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SMITH FAMILY - THE SWIFT
RIVER COMPANY Of Enfield, well known throughout the
United States as manufacturers of a fine quality of
fancy cashmeres and silk mixtures, dates back to the
year 1821, when the firm, under the title of D. & A.
Smith, began in a small way the manufacture of cotton
goods. Fifteen years later, in 1836, the factory was
destroyed by fire, but was immediately rebuilt. The
firm, which then consisted of Alfred, David, and Alvin
Smith, continued to carry on the enterprise until 1852,
when they were joined by Edward Smith, and the present
company was organized. Each year the plant was increased
in size, and new improvements were introduced. Finally,
in 1862, the mill was enlarged to double its former
capacity. The old cotton and satin machinery was
removed, and in its place there were set up eight sets
of machinery for the manufacture of fancy cashmeres. The
mill is supplied with both steam and water power, and is
kept in operation the entire year round. It is the leading enterprise of the village of
Smiths, furnishing employment to about one hundred and
twenty-five people. The present members of the firm are
Edward P. Smith and his brother, Henry M. Smith, the
former holding the position of President and Treasurer
and the latter that of General Manager and Agent of the
company.
Edward Smith, the father of
Edward P. and Henry M. Smith, was born in the town of
Granby, this county, .and lived there on a farm until he
was twenty-five years old. He then went to Holyoke,
where he conducted a small cotton-mill for a time; and
he and his brothers acquired possession of the entire
water privilege of Holyoke, and held it up to 1847.
After that he was engaged in various enterprises until
1852, when he became identified with the Swift River
Company. His connection with that firm continued until
his death, in April, 1891, eighty-six years of age. He was an
old-time Whig, and later became a stanch Republican. He
was very active in political matters, and served one
term as a member of the State legislature. During many
years of his life he was an active worker in the
Congregational church and a liberal contributor for both
church and educational purposes. In the course of one
year he gave twenty-five thousand dollars to five
different colleges. He married Eliza Smith, of Granby.
They have two sons by the marriage and two by adoption.
The former are: Edward P., born in Granby, Mass.,
September 3, 1833; and Henry M., also a native of
Granby, born August 20, 1835.
Edward P. Smith, the senior
member of the Swift River Company, completed his early
education in the academy at Easthampton, after which he
entered Yale College. He was married in 1856 to Miss
Charlotte J. Woods, of Enfield. They have no children.
In politics he is a Republican; and, while betakes much
interest in his town, and has served one term as
Selectman, he is today far too busy a man to accept
office. His residence, which lies between the two
villages of Enfield and Smiths, is one of the finest in
the district; and a prettier view than that which
surrounds his home would be hard to find in Hampshire
County.
Henry M. Smith completed his
education at Williston Seminary. He was then employed
for two years in a store in South Hadley, after which he
came to Enfield, and went to work in the mill of which
he and his brother are now the owners. In November,
1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Loraine P.
Andrews, of Enfield, who has borne him an interesting
family of two sons and a daughter: Marion A., Alfred W.,
and Edward. Like his brother, he is a stanch Republican
and one of the most influential citizens of Enfield. He
has served as Selectman and in other offices. They
reside in the elegant residence recently erected above
the village of Smiths, surrounded by luxury of the
extent and character consistent with a cultured
taste.
ASA C. SMITH, who for some
years was identified with the manufacturing industries
of Western Massachusetts, is now a very successful
farmer of Belchertown, where he
was
born, January 2, 1847. His father, Lucius Smith,
was born in Connecticut, March 21, 1820; but his
grandfather, Asa Smith, who was also a native of that
State, removed to Massachusetts, and settled at Monson,
Hampden County, where he engaged in milling. He
afterward purchased a farm in the south part of
Belchertown. He married Miss Isabella Tyler; and their
children were: Asa, Tyler, Hannah, Lucius, and Ann.
Lucius Smith received a
common-school education, and in his early manhood
assisted his father in the mill at Monson. Subsequent to
their removal to South Belchertown he here devoted his
time to farming. His first wife, whose maiden name was
Lucretia Parsons, died soon after their marriage; and he
wedded for his second wife Mrs. Thankful Hathaway
Parsons, daughter of Abner Hathaway, this union being
blessed with but one son, Asa C. Smith, above-named.
Lucius Smith died January 14, 1883, his wife surviving
until May 22, 1893.
Asa C. Smith pursued the
usual course of study in the common schools of his
native town, and, after attending the Bondville High
School for two terms, entered the milling business at
Granby, being then eighteen years old. Later he engaged
in the same occupation at Tylerville. At the age of
twenty-two years he was placed in charge of a room at
the mills in Wales, Hampden County, Mass.; and three
years later he became superintendent, a position which
he most ably filled for a period of some years. He was
engaged in the manufacturing industries until 1883, when
on account of poor health he purchased a farm of one
hundred acres adjoining the old homestead of his
parents, and turned his attention to agricultural
pursuits.
He has continued thus engaged, and is exceedingly
prosperous.
On May 12, 1879, he married
Miss Carrie R. Burke, daughter of Edward and Jane Burke,
of Monson. They have one daughter, Mabel M., who was
born March 1, 1880. Mr. Smith is an
earnest Republican in politics, and has served as a
Selectman in Belchertown for seven consecutive
years.
