Duty S. Tyler was born at South Adams, March 27, 1799. In common with all the youths of that day he enjoyed very limited means of education. Being habituated to industry and self-reliance he entered the brick factory (known as Plunkett & Wheelers, at Adams), about 1820 or 1821, as an apprentice. Though he began at the lowest rounds of the ladder, he worked his way upwards, acquiring not only skill in the business but the confidence and goodwill of his employees and associates. In 1826 Mr. Tyler and S. B. “Brown (his brother-in-law) hired the Turner mill. Here the young partners manufactured cotton striper. In 1828 they engaged with William Jenks in running the Caleb Turner cotton mill of this village, on a three years lease, at the expiration of which, in 1831, t1he partnership was dissolved. In the same year the firm of Brown & Tyler was formed, which existed for eight years. (For particulars see Johnson Manufacturing Company.) In 1840 Mr. Tyler retired to his farm, which embraced all the land from the Western end of the cemeteries till it joined that of Orson Wells in Braytonville. In 1836 he exchanged certain property with Mr. Wells and became joint partner with Samuel Ingalls in the Union Mill. (See sketch of that mill.) He was elected president of t1lie Adams National Bank in 1842 and held the office until his resignation from ill health in 1857, about fifteen years. He united with the Baptist church soon after his removal to this village in 1828, and was chosen one of its deacons in 1834, filling that station until his death, August 27, 1857. In his death the church mourned the loss of one of its most exemplary, useful, liberal and devoted members, while the community at large lost a reliable, practical and energetic businessman.

William Wallace Freeman was born in Salem, this State, in the month of June, 1819. He was the youngest of a family of ten children. His early business career was begun as a merchant of his native place, where he prospered for a number of years. In 1844: he was married to Catherine Russell. In 1849 he removed with his family to Adams, where he established himself in a large country store. He was one of the principal founders of the old National bank, and was for two years, from 1861 to ’63, cashier of that institution. In 1863. Mr. Freeman commenced his active business life in this village, which continued till his death. At remote intervals for many years, Mr. Freeman was troubled with affections of the heart, which resulted fatally on the 9th of October, 1881.

For a recapitulation of Mr. Freeman’s business interests see article on Freeman Print Works.

William E. Brayton was born in Rhode Island in 1789, came to this town in 1812. At first he worked in one of the mills as an operative, until be had saved enough to start in the mercantile business in a small way. In company with others he, in 1813, built the old Eagle factory, which was the second cotton mill erected in town. In 1826 he received the appointment of postmaster, which he held for a period of twenty-three years. That his service was satisfactory to the public at large is shown from the fact that he held the office through the administration of six presidents, four of whom he was opposed to in political sentiments, he being a whig, though not an active politician. In company with his brother Thomas, in 1831 he built the Braytonville mill where he continued until 1853. He died in 1865 after a most useful life at the age of 76 years.

Caleb B. Turner was born in Cranston, R. I., July 7, 1789. In 1820 he removed to this village, and in connection with his brother Gershom, leased the Eagle factory, which had laid idle for several years. Just before the expiration of their lease, in 1823, the brothers dissolved partnership, and divided the profits, $1,500 to each. With this money Mr. Turner purchased the factory and machinery, including the water-power and land where the Gould mill stood, and a saw mill which stood near, all for the sum of $2,000.

Being a man of close observation, keen, astute perception, sound judgment and determined will, he was ever ready to investigate and adopt the modern improvements. He kept pace with the spirit of the times, and filled the Eagle mill with a complete set of machinery, including about twenty, power looms. In 1826 he built what was known as the Gould mill, placing in it twenty looms, and manufactured sheetings. In 1826 he built a brick store on the corner of Union and Eagle streets. In 1828 he leased his mills, dwellings and store to Brown, Jenks & Tyler for three years. In 1828 be purchased the furnace then belonging to Otis Hodge, Jr., and the land now occupied by the Freeman Print Works, and erected first a small building adjoining the furnace, and the next year commenced the printing of cloths. This was