My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES A. PUFFER, one of the oldest citizens of Amherst, where he has been for years successfully engaged in farming, was born in Franklin, Norfolk County, Mass., May 27, 1824, son of Stephen and Sally (Fosgate) Puffer, both natives of Berlin, Mass.

Stephen Puffer spent the early part of his life in Norfolk County, working as a tanner, currier, and finisher. He owned the farm now in the possession of Charles A. His last years were passed successively in Belchertown and Amherst. He was an industrious and competent workman, very successful in business, a Republican in politics, and a member of the Congregational society. He died in North Amherst, February 4, 1859. Mrs. Puffer died April 3, 1871, leaving four children, namely: Reuben G., residing in North Amherst; Sarah E., widow of J. C. Hastings, residing in South Amherst; Stephen P., residing in North Amherst; and Charles A. All of these are now over seventy years of age.

Charles A. Puffer received the greater part of his education in Amherst. When a boy he became familiar with the duties of farm life, and on attaining manhood took to farming as an occupation. He has a fine estate of fifty acres, on which he has made many improvements, and carries on general farming. His buildings are in good condition, and the whole property bears evidence of thrift and prosperity.

On March 11, 1846, Mr. Puffer was united in marriage with Caroline E., daughter of Earl and Nancy (Oliver) Johnson, a native of Hadley. Mrs. Puffer’s grandfather, Silas Johnson, was born in Woodstock, Conn. The greater part of his life was devoted to farming; but for some time he kept a tavern in Dover, Vt. His last years were passed in South Amherst, where he owned a farm that yielded him an ample income. He was a veteran of the Revolution, having enlisted in the Continental army when only sixteen years of age. In politics he was an old-time Whig, and, with his wife, attended the Congregational church. His span of life embraced eighty-six years. His wife, whose maiden name was Clarissa Bugbee, also lived to an advanced age. They had two sons and five daughters, all of whom lived over sixty years.

Earl Johnson, the father of Mrs. Puffer, was the elder of the two sons. He also was engaged in agriculture, owned a good farm in Amherst, and was quite wealthy. He was a stanch Republican, an active and worthy citizen, and lived to the age of seventy-eight years. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Oliver, was born in Scotland, and came to America when seven years of age. She and her husband were members of the Congregational church at South Amherst, and she died at the age of sixty-three. Their union was blessed by two daughters and a son. Of these two are now living, namely: Clarissa, wife of Reuben Puffer, of North Amherst; and Silas O., a farmer in Amherst.

Mrs. Puffer, the wife of Charles A. Puffer, died June 12, 1895, aged seventy-one. They had several children, but the father is now the sole survivor of the family. Mr. Puffer cast his first vote in support of the Whigs, and is now a Republican. He is a member of the Congregational Church at South Amherst, which was also attended by his late wife, and is held in the highest esteem by his townsmen.