My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES D. HASKELL, an enterprising merchant of Enfield, Hampshire County, Mass., and a substantial citizen of this community, is a son of Ira D. and Adeline E. (Ayers) Haskell. He was born in the adjoining town of Greenwich, Mass., on April 18, 1858; and both his parents were also natives of that town.

As early as 1858 Ira Dexter Haskell established himself in mercantile business in Enfield, opening a general store at the stand now occupied by his son, which he continued to conduct in a successful manner up to the time of his death. He took an active interest in town affairs, and was often called upon to fill positions of responsibility and trust. He served as Selectman for a number of years, during the major part of the time acting as chairman of the board, and in the last years of his life he affiliated with the Democratic party. In matters of religion his views were liberal. He died in February, 1887, at sixty-three years of age. He and his wife, Adeline Elizabeth Ayers, reared one son, Charles Dexter Haskell. Mrs. Adeline E. Haskell survived her husband about four years, dying in 1891.

Charles Dexter Haskell acquired his early education in the public schools of Enfield; and later on, in 1877, he attended Williston Seminary. He entered his father’s store in his boyhood as a clerk, continuing in that position until his father’s decease, when the full charge of the business devolved upon him; and since that time he has continued to conduct the store on his own account. It to-day enjoys the distinction of having been established longer than any other house in Enfield. He carries an excellent line of such goods as are found in a first-class general store, and sells at prices as low as consistent with the laws of trade. Mary Patten Allen, to whom he was united on the 6th of June, 1892, was born in Enfield, Conn., and is a daughter of Horace B. Allen, of West Hartford, Conn. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Haskell has been brightened by the birth of an only son, Ethelbert Allen Haskell.

Mr. Haskell casts his vote with the Democratic party, of which he has ever been a faithful adherent. In religion he is a liberal, and his wife is a communicant of the Congregational church. During his lifelong residence in Enfield, by his faithful attendance to business and integrity in all his dealings Mr. Haskell has won the respect and esteem of his fellow-men, among whom he has many warm and valuable friends.