My Genealogy Hound

JOSIAH W. FLINT, a prominent lumber manufacturer of Enfield, Mass., was born in Athol, Worcester County, November 4, 1839, son of Josiah and Elizabeth (Hill) Flint. Mr. Flint’s paternal grandfather, Willard Flint, was a prosperous farmer of Royalston, another town in the county of Worcester, where he resided for a greater part of his life, and died at an advanced age.

Josiah Flint, son of Willard, was born in Sterling, Mass. He was an industrious farmer and a useful citizen. His wife, Elizabeth Hill, who was a native of Athol, became the mother of eight children, all of whom lived to reach maturity, and five are now living, namely: Eliza A., who is now Mrs. Lord, and resides in Athol; Abbie H., now Mrs. Harvey, of Athol; Rebecca S., Mrs. Ellenwood, of Newton, Mass.; Jane A., who is now Mrs. Rickey, and resides in Athol; and Josiah W., who lives in Enfield, as above mentioned. A sister, Mrs. Mary G. Barlow, died in Athol; one brother, Cyrus F., died in Brooklyn, N.Y.; and another, George I., died in Athol.

Josiah W. Flint is the youngest of the family. He received his education in the schools of Athol and Hardwick; and at the age of sixteen he left home, and went to reside with his sister in Hardwick, where he was engaged in farming and butchering for fourteen years. In April, 1874, he came to Enfield, and bought his first real estate, a farm of sixty acres, which he cultivated successfully for ten years. He also engaged in the lumber business in company with D. B. Gillett, with whom he is still associated; and they owned at one time a wooded tract of five hundred acres. They are extensive manufacturers of all kinds of native lumber, and have conducted for some years a very profitable business. Mr. Flint now owns, individually, about one hundred and fifty acres of land; and he occupies a handsome modern residence, which he erected in 1894. He is prominent in public affairs, and has been a member of the Board of Selectmen for the past six years. He has also served as Road Commissioner and Constable, and is at the present time Deputy Sheriff. He is a member of Bethel Lodge, A. F. & A. M.

Mr. Flint has been twice married, but has no children. His first wife, Emma E. Taft, whom he wedded in 1864, died in 1891; and his second wife, Kitty Shoals, a native of Easthampton, who became Mrs. Flint in 1893, died in 1894. Mr. Flint is one of the most enterprising business men in Enfield, and his undertakings have been productive of the most gratifying results.