aass_c Ol-7- BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES THIS VOLUME CONTAINS Biographical Sl<:etches OF Leading Citizens OF RUTLAND COUNTY, VERMONT. 'Biography is the only true history." — Emerson. BIOGRAPHICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, George Richmond, Pres. ; S. Harmer Neff, Sec'y-; C. R. Arnold. Treas. BUFFALO, N. Y., CHICAGO, ILL. 1899. PRKFACE 'AVING brought to a successful termination our labors in Rutland County in compiling and editing the sketches herein contained, we desire, in presenting this Book of Biographies to our patrons, to make a few remarks, necessarily brief, in regard to the value and importance of local works of this nature. We agree with Ralph Waldo Emerson that "Biography is the only true History," and also are of the opinion that a collection of the biogra- phies of the leading men of a nation would give a more interesting, as well as authentic, history of their country than any other that could be written. The value of such a production as this cannot be too highly estimated. With each succeeding year the haze of Obscurity removes more and more from our view the fast disap- pearing landmarks of the past, Oblivion sprinkles her dust of forgetfulness on men and their deeds, effectually concealing them from the public eye, and because of the many living objects which claim our attention, few of those who have been removed from the busy world linger long in our memory. Even the glorious achievements of the present age may not insure it from being lost in the glare of greater things to come, and so it is manifestly a duty to posterity for the men of the present time to preserve a record of their lives and a story of their progress from low and humble beginnings to. great and noble deeds, in order that future generations may read the account of their successful struggles, and profit by their example. A local history affords the best means of preserving ancestral history, and it also becomes, immediately upon its publication, a ready book of reference for those who have occasion to seek biographical data of the leading and early settled families. Names, dates and events are not easily remembered by the average man, so it behooves the generations now living, who wish to live in the memory of their decendants, to write their own records, making them full and broad in scope, and minute in detail, and insure their preservation by having them put in printed form. We firmly believe that in these collated personal memoirs will be found as true and as faithful a record of Rutland County as may be obtained anywhere, for the very sufficient reason that its growth and development are identified with that of the PREFACE men who have made her what she is to-day — the representative, leading men, whose personal sketches it has been a pleasure to us to write and give a place in this volume. From the time when the hand of civilized man had not j'et violated the virgin soil with desecrating plough, nor with the ever-ready frontiersman's ax felled the noble, almost limitless, forests, to the present period of activity in all branches of industry, we may read in the histories of the county's leading men, and of their ancestors, the steady growth and development which has been going on here for a century and a half, and bids fair to continue for centuries to come. A hundred years from now, whatever records of the present time are then extant, having withstood the ravages of time and the ceaseless war of the elements, will be viewed with an absorbing interest, equaling, if not surpassing, that which is taken today in the liistory of the early settlements of America. It has been our purpose in the preparation of this work to pass over no phase or portion of it slightingly, but to give attention to the smallest points, and thus invest it with an air of accuracy, to be obtained in no other wzy. The result has amply justified the care that has been taken, for it is our honest belief that no more reliable production, under the circumstances, could have been compiled. One feature of this work, to which wc have given special prominence, and which we are sure will prove of extraordinary interest, is the collection of portraits of the representative and leading citizens, which appear throughout the volume. Wc ha\e tried to represent the different spheres of industrial and professional activity as well as we might. To those who have been so uniformly obliging and have kindly interested themselves in the success of this work, volunteering information and data, which have been very helpful to us in preparing this Book of Biographies of Rutland County, we desire to express our grateful and profound acknowledgment of their valued services. Chicago, III., December, 1899. the publishers. NOTE All the Biographical sketches published in this volume were submitted to their respective subjects, or to the subscribers, from whom the facts were primarily obtained, for their approval or correction before going to press; and a reasonable time was allowed in each case for the return of the type-written copies. Most of them were returned to us within the time allotted, or before the work was printed, after being corrected or revised; and these may therefore b.e regarded as reasonably accurate. A few, however, were not returned to us; and, as we have no means of knowing whether they contain errors or not, we cannot vouch for their accuracy. In justice to our readers, and to render this work more valuable for reference purposes, we have indicated these uncorrected sketches by a small asterisk (*), placed immediately after the name of the subject. They will all be found on the last pages of the book. BIOGRAPHICAL PUBLISHING CO. Book of Biographies rutland county, VERMONT. lOHN ABNER MKAD. Book of Biographies RUTLAND COUNTY f^OHN ABNER MEAD, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, enjoys a state-wide reputation as a result of his connection with the many enterprises and flourishing industries of Rutland, together with the official positions he has so faithfully filled. He was for many years a practitioner of medicine, but relinquished that profession because of the pressing needs of his busi- ness interests. He is now president of the Howe Scale Company, manufacturers of a scale recognized as the standard the world over, and it is much to his credit that this company is the flourishing enterprise that it is. Mr. Mead comes of a distinguished line of ancestors both on the paternal and maternal sides, and is of English descent. In ^Vestmin- ster Abbey, there is a monument erected to the memory of one of his ancestors, Richard Mead, M. D., who was physician to George H. and Queen Anne. At a later period. Colonel Richard K. Mead was aide-de-camp to General Washington from 1777 to 1783, and was with the connnander-in-chief in all his principal battles, and personally superin- tended the execution of the English spy, Major Andre. The Right Reverend William Mead, Bishop of Virginia, was of the same family, and another, Richard W. Mead, who was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in June, 1778, is said to have been the first im- porter of Merino sheep to this country. Our subject's great-grandfather was Colo- nel James Mead, who was the first white man to settle in Rutland or the Otter Creek Val- ley. He was a native of New York, having been born at Horseneck, August 25, 1730, and was descended from one who came to this country in 1642. Colonel James ]\fead pur- chased 7,000 acres of land, at six cents per acre, along Otter Creek and near the falls at Center Rutland. He moved to that locality from Manchester, Vermont, taking with him 12 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES liis wife, eleven children and a son-in-law. He was the first moderator, and the first se- lectman in the town, and the first representa- tive from Rutland to the first Vermont Leg- islature. He had the honor of being the father of the first white child born in Rutland. He was united in marriage with Mercy Holmes of I4orscneck. X. Y.. and among their children was Abner, who married Amelia Roots, a daughter of Rev. Benajah Roots, who was one of the early ])rominent figures in Rut- laud, being the first settled pastor of the Con- gregational church, which was organized in 1773. In the preface of his first sermon which was subsequently printed, he said he then knew of but one settled Congregational min- ister in the whole region of country between Massachusetts and Canada and the Hudson and Connecticut rivers, ft was at his home that Rev. William Emerson of Concord, Mass.. grandfather of I\alph \\'aldo Emerson, and army chaplain under Cieneral Gates in the Continental army, breathed his last. The Concord author had a letter written to the church by Rev. Mr. Roots, con\eying the intelligence of this death. Rev. Mr. Roots was a graduate of Princeton College, and died in 1787. Roswell R. Mead, the father of our subject, was a successful merchant in West Rutland up to the time of his decease in 1875. His faithful companion and helpmeet in life was Lydia .\. (jorham. bv whom he had one child, John .\., our subject. John .v. Mead was born in Eair Haven, Ver- mont, April 20, 1 84 1, and received his intel- lectual training in the connnon schools of West Rutland ; at Franklin Academy, Malone, N. Y. ; and at Middlebury College, from which he was graduated in 1864. He then entered upon study for the medical profession and in 1868 received a degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Xcw ^'ork City. He was house physician in the Rings County Hospital for two years, after which he actively engaged in practice at Rutland, \^er- mont, until 1888. During this time he also served as surgeon-general of the state on th.e staft' of Governor Proctor, as medical super- inteiident of the House of Correction, and as pension examiner for eight years. He was surgeon-general of the \"ermont State En- campment of the Grand .\rmy of the Republic in 1890. In ]888. Dr. ]\Iead was offered a "Chair" in the Medical Department of the Universitv of A'ermont. but declined it as he wished to retire from his profession and de- vote his time to his business interests, as he was one of the largest real estate owners in the city of Rutland. The Alead Building, owned bv him, is one of the largest business blocks in the state. He has been director and cashier of the old National Bank of I-lut- land : treasurer of the Rutland Railroad; di- rector and treasurer of the Addison Rail- road ; director of the Clement National Bank ; \icc-]ircsident and later jiresidcnt of the State Trust Company ; director, vice-president and later ])resident of the Merchants' National Bank; president of the New England Fire In- surance Company, of the P. E. Chase Man- ufacturing Company, and of the John .\. Mead Manufacturing Company; president of RUTLAND COUNTY 13 the Rutland Board of Trade ; and a trustee of Middlebury College. In 1888, he re-organized the Howe Scale Company and is now presi- dent of that corporation. In 1892, he was elected by the Republican party to the State Senate, and took an active part in the work- ings of that body, serving as chairman of a number of important connnittees. One of the beneficial results of his term in that capacity was the securing of a city charter for Rutland, and he was elected its first mayor. Dr. ]\Iead served in the Civil War, enlisting in Company K, Twelfth Regiment, Vermont Volunteers, and after the Gettysburg cam- paign returned to his college and was grad- uated in 1864. He was a member of the staffs of General Alger and General Veazey, when they were commanders-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a member of Roberts Post, G.. A. R. He was appointed by Governor Le\i K. Fuller as one of the com- missioners from the state of Vermont to the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, in 1893; and he was also appointed by Gov- ernor U. A. Woodbury, in 1895, as commis- sioner from the state of Vermont to the Mexi- can National Exposition of Industries and Fine Arts. In religious attachments, our sub- ject is a member of the First Congregational church of Rutland, and for many years has been chairman of its executive committee. He is vice-president of the Congregational Club of Western Vermont. October 30, 1872, Dr. Mead was joined in hymeneal bonds with Mary M. Sherman, a daughter of William N. Sherman, a prominent citizen of Greenwich, R. I., and. they are the happy parents of one child, Mary Sherman. fs AYETTE and COLLINS POT- TER. The gentlemen whose names head this sketch are venerable and re- spected citizens of Pawlet, Rutland county, Vermont. They are brothers and are both highly gifted, one a successful attorney-at- law and a celebrated linguist, — the other, one of the most skillful millwrights in America, having followed this chosen calling for a pe- riod of sixty-six years. These brothers have never fallen victims to Cupid's darts, and have thus escaped majiy of life's vexations and worries. Although they are content in sin- gle-blessedness, they are not backward in social relations with the good people of their communities, but are kind, charitable neigh- bors and good citizens, and will be sadly missed in their accustomed places, when called to the world beyond. These brothers are sons of Samuel Potter, grandsons of Captain William Potter, and great-grandsons of Com- modore William Potter. Commodore Potter was born in 1725, and died October 12, 1773. He reared six sons and three daughters. Captain William Potter was born in New London, Conn., October 20, 1749, and died in 1825. He was a mariner until he attained the age of forty years, when he settled on his farm in the town of Pawlet, Vermont. He was captain of a "deep sea mer- chantman," and, during the Revolutionary 14 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES War, was engaged in bringing ammunition frcMii I'rance, for the use of the colonies. Captain I 'otter married I'hoebe Woodward August 23, 1 77 1. Slic died in 1833, leaving ten of lier eleven children. The fust two, William and John, were horn in Xew London, Connecticut. William was born December 10, 1772, and John. April 23, 1775. Captain Potter then nioxed from New London to Hal- ifa.x. X. S., where his third son was born, April 28, 1778. Two other children were also born there: Phoebe, August 6, 1780, and Joshua, April 28, 1783. The other children were born in Wells, Vermont. The first born there were twins, Samuel and Abel. All of their children grew up and married, except Thomas, who remained a bachelor. John Potter settled in Warren county. New York, at a place called Pottersville, so named for him and his numerous family. Sanuiel Potter, father of the gentlemen to whom tliis memoir pertains, was hovn on his father's large farm in Wells, \'ermont, Aug- ust 7, 1786. He and his wife were blessed with ten children, and raised all but one daughter, Livonia, who died }-oung. Three of the sons and two daughters are still living, namely: Fanny, Collins, Edwin, Favette, and Helen. J'"anny was born in 1812. She is now the widow Lombard of Pawlet. lulwin went to Michigan, and afterward to Colorado and California. — and still later, located in Dal- las, Texas, where he still resides. Samuel Potter, another brother, vs'as educated at Cas- tleton, and was for many years a successful physician of Bufifalo, New York, where he died in the eighthieth year of his life. Helen married .\l)bott Robinson, and resides in Cali- fornia. Her siunmers, however, are spent in Pawlet. COLLINS POTTER was born in the vil- lage of Wells, Rutland county, Vermont, April 9, 1814. \\'hile still a lad he began to learn the trade of a millwright, working first with Da\id Hitchcock, and, aftet^wartl, with Robert \\'ickham. He followed his chosen occupa- tion from 1830 to 1896, when he retired. Dur- ing these si.xty-six years he had from ten to twenty men under his supervision, and often a great many more. Besides building grist mills, starch mills, and creameries, he also built many dams and bridges. His work required his presence in the South for ten or twelve years, except during the heated season. One heavy job was in Georgia, near .Augusta. This consisted in building a niill on a large plantation, ui)on which about fi\-e hundred slaves were emploved, about sixty of whom were at his conmi;uid. Mr. Potter con- structed nearly all the dams on the Pawlet River, and built mills throughout many parts of the Cnited States. Fie has never married nor been a member of any order, soci- ety, or church. He has also ignoreil i)olitics. His home has been in Pawlet, since he was .seven years old. IMr. Potter enjoys the dis- tinction of being one of the most expert mill- wrights in the United States. FAYETTE POTTER was born in Pawlet, in September, 1823. He was educated in Union College, Schenectady, New York, from which he graduated in 1843, under Dr. Knott, RUTLAND COUNTY 15 He carried off second honors in a class of nine- ty, first honors 1)eing- won by Orsamus Cole, afterward chief justice of the Supreme Court of \\^isconsin. I<"ayette Potter cliose for his life work the profession of law. He read law in Pawlet with Chief Justice Harnian, fatlier of H. A. Harman. county clerk of Ivutland county. Young- I'otter was admitted to the Rutland county bar in 1846 and began prac- tice in Pawlet. He purchased the interest and law fixtures of George W. Harman who left for Bennington at that time. Mr. Potter has continued to practice there ever since, ex- cept when absent on his travels. Although his father was a Jacksonian Democrat, Mr. Potter himself is a Republican and assisted in the formation of that party. In 1S78, he took a trip to Europe, and in 1893 made a tour around the globe. He has also traveled ex- tensively throughout the United States, vis- iting the South and West, and, especially, Cal- ifornia. Mr. Potter is a profound student of books and nature, both of whose pages he has perused. He has stored in his mind treasures of knowledge more than one scholar in a ;h(5u- sand can boast of. He is simplicity itself in all respects, and is one of nature's own, in dress, style, manners, and mode of living. No one, not personally acquainted with him, would consider him worth a hundred dollars, when in reality it takes thousands to express his financial possessions. Nor are there many who consider themselves good judges of human nature, who would easily recognize him as one of the best informed scholars and lawyers in the land. When Mr. Potter started on his tour around the world, or on his second trip to Europe, equipped with only a small satchel, even the keenest observers of men and nature would liever have guessed that he could speak eight different languages intelligently, and e\'en fluently, h'ayette Potter is a man of original ideas and habits. Though he pos- sesses, no doubt, a high idea of the fitness of things, yet to visit his ofifice, which is a typical hermit's retreat, one would find things in a most chaotic and primiti\-e state. It is not a law library, Ijut a laboratory with everything in delightful confusion. One of the most har- monious things in sight is the violin which Mr. Potter whittled out himself. IMON L. PECK resides upon his one hundred and fifty-acre farm, in the town of Ira, Rutland county, \'ermont, in the same house in which his birth occurred. Upon this site, his grandfather, Noah Peck, settled about one hundred and twentv years ago in his first home, which was a log cabin. Subsequently, he built the frame house now standing, which is one hundred years old. Simon L. Peck also owns a fifty- acre farm in the valley where he spent most of his years in agricultural pursuits. Quite re- cently, he has returned to the old homestead farm, which is a .sacred spot to him. He will preserve the old house as his residence as long- as possible, hoping to spend the remainder of his days within its walls. Mr. Peck is a master Mason and, in politics, a Republican. 16 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES He is serving his twelftli. or thirteenth, year as town clerk, and has held other town offices. He served in the lower branch of the Legis- lature of \'ermont. for six consecutive years, from 1872. He also served in the State Sen- ate from 1890 to 1892. He is a devout mem- ber of the Baptist church, of which he has been a deacon fourteen years. Mr. Peck conies froni a highlv respected and influential family. Both paternal and maternal grandparents were natives of Rhocle Island. Ex-Governor .\sahel Peck, wiio made a splendid judicial as well as guberna- torial record, descended from the same ances- try. Simon L. Peck is a son of Lewis and Harriet (Brown) Peck, and grandson of Noah Peck. Noah Peck was twice married. He had four children by his first marriage, namely : David, Noah, and (wo daughters, who died young. His second wife bore him three sons as follows : Lewis, father of Simon L. ; Daniel, a farmer in Pennsylvania, who is now deceased ; and .\lphonso. Alphonso never married. He was blind for forty years prior to his death. He lived on the old homestead, in Ira. up to his demise, at the age of eighty- three years. Noah Peck died in 1839, when aI)out .seventy-eight years old. He rests in the old burial ground, in Clarendon. Lewis Peck was born, in 181 3, on the old homestead, where he spent his entire life. In 1836, he married Harriet Brown, who was born near Chippenhook, \'t., in 1817. Lewis Peck died July 24, 1896, and iiis widow still survives him. She now resides in Brandon, \'t., with her daugliter. Although eighty- two years old, she is (juite bright and acti\e, and possesses a good memory. She has liad five children, eleven grandciiildren, and one great-grandchild. Her children are: Harri- son J-. Charles \\'., Simon L., the subject of this sketch, Gemont (j., and Amy A. Harrison J. is a lawyer, in ^Minnesota. Charles W. is a successful physician in Bran- don, \'ermont. Gemont G. died when three years old. Amy ,\. married S. B. Ryder, in Brandon, where her husband (deceased), was the editor of the "Brandon Union." Septem- ber 4, 1899, she married W. H. Flint, also of Brandon. Simon L. Peck attended Barre Acad- emy, and taught his first winter term when seventeen years old. He continued to teach, during winters, until he was thirty years okl. In 1869, he was united in mar- riage with Alice .\. Weaver, a daughter of Isaac and Elsie (Potter) Weaver. Mrs. Peck's parents are both living, as are also their three children. ]Mr. and Mrs. Peck ha\e seven children, namely: Lily, Harrison J-. Bessie. Mary B., Charles William. josei)h, and Nathan. Lily married Merlin Collins, and has one daughter. Harrison J. is unmarried, and resides in East Hartford, New York. Bessie and ]\Iary B. are both employed at Middletown Springs. Charles William is a bright lad of fifteen years. Joseph is eleven, and Nathan, nine years old. Mr. Peck is a \alued member of society, and holds a high position in the esteem of his fel- low citizens. RUTLAND COUNTY 17 f^OHN RANDOLPH DEW'EV, famil- iarly called "Deacon Dewey," a pros- perous dairy farmer in the town of Poultney, Vermont, was born on the farm which is still his home, February 28, 1824. He is a son of Azariah and Louisa (Darby) Dewey, and grandson of Major Zebudiah and Beulah (Stearns) Dewey. Major Zebudiah Dewey was a native of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, where he was born in 1726. His death took place October 28, 1804. He was twice married. His first wife was the widow of Solomon Jack- son. She bore him one son, Thomas Dewey, and later died. His second marriage was con- tracted with Beulah Stearns of Mendon, Mas- sachusetts. After marriage, Mr. Dewey and his second wife made their home with his mother, Abigail Dewey, in Tyringham, Mas- sachusetts. They continued to reside with her until most of their children were born. In 1772, or 1773, they removed to Poultney, and, probably, located where the Beaman house stood. But Major Dewey was not satisfied with that location, as the neighbors were too near and too numerous. He sold his farm there, and retired to the head of Hampshire Hol- low. At that time, the clearing extended only to Town Hill. The balance of the way to his farm was marked by blazed trees. Upon seeking this secluded home. Major Dewev was forty-seven years old, and his wife ten years his junior. He was a bold, brave, res- olute man, and was a typical hunter and fron- tiersman. The region of his new home was \ery favorable for his sport with dog and gun. Large game was plentiful and many bear, wolf and deer, went down before his un- erring aim. In appearance, Mr. Dewey was five feet, ten inches in height; he was slender, but mus- cular; his hair was dark, and his small, keen eyes were black. Although of a sanguine temperament, he possessed a good mind, and was known to be a man of good common sense and sound judgment. He was just the man to be chosen, as he was, to represent the town, in those troublesome times, in the gen- eral association of delegates for the defense of their liberties. Much of his land was ob- tained by paying the overdue taxes, and cost him but little. He valued his land mostly for its good hardwood timber, and for tiie abundant game to be found there. His youngest daughter said, "But for this, we might have been village belles instead of wood nymphs." Tradition says Major Dewey was the first captain in the militia and obtained the title of "major" for his part in the battle of Hub- bardton. When the American troops were dispersed, he, with others, sought his, home, and finding his family gone, drove his young cattle far into the woods, and with his yoked oxen and cart, started in pursuit of his fleeing household. He overtook them at Pawlet, where they had stopped for the night. The inn- keeper's family were Tory sympathizers, and when Mrs. Dewey asked for bread for the cry- ing children, she was told they had none. When the landladv left the room, however, 18 BOOK OK BIOGRAPHIES bread was found, and given to tlie children. I'cfore dc]iarting', the Dcweys paid tlicir bill. Azariali Dewey, faliicr of Jolin Randolpli, was born in Massaduisetts, in 1765. He was also twice marrii'il. I lis iinidii with Amelia Suiilli, rosullcd in llif Jjiilli of two sons and one daULjlitrr. nanu'ly: Snltunon, JacIenson, which was one of the first towns settled in the county, after the Revolution. They reared four sons and two daughters, as follows: .\nscl ; Alanson, Ozro's father; Aionzo; Aurelius A.; Rosetta Rosina; and Almena Losette. Ansel was a farmer in Pottsdam, where he died when nearly seventy years old ; he left two daughters. Aionzo went west and was heard of no more, Aurelius A. was a wheelwright in Brandon, where he located early in life. In after years he went to Prescott, Wisconsin, where he died. He was over seventv vears old, and was sur- vived by two sons and two daughters. Ro- setta Rosina married and accoiupanied her husband to Illinois. She reared a family. .Al- mena Losette married a Mr. Rich who lived and died in the state of Xew York. Alanson Meacham was l^orn in ( )rwell, \'er- mont, October 17, 1801. About 1827, he was united in marriage with Hannah Patter- son. Hannah was a daughter of Mo.ses and Hannah (Allen) Patterson of Londonderry, \'enuont. Her father was a farmer, and was known as Captain Moses Patterson. He reared seven sons and four daughters. Ozro Meacham's father was a blacksmith. In 1833, he removed to Brandon, and entered into part- nership with his brother Aurelius .\. The firm style was A. A. & A. Meacham, wagon and carriage makers. They did a large busi- ness for those days, when evervthing was luade by hand, and Brandon was the leading town in that part of X'ermont. In early times large iron foundries were located there, and were run by charcoal. The first of the stove industries was also begun there. The accu- mulation of coal dust where Mr. Meacham's store now stands, was then fourteen feet deep, and the space of three hundred feet front, now partly vacant, was then covered with a blast furnace and foundries. The ore bed still re- mains, and is all that is left t(.i remind one of the busy past. Ozro Aleacham's father and uncle employed a force of twentv-five men in the different de- RUTLAND COUNTY 67 partments of their business, whicli continued to increase in size until 1855, wiien their plant was burned to the ground, and was never re- built. Air. Meacham's uncle then went to Wisconsin, and his father retired from Inisi- ness. The mother of the subject of our sketch died in 1869, and was followed by her hus- band in 1875. They rest in the Pine Hill cemetery. They reared four children, viz. : Pulaski, a farmer in Benson ; Ozro, to whom this record pertains; Rollin, a merchant in Pittsford, Vermont, where he died in October, 1889, leaving a wife and two daughters; and Jeannette, widow of Captain William B. Rob- inson. The latter was a descendant of the old Governor Robinson, and of the Deweys. He was a merchant in Troy, New York. Mrs. Robinson has two daughters and one son. (^AAIES DELAHANTY, one of the old- est and most prominent slate cjuarry- men in Rutland county, Vermont, re- sides in Hydexille, town of Castleton. He is a mend)cr of the Bomoseen Slate Company, which is the principal slate-tpiarry company in ffydeville. Mr. Delahanty is a native of County Tip- perary, Ireland, where he was born November 24, 1844. He is a son of Patrick and Mary (Harney) Delahanty. His parents were mar- ried in 1836, and came to America, in 1853, witli their six children. After a rough voy- age of four weeks, they landed at old Castle Garden on November 5, 1853. The follow- ing day they started to Hydeville, Vermont, where they located forty-six years ago. Mr. Delahanty's father was a slate worker in the old country, and sought a home in America, hoping to better his condition. Their six chil- dren are : Mary C. ; Mathias ; James, subject of this sketch ; Anastasia ; John ; and Patrick Henry. Mary C. is the wife of a Mr. Hayes, and re- sides in Hydeville. Mathias is a respected citizen of West Castleton. Anastasia is the wife of Patrick Wallace, of Hydeville. John resides in Fair Haven. He is also a member of the Bomoseen Slate Company. Patrick Henry, or "Father Delahanty," as he was called, was a Catholic priest. He was edu- cated in Montreal, Canada. Later he was ap- pointed parish priest of Cambridge, New York, where his death took place May 6, 1888. He was only thirty-six years old. The mother of James Delahanty died January 24, 1864, aged fifty-four years. His father sur- vived her until July 30, 1888, when he too passed away, at the advanced age of seventy- nine. His whole life was spent in the slate quarry business. James Delahanty received his primary men- tal training in Ireland, which was supple- mented by a further course of instruction in America. WHien fourteen years of age, he began work in the slate mills. In April, 1873, he went into business for himself, in company with P. H. Downs, as slate quarryman. The partnership then formed lasted many years, and the firm name, Downs & Delahanty, was 68 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES unclianged until September, 1885. At that time the members of the firm, together with John Delahanty, the brother of James, formed the Bomoseen Slate Company, which is still the principal slate company in Hydeville. The members of the firm have worked in perfect unison, with the subject hereof in charge of the shipping department. However, when one member is absent, another partner assumes his duty, and the business progresses as usual. This company owns forty acres of slate-quarry land, together with six hundred and eighty acres of woodland in close proximity to their mills. They carry on an extensive business, and furnish employment to many men. In 1868, the subject of this sketch erected his present large and comfortable residence on his twenty-one-acre lot in Hydeville, where he also has tenement houses. October 5, 1865, Mr. Delahanty was joined in matrimony with Mary E. Hatch, an accomplished daugh- ter of Nicholas P. Hatch, of Boston, Massa- chusetts. Eleven children blessed this happy union, five of whom are sons, and six, daugh- ters. The youngest is now twelve years of age. The beloved mcHlier passed to her final rest August 29, 1888, when only forty-one years old, and left a void in the iiousehold which will be forever unfilled. Her children's names are: Mary; Alice B. ; Patrick Henry; Catherine H. ; Nicholas J. ; Anna A. ; James A.; Helen Frances; Francis; Isabel M. ; and Ambrose M. Mary, the eldest, has always remained at home and endeavored to fill the place of her deceased mother as nearly as possible, In this respect she has succeeded admirably, and is her father's competent housekeeper. Alice B. chose the life of a nun, and is known as "Sister Magdeline." She is spend- ing a useful life in Burlington, \'ermont. Pat- rick Henry is an able lawyer in New York City. He is a graduate of St. Joseph College, and the New York Law School. He has a wife and two sons. Catherine H. and Anna A. are both successful teachers in the public school, in Hydeville. Nicholas J. graduated from St. John's College, and later from the Albanv Medical College. He is now a prac- ticing physician in the city of Rutland, Ver- mont. James A., a graduate of the New York Law School, completed his course in the class of 1899, and is practicing in New York City. Helen Frances is a competent saleslady, in New York City. Francis is a student in the Fair Haven High School. Isabel M. is attend- ing the public school at home, as is also Am- brose M. The subject of this sketch has been exceed- ingly liberal in caring for and educating his family. He has given each of his children ex- ceptional educational advantages, and has al- lowed each one to choose his, or her, own oc- cupation. Mr. Delahanty began life bare- handed and in a small way, saving money from day labor, until he acquired sufficient capital to purchase an interest. His i)resent financial competency, which enabled him to expend a large amount in rearing anrl educating his fam- ily, is but the result of his industry and good management. Mr. Delahanty is a Democrat. Like many of his countrymen, he is thoroughly JOSEPH H. CHAPMAN. RUTLAND COUNTY 71 Americanized and a loval citizen of the United States. He has served six years as selectman, and was a member of the legislature, in 1898. He is a leading and highly esteemed citizen of his town. He has not only made a good record for himself, but has reared a most worthy fam- ily, who are, without doubt, destined to be- come men and women of prominence. He and his family are members of the Catholic church. fOSEPH H. CHAPMAN, a life-long farmer of the town of Clarendon, Rut- land county, Vermont, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, lives upon the ancestral acres that were once the home of his great-grandfather. Several generations of the Chapman family were born there. Mr. Chapman makes a specialty of dairying and keeps on an average thirty milch cows. He has at present fifty head of horned cattle and four horses. His farm of 250 acres is productive and well improvetl. The comfort- al.)le brick residence was built by his father as early as 1846. Our subject was born on his present farm October 29, 1840, and is a son of Harvey and Harriet (Smith) Chapman, grand- son of Joseph and Dorcas ( Mead) Chapman, and great-grandson of Obadiah and Elizabeth (Northrop) Chapman. Obadiah Chapman, who was born in 1752, and died in 1812, was a Connecticut farmer. He settled on the farm now occupied by our subject March 2, 1786, over one hundred and thirteen years ago. He was one of the pio- neer settlers of Clarendon or Durham, as ii was then named. His wife, Elizabeth North- rop, was born in 1756, and died January 22, 18 19. The first white child born in that local- ity was a Sprague and was named Durham Sprague. It is sup])osed that the place de- rived its name from him. Joseph Chapman, our subject's grandfather, was born in Salis- bury, Conn., March 2, 1776. He married Dorcas Mead, February 22, 1799; she was born December 14, 1776, in Rutland, and was related to the old Mead family who were among the earliest settlers in that locality. Our subject's grandparents were the parents of ten children, namely : Clarissa, who died at two years of age ; Bradley, who died at the age of nineteen; Harvey, father of our subject; Elsie ; Marcia, who died in infancy ; Burr ; Marcia ; Minerva; Emily; and Cecelia, who also died in infancy. Elsie married Lucius Beall, of Michigan ; she was the mother of six children and was about eighty at the time of her death. Minerva married Hiram Fish, and died at the early age of thirty-one, leaving one son, Marcus. Emily became the wife of John Gillmore and died in Massena, N. Y., at the age of fifty-three years. Marcia became the wife of Enos Fish and died at the age of thir- ty-nine, leaving six children. Burr was a prosperous farmer on the farm that adjoined that of our subject on the south. After the death of our subject's grandmother his grand- father again married. He died at the old homestead, March 22, 1859, aged eighty-three years and two months. He was 72 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES a prosperous farmer, and owned several farms. His father owned one or two good farms and Joseph succeeded in adding many acres to them. Both he and his fatlier were worthy and well-to-do farmers. A rare coincidence (|uile worthy of note occurred in the lives of subject's ancestors. Both grandmothers, paternal and maternal, were "Meads," but from different families. However, they were distantly related. Mercy Mead, his maternal graudnuither was a daughter of Colonel James Mead, of Re\-olutionary fame. Harvey Ciiapman, suljject's father, was born September i, 1803. He was joined in marriage with Harriet Smith. Harriet was a daughter of John and Mercy (Mead) Smith. Their wedding took place December 15, 1825. They began married life on a farm, south of Clarendon, furmerly owned by Harvev Chap- man's grandfather. Harvey and Harriet (Smith) Chapman were blessed with four chil- dren, but one died in early life. The others are: Bradley: Dorcas: and Joseph II., the subject of these lines. Bradley, who died in 1885, le;i\iiig a widow, was a progressive farmer in Clarendon. Dorcas is a maiden lady residing with our sul)ject, — in early life she followed teaching and was considered a splendid educator. Subject's father died De- ceiuber 10, 1882, aged seventy-nine years; his mother was eleven months her husband's senior, and survived him five years. Jose])h II. Chapman had a good common schooling which was supplemented by a thor- ough course at the academies at West Rut- land and Bernardston, Mass. He then taught school for one term but did not like that. He has made farming his life work. September 5, 1866, he was joined in matrimony with Julia Smith, a popular young lady of Castle- ton, her native i)lace. Julia is a daughter of ()b;idiah and Innocent (Morton) Smith. Mr. Smith was a farmer and was Ijorn in West Rutland : his wife was born in Castleton. Mrs. Chapman's parents reared three children. Their only son, Orson, is a resident of Claren- don. Mary died at the age of twentv-two. Mrs. Smith died at the age of thirty-three years and her husband afterwards contracted a second matrimonial alliance; he died whe?i sixty-three years old. To Mr. and Mrs. Chapman have l)een bor:i one son, Leon B. He is ncjw a young man, still at home, where his father finds his assist- ance on the f.'irm \-er)' valuable. Our subject and his family are members of the Congrega- tional church, to which they contribute freely. Mr. Chapman is an earnest Republican but has no aspirations to office. He has, how- ever, served as selectman. RS. ]\1.\RV E. WEED, an influe-i- tial ;uid respected resident of Rut- land, \'ermont, is the relict of George R. Weed, who died in Rutland, Janu- ary 22, \Hhj, at the early age of thirty-nine years. George R. Weed was born in Bethel, Con- necticut, in July, 1827. He was a son of Hiram and Mary (Cline) Weed. His parents were married at Bethel, Connecticut, where RUTLAND COUNTY 73 his father died, comparatively young, leaving his widow with t , sons, George R. and Joseph B. Joseph B. Weed is a resident of South Wilton, Connecticut, where he lives on a farm, a retired hatter. When twenty- two years old, George R. Weed began a mer- cantile life. He was a hat dealer for three years, fr. 1S5J, he engaged in business in Burlington, X'ermont, as an agent for \\'est- ern railroads. The following year he located in Rutland, where he and his family lioarded several years. In 1867, he purchased a beautiful residence at Number 30, North Main street. This is still tb.e home of the subject of this sketch. It is surrounded by lovely lawns and spacious grounds, covering, in all, about one acre. It has a desirable wide frontage, and extends back for several rods. October 15, 1850, George R. Weed was united in marriage with Mary E. Olmstead, a daughter of Thomas and Tabitha (Morehouse) Olmstead, of Reading, Connecticut. After marriage, the young folks kept house for some time in Burlington, Vt., and remained there until Mr. Weed be- came connected with railroad matters. Five children were born to them, namely : Hiram, who died at the early age of five and a half years; Anna M. ; Hattie, who died at the age of twenty months ; Charles H. ; and Mary B. Anna M. married W. F. Lewis of New York City. He is agent for tiie Howe Scale Company, an(,l is a Mason of high degree. He is grand warden of the grand lodge of the state. They have one son, now five years old. Charles H. Weed is still at home with his mother. He is unmarried. Mary B. married Charles Saunders, a commercial traveler. Thev ha\e had three children: George Ravmond ; John, deceased ;, and Harold Romine. Mr. Weed was a master Mason ; in politics, he was a Republican, but never aspired to ofBce. Mrs. \\'eed and her son, Charles H., are most pleasantly situated in the lieautiful home furnished them by the thrift and forethought of a loving husband and father. During the sunnner months, they are joined by the daughters and grandchildren, who tlelight in spending the long sunmier days in this de- lightful spot, of which the subject of our sketch is justly proud. |\RLOS \V. CARR,,a prominent con- tractor and builder of Brandon, Ver- mont, is the head of the firm, C. W. Carr & Son, and comes of a race noted for extreme longe\'ity on both sides of the family. His four grandparents lived to attain unusual age. Mr. Carr was born in the town of Brandon, close to the village of the same name, July 13, 1S38. He is a son of Caleb and Elmina (Kinsman) Carr, and grandson of William and Elizabeth ( Pierce) Carr. His grandfather was a native of Rhode Island. He was a tiller of the soil, and began life in the woods near Rochester, Vermont, where he cleared a farm. Aljout 1780, he lo- cated in Brandon. He married Elizal)eth Pierce, and had twelve children, who, with one exception, had long lives, and were scat- tered over various states of the Union. The 74 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES seventh child. Pierce, (hcd in childhood. The I of whom grew up. Those .still living arc eldest child was Warner C. lie was horn in Clarendon, Vermont, January iS, fj()^. His mother was l)orn Octoher 9. iJJ^. Calel) Carr, father of Carlos \\'.. was horn in 1813. While still a young man. he learneil the car])enter trade which he followed in Rochester, X'ermont. lie was a natural me- chanic, and hand}' with tools. He located in Brandon more than forty-three years ago, and was a contractor and builder on a small scale. He died when fifty-four years old. He mar- ried Elmina Kinsman, who was one of nine children. She was horn in 1S14. and was a daughter of Moses and .Xhigail (Wood) Kins- man. Her father was horn in 17S4: her mother, in 1782: they were married in 1805. Their children were: Solon, l)ura, Cayel, iM'astus, Elmina. .Sarah. Malcolm, George and .