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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. SHIPMAN, a general merchant of Hadley, was born in that town, November 18, 1851, son of William S. and Catherine (Gaylord) Shipman. Mr. Shipman’s grandparents were William and Betsey (Smith) Shipman, both of whom were natives of Hadley, where they passed their entire lives.

William S. Shipman, Mr. Shipman’s father, was born in Hadley, November 28, 1812. In early manhood he engaged in the manufacture of brooms, later giving his attention to farming and the cultivation of tobacco. He finally established himself in mercantile business in Hadley, and followed that successfully for the remainder of his life. He became prominent in public affairs, and was elected Town Treasurer in 1853, Town Clerk in 1854, and Postmaster in July, 1867, and satisfactorily attended to the duties of these offices until his death, which occurred November 26, 1881. William S. Shipman’s wife, who was born in Hadley, December 5, 1814, was a daughter of Israel G. and Susan (Smith) Gaylord. Her parents were natives of Hadley, where they resided until their death. Mrs. William S. Shipman became the mother of four children, as follows: James A., who died January 23, 1841; William N., who died February 13, 1872; Charles E., a merchant of Northampton; and Henry S., the subject of this sketch.

Henry S. Shipman was educated in the schools of Hadley, and resided with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-one, when he commenced life for himself. He engaged in agriculture, which he continued to follow until his father’s death. Since 1881 he has conducted the business formerly carried on by his father — that of a general country merchant — and has been very successful. He is a Republican in politics, is a Justice of the Peace, was Postmaster from 1881 until 1893, and was elected Town Clerk and Treasurer in the same year, which last two offices he still holds. Mr. Shipman was initiated in the Masonic Order at Northampton in 1884. Mrs. Shipman is a member of the Congregational church.

On November 18, 1872, Mr. Shipman was united in marriage to Jennie W. Morton, who was born in Hadley, August 5, 1855, daughter of the Hon. John A. and Sophronia (Thayer) Morton. John A. Morton was a native of Ware, came to Hadley at an early day, and resided in that town until his death. He became one of the largest farmers in Hampshire County, and represented his district in the legislature during the years 1845 and 1846, and died December 27, 1878. His wife, who was a native of Enfield, Mass., died in Hadley, November 20, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Shipman had three children, namely: William A., born March 27, 1874, who died September 2 of the same year; Mabel L., born January 6, 1876, now a school-teacher in Hadley; and Grace N., born January 7, 1883.

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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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