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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published by Biographical Review Publishing Company in 1896.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JOHN C. AVERY, a well-known farmer of Huntington, in the south-west part of Hampshire County, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Westfield, Mass., August 11, 1843, son of John and Lydia Avery. Mr. Avery’s father was born in Westfield, where he followed the occupation of a mechanic, and was also engaged in agriculture. He died in 1853. His wife, who was a native of Westfield, became the mother of five children, as follows: Dolly, who married Guy D. Green, an artist of Springfield, Mass.; Eliza, who married for her first husband Charles Chapin, and for her second, George Haven, and died in 1882; Lucinda, who married for her first husband Morgan King, and, for her second, John Hebron, and died in 1892; Isaac, who married Ellen Clark, and was accidentally killed at Norwich, Mass., in 1 891; and John C., the subject of this sketch. The mother died in 1894, aged eighty-four years.

John C. Avery was reared to an agricultural life, and commenced to work for his own support at a very early age. He was then employed as a farm laborer until 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company D, Thirty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, went to the front, and served through the most important period of the Civil War. He participated in the battles of Winchester, Cedar Creek, Hatch’s Run, Piedmont, Lynchburg, Petersburg, Fisher’s Hill, and was present at Lee’s surrender. He was wounded in the left foot at the battle of Piedmont, January 5, 1864, and was confined to the hospital for four weeks. After his discharge from the service Mr. Avery returned to Westfield, and later went to New York, where he resided four years. In 1870 he came to Huntington, and engaged in buying and selling horses, and also in carrying on a farm. He raises some excellent cattle and poultry, and conducts a prosperous business in shipping his products to New York City. Mr. Avery is Republican in politics. He was a Selectman for three years, and is now serving as Constable. He is a comrade of Post No. 176, Grand Army of the Republic.

On January 21, 1874, Mr. Avery was united in marriage with Lucy Maria Porter, who was born in Huntington, June 23, 1849. Her parents were Seth and Maria Porter, her father having been a prosperous farmer and tanner. Mr. Avery and his wife have three children: Ogden Porter, Byron Lyman, and Jay Morton. Mr. and Mrs. Avery are members of the Congregational church.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published in 1896. 

View additional Hampshire County, Massachusetts family biographies here: Hampshire County, Massachusetts Biographies

View a map of 1901 Hampshire County, Massachusetts here: Hampshire County Massachusetts Map

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