\lar\-. .Some li\c(l to he \cry old. Six children were horn to Caleb and I'.lmina Carr, as follows: Warner, who died at the age of six months; Edwin (i.. of Brandon: Carlos W.. the suliject of this Ijiograjjliy : Susan Cj. : Rial 1-". : and Warner C. also of Brandon. .Sus;m Ci. married Jason K. Cam])bell. who died in Brandon, .\ugust 2j. 1876. He was born in Williamstown, \'ermont, and was a son of John and Eliza ( Keyes) Cam])bell. The Campbells originally came from Scot- land. Jason R., the grandfather of Jason K., was a sea captain, and was shipwrecked. One son and one daughter survixed him. w ho were left or])hans while ycnmg. and were bound out. John, the son, was born in 1800. He and his wife had a large family of children, all George H.. a bachelor and laboring man in Shoreham, X'ermont : and Emily, residing in Michigan. Their mother died in Xew York, and their father died at the home of Jason R., iri 1874. I'loth are buried at Brandon. One son, Weslev X., was in the ranks of the Union armv during the Civil War. and lost his life in the service. lason K. Cam]ibcll was a farmer and also had a shingle mill and a cider mill. He en- listed in the Union army under President Lin- coln's first call, and served three months. Eater he served nine months in the 12th Reg., \'ermoin \'ol. Infantry. His marriage with Susan G. Carr resulted in the birth of but one daughter, .\da M. She married D. F. Cham- berlain, of Wali^ole, Massachusetts, and died, witlicut issue, three years after her marriage. Mr. atid Mrs. Cam])bell began life huml)l\-. He died early, atid left a small property which they had earned together. Since the death of Mr. Campbell, however, his widow has been granted nearly $2,000 of pension arrear- age with current allowance of ?12 ])er month. Mr. Cam])l)ell was not well-educated, but was a man of intellect and ])ure morals. Rial F. Carr gave his life for our country, during the Civil War. He met his death at Cedar Creek, \a.. in his eighteenth year. That was his first ami last battle. His remains were soon exhume(l from the battlefield burial ground, and l)rought to Brandon by his brother-in-law. Jason K. Camiibell. The mother of L'arlos W. Carr lived to be eiehtv' vears old. She was a Methodist, and RUTLAND COUNTY lier hus1)and was also religiously inclined. He was a man of strict habits. He possessed a great deal of musical talent and played the large bass \-iol, in the M. E. church. He was an industrious man and li\-e(l well, Init did not accumulate wealth. Carlos VV. Carr obtained only a limited edu- cation in the district school. At the early age of ten years, he was put to work as chore boy on a neighboring farm. He gave his time and labor to his father until he attained his majority, and up to that period did not lea\e home permanently. But he did not like farming, and possessed much mechanical abil- ity. While yet in his teens, he built a small barn for a farmer with whom he was work- ing. His father helped to lay out the plan, and the work was all done by the subject of this sketch. In 1861, on the fourth day of Sei^tember, he responded to our country's call to arms, and enlisted in the Union army at Rochester, Ver- mont. He was a member of Company E, 4th \'ermont Regiment, under Captain H. L. Terry, and Colonel Ed. Stoughton. He was made sergeant u])on the organization of the company. Within a year, he rose to be sec- ond lieutenant of Company I, and in June, 1864, was made first lieutenant. Three days later, he and his company (F) were taken pris- oners on the W'eldon Railroad. For nine months, they experienced the horrors of the Southern prisons, and were finally paroled at Wilmington, North Carolina. March i, 1865, they were in parole camp at Annapolis, Mary- land, and May 8, 1865, were mustered out in Washington, ]). C, by special order. Mr. Carr was in the service nearlv three years and nine months. Although he had many close calls and was in a great many bat- tles, he escaped the leaden hail. He was brev- etted captain of Company A, while a paroled prisoner. March 26, i860, Mr. Carr was joined in marriage with Sarah H. Good- enough, who was born on the farm where he now lives. Her father, Asa Goodenough, was twice married. His first wife was Relief Seager, who died, and left one child. His second wife (Mary Jane Newton before marriage), bore him three daughters, namely: Harriet M., wife of George Spooner, of Rutland ; Sophie E., wife of Charles \V. Seager, and Sarah H., wife of the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Carr have two children. Lulu J. and Bernice Ames. Lulu J. married Mvron J. Watson, who is now deceased. She has one child, Doris C, a bright girl of twelve years. Both reside at the home of the sub- ject hereof. Bernice Ames Carr is the junior member of the firm of C. W. Carr & Son. He has a wife, and one daughter, whose name is (llive Temple. Bernice Ames Carr was in the Cuban A\'ar ; he was a member of the National Guards, which he joined at sixteen years of age. He arose from the ranks to be a captain of his company at the camp Chickamauga. Mr. Carr was first identified with the old "Allen Greys," an independent military organization under Captain Joseph Bush. Later, he or- ganized Company C, Vermont National 76 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Guards, conimonl}- known as tlie "Warner (juards of the \'ermont Mililia." lie was made captain of this conlpany in iSjr. The company is still an active orijanization. and lias a record second to none in the state. Carlos W. Carr is ])ronunent in Ci. A. K. circles. He has hccn connnander of the post for three terms, and has also served as officer of the dav. In politics, he is a l\e]nil)lican, and is also a master Mason, as are his son and hrother. Mr. Carr hegan contracting in 1867. The firm was then Carr Brothers, and was composed of C. \\'.. E. G., i<: W. C., Carr. For the ])ast eitjht years, however, the firm name has heen C. W. Carr & Son. >'et all the former members are interesletl in the con- cern. They do a lari^e hiisihess in all kinds of huildini;. hut make a specialty of building and repairiui^- bridges. This lirm completes buildings from beginning to finish, — doing all the slating, painting, etc. They also make a specialty of moving buildings, and have suc- cessfullv executed some large contracts in that line. iS. AXX.\ FIF.LD, a highly re spected lad\- and resident of Bran- don, Rutland county. \'ermont, is the widow of the late Stearns J. I'ield, who died ( )ctol)er 20, 1897, aged eighty-four years. Stearns J. Field was born on the old Field farm, north of Brandon, where his grand- father, Joshua Field, settled more than a cen- Inry ago. Stearns J. I'ield v.as the eldest son of Paul and Mercy I Stearns) Field, grandson of Joshua I'ield and great-grandson of Gaines and Sarah (Ilolton) Field. Joshua Field was born in Xorthfield, Massachusetts, in 174''). .\])out 17S5, he remo\ed to lirandon, \'er- mout, settling upon the line farm now owned by B. P. h'ield. This farm has never had a mortgage ui)on it. nor has it e\er been out of the possession of the Field family since that early date. Joshua Field was a soldier during the Re\'olutionar\' War, — a member of the Xew Ham|)shire militia. He ]iarticipated in the l)attle of Bennington. lie died at the old home in Brandon, March 26, 1837. aged ninety-one years. His son Paul (father of Stearns J.) was gored to death by an o.x, October 21, 1834. Stearns 1. Field remained on the old honic farm until he was about forty-five years old. He then went west, where he led quite an ad\entiu-ous life. While there, he engaged in mining and other enterprises, including the occupation of mail carrier. This latter em- plo\ment was espcciall}' hazardous, as it ex- posed him to occasional assaults from the In- dians. He made money rapidl_\- but also met with occasional reverses. He returned from the West, Xoveiuber 12, 18^16. December 14, 1871, Mr. l'"ield was united in marriage with the subject of this sketch, whose maiden name was .\nna Trainer. VWc children were born of this union; one died \-oimg; the others are Paul .Stearns, Anna, Fannie, and Clara M. Paul Stearns h'ield is a farmer residing on the home farm. He married Lelia Newton, a RUTLAND COUNTY 77 daughter of A. S. Newton. Anna Field mar- ried Willis G. Scott, of Brandon. Fannie Field is a successful teacher in the jiuhlic schools of Brandon. Clara M. is still at home witli her mother. Mrs. Field's hushancl was in puljlic life in Brandon, and made, hy his own exertions, the fine property he owned at one time. .Although he lost hea\ih', when at last o\ertaken l)y death he left a good estate, and his widow was assured of a com- petency for life. Mrs. Anna Field is a daughter of John and Anna (Higgins) Trainer, both natives of Ire- land. Her parents were married in Canada, where her father followed the shoemaker's trade. They reared all of their eleven chil- liren, — four sons and seven daughters. Those now living are : Ellen ; Mary ; Margaret ; Anna, the sul^ject hereof: Charles : Susan ; and Sarah. Ellen is the widow of the late Mr. Dixon of Port Arthur, Canada. She has three children. 'Mary is the widow of Mr. Marks, also of Canada. She has eight children still liv- ing. Margaret is the widow of anotiier gentle- man named Marks, of Marksville, Canada, where she resides with her three children. Charles is a prosperous farmer at Ashton, Illi- nois. He has three daughters and one son. Susan is the widow of Mr. Cuddihy, of Marys- ville, Ohio. She has two children. Sarah is the wife of Orville Corwin of Moriah, Esse.x county, New York. They have three sons. Mrs. Field's father died at about the age of fifty-two years. He is buried in Canada. His widow survived him nearly thirty years. She died at the home of the subject of this biog- raphy, in Brandon, in 1876, aged seventy- four years, and sleeps in Brandon cemetery. Airs. Field was born in Huntington, Canada. She was intellectual]}- trained in the common schools, and in 1865, went to Brandon, .\fter her marriage she settled on a farm near the old Field farm. This farm was purchased by her late husband, and upon it her h\-e children were born. Airs. I-'icld is a lady of many vir- tues of heart and mind. She is \ery pleas- antl\- located in Brandon, where her three daughters reside with her. Her kindly and cheerful ways have always m;ule her popular, and a social favorite. She is in possession of an ample competency, and is widely known, lo\cd and esteemed. YP^OLITX C. SAHTH, a prosperous I /^ dairy-farmer of Pittsford, Rutland V».*' countv, Vermont, was born in the same neighborhood where he now resides. May 22, 1839. Mr. Smith owns one hundred and seventy-five acres of land, in three pieces. He also leases one hundred antl twenty-five acres for pasturage. He milks from twenty to twenty-five high grade Jersey cows, and keeps alfout forty head. He also has four horses. RolHn C. Smith is a son of ( )rlin and Mary B. (Manley) Smith, a grandson of Samuel and Cynthia (Mead) Smith, and great- grandson of Ruben Smith, who was one of the pioneer settlers in the town of Pittsford. Samuel Smith wedded Cynthia Alead, and reared nine children, as follows: Triphena; John ; Ezra; Orlin, father of the subject here- 78 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES of: Jane; Hulda; Cynthia: Samuel F. ; and Sarah. Triphcna married Nathan Dean; they li\x'tl in St. Lawrence. New York, and later in Jackson county, Michigi^an. They reared fi\e children. _U)hn is a i)rosi5erous farmer in the town of Pittsford. Ezra settled in Xew \'ork. and had three children. Jane married Truman Barlow, and Hulda married Franklin Barlow. Cynthia became the wife of Bradley Burditt. -Samuel F. resides in Cut- liniisville. Sarah is the wife of German Hen- dee, in the \-illage of Pittsford. \'ermont. Samuel Smith died when lift_\--two years old. fie had previously lost his wife, who had died at the age of forty-two. 'I'heir remains rest in the Congregational churchyard at Pittsford. Orlin Smith, father of Rollin C, was horn in I'ittsford, A'ermont. March 14, 1807. Xovem- lier2. 1831, he wedded .Mary !!. Manlev. He was a farmer by occupation. The mother of Rollin C. was horn in Chit- tenden, X'ermont, July _>_•. 1811. She was a daughter of Captain Thomas Mauley. He was a native of North Easton, Massachusetts, and was a prominent man in the civil and military affairs of his time. He raised a com- pany and started to the battle of Plattsburg, New York, but was too late to participate in that battle. He was thrice married and reared the most of his nineteen children. The sul)- ject of this sketch has a map of the world, one hundred and two years old. drawn by his ma- ternal grandmother. Her brother, Joel W. Mauley, was a leading man in public life. An- other brother was a doctor. Orlin Smith was a farmer in fair circum- stances. He held many of the town offices. He was a \'igorous and energetic man until he lost his wife. May 31, 1888. He foUoweil her to the grave April 5, 1892, in his eighty- sixth _\'ear. Rollin C. Smith was the eldest of three chil- dren : the others were Imogen and Hattie M. Imogen was twice married. Her first hus- band was Amos J. Powers. He served in the Civil War and was killed, later, in a marble (juarrw He left one daughter. Imogen is now the wife of Deacon James Palmer of \'er- million. South Dakota. Hattie ^I. married Amos M. Horner. She died March 7, 1897, in Clint, Te.xas. Rollin C. Smith obtained a good schooling in West Ruthuul. He taught his first term when nineteen years old; being stationed at Port Henry, New York. He taught two terms in California, where he went in 1861. He sjient three years in California and, during that time, he rode a ])ony express and was postmaster at Camptonville. March 29, i8()5, he was joined in marriage with .\d- die A. \\ lieaton. of Madison, Connecticut, h'our children were born to them, nameb': Harry H. ; Cora K. : Fannie: and Minnie Alason. The W'heaton family have long lived in Connecticut, antl are of great longevity. The grandmother of Mrs. Smith lived to be ninety-se\-en _\-ears old: her father, Cai)tain F. L. W'heaton, died at the age of ninety-five years. Harry H. Smith is manager of the National Biscuit Company in Rutland, Vermont. He was married on the twenty-seventh anniver- sary of his father's marriage, in the same place, t HENRY CLAY RUMSEY. RUTLAND COUNTY 81 and by the same minister, Rev. J. A. Gallup. Cora K. Smith married Thomas H. Ayers, of Pierre, South Dakota. Mr. Ayers. is secre- tary to the governor of that state. Fannie Smith is a kindergarten teacher of the same place. Minnie Mason Smith is a teacher in the Episcopal Parochial School, of New Haven, Connecticut. She was educated at the State Normal School, at New Haven, from which she graduated. Mr. Smith is, in politics, a Republican, and has done his share of official drudgery. He served as lister and selectman for many years, and also one term in the legislature. He is now serx'ing as lister, and school director. He is a past master Mason, of Otter Creek Lodge, No. 70. The subject of our sketch has been a member of the state board of agriculture for six years, and has visited nearly every one of the two hundred and forty-seven towns in the state. For many years he was choir leader of the Congregational church in Pitts- fc>r(l, of which his wife is a member. ENRY CLAY RUM'SEY, a well-to- do merchant of Castleton, Vermont, whose portrait is shown on the pre- ceding page, is a member of the firm of Rum- sey & St. John, dealers in flour and feed. He has been engaged in his present business for the past six 3'ears, or since "January, 1894. The members of the firm are both popular citizens and enjoy a fair patronage.. Mr. Rumsey is a son of Chauncey and Hannah Ida (Wallace) Rumsey, and grandson of William Rumsey of Connecticut. Chauncey Rumsey was born in Hubbard- ton, Vt., September 20, 1805. He continued to reside on his farm until 1877, and then moved to Castleton, where he died August 20, 1893, nearly eighty-eight years old. He was the youngest of eleven children, about half of whom were boys; all are now deceased. The family removed to Genesee county. New York, by way of the Erie Canal, and later, a part of the family went to Michigan and some to other states, and thus became scattered. Chauncey Rumsey was joined in matrimony with Hannah Ida \\'allace, an attractive daughter of Seth \\'allace. This happy event transpired October 12, 1830, and resulted in the birth of but one son, Henry Clay, the sub- ject of these lines. Mrs. Rumsey was born in Hubbardton, Vt., October 29, i8og. Chaun- cey Rumsey was an intelligent and popular man. He made his own way in life from early youth and, unaided by any capital, accumu- lated a good property. He was a Republican and served in all the town offices. He also served in both branches of the legislature, and was a side judge in Rutland. H'e was town clerk and treasurer of Hulibardton, Vt., for twenty-six years. He was a man of remark- able vigor and health, and his mind was good to within a few days of his death, when he lacked but thirty days of being eighty-eight years old. Henry Clay Rumsey first saw the light of day on his father's farm, in Hubbardton, Vt., April 28, 1844. He was reared to farm life 82 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES and received the customary sclioolinjj of a farmer's boy. He attended scliool. however, until twenty years of age. He was married at twenty-one j'ears, wlien Dorleska E. Brad- Icy became his wife. Slie is a daughter of S. J. and Charlotte (Balis) Bradley, farmers of Hubbardton, both of whom are now de- ceased. To I\lr. and Mrs. Ijradlev were born three children, namely : Charlotte, Dorleska (subject's wife), and Jennie. Charlotte mar- ried A. L. Hill, and died at the age of fifty- one, leaving one daughter. Jennie mar- ried Daniel T. Johnson, and died childless. S. J. Bradley, the father of these children, died in December, 1897, when nearly eighty-four years old ; his wife had passed to the life be- yond at fifty-one years of age. Our subject and his wife are consistent members of the Congregational church at Castleton and ha\e been inenibcrs of that church from youth. Mr. Rumse)^ is now a deacon. Like his father, he is a Republican and has filled most of the town ofiices of both Castleton and Hubbardton. In the latter town he served as selectman, treasurer, con- stable, and as collector. He went to Castle- ton with his father in 1S77. and now resides at No. 18 Main street, ne.xt door to his store. He settled in his home twenty-two years ago, and his father purchased the store in 1891. Mr. Rumsey also owns a village farm of 20 acres and keeps three cows and a team of horses. Our subject is a director of the First Na- tional Bank in Fair Haven. In that office he succeeded his father, who was one of the or- ganizers of the bank, and served as director until his death. CBKXEZER JANES BLISS, a re- tired merchant of Brandon. Rutland countv, A'ermont, is one of the old- est and most honored citizens of thar place. Mr. Bliss is of English derivation. He was bom JanuaA- 3, 18 17, in Shoreham, Vermont. A widow Bliss, with her four sons, emigrated to America from England, and settled in Deerfield. Massachusetts. From tiiese most of the Blisses in .America are supposed to have descended. Calvin Bliss, Sr., grandfather of Ebenezer Janes Bliss, was born in Massachusetts, in June. 1754. He died at Leicester, Vermont. October 14. 1848, aged ninety-four years and fi\e luonths. During the last year, or two, of his life, he was quite infirm. He married Jane Janes, a daughter of Dr. Ebenezer Janes, of Connecticut. Tiiese grandparents left Mas- sachusetts at an early day and settled in Shore- ham, \'ermont. The)- had seven children, as follows: Solomon. Rhilomela, Henry, Calvin Jr.. father of the subject hereof; Sally. Ruth and Oliver. Solomon Bliss located in central New York, where he liccame prominent as a farmer. Ruth married a Mr. Clark. They removed to the state of New York, also, locating along the St. Lawrence River. Calvin P)liss, Sr., was a farmer in good cir- cumstances. He served our country during the Revolutionary \\"ar, and drew a pension RUTLAND COUNTY 83 from the government. His wife died at al)out the age of seventy years. They rest in South Cornweli, a sliort distance from the old farm in South Shoreliam. Calvin Bliss. Jr., the father of Ebenezer Janes Bliss, was born in Colerain, Franklin county, Massachusetts. He spent the most of his life in Rutlanil county, A'ermont. Four years before his death, he went west, where he died October 22, 1865, aged seventy-two years and six months. He was twice married. About 18 16, he married Sally Fuller of Shore- ham, a daughter of Joseph Fuller, Four chil- dren blessed their union, the eldest of whom is the subject of these lines. One died young, and three grew up : Ebenezer Janes, Rachel Fuller, and Joseph. Rachel Fuller Bliss mar- ried Horace Kingsley. She died when about sixty years old, and left three cliildren, of whom only one son is now living. His name is Horace Kingsley, and he li\'es in Clarendon, Vermont. Joseph Bliss was self-educated. He taught school for a number of years. His marriage with Julia Conant resulted in the birth of si.x children. He died in Kansas, aged seventy years. After the death of Sally (Fuller) Bliss, Cal- \-in Bliss, Jr., again married, and had six more children. C)ne daughter of this second union is a widow lady, in Illinois. Ebenezer Janes Bliss was reared on a farm and had a common schooling. When about eighteen years old, he accepted a position as clerk in Bridport, Vermont, where he re- mained for two years. He went to Brandon, in 1837, and worked in the same capacity, two years, for Jackson & Ketchum, the leading merchants of the place. He continued in the occupation of a clerk until 1840, when he pur- chased his employers' interest and formed a partnership with a Mr. Warren. The business was conducted under the firm name of War- ren & Bliss. In 1872, Mr. Bliss sold out, and for several years was general agent for the Howe Scale Company, in New York and Bos- ton. A part of the time his headquarters were at Boston, and the remainder of the time in New York. In his younger days, Mr. Bliss was a free- soil Democrat and as such he was elected to the legislature in 1861, 1862, and 1863., He took an active part in the state legislation of that eventful period, and served on some im- portant committees. He supported such measures as won for him the approval of his constituents in Brandon. September 13, 1840, Mr, Bliss was joined in marriage with Rebecca M. Benson. ;Mrs. Bliss was born in the town of Hubbardton, May 6, 1819. She is a daughter of Ira and Sally (Kenyon) Ben- son. Her mother was born May 17, 1789. Her father was born February 28, 1794. He was a shoemaker by trade. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bliss, namely : a daugh- ter who died in infancy ; Edgar ; Charles ; Fred, who also died in infancy ; Fred Calvin ; and another son, Judson, who died when four months old. Edgar Bliss resides in Great Bar- rington, Massachusetts. He is a writer, and most of his time is spent in Boston. He is now living with his second wife, who has borne him one son. By his first marriage, he has 84 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES one daughter and three grandchildren. Charles Bliss, with his wife and one daughter, Maud, resides in New York City. Fred Calvin Bliss is an employee of the Nickel Chemical Company, of New York City. Mr. Bliss is a Royal Arch Mason. He is past master of St. Paul's Lodge, of Brandon. He is a mcmljer of the Baptist church, and is an open communionist. He places deeds ahead of creeds, and believes there will be no sects in heaven. Mr. Bliss is a well preserved man for his years, having full retention of all his faculties except his sight, which is im- ])aircd liy cataract. He is one of those refined and genial gentlemen, who remain sweet and buoyant even to the end of life's journey. ILLIAM TYLER DENISON, Vy^/ postmaster of Pittsford, Rutland C()unt\', \'crnuinl, is also tax col- lector, constable and senior member of the tirm of Denison Bros., prosperous merchants of the same place. This firm began business in 1873, and has a large patronage in the gen- eral merchandise trade. Francis C. Denison, junior member of the firm, enjoys the distinc- tion of being the U. S. consul at Woodstock, New Brunswick. William T. Denison was born in Castleton, Vermont, June 9, 1844. His father Edward H. Denison was also a native of Rutland county. He was born in West Rutland in 1817, and died in Middlebury, \'crmont, in 1864. October 19, 1840, he was joined in marriage with Sarah Robinson, of Castleton, X'erniont. Fi\e children l)lessed tiicir union, namely: Ann Eliza: William Tyler, the sub- ject of this sketch; Francis C, born June 20, 1850; Edward; and Samuel, who was born April 14, 1856. Ann Eliza was born Decem- ber 28, 1 841. She is now the wife of Rev. John K. Williams. ]\Ir. Denison's paternal grandfather, Wil- liam Denison, was born in Lvine, Connecticut, November 26, 1776. He was a son of Samuel Denison, of Connecticut, grandson of John Denison, who lived in Lyme, Stonington, and Middletown, all in Connecticut, great-grand- son of Robert Denison and great-great-grand- son of John Denison. The latter was born in 1698, and died November 26, 1776. Cap- tain George Denison of Stonington. Connecti- cut, a distant relative of William Tyler Deni- son, traces his ancestors back to one William Denison, who was born in England, about 1586, came to America in 1(131, and settled in Roxbury, Massachusetts. He was accom- panied by his wife and three sons, Daniel, Ed- ward and George. A tutor, whose name was John Eliot, also accompanied the family. William Denison died in Roxbury, January -5' 1653. His eldest son, Daniel, was lioru in 1C12. He lived in Ipswich, Massachu- setts, and had two sons. The connecting link between the ancestors of Captain Denison and those of the subject of this sketch is missing. \\'illiam Tyler Denison married Emily H. Dr;duie, the ceremony being performed March 25, 1874. Two children blessed this union, Grace T. and William E. (jrace T. is an accom[)lished young lady, still at home. She RUTLAND COUNTY 85 is a high school graduate. William E. is a bright lad of twelve years. Mv. Denison is a stanch Republican, as is also his brother. He has worked faithfully in the interests of his party, and has served as selectman. He at- tends the Congregational church. OHN STEPHEN STAEFORD, a re- tired hardware merchant of Brandon, Vermont, has been a leading business man of Rutland county for half a century, save the five vears he spent in the \\ est, and has been closelv identified with the interests of his section, filling many positions of trust. Mr. Stafford was born in Ticonderoga, New York, February i8, 1828. He is a son of Isaac Gates and Lucy (Whitmore) Stafford, and grandson of Dr. John Stafford. The lat- ter was an eminent physician of \\ eathersfield, \^ermont. He died in 1833, in middle life, and v.as buried in Weathersfield. His widow sur- vived him many years; she died in 1851, aged seventy-five years, and is buried in Caldwell, New York. They reared but two children, — Isaac Gates and his younger brother. Ba- ron T. I.saac Gates Stafford, father of our subject, was born in Cornish, New Hampshire, Octo- ber 28, 1796. He married Lucy Whitmore, a native of Weathersfield, where she was born November 29, 1799. Her parents were Jehial and Polly (Higgin) Whitmore. They removed from Wallingford, Connecticut, to \\'eathers- field, Vermont, and located on a farm. They were in good circumstances and reared a lar^e family of children, all of whom became up- right, honorable citizens. "Sir. Whitmore, himself, was an exemplary citizen, and a trust- w'orthy, public servant. Our subject's parents were married about 18 19, when the bride was twenty years old and the bridegroom was twenty-three. Ten chil- dren were born to them, and although Mr. and Mrs. Stafford were not wealthv, they edu- cated their children well. The names of the children were : Joseph Freeman ; Eliza Ann ; Benjamin Freeman ; John Stephen, subject of these lines ; Alpiionso P. ; Clarissa ; Amos Sa\'- age; Sarah Maria; Emily L. ; and William Henry. Joseph Freeman w-as born January 13, 182 1. He died in Granville, New York, February 19, 1892, leaving one son, W. C. Stafford. Eliza Ann, born December 20, 1822, died in Troy, New York, February 16, 1895, and was buried in \\"allingford. She was twice married. Her first husband was Ira Baker, by whom she had one son and one daughter. Her second hus- band was Seneca D. Townsend. Benjamin Freeman was born in Ticonderoga, N. Y., De- cember 24, 1825 ; he died April 19, 1858, leav- ing a wife and one son. Alphonso P. was born November 5, 1830. He has a wife, daughter and son, and is a retired citizen of Wallingford, Vermont. Clarissa married John Moon. She was born, February 16, 1833, and died at Sandy Hill, New York, Feb- ruary 21, 1864. Amos Savage was born Feb- ruary 2, 1835, and in 1859, when last heard of, was a resident of Dubuque, Iowa. Sarah Maria was born May 2, 1837, in Granville, 86 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES New York. Slie worked at niillinery for many years but is now retired. Emily L., born October 15, 1839, married Newman Weeks of Rutland, Vermont, and died childless, Sep- tember 30, 1894. William Henry was born March 10, 1844. He has one daus^hter, and is a resident of Clinton, Connecticut, where he has a fine dejjartment store. Subject's father died in Wallingford, Vermont, Novem- ber 15, 1872, and was followed in a few short }ears by his wife, who jjassed to her final rest, Ncnendjer 25, 1875, ''^ North Granville, New York. John Stephen Stafford left home at the early age of twelve years, and began his career as clerk in a country store at Middle Granville, New York. He stayed with his first employer three years, but attended school during the winter terius until he attained the age of eighteen years. His marriage took place in Wallingford, \'ermont. May 16, 1861. when he was united with Mary Holden. Mrs. StatYord was born January 28, 1838. She is a daugh- ter of Dr. David and Lydia (Townsend) Hol- den. The latter descended from another good old family, particularly noted for longevity. Her father lived to be ninety-two years old, while her uncle. Col. Dyer Townsend. at- tained the age of ninety-six years; Mrs. Hol- den herself was eighty-two years old at the time of her death, which took place at Pitts- ford, March 21, 1882. Mrs. Stafford's father was for many years a prominent plnsician in Wallingfordj He died March 27, i860. Her grandfather, David Holden, was a prosperous farmer in Shrewsbury. He died in 1837, leav- ing two sons and had previously lost one daughter. His sons were David, father of Mrs. Stafford, and Harry. The latter also fol- lowed farming on Shrewsbury Hill. He reared seven children and died when seventy- five years old. ^Ir. and Mrs. .Stafford have one son. David Holden Stafford, and lost one son in infancy. David Holden Stafford was born February 22. 1864. He went to Kansas in 1887 and is now a bank cashier in Mankato. He married Mary Barker of Brandon. Four children were born to them, the eldest of whom died in in- fancy. Their names are: John Winthrop, Lewis H. ; Helen May; and Florence Eliza- beth. Mr. Stafford went west to Iowa City, in 1856, when all territory west of the Mis- souri River was wild and unsettled. He re- mained in the West five years and was en- gaged most of that time in the hardware busi- ness. He was also associated with a com- pany which dealt in stock and farm products on a large scale, frequently paying out three or four thousand dollars in one day. He was in the Indian Reserve during a part of the Border Ruftian War. .Vjiril 1, 1863, our subject located in Bran- don, where he started in the hardware and stove business on Park street. In 1865. his brother was taken in as a partner but with- drew a couple of years later. In 1867. Charles R. Phelps became a member of the firm, which carried on business for thirty years under the firm name of Stafford & Phelps. The busi- ness continued to grow and after reaping a handsome competency, Mr. Stafford practi- RUTLAND COUNTY 87 cally retired in 1898, and is now enjoying the just rewards of a well spent life. For eighteen years, our subject was a trus- tee of the Troy Conference Academy and served several years as vice-president. He is a valued nieniljer of the Masonic fraternity. In politics, his support is given to the Repub- lican party. He has served on the school board, and on the town conmiittee, — and now is and has been for many years a director of the First National Bank of Brandon, Ver- mont. In his religious views, he believes in the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has been an official of that church for thirty years. Mr. Stafford is a splendid example of an enterprising American citizen, who has risen by his own eft'orts to a position where he is respected and admired by all who know him. l^aATRICK H. downs, a prominent "^-^ slate mainifacturer of Hydeville, Ver- mont, owns and operates some of the finest quarries in Rutland county. Mr. Downs received a common school education, in Bos- ton and in Hydeville, and in 1862 began to work with his father in the marble shops at Center Rutland. Later he did similar work in Hydeville, and there it was that he learned the trade of a marble mason, which has been his lifework. In 1873, the firm of Downs & Delahanty was formed and began the manufacture of slate mantles in Poultney, Vermont. Four years later their mill was moved to Hydeville, and located near the railroad depot. For eight years, the principal business carried on was marbleized slate mantels, — which was then a paying business. The firm then changed to a general quarry and mill business in slate. They have a forty-acre tract of quarry land about four miles north of Hydeville at Lake Bomoseen, where they employ thirty hands, on an average. The plant turns out, at the present time, billiard beds, steps, platforms, plumbing supplies, and general mill work. June 15, 1875, Mr. Downs was united in marriage with Bridget Pender, of Brandon, Vermont. Mrs. Downs is a daughter of Michael and Johanna Pender, of Cohoes, New York. To Mr. and Mrs. Downs have been born eight children, namely: Charles E. ; Henry P. ; Mary ; William ; Agnes ; Thomas ; Elizabeth and Alice. Charles E. is a law stu- dent, in New York. He is a graduate of Fordham College. Henry P. is a junior of the same college. Mary died in July, 1886, aged six years. William died August 13, 1886, from scarlet fever, at the age of four and a half years. Agnes died August 1 1, 1886, aged three and a half years. Thomas was born July 8, 1886. Elizabeth was born January 13, 1889. Alice, the baby, was born in February, 1894. Patrick H. Downs first saw the light of day on February 2y, 1847, in Ireland. He is a son of Thomas and Catherine (O'Neil) Downs, both of Irish nativity. His parents were married in Ireland, and came to America, having then only one child, — Patrick H., — the subject of this sketch. They took passage on a sailing vessel, and after a quick, tern- BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES pestuous voyage of three weeks, landed in Boston, in July, 1850. Mr. Downs' father was a marble worker in the old country, and worked, in Boston, at his trade until July, 1859. He then removed to Hydevillc, Vt., and was a slate worker for the "Hydes" until their mill hurnod. After an illness of one year he died, in 1886, of consumption, aged sixty- eight years. His widow is still living, and is now seventy-one years of age. She has two ciiildren living. Patrick H., the subject of this record, and his sister Aiuiie. Annie is the wife of Martin Bolger, in Hydeville. Mr. Downs" mother resides with her. Mr. Downs had two sisters and three brothers who are now deceased. They are Mary; Thomas J.; John E. ; Edward F. ; and Katie. Mary married Frank Keefe. She died in Gran\-ille, New York. Thomas J. was a stone cutter, and died in New York City, in 1886. He left a wife and one daughter. John E. died in Hydeville, Vt., leaving a widow, one daughter and one son. Katie married E. A. McCarty, and died, in 1892, at Cape Girar- deau, Missouri. One son and one daughter survived her. Mr. Downs settled in his ])lcasant cottage in 1879. Although not a modern one, and somewdiat old fashioned, his home is a very comfortable one. He is a meinber of the Knights of Columbus. The family are devout members of the Catholic church. Mr. Downs' father and brothers were vic- tims of consumption, which is the common fate of men who work in slate and marble mills. This is caused by inhaling the dust. But the subject of this sketch is a man of most robust physique, and is the very picture of health. He is a remarkably pleasant and gen- ial man, both in business and in social circles, and is most devoted to his home and family. f^OIIX J. JONES, one of the most suc- cessful slate manufacturers of Castle- ton, \'ermont, is well known as one of the worthy citizens and substantial business men of Rutland county. About fifteen years ago, Mr. Jones opened a quarry two and a half miles north of Castleton. This proved to be one of the most \-alualde (juarrics in that section. Although a force of from six to twelve men, only, are employed there, the suc- cess of Mr. Jones has been phenomenal. Mr. Jones was born May 10, 1829, in Wales. In 1853, lie came to America, with sufficient money to pay his return passage, provided he did not want to stay. After a seven weeks' voyage, iie landed in New York City in Sep- tember of the year mentioned. A month later found him in Castleton. He was schooled in \\'ales, where he also worked in the quarries. After working by the day for nearly a year after coming to Aiuerica, he became an oper- ator on his own behalf. Mr. Jones is a Re- publican, in politics. He had the office of town grand juror thrust upon him; in 1889, he served in the legislature. He is a member of the Welsh Presbyterian church, of which he has been a deacon for forty years. His family favor the Methodist church, and he contributes liberally toward the support of HON. lKi:i) MASON lU'TLER. RUTLAND COUNTY 91 both. Mr. Jones has always owned a home of his own. He removed from his farm to his present residence in the village about fourteen years ago. John J. Jones is a son of John and Ann (Williams) Jones. His father was born in 1805, and died in 1889. Four of his eight children sought a home in America. Besides the subject hereof, -Richard, William, and GritSth became .\nierican citizens. Richard and William came o\er in i860. Richard was also a quarryman, but is now deceased. W^illiam was only eighteen years old when he crossed the ocean. He attended college at Hamilton, Ohio, and has been an able clergy- man for many years. He has two children, a son and daughter, — the son is a physician; their names are William and Margaret. Grif- fith Jones located in Castleton, where he died. He left several sons. The mother of John J. died when fifty years old, but his father was eighty-four years old at the time of his death. In June, 1857, the suliject hereof was joined in matrimony with Jane Hawkins, a daughter of Joseph and Laura Hawkins, of Castleton. Mr. Hawkins died early and left his widow with four children. Other children died previous to this, in infancy. The daugliters are still living. Their mother lived to be ninety years old. To Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been born ten children, as follows : Joseph ; John, Jr. ; Laura ; William ; Henry ; Richard ; Fred ; Walter ; Jane and Harriet. Joseph is a miner, in Montana. He is a widower, with one daughter. John, Jr., re- sides in Castleton. He is manager of a slate company in which the subject hereof is, also, interested. He has two sons. The mill of which he is manager, was established in the village of Castleton, in 1892. This mill was destroyed by fire. Business was resumed at a new mill one mile from the village. Laura is the wife of Bert Farr, of Rutland. Vermont. They have three children. William is also in the quarry business. He has a wife and one daughter. Henry is still a bachelor, and works in the gold and silver mines of Montana. Richard is a machinist in Claremont, New Hampshire. Walter resides in Chicago, Illi- nois. He is a college graduate and is a civil engineer by profession. Jane, or "Jennie," as she is called, is still at home, as is also Har- riet, who is a successful teacher. In his unusually successful life, the subject of this sketch has had no cause to regret com- ing to the "land of the free." OX. FRED MASON BUTLER. It would be utterly out of place for us to introduce Mr. Butler to the citi- zens of Rutland county, other than by the mere mention of his name, for as a barrister he has attained a prominence which extends far beyond the bounds of his own county. Pos- sessing instinctively a legal mind, and being endowed with a spirit of restless energy, he was not content until he had reached the top in his profession. He is a partner of Thomas W. Moloney, and the Reports of the Supreme Court of Vermont bear testimony to the fact that there are few cases of prominence in the 92 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES district in wliich tliis firm is not retained as counsel on one side or the otlier. Our sul)jcct was horn in Jamaica. Wind- ham county, X'ermont, May 28, 1854, and is a son of Aaron Mason and Emeline (Muzzy) Butler. His grandfather was named Aaron Butler, as was also his great-grandfather, whn was a soldier in the Re\ having chil- dren by his first wife only. He first married Mabel (Couch) Meeker, who by her first hus- band had a number of children, one pf her 108 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES sons being Daniel Meeker, who became a prominent hotel man. The following children blessed her union with Mr. Dikcman : Lydia, born August 8, 1781 ; Sarah, born December 13, 1784; Perry, the father of our subject; Uriah, born March 5, 1790; and Azor, born January 20, 1794. Perry Dikeman was bnrn in Ballston, N. Y., March 18, 1788. and in the spring of 1816 he came into jjossession of the farm owned by onr subject. He resided u|)on it until 1837 when he purchased the farm adjoining the one wiiich George \V. Dikeman afterward owned for many years, and there he lived until his death. He was an honest and industrious man and worked his way from a small begin- ning to a place of high respectability in the community, and at the time of his death owned three farms. Politically, he was quite active and, besides holding all the town offices, represented the town in the state legislature in 185 1 and 1852. Mr. Dikeman died on August 14, 1871, and his widow in the follow- ing November, and they lie buried in the cem- etery near the old battle ground at East Hub- bardton, where a $1,000 monument was erected to their memory by their sons. Their two children were Myron Morehouse, our sub- ject ; and George \V. George W. Dikeman was born Janu,iry 5, 181 5, and died on the farm adjoining his brother's, July 10, 1896, being survived by his wife only. He held a large amount of bank stock, mortgages and U. S. bonds; he had held all the town offices, and represented the town in the General As- sembly, in 1888-89. Myron Morehouse Dikehian received only a common school education and early received training in the rudiments of hard work, i)re- paring him for the life of great industry which he has since led. He taught school for one \car begimiing in 1828, and in whatever line of work he engaged he managed to save money, and this he wisely and safely invested in such a manner as to yield him large returns. He has been a stockholder in the First Na- tional Bank of Fair Haven, the Castleton Bank; the Killington National Bank; the Merchants Bank of Rutland; the Rutland Trust Company; and the Poultney Bank. He was also interested in the old Poultney bank, in the failure of which he lost $3,000. He has $10,000 in\-ested in U. S. bonds which he has held for more than thirty years, and which will no doubt be a part of his estate upon his death. In 1875, he was appointed one of a committee of three to settle insolvent estates in the town, thus avoiding litigation. On September 3. 