Hampshire County MA

Biography of Edmund Silver

Edmund Silver, a thriving farmer of Boscawen, N.H., was born in Bow, this State, September 10, 1834. His parents, Edmund and Sallie (Dow) Silver, who resided in Bow for the greater part of their lives, died when their son Edmund was quite young. They had nine children-Lewis, Laura, Cyrene, Leonard, Gideon, Sullivan, Daniel, Edmund, and George. Lewis died in March, 1897. Daniel is engaged in farming in Salisbury, N.H. George is in Penacook; and the others, except Edmund, the subject of our sketch, are deceased. Edmund Silver received his education in the district schools, remaining at home with his parents … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel C. Pomeroy

Samuel C. Pomeroy, one of the leaders of Kansas in the times of her free-state travail whose political ambition overleaped his sense of honor, was born in Southampton, Massachusetts, January 3, 1816. When a young man be became strongly imbued with antislavery sentiments. He happened to be present when President Pierce signed the Kansas-Nebraska bill, and is said to have remarked to the nation’s chief executive: “Your victory is but an adjournment of the question from the halls of legislation at Washington to the open prairies of the Freedom-loving West, and there, sir, we shall beat you.” So earnest was … Read more

Biography of James Hale Newton

When a man’s manifold activities in the field of banking, building, and general business win for him the title of “Grand Old Man,” his place as leader is firmly established. Thus was James Hale Newton regarded in Holyoke, Massachusetts. He was of a long-established New England family, which originated in England. The pioneer ancestor was Richard Newton, who settled in Massachusetts in 1638, and afterward was admitted as freeman of the colony. For many years he lived in Sudbury, then settled in Marlborough, where with eight others he founded the township, and died’ there when nearly a hundred years old, … Read more

Miss Willie Ramsey Young

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Young, of Charlotte, N.C. Is a graduate of Elizabeth College, Charlotte, and of Smith, Northampton, Mass.; also of the National Training School, New York. She taught at Virginia College, Roanoke, Va., for two years, and was then elected one of the two Field Directors of the South Atlantic States for the Student Body of the Y. W. C. A. While filling this office the National Board of the Y. W. C. A. sent her to France as a war worker for the Red Cross nurses. Upon her arrival at Paris she was sent … Read more

Biography of Dwight Morris Billings

DWIGHT MORRIS BILLINGS, of Amherst, Massachusetts, treasurer of The Hills Manufacturing Company, producers of hats, was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, February 17, 1866. (I) His ancestry in America probably goes back to Richard Billings, who received a grant of six acres of land in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1640. In 1659 he signed a contract with Governor Webster and others to remove to and settle at Hadley. The removal was made in 1661, and he lived in that part of the town which became Hatfield. He died March 3, 1679. He married Margery, surname unknown, who died December 5, 1679. (II) … Read more

Lyman Todd of Chesterfield MA

Lyman Todd8, (Asa A.7, Lyman6, Asa5, Gershom4, Gershom3, Michael2, Christopher1) born Sept. 10, 1856 in Chesterfield, Mass., died July 16, 1897, married Sept. 10, 1882, Mary Pease, who later married her husbands brother, Monroe Todd. Children: 2354. Vera Aymice, b. June 29, 1884, d. June 1902. *2352. Bertha Mary, b. May 9, 1886. 2353. Orman Lyman, b. Sept. 2, 1889, living in Springfield, Mass., in 1919. 2354. Elmer Leroy, b. March 27, 1892, m. April 14, 1917, Alta Viola, daughter of Albert and Ella (Fox) Creassy, who was born Oct. 13, 1890 in Zoar, Mass. In 1919 he was managing … Read more

Biography of Prof. Horace Lyman

PROF. HORACE LYMAN, – Few among those who came as missionaries to our state have held a more honored position, or have accomplished more genuine good, than professor Lyman. He was a new Englander of an old family, whose first American members crossed the ocean from England to Connecticut as early as 1639.His parents were plain farmer folks living at East Hampton, Massachusetts and in that town he was born in 1815. Of his five brothers, two went to college and prepared for the ministry. As a boy and young man, he was ever thoughtful and extra-ordinarily energetic, with a … Read more

Biography of Melvil Dewey

MELVIL DEWEY AMONG the noted librarians of our country who have shown great efficiency, untiring devotion and unusual progressiveness in their calling, stands in the front rank Melvil Dewey, director of the state library and secretary of the University of the State of New York. Born December 10, 1851, in the rural village of Adams Center, Jefferson county, New York, he is the youngest son of Joel and Eliza Green Dewey. His love of books – a love which has never forsaken him – began as soon as he was able to read. His greatest delight was to be among … Read more

Biography of George Eberlein

GEORGE EBERLEIN-For generations the Eberlem family in Germany has maintained the Eberlein Blacksmith Shops, which were founded by one of their forebears in 1788. Every generation has produced one sturdy and efficient blacksmith, who loves his trade and manages the shops so well that their excellent reputation continues. George Eberlein himself began to learn smithing when he was ten years old, and had mastered it by his fourteenth year with German thoroughness, and he has greatly benefited by his knowledge since he came to America. William Eberlein, his grandfather, died in Germany in 5876. His son, William Eberlein, was born … Read more

Biography of Charles L. Edwards

Charles L. Edwards was one of the notable figures in the first half century of Kansas. He never became widely known in financial circles, did not make a political reputation, but nevertheless he was one of the most useful men the state ever had. He was intimately identified with the movement by which Kansas was organized with free institutions. He was also the pioneer schoolmaster of Lawrence. He gave many years to the upbuilding of its scholastic institutions, went from Lawrence to serve gallantly through the War of the Rebellion and remained a resident of that city for over sixty … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Wesley Ewing

