as a candidate,
whereupon he agreed to treat the whole town if they
would accede to his request. This
proposition was immediately accepted, and it is alleged
Mr. E. Richards most
religiously kept his promise. He was well
informed upon all public issues of the day, and was a
conscientious public official of the old school. He died
in Enfield, aged
eighty-eight years. His wife, who
was born in Holden, Mass., February 5,
1785, became the mother of nine children, eight
of whom reached maturity; and four are now living. They
were: Alona M.; Fanny F., now Mrs. Babcock, and residing
in Boston; George L.; Susan P.; Charles; Charles,
second, the subject of this sketch; William H.; Dexter
N.; and Isaac N.- the last three residents of
Boston. The mother died
in 1872, aged eighty-seven years.
Charles Richards received his
education in the schools of West Brookfield and
Southampton. Upon the completion of his studies he
served an apprenticeship at the jeweler's trade in
Northampton; and, after remaining in that occupation for
five years, feeble health caused him to suspend active
employment.
Upon his recovery he engaged in
mercantile business, and was also one of the organizers
of the Hampshire Flax Company, with which he remained
connected for three years. He conducted business in
Enfield as a member of the firm of Bryant & Richards
for about three years, at the expiration of which time
he retired from the firm, and has since devoted his
attention to public affairs. He was
appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1853, was an
inspector of the Monson almshouse in 1855 and 1856, was
appointed a Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum in
1857, and on May 28, 1864, became Trial Justice, an
office which he held until the establishment of the
District Court. He was
appointed Coroner on April 23, 1872; Notary Public in
1875, census enumerator for 1880, 1885, and 1890, and is
at present Town Clerk and Treasurer, a position which he
has occupied since 1882. He has long been prominent in
educational matters and has served as a member of the
School Board.
Mr.
Richards has been twice married. His first wife, whom he
wedded September 21, 1841, was Caroline Clark, of
Northampton. She died January 5,
1872, leaving four children, as follows: Charles E., who
was born March 21, 1845, and
resides in Waltham; Edward S., born January 12,
1847, now a commercial traveler for a Boston
firm; Joseph C, born January 1, 1857, an undertaker of
Boston; and Fred B., born May 29, 1859, now a
Congregational preacher in New York City. On
December 18,
1872, Mr. Richards married
for his second wife Lorana S. Hunt. She was born in
Prescott, May 17, 1842,
daughter of Horace Hunt. Her
father, who was born in New Salem, was engaged in
mercantile pursuits for the greater part of his
life. He died
at an advanced age, and his wife is now residing with a
son in Athol. By their union Mr. and Mrs. Richards have
two children, namely: Caroline C, who was born October
30, 1873, now a teacher in Boston; and Raymond H., born
December 9, 1877, attending school in Monson.
Mr. Richards is one of the oldest and most widely
known residents of Enfield. He has been an able and
faithful public official for many years, and is still
actively engaged in attending to public business. He
sustains the time honored title of Squire with dignity,
and is a living landmark of the town. Mrs.
Richards is at present serving upon the School
Board, and is a member of the Congregational
church.
ALMER
F. RICHARDSON, Town Clerk of Ware for nearly
twenty years, was born there on October 21,
1847, son of Winthrop and Fannie D.
(Thompson) Richardson.
Willard Richardson, his
grandfather, followed the occupation of a farmer, and
was also a nail-maker by trade, wrought nails being then
in use. He was the
father of three sons and two daughters, all of whom are
now dead, although they all lived to marry and rear
families of children.
Winthrop Richardson, who was born
in Brookfield, Worcester
County, Mass., in 1804, turned his attention to
shoe-making, and was also the owner of a small
farm. He died in
1877, seventy-three years of age. His wife, to
whom he was married in March, 1832, was
a daughter of Samuel
Thompson. She was
born in Ware in 1805. Her mother, whose maiden name was
Barnes, reared a family of two sons and four
daughters, all of whom have
since died. Mrs. Richardson bore her
husband seven children, four sons and three daughters,
as follows: Theodore, who died when about eleven years
old; Adeline and Laurinda, who died in childhood; Edwin
E. Richardson, now residing in Ware; Laura J., who
married Henry H. Bush, and died in 1888, at forty-six
years of age, leaving two children; Alfred H.