1829. at the age of twenty years, Mr. Dikeman was united in marriage with EKira J. Robinson, who was reared on a neighboring farm, ha\-ing l:)een born a few months before our sui)ject, on January 11, 1809, and their union resulted in the birth of eleven children, as follows: Maria; Myron Munson ; Schuyler M. ; Orphena M. ; Sarah J. ; Henrietta; Ellen E. ; Harley G. ; Emma L. ; Zilpha; and Albert G. Maria, who was born May 8, 1830, married Leland Mott, and died in 1863, leaving one daughter, Elvira, now the wife of R. E. St. John. Myron Munson was born October 14, 1831, and died May 30, SAMUEL MORGAN WILLSON. RUTLAND COUNTY 111 1889, — he married Alzina Bidwell. and two children resulted. Perry and Lillian. Schuyler M. was born January 21, 1833, and married Emma L. Lincoln. October 6, 1864. and they have two children living': C'lertrude. the wife of Rev. C. H. Corwin of Calumet. Michigan; and Stella M. Their third child. Adella. died at the age of nine years. Schuyler M. Dike- man has held the ofifices of town clerk and town treasurer for twenty-two successive years, and was elected the twenty-third time, but resigned. He has been justice of the peace for twenty-three years and is still in office. He has also held the offices of constable, collec- tor and superintendent of schools, and repre- sented the town in the General Assembly in 1896-97. Orphena M. was born May 19, 1834, and became the wife of D. S. Lincoln, who was the father of Mrs. Schuyler M. Dike- man ; she died on April 7. 1859, without issue. Sarah J., born April 9. 1836, is the wife of Stephen Hatch. Henrietta, born February 25, 1839, and died July 3, 1863, was the wife of John G. Daigneau, and had one son, Emer- son. Ellen E., born April 16, 1841, was the wife of Henry Allard ; had one son, Bertram, and died November 14, 1869. Harley G. was born February 21, 1843, and died November 21, 1864. Emma L., born June 15, 1845, mar- ried Dudley Hulett, then John W. Hulett, by whom she has one child, and is now the wife of Norman Wightman. Zilpha was born March 31, 1847, married Moses Hulett, had one son, Bennie, and died May 8, 1881. Albert G., the youngest of the family, was bom June 8, 1849, ^"d died July 30, 1875. Mrs. Dike- man was called to her rest in the world beyond on November 27, 1892. Mr. Dikeman is a stanch Republican, but has never been an of- fice seeker, although he has served in the capacity of selectman and lister in his town. He is a man of pleasing personality, an enter- taining conversationalist, and is held in the highest esteem by a large circle of friends, in whose midst he has alwavs lived. AMUEL MORGAN WILLSON, an enterprising and successful business man of Rutland, \'ermout, where he is well known as a wholesale coal dealer, han- dles the coal of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co., which finds a ready market in Ver- mont and New Hampshire. Mr. Willson re- sides at No. 71 Grove street in the house built by his honored father which our subject now owns in addition to other valuable real estate in Rutland. He is a director of the Clement National Bank, of the Killington Na- tional Bank, and of the Moseley & Stoddard Manufacturing Company. He is also presi- dent of the Peoples' Gas Light Company, and is a stockholder in the Howe Scale Company. Samuel Morgan Willson was born In Rut- land, Vermont, October i, 1857. He is a son of Zacheus Van Kuren and Elsie (Morgan) Willson, and grandson of Samuel Willson of Montgomery, Orange county, N. Y. The paternal ancestors of our subject were preachers and his great-uncle, Robert Will- son, was not only an able divine but was also a most pronounced and earnest advocate of 112 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES the cause of anti-slavery. He it was who made a wonderful and most powerful anti-slavery prayer at the opening of the legislature in Albany, New York, for which he was "hung in effigy," and his library burned. The founder of the Willson family in Amer- ica was one Zacheus Willson, who at some time during the interval between 1713 and 1720 settled in the coal district of Franklin county, Pa. His son, James Willson, left the coal region of Pennsylvania, and went with his youngest son, Zacheus, to the forks of the "S'oughiogheny River, in Allegheny county. Pa. Zacheus, the next in line, had seven sons, whose names are : James R. ; Aaron ; Isaac ; James Zacheus ; Robert ; Samuel Mc- Connell ; and Samuel M., grandfather of our subject. Samuel M. Willson was born in Allegheny county, Pa., in July, 1796. He was a minister of the Covenanters of the Old School, and was of Scotch ancestry. He was a teacher and a preacher in Albany, N. Y., where his brother James was an able divine of the same denomination. These brothers were members of a large family of seven sons and two daugh- ters; three of this family went to Burlington, Iowa, where their numerous descendants are now to be found. Samuel Willson died Jan- uary 21, 1864, in Montgomery, Orange coun- ty, N. Y. Zacheus Van Kuren Willson, father of our subject, was born in Coldenham, N. Y., in 1825. He began his career as a dry goods clerk in New York City, but subsequently went to St. Johns, Proyince of Quebec (Can- ada), as clerk for the Lake Champlain Trans- portation Company. After his marriage, in 1852, Mr. Willson went to Rutland, where he was station agent and afterward passenger conductor for the Rutland & Washington R. R. now a branch of the Delaware & Hud- son R. R. He remained in the employ of that road for many years being also master of transportation and assistant superintend- ent, and for ten years or more prior to his death he was their coal agent : when his son Samuel became of age, Mr. Willson took him in as a partner in the coal business, and was succeeded by Samuel at his death. The elder Mr. Willson was a Republican, and held minor offices, among them, justice of the peace. Fraternally he was a Mason, and also a Knight Templar. He represented Rutland in the State Legislature about the year 1874. In their religious convictions, both he and his wife were Episcopalians, and reared their children in the same belief. Mr. Willson's death was sudden and entirely un- expected, — he dropped dead at the railroad station on the twenty-seventh day of March, 188 1, in the fifty-sixth year of his age. Mrs. Willson was born Elsie A. Morgan, a daugh- ter of David anardton, \'l., and resides at home wuh our subject. Charles B., who married Helen Goriuan of Poultney. resides on the old home- stead, but in 1898 took a trij) to the Klon- dike. Of the hve children who died, one died from canker rash in 1873. Three others died in August of the same year, all within three weeks time, the cause of their death l)eing di])hthcria. The mother of these children died when thirty-five years old. Mr. Sherman formed a second matrimonial alliance with Abbie Paige, a worthy lady of Rutland, X'ermont. Mr. Sherman is a Royal Arch ^lason. He returned from Michigan to Poultney in Oc- tober, 1872, and resided u])on the farm for- merly owned by his grandfather Hosford, un- til his remo\al to his ])resent residence. In politics, he is a Republican and cast his first vote for John C. Fremont. He is not a mem- ber of any church. |RS. BETSFA' (BEMAN) BRAD- SHAW, a much beloved, aged lady of Hydeville, Vermont, is the widow of James Bradshaw, who died Novem- ber 29, 1897, aged eighty-four years. James RUTLAND COUNTY 123 Bradshaw was born in New Hampshire, and was a son of George Bradshaw. He was a blacksmith, and was twice married. His first union was contracted with Mary Beman, a sis- ter of the present Mrs. Bradshaw. She died, about one year after marriage, in Troy, N. v., where Mr. Bradshaw was then at work. In October, 1841, Mr. Bradshaw was again married, the subject of this sketch becoming his wife. Five children blessed their union, namely: Mary, George, Martha, Ida, and Charles. Mary became the wife of Walter Waterman of Montpelier, \'t., where she died aged about forty years, leaving one daughter. George is a prominent liveryman of Minne- apolis, Minn. He also has one daughter. Mar- tha married William Hutchins, of Montpelier, Vt., where she died. She left three children. Ida is the wife of Edward Cook, in Hydeville. They have three children : their eldest daugh- ter was married in 1899. Charles, with his wife and baby boy, are respected residents of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Brad- shaw went to Hyde\'ille about thirty years ago. At that time, he established his black- smith and wagon-making business. A few years prior to his death, Mr. Bratl- shaw was in poor health and retired from ac- tive life. He was not a strong man, but was most ambitious and energetic. For many years lie had been subject to asthma. He com- menced without capital, and by industry and careful management was successful in accu- mulating a little property. He had a brother, George, who was an eminent lawyer, in New York Citv. When Mr. Bradshaw's health failed, this brother persuaded him to retire by giving him substantial aid, in the way of money, sufficient to retire upon. George Bradshaw also began life humbly. After leaving school, he followed teaching. Thus he worked his way through college, and fitted himself for the profession of law. He never married, but left his large estate to his two sisters and his brother. He was prom- inent in public life, and left not only worldly wealth, l)ut an excellent record. Mrs. Bradshaw is a daughter of Luke and Betsey (Gibson) Beman, of Massachusetts. Soon after their marriage, Jaiuiary 31, 1818, her parents settled in West Poultney, where Mr. Beman followed mercantile life. He was a comb manufacturer. Seven children were born of this union: Mary, Betsey (the sul)ject hereof), Martha, Augustus, Jonas, Sylvester, and Hoyt. Mary was the first wife of Mr. Bradshaw. Martha married Chauncey Fish, of Fair Haven, where her death oc- curred, in 1892. She was sixty-nine years old, and left one daughter. Augustus was a printer. He learned his trade in Rutland, with the elder Tuttles, and subsequently be- came a printer in New York City, where he died from smallpox. He was unmarried. Jonas was also a resident of the same city. He lost his only son when the latter was nine- teen years old. Jonas died, and left a widow. Sylvester died January 7, 1853, aged twenty- two years. Hoyt resides in Chicago, 111. He has charge of the county house. He is mar- ried and has three daughters and one son. The beloved mother of these children laid 124 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES down the burden of life, August 17, 1844. The father again married, and died of old age, about 1889. Death came suddenly to him while visiting his son. lie settled in Fair Haven. al)i)ut i8_^5. selling his home in Poult- ney at the time. The railroad cars are now running through his former door-yard. He then purchased the Morse ])lace in Fair Haven, which is now the home of Dr. Wakefield. Mrs. Bradshaw resides in one of the most ])leasant si)ots in 1 1 \(le\ille, which is one of the historic villages of Western W-rmont. She has lived in the same cottage for the last twenty-two years. She has ne\er been a strong woman, 1)ut is very energetic. Although ex- ceedingly frail in health, and advanced in years, she has a rem;ukable force of both body and mind. .She is s])ending the sunset of life siu'roimded bv everv comfort olitainable. UDSON N. HOOKFR, an ui)-to-date farmer in (."astleton. Rutland cc)unty, \'ermont. comes from a distinguished family. He is a descendant of old Thomas Hooker, a famous divine, wiio came, in early times, from Fngland to Connecticut. Mr. Hooker was born. .\])ril i. 18O1, in Castleton, and was educated in the state normal school of that I'lace. graduating thercfrum, in 1S80. He is a son of Tnmian Xewell and Lucia Ann (Moore) Hooker, ;i grandson of Truman and Betsey (Griswold) Hooker, and great- grandson of Thomas Hooker, who was born January 21, 1762, and served in the Revolutionar\- War, from Connecticut. The grandfather of Judson H. was born in Poult- ney, Vt., December 29, 1793, and removed to Castleton about 1834. He settled upon a farm of two lumdred acres in that vicinity, and reared three sons and three daughters. .MI the sons are now deceased except one, Edward I'. Hooker, who is a Congregational minister, in IMarshfield, Massachusetts. He was president of a college in Florida. David Hooker, another son, was a prominent lawyer, in Milwaukee. The daughters are Sarah (Ainsworth), and I\Iary L., who never mar- ried. Judson H. Hooker's grandfather died on the f;um where he spent so many years, June 9, 1866. His widow died at the same place, seventeen years later, having reached her seventy-seventh year. Their remains lie in Hillside cemetery, in Castleton. Truman Xewell Hooker, father of the sub- ject hereof, was born in the town of Poultney, August II, 1826. He was united in marriage with Lucia Ann Moore. Mrs. Hooker was a nati\'e of Castleton. and was a daughter of Flam and Lydia (Wells) Moore. Her father followed the occupation of a farmer; he was born March 8, 1787, and served in the War of 1812, while hei mother was born Mav 26, 1785. Their marriage occurred March 5, 181 2. The parents of Judson H. settled on a farm of one hundred and sLxty acres, just north of the village of Castleton. They lived there until i86q. when they rented out that farm, and bought the heirs' interests to the home- stead farm, which was originally purchased by Truman Hooker. Truman Hooker was a public-spirited cit- RUTLAND COUNTY 125 izen. He served as selectman, and as justice of the peace. He began life without any cash capital and worked hard during early man- hood. But he was an invalid, from diphtheria, during the last seventeen years of his life. He died December 15. i8yi, when sixty-five years old. Mr. Hooker lost one sister in early childhood. She died February 9, 1858, when about two and a half years old. The subject of this sketch is looked upon as one of the most progressive farmers in the communitv, and is well and favorably known in social and business circles throughout Rut- land countv. ■ILLIAM C. MASON, an enter- prising and prosperous stock and dairy farmer in the town of Pawlet, is one of the most active farmers in Rutland county, Vermont. Mr. Mason's career has been somewhat varied. He obtained a good schooling and started out for himself when twenty years old, as salesman of nursery stock for a Geneva firm. He was on the road for two years. His next experience was at sell- ing sewing machines, which occupied his at- tention for three years. In 1880 and 1881, he engaged in agricultural pursuits on a farm which his father had owned for eleven years. In 1889, Mr. Mason began his real life work, dealing in horses and cattle. He buys horses in the West and disposes of them in the East ; he purchases cattle in Vermont which he drives to Massachusetts and sells. During October and November, 1898 and 1899, he bought and drove to Massachusetts i ,043 head of cows and young cattle, paying for the same nearly $25,000; this money was distributed almost wholly among the farmers of Rutland county, Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Mason own a fine farm, and carry on general farming. ]n addition to farming he keeps high grade Hol- stein cattle and has some thoroughbreds in his herd. The milk from his 30 cows at 75 cents per hundredweight, together with other dairy products, brought him $1,800 dur- ing one year. He has some of the most valuable thoroughbred Holstein stock in the state; some of them are great milkers. Mary Dean, a beautiful and perfectly formed cow has given 50 lbs. of milk a day for 200 consecutive days. Eight of his cows gave an aggregate of 412 lbs. in one day and 12,152 lbs. in one month. Ten cows gave a total of 504 lbs. in a day. Mr. Mason always keeps at least 30 cows. Ten years ago, the same farm would only support 16 cows. But our subject farms on the most approved plans. He makes high grade fertilizers by utilizing all the solids and fluids from the stables. He has a large, commodious barn which is 117 feet long and 30 feet wide. Mr. Mason has recently planted about 100 sugar maple trees along the road. In a few years these trees will greatly add to the beauty of his fine farm. A few such energetic and enterprising farmers in Rutland county would be an inspiration and would prove that farm- ing in New England will pay now as it did of yore. The industrious and heroic ancestors 126 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES of the present generation lived well and made money on the same land where many of their posterity are letting the farms grow up in weeds. William C. Mason was horn in West Paw- let, January 19, 1K34. He is a son of James N. and Alta (Simmons) Mason, and grandson of Allen Mason. Allen Mason was a native of Connecticut. He was one of the early set- tlers in the woods of Pownal, Vermont, where he cleared a good farm. He died about 1840 and left eleven children, of whom James N. was the youngest. James N. Mason was born in Pownal, Ver- mont, in October, 1818, and died in 1893. In 1843 li'^ ^^'is joined in marriage with Alta Simmons, a daugiiter of S(|uire Joel Sim- mons, a man of affairs in Poultney. Eight children were the result of this union, namely: James; Joel; John; Daniel; William C, sub- ject of this sketch ; Allen ; Helen ; and Alta. James resides in Boston, where he manufac- tures door plates and house numbers. Joel is a tra\eling salesman and resides at Middle- town Springs, \'erinoiit. John is in the in- surance business in Granville, New York. Daniel also resides in Middletown Springs. Allen is a constable in Pawlet. Helen is the wife of D. H. Fenton of East Poultney. Alta is the wife of M. S. Strong of Granville, New York. Our subject's mother was a devout Methodist. She died in 1864. James N. Mason's second union was contracted with Almira Banister of Pownal, who is still a resi- dent of East Poultney and, though well on to eighty years old, is still bright and active. Her father was a physician and served in the Rev- olutionary \\'ar ; she was born to him when he was well along in years. Mrs. Mason is a mendjcr of the Daughters of the American Revolution. William C. Mason was joined in marriage with Mary Reed, a native of Pennsylvania. This happy event took place January i, 1889. Mrs. Mason is a daughter of Curtis and Almira (Blakeley) Reed. Her parents, both of whom are now deceased, settled on the farm now oc- cu])ied by our subject, in 1865; the farm con- tains 175 acres. Curtis Reed had two children by his first marriage, and this one daughter by his second marriage, with Almira Blakeley. His first wife's children were: Colby, a resi- dent of Pennsyhania, and .Vita, wife of Charles Eaton of Oran, New York. Two children brighten the home of ^^Ir. and Mrs. Mason, namely: Nina, born November 14, 1891, and Adelaide, born September 12, 1896. Mr. Mason is a I-iepublican. He has served as selectni.in two years and as overseer of the poor. He is one of the few men who make a success of any enterprise which they under- take. He believes that "what is worth doing at all is worth doino- well." kS. HELEN M. COLTON. who re- sides in a ideasant home at Num- ber 10, West street, in Fair Haven, Rutland county, \'t., is the widow of David B. Colton, who died in Fair Haven, February 10, 1879, <^ged fifty-two years. David B. Colton was born in 1826. He was RUTLAND COUNTY 127 a son of Solomon Bigelow and Annis (Martin) Colton. Our subject's father was a native of Long Meadow, Massachusetts. He was a tan- ner by trade. His marriage with Annis Mar- tin, of Ferrisburg, Vt., resulted in the birth of three children, — two sons and one daughter, — namely: David B., the subject of these lines, Calvin H., and Sarah Ann. The father of these children died when only forty-four years old. His widow married again. She wedded Eli Skinner, and died at the advanced age of eighty-two years. Calvin H. Colton was a harness maker, by trade, and followed that occupation in both Granville and Fair Haven. He removed to the latter place, about the year 1870, and con- tinued to reside there until cut off by death, in 1886. He left a widow who was, before marriage, a Miss Watkins of Poultney, Ver- mont. Sarah Ann Colton married Sylvester Skinner, the son of her step-father. David B. Colton was also a harness maker, by trade, in connection with which he kept a hotel in Fair Haven, and was associated in the marble business, witii both his father-in- law and his brother-in-law. He was engaged in these various occupations up to the time of his death. He was a member of the I. O. O. F. He was a fine tenor singer, and taught vocal music. August 15, 1852, he was joined in marriage with Helen M. Adams, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Colton is a daughter of Joseph and Stella (Miller) Adams, and is a sister of A. N. Adams, a sketch of whose life also appears in this publication. To Mr. and Mrs. Colton were born three children, namely : William Wallace, Joseph E., and Da\id B.. Jr. William Wallace was born in July, 1853, and died when eight months old. Joseph E. was born February 15, 1858, and resides in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He is the treasurer and sole manager of a stock com- pany, which manufactures type-writing paper. He possesses a high order of business ability, and is prosperous. He was twice married. His hrst union was contracted with Alice T. Thomas, of Fort Ann, New York. She died in 1890, in West Rutland, Vt., leaving one son, William Wallace Colton, who is now a boy of fifteen years. Two years later, Mr. Col- ton married again. Susan Humphrey, of Pitts- field, Massachusetts, became his wife. She also has one son, Robert Humphrey, who is now nearly three years old. David B., Jr., also resides in Pittsfield. He is a commercial traveler, in the paper trade. He was joined in marriage with Stella M. Beckley, of Michi- gan. She is the only child of Mr. and Mrs. David R. Beckley, of Mendon, Michigan. To David B. Colton, Jr., and his wife has been born a daughter, Vera, a bright and interest- ing child, of eleven years. Mrs. Colton's mother died November i, 1882. Mrs. Colton was educated in Castleton Seminary, and still retains possession of her piano, which is a source of pleasure and enter- tainment to her. She sold the old home, and lived with her eldest son, in Pittsfield, Mass., for a few years, after his first wife's death. But in 1893, she returned to Fair Haven, and built her present modern cottage, where she is most delightfully situated. The subject of this 128 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES sketch is a member of tlie Unitarian church, of Pittsfield,' Massachusetts. Both she and her husband were formerly Universalists. r^ HOMAS ERAST U S W A K E- FIELD, M. D., a retired pliysician of Fair Haven, Vt., was for more than fifty years, one of the leading practitioners of Rutland county. Dr. Wakefield was born in Manchester, Vermont, March 15, 182 1. He is a son of Thomas L. and Haimah (Ewers) Wakefield, and grandson of Captain Ebenezer and Abigail Wakefield. Dr. Wakefield was the recipient of a liberal education in the Troy Conference Academy. His medical training was obtained under old Dr. Childs. of Pittsfield, Mass. He gradu- ated in Castleton, Vt., at the age of twenty- one years. He immediately opened an ofifice in Fair Ha\en, where he has practiced for fifty-five years. iVbout two years ago, his eye- .sight began to fail, and now the Doctor is al- most totally blind. Upon coming out of col- lege he found himself mucli in debt. He suc- ceeded in paying one hundred cents on the dollar, and has since saved many thousands of dollars. His practice has been of extensive proportions. He has gone to attend the sick and suffering, in all kinds of weather, and at all hours of the day and night. He had a large l)raclice, not only in Fair Haven, but in many Vermont and New York towns near by. He was the leading physician in Fair Haven from the year 1842 until compelled to retire from practice. But for his grand constitu- tion, he could not have endured what he has gone through. Though now in his seventy- ninth year, his bodily strength is good, and his mental vigor is not gorie. The loss of his eyesight, by cataract, has withdrawn him from acti\e effort, and his large practice has l)een turned over to a bright and jiromising young man. Dr. Parkhurst, who is already a skillful physician and surgeon. Dr. Wake- field is a Repu1)lican. but voted the Demo- cratic ticket ])rior to the formation of the Re- pul)lican ])arty, in 1856. Captain Ebenezer Wakefield was a farmer by avocation. He was born about the year 1746. He was a captain in the Revolutionary War, and fought in the battle of Bunker Hill. Erastus Ewers, Dr. Wakefield's maternal grandfather, was a pri\'ate in the same com- pany. Ebenezer and Al)igail reared two daughters and one son. The latter was Thomas L.. Dr. Wakefield's father. The Doctor's grandfather served throughout the war. and was a pensioner of the government. He li\ed until he attained the age of eighty- five years. His widow died at the advanced age of ninety-five years. Thomas L. Wakefield, father of the Doctor, was born at Winhall, Vt.. April g, 1792, and died in 1874. In 1816, he wedded Hannah Ewers. This marriage resulted in the birth of two daughters and one son. namely: Ange- line Theresa ; Thomas Erastus. the subject of these lines ; and Helen Ann. Angeline Theresa is the widow of Noah Adams. She resides in Portlandville, Otsego county, N. Y., and is in her eighty-second year. Helen Ann was DK. ARTHUR CLARENCK NORTON. RUTLAND COUNTY 131 born in 1824, in Granville, where she was accidentally drowned, in 1830. Her parents adopted a niece, who had been named for the lost one. This niece is now living with her aged aunt : she has one son. The Doctor's mother died in 1884. Their remains rest in Portlandville, N. Y., where the grandmother is also buried. Dr. Wakefield was joined in marriage with Mary Fisk Fuller. This happy event was cel- ebrated June 19, 1845. Mrs. Wakefield was born in West Needham, Mass., June 24, 1819. She had two children, Leroy, who died when eight days old ; and Helen Ann. who was born in 1847, and died, December 2, 1853. Dr. Wakefield lost his companion February 19, 1890. In this, the hour of his afifliction, the Doctor is attended by neither a loving wife nor child. But he has friends in every household, who are anxious to do something for him who has done so much for them. It is hoped that his blindness is only temporary, and may be entirely relieved by medical science, as is frequently the case. B R. ARTHUR CLARENCE NOR- TON, the leading physician of Mid- dletown Springs, Rutland county, Vermont, whose portrait is presented on a preceding page, has been actively engaged in the practice of his chosen profession, since 1882. He is a native of Arlington, Vermont, where he was born September 28, 1859. He received scholastic training in both common and select schools, and then decided to pre- pare for the practice of medicine. He fitted himself for his noble calling, in the Homeopathic Medical College, of New York. He received his diploma, and began practice in New York State, in 1882. Six months af- terward he went to his present location, at Middletown Springs. He has seen many competitors come and go, but through all the changes he has sustained his reputation as the leading practitioner of the place. He was married June 13, 1882, to Lucy Randall. Mrs. Norton is a daughter of Rev. John and Frances (Daniels) Randall, both of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Norton's mother died when Lucy was but two years old. To Dr. and Mrs. Norton have been born three children, namely : Charles Arthur, born May 5, 1883: Marguerite Gertrude, born August 28, 1884, and John Randall, born June 6, 1890. The eldest of these children is a tall, slender youth, six feet and two inches in height. Dr. Norton is a son of M. L. and Eliza (White) Norton, and a grandson of Ed- ward Norton. Edward Norton was a tailor in Arlington, Vermont, but was born in New York. He was one of fifteen children, and had seven brothers and seven sisters. This numerous family contained two pairs of twins — Edward, himself, belonging to one pair. The mother was a Miss Gunn, before her marriage. M. L. Norton, father of the subject hereof, was born at Jackson, Washington county. New York, in 1830. He was a wool buyer 132 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES for a large firm in Arlington, \'erniont. In 1853, he was joined in marriage with Eliza White, an accomplished daughter ni Jonathan and Esther (Stewardj White, of Arlington. Two sons hlessed this union, Charles C, and Arthur Clarence, the suhject of this biogra- phy. Charles C. Norton graduated from Trin- ity College, and is a law\er by profession, al- tliough he never became a practitioner. lie has a lucrative position in the land office, in Washington, District of Columbia, ;niil has been in the employ of the go\ernmeut since 1878. Dr. Norton settled in his comfortable home fifteen years ago. He unites with his family in worshiping at the Episcopal churcii. In politics, he supports the principles of the Re- publican jjarty. He has ser\ed as health officer, since the health law of the state was passed. He has found time to ser\e as schcjol commissioner. Dr. Norton is of a mathe- matical turn of mind, -.inA. now and then, en- joys a social game of chess with his neighbors. |RS. SUSAN (DYER) DAVIS, re- siding at Number 15, West street, Rutland, AT., is the widow of Nicholas L. Da\is, who died at his late resi- dence in Rutland, Sunday, July 12, 1891. Nicholas L. r)a\-is, or "Nic" Davis, as he was familiarK- called, was born at Limington, Me., June 7, 1827. He was a son of William and Mary (Waterhouse) Davis. His mother was a native of Cornish, Maine. His father, ■\vho was born in Limington, I^Iaine, fol- lowed agricultural ])ursuits all his life, and reared three sons and two daughters, all of whom grew u]i to be good citizens. W'hen young Da\is was seventeen years old, he left his home and went to Taunton, Massachu- setts. It was his desire to be a mechanic. He began work in the Taunton engine sho])s, and worked his way up step by step, luuil he at last became a first-class railroad engineer, and was placed in charge of an engine. It came about in this way. The engineer for whom he was firing desired to take a vacation, and recjuested that young Da\-is be permitted to run his engine for him. The railroad officials objected on the grounds that Davis was too young and inexperienced. The engineer overruled all oi:)jections, by declaring tliat he would trust his engine to no one but his boy fireman. Soon after, Davis was placed in charge of an engine. He ran the steamboat train on the Taunton & Bedford R. R., to Stonington, remaining on that road three years. He came to Rut- land, \ t., bringing a locomotive from the shops of Taunton, ^Massachusetts. He nunle the journey via Springfield, Mass., Albany, \\'hitehall, and thence, by boat, across Lake Champlain, to Burlington. At that time the track was laid from Burlington to Middle- bury. Mr. Davis ran the first engine into Rut- land. It was a small wood burner and was called the "Nantucket." For nine years he was engineer of the fast mail train between Rutland and Burlington. The late Josiah Bowtelle was then conductor. Mr. Davis was skillful and fearless and was RUTLAND COUNTY 133 always on time. These are essential qualities in an engineer, and lie was considered one of the best. Mr. Davis came to Rutland in September, 1849. He ran on the Rutland & Burlington Railroad until October 13, 1857. He was then appointed foreman of the Rut- land railroad shops, which position he held until the death of H. G. Litchfield, when he became master mechanic. His position as master mechanic was a most responsible one, and he filled it in an able manner. He took much pride in his work and turned out sev- eral fine engines, one of which was named for him, by the company. His engines have the reputation of being among the best ever produced by the company. He was a thor- ough railroad man, and was in the employ of the Central Vermont Railroad for forty-two years and ten months. Politically, Mr. Davis was a firm Demo- crat. He held every one of the town offices. He was selectman and water commissioner for many years. In fraternal circles, he was a Alason of high degree, being a Knight Tem- plar. He was initiated into Center Lodge, No. 34, of Rutland, in 1853, and served as master of the lodge. The Masons had charge of his funeral, which was one of the largest ever held in Rutland. Mr. Davis was also chief engineer of the fire department. He built the house wliere Mrs. Davis still lives, in 1884. Mrs. Davis was born and reared on this same ground. Mr. Davis was stricken with paralysis, and died a few hours later. He had been in the best of health for some time, and his death was entirely unexpected. His funeral occurred July 15, 189 1. He was buried on his wedding anniversary. He was not only a fine looking man, but was generous and tender- hearted. In the storms of this life he was the oak, the rock, — in the sunshine, the vine and the flowers. Benevolence, kindliness and charity were \-irtues that nature especially de- veloped in him. Others have left more worldly wealth, but few, if any, have left a better or more lasting record for true maniiood. ■Mrs. Davis is a daughter of Alanson and Emily Adeline (Fisher) Dyer. Her father was born May 13, 1800, in Rutland, Ver- mont. Her mother was l)orn in Guilford, Vt., September 18, 1813. Their marriage was sol- emnized in 1 83 1. They settled in Rutland, on the same site where the subject of this sketch now lives. Mr. Dyer kept a tavern there for many years. May 9, 1857, it was burned, with great loss to him. He not only lost his hotel, stables, but, also, fifteen horses, and his store and contents. Air. and Mrs. Dyer were the parents of five children, — four daughters and one son. One daughter and one son died at fourteen months. Mrs. Davis is the eldest. Her sisters are Emily Mary, and Elizabeth Marion. Emily Mary is now the wife of Wilson Wright. Elizabeth Marion is the widow of Hosea J. Bradford. Both sisters reside in St. Paul, Minnesota. The beloved father died March 21, 1872, while the mother survived him until April 16, 1888. Their remains rest in the Rut- land cemetery, in the lot owned by Mrs. Davis. Both died at the home of this daugh- 134 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES ter. She was her father's especial pride, as he was Iier ideal. The subject of this sketch was joined in marriage with Nicholas L. Davis on July 15. 1852. Three children were born to them, two sons and one daughter, namely: William Alanson Dyer; Warren Fred. Xic. ; and Mary Louise. W'illiam Alanson Dyer is still at home, with his mother, for whom he is tenderly caring through her declining years. He superin- tends the management of her entire property. Warren Fred. Nic. resides in iMenominee, Michigan. He is the active member of the firm of Blodgett «& Davis, prominent lumber- men of that state. Both members of the firm are popular, and they do a good business. Warren has a wife and two sons, Fred. Nic, born in 1884, and John Blodgett, born in 1896. Mary Louise married Thomas Pollard Bragg, of Rutland, X'ermont. They iiave one son and one daughter. The names of their children are: Xic. Davis, l)orii in 1889, and Susan Dyer Davis, born in 1891. Mrs. Davis is a memljer of the Episcopal cJnirch, as were, also, her husband, and all iier chiklren. RED J. PROVO, an expert black- smith and horse-shoer of Mill Village, in the town of Rutland, V't., is a fair ex- ample of a self-made man. He began business without any cash capital, and what he has to- day has been obtained by steady and persist- ent effort, coupled with the application of ex- ceptional mechanical skill. Mr. Provo was born in Cuttingsville. \'t.. December 23, 1865. He is a son of Joseph and Salinda (La Francis) Provo. and grand- son of Jose])h Provo. a sturdy, retired farmer and blacksmith of Canada, who was an octogenarian. Joseph Provo. the father of Fred J., was born in the Province of Ouebec, Canada, nearlv seventv-five miles north of Montreal, about the year 1836. He now re'sides in North Clarendon. \'ermont. The parents of Fred J. were joined in mar- riage, in 1863. His mother was a native of Shoreham. \'ermont. She is one of si.x chil- dren. His father is one of three children. To this worthy couple were born eight children, five of whom are still living. Those living are: Fred J., the subject of this sketch; George W., a prominent blacksmith in Cut- tingsville. \'t. : Jeremiah, a salesman in New- Haven. Conn. : Lena, wife of Closes Love- lette of Rutland. Vt. ; and Minnie, wife of John Sidleau, of Hartford, Connecticut. Fred J. Provo learned the trade of a black- .smith with his father, who also followed that occupation. He left school when eighteen years of age. and worked at home until he at- tained the age of twenty years. He then went to Rutland. Soon after this, he opened his present sliop in Mill \'illage. He does all kinds of work in that line, and is considered a splendid liand to shoe a horse. Much of his work comes from Rutlaml. Mr. ProNo is a member of the L O. O. ¥. In politics, he is a Republican, but is too busv for otYice-seeking. When twenty-one years old he became a benedict by wedding RUTLAND COUNTY 135 Helen M. Austin, of Middle Granville, New York. One daughter has been born to them, Ixutli Helen, a child of four years who is the pride of her fond parents. Mr. Provo and his estimable wife are comfortably settled in a pleasant cottage of their own, which they built in 1893. For one so young, the subject of this sketch has succeeded admiraljly in securing for him- self a neat income. But he \alues his cher- ished wife and child, his health and his capac- ity for lionest toil, far more than wealth. BEL HARWOOD DENIO, a retired irmer, li\-ing with his widowed daugh- ter at Number 16 Royce street, Rutland Vt., is somewhat over ninety years of age. Although he is slightly lame from an injury, he is still well preserved for a man of his years. With the exception of being a little hard of hearing, all his faculties are sound, and his hiemory of the remote past, as well as of recent events, is marvelous. When Mr. Denio was eighty years old, he read of some persons memorizing at that age, and thought he would try it. The result was in- deed gratifying: he can rehearse some fifty pieces, some of which are quite lengthy. He was born November 18, 1809. He is a son of Ariel and Lovina (Harwood) Denio, and grandson of Aaron and Deborah (Wood) Denio. Aaron Denio was a shoemaker by trade, and was also a first-class boot maker. He was Iiorn in Franklin county, Mass., where his father, whose name was also Aaron, had settled, and spent his closing" years. The grandfather of Abel Harwood Denio was a pensioner of the RevolutifMiary War. He died about the year 1828, at the advanced age of ninety years. His widow died in 1835, aged about eighty-four years. He wedded Deborah Wood, and they reared five sons and two daughters. The daughters never married, and one son remained a bachelor. Israel Denio, great uncle of the subject hereof, settled in Rome, New York. His son, Hiram, was a lawyer of prominence, and served as judge in Utica, New York. Ariel Denio, father of Abel Harwood Denio, was born in Shaftesbury, Vt., in 1786. He died in Rupert, \'t.. when eighty-three years old. He served in the War of 181 2, and drew a pension from the government. In the beginning of the year 1809, Ariel Denio was joined in marriage with Lovina Harwood. whose mother's maiden name was Rice. They were natives of Bennington, \'ermont. To the parents of the subject hereof were born the following ten children, — five sons and five daughters : Abel Harwood, the subject of this sketch ; Zachariah ; Arvilla ; Aurelia ; Mylon ; Ann Janette ; Aaron ; Hiram ; Vesta ; and Deborah. Zachariah died when about fifty years old, and left a family. Arvilla became the wife of Hiram Harwood. She died in Constan- tine, Michigan, in January, 1899, in her eighty-sixth year. She left four children. Ann Janette still resides in Rutland, Vt., on Wales street. She is now the widow Engrem, and is 136 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES seventy-six years okl. Aurelia. \\ ulow of An- drew Realty, of Canada, died in September. 1899. aged eit^lUy-one years. Aaron is about seventy-four jears old. and resides in Ben- nington. \'ermont. }Ie has a wife and cliil- dren. in iiis younger days, lie taught school, as did, also. Zachariah and two of their sis- ters, llirani. aged seventy-two years, also resides in Bennington. \'esta is the wife of Enoch Hubbard, of Havelock, Nebraska. Deborah died at forty years of age, and Mylon. at the age of forty-one years. The mother of Abel Ilarwood Denio was three years younger than Iiis father, antl died at about the age of eiglity-three years. Their remains lie buried in North Rupert. \'t., in close proximity to where their lives were mostly spent. Ariel Denio was an able farm- er, and served in nearly all of the township offices. Most of the sons were, also, farmers (Jne was a cru'pcnter. Mxloii was member of the legislature. Abel Harwood Denio was reared to farm life and had a common school- ing ; after leaving school, he worked out one or two years previous to attaining his major- ity, and ga\e his wages to his father. He learned the trade of making carpenter's squares, and making scales and figures. Later, he worked, for about six years, at brick-mak- ing in Connec-ticut and also in .Shaftesbury, and Bennington. X'ermont. April 11, 1836, he was joined in marriage with Ilannali N. Bailey. She was l)orn in Rupert, \'t., in De- cember. 