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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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AARON AND LAFAYETTE STEVENS, the well-known millers and manufacturers of Worthington, are natives of this town. Aaron was born February 5, 1816; and Lafayette was born November 30, 1824, both being sons of Aaron Stevens, Sr.

Their father was born in Brookfield, Mass., August 19, 1786. In 1811 he settled in Worthington, where he purchased a farm of seventy-five acres, upon which his son Lafayette now resides. He also engaged in operating a saw and grist mill, which was at that time the only establishment of its kind in the neighborhood; and he conducted it with success until 1837, when it was destroyed by fire. He soon built another mill, and in 1840 erected a larger one, both of which were burned a few years later. Aaron Stevens, Sr., died July 2, 1859. On December 5, 1811, he married Sarah Spelman, who was born in Sandisfield, Mass., October 3, 1783, and died December 15, 1859. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Nathan S., John M., Aaron, Jr., Corril B., Sarah R., Catherine M., and Lafayette.

Aaron Stevens, Jr., assisted his father in carrying on the two saw-mills; and after their destruction he, in company with his brother Nathan, erected another mill, and operated it for some time. He then purchased his partner’s interest, and successfully conducted the enterprise for thirty-seven years. In 1894 that mill was also burned, and he at once started to rebuild. He is at present engaged in running a saw-mill and manufacturing hoops.

On March 17, 1842, Aaron Stevens, Jr., was united in marriage to Sophia P. Stone. She was born in Chester, Mass., April 23, 1816, daughter of Harvey Stone, a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are the parents of three children, as follows: Anson F., who was born January 8, 1843, married Fidelia Cole, and resides in Rockford, Ill., where he follows the occupation of a merchant; Eugene Henry, born January 23, 1852, who married Alida Graves, and is engaged in business with his father in the mill; and Cullen Leroy, born January 26, 1854, who also is in company with his father, under the firm name of A. Stevens & Sons. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens have also an adopted child, Henrietta J. Cole, who was born February 14, 1858, daughter of Henry and Augusta V. (Packard) Cole. Mr. Aaron Stevens is a Republican in politics, and has served as a Selectman. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are members of the Congregational church, of which he is Deacon.

Lafayette Stevens resided at home, and assisted his father in carrying on the farm. In the spring of 1858 he erected a grist-mill, which he operates with good results; and later he engaged in the manufacturing of embroidery hoops, which he ships to different parts of the country. He is a Republican in politics.

Lafayette Stevens was married on September 10, 1846, to Laura S. Packard. She was born in Cummington, Mass., November 9, 1825, daughter of William and Sarah (Stoddard) Packard, natives of Massachusetts, the former of whom was born October 25, 1791. William Packard was a well-known and highly esteemed man, who was a surveyor for more than fifty years, also a Justice of the Peace, and was Treasurer of Cummington for thirty-nine years. He died November 2, 1870; and his wife died March 1, 1873.

Mr. and Mrs. Lafayette Stevens have had six children, namely: Julia S., who was born July 3, 1847, married Darwin E. Lyman, of Cummington, and has two children — Eugene William and Laura A.; Ella A., who was born April 28, 1850, and died aged four years; William A., who was born October 11, 1852, for his first wife married Alice Daniels, and for his second Marie T. Young, and resides in Buffalo, N.Y., where he is employed as a travelling salesman; Alfred C., who was born May 31, 1856, married Edith M. Tower, and has two children — Walter Leroy and Clara Louisa; Lester F., born May 1, 1859, who married Harriet Read, and resides near Boston, employed as a travelling salesman; and Flora Belle, who was born December 25, 1863, and resides at home. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are members of the Congregational church, of which Mr. Stevens is a Deacon.

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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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