Richardson, living in Gilbertville, Mass., where
he is engaged as the paymaster of the George H. Gilbert
Manufacturing Company; and Almer F. Richardson, the
subject of this sketch. The mother died in 1869,
sixty-three years of age.
Almer F. Richardson
spent the early years of his life on his father's farm.
At sixteen years of age he began to work out by the
month on neighboring farms during the summer; but he
attended school in the winter season, passing in due
time from the district school to the Ware High School.
In June, 1865, he obtained a position as clerk in the
general store of P. D. Willis, with whom he remained two
years. The following year he had a similar position in
the store of Harding, Woods & Co. at Barre, Mass.,
the next in the clothing store of Virgil Guild in Ware,
the next two years in the general store of Calvin
Hitchcock, and the next two years with C. F.
Hitchcock & Co., of Gilbertville. On February
20, 1874, he came to his present store, and entered the
shoe business as a partner of Calvin Hitchcock &
Son, which afterward became the firm of A. F. Richardson
& Co. On January 1, 1883,
Mr. Richardson purchased his partners' interests, and
has conducted the business alone since that time.
He was married on October 5, 1880,
to Miss Amie L. Newton, a daughter of Stephen E. and
Thirza L. (Pierce) Newton, of Hardwick. She died on July
26, 1881, leaving one daughter, Edith L. Richardson, who
was then but three weeks old. Miss Richardson is now
fourteen years old, and is her father's constant
companion.
In
general elections Mr. Richardson votes the Republican
ticket. He has served one term of seven years as
Justice, and has been re-appointed
for another
term. In March, 1876,
he was elected Town Clerk; and he has held the office
continuously since that time.
Ex officio he is a registrar of voters, and has a
part in the naturalization of voters.
He also does some probate business, being
frequently engaged in the settlement of estates; and for
fifteen years he acted as the auctioneer of that
section. He is a member of the corporation of the Ware
Savings Bank. In both business and political life
he has won the respect of his fellow citizens
EBENEZER COOLIDGE RICHARDSON,
M.D., who was for forty-three years a prominent
physician in Ware, born at Townsend, Mass., April 25,
1820, and died in Ware, January 10, 1886. He was the
only son of Dr. Samuel Richardson and Polly (Kidder)
Richardson, the latter a niece of the famous Dr. Moses
Kidder, of Lowell. His only sister,
Harriet Richardson Gardner, died in Paris, March 4,
1871.
Dr. Richardson graduated from
Harvard Medical College in 1842, and in that year
settled in Ware. He acquired an
extensive practice there and in the surrounding towns,
and became widely known. Dr. Richardson was entirely
devoted to his profession. In him were combined all the
qualities of a successful practitioner. He was highly
valued in consultation with prominent physicians
throughout Massachusetts. He was a member of the
Massachusetts Medical Association. He was also connected
with the Brookfield Medical Club, and was surgeon of the
Ware J. W. Lawton Grand Army
Post. At the time of the Civil War Dr. Richardson
accepted a government appointment
as surgeon of the Board of Enrolment for the
Ninth District of Massachusetts, being stationed at
Greenfield. Returning to Ware after a little more than
two years service, he resumed his practice, and in the
succeeding year was appointed the district examining
surgeon for government pensions. Dr. Richardson was an
accomplished musician, being more than ordinarily
skilful on the violin. His sensitive musical temperament
enabled him to enter deeply into the feelings of others.
He was always good to the poor and distressed, in many
instances refusing pay for his services.
He was a member of the East Congregational Church
of Ware for thirty years.
Shortly after coming to Ware, Dr.
Richardson married Clara Reed Hartwell, the only
daughter of Captain Joseph Hartwell, of Ware.
Capt. Hartwell had served in nearly all the more
important offices in the gift of the town, and had
represented the district in the legislature of 1863. His
wife was before marriage Clarissa Reed, whose home was
the famous old Reed castle, in Bolton, Mass.
Mrs. Clara (Hartwell) Richardson was born April
15, 1830, at Ware. She received her education in the
schools of Ware and the Belchertown Academy, then
conducted by Mr. J. F. Pearl. She also
passed her examinations for Mount Holyoke Seminary. She
studied vocal and instrumental music in Boston, and was
an accomplished musician. A prominent feature of former
times were the musical festivals given in Ware,
Brookfield, and neighboring towns. In these Dr. and Mrs.
Richardson took active part as soloists. Mrs.
Richardson was a woman of great strength of
character, yet she had a manner that charmed young and
old alike. Love was the keynote of her life - love to
God and man. She ever exercised a broad charity; and,
with her far-sighted judgment and gentle words and deeds
of kindness, she will long live in the hearts of her
many friends, a beautiful and blessed memory. She died
August 17, 1895. Five children survive her: Mari Anita,
wife of Marshall Otis West, a successful manufacturer of
Port Chester, N.Y. ; Carrie Virginia, wife of Edwin
Howard Baker, who is connected with the firm of Wright,
Bliss & Fabyan, of New York; Harriet Gardner, wife
of Osborne Mowry Billings, of St. Louis, Mo. ; Martha
Reed, wife of Dr. William Oliver Barrett, a well-known
dentist of Ware; and Charlotte Houghton Richardson, of
Ware, Mass.
RUSSELL L.
ROBERTS, a respected citizen of Northampton, was born in
Gill, Franklin County, Mass., November 10, 1824, son of
Alsetus and Betsey (Robinson) Roberts. His paternal
grand-father, whose wife was a Miss Brooks, was a farmer
in Gill; and in that town Alsetus Roberts was born and
passed his life, dying in 1853, at the age of
fifty-eight. Mrs.
Roberts was born in Greenwich, Mass. She came
of a long-lived family, her grandmother, Sarah (Smith)
Robinson, living to the age of one hundred and two
years, and her brothers and sisters outliving the
allotted age of man. Mrs. Roberts
died aged ninety-two
years;
The surviving children of Mr. and
Mrs. Roberts are as follows: Russell L., the subject of
this sketch; Horatio N a dentist in Alton, ILL., who has
one son; Holland F., a farmer in Gill, unmarried; Lyman
A., a printer in the employ of the government for the
past ten years at Washington, who has a wife, one son,
and two daughters, and who served three years in the
Civil War. Those deceased are: Sarah C, Holland, Smith,
and Mary Jane.
Russell L. Roberts was reared to
farm life, attending the district school regularly until
ten years of age. After that,
until he was eighteen, he went to school only in the
winter, working upon the farm during the summer
months. When a little
over nineteen years old, he worked for four years in a
woolen factory. He was then
employed for a while at cutlery work in Shelburne Falls;
and in 1854 he moved to Portage, Wis., where he
worked at
carpentering. He
finally came East to take charge of the farm of
his father-in-law, which he now owns. He
removed to Northampton in 1891, taking up his abode at
68 High Street, in the comfortable dwelling which he
erected in 1884. Besides his home property and the farm
which formerly belonged to his father-in-law, he owns
two lots in Northampton, where he grows corn and
potatoes. Mr. Roberts has retired from active work, and
is living quietly at his home on High Street.
