PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS MEN

Mr. Edward Southworth with his two sons Thomas and Constant, fled to Holland with the Pilgrim Fathers who left England on account of the persecution of the Dissenters by the Church of England. After a few years residence in the city of Leyden, Mr. Southworth died. Alice Southworth the widow of Edward came over to this country in 1623 and married Governor William Bradford second Governor of the colony at Plymouth. Her sons Thomas and Constant followed their mother to America in 1628. Constant was born in 1614. In 1639 he married Elizabeth Coltier of Duxbury, and three sons were born to them: Edward, Nathaniel and William.

Edward, son of Nathaniel, had four sons: Constant, Edward, Samuel and Benjamin.

Edward married Lydia Packard, Dec. 16, 1750, to them were born Uriah, Perez, Desire, Edward, Abiah, Bridget Lydia and, Fear. All of these children of Edward and Lydia, except Perez, removed from Bridgewater to Pelham.

Abiah Southworth married Kesiah Boltwood of Amherst in 1794.

Wells Southworth.—Was the son of Dr. Abiah Southworth and Kesiah Boltwood Southworth, and was born in Pelham August 17, 1799. He first engaged in business at Pelham in 1823 as a merchant, continui9ng the business at the center of the town until 1828 when he disposed of his store and the family homestead without consulting his father, so it is said. Dr. Southworth was somewhat disturbed at first, but having such great confidence in his son’s good judgment and business foresight that he acquiesced in the business change thereby necessitated, and the family removed to South Hadley Falls, where Wells opened as a merchant.

Wells Southworth removed to Chicopee Falls and continued in the mercantile line until 1839 when he removed to Mitteneague, West Springfield, where he built a mill for manufacturing fine writing papers, now owned by the Southworth Paper Co., and for many years was the president of the corporation.

In 1854 Mr. Southworth removed from West Springfield to New Haven, Conn. In the spring of the following year he organized the City of New Haven Fire Insurance Company and was president of the company for ten years. He was a stockholder and director in the Tradesman Bank of New Haven for many years from its organization. Mr. Southworth was also a large stockholder in the new York, New Haven and Hartford railroad, and engaged in other business enterprises. In early life he was a Whig in politics and later a republican was elected a member of the Massachusetts legislature for two years from Springfield, and one year represented West Springfield in the House. Mr. Southworth was living in Pelham when Amherst College was established at Amherst and was greatly interested as a young man in the enterprise, and did what he could to aid in building south college, the first building erected. He drove a yoke of cattle from Pelham with the first load of stone delivered on College hill for the foundation of south dormitory, and they today are doing their part in supporting the walls of that wellknown and most ancient building on the college grounds.

Mr. Southworth was married three times. His first wife was Miss Rebecca C. Woodburn of Salem, Mass., she died in 1839. For his second wife he married Mrs. Frances r. Lyon, daughter of Mrs. E. T. Smith of South Hadley. In 1845 he married Miss Harriet M. Jillet of Rome, N.Y.

The other members of Dr. Southworth’s family were as follows: Rufus, Mary, Edward and Martha.

Rufus was born in 1796 and died at Charleston, S.C. in 1828. Edward, born in 1894 and died in 1869. Mary, born Nov. 6, 1797, died in Pelham, 1872. Martha, born May 10, 1807, married Robert Curtis of Bridgewater.

Dr. Abiah Southworth died at South Hadley Falls, Dec. 27, 1835. His wife, Kesiah Boltwood, died in April of the same year.

Edward Southworth, son of Dr. Abiah Southworth, and brother of Wells and Rufus was born in Pelham July 3, 1804. Attended the public schools of the town until he was sixteen, was then sent to Amherst academy where he prepared for college. He entered Harvard College in 1822 and was graduated in 1826 in a class which numbered many eminent men among its members. After graduation he went to Charleston, S.C. as instructor in ancient languages, in an academy which his broth Rufus had established, and was the principal. Rufus died in 1828 at 32, and Edward succeeded him as principal of the school, but was obliged to return to the north in 1833 on account of ill health. On his return from Charleston he was engaged in business at South Hadley Falls for several years, then removed to West Springfield and with his brother Wells established the Southworth Manufacturing Cokpany, for making fine writing papers; was postmaster several years at West Springfield, and in 1853 was elected as representative to the Legislature and served two years. He was elected state senator in 1854 but would take his seat which had been contested by another candidate, although the seat was accorded to him and against his opponent by vote of that honorable body.