BYRON SMITH, a farmer
of South Hadley, Mass., was born in Groton, New London
County, Conn., July 16, 1825, son of Erastus T. and
Rebecca (Barber) Smith. Mr. Smith's paternal
grandparents were Gilbert and Prudence Smith. A fuller
genealogy is contained in a work entitled, "The History
of the Smith Family," a copy of which is now in the
possession of Mr.
Byron Smith.
Erastus T. Smith was born in
Groton, Conn., June 24, 1789. In early manhood he
engaged in mercantile pursuits, but subsequently became
a cotton and paper manufacturer, conducting business for
a number of years, first in Rochester, N. Y., and later
in South Hadley, finally retiring and returning to
Rochester, where he died. He was three times married.
His first wife, Rebecca Barber, was born in Groton,
Conn., and was a daughter of John Barber, a prosperous
farmer of that town. She
died in South Hadley, November 11, 1838. His second
wife, Lucia Mills, of West Hartford, Conn., died in
Rochester, N.Y., in 1857. His third wife, Emily Perkins,
of Litchfield, Conn., survives her husband and now
resides in Rochester, N.Y.
By his first wife Mr. Smith
had the following children: Erastus B., born in 1812,
now deceased; Frances R., who married first Isaac
Lyon, of
Rochester,
and,
secondly, Wells Southworth, of West
Springfield,
but is no longer living; Gilbert Morgan, born in
1818, who married Eliza Ely, and died November 12, 1891,
was Postmaster of South Hadley during Lincoln's
administration and until his death, November 12, 1891;
Prudence E., now deceased, the wife of Dr. H. W. Dean,
of Rochester, N.Y. ; Byron, subject of this sketch,
Henry Walworth, born in 1827, and now deceased, who
married Mary Hooker; William Avery, born in 1829, who
met his death by drowning in Rochester, N.Y., in 1833;
Helen F., born in 1833, who died in 1851.
Byron Smith, having received
his education in Westfield, Mass., and at the public
schools in South Hadley, at the age of twenty-two
engaged in farming in South Hadley. He subsequently
erected a flour-mill upon his farm; which he conducted
in company with his father for some years, giving it his
chief attention.
He finally abandoned the mill and returned to
agriculture, devoting his energies to general farming
and dairying, besides carrying on a considerable trade
in eggs and farm produce. He has supplied
the college at South Hadley with two hundred quarts of
milk per day.
His home farm consists of thirty acres of
well-improved land, and besides this he owns other real
estate in the town. Although he is now practically
retired from active labor, he exercises a general
oversight of his farm and performs some of the lighter
duties connected therewith.
In 1847 Mr. Smith was united
in marriage to Nancy Dwight, of Belchertown, Mass.,
daughter of Justin and Eliza Dwight. Mr. and Mrs. Smith
are the parents of two children, namely: Rebecca
Frances, who resides at home; and Erastus Gilbert, a
graduate of Amherst College and Gotfingen,
Germany, now a professor in the Beloit, Wis.,
College.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the
Congregational church, and take active part in church
work.
Mr. Smith is Republican in politics, having cast
his vote with the Republican party since its
formation.
During the Civil War he was a member of the Board
of Selectmen of his town. He has
always been greatly interested in the college, and has
been their marshal for many years. He
has also been prominently connected with all important
improvements in the town during his time.
ELLEN GOODELL SMITH, eldest daughter of
Asahel Goodell, and sister of L. W. Goodell, was born at
Belchertown, Mass., August 25, 1835. She acquired her
elementary education in the common schools, and, after
pursuing higher branches of study two terms at the
Amherst Academy, taught school one term. Compelled by
ill health to relinquish her labors, in 1857 she entered
Dr. William T. Vail's Granite State Health Institute, at
Hill, N.H., where she became interested in the
successful method practiced there of treating the sick,
and decided to become a teacher and a practitioner in
the new school.
After a connection of two years with
that institution as a patient, student, and assistant,
she became a member of a numerous class in the autumn of
1859 at the Hygeio Therapeutic College, New York City,
of which R. T. Trall was the founder. The following
winter she was again at the college, and was graduated
in the spring of 1861 with the highest honors.
Immediately after she became matron and physician
at Dr. Vail's Sanitarium, where she remained until the
autumn of 1862, when she entered the public lecture
field as a demonstrator and instructor of medical,
temperance, and health reform. In 1864 she accepted the
post of resident physician at Dr. R. T. Trall's
Sanitarium in New York City, which she held for a period
of two years, during a portion of that time being in
charge of the Swedish movement cure and Turkish bath
departments. In 1866 she was medical director and
physician of the movement cure and Turkish bath
departments connected with the sanitarium of Dr. J.
H. Hero at Westboro,
Mass.
On April 16, 1867, Miss
Goodell was united in marriage with Dr. John Smith, of
Northfield, Minn. ; and during the years 1868 and 1869
they established the first sanitarium and public baths
ever introduced in the city of St Paul. In 1871 Dr.
Ellen G. Smith accepted the situation of resident
physician in Dr. R. T. Trall's Sanitarium at
Philadelphia, and during her residence in that city she
introduced parlor lectures to ladies. After three years
of the most successful practice in the last named city
she returned to her home at Belchertown, where on August
25, 1874, her only son, Lindsey Goodell Smith, was
born. From 1875 to 1883 Dr.
Smith was constantly and successfully engaged in
lecturing and practicing her profession in Massachusetts
and California. In 1883 she retired from active
practice, and has since then been engaged in literary
work and as an assistant in the office of her brother,
L. W. Goodell.
FRED MERWIN SMITH, President of the
Griffith, Axtell & Cady Company of Holyoke, Mass.,
was born at South Hadley, September 19, 1862. He is a son of
the late Hiram Smith and Harriet S. (Coney) Smith. His father
was born at South Hadley, July 24, 1824, and his mother
at Ware, Mass., October 2, 1826. Hiram
Smith was a business man and
Postmaster at South Hadley Falls for a long
period, he having held the post office for thirty
years. He died
there in 1890, his widow, who still survives at the age
of sixty-nine years, having been the mother of four children, two of whom, Hattie and
Dwight, died in infancy. The remaining
two are Fred M. and J. Belle, wife of Elwyn D.
Newcomb, of South Hadley.
Fred M. Smith received his early education in
the public schools of South Hadley and at the Williston
Seminary in Easthampton, and, after finishing his
studies there in 1880, entered Amherst College, where he
was graduated in the class of 1884.
Immediately upon completing his collegiate course he
entered the office of the Springfield Union, while
Joseph S. Shipley was editor of that newspaper; and,
after being engaged in journalism for two years, he
became Assistant Treasurer of the Valley Paper Company
of Holyoke, where he continued for a period of three
years. He then
became Treasurer of the Griffith, Axtell & Cady
Company of Holyoke, which position he held until May I,
1895, when he retired from the active management of the
company, but is now its President.
This company conduct a very large business in
fine printing, engraving, and embossing, and maintain a
constant force of about thirty skilled workmen, who are
kept busy filling their many extensive orders, which
come from all parts of the world, the company's
reputation for this particular branch of industry having
reached far beyond the boundaries of the United States.
He is also a Director of the Holyoke Paper Company of
Holyoke. Mr. Smith is an active
Republican in politics, and is at the present time
Treasurer of the town of South Hadley, having now for
five years held that office, in which he succeeded his
father. He has served upon both the School Committee and
Water Board for six years, and has been chairman of the
Republican Town Committee for the last five years, it
being a notable fact that the town of South Hadley
introduced the Australian system of conducting caucuses
a year previous to its having been adopted by the State.
He is Past Master of Mount Holyoke Lodge, A. F. & A.
M., also a member of Mount Holyoke Chapter and Council,
Springfield Commandery, and of Aleppo Temple, Mystic
Shrine, at Boston.
On April 28, 1892, he wedded Miss Evelyn H.
Bardwell, of Shelburne, Mass., who was born July 19,
1861, and is the daughter of Orsamus O. and Helen
(Packer) Bardwell, both of her parents being now
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one child living;
namely, Winthrop Hiram, born June 30, 1893, their
second-born, Rachel Evelyn, whose birth occurred
September 17, 1894, having died January 16, 1895. They
reside at 54 North Main Street, South Hadley Falls, and
are members of the Congregational church of that
town.
GEORGE SMITH, a lifelong resident
and native of Middlefield, Hampshire County, and one of
the best known agriculturists of that town, was born on
July 17, 1834, son of Asa and Sally (Root) Smith.
His father, who was a native of
Connecticut, where he was born March 23, 1788, when a
small boy, came with his parents to Massachusetts,
making the journey thither on horseback. They
settled in Middlefield,
where Grandfather Smith purchased a large farm, on which
he passed the remainder of his life, engaged in the
healthful labors of farming.
Asa Smith successfully followed the same
occupation throughout his life. He died May 6, 1869. His
wife, who was born August 19, 1790, was a native of
Massachusetts, as were both her parents. She died
September 3, 1836. Their union was blessed with nine
children. Asenath, the eldest, born September 17, 1811,
married Parsons P. Meacham, a successful farmer in New
York State, both of whom died, she October 8, 1892, and
he September 6, 1887. Six children were born to them;
namely, Harriett (deceased), George (deceased), Charles
H., Francis W., Cynthia C. (deceased), and Lawrence L.
Calvin Smith, born July 17, 1813, died August 23, 1814.
Calvin Smith (second), born December 9, 1814, married
for his first wife Miss Harriet M. Crozier, who was born
March 18, 1818, and died in March, 1842. He then married
his second wife. Miss Aurelia Loveland, who was born
August 18, 1822. He had one son by his first union,
Jerome, and four sons by the second union: Edwin; Dwight
(deceased); Lofton J. ; and Frank. Calvin Smith died December 10, 1882.
Harriett Smith, born April 6, 1817, died January
6, 1844. Almira Smith, born September 4, 1819, married
Benjamin Pratt, and died March 4, 1889, leaving five
children: Clara, Arthur D., Sumner G. (deceased), Elma,
and Edwin D. Caroline Smith, born February 11, 1822,
married Edwin Dudley, and died June 1, 1894, leaving
five children: Emma M., Oakley S., Helen E., Lofton F.,
and Carroll E. Harmony Smith, born June 4, 1824, is the
widow of Cyrus Dudley, who died January 26, 1876; she
now resides in New Jersey. Angeline, born December 15,
1828, died May 7, 1829.
George Smith, the youngest of the
family and the subject of this sketch, remained with his
parents and helped his father in carrying on the farm.
After their death he purchased the old homestead, which
he has profitably conducted since. He devotes his
attention principally to general farming, raising good
crops of the staple products of the vicinity.
He also engages to some extent in dairying.
Mr. Smith has been twice married. His first wife,
to whom he was united November 12, 1862, was Miss Anna
Belle Walker, who was born in 1844. She died
September 1, 1866, leaving one son, Arthur I.., whose
birth occurred September 1, 1863; he married Miss
Florence Marshall, and is now a successful physician in
New Brunswick, N.J. Mr. Smith's second union
was with Miss Julia E. Bartlett, a native of
Worthington, where she was born December 25, 1847,
daughter of Asa and Polly Bartlett, both of whom were
also natives of Massachusetts. Her father
is a carpenter by trade, and is also engaged in
farming. Her mother
died June 24, 1891. Mrs. Smith has borne her husband
five children : Herbert, born April 9, 1870, who died
October 1, 1870; George Ernest,
born April 14, 1872, who died August 19, 1872; Edith M.,
born December 9, 1873; Walter A., born December 1, 1875;
and Kirby W., born July 11, 1880.
Mr. Smith is a faithful
supporter of the Republican party, and has always been
actively interested in politics. He and his wife are
communicants of the Baptist church at
Middlefield.
GEORGE H. W. SMITH a well known boot
and shoe dealer and jeweler of Ware, was born in
Amherst, Mass., June 15, 1860. The family was
originally from England, as the name indicates. John W.
Smith, great-grandfather of our subject, was one of the
first settlers of Westerly, R.I., and was a man of note
in his day. He had a
factory in Westerly, and was the inventor of a shearing
cloth. At his death he
left a good property. His son, also
named John W., resided in Westerly, and was a dyer by
trade. He, like his father,
accumulated a good property. His death took
place in Amherst about 1886,
at the advanced age
of eighty-three years. He married
Augusta M. Rathbone, of Hartland, Conn.; and they were
the parents of eight children, seven sons and one
daughter, including triplets, two of the sons and a
daughter being born at one birth. One of these
three, a son, died in childhood. The other two are now
living, one being Augusta, wife of Avery R. Cushman, of
North Amherst, and the other, Frank, being a wholesale
meat dealer in Providence, R.I. Mrs.
Augusta M. Smith, the mother, died in North
Amherst when eighty-four years old.
George W. Smith, father of the
subject of this sketch, was born in Enfield, Mass.,
about the year 1828, and learned the trade of mechanic,
which he has followed most of his active life. He now
lives retired on a small farm at North Amherst. He
stands high in the community, and is a Master Mason. He
married Cynthia Collis, who was born in 1830 in
Brimfield, Mass. She was the daughter of Jonathan
Collis, of Herkimer, N.Y., who died at Brimfield at the
age of seventy-six. His wife, mother of
Mrs. George W. Smith, was Phoebe Parker, a native of
Warren, Mass. She died in Brimfield
when seventy-two years old. Of the children of Mr. and
Mrs. George W. Smith one son and one daughter died in
childhood.
George H. W. Smith was the youngest
child of his parents.
He was educated in
the common and high schools of his native town, and
began business for himself at the age of twenty
years. He came to Ware,
October 1, 1889, after being for some time engaged in
the jewelry business in Providence, R.I. His experience
as a jeweler has covered some twelve or fifteen years in
all. He keeps a
select stock, embracing the latest novelties in both
departments of his business, and is well known as a
skilled workman and a thoroughly reliable merchant. Mr. Smith was
married September 23, 1889, to Jessie V. Blanchard, of
Providence, R.I. Mrs. Smith's
parents are the Rev. Albert D. and Mary D. Blanchard,
now residents in Salida, Col. They are the
owners of a fine ranch in Missouri Park, and Mrs.
Smith's father is a Baptist minister.
Mr.
Smith is independent
in politics, but usually votes with the
Republican party. He has hitherto escaped the
responsibilities of public office, and prefers to devote
his attention to the management of his growing
business. He and his
wife are among the most respected residents of
Ware.
HENRY M.
SMITH, a carpenter and builder, now practically
retired from active
participation in business, was
born in the town of Whately, Franklin County, July
14, 1831,
son of Henry and Almira (Holmes) Smith. Henry Smith,
also a native of Whately, born in 1800, one of the seven
children of Rufus and Anna (Munson) Smith, was a
successful farmer in Whately.
In 1820 he was married to Almira Holmes, a native
of Williamsburg; and the union was blessed by the advent
of five sons and one daughter, all of whom grew to
maturity and married. Besides the
subject of this sketch the only survivor is L. J. Smith,
of Saratoga, N.Y. The mother died
in 1841, when forty-three years old. The father was
again married, but had no children by his second union,
and died in 1846. He was a
man of great personal merit, was highly respected for
his integrity, and was a consistent member of the
Universalist church.
Henry M. Smith left home at the age
of sixteen years, and came to Northampton, where he
learned his trade of H. I. Clapp.
He worked for Mr. Clapp and others until 1861.
Afterward he was employed by the government, boring and
straightening guns in the Springfield Armory one year,
and for two years in Norwich, Conn. In 1865 he became a
partner in the firm of Currier Brothers & Smith, who
for seven years carried on a large business in
contracting and building. The firm was then changed to
Smith & Stevens, under which name it carried on
business for six years, when Mr. Smith became the sole
proprietor. He subsequently formed with Mr. Livermore a
copartner ship that lasted nine years, during which the
firm became the leading contractors and builders in this
section of Hampshire County. Many of the finest
residences and business blocks of the city were built by
them. The Northampton Savings Bank building is their
work, and so are the two dormitories, the observatory,
the scientific building, and the art gallery of Smith
College. In 1890 Mr. Livermore sold out his share of the
business, and one year later Mr. Smith disposed of the
whole to Avon C. Matthews.
On Christmas Day in the year 1854 Mr.
Smith was united in marriage with Miss Edna Hill,
a native of Fair Haven, Conn., born in 1833. She was an
infant when her father, Joseph Hill, a sea captain, died
of consumption, at the early age of thirty-five years.
Six years later Mrs. Hill, whose maiden name was Emily
Thompson, passed away, also the prey of that fatal
disease. Mrs. Smith, the only child of their union, has
not inherited the malady, as her fresh and youthful
countenance amply testifies. Carrie E., the only child
born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, married George Buffington,
of Springfield, a postal clerk in the railway mail
service between Springfield and Newport; and they have
one child, Lucy, now thirteen years old. Mr. Smith's
house at 20 Monroe Street, which he built a quarter of a
century since, is a very comfortable and attractive
residence. In social circles, as in business life, he is
held in high esteem. He is a loyal member of the
Republican party, and he belongs to the Legion of
Honor.
HENRY N. SMITH, a successful
agriculturalist of South Hadley, was born in that town,
September 7, 1826 son of Nelson and Rebecca (Smith)
Smith. Mr. Smith's
grandparents were Josiah and Phebe (Nash) Smith, the
former of whom was born in Hampshire County, December 6,
1761. He moved to Vermont,
where he followed agriculture for a time, but eventually
returned to Massachusetts, and died in South Hadley at
the age of eighty-four. His wife, who was born in
Granby, Mass., January 14, 1769, died in
1846.
Nelson Smith, Mr. Smith's father,
was born in Brookfield, Vt., May 18, 1801. He came to
South Hadley when a young man, and successfully engaged
in agriculture until his death, which occurred in 1879.
His wife became the mother of five children, as follows:
Harriet L., who died in infancy; Henry N., the subject
of this sketch; William, who resides with his children
in South Hadley; Jennie, who married J. E. Kellogg, and
is now deceased; and Clara L., who married for her first
husband Samuel Judd, and for her second J. E. Kellogg,
and is now a widow residing in Holyoke. The mother died
in 1882.
Henry N. Smith was educated in the
schools of South Hadley and was reared to farm
life. He resided with his
parents until after his marriage, when he purchased his
present farm, which consists of about fifty acres of
well located land, twenty of which are under
cultivation. He has improved his property as rapidly as
circumstances would permit, and now possesses a valuable
farm, which he conducts with good results. He was
formerly a Whig in politics, but has supported the
Republican party since its formation.
On April 8, 1856,
Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Mary D. Cook, who
was born in Hadley, February 12, 1829, daughter of
Winthrop and Sophia (Smith) Cook. Mrs.
Smith's parents are now dead. Mr. and Mrs.
Smith have two children, namely: Mary, who
married John Barstow, and resides in Hadley; and Arthur
N., who married Clara E. Montague, and resides in
Holyoke. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of
the Congregational church.
MARSHALL C. SMITH, a prosperous and
progressive farmer of Chesterfield, was born in Chester,
Hampden County, Mass., December 25, 1855, son of Amok C.
and Sarah L. (Beldin) Smith, both of Chester. His father
was born November 23, 1812, his mother November 24,
1819. In early life Amok Smith was a painter, and also
was engaged in manufacturing paint. Later he took up
farming as his occupation, making his home in Chester
till 1880, when he came to his son's farm, where he
lived till the time of his death, June 18, 1891. His
wife now lives with her son, the subject of this sketch.
They were the parents of seven children, namely: Henry
H., a Congregational minister, who married Mary Summers,
and lives in Knightville, Mass.; Ellen W., wife of
Robert A. Billings, of Providence; Fitch G., who died
March 8, 1847; Addie D., born April 4, 1849, who died
March 15, 1861, Mary E., wife of Ptolemy Smith, of
Worthington; Marshall C; Jennie, born February 21, 1861,
wife of A. E. Freeman, of South Worthington
village.
Marshall C. Smith received a good
common-school education, attending school in Hampshire
and Hampden Counties. He worked
with his father till 1879, when he took possession of
the farm that he now owns, which originally
consisted of one hundred and
eighty-five acres, but has been enlarged by subsequent
purchase till it now comprises three
hundred acres. He has made many
improvements on his place, and raises bountiful crops of
corn, potatoes, and hay, besides large quantities of
fruit, a patent evaporator for preparing the latter
commodity for market being prominent among his
agricultural machines and appliances.
