My Genealogy Hound

SUMNER O. POLLEY, who is successfully engaged in and owns a prosperous tobacco store in the town of Amherst, was born in New Salem, Mass., July 12, 1825, and is a son of Amos and Jerusha (Sawyer) Polley.

Amos Polley, who originally came from Ashburnham, Mass., conducted a grist-mill for a time, and in connection therewith he also engaged in the trade of a cooper, which he had followed for some time in North New Salem. He next turned his attention to getting out palm leaf for hats, at which he was employed in Mossville for about four years. Later he purchased a farm in Pelham, on which the last years of his life were calmly spent in the cultivation of the soil. He was liberal in religious matters, and in politics a Democrat. He died in Pelham at fifty-nine years of age, while his wife lived to eighty-five years of age. They were the parents of nine children, as follows: Annie, Amos, Hiram, Abbie, Jerusha, Sumner O., George, James, and Adeline.

Sumner O. Polley, who is now the only child living, spent his early years in the towns of Pelham and New Salem. He lived on the old farm until he was seventeen years of age, when he went to Northampton and obtained employment in a palm-leaf shop. After giving three years to that business he tried his fortune in several places, but finally, in 1844, settled in Amherst. Here he carried on a restaurant at first; then he started his present business, that of tobacco, cigars, and smokers’ articles. The stand he occupies has been his for many years, during which time his property has been twice destroyed by fire, first on March 13, 1876, and next on March 13, 1888.

He was married on October 20, 1847, to Miss Marah Brown, who was born in Conway, Franklin County, Mass., on February 21, 1830, and is a daughter of Erastus Brown, of that place. She has borne her husband two children, Gorham F. and Marah P. Mr. Polley is a Democrat. He is not a believer in any particular religious creed. His wife, however, is a communicant of the Congregational church. Mr. Polley is one of the oldest business men of Amherst; and, as he has always lived in that, vicinity, he has a large circle of friends and acquaintances. The family reside in a comfortable home which is Mr. Polley’s property.