CHARLES HENRY BOYDEN, senior member of the firm of Boyden & Prescott, wholesale dealers of fruit and produce at Northampton, is a native of Conway, Mass., born February 10, 1852, a son of William and Maria H. (Bardwell) Boyden, the former of whom was born in the same place, on February 10, 1817, just thirty-five years before. The Boyden family have been among the well-to-do farmers of Conway for some generations.

William Boyden was reared on a farm, and succeeded to the occupation of his ancestors.  He engaged in mixed husbandry until his decease, in October, 1874. In 1848 he married Maria H. Bardwell, who was reared in Whately and Chicopee Falls; and they became the parents of four children, all of whom married and have families. They are as follows: Cyrus James, a farmer living in Conway; Charles H., the subject of this sketch; Varnum Taylor, a conductor on the electric cars in Springfield; and George William, a painter and farmer in Conway.

Charles H. Boyden received a substantial common-school education. He left school at the age of fourteen years to assist on the home farm, whereby he became familiar with farming in the course of the following five years.  From that time until attaining his majority Mr. Boyden worked by the month on a neighboring farm. He subsequently learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed three years. In 1876 he came to Northampton, securing work with the Northampton Emery Wheel Company. He was box-maker at first, afterward a workman on the wheels, and subsequently foreman of the Crystal Emery Wheel Company. This position failing health obliged him to give up after five years. Mr.  Boyden then bought the restaurant and confectionery business of A. Pitringer. He built up a very large and lucrative trade; and before selling to Daniels & Kellogg, seven years later, he required the assistance of thirteen persons. In 1893 Mr. Boyden embarked in a new branch of business, opening a store at 197 Main Street, for the wholesale and retail sale of foreign and domestic fruits and produce, occupying two floors. In connection with this he conducts an ice cream and confectionery parlor. On March 10, 1894, Mr. Boyden took in, as a partner, Alfred C. Prescott; and these gentlemen have since carried on an extensive business, their annual sales amounting to from seventy-five thousand to one hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Boyden is a member of the order of Knights Templars.

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REV. JAMES BOYLE, rector of All Saints' Catholic Church at Ware, Hampshire County, Mass., is a native of Birkenhead, England, where he was born August 15, 1845.

His father, Nicholas Boyle, was a native of Ireland. He learned the trade of a stone mason, which he followed with success throughout his life. In 1848, accompanied by his wife and three children, he came to the United States, and settled at Dobbs Ferry, in Westchester County, New York, where he became a contractor. He was killed in a railroad accident when but thirty-seven years of age, leaving his widow and five children, of whom those now living are: James; Margaret, of Washington, D.C., the widow of Samuel Watkins, a non-commissioned officer in the United States Navy, who died in middle life, leaving one son; and Lawrence Boyle, of New City, N.Y. Mrs. Boyle, whose maiden name was Mary Bray, and who was born in Dublin, Ireland, afterward married John Aungier, and had five children by this union. She died in 1878, at the age of fifty-two years.

James Boyle acquired his early education in the public schools, in 1870 entered the college at Allegany, N.Y., and later on attended the St. Theresa College in Canada. He obtained his theological education at the Grand Seminary of Saint Sulpice in Montreal, where he was ordained on the 18th of December, 1875. His first appointment was at Uxbridge, Mass., where he remained for two and a half years. From there he went to Springfield, and served as curate for three years, at the expiration of which time he was appointed rector of a parish in Grafton, Mass., remaining there from 1881 to 1887.  On February 8, 1887, he was appointed to the parish at Ware. The society was then worshipping in an old church adjoining the Catholic cemetery on the Palmer road; but in the following year work was begun on the present fine large brick edifice, known as All Saints' Catholic Church, which was completed in November, 1894, at a cost of about one hundred thousand dollars. Father Boyle now has under his charge about two thousand souls, and the church is in a prosperous condition.  Although only in his sixteenth year when the patriotism of the North was aroused by the siege and fall of Fort Sumter in April, 1861, James Boyle was among those who rendered efficient service during the great civil strife that followed, having entered the army as a volunteer in May. 1861, from New York City. He enlisted in Company C of the Thirty-seventh New York Regiment, and served as private, Corporal, and Sergeant until November, 1862, at which time he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant.  At the battle of Williamsburg, Va., May 5, 1862, he was wounded by a gunshot which passed through his left wrist; and, after being in the hospital at Baltimore a short time, he returned home on a furlough, but within six weeks was with his company again.  He was with his regiment in the second battle of Bull Run, in the battles of Chantilly, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville, and was mustered out of service with his regiment on the 22nd of June, 1863, the regimental term of service having expired several days previous to that date.

