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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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HENRY S. ALLEN, a prosperous farmer of Pelham, was born in Belchertown, Mass., January 10, 1867, son of Baxter and Esther (Newell) Allen. Mr. Allen’s grandfather, Amasa Allen, was a native and a lifelong resident of Belchertown, where he followed agriculture successfully, and died in 1891. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a Republican in politics. He married Alice Sherman, and she became the mother of two sons, as follows: Henry D., who now resides in West Pelham; and Baxter, Mr. Allen’s father. The mother died in Belchertown at an advanced age.

Baxter Allen was born in Belchertown, and was reared to an agricultural life. He moved from Belchertown to Pelham, settled upon the farm where his son Henry S. now resides, and, being energetic and industrious, became a prosperous farmer. He died June 8, 1881. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for some time served it as a Trustee. He married November 27, 1862, Esther Newell, daughter of Lemuel and Charlotte (Arnold) Newell. The father was born in Pelham, March 13, 1810; and the mother was born in Belchertown, March 5, 1817. David Newell, the grandfather of Mrs. Baxter Allen, was an early settler in Pelham, where he passed the remainder of his life. Lemuel Newell owned and cultivated a large farm. He was highly respected, was prominently connected with public affairs, and served the town with ability as a Selectman, Overseer of the Poor, and in other offices. His death occurred August 26, 1887. He attended the Methodist church, and was a Republican in his political relations. His wife, Charlotte Arnold before marriage, died August 15, 1845. Of her children four reached maturity. Two are now living, namely: H. Smith Newell, a resident of Chicopee Falls; and Esther, who is now Mrs. Baxter Allen. Mrs. Baxter Allen became the mother of five children, as follows: Lyman W., who was born February 23, 1864, is married, and resides in West Pelham; Henry S., the subject of this sketch; Alice M., born March 7, 1871, and residing in Pelham; Myron N., born August 16, 1872, and now a prosperous farmer of Amherst; and Estella N., born February 26, 1878, and now the wife of William Earned, a mechanic of Pelham. The mother, who still survives, resides at the old homestead.

Henry S. Allen received his education in the common schools of his native town. At the age of fourteen he commenced life for himself as a farm boy. In this employment he earned sixty-five dollars by working eight months. He continued to labor upon a farm for some time longer, and then was employed in a meat market in Amherst, where he remained for five years. After this he became a clerk in the Grange store of Amherst. He was thirteen months in this position, when he resigned it to settle upon his present farm in Pelham, and engage in agriculture upon his own account. The property, which was formerly owned by Lemuel Newell, and later came into the possession of the Allen family, consists of two hundred acres of well-improved land. Mr. Allen devotes his time and attention to general farming, and he enters into his occupation with a spirit which takes no defeat.

He is a Republican in politics, and is at the present time serving as a member of the Board of Selectmen and of the School Board. On September 30, 1890, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Ada A. Brainard. She was born in Vernon, Conn., December 11, 1868, daughter of John and Fidelia (Goslee) Brainard, the former of whom resides in Amherst. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have one daughter, named Gladys H., who was born October 15, 1892. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

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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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