On September 27, 1847, Mr. Roberts
was united in marriage to Reuma R. Haynes, of
Guilford, Vt.,
daughter of Asa and Sally
(Briggs) Haynes, the former of Guilford, the latter of
Leyden, Mass. Asa Haynes was
a notable man in his day, strong mentally, physically,
and spiritually. He was a
carpenter by trade, and was active in evangelical work,
a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church, preaching forcibly and
earnestly. At one time he had
charge of the Methodist Episcopal church at
Hatfield. He broke one
leg three times, the third fracture crippling him for
life; but the brightness of his spirit was undimmed, and
he preached eloquently from his bed of pain. He
conducted a farm for family needs; and this, as already
stated, Mr. Roberts, his son-in-law, took charge of and
owns today. Asa Haynes died
in 1868, in his eighty-fourth year. His wife
died in 1861, at the age of seventy-eight. At the time of
her death nine of their twelve children were
living. Mr. and
Mrs. Haynes left no property, but were tenderly cared
for in their last days by Mr.
and Mrs. Roberts.
Mr. Roberts's mother also
spent her last years with them.
Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have had five
children, all of whom have passed away. Two died in
infancy, and Leuetta A. was fatally scalded when but a
little over four years old.
Russell J. Roberts died in December, 1885, aged
thirty-eight years, leaving a widow and two children,
one of whom, William H., is with his
grandfather. Emerriah
Roberts, who was a jeweler at Northampton, died in
November, 1886,
at the age of thirty-one, leaving a wife and one
daughter, Lulu May Roberts. Mr. and Mrs.
Roberts belong to the Methodist church, of which he has
been a member nearly fifty years, and which she joined
when five years of age, receiving baptism by immersion
at that time.
SAMUEL P.
ROHAN, of Ware, Mass.,
a member of the grocery and provision firm of Rohan
& Brosnahan, formerly Rohan Brothers, was born in
Enfield, Mass., August 29, 1858, son of Patrick and
Johanna (McCarthy) Rohan.
Patrick Rohan, who was
born in Limerick County, Ireland, in 1824, came to
America when sixteen years of age, making the voyage
hither in a sailing-vessel. On his
arrival he went to Enfield, Mass., and engaged in
farming. Some time
after he moved to Belchertown. He was
married in Enfield in 1844, when twenty years of age, to
Miss Johanna McCarthy, who was two years his junior,
and, like himself, a native of Ireland. He died
in Enfield, leaving his widow with three sons and a
daughter; namely, Samuel, David, William, and
Nellie. The three
sons were formerly members of the firm of Rohan Brothers.
Their sister Nellie, who is book-keeper in the store, is
a practical young woman possessed of much common-sense
and business ability.
Samuel P. Rohan received
a good education in the grammar and high schools of
Enfield. At the age of
twenty-five years he engaged in selling goods for C.
Hitchcock & Co., in Ware, a connection which lasted
over eight years. On February
1, 1892, the firm of Rohan
Brothers started in trade at the present stand of Rohan
& Brosnahan. Business
increased rapidly, and they soon had a patronage that
ranked only second in magnitude to the largest obtained
in the town.
Samuel P. Rohan was married
December 31, 1889, to Miss Julia
Shugrue, of Hardwick, Mass., a daughter of John and Mary
(Splarn) Shugrue, the former of whom is a successful
agriculturist. Her
mother died in 1888, leaving three sons and four
daughters. Mr. and
Mrs. Rohan have no children.
In his political
relations Mr. Rohan is a stanch Democrat; while he and
Mrs. Rohan are consistent members of All Saints'
Catholic Church. They reside at 64 North Street, the
attractive and comfortable home erected by Mr. Rohan in
1891.
AUSTIN
ROSS, of Florence, Mass., a prosperous farmer now
living in restful retirement
after many seasons of
sowing and reaping, is one of the few remaining members
of the famous "community " of fifty years ago. He was
born at Mansfield, Tolland County, Conn., in 1812, and
passed his early boyhood in Windham County in that
State. His
father, Elnathan Ross, who was born at Chaplin, in the
above-named county and State in 1771, died of
an epidemic fever in 1813, leaving a widow and eleven
children, Austin being then
but one year old. His wife, whose maiden name was
Olive Storrs, and who was of a prominent family in the
Connecticut valley, returned to the homestead of her
father and cared for him until his decease, which
occurred at the age of ninety-seven.
Mrs. Olive S. Ross lived to the age of ninety-two
years. Her children, who were
distributed among strangers,
all grew to maturity and became heads of
families. With the
exception of Austin Ross, all are now at rest.