In political views Father Boyle is a Republican, and has served on various town committees, among others the building committee of the new high school. He is also an active temperance worker, and has won the esteem and respect of many besides his parishioners.  He is a member of the Third Army Corps Union, the Society of the Army of the Potomac, and also of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion.

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JOHN W. BRADBURN, a prosperous farmer of Worthington, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Manchester, N.Y., April 14, 1828, son of James and Delancy (Smith) Bradburn. Mr. Bradburn's father was born in Massachusetts, of Irish ancestry. He was a sailor in early manhood, but finally relinquished the sea and engaged in farming. He was twice married. The children of his first marriage are George and James; and those of his second marriage are: John W., the subject of this sketch; and Anson W., who is a machinist and resides in Preston, Minn.

John W. Bradburn was educated in the district schools, and resided with his parents until he reached the age of nineteen. Having been trained to farming, he followed that occupation for a time. Then he became a sailor, and made voyages to Africa and the south seas.  Abandoning sea life, he served for some time as a brakeman on the railroad between Bridgeport and Winsted, Conn., and afterward engaged in various kinds of work. In September, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Forty-sixth Massachusetts Volunteers, which participated in the North Carolina campaign, and was present at the battles of Kingston, Whitehall, Goldsboro, and several minor engagements. While in Newbern he contracted a severe illness, which confined him to the hospital for two months, after which he was sent North, and received his discharge July 29, 1863. Mr. Bradburn has constantly suffered from poor health since, a result of his war experience. When partially restored, he resumed work, taking employment in a wood-turning shop. After spending two years at this he came to Worthington, where he purchased a farm consisting of forty acres, and has since resided there, dividing his time between agriculture and carpentering. He is a Republican in politics, while he is an unbeliever in any of the fundamental doctrines of Christianity.

On December 4, 1851, Mr. Bradburn was united in marriage to Sarah C. Morse. She was born in Dalton, Mass., August 4, 1833, daughter of Alonzo and Betsey C. (Thayer) Morse. Mrs. Bradburn's parents were natives of Massachusetts. Her father was a harness-maker by trade. He died December 30, 1881, aged seventy-nine years; and his wife died in October, 1889, at the same age. Mr. and Mrs. Bradburn have had seven children, as fol-lows: Wallace J., who married Mary Etta Chandler, and resides in Chesterfield, Mass., where he is engaged as a basket-maker and a photographer; Martha Jane, who married Charles Markham, and resided in Pittsfield, Mass., died July 27, 1876; Marshall John, who is engaged in farming; Elva Maria, who died July 7, 1879; Lura Amanda, who married Eugene Rhodes, and has six children; Flora Ellen, who wedded Alvin Buck, and died January 5, 1884; and Celia E., who died July 13, 1880.

Mrs. Bradburn is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church Mr. Bradburn has made a special study of astronomy and navigation for the past forty years, much assisted by a fine telescope which he possesses. He takes much pleasure in conversing upon these subjects, regarding which he exhibits a remarkable knowledge.

