My Genealogy Hound

HENRY M. McCLOUD, a prominent business man of Amherst, who acts as insurance agent, real estate broker, and notary public, was born in that town September 22, 1838, son of Lewis and Minerva (Slate) McCloud, both natives of Franklin County, Massachusetts. The McClouds are of Scotch origin. Mr. McCloud’s grandfather, Charles McCloud, who was a native of New Hampshire, was an early settler in Rowe, Mass., where he was engaged in farming up to the time of his death. He was an industrious and successful man, and, though he worked early and late, lived to an advanced age. He was the father of a large family, one of whom, Mrs. Louie Brown, of Colerain, is yet living.

Lewis McCloud, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Rowe, March 24, 1805. He also was a farmer, and in 1835 purchased a farm in North Amherst, on which he spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1884; and his wife, who was born in Bernardston, May 18, 1809, died in 1891. Politically, Lewis McCloud was a Republican. He and his wife were both members of the Congregational church. They reared four sons, namely: Milton L., a carpenter in Northampton; Brooks U., a carpenter in Charlemont; Leroy J., a wire-maker in Northampton; and Henry M., who is the youngest.

Henry M. McCloud grew to manhood in Amherst, receiving his education in the public schools of that town. When sixteen years of age he entered the office of the Springfield Republican, where he learned the printer’s trade, becoming familiar with all the practical branches of the business. He was for twenty-five years engaged as a printer and publisher, producing first-class work and earning a fair competency. He published the Amherst Record, a bright and newsy paper, from 1867 to 1879, disposing of his printing business in the latter year, and taking up his present occupation in 1880. In addition to his other business he looks up pension claims, attends to the settling of estates, and for ten years has been a Justice of the Peace. Mr. McCloud is a veteran of the war, having enlisted December 12, 1861, as a member of Company H, Twelfth Connecticut Volunteers, under command of Captain Joseph Toy. He was a participant in some of the principal engagements, which included the siege of Port Hudson, the battles of Cain River, Mansfield, Georgia Landing, Atchafalaya River, Bisland, Centreville, and the capture of New Orleans. In September, 1863, he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant and transferred to Company B, Ninety-ninth United States Colored Infantry; and on October 1, 1864, he was honorably discharged.

On June 24, 1865, Mr. McCloud was married to Sarah A., daughter of Dr. Elijah W. Carpenter, of Bernardston. They have one son, Albert C., born in Amherst, May 24, 1870, who is associated in business with his father, and is married to Edna A. Carter. Henry M. McCloud votes the Republican ticket. In religious belief he is an Episcopalian. He is esteemed for his good judgment and business ability and for his strict integrity. In addition to his other offices of trust he holds the position of Trustee of the Smith Charities Institution of Northampton.