1809, and was six weeks younger tiian the sidijcct hereof. She was a daughter of William and Mary ((lookins) Bailey. Mr. and Mrs. Denio were the parents of three chil- dren, nanieh' : William B., Mary and Lafayette. William 1*. resides in Rupert, \'t., on the old farm of about four hundred acres, where his father settled about fifty years ago, and lived for thirty years. He has two sons and two daughters. Mary is the widow of Rollin C. Wickham. Mr. Wickham died, October 6, 1892, aged sixty-one years, leaving his widow with two daughters and one son. They are : Carrie, wife of Samuel Willson ; Earl D., of Rutland. — \vho has a wife and one daugh- ter; and Julia X.. wife of Grant M. Otis, of I'oultnev, \'ermont. — she is a gifted artist. Lafayette resides in Springfield, Massachu- setts, where he manufactures webbing. He has one son and one daughter. The subiect of tliis sketch has been de- pri\-ed. by death, of his beloved wife, and is patiently awaiting the sunnnons to join her on the other shore. (^AMES L. GILMORF- It is with pleas- ure that we introduce to oiu- readers the genllcni;ui whose name heads this sketch, as a prominent and leading farmer in West Rutland. Although he is not, at the present time, actively engaged in that occu- pation, but at the advanced age of eighty-six years, is enjoying a grateful rest after a life of toil, still, farming has been his principal life-work. Mr. (iilmore is of Scotcli-Irish ancestry, and first saw the light of day Sep- RUTLAND COUNTY 137 tember 24, 1813. He is a son of William and Mary (Chatterton) Gilmore. The first of the Gilmore family who emi- grated to America, came directly from Lon- donderry, Ireland, and settled in Derry, New Hampshire. William Gilmore, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in the state of New Hampshire, and followed agricultural pursuits all his life. He wedded Mary Chat- terton, an accomplished lady, of West Rut- land, Vermont. Mrs. Gilmore was born in 1786, and died at the very advanced age of ninety-four years. She was a daughter of Isaac and I\Iary (Todd) Chatterton, of Con- necticut, near the New Hampshire border. Isaac Chatterton, maternal grandfather of James L. Gilmore, had six brothers who par- ticipated in the Revolutionary War, the eld- est of whom was Wait Chatterton, who served throughout that long and bloody struggle. Isaac, when a lad of fourteen years, was also preparing to enter the army, when the war was successfully terminated. He was joined in marriage with Mary Todd, and they reared one son and four daughters. Mrs. Chatter- ton was eighteen years of age when the Declaration of Independence was signed. William Gilmore lived to enjoy but five years of wedded life, when he was cut off by death, leaving his widow and one little son, — having previously buried one infant. Their third child, the subject of this sketch, was born in September, after his father's death in February. Thus the bereaved mother was compelled to rear her sons without the assist- ance of their father, who had provided well for their future, b}- leax'ing a good property for their inheritance. This is the same farm upon which James L. Gilmore still resides; it contains one hundred and twelve acres, and has been in the possession of the family for more than a century. James L. Gilmore's mother had the able assistance of her father in rearing her two sons, as he was appointed guardian for the children. James L. Gilmore was reared to a farmer's life by his grandfather, and at the age of sev- enteen years he took charge of the farm ; this he managed, for two or three years, in a man- ner that would have done credit to a nuich older person. In 1832, hav- ing attained the age of nineteen years, he was given a vacation, and took a trip to Ohio, visiting relatives and hunting, for one year and a half. He then returned home and located on the old, original Gilmore farm, in Ira, containing' some two hundred acres. There he remained, busily engaged in farming, for a period of seven years, when lie sold out. Going back to the homestead farm, where he still lives, Mr. Gilmore built a store, and dealt in general merchandise for thirteen years (from 1848 to 1861). He was also post- master from 1865 to 1885. His son, William R. (jilmore, was in business at the depot for many years, where the post office department was located, and kept by the elder Mr. Gil- more. They frequently obtained goods on time in New York City, which goes to prove their integrity and reliability. In 1837, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Mary Ann Perry of 138 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES West Rutland, Vermont. Mrs. Gilmore was born in July. 1813. and was a few months older than her husband, who was called upon to sustain the loss of this much lo\ed com- panion, in (Jctober, 1897. They were the par- ents of five children, one of whom, a daugh- ter, died in infancy. The others are: Wil- liam R., who resides at home on the farm, and has charge of the store, as ])reviously men- tioned; Mary I.; Charles J.; and Anna J. These sons and daughters, although having reached matm-ity, are still unm;u'ried and at home. They are active in the lilerar\' matters of the village, and are all musical, — making a splendid quartette. The youngest daugh- ter is a most accomplished pianist. There are but few families as refined and harmon- ious as this one. Mr. Gilmore gave eacli of his children an exceptionally good education, and it is with pleasure that he notes their bright, scliolarly minds, and their devotedness to the old home. In poli- tics, Mr. Gilmore was a \\'hig earl\- in life, but upon the fnrmation of the Republican ])arty, in 1856, he cast his fortunes with the latter, and has represented the town of Ira in the state assembly: he has used iiis influ- ence in every way to ad\ance the welfare of his conununitv, socially, morally, and intel- lectually. Surrounded by these loved ones, the sub- ject of this memoir is peacefully sjiending his declining years, untroubled by anxiety con- cerning tomorrow. Although not a member of any one church or sect, he is an ardent supporter of the Gospel, and fearlessly awaits the summons of Him, "who doeth all things well." -r-^ DWARD \-. ROSS, treasurer of the P Howe Scale Company, of Rutland, \'ermont, is of Scotch descent. His great-grandparents, James and Phoebe (Gary) Ross, both lived to a ripe old age. They re- moved from Colerain, Massachusetts, to Graf- ton, A'ermont, at an early period. Some time later, they located in Shrewsbury, Rutland count\', \'t., where they died. Edward V.'s paternal grandparents were Joseph and Mary (Flanders) Ross. Both died early in life. Joseph Ross passed to his final rest April 2y, 1830, at the age of thirty-nine years. He had previously lost his wife, who died in Septem- ber, i8ji, when tliirt_\-three years okl. Their son, Elijah Ross, is the father of the subject of this sketch. Elijah Ross was l)orn in Shrewsliury, \'er- moiit, January .21, 1819. He was admitted to the Rutland cuuntv bar, in September, 1845. He ])racticcd his chosen profession for more than twenty years, and then retired. He is over eighty years of age, but is still active in both mind and body. He resides in Poult- ncy, \'ermont. July 2^. 1863, he was joined in marriage with Elmira \'ail, a daughter of .Mien and Polly (Gregory) \'ail. The mother of Edward \'. was Ijorn at Middletown, Ver- mont, on the blessed Christmas Day of 1829. Edward \'. Ross is the only child of his parents. He is a native of Rutland county, Vt., and was born at Middletown Springs, MARTIN liOLGKR. RUTLAND COUNTY 141 June 23, 1857. \\nien a lad of nine years, his parents removed to Poultney. Young Ross attended public school during his youth, and subsequently pursued a thorough course in the Troy Conference Academy. He began his business career at the age of nineteen years, and, for three years thereafter, was as- sociated with Barnes Frisbie, in the publica- tion of the Poultney Journal. Later Mr. Ross removed to Rutland, and entered the service of the Howe Scale Co. as assistant shipping clerk. He soon gained the favor of his employers, and was promoted from one position to another, until Septem- ber, 1890, when he was elected to his present responsible position as treasurer of the com- pany. The works of this company are quite extensive, and rank among the most impor- tant manufacturing concerns in Rutland county. The products of the plant are shipped to nearly all parts of the world. October 12, 1876, Mr. Ross married Helen S. Beals, a daughter of Harden and Eveline (Parker) Beals. Two daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ross. The elder one, Edyth Vail, grad- uated from the Rutland High School, in the class of '96. Since her graduation, she has been diligently pursuing the study of both vocal and instrumental music. The younger daughter, Inez Sophia, died April 26, 1891, in the ninth year of her age. Mr. Ross and his family reside at Number 88 Church street, in a handsome residence built by him in 1888. They unite in worship- ing at the Episcopal church. The subject of this sketch is a Thirty-second degree Mason, and has honorably passed all the chairs in both lodge and commandery. He was elected treasurer of the grand commandery of Ivnights Templar of the state of \'ermont, in June, 1 89 1, and still fills that position. Al- though Mr. Ross has had no time for politics, he was calletl upon to serve the village of Rutland as trustee, in 1S92, and repre- sented his ward as alderman in the first city council. 5i¥ri> lARTIN BOLGER, a prosperous young business man of Hydeville, Vermont, whom we represent with a portrait on the preceding page, is a member of the firm of Bolger Brothers, man- ufacturers of slate. This firm first beg"an busi- ness about 1879, when the subject of this sketch was twenty years old. At that time William Bolger was the other partner. Though there have been important changes in the business since its beginning the firm name remains unchanged. James Bolger is now a memljcr of the company, instead of William. Mr. Bolger was born in Fair Haven, Vt., February 29, 1859. He attended the com- mon schools, and at twelve years of age be- gan working in the quarries in the summer time. This has been the occupation of his life. He first worked in the Eagle slate quarry, in Poultney. • He then started business for himself, at Hydeville, in connection with his brother William. That was the beginning of the present concern. The quarry of the firm 142 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES is in Pouitne}', and their mills are in Hyde- ville. In them forty men find steady emploxnient. November i, 1882, Mr. Bolger was joined in matrimonv with Aiuia Downs, a sister of I'. 11. Downs, a sketch of whom is fonnd else- where in this volume. One child, Catherine Louise, now blesses the home of ]\Ir. Bolger. She is a nujst attractive and interesting babe of two years. The subject hereof and his wife reside in a comfortable home in Hyde- villc, where they settled in 1896. In politics, Martin liolgcr is a Democrat, and performs valuable service for his party. He has served as justice of the peace. With his family, he worships at the Catholic church, in which faith he was reared. The subject of this memoir is a son of Thomas and Mary (Hennessey) Bolger, both natives of Ireland. His father was born in 1809, and came to America about the year 1853, with his wife and two children. They took passage on a sailing vessel, and after a long and tempestuous voyage, landeil at (Jue- bec. Thomas I'olger was a slate worker. He learned his trade in the old country, where he was a contractor as he was, also, in America. His marriage with Mary Hennessey resulted in the birth of eight children. Seven grew to m.'iturity. They are: Catherine; John; T'llk'n ; William; Martin; Thomas; and James. Catherine married Richard Conway, and died in middle life, at Hydeville. She left six, of her eight, children. John is a farmer on the old homestead in the town of Fair Haven, where his father settled about the year i860. The farm originally contained but one hun- dred acres; twenty acres have since been added to it. Upon this farm have been bred se\'eral fine horses, of blooded stock. Some of these horses have made fast time. One of them, "Hiram H.," was a pacer of renown. He beat all the other fast horses in Vermont, making a mile in two minutes and ten sec- onds. Ellen married John Conway, of Cooks- \ille. \"ermont. They have five children. William resides in Hydeville. Thomas lives in Bangor, Pennsylvania. He has a wife and one son. James is unmarried and is a mem- ber of tlie firm of Bolger Brothers. Martin Bolgcr's father died about 1865. His mother survived her husband, until 1888. IIARLES HENRY BOARDMAN, one of the leading farmers of Rutland count}-, \'t., resides on his splendid farm in West Rutland. This farm contains two hundred and tweh'e acres, and is the an- cestral home of the subject of this biography. I'ive generations of the Boardman family have lived on this farm, — four generations having been born there. The farm contains a fine marble quarry, which was partly devel- oped by Boston parties, who purchased some ten acres, which was later repurchased by the subject hereof. Charles Henry Boardman was born on the homestead farm in West Rutland, September II, 1 85 1. He is a son of Samuel and Grata (Ashley) Boardman. He was reared on the farm, and in its vicinity attended the dis- RUTLAND COUNTY 143 trict school. Later, this schoohng was sup- plemented l)y further study in the Rutland High School, and one year's attendance at Fort Edward Institute, New York. In November, 1872, Mr. Boardman went west, to Colorado, remaining there until July, 1873, and then going to California, where he re- mained until September, 1876. While in Col- orado, Mr. Boardman conducted a cattle ranch, — he also engaged somewhat in gold mining in Placer county, California, where he had a brother, and where his uncle, John Ashley went, in 1853. In 1876, Mr. Boardman returned to the old home farm in Rutland, but, after remaining two years, returned to California in March, 1878, where he remained two years longer; he finally went back to the Green Mountain State, where he has since remained. Settling on the home farm, in 1880, he continued there until 1883, when he went to Rutland and en- gaged in the bakery business with the Rut- land Cracker Co. ; after working in that con- nection for four years, lie resumed farming. June 23, 1886, Mr. Boardman won for his life partner, Mary Caroline Kilburn, an ac- complished lady, of artistic and musical abil- ity and culture. This most happy union was celebrated in the house where the bride was born, and was tiie source of two children, — one daughter and one son. Their names are : Katie Chaffee, who was born on the old home- stead farm, March 24, 1887; and John Gil- bert, who was born June 8, 1891. Both are bright, interesting and comely children, full of promise. Mrs. Boardman was born March 7, 1852, and prepared herself for teaching. She graduated at Rutland, in 1872, and taught her first school when but fourteen years old. She afterward studied in Montreal and New York City, \\'here she perfected her knowledge of the French language, and was also en- gaged in the study of art. She followed the profession of a teacher for many years, teach- ing eight years in Rutland, and was most successful, and in the Mountain Seminary, in Pennsylvania, on the banks of the beautiful Juniata River. Mrs. Boardman is an active member of the Episcopal church. She still keeps her fine piano, and finds al)undant time to devote to her painting and music which she has not, by any means, forsaken. She is a daughter of John Bacon and Mary N. (Boutelle) Kilburn. Her father was born in Shrewsbury, Vt., April 24, 1827, and died October 12, 1896. Her mother was born in Ashford, Conn., Decem- ber 2"], 1826. Her parents were married in Ashford, Conn., March 24, 1851. I\Ir. Kil- burn was a dry goods merchant for a period of thirty-seven years, and during the Civil War was captain of Company D, 7th Reg., V^ermont Infantry. He suffered for the re- mainder of his life from the effects of the army service on his health. He served four years as postmaster, and as a member of the school board, for fifteen years. His widow still sur- vi\es him, and is now seventy-two years of age, but continues active in mind and body. She lost two daughters in infancy, and has three daughters and one son still living. These are : Mary Caroline, wife of the subject hereof; 144 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Charlotte A., a forewoman in Ross. Huntress & Co.'s store: Grace, a successful teacher in Rutland schools; and John Frederick, wlio re- sides in Hartford, Connecticut. Timothy Boardman, the great-great-grand- father of the subject hereof, was born in Mid- (lletown, Conn., December 2, 1727. He was joined in marriage with Jemima Johnson, who was a native of the same place, where her birth occurred. August 31, 1732. Their wed- ding was duly solemnized November 14. 1751. He died in May, 1792. Their son, Timothy, Jr.. was the next in line and was the great- grandfather of Charles Henry Boardman. Timothy, Jr., was born January 20, 1754. He won the heart and hand of Mary Ward ; their nuptials were celebrated September 28, 1783. The young folk at once settled in the new home previously selected by the husband, in Rutland county. X'erniont. At that time, the place was covered with timber and was only sparsely settled. This spot proved to be the ancestral acres now occupied by the subject hereof, and it is a source of gratification to the present generation iliat the broad inheri- tance has never been permitted to fall into the hands of strangers. Where once all was limber and wild land, now appears a fine farm, whose extensive, welbtilled acres, fine orchards of choice fruits and large sugar- maple groves, are a source of pride and de- light not only to its owner, but to all lovers of the beauties of nature, and all admirers of the ])rogress of our generation. The great- grandparents of Charles Henry Boardman reared a large family in their primitive home. namely: Hannah, who was born July 23, 1784; Timothy, who was born March 11, 1786, and died .\pril 2, 1857; Mary, who was born January 27, 1788, and died July 5, 1871, — the wife of deacon Barney, of Rutland, who is also deceased ; Samuel Ward, w ho was born November 27, 1789, and died in Pitts- ford, Vt., May 13, 1870, aged eighty-one and a half }ears (he was the father of Professor George Boardman) ; Elijah, who was Charles Henry's grandfather, and will be mentioned later; Charles Goodrich, who was born Feb- ruary 19, 1794, and died in West Rutland, aged eighty-two years; and Betsey, who was born June 13, 1796, and died April 26, 1873, nearly seventy-seven years old. She wedded Deacon Martin Foote, a farmer. Elijah Boardman, Charles Henry's grand- father, was born March 9, 1792, and died on the farm where the subject hereof now resides, September 24. 1873. aged eighty-one years, six months and fifteen days. October 25, 181 5, he was united in marriage with Mary Foote, — the ceremony being performed by Rev. Thomas A. Merrill. "Grandma" Board- man was born .\pril 30. 1793. and died about the year 1863. at the home of the subject hereof, where so many of the family have passed away. Their children are as follows: William Martin, who was born January 20, 1818, and died November 30, 1844, and whose son. \\'illiam. was a conscript in the Confed- erate army ; .Samuel, father of the subject here- of, a history of whose life will appear later herein ; Mary Elizabeth Foote, who was born August 5, 1825, and died January 7, 1833; RUTLAND COUNTY 145 Henry Sherman, wlio was born March 13, 1828, and died June 28, 1846; Martha E. Foote, who was born August 4, 1832, and died in infancy ; Horace Ehjah, who was born May 18, 1835, and died in Kansas, February 26, 1888, — leaving two sons, Dr. Edgar W. Boardman, of Parsons, Kansas, and Horace P. Boardman, of Cliicago, Illinois. Charles Henry's grandfather died September 24, 1873, and both he and his wife sleep the sleep that knows no waking in the "God's .\cre" at the foot of the hill, one mile away from the old homestead. Samuel Boardman, fatlier of the subject of this sketch, was born August 31, 1820. October 13, 1845, he was joined in matrimony with Grata Ashley, of West Haven, Vermont. She was born July 29, 1821, and was a fa- vorite daughter of John and Polly (Foster) Ashley, whose marriage was celebrated Janu- ary 20, 181 1. Samuel Boardman and his good wife settled on the old home farm, where their entire lives were spent. Their children were, — Arthur Flanders, who was born September 5, 1846, and is a gold miner in Montana; Edward Hunt, who was born September 12, 1848, and is a prosperous rancher in Califor- nia ; Mary Ella, who was born December 30, 1849, ^nd resides in Medfield, Mass.; Charles Henry, the subject of this sketch; and Helen Eliza, who was born December 23, 1855, and is now the wife of Henry E. Tuttle of Somer- ville, Massachusetts. The fatiier of Charles Henry, like his an- cestors, never sought political distinction, but served in the town offices as selectman, etc. He also resembled his ancestors in his religious views, and was a member of the Congregational church, and always active in church work. His death occurred September 25, 1888, and he was preceded to the grave by his faithful wife, who died March i, 1886. They lie buried in the Evergreen cemetery, and their children are all living. The foregoing record shows that the sub- ject of this sketch is descended from a long line of ancestors, whose lives were marked by peculiar characteristics. Most notable of tliese is the extreme longevity of many of the family. In view of this fact, Mr. Boardman entertains the belief that he, too, will sustain the family reputation in this respect. In his political action, Mr. Boardman casts his vote, and exerts his influence for the advancement of the principles of the Republican party. TT"*"™^ DGAR DAVIS, a prominent and P successful dairy farmer, residing in the northern part of the town of Rutland, Vermont, was born in Pittsford, Rutland county, Vt., November 24, 1838. He is the youngest son of Hiram and Ann (Hub- bell) Davis, and a grandson of Thomas Davis. Thomas Davis was a native of Chester, Vermont, and followed agricultural pursuits during all his active days. He reared five sons and two daughters, namely : Joel ; Thomas; Daniel; Hiram; Josiah ; Melinda, and another daughter who married a Mr. Wooley, of Pittsford, Vermont. Joel was a good, thrifty farmer and lived quite a seques- 146 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES tercd life on liis snug farm. He kept every- thing in order, and worked his yoke of faith- ful oxen, having, also, a small dairy of about six cows. Hiram was father of the suliject hereof. IMclinda was the wife of Asher Bur- dett, of Pittsford, \'crninnt. llirani Davis, the father of Edgar, was born in the year 1800, and was cut off by death while in the prime of life, his demise occurring in 1842, at the age of forty-two years. In 183 1, he wedded Ann Hubbell, who liorc him three sons: Albert Francis, wliose life histor\- appears later herein ; Allies C, a resident of Sioux City, Towa, where he owns the City Flouring Mills; and Edgar, the sul)- ject of this sketch. Ann (Hubl)ell) Davis, Edgar's mother, who was born in Monkton, \'ermont, Jiuie 15, 1799. \\as a daughter of Ephraim and Annis (Carter) Flubboll, and a granddaughter of Jedediah and Lucy (Xoble) Hubbell. Her maternal grandparents were Benoni and Anna (Comstock) Carter. All these ancestors were natives of Connecticut. After the death of Julgar Da\-is' father, Mrs. Da\'is contracted a second matrimonial al- liance, by wedding Artemus Pratt. Her death occurred January 6, 1865, at her residence, one mile south of Smith F. Kellcy's place, on the Otter Creek road. Edgar Davis was reared to a farmer's life, and was early ])Ut to farm labor, — receiving only a limited education, in the district schools of Rutland. .\t si.xtcen )ears of age, he left home and worked out on farms, for several years. Subsequently, he engaged in bridge building on the Rutland & Wasliing- ton road. September 9, 1862, the subject hereof was joined in marriage with Charlotte .\. Kellcy, a charming lady, of Rutland, \'er- mont. Mrs. Davis is a daughter of Alonzo and Clarissa (Spring) Kelley, ami a niece of Smith V. Kelley. ller father followed farm- ing many years, on one of the farms left by Grandfather Kelley. and afterward removed to the farm now occupied by Edgar Davis. This farm consists of one hundred and forty- eight acres, and is located in school district Xumber 16. It was occupied by Mr. I)a\is' father-in-law, in 1874. Mrs. Davis' mother, Clarissa (Spring) Kelley, was a daughter of .\mos Spring, and w as united in marriage with Alonzo Kelley, about the year 1835. C_)ne child, Charlotte, bles.sed this union. Mr. Kel- lev's death occurred in 1879, and he \vas sur- vived b\' his wife until ( )ctober, 1887, when she, too, passed awav, in her se\'eiU_\-fourth year. This wcirtln- cou])le were dex'out Christians, and faithfid members of the M. E. church. When eighteen }-cars of age, ]Mrs. Davis taught school Un one term. She was twentv-four years old at the time of her mar- riage with Air. Davis, to whom she has borne one son and one daughter. The son is Guert .\lonzo. who is a graduate of the Poultney Commercial School. He is now at home on the farm, and owns and conducts his own nulk rout'.' in Kutland. rendering \aluable as- sistance to his father, who keeps from fifty to fiftv-fi\x choice milch cows, and aboiU se\-en horses. Their daughter is Agnes Louise, who is also at home. She is a graduate of RUTLAND COUNTY 147 the Castleton Xormal School, and has taught several terms. Albert Francis Davis, Iirother of Edgar, lived on the old homestead, where the death of his father occurred when Albert Francis was only ten vears of age. The latter received the ordinary education of a farmer's boy. Upon attaining his majority, he worked out by the month on ditTerent farms and soon after learned the carpenter's trade, — following that line of work for six years. A part of that time, he was a l^uilder and contractor. He then engaged in the manufacture of lumber, on the Green Mountains, and enjoyed the dis- tinction of putting up the first portable steam- mill, with a single exception, in that section, Mr. Pierpont having previously built one. In his lumber enterprise, Mr. Davis was most successful, and made about $10,000 per year, for ten years. He was then induced to sell out for what seemed to be a fair price ; this was, really, an unwise act, as more money could be made in the manufacture of lumber than in any other way. From 1870 to 1875, Mr. Davis was engaged in buying and selling grain, and continued to do a large and pros- ]ierous business, until 1897. He then sold out to Charles M. Smith, who had been in partnership with him for three years. Upon selling his interest in the grain business, he turned his attention to dairy farming, in which he is still largely interested. February 15, 1864, Albert Francis Davis was united in marriage with Hattie Gould, an accomplished daughter of Jacob Gould, a prominent farmer of Potsdam, New York. To ]\'Ir. and Mrs. Davis were born five chil- dren ; the first two were twin daughters, ^lary and Anna, the former of whom died at the age of three years, and the latter at the age of five vears. The third child, Willie, died in infancv. Their fourth child was Charles, now a resident of Worcester, Massachusetts. He is twenty-one years old, and attended the Polytechnic Institute, for a year, — afterward accepting his present position with the Wash- burn & Moen Company. The youngest child is Robert F. N., who is now a law student in Judge Merrill's office. Albert Francis Davis lives at Number 88 Park street, where he erected his present fine, brick residence, in 1882, occupying the same in the spring of 1883. He purchased his lit- tle forty-acre farm some time previous to building the dwelling, and now has thirty acres more near by. — making a seventy-acre farm within the city limits. This tract will soon become a special addition to the city, and will be sold in desirable building lots. Mr. Davis is a Royal Arch Mason and, in politics, endorses the principles of the Repub- lican party. He has been an incumbent of town offices many times. Mrs. Davis is a member of the Congregational church, which denomination receives her liberal sup- port. The subject of this sketch is one of the progressive farmers of the town, and is a moral, law-abiding citizen. His influence is at all times used for those measures that will benefit the city. The family are faithful at- tendants of divine worship at the Congrega- tional church in Rutland. 148 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES F.V. r.TBBS BRAISLIN, beloved pas- tor of the Baptist cliurcli of Rutland, 'Vermont, where he has been sta- tioned since 1891, is an able and eloquent speaker. His sermons, which are both inter- esting and sound in doctrine, fall upon the ears of an appreciative congregation. The Baptist church in Rutland is a most progres- sive and prosperous church, — numbering among its members many influential and in- telligent citizens of that i)lace. Dr. Braislin devotes his time and energies to the welfare of his flock, and has no time for secret socie- ties, lodges, etc. The subject of this sketch was born July 29, 1850, in Burlington, N. J., and is a son of Patrick and Tamar (Gibbs) Braislin. He was reared to farm life, and at seventeen years of age, left home and went to Philadelphia as clerk in a wholesale house, where he remained three years. He was engaged in the mer- cliandise business, during the following year, at Omaha, Neb., after which he returned home, and managed the old farm, fcir three years. Dr. Braislin graduated from the Ped- dle Institute, at the age of twenty-six years, and then entered Brown University, from which he also graduated in 1880, being one of a class of seventy members. In 18S2, he graduated from the Crozier Theological Sem- inary, after which he spent one summer abroad, — visiting all the countries of Europe. He continued his stvidies in Providence, R. I., until 1886, when he was ordained a minister of the Gospel, at Keyesville, New York. There h? was chosen pastor of the First Baptist church. This charge, althoug:h small in num- bers, contained members of wealth and refine- ment, and was very desirable as his first field of labor. Dr. Braislin was transferred to liis present charge in Rutland, after tJie five years spent at Keyesville. October 23, 1886, the subject of this sketch was joined in matrimony with Jennie C. Pyke, of Pro\'idence, K. I., where the wedding took place, at the home of the bride's father, Samuel I'yke. The name of Mr. Pyke's wife was, before marriage, Ella Francis Fish. Both of the parents of Mrs. Braislin are still enjoy- ing the pleasures of life. Two children bless the home of the subject hereof, and his es- timable wife, namely : James Pike, a bright boy of eleven years, and Edward Gibbs, a little lad of four years. Patrick Braislin, father of Rev. Gibbs Brais- lin, was a native of the northern part of Ire- land, whence he came to America, with his parents, at the age of thirteen years. He was joined in marriage with Tamar Gibbs, a most worthy and devoted companion. The young folk began life on a farm, where Air. Braislin followed agricultural pursuits very success- fully, for many years. Seven children were born to them, six of whom grew to matur- ity, — three sons and three daughters. Five are still among tlie living. Their names are: John ; Alice T. ; Mary (Cook) ; Priscilla H. ; and Edward. John is a manufacturer of brick and tile in Crosswicks, New Jersey. Alice T., and her sister, Mrs. Mary Cook, have a select school at Bordentown, New Jersey, which is known as the Braislin Institute. Priscilla H, UK. THOMAS MiUNI). RUTLAND COUNTY 151 was a fine mathematician. Twenty years dur- ing the prime of her Hfe was spent as professor of mathematics in the celebrated Vassar Col- lege, at Poughkeepsie, New York. She was the first woman professor in mathematics in the United States. She resigned that posi- tion, in 1889, to become the wife of Timothy Merrick, the noted thread manufacturer of Holyoke, Massachusetts. Mrs. Merrick crossed the dark river, in 1890, being a vic- tim of heart failure. Edward is the present pastor of the Baptist churcli at Colorado Springs, Col., where he went in 1895. This is his fourth pastorate. He also graduated from Crozier Theological Seminary at Ches- ter, Pa., after which he spent one year travel- ing in Europe, and the Holy Land. His first charge was at Mount Holly, New Jersey, where he remained for seven years ; his second was at Newton, Mass., where he continued for four years : his third was at the Washington Avenue Baptist church of Brooklyn, N. Y., where he preached for seven years, before going to Col- orado Springs. The revered father of this distinguished family of children was in easy circumstances, and the old homestead where these children were born and reared, was the scene of his death, in 1879. He was survived by his beloved companion but three years, — her death occurring, in 1882, at the age of seventy-seven years. In politics, Dr. Braislin follows the leader- ship of the Republican party. His many years of labor in the Master's vineyard have been productive of the greatest possible amount of good to both the church under his care, and to the community at large. He is a man of more than ordinary ability as an evangelist, with a warm heart and deep convictions, and is indeed the friend of all. His many friends and acquaintances in Rutland have learned to love him and respect his sterling worth. M R. THOMAS MOUND, a successful dentist of Rutland, whom we repre- sent with a portrait on the preced- ing page, is not only a practical business man, but is one of the most successful men of his profession in the state of Vermont. Dr. Mound was born January 31, 1850, in Lei- cester, Vermont. He is a son of Jacob and Eliza (Carr) Mound, and is of both German and Scotch ancestry. At ten years of age, Thomas left home to make his own way in the world, working on a farm until he was nineteen years old, attending school during the winter months when he could be spared, doing farm work the balance of the time. After he attained the age of nineteen years, he spent two years attending Brandon High School. Upon reaching his majority, young Mound went to Cambridge, Mass., as clerk in a commission house, where he found em- ployment for two years, subsequently becom- ing interested in dentistry with one Dr. Allen. Soon afterward he entered the ofifice of Dr. Wright in the town of Brandon, Vermont, in whose office he completed his apprenticeship. Li 1873, Dr. Mound located in Rutland, where he opened his first ofifice. After practicing 152 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES his chosen profession alone for several years, he took into partnership with him, F. M. Schell, who was one of his pupils. The part- nership then formed existed until Dr. Schell's death. Dr. Mound enjoys a splendid patron- age in Rutland, and surrounding towns. Jacob Mound, father of our subject, died February 9, 1899, while a resident of the vil- lage of Sudbury, Vermont. He was born in Germany, in 18 18, where he was also edu- cated and reared. He chose for his life part- ner and companion, Eliza Carr, an attractive • young lady of American birth but of Scotch- Irish ancestry. On the twelfth day of December, 1876, Dr. Mound was united in marriage with Lizzie O. Wardwell, an accomplished young lady of Rutland. Mrs. Mound is a daughter of George J. and Margaret (Moore) Wardwell, now deceased, who were natives of Rumford, Maine, and Hatley, Canada, respectively. George J. Wardwell was an inventor; be- sides his daughter, Mrs. Mound, he left a son, George A., a merchant in Minneapolis, Minn. The mother of these children was called away from her earthly home. Some time after- ward, their father contracted a second matri- monial alliance, this time with Kittie C. E. Lincoln, who still survives him. George J. Wardwell was a remarkably gifted man, hav- ing a wonderful inventive brain, and was re- garded as a man of much natural genius. His death occurred as recently as 1895, and he left one little son by his second marriage. This son is called Charles H., and is a bright little boy who is said to resemble his father greatly. The home of Dr. and Mrs. Mound has been rendered especially happy, by the presence of one daughter, Margarita L., who w^as born December 10, 1886, and is now an interest- ing miss of thirteen years. Our subject and his wife are devout Christians, being consist- ent members of the Congregational church, as well as willing supporters. They reside in a handsome brick residence at No. 68 Grove street, where they settled in 1888; our subject also owns other lots in the city. Dr. Mound is i1ot only devotedly attached to his profession and keeps himself well abreast of the times, but has some little time to devote to othef inclinations and pursuits. He is a lover of fine horses, and keeps one or more for family use. Socially, he is a Knight Templar. He is also secretary of the \^ermont State Dental Society, and has filled that hon- orable position for seventeen years. He is also president of the board of dental exam- iners, having been a member of that board for six years. In his political attachments, he votes a straight Republican ticket, but has escaped the worries and duties of political offices. The Doctor is a handsome man of rare and almost perfect physique, and enjoys the best of health. He is of a genial disposition, and has man\' friends. AMUEL TERRILL. It is with pleasure that we introduce to the readers of this volume Samuel Ter- rill, one of the most enterprising, industrious, RUTLAND COUNTY 153 and successful business men in Rutland, Ver- mont. He is senior member of the firm of S. Terrill & Son, wagon makers, who also do general blacksmithing and repairing. Their establishment is the largest of its kind in Rut- land county and the amount of business therein done is very extensive at the present time, with a bright lookout for a still greater trade. This is one of the oldest concerns in Rutland and was started in a small way, by Ziba Terrill, Samuel's father, in 1847. At that time there were but two tenement houses west of Court street, — those of G. C. Ruggles and Chipman Thrall, — and now ]\Ir. Terrill's large manufactory is nearer to the eastern boundary of the city tlian to the western. Early in life, the subject hereof was a horse shoer by trade, as was his father, before him. Later he assisted his father in doing general blacksmithing, in a small shop on Terrill street. After the death of that much beloved parent, Mr. Terrill removed to his present lo- cation, where he has conducted business very successfully for about forty years. He took his son in as a partner when the latter had attained a suitable age. The small shop built by his father was replaced by a large blacksmith shop, in 1858. About 1868 or 1869, wagon and sled making was begun, and from that time to the present, the business has steadily increased. In 1875, a two-story frame struc- ture was added, forty by one hundred feet, and in 1892 the large corner building was erected. The latter is three stories high, with basement ; its dimensions are twenty-eight by one hundred feet. Still later was built a re- pository for the work in the rear of the main building, — twenty by seventy feet in extent. The buildings are all frame structures, where from twelve to sixteen men are employed all the year round, in the manufacture of heavy wagons and sleds. Of late years, neither Mr. Terrill nor his son has been at the forge, as the former is busily engaged in the im- portant task of overseeing the work, and the latter is kept busy in keeping books and accounts. Samuel Terrill was born in Middletown, Rutland county, Vt., December 7, 1831. He is a son of Ziba and Viletta (Lindley) Terrill, and grandson of Samuel and Sally (Caswell) Terrill. Samuel Terrill was a farmer and lum- berman, and was a man of much prominence in his day. He owned both a saw and grist mill, which he operated with success for many years. He wedded Miss Sally Caswell, and they reared three sons and four daughters, one of whom was Ziba Terrill, Samuel's father. Ziba Terrill was born in Vermont, in 1809. and his death occurred in Rutland, in July, 1859. He was a blacksmith by trade, and taught his son all the branches of that useful vocation. He was joined in matrimony with Viletta Lindley, who bore him the following children : Samuel, the subject of this brief sketch ; Valina Caswell, a maiden lady resid- ing with the subject hereof; and Lucilda, wife of L. L. Pearsons, of Rutland. Samuel Terrill's mother survived his father for some years, and passed to her final rest when sixty-six years old. She lies buried in 154 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES the Evergreen cemetery, while the father rests in the old West street burial grounds. The subject of this sketch enlisted in the Union army as a private; he responded to the first call for volunteers in iS6i. After serv- ing three months in the ranks of his company, — "A," — he returned home to learn that his second child had been born during his ab- sence. In politics, he is a Republican, but has been too busily engrossed with his business to accept office. He is a faithful member of the Congregational church, and resides in a beautiful home at Number 14 East street, where he built and located October 10, 1888. He has two tenement houses on Terrill street, where he lived before moving to East street. On May 27, 1856, the subject hereof was united in marriage to Susan M. Warren, and the following children were born to them : William S., the junior member of the firm, who wedded Addie Clark, of Malone, N. Y. ; Susan E., an accomplished young lady, still at home; \'iletta, who is the wife of E. S. Curtis, resides in the same house with Sam- uel Terrill. and has three chiklreu ; Edgar Warren, who died at the age of twelve years ; and Anna F., who died when one and a half years old. When Mr. Terrill's paternal grandmother was seventy-five years old, she was a widow, and had five sisters who were also widows, and older than herself. Three of their broth- ers were deceased and left widows, making nine widows, in all. Another odd coincidence in this narrative is tiiat ^Ir. Terrill was born soon after his grandfather's death and his son was born soon after his grandfather's death, so that neither of them saw his paternal grandfather. Mr. Terrill is a free Mason and is a mem- ber of the conunandery, ha\ing passed all the chairs, — a past master, past commander, and past high priest. He has given his son all these degrees, which is a case almost with- out parallel, as the son is still qm'te voung. and took all these degrees in one year. The sub- ject of this sketch is regarded as one of the foremost citizens of Rutland. •^rrr>) /^ILL1.\M A. PATRICK is a ^t\ / highly respected and influential cili- ^ zen of Rutland. \'ermont, where he settled, in 1882, at Number 40 Cottage street, on the corner of Williams street, in a large, handsome residence, most pleasantly situated. Mr. Patrick was born in Ludlow, Windsor count}-, X'ermont. September 26, 1832. He was the recipient of a good education, obtain- ing his instruction at Ludlnw Ac;i(lem\-, which he left at the age of eighteen years, and com- menced working in his father's machine shops. Eater, he ser\e(l an apiirenticeshi]-) in the armory at \\'inds(.)r, \'l., where he remained for about one year and a half. In 1854, he began business for himself, in Ludlow, estab- lishing, at that time, the Ludlow Machine Works, and engaging in the nianuf.acture of wood working machinerv. He remained in that business until 1880, and was not only a skilled mechanic, but invented several ma- chines upon which he recei\ed patents. One RUTLAND COUNTY 155 in particular deserves mention ; it is a machine for turning out handles for forks, rakes, hoes, etc. At the instance of Senator Proctor, who took stock in the concern, Mr. Patrick went to Rutland, in 1882, and purchased an interest in the Lincoln Iron Works, one of the largest manufactories of stone and mar- ble working machines in the United States. At that time, Mr. Patrick accepted the super- intendence of the works, which he conducted in an eminently successful manner until 1897, and then disposed of his interest. The subject of this sketch enjoys the dis- tinction of being the first trustee of the vil- lage of Ludlow, and was one of the school committee, for several years. He was also representative of the town, in 1876 and 1877. In his political action he works hard and faithfully for the success of the Republican party, but has escaped of^ce, since residing in Rutland. In their religious connections, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick are members of the Univer- salist church. Socially, Mr. Patrick is a Mason of high degree ; he has taken fifteen degrees, and is past master of Black River Lodge. He is also a valued member of the imperial council of the Ancient Arabic Order. He joined the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of North America, September 13, 1854. Mr. Patrick was joined in marriage with Mina M. Parker, an entertaining young lady, of Lud- low. Mrs. Patrick is a daughter of Amasa and Louisa (Townsend) Parker, both of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Patrick is the only survivor of five children, — three sons and two daughters. Her father was a skilled mechanic and was well known as a manu- facturer of sporting rifles. Her brothers died young, and her sister. Julia A., wife of Morton H. Graves, died some years after her mar- riage, leaving two children. To Mr. and Mrs. Patrick have been born a son, William, and a daughter, Mary Louise, — the latter being now deceased. William, witli his wife, resides in the city of Rutland. Mary Louise became the wife of Roger G. Hall, of Chicago, where Mrs. Hall's death occurred November 4, 1888, at the age of thirty-one years. She was a most interesting lady, attractive in appear- ance and lovely in character, and was quite an accomplished musician. Her death was a most severe blow to her husband and fond parents. The subject of this sketch is a son of Jacob and Robie H. (Atwood) Patrick, and grandson of Matthew Patrick, who spent the greater part of his life in Windsor, Vt., where he died in 1880, at the advanced age of eighty years. He followed the vocation of farming. Jacob Patrick was a native of Windsor, Ver- mont, where his birth occurred, in 1802. He was a blacksmith by trade, and was a skilled and expert mechanic. He began business in 1827, and conducted a machine shop in Lud- low, for many years, employing several men. In 1828, he wedded Robie H. Atwood, a pre- possessing young lady. She was born in Un- derbill, Vermont, in 1807, and bore her hus- band three children, namely : Elizabeth ; W^illiam A., and Emily A. Elizabeth, became the wife of Frederick Y. Gookin. She died in 1895, leaving one son, Frederick W., who is cashier of the Northwestern National Bank, 166 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES in Chicago, 111., and one daughter, Mary H., also residing in Chicago. William .\. is the ^ subject of this sketcli, and lunily A. married Isaac V. West, of Saratoga, New ^'ork. where j Mrs. West died, in 1896. William A. I'atrick's father was a member of the state militia, and was known as Cap- tain Patrick. He laid down the burden of life in 1880, and was survived by his widow until Decendjer, 1892, when she, too, crossed the dark river of death, aged eiglity-fi\e years. The remains of this worthy couple rest in the Ludlow cemetery. Since going to Rutland, Mr. Patrick has identified himself with all its interests, and is considered one of its most valuable citizens. He has been faithful in the relations of life, and bears an excellent repu- tation for uprightness and fair dealing. AMUEL HODGMAN ERSKIXE, principal of the Rutland High School, is a gentleman of rare intel- lectual attainments and exceptional execu- tive ability, and, as his name indicates, is of Scotch origin. The first members of the Ers- kine family to come to America, were three brothers, one of whom was the great-grand- father of the subject of this sketch. These brothers settled in Whitefield, Lincoln coun- ty, ]Me., where Samuel Hodgman's grand- father, Moses Erskine, was born, in the year 1801. Moses Erskine was a jirosperous farmer in Maine, and died, in 1889, in that state, in Alna, aged eighty-eight years. He took, as his life partner, a Miss Smith, and they reared two sons and two daughters, all of wiiom are now deceased. One son, William, was acci- dentalK' killed by a rolling log, while in the prime of life. 1 le left one son and one daugh- ter to mourn his demise, both of whom are, also, now deceased. Moses Erskine served in the War of 1812, and was a member of the state legislature, more than one term. He was a captain of the state militia, for some time, and was familiarly known as "Captain Ers- kine." He possessed a fine physical form, and was nearly six feet tall. In 1873, he was depri\'ed, by death, of the companionship of his nnich lo\ed wife ; both are buried in the Whitefleld cemetery. Cliristopher Erskine, father of the subject hereof, was born in tlie year 1S20. upon the same farm where his father's birth occurred. He enlisted in the L'nion army at Whitefield, Me., joining Company C, 19th Reg.. I\Iaine \'ols., ami was mortally wounded in the battle of Gettysburg, — dying within twenty-four hours after receiving his wound. His remains lie buried on a hill about fi\e miles from the battlefield. About the year 1843, Christopher Erskine wedded Abigail Hodgman, of Calais, Maine. Mrs. Erskine was born in the year 1825, and survi\-ed her husband many years. She died in May, 1891. and lies buried in the cemetery at Whitefield, Maine. To this worthy couple were born eight children, namely: Charles; Thomas H. ; Sarah; Sul- livan; William; Abbie J.; George C, and Sanuiel H. Charles was born in 1845, and became a soldier in the regular army, soon RUTLAND COUNTY 157 after the Civil War. He was unmarried and died of fever at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Thomas H. died in Whitefield, Maine, in 1877, leaving a widow. Sarah is the wife of A. Q. R. Peaslee, of Alna, Maine. They have one daughter. Sullivan died in Alna, Maine, in 1892, leaving a widow and one son to mourn his demise. William still resides in Whitefield, Maine. Abhie J. wedded Fair- field Coombs. She died childless, in 1886, at Round Pond, in the town of Bristol, Maine. George C, with his wife, resides in Minneap- olis, Minnesota. Samuel H is the subject of this brief biography. Samuel H. Erskine first saw the light of day February 2, 1861, in Whitefield, Lincoln county, Maine. He was born in the same house where his father's birth took place. Samuel was reared to a farmer's lot, — receiv- ing a practical, common school education. At the age of eighteen years, he began teaching school, and as soon as possible saved enough money to enable him to attend the Wesleyan Seminary at Kent's Hill, Me., from which he graduated, in 1886. He continued the profes- sion of teaching, for some time, and then entered Bowdoin College, from which he also graduated. That was in 189 1, when the de- gree of A. B. was conferred upon him. Dur- ing all these years, he worked his way through college by following his chosen profession, teaching. His first school, after graduating from college, was taught at Limerick, Me., where he was chosen principal of the Limerick Academy. He remained there one year, and next occupied a more lucrative position as principal of Lincoln Academy, at New Castle, Me. In the fall of 1893, Mr. Erskine accepted a situation in Rutland. Vt, as assistant to Prof. E. J. Colcord, — teaching subsequently under Prof. A. C. Thompson, whom he succeeded, in the spring of 1897, as principal of the Rut- land High School. This position Prof. Ers- kine still retains, and fills it in an eminently satisfactory manner. On August 24, 1893, Prof. Erskine was joined in matrimony with Amy Evelyn Albee, an accomplished young lady, of Alna, Maine. Mrs. Erskine is a daughter of Sutton and Rebecca (Blair) Al- bee, and is one of a family of seven children. She has three brothers and three sisters who are still living, as are, also, the beloved par- ents. To Prof. Erskine and his amiable wife was born, March 20, 1896, a daughter, whom they call Dorothy, and who is a source of con- stant wonder and delight to her fond parents. The subject of this sketch is a Mason, and has passed all the chairs of that order. In his political convictions, he, like his ancestors, supports the Republican party by his influence and by his vote. Although not a member of any church, he attends serv- ice regularly at the Congregational church in Rutland, and contributes liberally toward the support of other denominations. Physically, Mr. Erskine is an ideal man for the position he occupies. Li height he is six feet and one inch, and his fine form, splen- didly developed, gives him a commanding ap- pearance, which is emphasized by the natural dignity of his noble calling. Prof. Erskine 158 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES is deservedly popular, and has made earnest efforts to raise tiie standard of every scliool under his charge. He is a self-made man in llic truest sense of the word. ;uid his life fur- nishes an example quite worthy of imitation. HAkLES F. WILLIS, a highly re- spected and worthy citizen of Rutland, \'t.. where lie is engaged in the transfer husiness. was horn in Rutland. Octo- her j8. 1849. He is a son of James and Fran- ces (Lamsford) Willis, and grandson of Elijah and Mary Ann (Kimball) Willis. Elijah Willis was born in England, about the year 1790, and while still quite young, crossed the ocean with his parents. He was a cooper l)y trade, and followed that occupa- tion during his active days. His death oc- curred in the village of Clhttenden, \'t.. al)out the year 1S73. He was twice married; his first wife was Mar\- Ann Kimball, before her marriage, ;mil llieir union resulted in the birth of one son. James. Some time after the death of his lirst wife. Mr. Willis married Mrs. Mar)- .\nn Lamsford, a widow lady, with one daughter, Frances. This second union re- sulted in the birth of one daughter. James Willis, father of Charles F., married Frances Lamsford, about the year 1842. James was born in Plymouth, Vermont, in September, 1822. Mr. Willis was a peddler for many years, and lived much of his life in Mendon, where he still resides; for many years lie followed teaming and jobbing, but retired froni active pursuits at the age of seventy-six years. Six children were born to him and his worthy wife, — four daughters and two sons. One daughter, Julia, when foiu'leeu years of age, together with the beloved mother, was killed by light- ning. The names of these children were as follows: Edwin R., born in 1845, died in 1877, at the age of thirty-two years; Adeline, wife of William Sar- gent, a prosperous farmer in the town of Mendon; Charles F., the subject of this sketch ; Julia, who was killed bv lightning at tlie age of fourteen years, as above mentioned ; Ida M., wife of Daniel Mahoney, residing in the \'illage of Ludlow, Vt.. and Imogene, wife of Eugene Newton, of Brandon, Ver- mont. — Mrs. Newton died at about the age of twenty-two years. lea\ing three children. Charles F. Willis attended public school until he attained the age of sixteen years, w hen he began teaming. One year later, the sad accident, previously alluded to, de- pri\ed him of his mother, and broke up the family. In i8f)(), in his twentieth year, he was united in marriage with Florence Ella Learned, who was then nineteen years of age. Mrs. Willis is a daughter of John K. and Electa J. (Kelly) Learned, — both highly resj^ected residents of Rutland. Mr. Learned is now retired from active business pursuits. Eight chiklren blessed their happy home, four of whom are now deceased. Their names are : Leonora, who died at the age of one and one half years ; Ida, wdio died in infancy ; E\-a, who tiled aged nine years ; and Cora A., wife of Charles P. Beebe . Mrs. Beebe died MONTRA\"ILLE A. BOURNE. RUTLAND COUNTY 161 at the age of twenty-two years, together with an infant son. Those hving are: Mrs. Wil- Hs; Charles K., who resides in West Claren- don, Vermont ; Lucretia May, wife of Frank L. Vaughan, of Rutland ; and Belle S., wife of Dana W. Parkhurst, of ^Vorcester, Massa- chusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Willis have one daughter. Cassie Jane, wife of George H. Webb. So- cially, the subject of this sketch is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He settled at his present home at Number 8 Elm street, in 1890. Mr. Willis does quite an extensive bus- iness ; he has three teams of his own, in addi- tion to which he hires others, — often having ten teams busily engaged at the same time. He often contracts for large jobs of hauling, and his many years of experience in this busi- ness have given him a keen insight into the proper manner of conducting it successfully. He is a gentleman who possesses the true bus- iness instinct to a marked degree, and al- though comparatively young, he has, in his career, toiled hard and long. The success which has come to him is but the natural re- sult of his incessant and well-directed efforts. '-r'TVp^ONTRAVILLE A. BOURNE, who ¥— I — / for many years has been successfully ^ ^— engaged in the coal business in Rutland, Vermont, is one of Rutland county's most prosperous business men, whose integ- rity is unquestioned and whose life is above reproach. He settled in his handsoine, com- modious residence at Number 45, Washington street, in 1884, the same year it was com- pleted, having previously lived in a house on the same lot since 1870. Mr. Bourne was born in the village of Wallingford, Rutland county, Vt., May 28, 1837, is a son of Edniond and Electa (Bradley) Bourne and grandson of Andrew and Lucinda (Barrows) Bourne. Montraville A. Bourne received a fair edu- cation in his attendance upon the public schools. He left home at the age of eighteen vears and worketl in the woolen factories for four years. He then went to Rutland, where he entered the employ of the Troy & Boston (now the Bennington & Rutland) Railroad, as freight agent, serving in that capacity for fif- teen years. He then became general freight agent for the Panama Railroad, Central America, until 1879, when he again became a resident of Rutland and embarked in the coal business ; he sold over 8,000 tons, and for twenty years, was one of the leading coal dealers in Rutland; but in 1898 he suffered from a stroke of paralysis and since that time has not been able to devote a great deal of time to his business. January 24, 1890, our subject lost his beloved wife and companion and has never ceased to mourn for her. Andrew Bourne, grandfather of our sub- ject, was a native of Massachusetts, and was a blacksmith by trade. He married Lucinda Barrows, and they reared five of their six children, — four sons and one daughter. Edmond Bourne, our subject's father, was born in Attleboro. Mass., February 14, 1806. In early manhood, he learned the carpenter's 162 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES trade and became a prominent contractor and builder in the town of Danby, \'ermont, hav- ing also worked at the carpenter trade in the village of W'allingford, \'t. Her fatiier died early in life, leaving lier mother a widow with three sons and one daughter. Electa. In after years, Mrs. Bradley contracted a second marriage, and finally passed away in Danbv, \'t., at the age of eighty-six years. Edmond liournc passed to the life beyond the grave, July 8, 1879, and his widow still sur\-ives him. She is now eighty-four years of age and re- sides in Rutland at the home of her son, the subject of these lines. Eive children were born to her and her hus!)and, one of whom, a daughter, died in infancy. Two sons and two daughters grew to maturity, as follows: Charles; Montraville A., our subject ; .Sophro- uia; and Jennie E. Charles, a born mechanic and a s])lendid accountant, went to A'alj^ar- aiso. Ind., where he became a superintendent in a woolen factory; later in life, he returned to Rutland and accepted a position as rail- road accountant at the Rutland depot. He never married and died in 1892, at about the age of sixty. Sophronia became the wife of Herbert Smith, and died September 24, 1892, leaving one daughter. Jennie I-I. became the wife of Gavin Moffatt, and died in the Bur- lington Hospital, February 1. 1899, aged fifty- two years. Our subject is a believer in the Gospel, and has been a member of the Congregational church for twenty-nine years; in his political views, he is a decided Republican, and has served two years as trustee of the village, and as alderman two years. Mr. Bourne is peculiarly fitted for his pres- ent occupation and faithfully executes the wishes of a large circle of i)atrons. His j^ros- ]jerity is due to his integrity and his excep- tional ability as a business manager. His portrait accompanies this sketch of his life, being presented on a preceding page. RS. CLARINDA WILLARD \'ERDER. Although an octoge- narian, the estimable lady whose name heads this sketch, is still a well-preserved and actixe woman. She resides at Number 226 North Grove street, Rutland, \'ermont. She is the widow of Daniel V"crder, who died at his home at the same residence, March 21, 1887, aged seventy years. Daniel Verder was born in Brookline, New Hampshire, July 2, 18 16. He was a son of Daniel F. \'errmont. Ros- well Sargent, .Sr,, was a drummer bo_v in the French and Indian War. He was a farmer in the vicinity of Brattleboro, Vermont. He settled there in the woods with his voung bride, the journey to that point being made on horseback. They both rode on one horse, which had no equipments except a bridle with which to guide it. They began life humbly, and by industry and economy, attained a com- petence. They reared fi\e sons and four daughters. .All married and reared families except one daughter, Olive, who lived to be an octogenariart. One son, Lewis, went from Michigan, across the plains, to California. He had a long and perilous journey, and ex- pended all his money on the way. Wliile in California he suiTered a long illness. He fin- ally returned east, alive, but without means. During his eventful life, he experienced many similar vicissitudes of fortune and lost all he possessed. But he was heroic, and made a good fight as long as he li\ed. Another son, Nelson, the youngest of the family, also led an adventurous life, filled with "ups and downs." His first experience was that of stage driver between Keene, N. H., and Boston. Subsequently, he was a real es- tate agent, and met with adversity. He fin- ally became a stage agent, at Kansas City, and, afterward, at Oil City Junction, Penn., where he again lost all he had. But he per- severed until he finally struck oil and retrieved his losses. At a later period he settled in Denver, Colo., where he continued to pros- per. About 1836, he returned to the scenes of his boxhood, and purchased a fine house. He sold this, and, after a time, again returned to Colorado, where he died in old age, leav- ing one daughter. Simon R. Sargent's grandfather died at a good old age and was survived by his widow until about the year 1850, when she died in her RUTLAND COUNTY 173 ninetieth year. Their remains rest at Brattle- boro, Vermont. Roswell Sargent, Jr., was born at Brattle1)oro, in 1799, and died at the same place in 1S68. About the year 18 15 or 181 6, he was joined in marriage with Esther Miner, who was born in Dover, Vermont, in 1 80 1. Tliese young people settled on the farm near Dummerston, where Simon R. wa.' born, and spent their entire lives there. The mother of Simon R. died in 1862, aged sixty- one years. She bore her husband six sons and two daughters, namely: Simon, who died young; Henry; Leavett ; Fitch; ]\Iarcia ; Hor- ace; Chester; Simon R., the subject of these lines, and Sophia. Henry is a retired mechanic, and has one son. Leavett died in Brattleboro, Vt., leav- ing one daughter. Fitch died in Templeton, Mass., in his sixtieth year, leaving two sons. Mar(;ia is the widow of Oscar Dix, and re- sides in Dummerston, Vermont. Horace is now deceased. He never married. Chester resides in Brattleboro, Vermont. He has four children. Sophia married Charles Dutton, of Dummerston, who died in 1896. Simon R. ol)tained a connnon schooling, only. He re- mained home until he reached the age of twenty-one years. He then went to Worces- ter and entered the employ of the great con- cern of Ruggles, Nourse, Mason & Co., with whom he remained for thirty-two years, as a mechanic. February 24, 1858, Mr. Sargent was joined in marriage with Janette A. Phelps, a daugh- ter of Leander and Lucy Phelps, respected residents of Athol, Massachusetts. Mrs. Sar- gent's parents are now deceased. They reared four sons and one daughter, the wife of the subject hereof. Mr. and Mrs. Sargent lost their first born. Pearl, who died at the age of eight years. They still have one daughter, Cora J., and one son, Walter R. Cora J- is the wife of A. E. McKenzie, of New York. She has one daughter. Walter R. is the junior member of the firm of S. R. Sargent & Son. He married Susie Fuller, of Rutland. Their marriage was celebrated May II, 1878. In politics, Mr. Sargent is a Republican, but has been too busy for of^ce. Socially, he is a member of the Knights of Honor. Such men as Simon R. Sargent are impor- tant factors in the development of industries, and rank as useful and valuable citizens in any community. It is with pleasure that we pre- sent his portrait on a preceding page. f^YxA.MES C. KING. There are few men better known to the citizens of Rut- land county than the gentleman named abo\e, who resides upon a farm in the town of Mount Tabor. A man of strong person- ality, profound wisdom in the afifairs of every day life, and courage to sus- tain bis convictions, he has attained prominence in various lines of endeavor. Undoubtedly the greatest of his gifts is the power of healing, mainly by the use of his hands, — he being endowed by Nature with a 174 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES magnetic influence or a Divine touch, — which it is, he is unaljle to determine. He has not abused this great endowment, as is too often tile case, but lias used it for the l)enefit of others, at a large personal loss. Mr. King is a son of Thomas T. and Samantha (Sprague) King, and was born in Mount Tabor, ^'t.. Jan- uary 27, 1837. William King, the grandfather of the sub- ject hereof, was born at Portsmouth, England, and there learned the trade of a glass blower, being foreman in the .shops of Lord Elonzo, the greater part of his life, and considered an expert artisan. He was married there and raised a very large family of children, of whom Thomas T. was the seventh .son. It is a curious fact that the figure seven has played an important part in the afYairs of this fam- ily, since a time of which there is anv record. Thomas T. King ran away from home at the age of seven years, after a punishment, enlisting as powder boy on an English govern- ment cruiser. He served in the navy seven years, and was in the battle of Trafalgar, under Lord Xelson. He received a severe wound which made it necessarv to have a bone taken out of bis leg, amputa- tion being, for a time, deemed inevitable. The surgeon was preparing to perform the operation, when he incpiired the boy's name, and greatly to his surjjrise, he learned that thev were brothers. — his familv haviu"- Ions thought that Thomas was dead. He deter- mined to sa\e the boy's leg, and was success- ful, although it required seven years for him to get well. Thomas T. also served under Lord Wellington, at Waterloo, and distin- guished himself there by gallantry iij action. At the age of thirty-two years, he came to ! .Vmerica and was united in marriage with Samantha Sprague, a daughter of Joseph Sprague, who came to \'ermont, from Rhode Island. Samantha Sprague was born at Wal- lingford, \'t.. receiving her education there, l)ut, later, removed to Huntington, Ver- mont. There her father had purchased three thousand acres of land, which he (li\idcd among his children, — each re- ceiving a farm. After his marriage, the father of James C. went back to England, but soon returned, and with $3,000, which his family had given him, he purchased a saw mill property, including considerable timber land. He ojjcrated this for some time, and finallv relinquished it, going to work in the mill of E. Lapham, of Mount Tabor. He had a fam- ily of thirteen children, of whom James C. is the se\'enth son. Thomas T. King was a member of the convoy which took Bonaparte first to Elba, and then to St. Helena, and was well acquainted \vith Bonaparte's father. James C. Kitig was very delicate as a lioy, and, therefore, was enabled to get but a lim- ited education, though making the best of his opportunities. He grew stronger, however, and became a very successful business man, being known as one of the first lumbermen in his town. He operated very extensively, — renting four mills and employing a force of fifty men, and manufactured all kinds of build- ing material. In addition to this, he had a very large custom trade. He kept the mills RUTLAND COUNTY 175 running all the time, and ranked as one of the most prominent business men of the commu- nity. He finally disposed of his interests to Mr. S. L. Griffith. In 1867, he bought a farm on which he built the home in wliich he now resides. He has a fine farm of ten acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. He raises berries of an exceptional quality, and various other farm products, finding this mode of life very profitable, as well as a great pleasure. The district school is located upon his land, and of this as well as of all other public institutions, he has been a hearty sup- porter. The most remarkable thing a'^out Mr. King is his marvelous gift of healing, which lie has for years exerted for the benefit of the poor. His patients are nearly all residents of the community, and at all times stand ready to testify to the curative power he possesses. It is quite refreshing in these days in which im- positions abound, to encounter a man with wonderful gifts, who has absolute proofs of his success. He uses very little medicine, doing all the work by the laying on of his hands. He gained considerable notoriety by this means, the newspapers in the vicinity having taken the matter up, and as his fame in- creased, he had more patients than he could attend to, — curing seventeen hundred in the short space of one year. It was mainly the poor to whom he ministered, and owing to the great expense which he incurred, he found it necessary to abandon such treatment, feel- ing content in the fact that he had saved so many from a life of misery. Politically, Mr. King is an enthusiastic Republican, but through his strong opposition t/o the existing boss-rule, he has aroused the enmity of sev- eral persons of prominence and influence. This sort of rule has led to making his one of the highest taxed towns in the United States, the poll tax at the present time being ten dollars, and in 1896 and 1897, twenty dollars. He has held several township ofifices; he was elected to the State Legislature, in 1888, and was postmaster at Brookline, Vt., for a period of twelve years. Religiously, he is a Spirit- ualist. The subject of this sketch is the father of two children, namely: Charles T., of Rut- land; and Ida :\I. (Hoyle), of Everett, Mas- sachusetts. RS. LUCY (CUTLER) KIDDER, of Fair Haven, Vermont, is one of the l.)est preserved ladies, of her age, in Rutland county, and is a person of rare, good sense and judement. She resides in a beautiful home on South Main street, just outside the corporation limits. She is the widow of Asahel H. Kidder, who died at the above named place of residence, February 2"], 1876, aged sixty-three years. Asahel H. Kidder was born in W^eathers- field, Vermont. He was a son of Oliver and Phoebe (Hewlet) Kidder, and was brought to Fair Haven l>y his parents when he was but six weeks old. His father was a pros- perous farmer antl purchased two hundred acres of land, a part of which was in New York, and the rest in Vermont. Oliver 176 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Kidder and his worthy wife were blessed with nine children, — three sons and six daugh- ters. Asahel H. Kidder was the youngest of the family, (^ne of the daughters lived to be seventy-seven years old. ( )li\cr Kidder died about si.\ months prior to the death of his wife; each passed away when eighty-four years old. They rest in the Fair Haven cemetery, on West street. Mr. Kidder was joined in marriage with the subject of this sketch in February, 1841. He was a Republican, in politics, and a faithful servant of the people. He served as selectman, and spent three terms at Montpelier, as a member of the legislature. He inherited a part of his father's farm, and added to it until he had four hundred and thirty acres in one tract, located in Vermont and Xew York. His widow now has over two hundred acres in X'ermont, alone. IMr. Kid- der was a deacon of the Congregational church at Fair Ha\en, for many years. Mrs. Kidder was born in Highgate, Vt. She is a daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Barr) Cutler. Soon after their marriage, her par- ents settled on a farm near Highgate. This farm has but recently gone out of the posses- sion of the family. Mrs. Kidder is one of nine children, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhocKl. I'ive were sons and four were daughters, as follows: Hiram; Albert G. ; .Martha; Flizabeth \\ . : l.uc\- : Joseph ; (jeorge 11. ; -Allen 1!.. and Mary. Hiram died uimiar- ried, when onl\- twenty-three years old. He was bright and studious and was endeavoring to tit himself for the medical profession. Al- bert G. died at the age of twenty-nine, and left three children. Martha married Lorenzo Pomcroy. She died at the age of seventy- two. — leaving three of her five children. Eliz- abeth W. married George M. Kidder, a lirothcr of Asahel H. Kidder. She died when twenty-eight years of age, leaving four chil- dren. Joseph A. is a prominent lawyer in New York City, — now, practically, retired. He has a wife, only. George B. is a success- ful physician in Bakersfield, Vermont, and is now seventy-three years old. He has one daughter and one son. Allen B. is a retired citizen of Highgate, Vermont. He has lost three of his five daughters. Mary was twice married. Her first husband was A. D. Smith, and after his death, she married Z. C. Ellis, who died in 1886, aged sixty-three years. Mrs. ElHs died Alay 10. 1899. Mrs. Kidder was born August 25, 1817, and pursued an academic course of instruc- tion. When twenty-three years old, she was joined in marriage with Asahel H. Kidder, on February i. 1841. They immediately located on the farm where Mrs. Kidder now lives, but the dwelling then occu])ied by them stood half a mile from the spot where ]\lrs. Kidder resides. In 1854, they moved to the present home, which was then a handsome, new resi- lience built l)y Mr. Kidder. To Mr. and Mrs. Kitlder h;i\e been born five children, three of whom are still li\ing. The following are the names of all: Rollin M.; Martha Eliza- beth; .\lbert .\.: Mary I-.; and Katie P. Rol- lin M. was born in 1841. He resides in h'air Haven, \'ermont, and has two daughters and one son. Martha Elizabeth is the v/ife of RUTLAND COUNTY 177 Bishop Mariam, in Fair Haven. They have one son and one daughter. Albert A. resides in West Rutland, Vermont. Mary L. was born July 19, 1850, and died at the early age of four years. Katie P. married Isaac Wood. She died, in 1887, aged twenty-nine years, having been married eight years, and having lost two children. Her infant son died soon after her untimely death. She was far from strong, and died of a broken heart, caused by the loss of her little ones. The farm upon which Mrs. Kidder resides is very valuable for general farming and dairy- ing. For many years, a fine, large dairy has been conducted upon this farm, and has been its principal industry. Mrs. Kidder's son-in- law, Isaac Wood, has had the care and man- agement of the place since the death of Mr. Kidder. He furnishes milk daily to many cit- izens of Fair Haven. As was her husband, the subject of this sketch is a faithful member of the Congregational church in Fair Haven. -REDERICK O. FOSTER, a gen- tleman who has an established reputation as a business man, is proprietor of a gen- eral merchandise store at Cuttingsville, Shrewsbury township, Rutland county, Ver- mont, a community in which his family has been a prominent one for many years. He is a son of George W. and Leora (Adams) Fos- ter, and was born June 5, 1863. Mr. Foster traces his ancestry back to his great-grandfather, Abel Foster, who was born in Townsend, Mass., in 1752. There he mar- ried Mary Wood, who was born in Biilerica, Mass., in 1762; she was a daughter of Benja- min and Elizabeth (Swallow) Wood, — they also had a son, Benjamin Wood, Jr., who was born in 1756 and was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill. Abel Foster enlisted in the service at the age of twenty-one years as a corporal and served throughout the Revolu- tionary War, fighting at the battles of Bunker Hill and Saratoga. He told his children that he had shaken hands with Washington and heard him pray many times at Valley Forge. He was also with the army in Virginia. The pocket book which he carried, together with $30.00 in Continental money, and a cartridge case, have remained to this day in the posses- sion of his descendants. Mary, his faithful wife, had the most singular experience of knitting stockings for soldiers of both the Revolutionary and Civil wars, living to reach the wonderful age of one hundred years. After the war closed, Abel Foster returned home and took up the occupation of a farmer. His marriage, which occurred in 1783, was pro- lific of twelve children. In 1806 he removed to Vermont in an emigrant wagon, the jour- ney taking five days. He took up a tract of forest land and, after making a sufficient clearing, erected a small log house. He was one of the first farmers to settle in the locality and lived there until his death. One of his daughters is still living at the advanced age of ninety-four years, and was the recipient of a handsome gold spoon from the D. A. R., a souvenir given only to daughters of soldiers of the Revolutionary War. 178 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Tyler Oilman Foster, the grandfather of Frederick O. Foster, was l)orn on the old homestead in Mount Holly, Rutland county, in 1807, and received his education there in the public schools. In 1830. he moved to Shrewshurv and learned the trade of a wheel- wright and carriage builder. He formed a ])artnership with J. B. Story, and they attained a high reputation for the (|uality of their work. He was a captain in the militia and for many years served in the capacity of justice of the peace. He was a rcpresentati\'e from 1864 to 1866. He was united in marriage with Dorinda C. Harvey, a daughter of John Har- vey, of Hopkinton, N. H.. and they reared six children, as follows: George W. ; Charles Harvey : Jennie ; Helen M. (Crow- ley) ; Francis A. (Cutler) ; and Adelaide E. George Wellington Foster was born in Cut- tingsville, in 1840. He was educated in the common schools and in Fort Edward Insti- tute. N. Y. In 1834 he was a clerk in Boston, in a ])ro\-ision store. He was a clerk for sev- eral }cars in A. S. Adam's store in his native village, where he married his employer's daughter. In 1862. he enlisted m the 14th Vermont Regiment ; having declined the lieu- tenancy of his company in favor of a friend, he was made a corporal. He was in the battle of Gettysburg, and after the battle aided in taking care of the wounded. On his return to Cuttingsville. he engaged in a mercantile business of his own in the "Old Brick Store," where he remained twenty-five years. In politics, he was a Republican, and represented the town in 1880. He was acting postmaster for twenty years. He was captain of a militia company, and while in office was presented with a sword. .Mr. Foster was an accom- ])lishe(l man in many wavs. . His intellect was of a high order, he was musical, skilful witli his brush and [lencil, and had a natural talent for medicine, which made him invaluable in an emergency. He held numerous positions of trust, fulfilling the duties of all with un- swerving honesty of purpose and fidelity. His death was mourned b_\- every one with whom he had an acquaiiuance for he was one of the most highly esteemed men in tlic vicinity. Frederick O. Foster was born at Cuttings- ville, where he received his intellectual train- ing. After leaving school, he clerked in his father's store for some time, but subsequently took u]) railroad work. I)eing an operator and station agent on the Rutland Railroad. .-Vfter his father's death, he resigned his position and took charge of the store, of which he has since been proprietor. It is located in a large, two-story brick building, the first floor being used as a salesroom, and the basement and second floor as store rooms. He handles a comprehensive line of dry goods, groceries, drugs, jewelry, hats and caps, boots and shoes, rubber goods, notions, and hardware, in fact almost any article for which there is any de- mand in his section. The building was erected fifty-four years ago and it is the oldest store in town. Mr. Foster is a Republican in his political affiliations. He was united in matrimonial bonds with Edith Persons, who was born June 20, 1863, and they are the happy parents of IIIKAM FRANKLIN NOVKS. RUTLAND COUNTY 181 three children: Florence, aged nine years; Helen, aged seven years ; and George, aged six. ■*-'-*■ I RAM FRANKLIN NO YES, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, a prominent lumJjer dealer in Rutland. Vermont, is known to be one of the most enterprising business men in this section of the Green Mountain State. Mr. Noyes conducts an extensive retail lumber business at his yard, situated at Number 127, State street. In connection with this, our subject owns and operates two large saw mills, run by steam, — one in Mendon and the other in West Bridgewater. In close proxim- ity to and within easy access of the former, he owns 3,000 acres of timber land in Mendon and Chittenden ; and accessible to the latter mill, he has 400 acres in Sherburne. In these mills all kinds of lumber are manufactured to supply the retail trade in Rutland and vicinity. Hiram F. Noyes was born in the village of Chittenden, Rutland county, Vermont, on the sixth day of July, 1850, and is a son of Daniel, Jr., and Louisa (Baird) Noyes, and grandson of Daniel Noyes, Sr. Hiram F. Noyes was reared upon his father's farm, re- ceiving a very ordinary schooling, and remain- ing at home until he attained the age of twen- ty years. He then started out for himself and learned the carpenter's trade, following it for a period of five years, when he met with a severe accident that caused him to discon- tinue his work along that line. He then es- tablished a general merchandise store in the village of Chittenden, continuing in trade there for eighteen years. In connection with his store, Mr. Noyes was also postmaster, re- taining that position for fourteen years. He also established a wholesale lumber house in Chittenden, and handled spruce and hardwood in large quantities. He managed both his lumber business and his trade in general mer- chandise until he sold out the latter in 1893; in 1887, Mr. Noyes removed his lumber yard to Rutland, allhough he did not become a resident of that place until two years later, when he purchased his present home at Num- ber 2y. Baxter street. Bv his excellent busi- ness methods and splendid management his business has now increased to enormous pro- portions. Daniel Noyes, Sr., grandfather of Hiram F., was a native of Brandon, Vermont, where his whole life was spent in farming. He reared six sons and two daughters. The three members of the family still living are : Fred ; Joseph; and Franklin, all of Pittsford, Ver- mont. Daniel Noyes, Jr., the father of our sub- ject, was liorn in 181 1, and tiled in Chitten- den, in 1883. at the advanced age of seventy- two years. Like his father, he followed agri- cultural pursuits all his life, and was regarded as a progressive man of his day. He was joined in matrimony with Louisa Baird, also of Chittenden. Mrs. Noyes came of a family particularly noted for longevity; her father lived to be ninety-eight years old. Daniel Noyes and his wife were blessed with a fam- 182 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES ily of twelve children, four sons and eight daughters, of which family ten grew to noble manhood and womanhood. One of the sons, Daniel, left his home in A'ermont, in iS6o, and went to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama. He now has a family of thirteen children. For over thirty-eight years he has been carrying on a fur trade, with the Indians in the Xorthwest Territories, Canada. In 1S76, Hiram ¥. Xoyes was united in marriage with Katie Crawford, of Rutland, a daughter of George \\'. and Melinda (Bar- rett) Crawford. Her father was born in Swan- ton, Vermont, and is one of the oldest settlers in Rutland, where he was deputy sheriff for many years, and where he still resides ; he lost his wife in 1886. Mrs. Xoyes has one sister and two brothers. Our subject and his es- timable wife lost one infant son, and still have one daughter and two sons, as follows : jNIin- nie May, born August 26, 1879, a member of the graduating class of 1899 of Rutland High School, and now attending normal school at Oswego, N^. Y., is an attracti\-e young ladv and possesses much musical talent; Hiram Franklin, Jr,, born 2\lay 15, 1881, who lives at home, pursuing his .studies; and Earl, who was born May 30, 1894. In his political attachments, ^Mr. Noyes sides with the Republicans. He is now serv- ing his third term as alderman of the Sixth ward. He is a Thirty-second degree Alason, and has served in the order as junior warden. He joined the Otter Creek Lodge at the age of twenty-two years and is now a member of Center Lodge, No. 34, of Rutland. He also belongs to the B. P. O. E., the Knights of Pythias, and the I. O. O. F. Mrs. Xoyes is a member of the Congregational church and lib- erally supports that denomination. IMr. X'oyes is in every respect a man of force and influence. He has a fund of ex- perience to draw from that is of a superior order. His judgment and foresight have l)een l)rought to a keen edge from contact with the shrewdest kind of business men. A man of affairs, he takes a broad, liberal view 01 all things and in this bu.sy, jostling world, he has proved his capacity to live and thrive with the best. TT^HARLES STERNS. No man in Rut- I J| land county, \'ermont, occupies a more ^ — ^ prominent place in business circles (and but few, if any, in the entire state of \'er- mont), than does Charles Sterns, a leading dry goods merchant of Rutland, \'t., who not only owns the controlling interest in the large store of Charles Sterns & Co., but has paying shares in numerous other stores in various localities. Mr. Sterns can truly be said to be the archi- tect of his own fortunes. From a modest and humble beginning, he has, by constant indus- try and untiring effort, worked his way up the ladder of success until he has reached an enviable position. The magnitude of his pres- ent business interests can only be left to the imagination. A careful perusal of the fol- lowing incidents will show how his success has been attained. Charles Sterns was born near Frankfort, RUTLAND COUNTY 183 Germany, February 27, 1844. He is a son of Isaac and Bertlia (Rothschild) Sterns, also of German nativity. He is one of a family of three children, and had one brother and one sister; the latter died at the age of ten years. His only brother, David Sterns, died in Platts- burg, N. Y., at the age of thirty-eight years. He left a widow and one son, Charles, who is a competent salesman in his uncle's store in Rutland, — having complete charge of the carpet department. Charles Sterns, our sub- ject, was the recipient of a practical, common school education in his native country, and at the age of fourteen years, began to learn the baker's trade, — working in that capacity for four years in Germany. In 1862, when eighteen years of age, he crossed the ocean to "free America," going to Plattsburg, N. Y., where he sojourned for a time, with a cousin. Charles Sterns began his business career as a pack-peddler, — selling notions, dress goods, and linens. In two years, his trade had pros- pered to such an extent that he was enabled to buy a horse and covered wagon, and a lit- tle later, a team of horses. In this way he sold goods from Plattsburg to Watertown, N. Y., Ticonderoga, Saranac Lake, and Schroon Lake, through a beautiful and ro- mantic country, full of wild, picturesque scenery. Yet this proved to be an excellent field for peddlers, and Mr. Sterns' trade still increased. But he was not born to peddle goods all his life, and, in 1870, he opened his first store in Keyesville, N. Y., and began busi- ness under the firm name of Sterns & Rogers. For four years, their venture was most suc- cessful. Then Mr. Rogers was obliged to sell his interest to Mr. Sterns on account of ill health, and within a year he died of consump- tion, at Ogden, Utah, while on his way to California. The store in Keyesville is still prospering, and the firm name is Sterns & Winter. In 1884. Mr. Sterns came to Rut- land, and established his present business there under the firm name of Pyette & Sterns, at Number 31 Merchant's Row, where the con- cern is now conducted under the firm name of Charles Sterns & Company. Their mag- nificent store-building is twenty-six feet wide, with a depth of one hundred and fifty feet, and is two stories high; twelve women and men are employed as clerks in this establish- ment, which is finely stocked with a choice line, and pleasing variety, of dr}- goods, cloth- ing, notions, carpetings, etc. Mr. Sterns has been, and still is, inter- ested in several other stores besides those above mentioned ; one of these was operated at Ferrona, Clinton county, N. Y., in a very successful manner, for sixteen years, when the mines were closed. Another store in which Mr. Sterns has an interest, was formerly con- ducted at \\'hitehall, N. Y., but was subse- quently removed to Fair Haven, Vt., and did business under the firm name of E. L. Good- rich & Co., which company also had a store in Poultney, \'ermont. It may be appropri- ately mentioned here that the firm of Sterns & Winter are still enjoying a flourishing trade at Keyesville, where Mr. Sterns lived for twenty-two years, previous to 1884, when he moved to Rutland. Since then, he has been 184 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES givinn^ his personal attention to his dry goods emporium there, and conducts one of the lead- ing stores in that prosperous city. He is also interested in the Ready Made Clothing Co., across the street from his establishment. In addition to all this, he was formerly engaged in real estate operations in the Adirondacks, at Saranac Lake and conducted a store at Lake Placid, for four years. The subject of this sketch is also one of the firm of Payette. Alendelsohn & Co.. who (jwn and operate both an ale brewery and cigar factory, in Platts- burg, New Vorl< hev also have a branch cigar-store in Barre, \'t., and a combination cash store at the same place, well stocked with dry goods, carpets, boots and shoes, crocker) and millinery. This store is forty feet wide, with a depth of one hundred feet, antl requires a force of twel\-e salesmen and clerks. On January 19, 1876, Mr. Sterns was joined in matrimony with Bertha Cain, who is a na- tive of London, England. She is a daughter of Jacob Cain, now a resident of Chicago, Illi- nois. To Mr. Sterns and his worthy and es- timable wife, ha\'e been born fi\e children. — foiu" daughters and one son. nanieh-: \'ir- ginia, nfiw an accomplished young lady; Leah; Belle; .\rtluu'; and Blanche, a child of nine years. The children are a con- stant delight to their fond parents; they are diligently attending school, and endea\oring to fit themselves for the "battle of life." All are fond of music, and some of them possess exceptional talent in that direction. Mr. Sterns and family live at Number 42 Pleasant street, where he located in his fine residence, in 1895. He is a Thirty-second degree Mason and is a member of a Brooklyn (N. Y.) lodge. He was a master Mason in Keyesville, and is still a member of the Adirondack lodge. He is also an Elk. and belongs to the Knights of Honor. In politics, he is independent, and votes for the best man. The parents of the subject of this sketch came to America in 1866, and settled in Platts- burg, N. Y.. where his mother died, in 1878. at the age of seventy-six years. His father died in Rutland, in 1886. at the home of Charles Sterns, aged eighty-seven years. The remains of this worthy couple rest in the Jewish cemetery in Plattsburg, New York. All things considered, but few men have made a better record in business and domestic life than Charles Sterns, the suliject of this sketch, who still has s])lendid prospects for the future. ^\XK WESTON GARY is the genial and good natured jM'ojjrietor of one of the largest and finest wholesale and re- tail grocery stores in Rutland, \'t., and it affords us much pleasure to introduce him to our readers as a man who, although young in years, is ripe in experience and judgment. He deserves great credit for conducting so large a business in such an eminently success- ful manner. Mr. Gary was born in West- moreland county, N. H., in 1853. He was the recipient of a good common school educa- tion, but left school when only sixteen years old, and became a clerk in a general mer- RUTLAND COUNTY 185 chandise store in Westmoreland, where he re- mained one year. In the meantime, while working in the store he also learned telegra- phy, and subsequently accepted a position at Ashburnham Junction, as conmiercial railroad operator, which position he retained about a year and a half. In 1 87 1, Mr. Gary went to Rutland, where for nine years he was telegraph operator for the Western Union Telegraph Company, do- ing both railroad and commercial work. Later he embarked in the grocery trade in partnership with Mr. Hoag, and for nine years continued thus under the firm name of Gary & Hoag, purchasing Mr. Hoag's interest at the close of that time, and has since then con- ducted the business alone. Mr. Gary removed his store from Center street to his present lo- cation at Number 12, Merchants' Row, in the spring of 1896. His store is a model one for the grocery business, and is one of the best kept concerns of the kind to be found in this part of Vermont. He carries a stock worth $10,000, containing a complete and excellent assortment of fine, choice groceries, for both the retail and the wholesale trade. Mr. Gary employs six clerks, including a lady cashier and bookkeeper, and constantly uses three delivery wagons. He enjoys the patronage of the wealthiest and most fastidious people in Rutland. Frank A\'eston Gary is a son of Stephen and Mary (Woodward) Gary, and a grandson of Britton and Lucy (Martin) Gary. Britton Gary was a native of New Hampshire, but, early in life, lived in Connecticut. He was joined in marriage with Lucy Martin, of Mas- sachusetts, and followed farming in New Hampshire, except for a short period in their early married life, during which they lived in New York. They traveled, with an ox team, to the vicinity of Buffalo, N. Y., but did not like it there, and returned home the same way. Britton Gary died in middle life, and was sur\-ived many years by his widow, who lived to be over seventy years old. They reared six children, four sons and two daueh- ters, — nearly all of whom went west. One son, Harris B. Gary, is a railroad employee at Winona, Minn., and is now an aged man. His parents lie buried in the family lot in West- moreland, New Hampshire. Stephen Gary, father of Frank Weston, was born in Westmoreland county, N. H., where he still resides, on October i, 1826. In 1852, he was joined in marriage with Mary Woodward, a charming lady of Westmore- land. She was a daughter of Ezekiel and Lucy (Wilson) Woodward, highly respected and influential citizens of AV'estmoreland county. Only one son, Frank Weston, the subject of this sketch, blessed this union. Stephen Gary has been a farmer and a lum- berman, — buying large tracts of woodland and cutting the timber, which was manufac- tured into lumber, and sold. He also dealt in cattle, raising large numbers on these woodland tracts. The legacy left him by his parents was a small farm, with a mortgage upon it. Early in life, he followed the shoe and boot business, — crimping the boots to be sent out. He worked at that occupation 186 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES until he was obliged to retun\ home with his small savings, and care for his aged parents, as he was next to the youngest son, and his older brothers had families of their own. August 22, 1876, Air. Gary was united in marriage with Carrie Willis, one of Rutland's fairest maidens. Mrs. Gary is a daughter of George Willis, who died in the fall of 1896, aged seventy-two years. Besides Mrs. Gary, he left one other daughter, Mrs. Orril K. Lyman, of Norwich, X'ermont. Mr. Willis also left a valuable estate, valued at fifty thou- sand dollars, of which the subject of this sketch was made administrator. In addition to his own business, he attends to the affairs of the estate, including rentals from about thirty tenements. Mr. and Mrs. (iary have lost two children, namely: George Willis, who died at the tender age of four years ; and Edward W., who died when two years old. These much loved little ones fell victims to that dread disease for which there is said to be no remedy, — membraneous croup. They were both buried in one grave. Mr. and Mrs. Gary still have two children living, namely: Marion, a young lady of sixteen years ; and George W., a bright lad, ten years old. Socially, the subject of this sketch is a Knight Templar ; in politics, he is known as a Republican, but takes no active part in polit- ical matters, always voting for the best man, in local affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Gary reside at Number 94, Grove street, where Mr. Gary bought a home and settled, in 1886. They are active members of the Congregational church of which Mr. Gary has served as treasurer and trustee, being chairman of the board. This gentleman is thorough and indefatigable in all liis undertakings. His sterling qualities have secured for him the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends and patrons, and have made bis name an honored one through- out the conmumitv. ^OEL THOMAS NICHOLS, dealer in milk, butter, eggs, groceries, etc., has been a resident of Rutland, \ermont, for the past thirty-eight years. For a period of fifteen years he was engaged in railroading; he began as a fireman, was promoted to the po- sition of engineer; he still belongs to the Na- tional Association of Stationary Engineers. Mr. Nichols is a nati\'e of Rutland county, Vermont, and was born in the \illage of Danby, August 17, 1837. He is a son ^A Thomas and Hannah (Wait) Nichols and a grandson of James Nichols. Joel Thomas Nichols bad a good conunon school cilucatiiin, and at bis father's death, which occurred when he was fifteen years of age, he left the academy where he was studying, and went home to the farm, where he worked with his brother, James E.. for three _\ears. At the age of eighteen years, he started cnit for him- self, w.irking on farms and in stores, until he attained the age of twenty-four years. Jan- uary 6, 1862, Air. Nichols responded to our country's call for troops, and enlisted as a vol- unteer in Company D, 7th Reg., Vt. \^ol. In- RUTLAND COUNTY 187 fantrv. He enlisted as sergeant, and rose from that rank to the position of first Heu- tenant. His regiment was sent to Ship Island, thence to New Orleans and, later, was en- gaged in the Mobile campaign ; he afterwards went to Texas, in the Gulf department, and was in the service till April, 1866, — the regi- ment to which he belonged being the last one mustered out of service. Mr. Nichols was in the hospital a short time, with malarial fever, and the rest of his four and one-third years, in service, he was on duty. During the Mobile campaign, he was doing engineer work, and was sergeant of the engineer corps, on detached duty. The regiment did not see much fighting, but had plenty of hard work, all in the malarial swamps. Mr. Nichols never drew any pension from the government until 1893, ^^'^^^ '"^o^^ S^^^ only seventeen dollars a month. He was on de- tached service much of the time, and on the border survey, and has been, and still is, a sufiferer from rheumatism. On November 21, 1867, Mr. Nichols wedded Agnes \^d^ite, a charming young lady, of Rutland. Mrs. Nichols is a daughter of Alonzo \\'hite. now deceased. She bore her husband one son, George B., who, although a bright boy, of un- usual mental qualifications, was frail in body, and sickly. He passed from his earthly home at the age of fifteen years, leaving his devoted parents almost inconsolable. The subject of this sketch resides at Number 23, Church street, quite near his place of business, and has a pleasant and attractive home, in addition to which he enjoys a good patronage. James Nichols, grandfather of Joel Thomas, was a prosperous farmer in the town of Dan- by, where his whole life was spent. His fam- ily consisted of si.x sons and two daughters, all of whom grew to w'orthy manhood and womanhood and married ; all had families of their own, except two of the sons. All of these eight children went west, except Thom- as, father of the subject hereof, and Joel, who sleeps iti the cemetery at Montpelier, Ver- mont. George B., a son of Joel, is a wealthy and influential physician in Barre, Vt., w'hile Joel himself was a wealthy farmer. James Nichols died about the year 1841. His wife was a very large and fleshy woman, one of the largest not known in connection with exhibitions, — while Mr. Nichols was quite a small man. Thomas Nichols, father of Joel Thomas, was born in |uly, 1801, on the same farm where the latteT first saw the light of day, and died April 28, 1853, of apoplexy. Thomas and his wife rera.iined on the homestead farm until after th« death of James Nichols, and then purchased a farm for themselves where they spent the remainder of their lives. This farm was one of the best in the town of Danby, and contained two hundred and seventy-five acres. Mrs. Nichols was a widow for a long period, and attained the age of about eighty years. Her maiden name was Hannah Wait. She was born in Danby, Vermont, in 1806, her marriage occurring at the same village. She bore her husband six children, — three sons and three daughters, — namely: Eunice; Lo- vina ; James Edwin ; Nathaniel E. ; Hannah 188 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Leonora ; and Joel Thomas. Eunice was the wife of William Palmer; she died in middle age but left no children. Lovina was twice married: her first husband was Alphonso Hil- liard, by whom she had two children ; after his death, she contracted a matrimonial alHancc with Henry Bartlctt, who died in Chardon, Ohio, and left her a widow for the second time. James Edwin resides on the old farm, and has two sons and one daughter. Nathan- iel E. is a mechanic in the village of Danby. Hannah Leonora is the wife of Albert Colvin, a farmer living next to James Edwin. Joel Tiiomas is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Nichols is independent, in politics, and is a member of no secret organization, and of no church. He is one who modestly bears tlie distinction of being purely a self-made man. >^^ /^ 1 LLIA^NI B. BUTLER, the super- Yyll/ intendeut ydia Lapliam resulted in the birth of ten children. Nine grew up. married, and had families. Their names are: Joseph; Aaron: John: Stephen. Jr., father of Asa J.; Sarah: i^uth: Lydia; Elizabeth: and Sylvia. The father of these children died in Danby, March 17, 1826, and his widow died in De- cember, 183 1. Stephen Rogers, Jr.. father of the subject hereof, was born in Danby, \'t., November 9. 1784. His wife, who was .\nna Emerson, be- fore her marriage, was Ijorn in Henniker, N. H., July 9, 1784. They removed from Danby to Mt. Holly about the year 1806, and lived there several years. In 18.^7, they moved to Ciranville, Xew ^'ork, where they remained four years. In 1 83 1 , they located in Poultney, \'t.. and were accompanied b_\- their ten chil- dren, \iz. : Lydia; Oliver: .\aron ; Charles: .Sanniel : John S. : Asa J.; David L. ; Phoebe L. : and .\nios E. Lydia was born in 1808, and m.arried George Webster. Oliver was burn in 1809. He was a farmer, and died from small[)0-\. in 1832. He left two children. .Aaron was born in 181 i. and died in liatavia, Xew York, when nearly eighty years of age. Charles was born in 1813. and died in Gen- esee county. Michigan, in 1879. Samuel w'as born in 1815. and died in Granville, New York. None of his family is now living. John S. was born in 1817, and is a tiller of the soil, in \\']iitcli;ill. Xew Ndrk. l)a\id L. was born in 1822. He died in Tecumst^h, .Michigan, in 1897. His wife and two daughters survive him. Phoebe L. died in infancv. Amos E., if li\ing, is, ])robabl\-, a resident of California. He left Bostt)n in 1848 or 1849 on board the first vessel which went from that place to Cal- ifornia, b\' way of Caj^e Horn. After a voy- age of se\en or eight months, its destination was reacheil. Amos E. Rogers became a man of prominence in the far West. He was In- dian Agent for the Go\'ernment, for many }-ears. .\fter his marriage, he moved to Ore- gon, and has not l)een heard from, for a long period. Stei^heu Rogers. Jr.. died .\ugust 22. 1867. He had ]ireviously lost his wife, who died November 1, 1841. Both were highly re- RUTLAND COUNTY 203 spected citizens of tlie community in which they H\ed. A portrait of .Asa J. Rogers accompanies this sketcli. lieing' presentee! on a preceiHng page, in proximity to this. )p(/ tial and ^^ Howe Scr LLIAM CRONAN, a contiden- trusted employee of the ,ve ^cale Company, with whom he has been engaged for nearly half a centur;, . is a substantial and highly respected citizen of Rutland, Vermont. Mr. Cronan is a kind and genial gentleman, both in social life and as a business man, and it is needless to say merits the confidence of his employers. Wil- liam Cronan was born in LUirlington, Vt., September 12, 1838, and is a son of Joseph and Margaret (Burns) Cronan, — both of Irish nativity. Joseph Cronan was born in Tipperary, Ire- land, in the year 1809. In 1836, he came, with his family, to America, taking passage on board a sailing \-essel. After a voyage of eleven weeks, they reached Quebec, where they were detaiiled in cjuarantine. During the voyage, and before being released from quar- antine, more than six hundred lives were lost through pestilence on board the vessel. Prev- ious to embarking for America, Joseph Cro- nan was united in marriage with Margaret Burns, and they brought three children across the ocean with them. However, one child died and was buried in Quebec. Joseph Cronan was a laborer and a gar- dener, and had limited means. But by thrift and economy, he managed to support his lit- tle family in Burlington, Vermont, wdiere he had settled, and later in Brandon, Vermont. About three years previous to his death, which occurred in 1892, he removed to Rutland, and was survived by his widow until 1894, when she died at the very advanced age of ninety- four years. Up to her last illness; she was active in both bod\- and mind. Their familv consisted of one son and two daughters : Mary; William, and Nora. Mary is the wife of P. Jones, residing in Elgin, 111., whither they removed in 1857. They have a family of sev- eral sons. \\'illiam is the sul^ject of this sketch. Nora is the widow of P. Whalen. She resides in Brandon, \'t., and has one daughter living. Mr. Whalen was a soldier in the Civil War, and died about the year 1892. William Cronan received only a common schooling, and at the early age of thirteen years, he began his career as chore boy. Six years later, in 1857, he entered the employ of the Howe Scale Company, working first at the very bottom, in the machine shop, and earn- ing low wages. But industry and persever- ance bring their reward, and from time to time Mr. Cronan has been promoted. He is inspector of scales for that great plant, with whose interests he has been identified for more than forty-two years. Mr. Cronan is an expert in putting out and selling scales throughout the United States, except along the Pacific coast. He has traveled extensively in the service of the company in nearly all the southern and northern, as well as in the 204 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES northwestern, states. In 1876. he had charge of the company's exhibit at the Centennial Exposition, in Philadelpliia, and two years later accepted a similar connnission at the World's I'air. in Paris, heinp absent from home ten months. In April, 1861, Mr. Cronan enlisted for three months in the Union army as a lieu- tenant of Company K. organized in Brandon. .\l the expiration of that period, he returned and re-enlisted from the same jilacc. — Ih'an- don. \'t.. — where three companies of \olun- teers were raised. He enlisted as captain in the third com])any there formed, which was Company l'>. Jth Keg.. Vermont Infantry. This com])any went into camp at Rutland, in January, 1862. and was transferred to the front h'ebruary 23. 1862. They jiarticipated in the first fight at Baton Rouge, August 5, 1862, where Colonel George T. Roberts fell. The colonel was a brother of the wife of Gen. Baxter. Mr. Cronan suffered a sunstroke and was taken to the hospital, from which he finally returned home in July, 1864, receiv- ing an honorai)lc discharge from further ser\- ice, for disability. On his twenty-fourth birthday, September 12, 1862. William Cronan was joined in mat- rinion\- with Catherine Sullnan, who was born in the town of L'hittendcn, \'ermom. The young folk settled in P>randon. \'t.. where they continued to live until 1880. when they re- moved to Rutland, and subsequently settled in their present large and comfortable home, which was built by Mr. Cronan, in 1889. To Mr. and Mrs. Cronan have been born the fol- lowing children : Mary E., who died July 3, 1898; Joseph F., of Rutland; John B.. also of Rutland : William D., of St. .-\lbans. \'t. ; Law- rence 11.. of Pennington. \l.: James V... who died at the age of eleven years; and Daniel L.. of Rutland. The suljject of this sketch and his amiable wife ha\e two grandchildren. Air. Cronan is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and of the Knights of Columbus, a benevolent order. He is also a valued member of Roberts Po-st, Xo. 14, G. A. R.. which was named for his colonel. In politics, he is independent, vot- ing always for the man, in preference to party. He has served as trustee of the village of Rut- land, and is an active member of the Catholic church. Industrious, thrifty, and of the ut- most probity, the subject of this sketch is most thoroughly res|)ected throughout the comnumitv. -r--^ DWARD C. TAYLOR, one of Tin- P mouth's mo.st successful business '^ ' " men, is proprietor of a large general store, and carries the most complete stock of goods to be found in that vicinity. He is a son of Charles E. and Maria (Hathaway) Tay- lor, and was born at Middlelown Springs, V't., February 10, 1875. |(ihn P. Tavlor. the grandfather of Edward C, was born in Pawlet, Rutland county, Vt., and early in life learned the trade of a black- smith, and also that of a shoemaker. He was a very industrious man, and was successful. Later he removed with his family to Middle- RUTLAND COUNTY 205 town Springs, and remained tliere the re- mainder of his life. He was united in marriage with Mary Goodrich, a lineal descendant of William Goodrich, who came from England about the year 1648, and settled in Wethers- freld, Connecticut. He was the son of Richard Goodrich, whose brother Thomas, Bishop of Ely, was a member of the council that per- mitted Henry \'H1 to put away Catherine. For this service, Henry made him Lord Chan- cellor of England, in 1551, which office he held until his death in 1554. To Mr. and Mrs. Taylor four children were born, as follows: Charles E., the father of our subject ; Dallas, who died in infancy ; Phil- enda, the wife of F. H. Hoadley, a manufac- turer, of Wallingford, Vermont ; and Jane (Goodspeed). Charles E. Taylor was born in Middletown Springs, Yt.. in 184J, and received his edu- cation in the public schools there, and at Troy Conference Academy, taking a very thorough business course. He undertook agricultural pursuits and assisted his father until 1882, having purchased a farm of two hundred acres, in 1878. He then traded his farm and moved to Pawlct, where he opened a general merchandise store. This he successfully con- ducted until 1889, employing three men as clerks. He then returned to his farm, where he lived until his death, in 1890. Politically, he was a Democrat and held a few of the town offices. Socially, he was a member of Poult- ney Lodge, F. & A. M. He was united in mar- riage with Maria Hathaway, who was born in Tinmouth, and educated there and at Cas- tleton normal school. Like her husband she taught school for several terms, he in Wells township and she in Tinmouth. They be- came the parents of five children, namely: Daniel P., now a professor of Boulder Col- lege, in Colorado; Albert L., connected with the Cypress Lumber Co., of Boston, Mass.; Edward C, the subject of this sketch ; Blanche H., a student in Northfield, Mass. ; and Frank G., a student in the University of Vermont, at Burlington. Edward C. Taylor, after receiving a good preliminary education in the public schools of F'awlet, took a Itusiness course at Poult- ney, and, subsequently, at Hartford, Connec- ticut. He then accepted a position as sales- man in a clothing house, with the firm of A. L. Foster & Co., but on account of ill-health, he returned to Vermont, and spent the next year in recuperation. He then started a general merchandise store in Tinmouth, in 1897, or- ganizing the firm of E. C. Taylor & Com- pany, — his partner being D. G. Hathaway, — succeeding J. J. Mooney. The subject of this sketch is general manager of the establish- ment, and attends to all the buying and sell- ing. The firm is located in a large two-story building, the storeroom being on the lower floor. It is well arranged, and is stocked with a complete line of dry goods, groceries, hard- ware, gentlemen's furnishings, hats and caps, boots and shoes, patent medicines, farm im- plements, tobacco, cigars, and confectionery. Mr. Taylor has been postmaster, for two years. He is an enterprising young business man, and has established an excellent repu- 206 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES tation for integrity and g-eneral business ability. Politically, Mr. Taylor is a Repulilican, and ha.s .served as town auditor and notary public. Religiously, he is an attendant of the Con- gregational church. work on a farm in Jackson county, Kansas. lie remained in Kansas twelve years, and learned the trade of a frcscoe painter. He ac- i|nircd (|uite a patronage in that business, and worked at it for years. Subse(|uently. he ac- cepted a position as tra\eling agent for the Dindiani Smoking Tobacco Company, of North Carolina. The subject of this sketch then decided to ;. Wlld.lA.M Kll'Lh'.V Hl.OS- abandon his wandering coin-sc. and ht him- 1(7)1 .^<).M. a successful general practi- self for the medical i)rofession. in i8qi, he B tioncr of Cuttingsville, Rutland couiU}-. X'ermont, lirst saw the light of day .\pril iS, 185S. in I'ittsficld, \'ermoiU. .\ftcr recei\ing a practical education in the public schools oi his nati\e place, he went to Bos- ton, to acipiire a knowledge of mercaiUile af- fairs. There he workt'd in a ])rovision store, for eighteen months. Then connnenced a series of adventures that demonstrated the versatility of his resources, and his ability to adajit himself to an\' condition. He weiU to Wisconsin ;ind found eniplo\-- meiU. for about ten mouths, in a meat mar- ket, conducted by C. \. Clay. lie then nio\-ed to the lilack Hills and engaged in mining, lie continued there, working in the mine and li\ing in tents, for se\en months. His next mo\ e was to St. Joseph. Missouri. Fie ser\ed as clerk, during one wiiUer. in a hotel of that ]>lace. and then acce])ted a i)osi- tion at i'"ort WDrth. Texas. He assisting in driving ten thousand head of cattle, from the latter place to Dodge City, Kansas. This task was full of resi^onsibility. and occupied eight months, in \Xji>. Dr. Blossom went to entered the Baltimore Medical College, where he took a s])ecial hos])ital course, lie was an earnest, hrn-d-working student, lie then at- tended the Kansas City Medical College, from which he graduated. Dr. Blossom began the ])ractice of his pro- fession in I'ittsford, X'ermout. but remained there oidy a short time, lie then located in his present held of labor at Cuttings\-ille, where he has a large patronage and has been more than ordinarily successful. His practice has grown to such proportions th.at he has latelv found it necessary to call in the serv- ices of an assistant, lie was fortunate in se- curing the aid of Dr. Martin, who graduated with liigh honors from American and Cierman universities. The remarkable success of Dr. IjIossoiu in his profession mav undoubtedly be attributed to the re>nlts wltich he has produced in ap- parently lio]5eless cases. Many ])rcHunmccd iifCurable h;i\e been taken in h;mil by him and restored to health. 1 li.s lite as a i)hysician is a hard one. lie never neglects a call, but in the l)itter winter nights for which \'er- RUTLAND COUNTY 207 mont is noted, he forces his way across tlie mountains, often through ch'ifts too deep foi- his iTorse. At sucli times, lie is compelled to leave his horse, and wade throut^h drifts tix'C or six feet deep. He li\es the simple, heroic life of a "doctor of the old school." Dr. Blos- som is a son of Orvis Blossom, a grandson of William Ripley Blossom, a great-grandson of Zenas Blossom, Jr., and a great-great-grand- son of Zenas Blossom, Sr. Zenas Blossom, Sr., was born in England. He, in company with two brothers, Zacharias and William, came to America. Zacharias settled at Plymouth, Mass., William, at New Albany, on the Hudson, and Zenas, at Pitts- field, Massachusetts. It is supposed that they were all single men at that time and married in this country. They engaged in farming, and were active [)artici])ants in the French and Indian War; they were soiuetimes occu- pied in building roads. Zenas Blossom, Jr., was born at Pittsfiekl, Massachusetts, and received as liberal an edu- cation as was possible in those times. He fought bravely throughout the Revolutionary War, and served as captain. After the war, he mo\'ed to \'ermont, with some other aml)i- tious Massachusetts families. They settled in Rutland county, and named the place Pitts- field, after the old home. They went there in emigrant wagons, — following trails tlu-ough the forests. Zenas Blossom built a log house, and later, a grist-iuill : this mill was possibly one of the first in the state. After clearing a small piece 'of land, he raised vegetables and grain, for faiuily use. It was an arduous task to clear the land, which was done principally by cut- ting down the trees and burning them. He also manufactured potash which was his only means of obtaining mejuey. He lixed to the advanced age of ninety-four years and reared si.x cliildren, the youngest of whom was Wil- liam I^ipley. ^^'illiam Ripley Blossom was seven years old when the family removed to Vermont. .After pursuing his elementary studies, and obtaining the rudiments of an education, he continued to gain knowledge by self tuition. He succeeded so well that when only seven- teen years old, lie began to teach, and fol- lowed this occupation for eight years. In the meantime he had ])urchased three hundred acres of land which he cleared, built a log house thereon, and engaged in general farm- ing, and sugar raising. He married Czarina Cole, of Randolph, Vermont. The stockings which he wore at his wedding are in the possession of the subject hereof. The follow- ing description of his wedding costume is interesting and is attached to the stockings. "William R. Blossom was married in these stockings with low, kid slippers. He also wore a blue, broadcloth suit with short knee pants and a white vest. His bride was C. Cole, of Randolph, dressed in white. Were married at her uncle's in Sherburne, by the Rev. Justus Parsons, June 6, 1822. He was thirty-three, and she was twent\-three." This worthy couple had seven children, as follows : Czarina (Ciiurch) ; Ellen, wife of Rev. Mr. Willard ; Orville, a merchant in Bos- 208 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES ton; Orvis, Dr. Ripley's father; William, a farmer in llnltdii. Kansas; and two others, who died in infancy. ^^'illiam R. Blossom was first a \\'hig and afterward a Republican. He represented the town twice in the State Legislature. He served as justice of the peace, for thirty-five years, and in all the township offices. He was a ileacon of the Congregational church, and was acti\-e in all church matters. He partic- ipated in the War of 1812. He was elected captain of his company, and went north as far as Ticonderoga. He was particularly active in road building, and worked upon the first permanent road in the town of Pittsfield. Orvis Blossom was born in Pittsfield, Ver- mont, in 183.2. He was mentally trained in the public schools, and learned farm- ing by working with his father. He pur- chased a saw mill operated by water power. It was located one mile west of the village of Pittsfield, and was one of the old "up-and-down'" kind. He conducted this mill throughout his active days, — man- ufacturing rough lumber which he .sold to local trade. He also did custom work. His mill had an old, floating, "four-foot," over- shot wheel, and a capacity of fifteen hundred feet per day. He owned about two hundred acres of timber land, and sawed all kinds, but, mostly, spruce. He shipped hemlock. His marriage with Emeline Swan, a daugh- ter of Ebenezer Swan, of Barnard, resulted in the Ijirth of two children, William Ripley, the subject hereof, and luneline R. (Furman). Orvis Blossom was a Republican, in politics. He served as selectman, and was on the school board, and in \ariods other town offices. He was an active member of the Congregational church, and officiated as class leader and chor- ister. He died in 1888, aged fifty-six years. His widow still survives him. She was born in Barnard, Vt., in 1833. Dr. Blossom was united in marriage, in 1877, with Josephine Crane, a daughter of Columbus Crane. I\Irs. Blossom was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, in i860, and was edu- cated in the public schools of that city. She has five children, namely: Elsie; Ethel; Frank; Fay and Wilhclniina. Dr. Blossom is an adherent of the Republican party, but is not active in politics. He is a member of Hol- ton Lodge, No. 42. F. & A. M., of Holton, Kansas, and of Friendship Lodge, No. 15, K. of P., of Holton, Kansas. (^Yr-LBERIC H. BELLEROSE, M. D., ftA a rising young physician of Rutland, V^ Vermont, is a Canadian by birth. He was born in Nicolet, Province of Quebec, Canada, July 13, 1867, and was educated in the college at that place. The degrees of B. M. and M. I), were conferred upon him by the La\al University, of Montreal, where he fitted himself for his profession. Dr. Bellerose began practice in Rutland, Vermont, in 1892, and has ra])idly advanced to the front rank. Nature has been generous to him, and endowed him with a sjilendid phy- sique and almost perfect health. In addition DR. CARROLL B. ROSS. MRS. CHARLOTTE M. (DKWEY) ROSS. DR. Ll'CRKTIUS DF.WF.Y RO.SS. PAUL D. ROSS. RUTLAND COUNTY 211 to his pliysical qualifications, the Doctor is a man of higli intellectual attainments. Thus he is doubly equipped not only to withstand the hardships incident to the life of a physician, but is all the more competent to cope with disease. He is a general [jractitioner and his increasing practice fully attests his worth and popularity. Dr. Bellerose is a son of Norbert and Brid- get (Duggan) Bellerose. His father was an extensive land owner, farmer, and broker in Nicolet, where his death occurred, March 14, 1868, at the age of fifty-two years. Dr. Belle- rose is the youngest of eleven children, — seven sons and four daughters, — all of whom, together with the beloved mother, are still living. He is the only member of the family who left Canada. In addition to his regular practice. Dr. Bellerose is a medical attendant in the Rutland Hospital, where he gains much valuable experience. His whole time and energy are given to his work, and his natural industry, good morals, and correct habits, be- speak for liim a successful career. The subject of this sketch is a Forester, and, in politics, favors the Republican party. B R. LL'CRETIUS DEWEY ROSS, a venerable and liighly respected cit- izen of Poultney. was for many years one of the ablest physicians and surgeons of Rutland county, Vermont. He was born in East Poultney, on July 4, 1828. Dr. Ross attended the select school in Hampton, taught liy the Rev. ^loore Bingham, an Episcopal rector. Many pupils of his select school be- came men of prominence, and some developed into able statesmen. Among the students at that day were, Edward J. Phelps, who was afterward minister to the Court of St. James ; .Artenuis Waldo, of New York; and Samuel Beaman, of Wisconsin. The latter's grand- father led Ethan Allen into Fort Ticonderoga. Dr. Ross took a preparatory course at Castle- ton, and at Troy Conference Academy, in Poultne}'. He graduated from Middlebury College, in 1852. In 1857, he graduated from Castleton Medical College, and began practice in East Poultney. In i860, when thirty-two years old. Dr. Ross was united m marriage with Adeline A. Baldwin, a fair daughter of H. G. and Rox- ana (Strongwood) Baldwin, influential citi- zens of Brandon, Vermont. Six children blessed this union, namely : Carroll B. ; Wil- lis M. ; Anna D. ; Lucretius Henry; Paul G., and Charles L. Carroll B. Ross is a successful jihysician. in W^est Rutland. Vermont, ^^'illis M. is an able attorney in Rutland. Anna D. remains at home, where she is her father's competent housekeeper. Lucretius Plenry is a practicing physician in Bennington, \^er- mont. Paul G. is postmaster in Poultney. Charles L. is a druggist and expert pharma- cist, in Hoosic Falls, New York. Dr. Ross has lost one granddaughter and has, living, six grandsons and one grand- daughter. His five sons are all graduates of Middlebury College. Two of them, doctors, are also Harvard graduates. October 28, 212 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES 1874. Dr. Ross was called upon to sustain the loss of his nuicli hcloN'cd wife, who died in her f()rt\-lifth \oar. The walls of several rooms ill his house are thickly crowded with works of art. in oil i)aintin^-. from the hands of his departed wife, and those of his daughter. Ainia D. .Many of the pieces are indicative of real genius. Dr. Ross is a son of Paul 'S\. and Charlotte Mosely (Dewey) Ross, and a grandson of Paul and Olive (Mower) Ross. The Doctor's grandfather was a native of Barre, Vermont. He was twice married. His union with Olive Mower, of Barre, resulted in the birth of one son. Paul M., father of the subject hereof. The mother died at his birth, and the Doctor's grandfather again married, rearing four sons by his second tmion. Their names are: Abram ; Stephen ; ( )zias. and John. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was a farmer in good circumstances. He started for the battle of Plattsburg. New York, but was too late to participate in the conflict, which was one of the first battles of the War of 18 1 2. In his religious views, he was a Universalist. His remains rest in the burial ground at Barre, Vermont. Paul M. Ross, father of the subject hereof, was born in Barre, \'erniont, in the year 1800. February 14. 1826, he wedded Charlotte ISIoseley Dewey, an accomplished daughter of Dr. David and Anna (Morse) Dewey, of Poultney, where Dr. Ross' mother was born. September 10, 1804. She was the eldest of ten children. Of these, three sons and four daughters grew to maturity. Those now liv- ing are: Zebadlah. of East Poultney, and Laura, widow of J. W. King, of Glens Falls, New ^'ork. ( InfurniatiDU concerning the Dewey family may be found in the History of Rutland County, and, also, in a large volume, recently published, which is devoted to a his- tory of the Dewey s.) Dr. Ross is the only child of his parents. His father was a harness maker by trade. He was successfully engaged in that business for thirty years, in East Poultne_\-. ^'ermont. .\t a later period, in company with others, he en- gaged in the manufacture of melodeons. He removed from Barre to Poultney, in 1825, nearly three-quarters of a century ago. He acquired a competence, but could not boast of such affluent circumstances, as the Deweys. He died in 1870, and his widow survived him for twenty-eight years. She died at the old home in East Poultney. in the spring of 1898, having passed her ninety-third birthday. Dr. Ross is a Mason, and is a memlier of the Morning Star Council and Chapter. In politics, he is a Rei)ublican and has served as su])erintendent of schools six years, as tow II clerk, two years, and as pension exam- iner, for eleven years. He was appointed as- sistant surgeon of the 14th Regiment, Ver- mont Infantr\', and after scr\ing nine months, with that regiment, was transferred to the military hospital at Brattleboro, Vermont. Dr. Ross is a consistent member of the Bap- tist church, but in early life was connected with the Congregational church. His wife was a Baptist. He purchased his pleasant home on Beaman street, in 1869, and in it he RUTLAND COUNTY 213 Still lives most happily and contentedly. ' On a preceding page, in connection with this sketch, is found an interesting family group, sliowing portraits of four generations of the Ross family, viz. : Mrs. Charlotte M. (Dewey) Ross, our sul)ject's mother; Dr. Lu- cretius Dewey Ross, our subject ; Dr. Carroll B. Ross, our subject's son ; and Paul D. Ross, son of Dr. Carroll B. Ross. 'AMUEL KENDALL BURBANK, a prosperous hardware merchant of Pittsford, Vermont, also owns a half interest in the firm of Burbank & Leonard, box manufacturers of the same place, and fills many positions of trust in his community. ^Ir. Burbank was born in Proctorsville, Ver- mont, March 15, 1844. He is a son of Abel and Almira (Blood) Burbank. a grandson of Samuel and Eunice (Kendall) Burbank, and a great-grandson of Samuel Burbank, who was born in IMassachusetts, in 1706. The Burbank family is of Scotch-Irish ex- traction. Samuel Kendall Burbank's grand- • father, Samuel Burbank, was l)orn in Sudbury, Massachusetts, June 24, 1735. He was joined in marriage, in 1773, with Eunice Kendall; the ceremony took place in Hollister, Massa- chusetts, where they lived for some time. At a later period they removed to Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and engaged in farming. About the year 1800, Samuel Burbank lo- cated in Vermont. He died in Cavendish, Vt., February 26, 1808. His widow survived him until June 30, 1845, when she passed to her final rest, at the ad\'anced age of ninety-five years. Samuel Burbank was a soldier of the Revo- lutionary War. He was a lieutenant, and was in command of his company in the battle of Bunker Hill. Just before the battle, his captain showed the white feather, and Lieu- tenant iUnbank assumed command, and ren- dered gallant service. Samuel Burbank and his worthy wife reared ten of their eleven chil- dren, — seven sons and three daughters. One grandson, Sidney Burbank, was educated at West Point, and was a prominent general in the Civil War. Abel Burbank, father of Samuel Kendall, was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, March 4, 1794. He married Almira Blood, of Proc- torsville, Vermont. Almira was born April 15, 1808. She was a daughter of Zaccheus and Experience (Proctor) Blood. Her ma- ternal grandfather was Solomon Proctor, of -Massachusetts, for whom Proctorsville was named. He was a man of property and in- fluence, and was a captain in the Revolution- ary War. The parents of the subject hereof were married, March 7, 1827. Six children were born to them, namely: Augusta. Vale- ria, Albin Sullivan, Henry Zaccheus, Samuel Kendall, the subject of this record, and Clara Experience. Augusta was born February 3. 