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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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WILLIAM A. BARRUS, of Goshen, principal of the Hampshire and Franklin County Truant School, is the son of Deacon Theron L. and Czarina A. (Robinson) Barrus, and was born in Goshen, October 2, 1857. His grandparents, Levi and Almeda (Stearns) Barrus, moved from Heath, Mass., to Goshen, where the former purchased four hundred acres of land, and began farming on an extensive scale. Levi was a member of the Baptist church, a Whig in politics, an energetic farmer, and a progressive citizen. He died at the age of eighty-four years. His children were: Hiram, Loren, Charles, Alvin, Laura, Jane, and Theron L.

Theron L. Barrus, father of William A., was born at the old homestead in Goshen, September 1, 1829. At the age of twenty-one he commenced work in the turning shop of Ranney & Gage, and subsequently engaged in plane-making. He gave only the summer months to these occupations, as he still pursued his studies during the school season. After completing his education, he taught in the district schools for nine terms, devoting the summer season to agriculture. His first investment in real estate, known as the Red House, included twenty acres of land, situated in the vicinity of his present residence. Here he resided for a time, devoting his energies to farming and the making of ladders. Then he bought the Cushman farm of eighty acres, and later the Parsons property, comprising one hundred acres, on which he now resides. He has remodelled the buildings, keeps a dairy of ten cows, and has otherwise improved the farm, which he cultivates successfully. He joined the Congregational church when a young man, and at the age of twenty-five was made a Deacon, a position which he still holds. He is a Republican in politics, and has been a member of the School Board for twenty years. In 1852 he married Czarina N. Robinson, daughter of James and Adeline (Randall) Robinson, born December 27, 1831. They had five children, as follows: James L., Willie A., Mary A., Edward F., and Lyda E. The mother died May 6, 1895.

William A. Barrus received his education in the schools of his native town; and at the age of eighteen he engaged in agriculture as an occupation, which he followed for some years. He was later employed in Swift River as a plane-maker and wood polisher, at which business he continued for two years. In 1885 he purchased the Russ farm in Goshen, consisting of one hundred and fifty acres. Since then, besides making other improvements in the property, he has remodelled the buildings, and has conducted general farming, together with dairying, for which he keeps eight graded Jersey cows. He owns an interest in the Ashfield Cooperative Creamery, and has furnished teams for the construction of the State road. On October 1, 1889, Mr. Barrus was appointed principal of the Hampshire and Franklin County Truant School, and has since filled that position to general satisfaction. In this capacity he has fitted up a suite of dormitories, which are well lighted and ventilated, and provided a yard for outdoor exercise. Mr. Barrus was united in marriage on October 5, 1881, to Lucy M. Hall, daughter of Allen and Olive (Howe) Hall, of Ashfield. They have three children, namely: Alice E., born October 5, 1882; Myrtle E., born March 5, 1887; and Ida E., born August 12, 1889. Mr. Barrus is a Republican in politics.

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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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