Biography of John Charles Ryan

Eminently successful as a grower of tobacco, and with a range of activity in the tobacco field wider than that of almost any other man in the region, John Charles Ryan is well known in Hatfield, Massachusetts, and its vicinity, not only for his agricultural enterprise, but for his public-spirited interest in local affairs. Mr. Ryan is the son of John B. and Mary (Kennedy) Ryan, both of Irish birth, who lived in Hatfield for many years. Michael Ryan, Mr. Ryan’s grandfather, was born in Ireland, but came to America, and died in Hatfield in the eighties at an age … Read more

Biography of Daniel Patrick Sheehan

The grandfather of Mr. Sheehan was Daniel Sheehan, a resident for years of Chicago, Illinois, where he died. He had two sons, John and Daniel, and the latter also died in Chicago. John Sheehan, son of Daniel Sheehan, was born in Tipperary, Ireland, in 1840, died in Hatfield, Massachusetts, in June, 1900, aged sixty years. His education was acquired in the schools of his native land. He came to the United States in 1857, landing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he remained six months. He later came to Northampton, Massachusetts, where he remained but a short time. Eventually he settled in … Read more

Biography of Edward Franklin Warner

Edward Franklin Warner (1844-1911), a prominent dealer in farm implements and caretaker of a 300-acre ancestral farm in Cummington, Massachusetts, was born and died on the family homestead. He was the son of Franklin John Marvin and Vesta Wales (Reed) Warner. The Warner family, with roots in England, has had numerous distinguished members in both England and America. Edward, who was active in town affairs, married Ellen Lovell in 1869, and they had one daughter, Ethel Susie Warner, who was also deeply involved in community and church activities.

Biography of Malcolm Crawford

MALCOLM CRAWFORD, well known in Hatfield, Massachusetts, as a farmer and skilled mechanic, comes of a family that has been in New England for many generations, its records tracing back to 1730, almost two hundred years ago. (I) James Crawford, immigrant ancestor of the family, came to America in 1730 from Londonderry, Ireland, in 1730, and settled in Newtown, Massachusetts. He later went to Union, Connecticut, where he bought land and was a large land owner. Although he came from Ireland, James Crawford was of Scotch extraction, and he married Elizabeth Campbell, also of Scotch origin. Their children, all born … Read more

Biography of Stephen Jose Vanderlick

STEPHEN JOSE VANDERLICK – Of the younger group of Northampton attorneys, who through energetic effort and by abilities well proven in training and in natural gifts have won deserved popularity, Mr. Vanderlick has established his offices as a general practitioner, and entered upon his professional career under excellent auspices. He is a descendant of an industrious Polish ancestry, who for generations were natives of Lipno, in Russian Poland. There his great-grandfather, Michael Vanderlick, was born March 25, 1800, and died in March, 1860; his wife’s name was Kathirim, and their children were: Josephine; Joseph, of whom further; Henry; and Anthony. … 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

Narrative of the Captivity of Quintin Stockwell – Indian Captivities

Quintin Stockwell, Who was taken at Deerfield, in Massachusetts, by a Party of Inland Indians, in the Year 1677; Communicated in his own Words, and Originally Published by the Eminent Dr. Increase Mather, in the Year 1684. A particular account of the interruption in which Stockwell and others fell into the hands of the Indians will be found in the Book of the Indians, Book iii, p. 97 and 98. Out of twenty-four at that time killed and taken, we learn the names only of these; Quintin Stockwell, John Root, Sergeant Plimpton, Benjamin Stebbins, his wife, Benjamin Waite, and Samuel … Read more

Biography of Edson Winthrop Strong

EDSON WINTHROP STRONG – The Strong” of Hatfield, Massachusetts, are one of the oldest New England families of English origin. Elder John Strong, son of Richard Strong, was born in Taunton, Somersetshire, England, in 1605, whence he removed to London, and afterwards to Plymouth. Having pronounced Puritan sympathies he sailed on May 20, 1630, from Plymouth to America and settled at Dorchester. On March 9, 1634, he took the freeman’s oath at Boston, Massachusetts. In 1635 he removed to Hingham and later to Taunton, where he remained as late as 1645, as he was deputy to the General Court in … Read more