Harriet, wife of George Hunt, a farmer of Yates
County, New York, reared one son, and died at the age of
nearly fourscore years; and Caroline, who was born
previous to Austin, and became the wife of George Wyman,
of Potter, Yates County, reared a family of thirteen
children, and died at the age of about seventy
years.
Austin Ross was practically thrown
upon his resources at the age of ten years, but
continued to make his home among his brothers and
sisters until reaching the age of fifteen, when he went
to live with Deacon Knight, a rigid Presbyterian, from
whom he acquired the shoemaker's trade, an occupation
which he followed for a number of years at Chaplin.
In 1834, when he was twenty-two
years of age, he married Miss Fidelia Rindge, who was
born in Chaplin, Conn., in 1813. They came to Florence
early in 1845, and entered the "community " founded in
1842 by the "Northampton Association of Education and
Industry," Mr. Ross assuming charge of the agricultural
department. An
intelligent, liberal-minded, progressive class of people
were drawn hither, including some prominent
abolitionists. Mr. Ross, who had
been dismissed from the Presbyterian church on account
of his anti-slavery sentiments, is credited in the
history of those times with having been a successful
station agent on the "underground railroad." The
community at Florence lasted only about four years. When it
disbanded, Mr. Ross, in company with his uncle Abel Ross
and J. C. Martin, purchased the farm for the sum of five
thousand dollars, his portion consisting of about one
hundred and fifty acres of the original four
hundred. This he
continued to cultivate with extremely
profitable results; and, having in the course of time
added to his estate, he now owns two hundred acres of
valuable land, which is divided into two farms.
Mr. and Mrs. Ross have
buried an infant son. Their living
children are: E. S. Ross, a merchant of Leeds,
having two children; Dwight A. Ross, who resides upon his
father's farm and has two sons and one daughter; and
Martha Jane, wife of Robert
M. Branch, a merchant of
Florence, having two children. Mr. Ross
retired from active labor in 1890, leaving the farm in
charge of his son, and now lives at his pleasant home,
which is situated upon the opposite side of Mill
River. He is a Republican in
politics, but was never an aspirant for public
office. Well
known and highly esteemed, he occupies a warm place in
the hearts of the older residents of Florence.
ELIAS
RUDE, a prosperous farmer of
Huntington, was born in
that town, November 29, 1834, son of Zara and Elizabeth
(Patch) Rude. Mr. Rude's
great-grandfather, John Rude, was a native of
Norwich, Conn., and settled in Huntington,
Mass., when there were but three houses in the
town. He
cleared and improved the farm, which is now owned and
occupied by his great-grandson, and successfully
followed agriculture until his death. He raised
a family of three children, of whom John Rude, Jr., was
Mr. Rude's
grandfather. Grandfather
Rude was born in Norwich, Conn., succeeded to the
possession of the farm, and resided there until his
death, which occurred in 1848. He was
the father of seven children, as follows: Zara, Alvin,
Clara, Elias, Harvey, Esula, and Norman.
Zara Rude, Mr. Rude's father, was
born in Huntington and reared to agriculture, which he
followed successfully through life. He was a Whig in
politics, was highly esteemed, and was very popular with
his fellow-townsmen. He died at the age of seventy-four
years. His wife, who was a native of Huntington, became
the mother of twelve children, of whom Elias Rude is the
sole survivor. They were
as follows: Thomas, who married
Miranda Demon; John, who married
Maria Holmes; Lucy, who became the wife of James
Stevenson; Eliza, who married Ora Miller; Jerome, Lydia,
and Electa, who died young; Nancy, who died at the age
of twenty-two; Electa (second), who died at the age of
twenty; Ora, who died aged twenty-four; Weltha, who died
aged eighteen; and Elias, the subject of this
sketch. The
mother died in Huntington.
Elias Rude succeeded
his father in the ownership of the old homestead,
and has since resided there. He carries on
general farming and dairying, and is engaged to a
considerable extent in the manufacture of maple sugar.
