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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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FREDERICK AUSTIN OSGOOD, a native of Hampshire County and a practical and enterprising agriculturist of Middlefield, Mass., was born in Worthington, February 23, 1859, son of George and Lucy Maria (Allen) Osgood.

His grandfather, Safford Osgood, who was born in Keene, N.H., lived in his native town until he was fourteen years of age. He then moved to Lebanon Springs, N.Y., where he stayed for several years. He next went to Peru, Mass., and engaged in farming. Later on he moved to Worthington, where he passed the last years of his life. He died when within but three years of being a centenarian.

George Osgood was born in Worthington, and lived with his father until the latter’s death. He then purchased the old homestead, which contained two hundred and fifty acres of good farm land. He was a mason by trade, and devoted his attention chiefly to that avocation, delegating the management of his farm to his son Frederick Austin as soon as the latter was old enough to take the responsibility. The father died July 18, 1889. The mother, a native of Washington, Mass., is still living on the old homestead. She and her husband had seven children, namely: F. A. Osgood; Alice; Eddie; Ida, deceased; Lena, who is a successful school-teacher; George, who resides at home; and a child that died in infancy. The children had few educational advantages, and were for the most part self-educated. In politics the father was a Republican. He was a popular man, and served his town several terms as Selectman.

Frederick Austin Osgood remained with his father until he attained his majority. He then worked in different places until his marriage, when he settled down to an agricultural life, in which he has been deservedly successful. In 1883 he was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Brown, who was born in Worthington in 1862, and is a daughter of Castanas Brown. Her father is a carpenter by trade, and also a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Osgood’s home has been brightened by the birth of three children; namely, Lillian, Vrena, and Roy.

Mr. Osgood is a stanch Republican. He is actively interested in the welfare of his town, which he has served acceptably as Road Commissioner for two years. He is well known throughout the county as a man of good business ability and upright character.

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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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