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BENJAMIN C. BRAINARD, chairman of the Board of Selectmen of South Hadley Falls, is a son of Benjamin C. and Eunice P. (Ashley) Brainard, and was born in that town. May 19, 1841. The father was a native of South Hadley Falls, and followed the trade of a blacksmith for several years. He established a factory for the manufacture of agricultural tools at Chicopee, Mass., and personally conducted it for fifteen years. He then engaged in the grocery business as a member of the firm of Day & Brainard. After carrying this on for some time, he retired from the firm, and was appointed Postmaster, a position which he held until two years before his death, which occurred November 19, 1866.  He was a representative man of South Hadley Falls, and occupied a prominent position in the community. His wife, who was born in West Springfield, Mass., became the mother of four children, as follows: Joseph, who died in infancy; Ann S., who married A. W. Fay, of Barre, Mass., and now resides in South Deerfield; Benjamin C, the subject of this sketch; and Mary J., principal of the Bridge Street School in Holyoke. She died December 27, 1892.

Benjamin C. Brainard had received a good common-school education at the age of fourteen, when he became errand boy in the office of the Glasgow Company in South Hadley Falls. He gradually worked his way up from one position to another until he was made superintendent and finally general agent of the company. He then went to New Jersey, where he was placed in charge of the Washington Mills, the largest enterprise of its kind in that State.   He remained there for several years, and then returned in 1890 to South Hadley Falls, where he has since resided.  He is widely known and is in much demand as an expert in all matters pertaining to cotton mills and their machinery. Mr. Brainard is a Republican in politics, and has served with distinction in various positions of public trust. He was first elected a Selectman in 1884. He has also been Chief Engineer of the fire department, a member of the School Board, for several years a Water Commissioner, Treasurer of the Water Board, and in 1893 was Representative of his district in the legislature, when he served as a member of the Committee upon Election Laws. Among the non-political offices he has held were those of Treasurer of the Cemetery Association and Vice-President of the Mechanics Savings Bank of Holyoke. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and was one of the organizers of the Lodge in South Hadley Falls.

In 1868 Mr. Brainard was united in marriage to Sarah Abbie Bickford, of Saco, Me.  Her parents, now deceased, were: Thomas Bickford, a native of Massachusetts; and Lydia (Bean) Bickford, who was born in New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Brainard have one daughter, Florence A., who has received a liberal education, and is now assistant principal of the South Hadley Falls High School.  Mr. Brainard is a generous contributor to movements designed for the benefit of his native town. His present position of prosperity can be justly credited to his own energy and industry.

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WELLS   BRAINARD,   a successful farmer of South Hadley Falls, son of Robert and Mercy (Snow) Brainard  born June 19,  1839, upon the farm he now owns and occupies. Mr. Brainard's grandfather, Robert Brainard, Sr., a native of Haddam, Conn., moved to South Hadley Falls in 1805, and was the first Methodist to settle in the town. He purchased a farm, which he improved, and resided thereon until his death.

Robert Brainard, the younger, succeeded to the possession of the property and conducted it successfully until his death, which occurred February 2, 1871. He was a prominent citizen and for many years held the office of Selectman and Overseer of the Poor. His wife, Mercy Snow Brainard, who was born in South Hadley Falls, became the mother of five children, as follows: Olive, who married Edward Lester, of South Hadley Falls, and now resides at South Hadley; Mercy Ann, who married Edward Judd, and died at the age of thirty-nine; Wells, the subject of this sketch; William, who died in infancy; and Julia, who married Theodore P. Palmer, of Miller's Falls, Mass. The mother died June 4, 1894, at the age of ninety-five.

Wells Brainard was reared to an agricultural life,  obtaining his education  in  the public schools near his home.    Later on in his youth he was sent to Wilbraham School, where he completed a business course, returning at the age of twenty-one to work on the farm. After the death of his father he took charge of the farm, and by dint of hard labor has brought it up to its present standard.    Pleasantly situated, with a broad and picturesque view, for a country home Mr. Brainard's place is unsurpassed.   

Mr. Brainard married Adaline Wilson, of Belchertown, Mass., and they have had six   children,   three   of   whom   are living; namely, Harry E., Gertrude Evelyn, and Winnie May.    Lilla A. died at the age of seven years; William Erwin died at the age of fourteen; and Robert C., aged ten months.

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CHARLES KINGMAN BREWSTER, a prominent business man of Worthington, was born in that town, July 11, 1843, son of the Hon. Elisha Huntington and Sophronia Martha (Kingman) Brewster.

Mr.   Brewster is a lineal   descendant of Elder Brewster, the leader of the "Mayflower" Pilgrims, who landed at Plymouth, December 21,   1620, and died in Duxbury, April 18, 1643.   His children were: Fear, Patience, Jonathan,   Love, and  Wristling. Jonathan Brewster settled in New London in 1649, and became an Associate Judge there.   He established a treaty post at what was known as Brewster's Neck,  where he resided for the remainder of his life, and died in 1661. His son, Benjamin Brewster, married Ann Dart, and raised a family of five children, who were named: Ann, Jonathan, Daniel, William, and Benjamin.   Daniel Brewster, who was born . in  1667, married Hannah Gagcr;   and his eight children were: Daniel, Jr., Hannah, Mary, John, Jerusha, Ruth, Bethiah, and Jonathan.   Daniel Brewster married for his second wife Dorathy Miller, and died May 7, 1735.   Jonathan Brewster, son of Daniel, was born June 6, 1705.    He married Mary Parish, and   had   seven  children:   Lucretia, Ruth, Ephraim, Jonathan, Mary, Lydia, and Hannah.    Deacon Jonathan Brewster was born in 1734.   He moved from Preston,  Conn., to Worthington, Mass., in 1777, and erected a rude dwelling upon a site which is now included in the property of Samuel Converse.  He died in 1800.    Deacon Jonathan Brewster married Zipporah Smith; and his eight children were: Elisha,   Esther, Jonathan, Zipporah, Sarah, Jonah, Moses, and Lydia.

Captain Elisha Brewster, Charles K. Brewster's grandfather,  was born  in   Preston in 1755.    He enlisted in a regiment of light dragoons at an early stage of the Revolutionary War, and served as an officer for seven years and six months.   After the close of the war he served as Brigade Quartermaster.  At the time of Shays's Rebellion he volunteered his services, and was one of General Shepard's aides in that insurrection. Captain Elisha Brewster married Sarah Huntington, daughter of the Rev. Jonathan Huntington, who was the first settled minister in Worthington.   They were the parents of twelve children, among whom were: Theodosia, Minerva, Sally,   Hannah,   Eliza, Zipporah, Hannah (second), Lucy, and Elisha Huntington.

The Hon. Elisha Huntington Brewster, Mr.  C. K. Brewster's father, was born in Worthington, August 5, 1809. He was educated in the public schools and at Hopkins Academy, and remained for several years upon his father's farm.   In 1842 he removed to the centre village, and located a little south of the church and town-house, where he commenced mercantile business in company with his cousin, Mr. Sidney Brewster, under the firm name of S. & E. H. Brewster. That co-partnership continued ten years, when it was dissolved, Mr. E. H. Brewster retiring to attend to his increasing public duties. In 1848 he was chosen as a Whig to represent his town in the legislature; and again, in 1853, he was chosen to the same office. In 1852 he was elected County Commissioner, and held that office sixteen years. For twelve years he was chairman of the board, and distinguished himself  by his excellent judgment and the aptness and faithfulness with which he discharged the difficult and often perplexing duties of the position. At the end of his sixtieth year (in 1868), when at the height of his popularity and usefulness, he voluntarily withdrew from that office, declining the offer of a certain re-election, much to the regret of the people of the county. In 1871 he was chosen a member of the State Senate, to represent the Berkshire and Hampshire district.  In 1873 he was chosen a member of the Governor's Council, and was re-elected in 1874.  This closed his public life.

