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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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GEORGE D. HANNUM, an enterprising farmer of Southampton, was born in Westfield, June 3, 1836, son of Theodore and Selemna (Stocking) Hannum. Mr. Hannum’s father was born in Chesterfield, and there spent his earlier years. He subsequently conducted a hotel in Huntington, and likewise paid some attention to farming. He removed to Westfield, where he again engaged in the hotel business, and in connection therewith successfully managed a livery business. His wife died in March, 1840, and he survived her but a few months, dying January 16, 1841. They had two children, of whom the first died in infancy. The other is the subject of this sketch.

George D. Hannum, left an orphan at the age of five years, was taken charge of by his grandfather, Jaius Hannum, of Agawam, where he was reared and educated. In 1851 his grandfather removed to Southampton, settling on a farm, which he operated successfully until his demise, February 7, 1854, aged seventy-one years. Though but eighteen years old Mr. Hannum took charge of the estate, and continued to manage its affairs until 1866, when he purchased a part of the farm he now occupies. The rest of it he has since added to the original purchase, making a snug farm of sixty acres. All of it is under cultivation, and it shows many recent improvements. Mr. Hannum’s operations are marked by ability and foresight, and are always successful.

On June 9, 1856, while living on the old homestead of his grandfather, Mr. Hannum was united in marriage with Eliza E. Strong, born in this town May 9, 1837, daughter of Alpheus and Eliza Strong. Her parents were early settlers of the locality, and there spent their last years. Mr. and Mrs. Hannum had four children, as follows: Mabel, born August 2, 1858, who died July 16, 1860; Florence, born November 22, 1860, living at home; George A., born September 2, 1863, now employed in an office in Hartford, Conn.; and Clayton E., born October 22, 1865, living on the home farm, and assisting in its management. The latter is married to Julia B. Streeter; and they have one child, Iola. In politics Mr. Hannum is a supporter of the Republican party. He was Selectman from 1876 until 1884, and has been Collector of Taxes for eight years.

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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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