1828. She married Rev. Edward A. Rice, a Methodist minister. Three children blessed this union, — Edward B., Almira, and Clara Louise. Valeria was born August 11, 1832. She married Charles J. Fenton, town treas- 214 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES urcr. of Pittsford, Vermont. Alhin Sullivan was l)orn in Proctorsville, April 4. 1H38. He is a manufacturor of woolen goods, and owns a woolen mill, lie has a wife and one daugh- ter. Henry Zaccheus was born July i. 1841. He resides in Boston, with his wife antl two daughters. Clara Experience was born June iT), 1830. and resides in Pittsford, being still unmarried. Al^el Burbank was a prominent merchant in Proctorsville. He started out, a ])Oor boy without ca])ital. and accumulated a good property. He stood high in the estima- tion of his ac(|uaintances. He was c.nptain in the militia. He was an official member of the Methodist church, of which his wife was also a devout member. Mr. Burbank's father died Mav 21. 1877. sur\iving his wife more than thirteen vears. She died Xo\ember 21. 1864. Tliev rest in the cemetery at Proctorsx'ille, where the greater part of their lives was sjjent. Samuel Kendal! Burbank attended public school until he attained the age of seventeen years. He then went to work in his brother's woolen mill, continuing thus one year. In the meantime he h;ul gained some knowledge of bookkeeping, and he then kejH books for his brother, for three years. He followed a similar occupation in Boston for about nine months, and resigned to accept a position as cashier of the St, Nicholas Hotel, in Xew N'ork City, which position he retained for ten vears. This hotel was begun, on borrowed capital, bv .Sanniel H.awk, who, in ten vears, made one million dollars. Mr. lUirbank left New York City and moved to Pittsford, twenty years ago. June 19, 1872, Mr. Burbank married Nancy Jane Tottingham, of Pittsford, \'ermont. Mrs. Burbank is a daughter of Jose])h B. and Caro- line (Hall) Tottingham. Her mother was a daughter of Elias Hall, and her marriage witli Josejih B. Tottingham resulted in the birth of two daughters, ]\lary. and Xancy Jane, Mr. Burbank's wife. Mary married Henry W. Taylor, the chief engineer of the House of Representatives, in Washington, District of Columbia. Mrs. Burbank's father died, ami her mother again married. She became the wife of Carlos A. Hitchcock, now of Wash- ington, District of Columbia. Carlos .\. Hitchcock was born in the town of Rutland, five miles from Pittsford, X'^ovem- ber 2. 1820. He is a son of Toyman and Par- tliena (Weed) Hitchcock, and a grandson of Remembrance and lumice (.\llen) Hitchcock. His gr.'uidparents reared six children, as ft)l- lows: Pyman ; Harr\- : .\bigail; .\nson : Mar- cus: and I'lliza, who died when twenty-five years old. She was a Methodist minister's wife. I.ynum Hitchcock married I^u'thena Weed, of Pittsford, \ ermont. Four children were born to them, three of whom grew up, \iz. : Carlos .\., Marcus, and Oscar. Lyman Hitch- cock was a farmer in Chittenden, \'t., for thirt}- years before his death, which took place when he was aliout fifty years old. He was in good circumstances, but at one time lost his last dollar by signing as security for a friend. Carlos A. Hitchcock was reared to farm life. When eighteen years old, he became a clerk RUTLAND COUNTY 215 in a general merchandise store in Clarendon Springs, where he remained about four years. At a later period he served as deputy sheriff under Sheriff Edgerton, and also under Sher- iff' Field. He served writs, for a period of twenty-five years. He was also constable and collector for a number of years, and was at last glad to retire. During this time he also engaged in tlie hardware business in Pitts- ford. In 1870, he served in the legislature. His only son, Fred Hitchcock, died at the early age of fifteen and a half years, and, in 1885. his beloved wife died. Mr. Hitchcock- was a member of the Republican party, but of late has eschewed all partisan politics. He never joined any societ}', and has made his home in Washington, since 1889. Mr. Burbank, also, is a stanch Republican. He has not onl)- lillecl various town offices, but has held higher positions of trust. In 1894, he served in the lower house of the leg- islature; his brother, Albin, was in the State Senate, the same year, from Windsor county. Mr. Burbank has been steward, trustee, and recording secretary of the M. E. church, for a period of eighteen years. He located in his present residence, in 1879, and in that year engaged in the hardware business, with Car- los A. Hitchcock. For fifteen years the firm of Hitchcock & Burbank did a prosperous fnisiness. until Mr. Hitchcock retired. Since then, the subject of this sketch has conducted the concern alone. Mr. Burl^ank is a director of the Merchants' Bank, of Rutland, and, also, of the Proctor Trust Company, of Proctor, Vermont. Besides his splendid store, he also owns a half interest in the firm of Burbank & Leonard. This firm was organized but two years ago, and operates a box factory. It has proved to he one of the most successful busi- ness enter]M-ises of the \illagc, and furnishes enii)loyment to at least twenty men. Mr. Burbank is one of the representatixe men in this section of Vermont. His opin- ions are sought and valued as those of a cit- izen of deliberate and temperate judgment, and of intelligent thousht. ,HARLES W. NORTON, a well-to-do dealer in general merchandise, residing in Wallingford, Rutland county, V^ermont, was liorn in Tinmouth, \'ermont, December 28, 1861. His primary education in the public school was supplemented by a course at Lawrence Academy at Groton, Aver- ment, from which he graduated, in i88j. After leaving school, Mr. Norton returned to Tinmouth and undertook trading, in all its branches. In 1897, he moved to his present place in Wallingford. He deals in jiaints, lumber wagons, machinery, bicycles, dia- monds, jewelry, furniture, lime, and a great many other things. Mr. Norton is an active, enterprising and progressive man. He pos- sesses all the qualifications essential to busi- ,ness success. His residence in the town of Wallingford is the prettiest house in the vil- lage. It stands on an eminence, surrounded by pretty lawns. The house itself is built in the old colonial style. It contains ten large 216 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES rooms, anfl is 1)cautifully finislicd. l:)Otli in- side and outside. Mrs. Norton also own.s a residence at Middletown Springs, and Mr. Norton owns building;' lots in .Mhany, and Rutland, diaries W. .N'orton is a son of W' il- liani W. and I lenrietta ( P.radley) Norton, and a j^randson of .\aron and Saniantlia ( .-\n • drews) Norton. .'\aron Norton was born in Tinmouth, Ver- mont, lie descended from sturdy pioneers. He \\;is schooled at his nati\'e place, where he learned the trade of a tanner. He owned and operated a tannery, manufacturing all kinds of leather, em])l()ving eight or ten men. He was joined in marriage with Sam- antha Andrews, of Cornwall, \'ermont. Sam- antha was a descendant of an old Connecticut family, who went from that state to \'ermont, on horselsack. As the Indians were trouble- some, they were obliged to return to Con- necticut. Two years later, they nio\ed back to the Vermont farm. .Karon Norton and his wife reared seven children, namely: .\dra (Carpenter); Mary A. (Wheeler); Fanny (Pendleton) ; Calysta (Pendleton) ; Harriet (Mehurin); William; and Cornelius. William Norton was born in Tinmouth, \'t., in i(Sii. He was mentally trained in the pul)- lic schools of his native town. Jle learned painting and frescoing, and followed tliat trade many ye;iis. While yet a young man, he removed to Lowell. .Massachusetts, and went into business for himself. I lis affairs pros- jiered, and he soon employed ipiite a num- ber of men to assist him. William Norton married Henrietta Bradley, a daughter of Franklin Bradley. Franklin Bradley was the son of an old Revolutionary hero, who par- ticipated in se\-eral battles near Concord, and other i)laces. Mrs. Bradley was a cousin of Brigadier-General Joseph Morrill, who was active in the Ci\il War. .She was also a sister of .Mrs. Charles W hitne\-, whose husband was a wealtln- hnnber merchant, of Boston. Charles W. Norton's parents reared five children, as follows; fuigene W., Fred W., Marion, .\ddie C. and the subject of this sketch, luigene W. is now in Chicago. He has a ]30sition on the Chicago, Milwaukee i^ St. Taul Railway. Fred W. resides in the southern part of California, where he has been a principal of schools, for twenty-five years. Clarion married George Marsh, a well-known bookkeeper in Chicago. Addie C. married F. W . Howard, wholesale druggist, at W hite River Junction, \'er- mont. After many years. William Norton ga\-e up i)ainting, left Massachusetts, and went to Tinmouth, \'ermont. He pur- chased two hundred acres of land in that \i- cinitv. and de\ote.. now a teacher in Dako- ta, where he also owns a ranch and farms; Herbert E., the subject of this sketch ; and Lucian ]•"., who was, at one time, a teacher and stock raiser in Dakota. The first of Herbert E. Partridge's maternal ancestors who came to .America, was his great- great-grandfather, J. F. Bruce, who, with his brothers, settled in the East. J- F. Bruce fought in the Revolutionary War, and dis- tinguished himself for braxery at the brittle of Hub1)ardton. He was taken prisoner by the British, and was not released until the surrender of Burgoyne. The maternal grand- father of Herbert E. Partridge, Harvey Bruce, was a direct descendant of Robert Bruce, the Scotch patriot. (For the family genealogy, any one interested is at liberty to write to Captain Harvey Bruce, of South Pomfret, \crmont.) Circumstances interrupted the educitinn of the subject hereof, for a time. Herbert v.. at once went awriv from home to work on a farm as clnjre bo\'. He labored for his board and clothes, until he was seventeen years old. He then began to attend school during the winter terms. In this wav he sa\'ed sufficient money from wages earned during the sunlmer to enable him to attend Green Mountain Academy. After leaving this institution, Mr. Partridge purchased a farm, which he culti\ated for fi\'e years. On account of ill-health, he was obliged to give up farm- ing. He then went to Weston, \'ermont, and opened a general merchandise store, as suc- cessor to Sprague & Richardson. He car- ried on a successful business there for five years, when his lease expired, and he pur- chased his present store at Mechanicsville. By excellent methods and strict attention to business his trade has increased to its present proportions. He now has one of the best stores in the town of Mount Holly. He car- ries in stock a large and complete line of everything called for in a countrv store. He re-built the store and has e\'erything nicely arrangetl. Mr. I'artridge was ai)pointed post- master under the present national administra- tion. He had, howe\er, served as deputy postmaster about fifteen months prior to his appoiiUment. In politics, Mr. Partridge is an aggressive Republican. He has served as town clerk and treasurer, since 1897. A singular incident occurred wdien Air. Par- JOHN B. BE AM AN. RUTLAND COUNTY 231 tridge \oted for tlie first time. This vote was cast in Pomfret, for representative in the State Legislature. His candidate was elected by a majority of one. Mr. Partridge has been twice married. His union with Julia M. Al- (Irich resulted in two children. Hattie E. and Guy \\'. Both are students at Poultney Academy. The mother of these children came of an old and respected Rutland county fam- ily. She taught school for a numl)er of years. Some time after her death, Mr. Partridge contracted a second matrimonial alliance; in this instance Cora M. Priest, a daughter of Darius \\'. Priest, became his wife, and bore hiiu two children. Fay E., aged si.\ years; and Amy B., aged four years. The subject of this sketch is a member of the M. E. church, of which he is steward. He belongs to Colfax Lodp-e. No. 2, L O. O. P., of which he is now \ice grand. He is also a Mason. •OHN B. BEAMAN, a retired capitalist of Poultney, Vermont, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, is also an able lawyer, and practiced that profession success- fully, for many years, in Rutland county. Mr. Beaman was born in the house wdiich is still his home, September 13, 1819. He at- tended the public schools during early youth, and then became a pupil in the academies of West Rutland and Castleton, where he pre- pared for college. For three years, he pur- sued his studies in Middlebury College, and then entered the senior class of Union Col- lege (N. Y.), from which he graduated in 1840. After reading law with Judge Howe, of Castleton, and E. L. Ormsbee, he was ad- mitted to the Rutland county bar, in 1843. Mr. Beaman immediately connnenced the practice of his profession, continuing until 1884. During the greater portion of that period, lie practiced alone, but a part of the time, he conducted his business under the firm name of Beaman & Eddy, being in partner- ship with Charles F. Eddy. In 1875, about twenty-four years ago, the firm of Beaman & Piatt was formed, of which Air. Piatt is still the active member, while Mr. Beaman is, practically, retired. In politics, Mr. Beaman is a Republican, stanch and true. He served in the legislature in 1850 and 1852, and also in 1870 and 1872. He was a member of the constitutional convention. He is a son of Joel and Lydia (Brown) Beaman. Joel Beaman was born in Leominster, Mass., and went to Vermont in the spring of 1805. In company with others, he en- gaged in the manufacture of paper, of which he had a practical knowledge. He estab- lished a paper mill in Fair Haven, where he remained a few years. In 1808, he was joined in marriage with Lydia Brown, the eldest child of John Brown, Esquire. Soon after marriage, the young folk settled in Poultney, where Mr. Beaman purchased the public house still known as the Beaman House. This house has been retained by the family until the present day. Subsequently, the Ashley farm lands were bought by Mr. Beaman's 232 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES father. A part of this tract is now occupied In- the village of East Poultney. About that time, Mr. Beaman sold liis in- terest in the paper mill and engaged in mer- cantile pursuits, which occupied his attention until the time of his death. Soon after the War of 1812, he purchased the Judge W'etherell farm. This was afterward sold to the Trny Conference Academy Association, and upon it were built the fine brick buildings of that flourishing school. In addition to hotel keeping, farming and mercantile pur- suits, Mr. Beaman was interested for a time in a woolen mill, and was also largely engaged in staging. For many years, he lield heavy mail contracts from Albany to Burlington, and from Rutland to Whitehall, besides on other and smaller routes. He would not in these days be considered a pushing speculator, but he was known as a safe business man, who never allowed any of his enterprises to suffer for lack of proper care and attention. Al- though eccentric in some respects, owing to absent mindedness as to what was passing be- fore him, yet lie was (|uick of observation. He also had a keen and ready conception, a sound judgment, and a most retentive memory. He was unpretentious and most considerate; in the various relations of life he was courteous to all. Joel Beaman was, also, a jniblic-spirited cit- izen, and was closely identified with the inter- ests of his adopted home. He was often called upon to serve in the most important offices of his connnunity. These offices he filled most capably and honestly. He served in the \'ermont Legislature in 1817, 1818, 1830, 1836, and 1840. His death occurred March 20, 1846. He left a widow and nine children. One son, Jenks Beaman, was a West Point graduate. He died at Tampico on his way home from the Mexican War, in 1848. He had participated in every battle but one, in that coilfhct, and tradition says he planted the American flag on the Castle d'Ulloa. Another son, Joel D., was a mer- chant in Poultney, Vt., and died in 1849. Frances H. married W. O. Ruggles, and died, in New York City, in 1862. Mr. Beaman's mother died January 31, 1867. She was much beloved by her family and near friends, and was a woman of sterling worth. John B. Beaman's father was a man of great courage and strength. This he displayed ad- mirably during tlie memorable flood of 181 1, when he and others came near losing their lives in trying to reach home. His comrades gave up all hope of escaping from their watery surroundings, and sought refuge in the branches of the trees. Mr. Beaman dofifed his outer garments, and placed his well- filled money wallet in his hat, on the top of his head. He then plunged into the rapid and angry current and swam for the shore, which he reached, after a desperate struggle, some si.xty rods 1)elow the point of starting. His comrades in the trees, and his anxious friends upon the shore were much reliex'ed at the suc- cess of his exploit. They thought no one could escape death in those turbulent waters. The subject of tliis sketch, his brother Cul- len C, and his sister Jane Beaman, are the RUTLAND COUNTY 233 only survivors of the family. They reside in the old home, which was, for many years, the principal hotel of Poultney. There, at the "Beaman House," as it is called, these two brothers and their sister entertain their num- erous friends quite frequently, and with genial hospitality. CDW'ARD B. RUSSELL, an octoge- narian, residing in a snug house in " East Poultney, Vermont, has fol- lowed various occupations during his long and eventful life. Like most people he has had his vicissitudes of fortune. Although he is now nearing his eighty-ninth milestone, he is strong and sprightly, and his mental facul- ties remain sound and vigorous. Mr. Russell was born November 21, 1810, in Dover, Dutchess county. New York. He is a son of Caleli and Parmea (Smith) Rus- sell. His father was born near the Hudson River, in Shenandoah, New York, in 1775. His death took place on September 6, 1830, at Pawling, New York. He had little or no education, but his wife was intelligent and fairly educated. His marriage with Parmea Smith, about the year 1797, resulted in the birth of tive sons and live daughters. All grew up, except one infant daughter. Mrs. Russell was a native of Pawling, New York, where she was born in February, 1781. The children who grew to maturity married and .reared families of from three to five children, each. The only surviving member of the family is the subject hereof, who is the sixth child, and third son, of his parents. One daughter, Sally, died at the age of eighty. Edward B. Russell's mother died January 8, 1872. She lies buried in Brookfreld, Connec- ticut, wdiere her last years were spent with her daughter. She was a devout Baptist. The father's remains rest in the cemetery at Pawling. Mr. Russell obtained but a meager school- ing. He left home wdien nine years old and never afterward lived with his parents. In his ninth year his father told him to take a stirring stick and stir after two scythes, and to be sure and keep up. This he did, and since then he has worked at haying, every year, during a period of about eighty years. When fifteen years old, Mr. Russell began to learn the wagon maker's trade. He en- tered upon an apprenticeship with a ]\Ir. Sher- man, in Pawling, New York. He served thus for nearly three years, receiving $30 per year, with one month's schooling, each year. Sick- ness cut his apprenticeship short, and he went to his grandfather Smith's, in Freetown, Cort- land county. New York. There it was that his first marriage was solemnized September 22, 1833. He was then united in matrimony with Electa S. Tanner, a winsome daughter of Wil- liam and Hannah (Curtis) Tanner, of Free- town. Mrs. Russell was born June 29, 1814, and was the mother of two daughters and one son. She died in Marathon, New York, October 26, 1843. Her children at that time were all small, one, an infant son, being but ten days 234 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES old. Tlieir names are Hannah P.; Hester L. ; and William W. Hannah P. died when twenty years old. Hester L. married E. H. Worcester, and resides in Cornwall, Vermont. She has one son and one daughter. William \y. is a prominent farmer, in North Granville. He has a wife, five children and three grand- children. July 6, 1847, ^Ir. Russell contracted a sec- ond marriage. Theodosia Goodwin became iiis wife, and assisted him to rear his children, whom she loved dearly. She was born in Xew Hartford, Conn., A])ril 5. 1814. After fifty- one years of connubial bliss, she died agetl eighty-four years. Her death took place August 27, 1898, at the present home of the subject hereof, in Poultney, and her cheering companionship is sadly mis.sed. In politics, Mr. Russell is, nominally, a Democrat, but votes for tlic man and not for the party. He never sought oflice, but served in minor public positions, in both New York and Connecticut. He was elected constable ten times, and then resigned. He is not a member of any religious denomination, but is a supporter, and a regular attendant, of the Congregational church. Air. Russell settled in the town of Morris, Connecticut, in 1866, and remained there until 1884. While there he owned and conducted a fine farm, and also worked at his trade as wagon maker. His priucip.al business was carried on, however, in East \'irgil. New York, where he employed five hands in wagon making. In the flood of 1852, he lost $3,500. Pie also dealt exten- sively in cattle, while at East Virgil. In 1884, he sold his various interests and rcmused to his present home, in Poultney. I'pon the death of his beloved wife, Mr. Russell's children desiretl iiim to break uj) housekeeping and spend his closing years with them. l)Ut the subject of this sketch is best content to remain in his own home, endeared to bini by nianv tender associations. He has three great-grandchildren. r^ ,RS. CORNELIA J. LVON, a highly respected resident of Bran- don, \'ermont, lives in a beau- tiful home on I'ark street, tlie most desirable residence street in that beautiful village. She is the w in was born in \\'lii])])le Hol- low, West Rutland, \ ermont, and was of Irish descent. He was a son of Barney and Betsey ((ireen) Lyon. His father was a skilled mechanic, and made wrought iron nails bv hand. Bradford was the youngest of a large family of children. He was reared to farm work, and had a conunon schooling. He be- gan the b.ittle of life without cash capital. In early life, he was ;i salesman of musical in- struments. Later, he became a successful l)usiness man, and made money rapidly Ijy speculating in shee]). I le w as not a farmer but owned farms in both the I'.ast and West, — Illinois and Missouri. He also speculated in real estate, in which line he was very successful. About the year 1867 or 1868, Mr. Lyon was RUTLAND COUNTY 235 joined in marriage with Cornelia J. Seager, the subject of these hnes. After marriage the young foll< lived in North Granville, Vt., many years. Mr. Lyon was a great lover of music, and a musician of some note. He taught vocal music, and was choir leader of the Baptist church, of which he was a devout member. He was an active and intelligent man, and left a record worthy of emulation. His death took place in Colorado, July lo, 1879, and he was deeply mourned by all who knew him. Cornelia J. Lyon is a daughter of Aaron and Rebecca (Harrison) Seager, both of whom were natives of Chittenden, \'ermont. Her mother was born April 8, 1792, and her father, April 26, 1794. They were married January i, 1822, and reared four sons and four daughters. All ■ are still living except two daughters. Mrs. Lyon was the recipient of an academic training, in Castleton. After leaving school, she followed teaching for a number oi years. Her first school was tatight in the home dis- trict, when she was seventeen years old. With the exception of one year, during which she taught in Michigan, her teaching was confined to Vermont. She was ([uite a successful edu- cator and loved her profession, — taking much pleasure in the success of her efforts. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Lyon settled up his estate, and then returned to Brandon. She purchased a tine, large lot on Park street, a wide and beautiful thorough- fare. Upon this desirable site she built a com- fortable modern home, and is surrounded with every convenience. Her sister, Pamela, lives with her. Mrs. Lyon still retains pos- session of some of her western farms, in Illi- nois and Missouri, where her husband made successfid investments. ARTIN VAN BUSKIRK PRATT, a wealthy and retired merchant of West Pawlet, Vermont, is one of the most venerable and worthy citizens of Rutland county. Mr. Pratt was born at White Creek, New York. His schooling was limited. At sixteen years of age, he hired out as a farm laborer, — earning but ten dollars per month. He resolutely laid the foundation of a successful career by saving one hundred dollars per year, at all hazards. He next found occupation as hotel clerk at Buskirk's Bridge, for a man who also owned a general merchandise store at that place. He continued to work there for five years. Soon after iiis marriage, Mr. Pratt pur- chased a farm in Jackson, New York, where the young people began housekeeping. They remained there but two years, when Mr. Pratt sold out to good advantage. After locat- ing in Rupert, Vt., for a brief period, he went to West Pawlet, \\here he started a general merchandise store. Mr. Rising, who was his clerk for a considerable period, was finally as- sociated in business with Mr. Pratt, for a few years. After that the latter carried on the con- cern alone, until his retirement. His safe business methods assured his sue- 236 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES cess from the start. Martin Van Bus- kirk Pratt is a son of Daniel H. and I\utli (Deming) Pratt. Daniel H. Pratt was a native of Connecticut, Init was brought up in Bennington, A'erniont. He was reared to mercantile life, and was an exceptionally fine penman, and a good accountant. He was a merchant for many years in Xew York, — at White Creek and Buskirk's Bridge. He was united in marriage with Ruth Deming, an attractive young lady. Three children blessed their union, namely: Samuel Dem- ing; Daniel 11. ; and Martin \'an Buskirk, the subject of these lines. Samuel Deming was born in 1816, and Daniel H., in 1818. The latter made his mark in the woi'ld as a farmer, and in public life. Martin \'an Buskirk Pratt was joined in wedlock with Mary Rising, a comely daugh- ter of Judge Simeon and Jane (Montgomery) Rising, respected residents of Rupert, \'er- mont. Mrs. Pratt has a \alual>le souvenir, in a fine and costly ring, li;ni(led dnwii frmn the Montgomery family. To Mr. Pratt and his most worthy wife ha\-e l)een born three children, as follcnvs: George R. ; Ennna, and Jennie. Ceorge R. was Ixirn in 1S54. He has a wife and two children. Emma married F. J. Nelson. Mr. Nelson deals extensively and successfully in horses. He makes large shipments from the far west, and is well known among horse dealers. He has one son. Jennie married S. N. Allen, a merclumt of North Ferrisburg, X'ermont. They lia\e three daughters. In politics, Mr. Pratt is a Democrat and has been a faithful servant of the people. He served as selectman, for eight years, and was in the lower house of the legislature, in 1884. However, he has not been an office seeker, nor did he desire office. Mr. Pratt has assisted materially in building up, financially and otherwise, the interests of the community in which he has spent so many years. In fact he is one of those sound and steadfast characters whose judgment can be relied on in public and private affairs. /'gJ^^EORGE PEPPLER, a successful I ^«T business man residing in Poultnev, X'ermnnt, lias been a furniture dealer in that village for a period of thirty-nine years. He enjoys the distinction of being the old- est dealer in Poultney, and has made his hand- some comjietency by his own individual ef- forts. Mr. Pei)pler is a native of Germany. He was born June 7, 1824, in Hesse-Darm- stadt, near Frankfort on the Rhine. His father, John Pei)pler, was born at the same place about 1768, and lived to the advanced age of ninet\-t\\o years. John Pepi)ler was a linen weaver, and was in business for himself. He married Kate Smith, who died when twenty-eight years old, leaving her son, George, motherless at the tender age of two years. His sister Kate, then fourteen years old, was a kind mother to him, and finall)' crossed the ocean with him, in 1854. While still in his native country, the subject hereof obtained a good schooling, and RUTLAND COUNTY 237 then learned tlie trade of a cal)inetmaker. I'or this privilege he was obliged to pay $2y per year, for three years, boarding at home. When seventeen years of age, he was con- sidered a competent workman, and was em- ployed at his trade. The first year, he re- ceived one dollar and twentv-five cents per week, and his board. ;Vt the expiration of one year, Mr. Peppier went to Frankfort and there worked at the cabinetmaker's trade. He was called a good workman, but received but three dollars per week and his board. He re- mained in Frankfort two years. Having tra\'eled three years, as is the cus- tom in Germany, before entering into business on one's own account, he returned home. Es- tablishing himself in business on his own be- half, he continued thus until he came to Amer- ica. In 1847, Mr. Peppier was united in mar- riage with Jeannette Wagoner, his next-door- neighbor's daughter. Jeannette was born in 1820, and is four years her husband's senior. They were reared together. She is a daugh- ter of Christian Wagoner, who brought up seven daughters and two sons. One son, George Wagoner, and one daughter came to America just nine months after the subject hereof and his wife crossed the ocean. They brought the four children of George Peppier, who were born in Germany. Mr. Peppier found employment in Gran- ville, Vt., for the first eight and a half years of his life in the New World. He then lo- cated in Poultney, and began business for himself. He worked hard at this venture for many years, before obtaining a good start. In the lueantime his wife kept boarders, and as- sisted her husl)and in every possible way. They were blessed with a large family, con- sisting of nine children, as follows : Chris- tian ; Mary ; Jane ; Charles ; John ; Henry ; George ; Fred ; and Emma. Christian is a res- ident of Xorth Adams, Massachusetts. He has a wife, but no children. Mary married John Mellen, and lives in Colorado. They have nine children, and several grandchildren. Mr. Mellen is quite an extensive farmer. Jane married Dan Rafiferty, of Poultney. They have four children. Charles is a carpenter. He has a wife and one son, and, also, an adopted daugh- ter. John dieil when twenty-eight years old, leaving a widow. Henry died at thirty-one years of age, unmarried. George died at the tender age of six years. Fred lost his wife, who was Lily New, before her marriage. She left an infant daughter, Freda. Freda's father also died in 1895, and the little one was left to the care of her grandmother. She is a most comely child of nine years, and is the joy and pride of her grandparents, with whom she has lived since the death of her mother. Her father left her a good property, and when of age, Freda will have a good dowry. Emma, the youngest child of Mr. Peppier, is the wife of Fred Hawes. Mr. Peppier has been a kind and liberal man to iiis family. He has educated them exceptionally well, and has spent much money for their welfare. He still has a fine prop- erty, consisting of house, shop, barn, etc., and owns a good, little farm of fourteen acres. Mr. Peppier richly deserves the respect and 238 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES patronai;e of his friends and ncifjhbors, and is looked upon as one of tlie mainstays in the comnnniit\' in whieh lie lives. / T -' il O.MAS GRIFFITH, a represenl- i I ative farmer in the town of Poultney, \'ermont, has been a resident of Rut- land county for more than thirty years. Mr. Griffith is a native of Ireland, where he was born, in 1825. When nineteen years of age, he came to America. The journey was made on a sailing \-essel, reaching Montreal, Can- ada, just one month after leaving Ireland. ]Mr. Grififith found employment in handling mer- chandise for a man whom he liked very much ; after working for him three months, he went to Stillwater, New York, and was employed by a farmer, at $10 per month. In 1848, the subject hereof was joined in marriage with Mary Melvin, an attractive daughter of John and Mary (Keyes) Melvin. ]Mrs. Griffith is a native of Ireland, and crossed the ocean alone when nineteen years old, one year prior to her marriage. Her parents fol- lowed her to the land of the free, fom" years later, in 185 1. Soon after her marriage, the young folk began housekeeping in Danville, Vermont, where Mr. Griffith worked nine years, in \\'illiam Kelley's marble quarry. In 1858, he purchased his first farm in Ham- den, New York, six miles from Whitehall. For this farm he paid cash, and had money left. He remained on it for nine years, — sub- sequently locating on his present farm in the town of I'dultnew \'ermont. This magnificent farm cost Mr. (Jriffith $8,000. He paid $3,000 down, and became indebted to the amount of $5,000. Mr. and Mrs. (iriffith are a most worthy, industrious, and prosperous couple. They own large and fertile farms, have reared a numerous family of children, and have money at interest. This venerable couple started out early in life, have worked hard, and are still bus\-, — as work is but a second nature lo them. They have brought up a family of children who are an honor to them, and of whom the_\- are justly proud. Eight children were Ijorn to them, and they now boast of sixteen grandchildren. The names of their children are: Edward; Peter; John IT; Anna; Mary; Thomas; Patrick; and Elizabeth. Edward was born January 31, 1850. He lived in Poultney, \'t., and was in business for himself when cut otT by death, at the early age of twenty-two years. Peter conducts a summer resort at Lake St. Catherine, Vt., where he has built up a paying business. He has a most interesting family of children, and a worthy helpmeet. John H. went to Colorado while still a young man. He has made a suc- cess of life, and now owns a fine property. He is married, but has no children. Anna is the wife of Mr. Haley, of Hoosick Falls, New York. Mary married Patrick Carmody. Thomas was a merchant, and died when twen- ty-six years old, unmarried. Patrick also lives in Colorado. Elizabeth, the youngest child, is the wife of Robert Leroy. She was Ar.BKRT \AN'\ES.S RANSOM, RUTLAND COUNTY 241 educated at Fort Edward Institute, and at Troy Conference Academy, and spent five years in London, England. After completing her studies in the old world, she went on the stage, where she won both fame and fortune for herself. She has sung in public in both Europe and America, both on the stage, and in churches. Mrs. Leroy is now at home with her parents. She has a beautiful infant daugh- ter, Genevieve, born in July, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Grifiith have performed well their duties in life, and success has crowned their efforts. It may be said of them, — "\\'ell done, thou good and faitliful servants, enter into the joy of thy Lord." (^Yt LBERT VANNESS RANSOM, whose f^A portrait accompanies this sketch, is ^ V^ chief clerk and salesman for the Gilt- Edge Cheese Eactory Company, and was for- merly its treasurer. Mr. Ransom resides on a fine farm in Ransom Vale, town of Castle- ton, Rutland county, Vermont. He carries on general farming and stock raising. He gen- erally has from twenty to thirty fine milch cows. Their milk is all sent to the cheese fac- tory, which is only about a mile and a half from the farm. Mr. Ransom also handles all kinds of farm implements, a plentiful stock of which he keeps on his premises. His resi- dence is large, pleasant, and delightfully sit- uated. He also has fine barns, machine shed, etc., conx'eniently arranged. By wise man- agement, the subject hereof is enabled to oversee his farm, make sales of machinery, at- tend to his duties at the factory, and still spend much of the time at hcjme with his family, which is his chief enjoj-meut. Albert Vanness Ransom was born in his present abode, September 2^, 1855. He ob- tained his primary instruction in the district schools, and afterward attended Castleton Seminary. He was reared to farm life, but was never robust, and could not endure the toil, as his father and grandfather had done in their time. June 12, 1878, the subject of this record was united in marriage with Rachel Ann Cook. Mrs. Ransom is a daughter of Elihu B. and Caroline (Veile) Cook. Her father is a farmer of Middletown Springs, Ver- mont, and keeps summer boarders. She has one brother, Anson Howard, and one sister, Lydia Hill. Both are still at home. Seven children ha\'e been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ran- som, namel}-: Alliert Anson, Lillie .\lice, Carrie Flotilla, Orla E., Grace Elizabeth, Mar- ion Lefa, and an infant, Elihu Cook, whose birth occurred May 12, 1899. Albert Anson was born April 22, 1879, and is a robust farmer. December 21, 1898, he was joined in marriage with Mary Phoebe Fish, an accomplished daughter c^f Rev. Dana Fish. To them was born a child, Anna C, October 15, 1899. Lillie Alice was born April 14, 1881. November 9, 1898, she was joined in marriage with Asa B. Cook, of Raceville, New York, where she now resides. They have a son, Albert S., born July 25, 1899. Carrie Flotilla was born March 24, 1886, and died when five weeks of age. Orla E. was born January 21, 1890, and died May 14, of 242 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES the same year. Grace Elizahetli was liorn May 6. 1891, and Marinii Lefa's occurred April 16, 1894. The (jilt Edge Cheese Factory Company is an incorporation, and was estal)lished Feb- ruary 24. 1895. y\\-. Ransom was one of the founders, and served as treasurer until the beginning of 1899. The business is conducted very successfully. The subject of this biog- raphy is one of the leading men of his com- munity, but seldom goes far away from home. He takes jileasure, however, in having at- tended the great Centennial Exposition, ;it I'hiladeljjhia. .\lbcrt Vanness Ransom is a son of Albert .Manson and Flotilla (Pepper) Ransom, a grandson of Lemuel and Betsey L. ( Hickok) Ransom, and a great-grandson of John and Sallv ( W'hitiieyj Ransom. On the maternal side, he is a great-grandson of Benjamin and Constance (Hamilton) Derby, and great- great-grandson of Jesse Derby. John Ransom was a farmer in the town of Poultney, Vermont, and died while serving in the army. He wedded Sally Whitney, widow of Solomon Whitney, by whom he had one son. Her union with Mr. Ransom re- sulted in the birth of the following three chil- dren : Lemuel, David, and John. Lemuel Ransom married Betsey L. Hickok, who bore him three children, namely: Justus H., Sally, and Albert Alanson. Justus H. married Sarah Xcjrthrop. They had nine chil- dren, but only four reached maturity. Justus H. died in the village of Castleton, when seventy-five years old. Sally married Samuel Stevens. She died at the early age of thirty, leaving one daugiiter, Sarah Maria. Lemuel Ransom was a remarkable worker. He was born in Poultney, but in early manhood, set- tled in the town of Castleton. Vermont. With great strength and with resolute energy, he hewed out a home in tlie forest, and changed the woodland into fertile fields. His death occurred, February 6, 1843, as a result of overwork. His widow survived him until July 22. 1849. They were buried on the farm now occupied by the subject hereof, but their remains were afterward remo\'ed to Castleton cemetery. Albert Alanson Ransom was born upon the ancestral acres, in 18 12. He was united in marriage with Flotilla Pepper, an attractive lady of West Pawlet, ^'ermont. This happy event was celebrated, June 17, 1847, 'it \\'est Pawlet. Tlie young folk settled on the farm now occupied by the gentleman to whom this narrative pertains. It originally belonged to the Hickoks, and came into the possession of the Ransom family through Lemuel Ransom, who married a Hickok. The Hickoks were among the first settlers in the vicinity. Two children were born to Albert Alanson Ran- som, namely: Frances Almira, and Albert \'anness, of whom we now write. Frances Almira was born October 9, 1848. She mar- ried Frank J. Williams. She died May 24, 1876, and left two sons and one daughter. Albert Alanson Ransom was a modest and retiring farmer. He inherited about seven or eight hundred acres of land from his father. He added to this vmtil he accumulated twelve RUTLAND COUNTY 243 hundred acres, which he left to Albert Van- ness and his sister. He died August 26, 1880, and was survived by his widow until May 14. 1896, when she, too, passed away, aged sev- enty-four years. Both were members of the Baptist church, of which the mother of Albert Vanness had been a member since childhood. Jesse Derby, maternal great-great-grand- father of the subject hereof, had four chil- dren, namely : Benjamin ; Eli ; Lucy ; and Lydia. Benjamin Derby married Constance Hamilton. They reared ten children of which Seba, grandmother of Albert Vanness Ran- som, was the seventh. Seba Derby married Chauncey Pepper and reared the following eight children : Melissa ; Flotilla, mother of the subject hereof; Hamilton; Warren D. ; Julia A.; Lefa J.; John M. ; and Hiram W. Melissa was the wife of Allen Mills. Hamil- ton died at Middle Granville, when an old man. Warren D. resides in Glens Falls, New York. Julia A. is the wife of Benjamin Reed, in Hebron, New York. Lefa J. is the wife of Collins Blaisdell. John M. died in infancy, and Hiram W. died early, of consumption, leaving a widow and one daughter. Constance Hamilton, maternal great-grand- mother of Albert Vanness Ransom, was a great-granddaughter of Captain Sparrow, who came over in the Mayflower, and was the first white man to step on Plymouth Rock. Al- though not according to history, this is be- lieved to be veritable ; it was related to Mr. I^ansom's mother by Daniel Hamilton, who was a great-grantlson of the aforesaid Captain Sparrow. Our subject is a stanch Republican and has been a burden-bearer in party service ; he has served the town as selectman, lister, etc. Mrs. Ransom is a member of the Congrega- tional church in Castleton. ICHARD MARVIN SPALDING, a contractor in lumber and pulp wood, and also a teamster, in the city of Rutland, Vermont, has, from a modest begin- ning with only one team and wagon, but hav- ing plenty of energy and a pair of willing- hands, won for himself an enviable position in his line of work. He first began teaming in Rutland, more than thirty years ago, and his Inisiness has increased to such an extent that, frequently, he has been obliged to hire from ten to twenty men, and from six to ten teams, in order to fulfil his contracts. For the last ten or twelve years, Mr. Spalding has also been engaged in the manufacture of lumber, and getting out pulp wood. He has bought and sold horses in connec- tion with his other interests, making quite a neat sum in such speculations. His business has prospered to such a degree that he is now the owner of much valuable real estate in Rutland ; besitles his fine, modern residence at Number 36, South Main street, where he bought and settled in April, 1876, he has two tenement houses near by, two others on Center street, and a large and commodious barn, thirty by eighty feet, in which his various teams are housed. 