My Genealogy Hound

HON. BARNEY T. WETHERELL, widely and favorably known as a wealthy and influential resident of Southampton, is numbered among the leading agriculturists of Hampshire County, wherein a large part of his years of useful activity have been spent. He was born in Plymouth County, October 14, 1822, son of Tisdel and Elizabeth (Reed) Wetherell.

The father of Mr. Wetherell was a native of this county, and here grew to maturity. When a young man, he went to Plymouth County with a drove of cattle, and, being pleased with the locality, remained there some time, engaging in the work of laying stone walls. He also cultivated the acquaintance of a Miss Reed, whom he married, and a few years later returned with her to Worthington, where he lived a year, going thence to Holyoke, which was their place of residence until they finally went back to Plymouth County. Both he and his wife spent their remaining years in Middleboro, his death occurring in 1830, and hers in the same town in 1834. They were the parents of four children: Barney T.; Samuel, now a resident of Holyoke; Amanda, deceased, who was the wife of Mr. Henry Caswell; and Elizabeth, widow of H. Leonard, residing in Easthampton.

Barney T. Wetherell acquired a practical education in the district schools in Plymouth and Hampshire Counties. At the age of twenty-one years he began working for himself; and in addition to general farming, which he carried on in Southampton, he was employed in getting out barrel staves, a most profitable industry. Ambitious, sagacious, and enterprising, not afraid to venture in new fields, he subsequently engaged in the manufacture of matches, still continuing his agricultural labors. In 1860 Mr. Wetherell bought twenty-eight acres of land, the nucleus of his present extensive farm, which now contains two hundred and twenty-five acres, he being one of the largest landholders of this vicinity and the heaviest tax-payer in the town. Fortune has smiled on his undertakings; and in the management of his farming interests he has met with excellent success, raising each year large crops of corn, hay, and tobacco.

In his early days Mr. Wetherell was identified with the Whigs; but on the formation of the Republican party he joined its ranks, voting that ticket until 1882, since which time he has cast his vote independently. He has ever taken an intelligent interest in politics, and has borne a conspicuous part in town and county affairs, serving efficiently in various local offices; and in the years 1890 and 1891 he represented his district in the State legislature, performing the duties of his position with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his worthy constituents. Socially, he is a member of the Golden Cross Society of Southampton.

On August 10, 1842, Mr. Wetherell was united in marriage with Adelia Maria Stedman, a native of Manchester, Conn., where her father, Reuben Stedman, a lifelong resident of that State, was then employed as a book-keeper. The golden anniversary of their wedding day, marking a half-century of happy companionship, was celebrated in August, 1892; but a year later, on September 11, 1893, Mrs. Wetherell passed to “fuller life beyond.” Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wetherell, namely: Georgia Annie, the wife of Mr. C. McLean, a prominent business man of Hartford, Conn.; Helen Adelia; Arthur B., a well-known physician of Holyoke and a valued member of the Masonic fraternity; Lois Stedman, wife of William Smith, of Holyoke; and one child who died in infancy. These children were all the recipients of excellent educational advantages, some being fitted for teachers, and one being a graduate of Harvard Medical College.

A faithful likeness* of Mr. Wetherell will be recognized among the numerous portraits that illustrate this volume of local biographies.

*Editor's note: Portrait was included in the original printed book.