In his earlier business years he was often called to fill various town offices, and served in almost every capacity, from Constable to Selectman. He could have served oftener if he had wished, for his townsmen were always willing to elect him. He was also the leading Justice of the Peace, and was appointed one of the first Trial Justices under the new law, holding the office and discharging its duties with marked ability and dignity until he resigned it several years ago. He was often called as a referee to settle disputed questions, both at home and abroad; and after his retirement from the Board of County Commissioners his services were frequently sought as counsel in important road cases. He was the principal legal adviser of the people in his section, wrote numerous wills, and settled many estates in the probate and insolvency courts, doing more of that business probably than any other man in the county.

While a member of the Governor's Council, he was one of a committee to receive General Grant, who came on an official visit to the State. He was active in the formation of the Worthington Agricultural Society over twenty-five years ago, and was its first President. He was long connected with the old Northampton Institution for Savings as one of its Trustees, and for twenty years (1848 to 1868) was one of the Directors of the Hampshire Mutual Fire Insurance Company, exerting in their behalf an active and valuable influence. When his son, Charles K. Brewster, became of age, the two formed a copartner ship, and bought out the mercantile business of S. Brewster & Son; and that business was continued until his death, under the firm name of E. H. Brewster & Son.

Mr. Brewster was first a Whig and then a Republican. Though a strong party man, he never allowed his party ties to lessen his loyalty to his friends. He was a regular attendant upon divine worship and a firm supporter of the services of the sanctuary. For thirty years he was a member of the choir, and occasionally acted as chorister. During the long pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Bisbee, twenty-eight years, Mr. Brewster was his warm friend and supporter and his frequent adviser.  He never formally united with the church, but he had an abiding faith in its underlying principles; and his old pastor bore heartfelt testimony at the funeral to his Christian character as exemplified in his pure and consistent life and peaceful death.   The Hon.  Elisha H. Brewster died in Worthington, November 27, 1878.   His wife, whom he married June 8, 1831, was Sophronia Martha Kingman,  daughter of  Isaiah Kingman, of Worthington.   Her grandfather, Adam Kingman, was a native of Bridgewater, Mass.; and her father, who was a tailor by trade, kept a hotel for many years in the house where Mr.  Brewster now resides.     His son, Samuel Kingman, was Chief Justice of the State of Kansas for a number of years.   Mrs. Elisha H. Brewster became the mother of seven children: Sarah, Elisha K., Lucy Jane, Sophronia K., Charles K., Helen E., and Isabelle W.  Of these the only survivors are: Charles K., the subject of this sketch; and Mrs. George M. Green, of New York City.

Charles Kingman Brewster was educated at the West field Academy, and, when a young man,  engaged in business with his father.  He exhibited an aptitude for mercantile pursuits at an early age, and since the death of his father has continued the business with ability and success.    He is a Republican in politics, and has long been identified with public affairs.   He was Postmaster from 1883 to 1888, has been a member of the Board of Selectmen,  Town Clerk, and Treasurer for eight years, and is at present a special County Commissioner.   He also represented his district in the legislature for one term.   He is a Director of the Northampton Institution for Savings and of the Hampshire Fire Insurance Company.    He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and an influential man in the county.  On February 22, 1866, Mr. Brewster was united in marriage to Celina S. Baldwin, her parents were Chauncey and Harriet (Hume) Baldwin, natives of Windsor, Mass.; and her father was a prosperous farmer of that town. Mr. and Mrs. Brewster have had seven children, as follows: Sophronia E., who was born December 26, 1866, and died April 13, 1870; Grace, born March 9,  1869, who died March 22, 1873; Elisha born September 10, 1871, who graduated from the Williston Seminary, and is now a student at the Boston University   Law   School;   Sarah H, born March 6, 1874, who is now a teacher in Temple College, Philadelphia; Charles H., born February 14, 1877; Howard C, born December 24, 1880; and Kingman, born December 24, 1883.