244 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Richard Marvin Spalding was born in Waitsfield. Washington county, Vermont, May 15. 1836, and is a son of John R. and AveHne (Wait) Spalding. John R. Spalding was born in Mooretown, Washington county, \'erniont, June 24, iydia Dyer, now the widow Briggs, is well-pre- served at ninety-four years of age. Daniel and Susan (Olin) Dyer reared ten children, one of whom was Gideon, our subject's father. Gideon Dyer was born in 1787, in Clar- endon, Vermont. He was twice married. His union with Betsey Reynolds, who died in 1833, at the age of forty-three years, resulted in the birth of five children. Gideon Dyer ha(;l two children by his second marriage. He RUTLAND COUNTY 255 died about the year i860, aged seventy-three years. Dr. Dyer's parents reared but four of the five children born to them, namely : Sarah Ann, who survived her husband. Rev. John H. Beckwith, many years and died in ad- vanced life, leaving two sons; Mrs. Elizalieth Weeks, of Brandon, Vermont, now an octoge- narian ; Olin G., subject of these lines; and Reynold, who was accidently drowned when fifteen years old. Dr. Dyer deserves great credit for his suc- cess in life. He rose by his own efforts. As a man, he is held in ^he highest esteem, and is above reproach. As a physician, he ]ios- sesses in a rare degree that intuitive knowl- edge of disease, that has rendered him so re- markably skilful and uniformly successful that he is regarded by all as the leading medical man in Brandon and vicinity. The publishers of this work take pleasure in announcing that portraits of Olin G. Dyer, M. D., and of his son. Anderson Dana Dyer, M. D., A. ]\I., are presented on foregoing ])ages in proximity to this. (^UDGE7AMES BARRETT, now, prac- tically, a retired citizen of Rutland, \'ermont, is one of the most highly honored and esteemed citizens of Rutland county, and has led a most remarkable career. He was born on May 31, 18 14, in Strafford, Orange county. Vermont, and although near- ing his eighty-fifth year, is a remarkably well- preserved man. Judge Barrett has been a res- ident of Rutland since April i, 1882, when he settled in the modest home where he and his beloved companion have lived for the past sixteen years, and are now in the decline of life. Although the Judge's sight has been fail- ing for a short period, his memory is not only a source of comfort and pleasure to him, but enables him to give valuable counsel and ad- vice to others. His recollection of occur- rences and details is marvelous; he can read- ily give day and date of events and incidents that transpired away back through the many years of his busy and eventful life. The progenitor of the Barrett family in America was one James Barrett, who was born in England, in 161 5, came to America about the year 1635, and was one of the earliest set- tlers of Charlestown, Massachusetts. His son, James, was the next in line and was born in Maiden, Mass., in 1644. Among the latter's children was Jonathan, who was born in Charlestown, Mass., in 1678, and who, also, named his son Jonathan, who was born in 1699. His son, Benjamin, was the great- grandfather of the subject hereof and was born in Framingham, Mass., in 1726; his son, James, was the next in line of ancestry. James Barrett, grandfather of the subject hereof, was born in Framingham, Mass., and, when grown to manhood, followed agricul- tural pursuits. He took for his life compan- ion Elizabeth Hibbard, of Windham, Con- necticut. She was born in May, 1760. Their union was blessed with three sons and two daughters. James Barrett died in Strafford, Orange county, Vt., May 13, 1813, his widow survived him many years, — dying May 8, 1854, at the age of ninety-four years and two 256 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES days. One of their sons was Martin Barrett. Martin Barrett, father of the subject hereof, was born in Stafford, Conn., August 26, 1784. He chose to work in the niacliine business, whicli lie learned without serving an appren- ticeship, and followed it for many years. The whole of his active life was spent in his na- tive city, and his business grew to be quite extensive. He was looked upon as an influ- ential citizen and was a legislative representa- tive of the town, for many terms. He also served as justice of the peace for about fifteen years. He began life without any financial means, and although he enjoyed an extensive trade, he ne\'er accumidated wealth. His death occurred February 15, 1874. Both he and his wife were buried at Stafford, Connec- ticut. Mrs. Barrett was, before marriage, Dorcas Patterson. She was born in Henni- ker. X. H.. in October, 1788. Her marriage with Martin Barrett was consummated July 3, i(Soarticular attention to car\ing and sculp- ture, which was his principal work. Later he worked at the turning lathe. He also learned designing and dralting. He was em|)loyed man\' \'ears in his brother I\\land's mill at H\'de\'ille. \'erniont, and is still interested to some extent in the same line of work. Ryland Hanger, our subject's brother, came to America in 1853, when a young man. RUTLAND COUNTY 269 He took passage on a sailing vessel and after a long and tedious voyage of five or six weeks landed at New York, where he remained four years. He had also learned the marble busi- ness in England, serving sex-en long years of apprenticeship. From New York he moved to West Castleton, Vermont, to work for a slate company. About 1880, he purchased a marble mill at Hydeville, and turned it into a slate mill. He was one of the pioneers in the manufacture of marbleized slate, which occu- l)ied his attention many years. In October, 1887, Ryland Hanger died very suddenly, leaving no children. He had previously lost his wife. In July, 1843, when twenty-two years of age, our subject was united in marriage with Marion Kelley. Their marriage occurred in England. She was a daughter of Richard Kelley. who was a lieutenant of the Royal Cornwall militia. Mr. and Mrs. Hanger became the parents of four children, namely: Louise, Samuel E., Evangeline Harriet, and Leanora A. F. Louise, who married H. Shannon, and had six children, died in middle life. Samuel E. is an Episcopalian minister in Monroe ^^'isconsin ; he has a wife and three children. Evangeline Harriet married John Callaway and resides in Hydeville : they have one son and two daughters. Leanora A. F. became the wife of George Benford, of Fair Haven, Vermont, and they have two sons and one daughter. Ryland Hanger accumulated a moderate fortune, most of which he left to our subject's children. Samuel Hanger is a man of re- fined tastes and might have made his mark in the world of literature. But not until his declining years did he court the Muses or listen to their voices, and write some metrical lines. >^^3^^E0RGE FRANCIS BROWN. The I -spp gentleman whose name appears at the ^"""^head of this sketch, is a retired car- penter and builder in Rutland, Vermont, where he has made liis home since 1881. In that vear he jjurchased an acre of ground and upon a part of it erected a dweUing, which he afterward sold at a fair profit. He was then enabled to build his present comfortable resi- dence at Number 16, Nichols street, into which he moved in 1886. Since that time he has built other houses in Rutland, and from the rental of these has derived a handsome in- terest on his investment. He began the car- penter's trade when a youth of seventeen years, and has followed that line of work nearly a quarter of a century, — twelve years being spent in Poultney, Vermont. Mr. Brown was born in Middletown, Ver- mont, October 7, 1842. He was reared to farm life, and at an early age was performing the hardest labors to be found about his father's place ; his educational advantages were therefore limited to an elementary train- ing in the common branches in the district schools. At the age of twenty years he en- tered the LInion army, enlisting as a private in Company K, 14th Regiment, Vermont In- fantry ; this regiment was included in the Sec- 270 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES ond Vermont Brigade. The Second Vermont Brigade, under (jeneral Stannard, is given the credit l)y most military exjierts of liaving turned the tide of battle at (jettysburg; wlicn General l'ickett"s cohunn of 20,000 Confed- erates, the very ])ick and llower of (ieneral Lee's army, moved to that great charge on the Union center on July 3, 1863, and it seemed inevitable ruin for the Union cause. General Stannard's brigade, by a well exe- cuted and diflicult maneuver. m(i\cd ujjon the ll;ink- of the Confederate colunni and, taking- it l)y surprise, routed it and drove the Con- federate soldiers back on the center of the column, where a converging fire forced the Rebels to give ground and fall l)ack, beaten. This was the turning-point of the whole war. Mr. Brown served nine months and. although not wounded, had a close call with death from a bullet, that was stopped by a tin pail in his haversack. George l-'rancis Brown is a son of (ieorge White and Jerusha (Stiles) Brown, a grandson of Josepli and I'olly (White) Brown, and a great-grandson of Josepli Brown, a farmer who lived in Tinmouth, Vermont. The last- named, Joseph B.rown, great-grandfather of G. F. Brown, was in the battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775, with his twin-brother, Jonas, and their l)r()ther, Moses. Joseph served as first lieutenant of the 15th Massachusetts Reg- iment; was made captain Februarv 3. 17S0. and resigned November [5, 1780. Moses was commissioned captain of the 14th Regiment, Continental Infantry, January i, 1776. Jonas was made second lieutenant of Ward's Massa- chusetts Regiment, May 23. 1775. He was wounded on .April n), 1773. at the battle of Lexington. Joseph Ihdwn, the great-grandfather of George h'rancis Brown. mo\ed from West- moreland and settled in Tinmouth : lie mar- ried Annis Knites White, who was reared in Westmoreland, where he also grew to man- hood. He died in 1819. Joseph Brown, grandfather of our subject, was born in 1777. and died in 1863. He was a thrift}' farmer in Tinmouth. A'ermont. during the most of his life, and was a leading" member of the Congregational church, in which he served as deacon during his last forty years. He was a man of influence and served in nearly all the town ofifices. Li 1800 he wedded PolK' W bite, who was born in 1783. anil died at tlie age of ninety-nine years and two months. She retained possession of her facul- ties almost to the close of her long life. She was a daughter of Archibald White, who was born in 1758, and died in 181 1, and a grand- daughter of George White, a native of \\'ales. Our subject's grandparents reared the follow- ing children : Susamiah : Annis ; Arethusa ; George W. ; Maria ; ami Joseph. George White Brown, father of the subject hereof, was born in Tinmouth, Rutland county, \'ermont, September i, 1812. He married Jerusha Stiles, daughter of Gould and Laura (Haynes) Stiles. It is rather a singular coincidence that both our subject's maternal great-grandfather and grandfather were named Gould Stiles. Gould Stiles, the great-grandfather, ser\ed in the raiiks of the HKNRV M. GIPSON. RUTLAND COUNTY 273 Revolutionary army, from Connecticut ; liis son Gould served in the War of 1812, but was not engaged in any Ijattle ; twelve chil- dren were reared by him. Mrs. Brown, the mother of our subject, on her mother's side, was a granddaughter of Jonathan Haynes, who was born July 16, 1753, in Norwich, Conn., and was twenty-four }ears and one month old. when he was seriously wounded in the battle of Bennington, where General Stark led the patriots against the British to victory. His death occurred May 13, 18 13, in Middletown, Rutland county, and his re- mains were the^ laid to rest. He was a son of Jonathan Haynes, who was born October 25, 1/12, in Haverhill, Alass. ; this Jonathan Haynes was a son of Thomas Haynes, who was born in Newbury, Mass., May 14, 1680, and was twice captured by the Indians, and held in captivity for some time. Thomas Haynes was a son of Jonathan Haynes, who was born in 1646 in Salem, Mass., and was killed by the Indians, February 22, 1698, at Haverhill, at the time of his son Thomas" sec- ond capture. Our subject's parents farmed on the Stiles farm which was in the towns of Middletown, Poultney and Wells, with the residence in Wells. The farm was an extensive one, and was quite profitably cultivated by Mr. Brown, who attended strictly to home affairs, as he was of a retiring disposition, and could not be prevailed upon to become a public servant by holding office. He was a member of the Con- gregational church, and a member of the I. O. 0- F. The remains of our subject's parents were Ijuried in the Poultney cemetery. George Francis Brown, our subject, was one of two children that composed his parents' family. On ]\Iarch 29. 1869. our subject married Harriet Elizabeth Adams, a young lady of Troy. Pennsylvania. Mrs. Brown was born in 1845. and is a daughter of James and Me- linda ( Potter) Adams, both of whom are now deceased. Her father was twice married, and reared ten children, altogether. ]vlrs. Brown is one of a family of six children, born to her mother. — three sons and three daughters; four of the family are still li\ing. She has also one half-brother and three half-sisters still li\'ing. To the suljject of this sketch and his attractive wife have been born two sons, one of whom died in infancy. The other, Frank Joseph, a jeweler of Rutland, married Mattie Dye November 23, 1898. In politics, our sub- ject is nominally a Republican, but \otes inde- pendently, and has in the main escaped office. He has. however, served as justice of the peace for two years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brown are faithful members of the M. E. church. Ci^i ENRY M. GIPSON, a lumber dealer and prominent citizen of Brandon, Rutland county, Vermont, whose portrait accompanies this account of his life, was born in Salisbury, Vermont, September 13, 1848. He received a common school edu- cation, and when eighteen years old began his career by hiring out to a farmer. After work- ing diligently nine months he quit, drew his 274 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES wages and wisely spent one more year at school. He located in Brandon, in 187 1, and spent nine years engaged in mercantile bus- iness with the firm of E. A. Hamilton & Com- pany. Later he was a butter buyer and packer for five years. For the past ten years Mr. Gipson has been in the lumber business. He bouglit out James Knapp and does a large and increasing business at the old stand. Carlos Gipson, our subject's father, was born in 1822. He married Laura Whitney, who was born in Salisbury, the same year. Their marriage took ])lace about the year 1840. Three children blessed their union, Nora L., Ella, and our subject. Nora L. re- sides in Brandon. Ella married F. L. Rogers, of the same place. Subject's father began life a poor man and became a merchant and spec- ulator. He left a good property and, better still, a good name. He was a Democrat and served as sheriff of Addison county ; he also served as selectman and in other town ofifices. He was not a member of any church. Our subject's mother died less than a year before her husband. They are buried in the Salisbury cemetery. James Meacham Gipson, our subject's grandfather, was born at Athol, Mass., in 1795, and died in Salisbury, Vermont, at the extreme age of ninety-three years. He mar- ried Abigail Gibson, who died the same year as her husband, also aged ninety-three years. James Meacham Gipson was crippled by the use of calomel and used crutches for many years. November 18, 1869, Mr. Gipson was joined in marriage with Nellie Waterhouse, of Salis- bury. She is a daughter of ^\'illiam Water- house, a wheelwright, wiio reared two daugh- ters. Mrs. Gipson is the only survivor of the family. Four children were born to her and her husband, namely: luigcnc and Fred, who both died of the scarlet fe\er and are buried together; Arthur; and Carlos. Arthur was born in 1874 and is now bookkeeper in his father's of^ce. Carlos is a bright lad of thir- teen years. Mr. Gipson is a stanch Repub- lican. He has sers-ed as first selectman and as water conmiissioner for ten years and is still serving in both positions. Fie served in the legislature, in 1890. He is the general superintendent of the county fair and has been for five years. The beautiful residence in which Mr. Gi|)- son resides was formerly the property of his beloved father; our suljject purchased the interest of the other heirs and now owns it himself. He has spent much time and money in improving it and has made it one of the most desirable residences in the village. Mr. Gipson is a master Mason and member of the L O. O. F., of Brandon, Vt. He worships at the Congregational church, of which his wife is a devout member. AFAYETTE ALLEN. The enterpris- ing and progressive character of the gentleman whose name is prefixed to this sketch, is widely known among lum- bermen of the Green Mountain State. After RUTLAND COUNTY 275 completing his scliooling, he immediately un- dertook the business of lumbering, and has since followed it. This branch of industry is very profitable in the state of Vermont. Mr. Allen was born in Hubbardton, Vermont, June 12, 1855, and is a son of Riley V. and Mariette (Walker) Allen. Riley V. Allen was born in Sudbury, Vt., in 1829. He attended school until he attained the age of fifteen years, and proved to be an apt scholar. He was especially proficient in grannnar and mathematics, which qualifica- tions went far toward fitting him for the pro- fession of a teacher. He was a prominent and successful educator, and continued teaching for twenty-lhree years. He became very pop- ular, and in the course of time officiated as town superintendent of schools for more than twenty years. He was united in marriage with Mariette \\'alker, and reared four chil- dren : Harold, who tiled at the age of twenty- eight years ; Lafayette, the subject of this sketch : Thomas P. and Arthur W. Harold learned the engineers and undertakers' trade. Thomas P. assists his brother, Lafayette. La- fayette Allen's father was a prominent Repub- lican. He was a representative in the State Legislature, and filled other otTices at the hands of his partv. In a religious sense, he was a s])iritualist ; he died in 1889, aged sixty years. Li his youth, the subject hereof moved with the family to Chittenden, Vt., and there received his mental training. When a boy, he worked for different concerns. In 1884, he bousht the mill he now runs. It was at that time an old, English gate mill, l)ut he has impro\ed it in many ways, and added twenty- four one-inch turbines of eighteen horse power. He has this mill ecjuipped with an up- right saw, with bench saws and cave spout machine, a turning shop wnth bench saws, slab saws, etc. He manufactures stone boat planks, marble rollers, eave spouts and boxing. The output of his mill is about one hundred and fifty thousand feet per year, and gives employment to five men, in summer, and ten men, in winter. He has three hundred and fifty aci-es of very fine, hardwood timber land, and all the product of his mill is manufac- tured for the Vermont Marble Works. Lie uses princijxdiy birch, beech and maple. His ingenuity and enterprise have led him to expend large amounts of money in experi- ments. He has made a valuable automatic lathe for turning hard wood rollers. In the construction of this machine he has done his own mechanical work, even to making the tools. He has also demonstrated that a band saw cannot be used in the hard woods of this state. His building is stocked with labor sav- ing machinery and devices of his own inven- tion. In the bu,sy season he runs his mill night and day. He also uses a thirty-two-inch, inserted-tooth circular saw. All the belting, shafting, pulleys and intricate machinery are in the basement. Since he came into pos- session of the mill, he has rebuilt the lower portion, and added a blacksmith shop for his own work ; he also has a nice house and barn, near the mill. He uses three teams for haul- ing his logs. On his timber lands is a lot of 276 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES fine spruce, and plans to put in machinery for Ro1)ert Buffum came from Enj^Iand; lie died the use of this in the manufacture of chair in 1679. The next in line of descent was stretchers are now under consideration. He C'rdeh. born in 1650, tlien Benjamin, wlio was lias a nice farm of fifty acres wliicli lie cuUi- vates in adihtion to other work. Mr. Allen nianied EUcn Hill. Her ])arents were of ICnglish descent. They ha\e two chil- dren, a son and a dau!.^hter. l.. the : acter. His son, Caleb, was born at Smith daughter, is also a student. The subject of this sketch is a Republican in politics, and is at present chairman of the school board ; he has been overseer of the poor, justice of the peace, and juryman. He is a member of Killington Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 29, Rutland. \'cr- mont. M field, R. I., in 1759, and was, in turn, the father of Caleb Buffum. who was born in the old ['uflum House, now standing in Richmond, X. 11.. in the _\'ear 1781). Paris E. Buffum. the grandfather of Dr. Buffum. was Ijorn in Mt. Tabor, \'t.. in 1809. and is a son of Caleb and Hulda (Paris) Buf- fum. He received his mental training in the public schools of his native state. He learned the trade of a blacksmith and founder at East Dorset, \'ermont. where he had mo\-ed, and afterward established himself in business. He R. JOllX il.XROLD BUFFUM, \^ a from early youth, evinced a love for earning. His taste for literary work j was an extensive manufacturer, and employer increased with his age. and in class work at college he was easily a leader. He had a s])e- cial fondness for medicine and surgery, and entered upon his studies with a zeal and fer- vor which made him a brilliant scholar. Dr. Buffum is a son of John Easton and Helen (Sexton) Buffum, and a grandson of I'.aris E. and Ann R. (Soule) BulTum. The famil\- has been established in this of labor, for those days, .\fter he had con- ducted Ijusiness for some years, he sold out, and bought a doidile section farm. He was successful in his rural ])ursuits. and lived o!i the farm during the remainder of his life. He married and reared nine children. \ iz. : John Easton, father of the subject hereof; Cornelia: Jane; Helen; Charles; Louis: Florence: X''el- lic. and Henry. John Easton BulTum. was born in East country for more than three and a half cen- turies, dating back to the year 1630, when | Dorset, Vermont, in 1838. He received the RUTLAND COUNTY 277 rudiments of his education in tlie public schools of his native town, and subsequently attended the Burr & Burton Seminary. After leaving that institution, he taught school for several terms, and was then appointed exam- iner of schools. At the close of his official term as school examiner, he bought a farm and followed agricultural pursuits for some time ; he then decided to sell his farm and Iniy village property, which he accordingly did. Coming to his village home, he accepted a position as tool temperer, in the shops of D. L. Kent & Company. He was united in mar- riage with Helen Sexton, a daughter of Jo- seph Sexton. She was born in the same town as her husband, and was educated in the pub- lic schools, in which she was afterward a suc- cessful teacher, for six years. They have two children, John (the subject hereof), and Clara. John Easton Buffum was a Democrat, and served as selectman, justice of the peace, postmaster, and member of the assembly, from Dorset, — serving through the term of 1890. He was a popular man, and a hard worker for his party organization. In his re- ligious life, he was a worshiper in the Con- gregational church. Dr. Buffum acquired a rudimental educa- tion in the public schools of Bennington county, Vermont, and then attended a pre- paratory school at Manchester, graduating therefrom in 1892. He then entered the Uni- versity of \'ermont, taking a classical course by which he gained his Ph. B. degree, and afterward took up the study of medicine. He was a brilliant scholar, and graduated in the highest rank, with the degree of M. D. He was one of the honor men in the class of 1898. After graduating from the University of Ver- mont, he went to New York and took a post- graduate course, doing hospital duty, and fit- ting himself for general work, such as falls to the lilt of a ])Iiysician located in a small town. In 1898, he moved to W'allingford, and succeeded to the practice of Dr. W. K. Stewart, an old established physician of Jut- land county, \'ermont. Dr. Buffum is a general practitioner, and has been very successful in his profession. He is already making a name for himself, and building up a large and lucrative practice. His office is in a wing of the house occupied by himself and ])arents. Since he purchased this property, he has added many needed im- provements. The Doctor is independent in his political \iews, and a Congregationalist, in his religious Ijelief. He is a member of the Delta ]\Iu, a college fraternity. "ipylv JACQUES J. TRUDEL, the Itey .t;enial proprietor of 'The Peoples' '^"^""^ Drug Store," on the corner of Cen- tre and Wales streets, in Rutland, Vermont, is not only a highly competent pharmacist, but a prominent physician as well. He has one of the most attractive drug stores in Rut- land, and makes his own luedicines, of which lie has several choice and valuable specialties. Dr. Trudel's Cough Syrup, prepared at The Peoples' Drug Store, has a wide reputation 278 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES and its sale is extensive. This valual)le cough remedy is a sxrup made from a sjjecial for- nnila 1)V tiie late Dr. 1'".. II. Trudel, professor in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Montreal, and is one of tlie best preparations on the market. Dr. Trudel was horn in Nicolet, Province of Ouehec, Canada. Alarch _',v 'S^'j- ^^e took a classical course in the college of Nicolet, graduating therefrom at the age of seventeen years. He then took a three years' course in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Montreal, and also graduated from the L'ni- \ersity of N'ermont, at lUirlington. in iSS6, at which time he rccei\ed his degree of M. D. Dr. Trudel innnediately began the practice of his profession at Amesbury, Massachusetts, where he remained about ten years, removing therefrom to Rutland, in December, 1897, and establishing his ])resent lucrative practice. He kee]>s himself well ])o^te(l in his profession, and contemplates taking a six months' jour- ucv to Europe, in order to gain still further knowledge of his business. October 13. 1886, Dr. Trudel was joined in marriage with Mary Douise Laiuoureux, a highly cnltureil daughter of Jan\ier and So- phie (Male) Lamoureu.x, of Montreal. Her mother was a sister of one of Dakota's mis- sionaries. Mrs. Trudel is a lady of rare mu- sical talent and ability, and is a graduate from Mrs. Marchand's academv, in Montreal. Two sons bless the home of the subject hereof and his accomplished wife, namelv: Ducien, who is now eleven years of age; and j. J.. Jr.. who is nine rears old. Dr. Trudel is a son of Lud- ger and Eliza (Jennery) Trudel, a grandson of .\nseliu Iv Trudel. and a great-grandson of lionaparte Trudel. This faniil\- is parlicularl)- noted for longev- ity, many of its members having lived to be nearl\- one hunilred years old. Bonaparte Tru- tlel, the great-grandfather of Dr. Trudel, dietl in the winter of 1879, aged ninety-seven years, and nine and a half months. His son Anselm E., lived at Xicolet, where he died in 1897, aged about ninety-six years. The early an- cestors came from France in the days of their \<)utli. Senator Trutlel of Montreal, now de- ceased, was another distinguished luember of the famih'. He was a ])rominent lawyer and editor, and traced the genealogy of the fam- ily back to France. The first members came over during the French and Indian ^^'ar. Dr. Trudel remeiubers his great-great-grand- father, Gaspard, wlunn he saw when a child. He was the son of a cai)tain in the h^-encli army. Dudger Trudel, father of the Doctor, was also a nati\e of Xicolet. Earlv in life he was a mechanic and a blacksmith, by trade, but afterward became a lumber merchant. He wedded Eliza Jennery, rmcl they were blessed with nine children, — four sons, and five daughters ; one son and one daughter died in early childhood. Four of the family are still living, — y\7.. : Maria ; Jacc|ues J. ; J. E. O. : and .\rthur. Maria is the widow of H. C. McCaf- frav. residing in Xicolet, Canada, and basing three children living. Jacques J. is the subject of this biograph}-. J. L. O. is a prosperous and successful physician, in Chicago, Illinois, RUTLAND COUNTY 279 where lie graduated from a medical college, in 1893. He has a wife and one (laughter. Ar- thur is a student in the Albany (New York) College of Pharmacy. He was employed, for some time, as a clerk in the drug store of Dr. Trudel, in Rutland. Dr. Trudel's mother is still living. She is now Mrs. Joseph Raiche, of Derry, New Hampshire. In politics, the Doctor is an in- dependent voter ; he was appointed city phy- sician of Rutland, in May, 1898. Socially, the Doctor has many warm friends and appre- ciative patrons, and is a \alued member of the order of Knights of Pythias, and Uniform Rank ; also of St. Jean Baptiste Societies in Amesbury, Mass., and Rutland, Vermont, and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Independent Order of Foresters. IRAM A. SMITH, of West Rutland, \^ermont, was born at Randolph Cen- ter, Orange county, Vt., January 25, 1835. He was educated at what was then the Orange County Grammar school, and taught several years in that vicinity, coming to West Rutland in 1855, tg enter the employ of the marble firm of Sheldon, Morgan & Slason, later Sheldon & Sons, and the Sheldon Marble Company. He was soon advanced to be superintendent, and held this responsible position in that great industry, for thirty-six years. Mr. Smith always has been deeply interested in the growth of the town, and has contributed largely to it by opening new streets and building a large number of sul:)- stantial houses. He erected his fine residence, at the corner of Main street and Clarendon avenue, in 1879. Mr. Snfith is a member of the Congrega- tional church, which has received a large measure of his thought and care. He has been one of the deacons for many years, and for twentv-five years was superintendent of its Sunday school. He was largely instrumental in building the present church edifice. He is a Chapter Mason, having been initiated into Center Lodge of Rutland, of which he was afterward master for two years. He was one of the charter members of Hiram Lodge of \\'est Rutland, and its first master; he is now its chaplain. He has always been an earnest Republican in politics, and has held many of the town offices. He is a trustee of the Mar- ble Savings Bank, of Rutland. September 20, 1865. Mr. Smith married Ellen S. Manley, youngest child of Thomas and Sarah (Bond) Manley, of Chittenden, Vermont. Her father was prominent in his town and county, and was a mem1)er of the State Legislature eight terms. Three children ha\'e been born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Charles M. ; William C. ; and Linna G., who died when she was eight years old. Charles M. was born August 3, 1868. He was graduated from St. Johnsbury ( Vt.) Acad- emy, in 1887, and from Dartmouth College, in 1 89 1. He was editor-in-chief of two of the college publications, a member of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, of the Casque and Gauntlet senior society, and a Phi Beta Kappa man. 280 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES He took se\eral of the college prizes. The two veai's succeeding graduation he passed in Washington. D. C. as secretary to Senator Proctor. In the si)ring of 181)4 he was one of the organizers of the A. !•". I )a\is Feed Company, doing a wholesale grain and Hour liusiness throughout X'erniont and Massa- chusetts, with mill and storehouses at Rutland. He has since bought out the other original members of the concern, and his brother. Wil- liam C, has taken an interest in the business with him. In 1896. he purchased his present home, which includes a fertile farm on which he keeps a large stock. November i. 1893, Mr. Smith married Mary A. Stark of Wash- ington. D. C. ^Irs. Smith was the daughter of Hon. James Landon Stark and Laura (Hills) Stark. Her father was a prominent lawyer in IJennington county. \'ermont. representing the count\- in the State Senate. In the fall of 1859. he removed to Chicago, where he ])racticed law until his death in h'ebruary. 1873, aged fifty years. There Mrs. Smith was born. Mr. Stark left a widow, one son, and one daughter. The son. James L., Jr.. died in childhood. ^Ir. Stark was a man of rare abilitv and cultured tastes, and was highly successful in his profession. He was of the family of Gen. John Sfark, of Revo- lutionary fame. Mrs. Stark was a daughter of Cyrus B. Hills, for man}- years the most prominent merchant of Arlington, \'ermont. She died in West Rutland, in June, 1895, and with Mr. Stark, is buried at Bennington Cen- ter. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children, Dorothy, born February 7, 1895 ; Charlotte Hodges, bom July 9. 1896. and Manley Stark, born July 9, 1899. William C. Smith was born June 25, 1872. He attended the Vermont Academy at Sax- ton's River, and also St. Johnsbury Academy, graduating from the latter institution in 1892. He is n(jw engaged in business, as stated above. Hiram A. Smith is a son of Serene and Hannah (Smith) Smith, a grandson of Nor- man and Susannah ( Worden) Smith, and a great-grandson of Timothy Smith. Norman Smith was born in Hanover, N. H., July 18, 1776. to which i)lace Timothv moved from Connecticut, — settling later in Brookfield, Vt.. where he was a farmer for many years, and where he died, in 1824, aged ninety years. He was friendly with the founders of Dart- mouth College who, also, came from Connec- ticut to Hanover, and he took a li\-ely inter- est in that institution. Seven children were born to Norman Smith. One son, Hiram, for whom the subject hereofiis named, died young. The others were: Sereno, Hiram .\.'s father; F.lvira; Alonzo; Lorenzo; Lavinia, and Warren II. Elvira married Hem-y Leslie, and reared a large family. She died at the age of eighty. Alonzo was a prominent physician and busi- ness man of Randolph, \'ermont. He oper- ated the woolen mills of Gaysville and North- field. He died at the age of sixty years, leav- ing five daughters and two sons. Lorenzo was a farmer, and went to California, in 1849. He served in the Civil War. He died in Brookfield, Vt,, leaving two daughters and EDSON P. GILSON RUTLAND COUNTY 283 one son. Lavinia married William Lease, and died in middle life, childless. Warren H. was for many years a prominent and successful at- torney in Rutland, dying there at the age of seventy-five years, and lea\'ing' a widow, son and daughter. Sereno Smith, father of Hiram A., was born in Brooktield, Vt., December 3, 1803. He was a farmer in Randolph, and afterward in \\'ash- ington, Vermont. In 1823, he married Han- nah Smith who was, however, of an entirely different family. She died in 1862, at the age of sixty-three years. He died at the age of seventy-seven, and both are buried at Ran dolph Center. They were the parents of seven children. One, Adelaide, died in infancy. Lucy died when eighteen years old. Sophia married W. S. Buck, and left one son, who lives in Randolph. Susan married William W^ood, of Randolph. She dietl some years ago, leaving' one son, Charles E. Wood, of Boston. Marcis P. is the wife of L. B. Smith, of Castleton. Hiram A., the subject of this sketch, and Dan B., were the only sons. The latter has lived in New York City many years, and is a banker, and member of the Produce Exchange. CDSON P. GILSON, one of the pro- gressive business men and citizens of Rutland, Vermont, whose portrait is presented on the opposite page, was for many years engaged in marble producing, but at the present time is president of the Killington Na- tional Bank of Rutland, besides being promi- uentl}- identified with other business enter- prises. He is a son of John and Lucy (Stearns) Gilson, and was born in Reading, Vermont, October 5, 1839. He is descended from John and Sarah Gilson, who were the first to estaljlish the familv in this country. John Gilson, Jr., the great-grandfather of Edson P., was born in Groton, Massachusetts, ;\Iay 12, 1726. On January 19, 1764, he mar- ried Prudence Lawrence, of Groton, who was in the fiftli generation of descent from John Lawrence, of Watertown, Massachusetts. John Gilson. the father of our subject, was l.iorn in Rindge, New Hampshire, July i, 1798, and was a youth when he removed with his father to Reading, Windsor county, Ver- mont. His father, Abel Gilson, was a sturdy old pioneer of that district. John Gilson mar- ried Lucy Stearns March 31, 1831, and among their children was Edson P., of whom we write. Edson P. Gilson, after attending the public schools for some time, took a course of study in Woodstock Listitute and later was a stud- ent at Chester Academy. He was engaged in teaching school for five years. Li 1862 he secured the position of bookkeeper in the Bank of Rutland, and subsequently accepted the position of cashier of the First National Bank of Springfield, Vermont, serving in that capacity from 1864 to 1866. In June, 1865, in company with Charles Clement and Far- rand Parker, he purchased a large marble- quarry property at West Rutland, continuing 2S4 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES in tlic marhle I)usiness for more than twenty years. At that time lie also took up his resi- dence in Rutland, where he has since con- tinued to live. Upon the organization of the Killintjton National Bank of Rutland, ^Ir. Gilson was chosen \-ice-president and served in th;it cajjacity until he was made president, an olilcc he still fills. He was a trustee of the graded schools of Rutland for many years, evincing an earnest interest in all that per- tained to educational advancement. Relig- iously, he is a member of the Episcopal church, and has been a \estr\'mau for more than twenty years. He has been trustee of the X'ermont State Insane Asylum, member and treasurer of the board of trustees of the Diocese of Vermont ; and trustee and treas- urer of the Rutland Hospital. Politically, Mr. Gilson has been a Repul)licau since the incep- tion of the party. Mr. (iilson was united in marriage in Ttuie, 1865, to Anna F.. Clement, of Rutland. After her death, he formed a second marriage, Feb- ruary I, 1877, with Harriet E. Morgan, of Xew York City, and they are the parents of two children, namely: Robert Morgan, born January 20, 1878; and John Lawrence, who was born October 26, 1881. Robert Morgan Gilson, who is now a first lieutenant in the U. S. Marine Corps, served as second lieuten- ant in the ^Marine Corps during the Spanish- American War; he received his commission as first lieutenant in April, 1899, and is now in the Philippine Islands, being stationed at Cavite. J-- — ' RASTUS HIBBARD PHELPS, a P manufacturer, of Fair Haven, \'er- mont. is a well known citizen of that place. He was born in Ticonderoga, New York, January 16, 1839, and is a son of Eras- tus and Margaret (Hibbard) I'helps, and a grandson of Elnathan and Phoebe (Tuttle) Phelps. Elnathan Phelps was a native of Orwell, \'ermont, where he followed farming. His marriage with Phoebe Tuttle resulted in the birth of ten children, who grew to maturity. Seven were sons, and three, daughters. Eras- tus Phelps, father of the subject hereof, was born in Orwell. \'t.. in 1804. and died at the age of seventy-six years. He, too, was a farmer. He was joined in wedlock with Mar- garet Hibbard, a daughter of John and Abi- gail (Merriman) Hibbard. respected citizens of Orwell. Margaret came of a family noted for its extreme longevity. She had one brother who lived to be ninety-six years of age, and another was ninety-four years old. She was born, November 23. 1804. and lived ninety-one years, five months, and thirteen days. She died May 6, 1896. -The parents of Erastus Hibbard Phelps were married March 15, 1827. in Orwell, Vermont, and celebrated their golden wedding, in 1877. ^^ was the occasion of the reunion of many rela- ti\es and friends, and was a most joyful gath- ering. The suliject hereof read an appropri- ate poem of his own composition. Erastus Hibbard Phelps took a preparatory course in the Troy Conference Academy, and graduated from Middlebury College, in 1861, RUTLAND COUNTY 285 after which he taught, for several terms. He served in tlie war, as paymaster's clerk, for about three years, in the quartermaster's de- partment, first in the South, and then on the plains. In April, 1867, he left Denver, Colorado and went to Fair Ha\'en, Vt., where he ac- cepted a position as bookkeeper for Adams & Allen, marble dealers, remaining with them for two or three years. He then attended a law school, in Albany, from which he grad- uated, and immediately thereafter began the practice of his profession, in Fair Haven, with his cousin, J. B. Phelps. From 1872 to 1891, he was cashier of the First National Bank of Fair Haven. About the year 1891, he went to Minnesota to look after his milling inter- ests, remaining in that state and in Iowa, until 1893. He then returned to his home in Fair Haven, at Number 14, Washington street, where he settled, before his marriage. His father and mother were living with him at that time. In 1896, "The Vermont Clock Company" was incorporated, and Mr. Phelps was appointed its secretary and treasurer. On October 19, 1875, Mn. Phelps was united in matrimony with Mary E. Miller, of Millersburg, Minn. She was born in Hamp- ton, N. Y., and is a daughter of Robbins and Mary E. (Barber) Miller, — both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Phelps' grandfather Miller was the founder of the Second Advent Faith, (if which he was a strong advocate. He was a fine lecturer, and also served as captain in the\\'ar of 1812. Airs. Phelps has one brother, William R. Miller, in Minneapolis, Minn., who was associated with Mr. Phelps in the milling lousiness. The subject of this sketch is a master Ma- son. In past years lie has been a Republican, in politics, and was in the legislature, in 1896, and a member of the last constitutional con- \-ention, held in 1870. He was the pul)lisher and editor of the "Fair Haven Journal," for tAvo )'ears, — from 1869 to 1871. He has been a member of the board of trustees of Middle- bury College, for several years. In religious association, he is a member and deacon of the Congregational church. ]\Ir. Phelps spends his summers on his farm, about two miles from his present residence. It is in New York State and contains one hundred and forty acres, being the farm formerly owned by Mrs. Phelps" grandfather, \\'illiam Miller. Mr. and ]\Irs. Phelps have two sons: Paul Harold, who is twenty-one years old, stands six feet two inches high, and is at present a salesman in New York City; and Philip Max Miller, who is a bright youth of thirteen years. Prior to her marriage, Mrs. Phelps taught in Carlton College, Northfield, Minn., and also in .Sydney, Ohio. RS. :\IARCIA ANN REED, of Fair Haven, \'ermont, is the widow oi the late Corril Reed, who died at Fair Haven, where he located fifty years ago. Corril Reed was born in ]\Ioriah, N. Y., December 14, 1823, and was a son of Levi and Martha (Ranney) Reed, — beginning life 286 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES as a farmer. At a later period he served five years as clerk in a dry goods store at Moriah, X. