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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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RALPH M. GUILFORD, owner of a large livery and hack stable in Northampton, is carrying on a thriving business, having by his courtesy and square methods of dealing won an extensive patronage. He was born in the town of Conway, Franklin County, in 1861, being the son of Walter Guilford, a lifelong resident of Conway, whose birth occurred in 1819, and his death in 1872.

Walter Guilford was the fifth child of a family of five sons and one daughter. He was a hard-working man and an experienced tiller of the soil, owning and improving a good homestead. He married Minerva Amsden, who was one of six children, five daughters and a son, born to her parents, Ira and Minerva Amsden, of Conway. Of their union seven children were born, five of them being sons; and four are now living. Minerva is the wife of Frank H. Warren, of Boston; Ira is a horse dealer, with headquarters in this city, but spending much of his time in the West, buying horses for the Eastern markets; Arthur C., proprietor of the Conway hotel, is a well-known and substantial farmer of that place, and superintendent of the electric railway company. Ralph M. Guilford lived at home until seven or eight years old, and from that time until he was fifteen he attended school in Ashfield. Having early been left an orphan he was thrown somewhat upon his own resources; and being a great lover of horses and an able manager of them he secured the position of stage driver, running from Conway to South Deerfield. He being very small of his age, the passengers were at times afraid that he would not be able to manage the four horses, but he was always equal to any emergency. Mr. Guilford was next employed as clerk in a Conway hotel, where he remained three years, when, at the age of nineteen years, he accepted a similar position in the Massassoit House at Spencer, continuing there a year. Coming then to Northampton, he and his brother Julius bought the livery stable of John Daniels, paying for it thirty-five hundred dollars, an investment which his friends prophesied would prove a disastrous failure, deeming it impossible that he could continue the business through the winter season, even if he made a living through the summer. This prediction has fortunately proved unfounded, as Mr. Guilford is still here, after thirteen years of activity, during which time he has had a steadily increasing trade, and is now recognized as the leading liveryman of the city, his urbanity and prompt attention to the wants of his customers winning deserved popularity. He has had different partners, his brother having sold out to his brother-in-law, F. H. Warren, and he in turn to Alfred W. Prouty, a brother of Mrs. Guilford. In 1893 Mr. Guilford purchased Mr. Prouty’s interest, and has since conducted the livery stable himself. He keeps from twenty-five to thirty horses, and runs three hacks regularly to and from the stations.

On Christmas Day, 1881, Mr. Guilford was united in marriage with Mary E. Prouty, of whose companionship he was deprived in a few short years, her death occurring in March, 1889, at the age of twenty-six years. She left one son, Walter R., now a fine boy of eleven years. On May 12, 1891, Mr. Guilford married Miss Susie Flagg, daughter of Mrs. Ellen (Donaldson) Flagg. Mrs. Guilford’s mother, who, when quite young, was left a widow with two daughters, died in the winter of 1894, in the sixtieth year of her age. Prior to her marriage Mrs. Guilford was a popular and efficient saleswoman in McCullum’s dry-goods store. In politics Mr. Guilford is guided by his own judgment, voting independent of party lines. He is connected with several fraternal organizations, being a Knight Templar, a charter member of the tribe of Red Men, and belonging to the Knights of Honor.

His home at 31 Union Street he bought in 1887, and here he and his estimable wife entertain their numerous friends with a generous hospitality.

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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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