On December 25, 1875, Mr.
Smith was united in marriage with Lizzie E.,
daughter of Samuel and Mary Beldin, who was born , July
19, 1853, in Chester, Mrs. Lizzie
E. Smith died about a
year after marriage; and on September 29, 1886, Mr.
Smith took to his home a second wife, Gertrude J.
Knight, a daughter of O. E.
and Anna M. (Smith) Knight,
who was born in Norwich, Mass., May 23, 1868. Her
parents are both living, her father being the present
Postmaster in Norwich. Two children have their home with
Mr. and Mrs. Smith, namely: Charles Pomeroy, who came to
them when six years of age; and his sister, Hattie A.
Pomeroy.
Mr. Smith is a
stanch Republican. His wife is a member of the
Congregational church at Huntington. They have a very
pleasant home, the house, which is a hundred years old,
being built with spacious rooms in the generous and
substantial fashion of last century.
NEWTON SMITH, an extensive dairy
farmer and a lifelong resident of South Hadley Falls,
was born where he now resides, December 2, 1837, son of
Philip and Sarah (Smith) Smith. Mr.
Smith's father was born in South Hadley Falls,
and followed agriculture as an occupation all of his
life. In early manhood he settled upon the farm which is
now owned and .occupied by his son, and resided there
until his death, which occurred in 1868, at the age of
seventy-two years. He was a successful farmer and a
highly respected citizen. His wife, who was a native of
Leverett, Mass., became the mother of three children, as
follows Sarah, who died in 1866; Newton, the subject of
this sketch; and Philip Henderson, who married Frances
J. Butterfield, and resided with Mr. Smith. Philip
Henderson Smith was formerly an architect, and resided
in the vicinity of Boston.
Newton Smith was educated in the
schools of South Hadley Falls. At an early age he
commenced to assist his father upon the farm, and
rapidly attained proficiency in all branches of
agriculture. At the age of twenty-six he was placed in
charge of the farm, and has since managed it with
success. He has made numerous
improvements, adding materially to the value of the
property, which consists of one hundred and fifty-five
acres, one hundred and fifteen acres being under perfect
cultivation. He conducts one of the largest dairies in
Hampshire County, keeps a herd of one hundred and twenty
cattle, and eleven horses. He is the owner of three
large milk routes - two in Holyoke and one in South
Hadley Falls - which are the source of considerable
profit.
Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics, and
has served three years as a Selectman. He is a member of
the Congregational church.
OREN B. SMITH, a retired
manufacturer and an influential citizen of Northampton,
was born in Kirby, Vt., December 6, 1827, son of Thomas
B. and Jane (Barron) Smith, the former of whom was born
in Sturbridge, Mass., in 1792.
His grandfather, who followed
the calling of a farmer, removed from
Sturbridge into the State of Vermont, where he settled
on a tract of forest land. He
died in middle life, leaving eight sons and two daughters. John
Smith, the youngest son, became a Methodist preacher,
and for some years was stationed at Lowell, Mass.
Frank Smith was at one time a government
surveyor
in
Illinois. Subsequently he and another brother
located in the State of Texas.
Phillip Smith followed the trade of a
cloth-dresser in Burke, Vt., where his life was
spent.
He celebrated his golden wedding in 1883, and,
although then eighty-one years old, was strong and
active both in mind and body. He
died when about eighty-seven years of age.
Thomas B. Smith, who chose
the calling of a farmer, became quite prosperous in
time.
His wife, Jane Barron Smith before marriage, to
whom he was married in Vermont, was born in Gilson,
N.H., in 1787. They
had eight children, three sons and five daughters. All
lived to maturity, married, and reared
families; but Oren B. Smith and a sister, Florilla,
the widow of Lewis McCrillis, residing at Brimfield,
Mass., are the only survivors now.
Leander served in the Civil War, enlisting
from Palmer, Mass., and was no doubt killed in the
service, as nothing has since been heard of him. The
father died in Thorndike village, in the town of Palmer,
in 1866; and the mother died in 1869, eighty-two years
of age.
Their remains rest in the Palmer Four
Corners burying ground.
Oren B. Smith began to work
for a living when but a boy of eight years. His
first employment was in the cotton-mill at Holden,
Mass., where his childish labor was valued at
twenty-five cents per day. He
gradually made his way upward step by step, until
finally he became General Manager of the Boston Duck
Company, in which position he continued for twenty
years.
He is now a stockholder in the Chicopee
Manufacturing Company, the West Ware Paper Company, and
the United Electric Light Company of Springfield, Mass.
Mr. Smith
came from Palmer to Northampton in 1890, where he
purchased the Wood property, together with three and
one-half acres of land, a portion of which was a
swamp.
Upon this, after filling it in and grading it, he
erected seven houses, which today are a valuable piece
of property.
After selling the frontage on Elm Street at a
considerable profit, he still has a valuable estate
left.
Mr. Smith has been thrice
married. His first wife was Miss Roxana Moody, of
Palmer, Mass., to whom he was married October 3,
1848.