With his cousin, John H. Southworth of Springfield and his brother Wells he organized the Hampshire paper Company of South Hadley Falls, and the Hampden Paint and Chemical Company of Springfield, Mass; was treasurer of the Southworth Manufacturing Company; director of the Fire and Marine Insurance Company of Springfield, and of the Agawam bank of the same city, and of the Massasoit paper company of Holyoke, and a trustee of the Hampden Savings Bank of Springfield.

He was a trustee of Mount Holyoke Seminary from its opening until his death in 1869 at West Springfield. Mr. Southworth was for many years a member of the First Congregational Church at West Springfield and for thirty years one of its deacons.

He was married three times and six children survived him.

He began the practice of his profession at Pelham in 1825 and remained there twelve years. In 1827 he married Caroline A. Hunt, daughter of Dr. David Hunt of Northampton, and in 1837 Dr. Thompson removed to Northampton. In 1839 he entered into co-partnership with Dr. Benjamin Barrett, with whom he had studied, and they were associated together for seven years when Dr. Barrett retired from active practice, and from the firm.

His next partner in business was his brother Dr. James Thomson also a native of Pelham, and the brothers were associated in business until the death of Dr. James. Dr. Daniel naturally tuned to his nephew, Dr. A. W. Thompson who was then admitted to partnership for a few years, and then it was dissolved, and from time until his death May 25, 1883, he pursued his chosen profession alone.

Dr. Daniel Thompson was a skillful and successful physician who secured a competence by his profession, and was noted for generosity and liberality in the use of the means he had gathered during his long professional career.

His father, Peleg P. Thompson, died when his son Austin was but four years old and the boy was received into the family of Dr. Daniel Thompson, then living at Pelham, and a few years later went with the Doctor’s family to Northampton.

He laid the foundation of his education by attending the public schools and later was a student in the Northampton Collegiate Institute. After finishing his course at the Institute he decided upon a thorough college course and was fitted for college by Rev. Rufus Ellis.

He graduated Harvard College in 1854, having the “salutatory” oration. After graduation he read law a few months with Judge Huntington. Tiring of the study of law he decided to turn his attention to medicine and began his studies with his uncle, Dr. Daniel Thompson, and on comp[letting them began practice, making a specialty of mental diseases, and was appointed assistant superintendent at the Northampton Lunatic Hospital, which he held for two years.

Resigning his position on account of failing health he resumed general practice, and later established the institution known as Shady Lawn, a medical home for invalids.

He was president of the Hampshire County Medical Society in 1856 and 1857, and was a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society.

Zebina Rankin removed from Pelham to Ohio when Ira P. was about fourteen years of age. The son plead with his father to be allowed to remain in Massachusetts and his request was finally acceded to. After the removal of his father and the rest of the family to Ohio. Ira went to Enfield and entered the store of Oliver Bryant, where he was employed for several years.

Mr. Rankin was married to Miss Caroline Bryant, a cousin of William Cullen Bryant of Northampton, in n1841. Mrs. Rankin died in 1881, leaving no children. From Enfield he went to Boston.

After residing in Boston for nearly twenty years he removed to San Francisco. This was about the year 1852,soon after the discovery of gold and the rush for that state was on.

He engaged in business there, was successful, became a member of the Chamber of Commerce and continued a member for twenty-seven years; was a prominent church man and a liberal giver of his wealth to benevolent purposes originating with the churches and otherwise.

Mr. Rankin received the appointment as collector of the port of San Francisco from President Abraham Lincoln, and performed the duties of that responsible position with ability, and great credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the merchants of San Francisco as well as to the government at Washington.

Mr. Rankin’s first business venture in San Francisco was in a general commission firm on Front Street, under the name of Rankin & Co. This was so successful that after a few years he was enabled to sell out at a profit and became a partner in the Pacific Iron Works. The firm name, Goddard &
Co., was changed to Rankin & Brayton after his entrance. This firm was one of the largest of its kind on the coast. It dealt in mining machinery, marine and milling goods. After many years Mr. Rankin absorbed all the interests of the firm, and at his retirement, when the Pacific Iron Works became absorbed in the Union Works he was sole owner.

The political interests of Mr. Rankin were always on the side of the Republican party. He took an active part in the formation of the party in the state. Before that he took an active interest in the People’s party. He was a most pronounced Whig. In 1856 and again in 1875 he was the Republican candidate for Congress, and was defeated each time.

The positions of public trust that Mr. Rankin has filled in San Francisco are numerous. He was one of the original Trustees of the College of California, and did active work for the bill incorporating it as a University. During the iron moulders’ strike Mr. Rankin was placed at the head of the Manufacturers’ Association, organized against them. For twenty-seven years he was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and in 1889 was its President. He was a Trustee of the Lick Trust, an President and life member of the Mercantile Library.

Mr. Rankin was actively interested in philanthropic matters, and for that reason was many years a Trustee in the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the Society for the Suppression of Vice. He was Chairman of the State Board of Commissioners for selecting a site for the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, and also Chairman of the Building Committee of the same institution. He was President of the Engineers and Foundrymen’s Association of San Francisco, and interested in all matters pertaining to the iron business.

Mr. Rankin died October 1, 1895, highly esteemed as a business man and Christian. His funeral was attended by many of the first citizens and business men of the city of San Francisco. After the close of the exercises a stranger stepped forward and announced himself as Edward Rankin, a brother of the deceased.

None present had ever seen the man nor had anyone ever heard of Ira P. having a brother or even relatives of any degree nearer than cousins. The stranger backed his claim by offering to forward proofs of his kinship, which he did to the satisfaction of all. Edward Rankin proved by indisputable facts and records that he was a son of Zebina Rankin, born in Ohio, and that he came to California about three years after Ira came from Boston, and he had resided within fifty miles of San Francisco during all the years, since 1854. He had known of his brother by hearing of his prominence as a business man and public officer, but had not taken the pains to claim blood relationship until he learned of the death of his distinguished brother.

Edward Rankin is a carpenter by trade. An industrious, honest man.

James Dunlap, M.D., was the son of James and Mary Dunlap, born in Pelham, February 13, 1819.

The name Dunlap appears on the records of the town as early as 1743, but no one of the name was among those who drew home lots after the first survey in 1739.

The family is of Scotch descent and the Dunlap farms were located about a mile southwest of the center of the town. There appear upon the records the names of Andrew, James, and William Dunlap, besides John already alluded to. William was familiarly known as Uncle Billy, and was noted for his broad Scotch accent in conversation. Dr. Dunlap attended the district schools of his native town and became a teacher, or schoolmaster in Pelham, and possibly in other nearby towns. He was a student at Williston Seminary, in the first class at the opening of the institution, and fitted for admission to Amherst College and entered that institution in 1843, where he remained until 1845. Five years later he graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, and at one entered upon the practice of his profession at Northampton, where he continued actively engaged for forty-five years or more, or until his death, August 3, 1896.

At the time of his death Dr. Dunlap was the oldest practicing physician in the city He was devoted to his profession and never refused to answer a call for his services, whether it came from the rich or the poor. His office was always open for consultation to those who needed his services, and during the latter part of his life answered calls to visit the sick that much younger men in the profession had declined because of the distance, the cold or storm. He never took a vacation from his business, and was never married. He was quiet and retiring in his tastes, was rarely seen in social assemblies, and seldom took an active part in any movement of public interest, he seemed to detest anything like personal publicity and never sought to gain a reputation for himself by the common methods employed by many good men. Dr. Dunlap never sought offices of trust and responsibility, yet he was called to serve as a director in the Hampshire County National Bank at the time of its incorporation, and held the position until he resigned in 1880. He was also one of the Trustees of the Hampshire Savings Bank for many years, and at the time of his death was senior Vice-president of the institution. He served as President of the Hampshire County Medical Society for several years and was much interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the organization. He gave much time and attention to forwarding the establishment of the Dickinson Hospital, was on the staff of hospital physicians and was cared for at the hospital during the last weeks of his life. Owing to his frugal mode of life and constant attention to his profession he succeeded in accumulating a handslome property variously estimated at from $20,000 to $50,000 and even higher. No portion of his property was donated to the city or to public institutions but was distributed by will to relatives.

Dr. Dunlap was taken ill about the first of July, and believing that the pure air on the hill-tops of his native town would restore him to health and strength again,, he took rooms at Hotel Pelham, and remained about a week, but as there was no improvement, he was taken back to Northampton, and was cared for at the Dickinson Hospital until his death.

In all of his long, professional life at Northampton he was trusted and respected by a wide circle of families who had need of his professional services, and outside th city, in the surrounding towns, his services were also in demand: and in some families he had been called to attend the sick for nearly half a century. During his long life his influence was given in favor of those measures that were for the best interests of the people among whom he dwelt.

William Harkness, the first of the name in this vicinity, was the son of William and came from Scotland to Massachusetts in 1710 when but seven years old. He married Ann Gray, July 28, 1748, a daughter of the Grays who settled in Pelham and possibly this was the reason of his being drawn to Pelham after the settlement of the town.

The children of William Harkness were John, William, David, James, Daniel, Jonathan, and Nancy. The children of these six sons and one daughter numbered fifty, forty-four of them bearing the surname Harkness. Nancy Harkness married Dea. Nathaniel Sampson who lived on the farm occupied for many years by Rev. John Jones in the west part of the town. Of the fifty children of the six sons and one daughter of William Harkness, twenty-six were daughters, and twenty-four were sons. John Harkness had eight children; William, seven; David, three; James, nine; Daniel, nine; Jonathan, eight; and Nancy, six. The descendants had nearly all removed from Pelham before 1850.

The descendants of these Pelham-born people are scattered in almost every state of the Union. Huron county, Ohio, Fulton and Peoria counties, Illinois, hold many of the descendants of James Harkness. Descendants of John are more widely scattered: some in California, some in Utah, others in Covington, Tioga county, Pa., still others in Elmira, N.Y. Of the descendants of Nancy, some went to Vermont, others are scattered in various parts of the country. Descendants of Daniel are in Peoria county, Illinois, and in Ohio. Descendants of William are found in Huron county, Ohio, and in Auburn, N.Y. Daniel’s descendants are in Peoria county, Illinois. While those of David and Jonathan are not as definitely located. The following sketches of members of the Harkness family are of the descendants of John, and sons of John jr., born in Pelham.

A son of William is living in Biloxi, La., and has a large family. His name is John Harkness and he removed to the South before the war of the Rebellion. There are a few of the name in Amherst, also descendants of William, but there is not one of the name in the town whence they sprang, in short—“They are scattered far and wide, o’er Mount and Stream and Sea.”

Harvey Willson Harkness, M.D. was born May 25, 1821, in the farm house still standing on the south side of the county road, a little west of the site of the Orient House—the farm at that time and for some years previous, being a part of a large tract of land owned by the Harknesses. He attended the public schools of the town during the years usually devoted to getting a common school education in the country towns at that time, supplementing it by several terms at Williston Seminary. He then entered upon the study of medicine in the office of Drs. Barrett and Thompson, at Northampton.

Leaving Northampton he went to the Berkshire Medical College, at Pittsfield where he graduated in 1847. Dr. Harkness then went west and located in St. Joseph,, Missouri.

When the news of the discovery of gold in California caused the breaking out of the gold fever and the consequent exodus for the newly discovered gold fields, in 1849, Dr. Harkness with others set out across the untravelled plains west of the Missouri with ox-teams and after a long weary journey, the party arrived in California in September of that year.

He located at Sacramento and commenced the practice of his profession among those of the eager gold-diggers who fell sick. The town increased in population very fast, owing to the influx of eastern men in search of gold, and soon the need for schools forced the people to organize them and Dr. Harkness became a leader in the movement which resulted in establishing a permanent system of schools in the City of Sacramento, and he was elected the first school superintendent.

The citizens of Sacramento appreciated his services in organizing and superintendence at the tie, and a few years since, after erecting a fine school building, named it the Harkness School in recognition of his services for the schools in the early days, and that the memory of his services might be kept fresh for years to come.

Dr. Harkness was present by invitation at the formal opening of the pacific railroad, May 10, 1869, when the lines were connected that made passage across the continent by rail possible, and in behalf of the State of California, presented the golden spike used on that occasion making the final connection of the rails of the two roads—one having been build from California east, and the other over the mountains and across the plains toward the west.

Retiring from active practice of his profession in June, 1869, he visited Europe and the East, and was present as an invited guest at the opening of the Suez Canal, on the 17^th of November of the same year.

Having retired from the practice of medicine Dr. Harkness devoted his time and attention to scientific investigation and removed to San Francisco. Since his removal to San Francisco he has been an active member of the California Academy of sciences for the past fifteen years, having served eight years as its President.

In 1886, and while Dr. Harkness was President of the Academy of Sciences, the society erected a magnificent building for the better accommodation of its scientific departments, library and museum, at an expense of $450,000.

Dr. Harkness has spent much time in foreign travel for pleasure and scientific investigation, visiting Europe on four different occasions, and spending two winters in Northern Africa.

He was elected a life member of the British Association in 1877, and is honorary member of several European scientific societies.

At present, though 76 years of age, the Doctor is serving as one of the Regents of Stanford University, and is actively engaged in microscopical research in various lines, giving special attention to the Mypogaci of the Pacific coast.

In 1895 Dr. Harkness declined further service as President of the Academy of sciences and was succeeded by Prof. David Starr Jordan.