Mullins, James Francis

The following data is extracted from Biography and Genealogy of Western Massachusetts, 1639-1925.

JAMES FRANCIS MULLINS - Tobacco raising is the chief industry of the country about Hatfield, Massachusetts, and the prosperity of the tobacco growers keeps the town alive and thriving. James Francis Mullins was an important member of this community. His two tobacco farms were models, and his energetic, levelheaded management of his business contributed to his own success and to the welfare of the town. He was born to the business, for his father, James Mullins, had also been a tobacco-grower.

James Mullins, son of James Mullins, who lived and died in Ireland, and his wife Helen, was the only surviving child of six born to his mother and father. He was born in County Waterford, Ireland, in 1843, came to the United States when he was about thirty years old, and died in Hatfield, Massachusetts, in 1914. James Mullins farmed for others for some years and finally purchased property on Chestnut Street, where he successfully raised tobacco for himself. James Mullins married Catherine Boyle, who was born in Hatfield, and died, in 1922. She was the daughter of Patrick and Ellen (Merrick) Boyle, and granddaughter of Patrick and Mary (Mahar) Boyle. The children of James and Catherine (Boyle) Mullins were: 1. Catherine, deceased. 2. Patrick. 3. James Francis, of further mention. 4. Marcus, who died at Camp Devens in 1918, after eight months' service in the Machine Gun Corps. 5. John W.

James Francis Mullins was born in Hatfield, Massachusetts, February 4, 1884, and died there June 5, 1925. He was educated in the public schools of Hatfield and at Smith Academy. At an early age he began farming, becoming an independent buyer and packer of tobacco. At twenty-six he went into business for himself, and at forty-one he owned two large farms on which he raised thirty-five or forty acres of tobacco, which he stored in large warehouses on his home place for packing. A man of wide interests, who was ambitious for his community and who loved his fellowmen, as they loved and respected him, he was generally mourned when he died so young. He was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 997, of Northampton, and the Knights of Columbus. He was a director on the Building Committee of West Hatfield.

James Francis Mullins married, November 29, 1911, Anna B. Doppmann, daughter of Lawrence and Eva (Betsold) Doppmann, of West Hatfield, Massachusetts, and granddaughter of Adam and Barbara Marie (Vollinger) Doppmann. Adam Doppmann was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1828, and died in Hatfield, Massachusetts, in 1892. Lawrence Doppmann, Mrs. Mullins' father, was born in Bavaria, October 31, 1853, came at an early age with his parents to America, and has lived in Hatfield ever since. The children of James Francis and Anna B. (Doppmann) Mullins are: 1. Catherine Eva, born in 1912. 2. Charles Lawrence, born November 7, 1913. 3. Margaret Louise, born July 24, 1916. 4. Anna Mary, born June 17, 1918. 5. Dorothy Grace, born September 13, 1920. 6. Gladys Elizabeth, born January 13, 1922. 7. James Marcus and Janet Frances (twins), born May 24, 1923.

Source: Biography and Genealogy of Western Massachusetts, 1639-1925

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