JOHN WESLEY EWING, well known in the vicinity of Northampton, is a successful farmer, carrying on the home farm on which his father and grandfather lived and worked for so many years. He is the son of Alexander Mathew and Esther Ann (McCandless) Ewing, and brother of Harold Butler Ewing (q. v.), in connection with whose sketch a full account of Mr. Ewing’s father and grandfather are given. John Wesley Ewing was born in the town of Northampton, December 22, 1887, and was educated in the local public schools. He early became familiar with the duties and responsibilities of farm … Read more

Isabelle Thankful Todd Hubbard Reed of Arcata CA

HUBBARD REED, Isabelle Thankful Todd9, (Henry D.8, Caleb7, Jehiel6, Stephen5, Stephen4, Samuel3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born Dec. 31, 1832, in South Hadley, Mass.; was twice married, first,(???) Hubbard; second, June 27, 1855, John L. Reed, who was born June 1, 1827. In 1875, they lived in Arcata, Humbolt Bay, Calif. Children by John L. Reed: I. Henry Oliver, b. May 6, 1856, d. May 8, 1856. II. Emma Isabelle, b. June 29, 1857.

George Iru Todd of Northampton MA

George Iru Todd9, (John R.8, Iru S.7, Justus6, Asa5, Gershom4, Gershom3, Michael2, Christopher1) born Sept. 3, 1872, married Oct. 27, 1903, Lillian Cynthia, daughter of Ezra Harwood and Eva Evelyn (Blanchard) Mason, who was born in Plainfield, Mass., July 15, 1878. He was born at the old homestead in Roberts Meadow, Northampton, Mass., which has been kept in the family since some time before 1800. He is the fourth generation to have owned the place and the fifth to have lived upon it. The original farm was bequeathed to his great-grandfather, John Root, by the latter’s grandfather, Joseph Root, of … Read more

Harriet Todd Richardson Buck of Hartwick NY

RICHARDSON BUCK, Harriet Todd8, (Lemuel7, Jehiel6, Stephen5, Stephen4, Samuel3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born March 18, 1805, in Northampton, Mass., she was twice married, first, Feb. 27, 1823, Anson Richardson, who was born June 22, 1797, in Conn., died April 26, 1834, in Hartwick, Otsego County, N. Y. Married second, June 29, 1839, Homer C. Buck, who was born March 23, 1807. Children by Anson Richardson: I. Jane Maria, b. 1824, d. 1829. II. Dewitt Clinton, b. 1825, d. 1828. III. Hiram Hale, b. 1827, d. 1828. IV. Sarah S., b. Nov. 21, 1829. V. Mary E., b. Dec. 7, 1831. Child … Read more

Biography of Charles Jerome King

CHARLES JEROME KING, postmaster at South Amherst, Massachusetts, and leading merchant in the town, was born at Wynantskill, a village near Troy, New York, February 14, 1875. The family has made its home in the vicinity of Suffield, Connecticut, for successive generations since the first immigrant ancestor set foot in America, and the fact that the father of Charles Jerome King was born in Suffield seems to establish his descent from the first Kings to live in the United States. Although the origin of the name is uncertain, students incline to think it was derived from the practice of holding … Read more

Biography of James Foster Wells

JAMES FOSTER WELLS – In the Vaux, or Bank, or Bayeux, or de Vallibus family of France originated the De Welles family of Lincolnshire, barons by summons to Parliament. It is one of the most illustrious families known to history. The derivation is traced to the year 794, from which period its members held the highest rank personally and by royal intermarriages. It was founded in England after the Conquest by Harold de Vaux (a near connection of William the Conqueror) and his three sacs, Barons Hubert, Ranulph and Robert, who were all surnamed de Vallibus. The descent is through … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Frank N. Moore

FRANK N. MOORE-Long in positions of responsibility and trust in Ludlow, Massachusetts, Frank N. Moore was born in Ware, in that State, October 31, 1871, the son of Charles F., who was a farmer and carpenter, died in February, 1924, and Julia M. (Dunbar) Moore. Frank N. Moore received his education in the elementary and high schools of Ware, after which he took a course in Child’s Business College of Springfield. After leaving school he became a clerk in the post office at Ware for a year. He entered the employ of the Ludlow Manufacturing Associates as a clerk, and … Read more

Biography of Judge John W. McElhinney

For the fourth term Judge John W. McElhinney has been called to the bench of the thirteenth circuit court of Missouri having entered upon the duties of this position in 1901. His course has at all times reflected credit and honor upon tile state that has honored him and he is today numbered among the ablest of Missouri’s jurists, for film decisions have at all times been strictly fair and impartial, and moreover have been the expression of a comprehensive knowledge of tile principles of jurisprudence, combined with ability to apply accurately his principles to tile points in litigation. Judge … Read more

Ira Gardner Todd of Hampshire County MA

Ira Gardner Todd8, (Iru S.7, Justus6, Asa5, Gershom4, Gershom3, Michael2, Christopher1) born Oct. 2, 1837, in Northampton, Mass., died Aug. 22, 1894, in Bridgeport, Conn. He, his wife and daughter are buried in Spring Grove Cemetery, Florence, Mass., he married Dec. 4, 1866, Esther Luella, daughter of Jeremiah and Laura P. (Ellis) Boyden, who was born July 22, 1849, died Sept. 15, 1913, in Oak Bluffs, Mass. He was a machinist by trade and worked at it for several years in Florence, Mass. In 1881, he went to Bridgeport, Conn., where he secured a position and was followed the next … Read more