My Genealogy Hound

ALANSON WELLS STACY, a large land-owner of Belchertown, was born upon the farm where he now resides, May 29, 1818. His father, Alanson Stacy, who was born in the same town, was a son of Mark Stacy, also a native of Belchertown, where his father, Moses Stacy, was, in all probability, a lifelong resident and a farmer. Mark Stacy, who married Julia Root, was also engaged in agricultural pursuits. He passed his entire life upon his farm, which was situated in the locality known as Turkey Hill, where his three sons and three daughters were born. Alanson Stacy at the age of fourteen years went to reside in the family of Phineas B. Clark, a well-to-do farmer of the neighborhood, who had no children of his own. At the death of Mr. Clark, Alanson inherited the farm and resided there until his death, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. His wife, whose maiden name was Delia Kelley, died at the same age as her husband, having been the mother of three children, of whom Mr. A. W. Stacy of this article is the only son.

Alanson Wells Stacy, subsequent to reaching his majority, was associated with his father for some years in carrying on the farm. He then became a resident of Springfield, where for a period of twelve years he was very successful in business. He then returned to Belchertown, having succeeded to the ownership of his father’s property. This he has since increased so that at the present time he possesses over eight hundred acres of exceedingly valuable land.

Mr. Stacy has been twice married. On the first occasion, which was in 1839, he was united to Eunice M. Kendall, of Ludlow, daughter of Selah and Betsey Kendall. She died in 1865. His second marriage, performed in 1869, was with Adeline Emma Barnes, of Hardwick, Mass., daughter of Harvey Barnes, a farmer of that town. Eli Barnes, father of Harvey Barnes, also followed agriculture, and was, so far as known, a lifelong resident of Hardwick. Harvey Barnes, who was reared to farm life, went to Boston when a young man, making the journey on foot and carrying all of his worldly possessions tied up in a handkerchief. He soon gained a footing in business, and, being very industrious, was able to advance rapidly. He embarked in a livery enterprise, which he successfully conducted for a period of ten years. Then disposing of it he returned to his native town and purchased the old homestead, where he subsequently resided for many years. He passed the last three years of his life in Brookfield, where he died at the age of eighty-three years. His wife, whose maiden name was Harriet Gragg, a native of Boston, died at the age of seventy-six. She bore him fourteen children, eleven of whom grew to maturity. By his first marriage Mr. Stacy had one daughter, who died at the age of twenty years. His present wife has borne him two children; namely, Avery Wells and Delia Estella. He has been a lifelong Democrat, but pressure of business has always withheld him from taking any prominent part in politics. He, however, served his fellow-townsmen one year as chairman of the Board of Selectmen, and at its conclusion informed them that he would present the town with the amount due him for his services on condition that he should never again be called into public affairs.

Mr. Stacy has had an eminently successful career, attributable chiefly to his energy and his industry. He is reckoned among the wealthiest residents of Belchertown. Although nearing his fourscore years, he is still vigorous and active. He has a commanding appearance, stands five feet nine inches in height, and has weighed two hundred and forty pounds.