She was a daughter of Joseph Moody
(deceased),
and she died October 15, 1857, leaving two
children: Clara E., the wife of Frank A. Packard, of
Indian Orchard, Mass., who has two daughters; and Charles N. Smith, a builder and
contractor residing in Savannah, N.Y., who has three
sons and three daughters.
Mr.
Smith's second union was with Miss Elmina A.
James, of Palmer, Mass., who died April 3, 1868, at
forty years of age. She bore him two
sons: Frank O. Smith, a purchasing agent at Battle
Creek, Mich., who is married and has a son and daughter,
Clarence and Genevieve; and George N. Smith, a
book-keeper for the Valley Falls Paper Company of Holyoke,
Mass.,
also married and father of one son, Claud H. Smith.
Mr. Smith's third
wife was Miss Hattie Buckland before marriage, of
Chicopee, Mass., a daughter of Ashbel Buckland
(deceased). She
died at Northampton, May 4, 1894, fifty-eight years
of
age.
A
son and daughter survive her: Oren Barron Smith,
Jr., a student in the Institute of Technology of the
class of 1897; and Gertrude L. Smith, a young lady
residing at home with her father. At the
time of her mother's death she was an
art
student in Smith College, and she is also a
musician. It is a remarkable coincidence that Mr.
Smith's three wives should each have lived ten years
after marriage and that each left two children. Mr. Smith is a
Republican in politics, and, though not a man who
aspires to office, was, nevertheless, chosen as a member
of the legislature in 1884, and for three years has
served most acceptably as Selectman. He
resides at 15 Massasoit Street.
DEACON SAMUEL SMITH, a well-to-do
farmer of South Amherst, was born in Middlefield, Mass.,
August 5, 1826, son of Samuel and Lucy (Metcalf) Smith.
Mr. Smith's ancestors emigrated from England in 1634;
and in the year 1700 some of them settled in East
Haddam, Conn., where their descendants still reside.
Mr. Smith's grandfather,
who served in the Revolutionary War, became one of the
early settlers of Middlefield, Mass. He was a hard
working and successful man, and died there, over eighty
years old. He raised a family of six children, of whom
Samuel Smith, Sr., Mr. Smith's father, was
the youngest.
Samuel Smith, Sr., was born in
Middlefield in 1797. He was reared to agricultural
occupations, and succeeded to the ownership of his
father's farm. He always resided in Middlefield, and was
a prosperous farmer. In politics he was originally a
Whig, but was later identified with the Free Soil and
antislavery parties. He was a member of the Baptist
church. Samuel Smith, Sr., died in Middle-field, aged
eighty years. His wife, Lucy Metcalf, who was born in
Middlefield in 1800, became the mother of nine children,
all of whom lived to maturity; and six are now living.
They were: Joseph, Ann, and Edward, who are now dead;
Lucy, Sarah, Samuel, John, Azariah, and Judson. The
mother died at the age of fifty-nine.
Samuel Smith, Jr., commenced his
education in the schools of Middlefield, and completed
his studies with a year's course at the Williston
Academy. At the age of twenty-two he settled upon a farm
in Middlefield, consisting of one hundred and eighty
acres, which he purchased entirely on credit. By
diligently applying himself to the task he not only
cleared it from debt in fifteen years, but also had some
capital to spare. In 1867 he moved to South Amherst, and
bought the farm of sixty acres where he now resides. He
conducts general farming, in which he has been
successful; and, although he is nearly seventy years of
age, he is still actively attending to his farm duties.
He has well earned the prosperity he now enjoys.
Politically, he is independent, but his sympathies are
with the Prohibition movement.
In 1851 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to
Mary Bliss. She was born in West Springfield, Mass.,
January 17, 1827, daughter of Hosea and Mary (Bagg)
Bliss. Hosea Bliss was born in West Springfield,
December 28, 1800, and married for his first wife Mary
Bagg, who was born in West Springfield, April 14, 1802.
She was the mother of four children, as follows: Huldah
C. and Helen M., who are now dead; Malah E., wife of
Noah Dickinson; and Mary M., Mr. Smith's wife. Hosea Bliss died
July 23, 1869. He attended the Congregational church.
Mr. Smith's first wife
died June 3, 1860. He wedded for his second wife Martha
Stone, who died in February, 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Smith
had three sons, namely: Hosea B., who resides in North
Amherst; Percy L., a resident of the State of Wyoming;
and Earnest B., who resides at home. Mr. and Mrs. Smith
were members of the Baptist church, of which he has been
a Deacon for over twenty years.
WILLIAM A.
SMITH was born February 24, 1823,
in the town of
Granby, where he holds an honored position among the men
of the place. As a worthy
representative of the citizen-soldier element of
Hampshire County, he is deserving of special mention in
this biographical volume. His
parents, Medad and Pamela
(Dickinson) Smith, were born and bred in Granby, and,
with the exception of six years spent at Chicopee Falls,
were residents of the place until their death. The father, a
farmer by occupation, after his return from Chicopee
bought the farm now owned and occupied by his son. Here both he and
his wife spent their last days, her death occurring
April 4, 1842, and his April 20,
1858. They had a
family of nine children, namely: Edmund, Abigail,
Irene, Edmund (second),
Harriet, and Emma, deceased; and Lucas, William, and
Elizabeth living.
Mr. Smith, the subject of this
sketch, obtained a substantial common-school education
in the district and high schools of his native town. On
attaining his majority he left home, and for two years
worked by the month for neighboring farmers. Having saved
some money, he subsequently
purchased the old home, where,
with the exception of the time : he spent in the army,
he has since lived. At the time he bought it
the farm contained but thirty acres; but as the years
rolled on he added more land, so that now his property
contains one hundred and forty acres, being at the same
time in a good state of cultivation.
On August 25,
1862, Mr. Smith enlisted in the service of his
country. He was
mustered in as Third Sergeant
of Company H, Fifty-second
Massachusetts Volunteer
Infantry, under Captain Perkins, the regiment being
commanded by Colonel Greenleaf. In December, 1862, he,
with his comrades, left New York, going to Ship Island,
where they joined the division commanded by General N.
P. Banks. Proceeding to
the mouth of the Mississippi, they landed at New
Orleans, going thence to Baton Rouge, where they
remained some time. His company was then stationed at
Plaquemine for five weeks, whence they marched to Port
Hudson, where a slight skirmish ensued. A detachment was
then ordered to St. Gabriel, and, after a stay of eight
days, to Donaldsonville; thence they went to Brashear
City, where they embarked on a steamer going up Grand
Lake. Their next destination was Opelousas, and then
Barrett's Landing, where they narrowly escaped capture
by the rebels. Returning to Brashear City, they found
themselves pursued by the enemy, but reached the place
in safety by means of night marches. The regiment
afterward went back to Baton Rouge, and then to Port
Hudson, where the enemy surrendered. Although the term
of enlistment expired on July 9, 1863, the men remained
on duty until July 23, when the company embarked, and
sailed up the river to Cairo, ILL., where they boarded
the cars for Greenfield, Mass. There, on
August 14, 1863, Mr. Smith received his honorable
discharge, and at once returned to his
family.
On November
24, 1859, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Caroline Miller,
a native of Ludlow, Hampden County, and daughter of
Zebina and Polly Miller. She had four children, namely:
Hattie; May; Edwin, who died at the age of ten years;
and Carrie. She died July 23, 1886. A Republican in
politics, Mr. Smith is a stanch advocate of the
principles of that party. He has been Selectman of the
town for several years, and has also filled the office
of Assessor. He is a member of the Charles C. Smith
Post, No. 83, of South Hadley Falls, which he has served as
Junior Vice-Commander, Senior Vice-Commander, and also
as Chaplain. Religiously, he is a valued member of the
Congregational church, in which he has acted for a score
of years as Deacon.
WILLIAM E. SMITH, a
prominent contractor and builder of Amherst and chairman
of the Board of Selectmen, was born in
New
Salem, Mass.. April 17, 1836,
son of Nathan and Lydia (Merriman) Smith.
Mr.
Smith's ancestors figured prominently in early
Colonial history. His grandfather, Bradley Smith, was
born in the vicinity of Boston, and was a blacksmith by
trade.
He became an early settler in New Salem, where he
owned a farm, and followed agriculture in connection
with his trade until his
death, which
occurred when he was
ninety-one years old. He raised
a family of
five sons and three
daughters.
Nathan Smith, Mr. Smith's father, was born in New
Salem, where he was a prosperous farmer for many years.
He moved to the town of Gill, where he resided for a
number of years, and died in Clinton, Mass., aged
eighty-four. Nathan Smith during his earlier years was a
Democrat in politics. His wife, Lydia Merriman before
marriage,
who was born in Northfield, June 10, 1809, became
the mother of three children, as follows: William E.,
the subject of this sketch; Maria R., wife of Frank E.
Field, of Clinton; and Nathan W., a resident of Miller's
Falls, Mass. The mother, who still survives, resides in
Clinton.
Mr. Smith's parents became members of the
Universalist church.
William E. Smith passed his
boyhood in Gill and Bernardston, and was educated at the
Goodell Academy. He
taught school for a time, and then went to Greenfield,
where he learned the trade of a carpenter. After
working as a journeyman for some time, he became a
master builder, taking contracts and erecting many
buildings in different sections of the Connecticut
valley.
In 1862 he located in Amherst, where he has since
conducted a large and successful business. Mr. Smith
is independent in politics. He
is at the present time chairman of the Board of
Selectmen, in which capacity he is serving his second
term, is chairman of the Board of Health, and has been
Assessor for the past five years.
On November 13, 1861, Mr.
Smith was united in marriage to his first wife, whose
maiden name was Sarah E. Hyde, and by this union he has
three daughters, namely: Minnie H. and Alice M., who are
married; and Elizabeth S. Mr. Smith's first wife died in
1878. On
January 29, 1895, he wedded for his second wife Mrs.
Ellen M. Howes, formerly Miss Draper, widow of Charles
O. Howes, late of Amherst. Mr. Smith has reached his
present position of prosperity by close application to
every detail of his business. His quiet, unassuming, yet
straightforward, manner has won the confidence of all
who know him; and he is looked upon by his
fellow-townsmen with the highest respect and esteem. Mr.
and Mrs. Smith attend the Congregational
church.
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