Trails-to-the-Past-Massachusetts-Hampshire-County-Biographies-pg32

 

Trails to the Past 

Hampshire County, Massachusetts Biographies

The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County

Boston Biographical Review Publishing Co. 1896

J. ARTHUR WAINWRIGHT

WALKER BROTHERS  

OLIVER WALKER

CHARLES F A  WALSH M.D.

ARTHUR J. N. WARD

WILBUR H. H. WARD

ALONZO C. WARNER

CHARLES L WARNER

EGBERT S. WARNER

HENRY W. WARNER  

 
 

 

J. ARTHUR WAINWRIGHT, a rising young lawyer of Northampton and a member of the law firm of Hill & Wainwright, is a New Yorker by birth, having been born in Fairport, Monroe County, N.Y., December 17, 1859, where his father, William C.  Scott, was engaged  in farming. His mother was before marriage Miss Mary Ann Woodin, and he was the youngest of the seven children born of her union.    She died in middle life, leaving her infant son when but a week old.    His father again married, and his second wife had one child.    He was about forty years of age when he died, leaving his family in humble circumstances.  His paternal grandfather, John Scott, of Monroe County, was well known in that section through his profession of civil engineer. He did a large amount of surveying in that vicinity, and was often called upon to settle disputed boundaries.    His vocation seems to have been conducive to longevity, for he lived to  be  an octogenarian.    Mr. Wainwright's maternal grandfather,   Henry Woodin, spent his early life in  Orleans, N.Y., whence he afterward   removed   to   Birmingham, Mich. Here  he  engaged  in   agricultural pursuits, which had been his occupation in New York.  He served as a soldier in the War of 1812; and his father, Amos Woodin, served for six months in  the   Revolutionary   War, during which brief time he was promoted from the ranks to the office of sergeant. 

At his mother's death J. Arthur Wainwright was adopted by a maternal aunt, Louisa Wainwright, the widow of Horatio Wainwright, who reared him from his mother's death. She is still living in Easthampton. He attended school in Orleans, N. Y., until he was twelve years of age.    On April 1, 1872 the following year, he came with his adopted mother and sister to Easthampton.    He then entered Williston Seminary, from which hegraduated in 1875.    In the fall of that year he entered   Amherst   College,   completing his course with honors in the class of 1879, being in the first third of the class.    While in college he became a member of the  Phi Beta Kappa Society.     He  next  read law under Judge Bassett.    In  1882 he graduated from the Boston  University,  and in June of that year he was admitted to the bar in Northampton.     The succeeding year he spent in the West on the Pacific Coast and in the vicinity of Puget Sound.    Returning to Northampton he engaged in the practice of his profession with David Hill, forming the present firm of Hill & Wainwright.    They do a large fire insurance business,  representing  a half-dozen companies at their Northampton office. Some time ago they had an agency at Easthampton, which they subsequently disposed of.  Mr. Wainwright is a Democrat in his politics. He is a member of the Nonotuck Lodge, No. 61, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed the chairs; of the Mary Lyon Lodge, No. 62, Daughters of Rebecca; of Mount Holyoke Encampment, No. 16; of Canton Meadow City, No. 29; of Knights of Honor, Norwood Lodge, No. 3343, in which he holds the official position of D. D. G. D.  He was Major on the staff of George F. Amidon of the Brigade of the East, and is now serving as Aide-de-camp on the staff of Frank M. Merrill. Department Commander of Massachusetts. Mr. Wainwright is a communicant of Edwards Congregational Church, in which he is one of the committee on notices.


WALKER BROTHERS  This is the leading mercantile firm of Greenwich, and the name is also prominent in the farming and lumbering interests of Hampshire County and vicinity. William H.  and George B. Walker are both natives of Hardwick, Worcester County, Mass., the former having been born November 30, 1857, the latter September 9, 1862. They are the sons of James A. and Sarah (McClintock) Walker.

Their great-grandfather, Abel Walker, removed from Rehoboth to Hard wick in 1779, and was one of the first settlers in the town.  Three generations succeeding him were born on the farm which he cleared. Not with standing the severity of his toil in felling the forests and breaking up new land, and the hardships and discomforts of country life in New England one hundred years ago, he lived to an advanced age.

William Walker, son of Abel, was born in Rehoboth, and came with his father to Hardwick when a lad. He, too, reared his family and died. His son James, the father of the Walker brothers, succeeded him, and in time became one of Hardwick's most prominent men.    A good practical farmer, he was very successful in business matters; and in public affairs also he took a leading part. He was elected Representative to the State legislature on the Republican ticket, and in his native town served as Selectman and in a number of minor offices, his good judgment and executive ability being universally recognized. In religious views he was liberal. James A.  Walker died at the age of seventy. His wife, Mrs. Sarah M. Walker, who is a native of Ware, Mass., is still living, making her home with her son George B., in Greenwichville.  Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs.  James Walker; namely, Susan, Fanny P., William H., George B., and Mary - the latter being the wife of Dr. Davis, of Hardwick.  William H. and George B. Walker grew to manhood on the farm in Hardwick, in their early years attending the district school in that town, and later finishing their studies in Brimfield. Both brothers have been for years engaged in farming and lumbering. They carry on general farming on an extensive scale, owning twelve hundred acres of land in Greenwich, Hardwick, and other towns in the vicinity. The estate on which Abel Walker settled in 1779 is kept in fine condition, its general appearance betokening good management and thrift. It is a beautiful homestead, the fine old hard maples which have lived through the storms of many years still guarding in stately rows the approach to the old residence. The lumbering business of the Walker Brothers is also quite extensive. They own and operate a large sawmill in Greenwich, which they purchased in 1883, and with the latest improved machinery are prepared to turn out all kinds of lumber for building purposes, also manufacturing a large amount of box lumber, their yearly output in all amounting to over half a million feet. In 1890 they established a general store in Greenwich.    This enterprise is under the especial charge of the younger brother, George B. Walker.

William H. Walker was married November 28, 1883, to Ella M. Hillman, a native of Hardwick, born in 1858. Four children have blessed their union: James H., Stephen H., Charles D. and Laura E. Mr. Walker is a Republican in politics, and his only social affiliation is with the Masonic fraternity. On the subject of religion both brothers hold liberal views.

George B. Walker was married June 22, 1892, to Hattie, daughter of Alden and Sophia Snow, of Galeville, N. Y. They have a family of two children, Raymond and Sophia.  George Walker also is a Republican. He served as Selectman during 1892-93, and is now on the board; and he also holds the office of Overseer of the Poor, and has filled minor offices. He is a member of the Masonic Order, belonging to Bethel Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Greenfield. His wife is a member of the Congregational church at Greenwich.


OLIVER WALKER, general insurance agent at Northampton, a man of marked financial ability is a native of Hampshire County. He was born September 13, 1841, in Belchertown, where his father, Horace Walker, was a lifelong resident. The emigrant ancestor of his family is said to have been John Walker, who came from England at an early date, and settled in Eastern Massachusetts.

Mr. Walker's paternal grandfather, Silas Walker, one of the large landholders of Belchertown, born there in 1764, is mentioned in the History of the Connecticut Valley as a son of   Captain James Walker,  who settled in Belchertown in 1755, and grandson of Nathaniel Walker, of Weston, Mass.   Silas Walker was a man of great strength and endurance, and attained a vigorous old age, retaining his faculties in a remarkable manner, being able in his last years to read the Bible through without the aid of glasses.   He spent his life in Belchertown, dying in 1857, in his ninety-fourth year.   His wife, whose maiden name was Demmis Sexton, bore him twelve children, all of whom became useful members of society, the sons being mostly engaged in farming.

Horace Walker was born in 1793, and died in 1870. He owned a farm adjoining the parental homestead, was a prosperous farmer and a respected citizen of his town. He en-listed as a soldier in the War of 1812, and was sent to Boston to aid in the defense of that city. While encamped there, he used to catch flounders in the harbor as food for his mess. Like his parents, Horace Walker was an Orthodox Congregationalist in religion and a consistent Christian. He married Abigail Filer, whose father owned a farm near by, and of their five children the following four grew to adult life: Henry J., born in 1821, is a well known druggist of Northampton; Sarah W., born in 1828, is the widow of Samuel D. Cowles, of Amherst; Emery P., born in 1832, is a commercial traveler, residing at Hartford, Conn.; and Oliver. The mother was much respected for her many virtues. She lived to the age of seventy-eight years.

Oliver Walker remained on the farm, assisting his father in its manual labor until eighteen years old, meanwhile acquiring a good practical education in the district school and at the Monson Academy, where he spent one winter.   In  1861, shortly after the fall of Fort Sumter he was one of the brave boys in blue who responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a private in Company H, Forty-sixth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.  Returning home after the expiration of his term of service, Mr. Walker re-enlisted August 23,  1862, as a nine months' man, and served until July 29, 1863, when he was honorably discharged.    Mr.  Walker then spent three years in the stove, tin, and plumbing business, and in 1866, having studied book keeping one term at Eastman's Business College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., became a partner with Eames & Sprague of this city in the same business, three years later selling his interest to his partners.    At this time Mr.  Walker had a serious illness, which for a while incapacitated him from active labor.  Since 1870 he has conducted a fire and accident insurance agency. He is also an extensive dealer in real estate and an authorized agent for the sale of tickets to foreign points.

On February 20, 1868, Mr. Walker married Fanny J. Griswold, of Springfield, a daughter of Joseph and Electa (Warner) Griswold. Their pleasant home has been brightened by the birth of two children, a daughter and a son: Carrie L. is a brilliant student in the musical department of Smith College, which she entered after being graduated from the Northampton High School; Charles W. was graduated from Williston Seminary in the summer of the present year, 1895, and is now pursuing his college course at Amherst.

In politics Mr. Walker is a stanch member of the Republican party; and he is connected socially, financially, and religiously with the best interests of the city, where he has acceptably filled many places of trust and responsibility.   In 1878 he was elected Secretary and Treasurer of the Hampshire County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, in place of Harvey Kirkland, resigned, and ten years later was elected Trustee of the Northampton Institution for Savings, in place of George W.  Hubbard, deceased.   He has also been chairman of the Civil Service Commission. Mr.  Walker served as Deacon of the First Congregational Church one year, has been one of the assessors of that parish for ten years, one of the Directors of the Young Men's Christian Association for several years,   and  in every position has performed his duties with great fidelity.   He is a  Master  Mason, having joined the Jerusalem  Lodge in 1866. Mr.  Walker has a pleasant home at 29 Pleasant Street, the commodious house in which he lives, and which was formerly owned by Harvey Kirkland, having been built a century ago, as shown by the date on the foundation stone.


CHARLES F. A. WALSH, M.D., a practicing physician of Hadley, was born in Boston, January 5, 1863, son of Richard W. and Helen Walsh. Richard W. Walsh, who is a native of Ireland, has always followed literature and journalism as a profession, and is at the present time connected with the New York  Recorder. His wife, who died when Dr. Walsh was very young, was the mother of six children, of whom John W. and the subject of this sketch are the only survivors.

Charles F. A. Walsh accompanied his parents to New York at the age of nine years, and received his education in the schools of that city and Brooklyn, and at Manhattan College.  He began life by entering the newspaper business, later engaging in mercantile pursuits, in which he continued for some time, and then commenced the study of medicine. After graduating from the Long Island Medical College he located in Brooklyn, where he had a good practice until March, 1895, at which time he removed to Hadley. He has since established himself among the physicians of the town, and has succeeded in securing a large and lucrative practice.

In 1894 Dr. Walsh was united in marriage to Louisa Case, of New York City, and has one son, named Harold Towsley.    Dr. and Mrs. Walsh are members of the Congregational church.


ARTHUR J. N. WARD, an enterprising lumberman and manufacturer of Enfield, Mass., was born in this town, June 11, 1849, son of Benjamin andElizabeth W. (Hanks) Ward. The Ward family has been a prominent one in England for several centuries. Some of its early progenitors accompanied William the Conqueror from Normandy, and William de la Ward resided in Chester in 1175. The original ancestor in America was William Ward, who emigrated from Derbyshire in 1639, and from whom Arthur J. N. Ward is directly descended.  Ebenezer Ward, Mr. Ward's grandfather, was born July 19, 1773; and he became an early settler in Belchertown, Mass. He followed agricultural pursuits with prosperous results during the active period of his life, and died in Belchertown at an advanced age. He and his wife, Rebecca Randall Ward, raised a family of eleven children, of whom Benjamin, Mr.  Ward's father, was the eighth. All have now passed away.

Benjamin Ward was born in Belchertown in 1809. He learned the trade of a millwright, and in 1830 settled in Enfield, where he followed that occupation for some years. He later built a sawmill, which he operated successfully for many years, becoming well and favorably known throughout this region. He was a sturdy, industrious citizen and an able business man, liberal in his religious views; and, like the majority of the old Whig element, he joined the Republican party at its formation. He died in Enfield, July 14, 1888. His wife, Elizabeth W. Hanks, who was born in Enfield in 1812, became the mother of two children, namely: Benjamin H., who was born July 25, 1844, and was accidentally killed in the sawmill, May 10, 1861 ; and Arthur J. N., the subject of this sketch.   The mother died October 8, 1884.

Arthur J. N. Ward was educated in the schools of his native town, and from an early age he has been engaged in the manufacturing of lumber.    He entered into partnership with Cyrus F. Woods, and this firm has since been identified with the lumbering interests of Enfield.    They cut, haul, and manufacture all kinds of native lumber, and operate two mills, which are equipped with improved machinery.  They have handled as high as two million feet per annum, and they own about four hundred and eighty-four acres of timber land, from which they obtain their logs.    Mr. Ward owns the old homestead of sixty-seven acres, where he resides; and this he conducts with good results.    In politics he is a Republican, and is quite prominent in local public affairs. He has been a member of the Board of Selectmen for several years past, is also an Assessor, and is at the present time chairman of the Republican Town Committee.

Mr. Ward has been twice married. His first wife, Emma L. Witherell, whom he wedded September 20,  1871, died January 6, 1894, leaving no children.    On January 16, 1895, he married for his second wife Lucy E.  Fairbanks, a native of Ware, Mass.  Mr.  Ward is an enterprising and progressive business man and a highly esteemed citizen, who has contributed much toward the development of the natural resources of his native town. 


WILBUR H. H. WARD, a retired business man of Amherst, was born in Southbridge, Mass., April 8, 1845, son of John B. and Louisa (Cook) Ward, and grandson of Reuben H. and Polly (Shaw) Ward.

Mr. Ward's grandparents were natives of Belchertown, where his great-grandfather, John Ward, was an early settler. He owned a good farm there, and was generally known as an industrious and honest man. Both he and his wife lived to advanced age. They had a family of four sons and two daughters.  John Ward was a member of the State militia, and was in Springfield at the time of Shays's Rebellion. Politically, he was a Democrat.  His son, Reuben H. Ward, succeeding to the ownership of the homestead, was engaged during his lifetime in agricultural pursuits. He prospered in his undertakings, and he owned land at the time of his death aggregating one hundred and twenty-five acres. Politically, he was independent. In religious matters his views were not restricted by creed, being broadly liberal. He died at the age of seventy-five. Grandmother Ward lived to be eighty-two. They had a family of seven sons and six daughters, four of whom are now living, namely: John B., the father of our subject; Warren S.,  in   Michigan; Alfred, in Gilbertville; Lutheria (Mrs. Davis), in South Orange.

John B. Ward, the father of Mr. Ward, was educated in the schools of Belchertown. As a first attempt at earning a livelihood he hired out as a farm hand at ten dollars a month, and later he worked in the woolen factories of Ware and Southbridge. After fourteen years of factory life he purchased four hundred acres of land in Pelham, and engaged in lumbering and general farming. From 1850 to 1868 he was the largest tax-payer in Pelham. He was also the most extensive farmer, and was prominent as a lumberman. In September, 1868, he purchased the handsome estate where he and his son, Wilbur, now reside, and retired from active work. Mr.  Ward's early years were devoted to hard and persevering labor, and he is now enjoying its fruits. Politically, he favors the Democratic party. In religious views, like his father, he is liberal. His wife, to whom he was united May 15, 1837, was born in Pelham, June 23, 1815, daughter of Ziba and Sally Cook. Ziba Cook was a leading man in his district, and represented Pelham in the legislature several terms. Mrs. Ward died at Amherst, March 11, 1872.

Wilbur H. H. Ward was the only child of his parents. He was quite young when they removed to Pelham, and in that town received his early education, afterward attending other schools in Hampshire County. In 1866 he engaged in the bakery business in Springfield, with W. C. Wedge as partner. One year later they removed to Holyoke, and for some nine years conducted a successful trade in that town. In 1876 Mr. Ward went to New York City, and there was engaged as a baker till 1887, when he disposed of his business, and moved to Amherst.

On February 16, 1865, Mr. Ward was married to Elizabeth A., daughter of Lemuel C.  and Lucy Wedge, born in Pelham, January 5, 1846  Mr. and Mrs. Ward have no children.  Mr. Ward votes the Democratic ticket. In religious views he is liberal, while his wife is a member of the Episcopal church. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and was one of the charter members of the Association of Knights of Pythias in Holyoke. He has been a very successful man in business; and his residence on North Prospect Street, in the beautiful college town of Amherst, is one of the handsomest homes in the vicinity.


ALONZO C. WARNER, a highly respected native born citizen of Granby, Mass., whose birth date was May 5, 1828, has been intimately associated with the agricultural interests of the town for many years, having begun when a boy to assist his father in clearing and improving the land which he now owns. He is at present, how-ever, practically retired from business. He is the descendant of a family of stability and worth, being a son of Alonzo and Anna (Cutler) Warner, the latter of whom was born in West Brookfield, Mass. Alonzo Warner, who was a tiller of the soil, was a lifelong resident of Granby and a most useful and influential member of the community, being often elected to office, and serving in various important positions. He rounded a full period of life, dying in 1884. Seven children were born into his household, as follows: Alonzo C.; Mary Ann, who lived but a brief time; Stephen M., a general merchant at Centralia, ILL.; Mary Ann, the second to bear that name, residing in Springfield; Susan E., the wife of J. H.  Barton,  of Springfield;  Pamelia B., who passed away at the age of twenty-five years; and Elmina, who died in childhood.  The record of the life of Alonzo C. Warner begins when he was a pupil in the district school, which he left when comparatively young to assist in the farm work at home.  The property has been under his direct management for two score years, during which time he has intelligently and skillfully carried on general farming, and with exceedingly profitable results, each year adding materially to his wealth.

The union of Mr. Warner with Margaret S. Towne was solemnized December 27, 1870.  Mrs. Warner was born at Belchertown, Mass., October 7, 1840, being a daughter of Israel A and Hannah (Stacy) Towne, of that place.  Of their marriage three children have been born, namely: Arthur Towne; Walter Stephen, who died at the age of seventeen years; and Anna Cutler. Both Mr. and Mrs.  Warner are consistent members of the Congregational church.

In politics Mr. Warner is a steadfast Republican, and has served his fellow townsmen in various minor offices of the town and county. With the exception of trips through the western part of our country, Mr. Warner has spent his years in the town in which he was reared, finding no place so congenial to his tastes, although he traveled extensively through Illinois, visiting Chicago, also Toledo, Ohio, and other large Western cities. In 1895 Mr. and Mrs. Warner made their latest trip to the West, returning in the month of April. Since then Mr. Warner's health has not been good, the journey not proving as helpful as had been wished; and he has been obliged to give up all active labor.


CHARLES L WARNER, a prosperous farmer of Hatfield was born at the Warner homestead, in this town, April 11, 1837, son of James W. and Lois B. (Longley) Warner. Mr. Warner is a descendant of Andrew Warner, one of the earliest inhabitants of Cambridge, Mass., as stated in Paige's History, residing there in 1635, but selling his estate in December, 1636, and moving to Connecticut. In 1659 Andrew Warner settled in Hadley, Mass., where he died in 1684. Among his children were: Andrew, Daniel, Isaac, Jacob, Robert, John, and Mary.

Daniel Warner settled in Hatfield, where he owned the farm which is now in possession of S. F. Billings, and was here engaged in farming until his death.    He married Martha Boltwood as his second wife, it is said, and had a large family of children, among whom may here be named:   Mary, Daniel, Sarah, Andrew,   Abraham,   Anna,    Ebenezer, and Elizabeth.    Ebenezer,   son   of   Daniel and Martha B.  Warner, was born  in Hatfield, and settled upon a farm in Belchertown, Mass.  He married Ruth Ely; and his son Moses, who married Sarah Porter, was the father of Deacon Moses Warner, great-grandfather of Charles L. Warner.   Deacon Moses Warner was born in Belchertown in 1754, was there reared to farm life, and subsequently moved from   Belchertown   to   Hatfield,   where he bought the farm known as the Billings homestead.   On June 4, 1779, he married Mary King; and their children were: John, Elisha, Sarah, Mary, and Moses.

John Warner, son of Deacon Moses, was born in Hatfield. In early manhood he was engaged in teaming between Hatfield and Boston, carrying produce to market, and returning with merchandise. He later entered mercantile business, and also conducted a farm. In 1806 he married Caroline Whiton, who was born in Lee, Mass., December 6, 1786. They became the parents of seven children, as follows: Mary, John S., Jonathan D. Caroline R., Eliza, Lydia A., and James W.   John Warner died in 1823.

James W. Warner, son of John, and above named as the father of Charles L. Warner, was born in Hatfield, May 11, 1809. He settled on the homestead, and was a progressive and prosperous farmer.    He died November 20,  1891.    He was a Democrat in politics. His wife, Lois B. Longley, whom he married March 30, 1836, was born January 14, 1816, and she became the mother of eleven children, namely: Charles L.; Mary L., born November 26, 1838, now the wife of W. D. Billings, of Hatfield; Sarah A., born March 26, 1841, now wife of C. B. Bardwell; Moses E., born February 3, 1843; Egbert S., born February 5, 1845; John A., born October  10, 1846, who married Elizabeth Bacon; James D., born in 1849, who married Hannah Buck; Benjamin M., born January 14, 1853, who married Ella E.  Fitch;   George  W., born July 5, 1855, who married Lillian Fisher; Caroline L., born February 15, 1858, now the wife of Arthur G.  Holt; and Lewis W.,  who was born October 25, 1860,  and died  in 1864.  Mrs. James W. Warner died on January 10, 1890.

Charles L. Warner received his education in the schools of Hatfield, and resided with his parents until reaching the age of twenty-two years. He has since conducted farming on his own account. He is a leading tobacco grower, fifteen acres of his farm being devoted to that product, and his crop averaging one and one-half tons to the acre. He is a Republican in politics, and has served as a Selectman and an Assessor.

In 1865 Mr. Warner was united in marriage to Maria E. Fitch, of Hatfield, daughter of John T. and Julia (White) Fitch. Mrs.  Warner's great-grandparents, Ebenezer and Abigail Fitch, were early settlers in Hatfield. Ebenezer Fitch was a surveyor, also a successful agriculturist, and was a prominent man in the town. He died in 1825, aged eighty-nine years, his wife having died in 1818, aged seventy-three. Mrs. Warner's grandfather, John Fitch, was born in Hatfield, and followed general farming.   A man of energy and enterprise, he erected a new house and barn, and remodeled his other farm buildings. He also bought the old White Tavern, which he moved back from the road to use for storage purposes, and which still stands as a landmark in the town. John Fitch died at the age of sixty-one years. His wife, Rachel Applebee, died in 1833, aged forty-seven. Their son, John T. Fitch, succeeded to the ownership of his father's place, becoming a prosperous farmer, and in his later years a very successful tobacco grower. He was a Republican in politics, and became prominent in public affairs, serving as a Selectman and an Assessor; and in 1862 he represented his district in the legislature. His wife, Julia White, whom he wedded March 3, 1842, was born May 17, 1821, daughter of Nehemiah and Sarah (Cogswell) White, the former of whom was a carpenter and cabinet-maker of Williamsburg. The children of Mr. and Mrs.  John T. Fitch were: Maria E., Mrs. Warner; and Herbert, who died aged three years.  Mr. and Mrs. Warner have had three children, namely: Harry, born in 1867, who died at the age of six years; Edwin, born August 11, 1872, who married Myra Field, and has one son, named Harold; and Luda F., born January 27, 1877, who resides at home.


EGBERT S. WARNER, a prominent farmer and veterinary surgeon of Hatfield, was born at the Warner homestead, February 25, 1845, son of James W. and Louisa B. (Longley) Warner. Dr. Warner is a descendant of Andrew Warner, one of the first settlers of Hadley, Mass., who died in 1694. He was the father of Andrew, Daniel, Isaac, Jacob, Robert, and Mary.  Daniel, son of Andrew Warner, was born in Hatfield and settled upon a farm in this town, where he resided until his death. He was twice married, and had a large family of children, among them: Sarah, Abraham, Andrew, Mary, Anna, Ebenezer, and Elizabeth.  Ebenezer Warner, son of Daniel and Martha (Boltwood) Warner, married Ruth Ely, settled in Belchertown, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. His son Moses Warner, who was a lifelong resident of Belchertown, married Sarah Porter, and was the father of a second Moses Warner. The latter was born in Belchertown in 1754, but in early manhood moved to Hatfield, where he settled upon a farm located directly opposite the Billings homestead.    He died in 1828, having been a Deacon of the Congregational church for many years. He was married on June 4, 1779, to Mary King, who was born in 1757, and died in 1831. They had five children, named: John, Elisha, Sarah, Mary, and Moses.  John Warner,  Mr.   Warner's grandfather, was born in Hatfield, and commenced life as a teamster.    He drove a four-horse team between Hatfield and Boston, carrying produce to market, and returning with merchandise.  He later engaged in mercantile business in Hatfield, which he conducted in connection with  farming,  and   became   successful. He erected the substantial brick residence which is now occupied by Mr. E. S. Warner. He died at fifty-two years of age.    In 1806 he married Caroline Whiton, who was born in Lee, Mass.; and their children were: Mary, James W., John S., Jonathan, Caroline R., Eliza, and Lydia.    The mother died March 1, 1853.

James W.  Warner,  Mr.   Warner's father, was .born in  Hatfield,   May  11,   1809. He inherited   the   Warner homestead,  and conducted the farm with prosperous results. A Republican in politics and a member of the Congregational church, he was a man of excellent judgment,  was progressive in his ideas and actively interested in all matters relating to the improvement of the town.   James W. Warner died November 20, 1891.    His wife, Louisa  B.   Longley,  whom   he  married on March 30, 1836, was born January 14, 1816, daughter of Alpheus Longley, who was Postmaster of the town many years.    She became the mother of  eleven children,  as follows: Charles L., born April  11,  1837; Mary L., born November 26,   1838, now the wife of William D. Billings, of Hatfield; Sarah A., who was born March 26, 1841, and married C. B. Bardwell; Moses E., born February 3, 1843; Egbert S., the subject of this sketch; John A., who was born October 10, 1846, and married Elizabeth Bacon; James D., who was born September 24, 1849, and married Hannah Bach; Benjamin M., who was born January 14, 1853, and married Ella E. Fitch; George W., born July 5, 1855, who married Nellie M. Fisher; Caroline L., born February 15, 1858, now the wife of Arthur G. Holt; and Lewis W., who was born October 25, 1860, and died in 1864. The mother died January 10, 1890.

Egbert S. Warner commenced his education in the schools of Hatfield, and completed his studies at the Westfield Academy. At the age of nineteen he entered the store of W. D. Billings as a clerk, and after remaining there for one year he pursued a course at Burnham's Business College in Springfield, Mass. He then engaged in farming, and in 1872 purchased the G. W. Hubbard farm, which he improved by building a new barn. During his leisure time he has taken up the study of veterinary surgery, in which he has become very proficient, and has a large practice.    He conducts general farming, and, making a specialty of raising tobacco, cultivates seven acres of the weed annually, which average one ton to the acre.    He is interested in the breeding of fine horses, and owns the well-known stallion, Warner Knox, a grandson of General Knox, and is also the owner of eleven speedy trotters.  He is a Democrat in politics, and has served as a member of the Board of Selectmen, as School Committee, and as Constable, and is at the present time one of the State cattle inspectors.

On November 19, 1874, Mr. Warner was united in marriage with Julia Hunt, daughter of Charles and Cora (Strain) Hunt. Mrs.  Julia H. Warner died in 1879, leaving him two children, namely: Cora H., born June 27, 1876; and Carrie H., born March 12, 1879.


HENRY W. WARNER, Postmaster at Leeds and one of the substantial and progressive farmers of the district, born in Northampton, on the farm where he now resides, in the year 1858. The Warner's are of English extraction, the American progenitor having been William Warner, who emigrated to America in 1637, and located in the town of Ipswich, Mass., the. subject of this sketch being a descendant in the eighth generation.

Solomon Warner, grandfather of Henry W.  Warner, was a son of Mark Warner, and was born at Northampton Centre, in the part then called "Black Pole," in 1783. He was a practical agriculturist, and settled in 1811 on the farm of one hundred and fifty acres now owned by his grandson. The same year he erected the farm house, and afterward from time to time he added to his tract of land until it eventually covered four hundred acres.  His wife, whose maiden name was Allen, died in early life, leaving seven or eight children; one of whom was Moses Warner, the father of Henry W. He lived a widower for many years, and died in 1863.

Moses Warner was born in 1821 in the house now occupied by this son, and was engaged in agricultural work throughout his life. He married Susan Clark, a daughter of Sherman Clark, of Westhampton, their nuptials having been celebrated in 1841. Of their union three children have been born, as follows: Betsey A., who married Harry Leigh, of Connecticut, and died in March, 1887, aged thirty-three years, leaving two children; Henry W., the subject of this sketch; and Mary H., wife of George Blanchard, of Hartford, Conn.

Henry W. Warner was reared on the paternal homestead; and, after completing his education at the Northampton schools, he worked at civil engineering as a railway surveyor.  He followed that occupation in New England for two years, when he returned to his childhood's home, where he has since lived. He is a partner in the well known firm of Hendrick, Taylor & Warner, contractors of dams, water-works, roads, etc., who do a large business, and are at present building roads for the State of Massachusetts. He has been Postmaster of Leeds for some time, and is now serving his second term.

On April 30, 1884, Mr. Warner was united in marriage with Leila Caillat, born at Wolf Creek, Ind., November 8, 1857. The ceremony was performed in Indiana. They are the parents of two children: Burt C, a boy of ten years; and Esther, eight years old. Mr.  Warner is a man of prominence in social, political, and educational circles, and a leader in all enterprises tending to the advantage of his native city.    He is a member of the Democratic party, has served his fellow-townsmen as Councilman for two years, and has been a member of the Board of Education for three years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a Master Mason, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

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!