My Genealogy Hound

ALBERT R. HOUSE, a progressive agriculturist of Enfield, owns one of the most pleasantly located farms in this beautiful town, the view from his residence being one that the lover of nature never tires of looking upon — the picturesque mountain side with its rocks and trees on the west, and green fields sloping toward the south and east. Mr. House was born in the town of Chesterfield, in the western part of Hampshire County, on June 12, 1842, and is a son of Samuel and Clarissa (Root) House. His grandfather, Gresham House, was also a native of Chesterfield, son of an early settler of that town. He became the owner of a good farm and spent his active life in its cultivation. His earthly years were about threescore and ten, and his wife Mary also lived to attain a good age. They were the parents of nine children, five of whom are still living.

Samuel House, the second child of his parents, was born in Chesterfield on April 8, 1810. After having been for many years there successfully engaged in farming, he has now retired from active business and is living at Haydenville in this county. He has always taken a keen interest in town affairs, and at the time of the Civil War, while a resident of Chesterfield, served as Selectman. In political affiliation he is a Republican, and in religious fellowship a Congregationalist. His wife, Clarissa Root, was born April 15, 1815, in Westfield, Hampden County, and is now in her eighty-first year. Of the four children born of their union, three grew to years of discretion and still survive, namely: Ellen, the wife of Samuel Thayer, of Westfield; Albert R.; and Edwin J., who served as a private in the First Massachusetts Cavalry, and now resides in Williamsburg. Frank died when but three years old.

Albert R. House grew to manhood in Chesterfield, acquiring his education in the district and high schools and at Westfield Academy. On attaining his majority he left home, and in 1864 purchased a farm in Enfield, the one on which he now resides, a well-improved estate of one hundred and seventy-four acres. He is a hard worker and carries on general farming with good success, keeping his barns and house and other buildings in good repair, and his land in a good state of cultivation, the fat and sleek cattle that graze in his pastures showing that they receive due attention and care.

On May 8, 1862, Mr. House was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Bryant, a daughter of Eli and Mary (Simmons) Bryant. She was born in Suffield, Conn., November 27, 1842. Her father, who spent many years of his life in Chesterfield, where he was a successful farmer, was drowned in the freshet that visited that town in 1874, he being then sixty-three years old. Mrs. Bryant is still living in Warren, Ill. She is a member of the Congregational church. She and her husband had five children, namely: Nelson J. and Ella L. (now deceased); Elizabeth (Mrs. House); Willard C., living in Wyanet, Bureau County, Ill.; and Mrs. Isabella M. Hayden, of South Framingham, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. House have an interesting family of six children, of whom a brief record follows: Alice C., born September 10, 1862, lives in Haydenville, Mass., with her grandparents; Samuel, born March 12, 1864, is engaged in the tin and plumbing business in Springfield, Mass.; Agnes E., born April 12, 1866, married Dwight Tillson, of Enfield, and has two children, Raymond A. and Ralph B.; Annie I., who was born February 12, 1871, married Thomas Sanderson, of Enfield, and has a son, Roy E.; Mary L., born August 28, 1872, is the wife of William Metcalf, of Enfield, and has a daughter, Gertrude E.; and Albert R., Jr., who was born March 25, 1876, still lives with his parents.

Mr. House casts his vote with the Republican party. He interests himself in whatever conduces to promote the welfare of his town; and among the positions of responsibility and trust filled by him have been that of Selectman for several terms and that of Assessor for upward of fifteen years. He is a member of Bethel Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Mr. and Mrs. House are a genial couple, and the doors of their pleasant home are often open for the reception of their many valued friends and acquaintances. A likeness of Mr. House will be found on another page of this volume.