Page:One of a thousand.djvu/65

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BELLAMY. BENNETT. 51 cartridge loader, which in 1886 was sold to the United States Cartridge Com- pany. For the past twenty years Mr. Belcher has been active in the development of vari- ous real estate interests on the northerly shore of Boston Harbor. Eighteen years ago he purchased the tract of land in Win- throp now known as Cottage Park, and began to improve the same in 1SS1. Later he bought the famous General William F. Bartlett estate, near by, and the Beacon Villa property. These three properties are said to be the finest in YVinthrop, specially adapted for sites intended for sea-shore resorts. These unique watering-places are only twenty-five minutes' ride from the heart of the city, and bid fair to become attractive and permanent residences of great value, it being the intention of Mr. Belcher to solicit and welcome the patronage only of those who would make the resort, in every respect, unexceptionable. Mr. Belcher was married in Winthrop, October 16, 18S3, to Lizzie D., daughter of Nathaniel and Lois L. (Whittier) Lunt. BELLAMY, EDWARD, was born in Chi- copee Falls, Hampden county, March 26, 1850. His early education was received in the common and high schools of his native place, but his education proper, that which prepared him for his life work, was obtained by unlimited miscellaneous reading. His only attendance at any academic or colle- giate institution was one term at Union Col- lege, 1867-8. Leaving this institution, he spent a year in Europe. On his return he studied law in the office of Leonard & Wells, Springfield, and was admitted to the Hampen county bar in 187 1. But while he saw fit to enrich his educa- tional store with one of the learned profes- sions, his tastes were foreign to the practice of law. His was pre-eminently the author's vocation. In 1871-72 Mr. Bellamy was outside editorial contributor to the " New- York Evening Post ; " editorial writer on the staff of the " Springfield Daily Union," i872-'77, and with an associate he founded the "Springfield Daily News" in 1880. The genius of Mr. Bellamy is best shown, however, in his works of fiction, to which he is now devoting his time. As a writer of novels, and a general magazine contribu- tor, he has suddenly come to the front, and earned an enviable position in public ap- preciation. His principal works are: "A Nantucket Idyl " (G. P. Putnam's Sons), "Dr. Heidenhoff's Process" (D. Apple- ton & Co.), "Miss Ludington's Sister," and " Looking Backward " (Ticknor & Co.). Mr. Bellamy was married at Chicopee Falls, May 30, 1881, to Emma A. Sander- son, and has two children. BENNETT, JAMES W., son of Nathaniel G. and Sallie L, Bennett, was born at Newmarket, Rockingham county, N. H., March 21, 1833. He obtained a country school education in the towns of Stratton and Epping, N. H. Afterwards he attended Franklin grammar school, Lowell. After working a short time for other firms, he, in August, 1848, went into the JAMES W. BENNETT. employ of Abraham Matthews, a carpenter in the city of Lowell. He next went into business as partner with Mr. Matthews, April 4, 1858, staying with him till August 12, 1S5S; then went into business alone, at his present location, as contractor and builder, and continued there until May, 1881, when the firm of J. W. Bennett & Co. was formed, by the addition of George A. Bennett, his brother, and Fred W. Bennett, his son. The present business of the firm is contracting and building, and agents for the materials of the New England Felt Roofing Company, for Lowell and vicinity. Mr. Bennett's first marriage was in March, 1857. His second marriage, March, 1874,