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CHARLES   E.   BROOKS,   a leading farmer of Goshen and one of the town fathers, was born in Williamsburg, Mass., October 1,  1850, son of Horatio and Elizabeth C. (Chapman) Brooks, and grandson of Nathan and Eunice (Weeks) Brooks. The grandfather, Nathan Brooks, who was born in Rehoboth in  1779, was a well-to-do farmer.  He died in 1856; and his wife, who was three years younger, passed away in the same year. They reared six children; namely, Eunice, Nathan, Horatio, Rhoda, Levi, and Samuel. 

Horatio Brooks, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Huntington, Mass.  When quite young he learned the blacksmith trade, and for some years worked as a journeyman, spending some time in Hatfield. He then bought a shop in Williamsburg and carried on a very successful business until 1863, when, deciding to retire, he bought the Abells farm  in Goshen.    This estate contained one hundred acres of good land. Mr. Brooks much enhanced its value by making many improvements and repairing the buildings.  He died at the age of sixty-four; his wife's death occurred when she was sixty-two. In politics Mr. Brooks was a Republican, and in religious belief he and his wife were Adventists. They had but one child, who is the subject of this sketch.

Charles E. Brooks received his education in the common schools of Williamsburg. He remained on the farm until twenty-three years of age, when he started to earn a livelihood for himself. At the end of three years, however, he returned home and took charge of the farm, which has been under his management up to the present time. He carries on general farming and keeps a small dairy of choice Holsteins. From both sources he derives a comfortable income.

Mr. Brooks was twice married. His first wife, to whom he was united in 1878, was Jennie S., daughter of William S. Packard. She died at the age of twenty-seven, leaving two children: Harry W., born July 21, 1880; and Raymond E., who was born June 3, 1889.  Mr. Brooks's second wife was Laura Barrus, daughter of Charles Barrus, of Springfield.  She is the mother of one child, Marion A., born March 21, 1892.

In politics Mr. Brooks is a Republican.  He has served as Selectman for ten consecutive years, and is one of the superintendents of the work on the macadamized State road, now being constructed in the town of Goshen. In this employment he spares no pains in forwarding the work. In religious belief Mr. Brooks and his wife are Congregationalists.

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JOHN T. BROSNAHAN, a successful merchant and undertaker of Ware, on Bank Street, opposite Ware Savings Bank, was born in the town August 25, 1857, son of Benjamin and Ann (Lynes) Brosnahan, and grandson of John Brosnahan, a skilful physician and the son of a lawyer. Grandfather Brosnahan had six children, of whom three reached adult life, namely: Ellen, who married a Mr. Brosnahan (not a relative), and went with him to Australia, both being cultured people and in good circumstances; Mary, who came to America, where she married Garrett Fleming, and spent the remainder of her life in Thompsonville, Conn. ; and Benjamin Brosnahan, father of the subject of this sketch.  Benjamin Brosnahan was born in Ireland in 1815, and he came to this country about the year  1850.    He followed the vocation of a school-teacher for many years, both in Ireland and in the country of his adoption, but never accumulated much property.    He was married after coming to America to Miss Ann Lynes, the ceremony having been performed in Ware in 1851.    She was also a native of Ireland, and came hither from  County Kerry shortly after he did.     Seven children were born of their union, of whom one son and three daughters are now living, namely: Mary Brosnahan, residing in Westfield, Mass. ; John T. Brosnahan; Ellen Brosnahan, residing in Ware; and Margaret, who also resides in Ware. Mary Brosnahan follows the occupation of a seamstress,  and  her sisters are mill operatives.  Their father died in 1878, and their mother two years later, fifty-six years of age. 

John T. Brosnahan received a limited common-school education.    At the age of nine years he went to work in the old brick mill as doffer, at a salary of about forty cents per day.  He was employed in this way for two years, attending school during the winter months.  When he was sixteen years old he commenced to work the year round, and secured a position in the Stephens Mill; but he afterward returned to the old brick mill, and for six years worked there as a weaver.    He wove some of the blue drilling shown at the Centennial Exhibition of 1876.    He next became a clerk in the store of J. Keefe & Co., dealers in general merchandise, who also carried a line of caskets and undertaker's supplies.    The store was managed by a brother of Mr. Keefe until his death.    This event happened four years ago, when Mr. Brosnahan  became manager. He acted in this capacity up to September, 1895, at which time he resigned and formed a co-partnership with Samuel  Rohan.   The business so prospered under Mr. Brosnahan's management that four persons are now employed where two were formerly sufficient; and there are now but two or three larger general merchandise establishments in Ware, while the house does the largest undertaking business in that section.    Mr. Brosnahan possesses natural talents for business.   His pleasing address, joined to his perseverance and his habit of close attention, are sure to succeed anywhere.  In his new venture he has the best wishes of the business men of Ware.    On June 26 last he was granted a diploma from the Oriental School of Embalming at Boston, Mass., certifying that he is well qualified as a competent embalmer of the dead.

On September 24, 1884, he was joined in marriage to Miss Sarah Barrett, born in Canada, a daughter of Morris Barrett and his wife, whose maiden name was Rollins. Both her parents are now dead. She has borne her husband six children, as follows: John, nine years old; Mary, who is seven years of age; Mildred, two years younger; Rose, three years of age; Walter, who is two years old; and Agnes Catherine, an infant. Mr. Brosnahan casts his vote with the Democratic party.  He has served his townsmen six years as Overseer of the Poor, and is a member of the Democratic Town Committee. He is a member of the Visiting Committee of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, with which he is affiliated; and he and his wife are worshippers at the Catholic Church of All Saints.

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FRANKLIN H. BRYANT, an extensive farmer and stock-raiser of Chesterfield, Mass., was born in this town March 9, 1842,  son   of   Holly   and   Elmira (House) Bryant, both natives of Chesterfield. Holly Bryant was born on December 18, 1798, in the house where his son now lives. He was a well-to-do farmer and passed his life on the estate, dying March 3, 1856. His wife, who was born February 18, 1804, died June 10, 1889, her last days being spent with her son, the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs.  Holly Bryant were the parents of nine children, namely: Emily, born December 6, 1826, who married Woodbridge Clapp, and died February 15, 1869, having been the mother of six children, all now deceased; Levi, born April 2, 1828, who married Julia Baker, and lives near his brother Franklin H. ; Ellen E., born October 9, 1829, who married William Allen, and died October 30, 1858; Zeruah, born July 12, 1831, wife of George Rice, a resident of Minnesota, who has three children - George, Willie, and Mary; Samuel W., born April 5, 1833, who died December 5,   1844; Austin G., born March i, 1835, who died August 10, 1859; Philetus, born January 30, 1837, who died November 24, 1865, leaving a widow, now living in Chesterfield; Henry, born July 29, 1839, who died November 2, 1849; and Franklin H., our subject.

Although Franklin H. Bryant was but fourteen years of age when his father died, he soon assumed a man's responsibilities, aiding materially about the farm and helping his brother until his majority. He then moved to another farm, where he was profitably engaged in agricultural pursuits till the death of his brother, when he returned to the parental roof and for two years was engaged in tilling the home fields. He then took charge of the whole estate, which comprises eight hundred acres, about two hundred being under cultivation, and is now the owner of the property. He carries on general farming on an extensive scale, and raises some fine stock. Diligent, energetic, and thrifty, he has made many improvements on the farm and has richly earned the prosperity he enjoys.

On December 1, 1864, Mr. Bryant was married to Annette W., daughter of Daniel C.  and Mary Ann (Wilder) Baker. Mrs. Bryant was born in Chesterfield, December 1, 1842.  Mr. Baker was a native of Chesterfield, and here spent his life, engaged in farming. His wife was born in Cherry Valley, N.Y., and became a resident of Pittsfield when quite young. Both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bryant have three adopted children, namely: Frederick Allen, born July 12, 1871, who married Alice Flagg, of Connecticut, and resides near Mr. Bryant; William Francis, born January 15, 1878; and Fannie M., born May 15, 1881, both of whom reside with their foster parents. Mr. Bryant has given his children the best of educational advantages, sending them to the best schools in the county.  In politics Mr. Bryant is a stanch adherent of the Republican party. He served as Selectman five years, and has also been Assessor and Overseer of the Poor. He is one of the leading citizens of Chesterfield, and has a very pleasant home, his dwelling, which is roomy and substantial, suiting well the ample grounds which surround it, and well expressing the owner's large hearted hospitality.

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JAMES A. BYRNS, a successful and enterprising baker of Ware,  was born in Framingham, Mass., September 8, 1849.    

He  acquired  his  education in the schools  of Ware.     When  he was eighteen years of age he left the high school to work in his father's bakery.    He continued in the employ of his father until the death of the latter, which occurred April 3, 1890.    He succeeded his father, and by close attention and careful management he has considerably increased the good business which, by many years of patient labor and persevering effort, his father had established.    He sells both at wholesale and retail, and gives employment to ten men. He uses three wagons in delivering his goods.

Mr. Byrns resides at 64 West Street. The building next to his residence is occupied by the bakery, and was erected by his father more than twenty-five years ago.    In politics Mr. Byrns is a Democrat;   and,  though having little desire for official position, he has, never the less, during the past two years served acceptably as a member of the Board of Water Commissioners.

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JEREMIAH C. BYRNS, of the firm of Byrns & Crowley, clothiers, and the popular and efficient Postmaster of Ware, was born in Westboro, Mass., on December 7, 1852, son of Jeremiah and Catharine (Murray) Byrns.

His father, Jeremiah Byrns, was born in Ireland in 1823.    In 1845 he was joined in marriage with Miss  Catharine Murray, and soon after they set out for America. Arriving here after a voyage of eight weeks, they settled in Boston, where Mr. Jeremiah Byrns engaged in business as a baker.    About 1856 he came to Ware and established himself in the same business, which he successfully conducted up to the time of his death.    He died April 2, 1890.    His wife died seven years previously, in  1883.    Six children were born of their union, of whom three sons and two daughters are  now   living.    These  are:   William F.  Byrns, M.D., residing in Washington, D.C., a graduate of Holy Cross College and of the Georgetown Medical College; James A.  Byrns, a successful baker in Ware, the successor of his father in that business; Jeremiah C.  Byrns; Mary, the widow of Phillip L. Keefe, residing in Ware; Elizabeth A. Byrns; and John Joseph, the latest-born, who died when two years old.

Jeremiah C. Byrns received a good practical education in the public schools of Ware. At the age of sixteen years he engaged in the bakery with his father, remaining until he attained his majority. He then secured a position as salesman in the clothing store of F. N. Rosiner, by whom he was employed for six years.  From there he went to Philadelphia, where he held a similar position, and thence to Washington, and later to Chicago in March, 1881.  In Chicago he was employed for eighteen months in the Putnam Clothing House, and during the following two and a half years he worked for Wilson Brothers. On account of failing health he returned to the East on January 10, 1885, and in March, 1886, he was appointed Postmaster of Ware. He entered upon his duties in June of that year, and held the position for four years. On December 1, 1890, in company with A. G. Crowley, he embarked in his present business of a dealer in ready-made clothing and gentlemen's furnishing goods, under the firm name of Byrns & Crowley; and they are now doing a thriving business.

Mr. Byrns is a Democrat in his political views. In June, 1893, he received his second appointment as Postmaster, and has acted in that capacity since July 1 of that year. He and his family are members of the All Saints' Catholic Church of Ware.