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

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Biographies:

Lincoln Clark, representative, was born in Conway, Mass., Aug. 9, 1800; son of Elisha and Lucinda (Keith) Clark. He was graduated at Amherst in 1825; taught in North Carolina and Virginia, 1825-31; practised law in Pickensville, Ala., 1831-36, and served in the state legislature in 1834, 1835 and 1845. He resided in Tuscaloosa, 1836-47, and was attorney-general of the state in 1839 and judge of the circuit court in 1846. He was a lawyer in Dubuque, Iowa, 1848-62, and a representative from Iowa in the 32nd congress, 1851-53. He then removed to Chicago where he practised law until 1866, when he was made register in bankruptcy. In 1869 he returned to Conway, Mass., where he died, Sept. 16, 1886.

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

Harvey Rice, educationist, was born in Conway, Mass., June 11, 1800. His father was a farmer, and in 1817 the son left the farm with his parents' permission and devoted his earnings to the preparation for college. He was graduated from Williams college in 1824, and removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where he re-opened St. Clair academy as a classical school. He was admitted to the bar in 1826, and practised law in Cleveland, 1826?28, as a partner with his preceptor, Reuben Wood. In 1828 he purchased the Independent News Letter, changed the name to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, and edited the paper, 1828?29. He was a Democratic representative from Cuyahoga county in the state legislature, 1830?31; agent at Millersburg for the sale of Western Reserve school lands in the Virginia military district, completing in three years (1833?36) the sale of 50,000 acres, and paying nearly $150,000 to the state treasury, as a school fund for the exclusive benefit of the children of the Western Reserve. He was clerk of the court of common pleas at Cleveland, and of the supreme court, 1833?40; the unsuccessful candidate for the 25th and 26th congresses, 1836 and 1838; state senator, 1852?54, and introduced the bill for a new system for the public schools of Ohio, and the establishment of school libraries. He was a member of the city council in 1857, serving as chairman of the committee that established the Cleveland Industrial school, and the same year projected the Perry monument for the public park. In 1862 he was a commissioner to conduct the first draft made in the country. In 1867 he erected, at his own expense, a monument at Mission park, Williamstown, Mass., commemorative of the origination by Samuel J. Mills in 1806 of the American Board of Foreign Missions; and on July 22, 1898, the citizens of Cleveland unveiled a bronze statue to the memory of Dr. Rice as the "Father of the Ohio School System." The honorary degree of LL.D. was conferred on him by Williams college in 1871. He was president of the Early Settlers' association of Cuyahoga county at the time of his death. He is the author of: Mount Vernon and Other Poems (1858); Nature and Culture (1875); Pioneers of the Western Reserve (1882); Select Poems (1885), and Sketches of Western Life (1888). He died in Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 7. 1891.

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

Elizabeth Storrs (Billings) Mead, educator, was born in Conway, Mass., May 21, 1832; daughter of Colonel Charles Eugene and Sarah Williston (Storrs) Billings; a granddaughter of William and Jerusha (Williams) Billings, and a descendant of Roger Billings, who settled at Dorchester, Mass., previous to 1640. She was educated with her twin sister in the seminary at Ipswich, Mass., 1849-51; taught the high school at Northampton, Mass., in 1851-52, and taught in a boarding school for young ladies at Andover, Mass., under the direction of her sister, Jerusha Williams, wife of Prof. B. B. Edwards, of Andover Theological seminary, 1852-58. She was married, Aug. 5, 1858, to Prof. Hiram Mead, D.D., of Cornwall, Vt., and resided with him in South Hadley, Mass., where he was pastor, 1858-67; in Nashua, N.H., 1867-69, and Oberlin, in Ohio, 1869-81. After the death of Dr. Mead in 1881, she was a teacher at Oberlin college, 1881-83, and at Abbott academy, Andover, Mass., 1883-89. She travelled in Europe, 1889-90, became president of Mr. Holyoke seminary and college in 1890; and was president of Mr. Holyoke college, 1863-1901. She resigned in June, 1899, to take effect in June, 1900, feeling the need of relief from hard work, but by request of trustees remained until January, 1901. She visited Europe in 1901, where she prepared reports for the U.S. commissioner of education on women's education in England. She received the degree of M.A. from Oberlin college in 1870 and that of L.H.D. from Smith college in 1900.

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

Chester Harding, painter, was born in Conway, Mass., Sept. 1, 1792. He removed to Caledonia, N.Y. in 1806, and worked at house-painting there and in Pittsburg, Pa., until the war of 1812 when he enlisted in the army. He afterward began to paint portraits and finally, without instruction, became very successful. After painting in St. Louis he went to London where he studied and painted portraits, 1823-26. In the latter year he opened a studio in Boston where he remained until his second visit to England in 1848. On his return to the United States he made his home in Springfield, Mass. He painted the portraits of many distinguished men including Daniel Webster, purchased by the New York bar association; John Randolph, purchased for the Corcoran gallery at Washington, John Quincy Adam, James Madison, John C. Calhoun, Washington Allston, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, and Gen. William T. Sherman. He wrote My Egotistography, which was privately printed. He died in Boston, Mass., April 1, 1866.

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