History of Charlemont, (Franklin County) Massachusetts United States of America

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Biographies:

Orlando Brunson Potter, representative, was born at Charlemont, Mass., May 10, 1823; son of ? and Sophia (Rice) Potter, and a descendant of Jetta Potter, who signed the covenant of New Haven in 1639. Orlando was a student at Williams college, 1841-42; taught school in Dennis, Mass.; attended the Harvard Law school; was admitted to the bar in Boston in 1848, and practised in Boston and at South Reading, Mass. In 1852, upon discovering the value of a patent for a sewing machine obtained by Mr. Brown, he organized the Grover and Baker Sewing Machine company, financed the concern, protected the patent in the courts, and as one-third owner of the stock acquired a large fortune. He withdrew from the company in 1873, and devoted himself to the management of real estate. On Aug. 14, 1861, he laid before Secretary Salmon P. Chase a plan to remedy the unequal and changeable values of the currency of the different states, which plan, with the modification of issuing United States notes as legal tender, which he did not approve, became the basis of the banking system of the United States in 1863. He was the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for representative in the 46th congress in 1878 in the tenth district; was elected from the eleventh congressional district of New York, as Union Democratic representative in the 48th congress, 1883-85; declined renomination in 1884, and the Democratic candidacy for mayor of New York city in 1886. He was a member of the first Rapid Transit commission of New York city, a trustee of Cornell university, 1891-93, and president of the State Agricultural society. He maintained on his own farm a home for poor children, its occupants being cared for under his personal supervision. He was married first in October, 1850, to Martha G., daughter of B. B. Wiley of South Reading, Mass., and secondly, to a daughter of Dr. Jared Linsly of New York. He left an estate valued at $7,000,000. He died in New York city. Jan. 2, 1894.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Chauncey Giles, clergyman, was born in Charlemont, Mass., May 11, 1813. He was graduated from Williams college in 1836 and conducted various private schools in Ohio, 1836-52. In 1853 he was ordained a clergyman of the Church of the New Jerusalem and was pastor of a church in Cincinnati, Ohio, 1853-63. He was president of Urbana university, 1858-63; was consecrated ordaining minister in Philadelphia in 1863; pastor of the New Jerusalem church, New York city, 1864-78; and pastor of the First church, Philadelphia, Pa., 1878-93. He was elected president of the general convention of his church in 1875, the highest office in the gift of the church, and was re-elected annually till his death. He received the degree of A.M. from Urbana in 1864 and from Williams in 1876. He edited the Children's New Church Magazine, N.Y., 1869-72, and the New Church Messenger, N.Y., 1872-78. He published numerous sermons in tract or book form, several of which were translated into foreign languages; also Stories for Children (1868-70); The Incarnation (1870); Heavenly Blessedness (1872); The Second Coming of the Lord (1879); Perfect Prayer (1880); Valley of Diamonds (1881). He died in Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 6, 1893.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor