My Genealogy Hound

CAPTAIN TIMOTHY W. SLOAN, a prominent citizen and one of the leading boot and shoe dealers of Amherst, Mass., was born in the town of Prescott, January 23, 1827, son of John P. and Rachel (Upton) Sloan, who were both natives of that place.

The earliest ancestor of this family came from Ireland. Captain Sloan’s great-grandfather was one of the first settlers of Prescott, Mass.; and his grandfather, James Wilson Sloan, was born there. The latter, when he had grown to manhood, purchased a farm in the locality, and spent the rest of his life occupied in its cultivation. He held a high place in the esteem of his neighbors, and died when but a little past middle life. He married a Miss Pierce; and they became the parents of thirteen children, five sons and eight daughters, all of whom grew to adult life and married. Of all the only survivor now is Jonathan W. Sloan, who resides in Athol, Mass.

John P. Sloan grew to manhood and spent all his days in Prescott. He chose farming as his avocation, and followed it during the greater part of his life upon a small place owned by him. Besides attending to his agricultural duties, he also worked at the trade of stone mason. His religious views were liberal, and his political principles were Republican. His death occurred in Greenwich, Mass., when he was fifty-one years of age. He and his wife reared a family of seven children, all of whom have since died, with the exception of Timothy W. Sloan, who was the eldest. The deceased were: Lorraine, Lucy, Laura, Abbie, Sardis, and George. Their mother died in Westfield, Mass., sixty-eight years of age.

Timothy W. Sloan received a good practical education in the district schools of Prescott. He learned the trade of a shoemaker; and, when twenty -one years of age, he went to Shutesbury, Mass., and obtained a position in the boot and shoe factory of J. H. Winter. In 1856 he went to Amherst, where he was employed by Oliver Watson in the same line of business. Soon after the beginning of the Civil War, on September 20, 1861, he enlisted in Company D of the Twenty-seventh Massachusetts Regiment; and, having been one of those most active in organizing the company, he was given the captaincy. Among the battles in which he took part were those of Roanoke Island, Newbern, N.C., Beaufort, N.C., and Little Washington. After serving two years, he was honorably discharged on account of sickness and disability. He at once returned to Amherst; and, when he had regained his health sufficiently, he engaged in the boot and shoe business on his own account, and has continued in it since. His stock in trade, always one of the largest in the town, includes a variety of makes, and qualities to suit all tastes and purses. By his enterprise and fair dealing he has secured an excellent patronage.

In 1850, on November 26, he was joined in marriage with Miss Sarah T. Williams, who was born in Shutesbury, Mass., November 12, 1828, a daughter of Elijah and Lovisa (Pierce) Williams. Her father, who was born in Brooklyn, Conn., and was both a farmer and a wheelwright, died at the age of seventy-eight years; and her mother, who was a native of Shutesbury, Mass., lived to be seventy-one years of age. Both were members of the Baptist church, and he was an adherent of the Republican party. Twelve children were born to them, six sons and six daughters, of whom four are now living. These are: Harriet, wife of William Thurber; Emily, widow of James Thompson; Clara, who married Apollos Howard; and Sarah T., who is Mrs. Sloan. Of those deceased Mary married Asa Spear, and died in Palatine, Ill.; and Angeline married Samuel White, of Prescott, and died in Chicago, Ill. The others were: Shepard, Orrin, Charles, and George; with Asa and Joseph, who both died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Sloan have three children living, as follows: Jennie, wife of F. A. Hobbs, residing in South Lee, Mass.; Fred W., who is married, and assists his father in the store, residing in Amherst; and Lizzie A., living at home. They lost two children by death, namely: Charles L., who died when three years old; and Emma M., at the age of eighteen years.

Captain Sloan is a Republican. For about eighteen years he has rendered most acceptable service to his town as Constable. He is a member of Pacific Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Amherst; also of the Edwin M. Stanton Post, No. 147, Grand Army of the Republic, of Amherst, of which he was the first Commander, a position held by him for over ten years. He is a member of the Universalist church, and his wife of the First Congregational Church.