My Genealogy Hound

THERON O. HAMLEN, an enterprising merchant and the Postmaster of Cummington, Mass., was born in that town on April 9, 1842, son of Theron A. and Clarinda (Orcutt) Hamlen, and a grandson of Isaac Hamlen.

Theron A. Hamlen was also a native of Cummington, where he acquired his education. After completing his studies at the academy there he engaged as a school-teacher. Later he was employed for several years as post rider between his native town and Northampton. In 1848 he went to Bleecker, Fulton County, N. Y., where he first engaged in tanning. This employment, together with lumbering, made an extensive business, which he carried on until 1860, when he removed to Gloversville in the same State. There he became a contractor and speculator, buying land, erecting houses on it, and then selling. In this business he continued for the remainder of his life. His politics were Republican, and while a resident of Bleecker he served in the office of Town Supervisor. His wife, Clarinda Orcutt before marriage, was a daughter of John and Hannah (Richards) Orcutt. Her father was an enterprising and successful farmer and stock-raiser of Cummington, Mass., besides being an extensive wool buyer. She bore her husband one son, Theron O. Hamlen. After her death Theron A. Hamlen married Miss Mary A. Orcutt. Of this second union three children were born, namely: Flora C., who lives at Gloversville, N.Y.; Ida H., who died at twenty-three years of age; and John R., a resident of Gloversville, N.Y.

Theron O. Hamlen received his education in Bleecker, N.Y., and at Kingsboro Academy. He began his business career as assistant in the post-office at Gloversville, where he remained for five years. Following this he was engaged as a clerk in a dry-goods store for three years. He then went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he secured a position as travelling salesman for the firm of C. B. Smith & Co., dealers in fruits and fancy groceries. After nine years profitably spent in this way he joined his father at Gloversville, N.Y., in the building business, and three years later came to Cummington, Mass., and served as clerk for Mr. Lyman. Not long after, in 1883, he purchased of D. W. Lovell a house and store on Main Street in Cummington, and opened therein a general store. Ten years later, in 1893, the business having outgrown the original quarters, he erected a new store, where he keeps a full assortment of such goods as are generally demanded in a country district. At the same time he built a house and barns.

On May 5, 1881, he was joined in marriage with Miss Hattie L. Lovell, a daughter of Jacob and Laura A. (Barrus) Lovell, and their union has been blessed by a son and daughter, namely: Esther L., born November 11, 1891; and Harold E., born February 5, 1893. Mr. Hamlen was appointed Postmaster in 1885, and has held the office continuously since that time. He is also the Secretary and clerk of the Cummington Creamery Company. His wife is an active and influential member of the Congregational church.