On December 14, 1857, Mr. Rude was
united in marriage to Nancy A. Merritt. She was
born in Conway, Mass., November 3, 1833, daughter of
Austin Merritt, a prosperous farmer of that town. In
politics Mr. Rude has always supported the Republican
party.
BRUNO F. RUDER was a native of
Saxony, Germany, born June 26, 1848; but from 1863 until
the time of his decease, April 17, 1895, he was a
respected resident of Northampton, Mass, He was a son of
John Frederick and Caroline (Papp) Ruder, both natives
of Saxony. The father was a locksmith by trade,
following it uninterruptedly through the years of his
activity, which were comparatively few, his death
occurring when only thirty-three years old.
His widow subsequently emigrated to America,
coming hither at the instigation of Robert Ruder, who
had settled in Holyoke prior to that time.
Bruno began earning his own living
as soon as he came to this country, having learned the
trade of a tool-maker and locksmith while in the
Fatherland, being thus enabled to secure a position in
the machine shop of the Arms Pocketbook Manufacturing
Company, with whom he worked
industriously for several years. In 1870, having
saved some money, he married Katharina C. Chandler, a
native of
Northampton, a daughter of Pomeroy
Chandler. Soon after
their union Mr. and Mrs. Ruder opened a restaurant at 46
King Street, which proved attractive to the public; and
in the course of a few years they built up an extensive
and remunerative business. In 1872 he bought the
restaurant and the lot on which it is situated; and some
years later, in 1885, he purchased his fine residence
property at 378 Elm Street, and built the commodious
house in which he lived until his death, and which his
widow and her family still occupy. Mr.
Ruder was an energetic,
capable, and honest man of business, highly
esteemed by all with whom he came in contact, and quite
active in social life, being an official member and
Trustee of Steuben Lodge, D. O. H., and one of the
founders of the Independent Club of Northampton, which
at one time had a very large membership of Germans.
Seven children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs.
Ruder, two of whom, Nellie and Frederick, each died when
fifteen months old. The record of the five living is as
follows: Emma S. is the wife of Evon F. Huebler, of
Northampton; Annie M., a young lady, at home; Louis F.,
a promising young man of nineteen years, now studying
pharmacy; Sidonia, sixteen years old; and Caroline,
twelve years of age. These children constitute a bright
and intelligent family, and have inherited in a marked
degree the musical talent of their father.
Evon F. Huebler, the husband of the
eldest daughter, was born in Saxony, Germany, and came
here with his mother when a child of three years, in
1867, joining his father, Frank Huebler, who had
emigrated to this country the previous year. He is the
eldest of seven living children born to his parents, who
have buried five children, two having died in Germany
and three in this country. Mr. Huebler
attended the district school until twelve years old,
when he began the battle of life as a clerk in a grocery
store, remaining one year. He then became a printer's
devil in the office of the Hartford Daily Times,
where during his seven years' apprenticeship he
served as compositor much of the time, occasionally
acting as foreman. On arriving at
years of maturity, Mr. Huebler formed a partnership with
John H. Van
Keuren, under the firm name of Van Keuren &
Huebler, and started the Wethersfield
Weekly Farmer, which they published for a year
and a half. Then, in
company with several others, he organized a stock
company for publishing the Winsted Daily Evening
Citizen, and was engaged as business manager and general
superintendent of the company until October, 1894, when
he came to Northampton, where he now resides. He is
still a stockholder in the company, which is well
established, the stock being valued at fifteen thousand
dollars. His happy union with Miss Emma Ruder was
solemnized on March 28, 1894.
The information on Trails to the
Past copyright (s) 2011-Present Date may be used in
personal family history research, with source citation.
The pages in entirety may not be duplicated for
publication in any fashion without the permission of the
owner. Commercial use of any material on this site is
not permitted. Please respect the wishes of those
who have contributed their time and efforts to make this
free site possible.~Thank you!
| | | |
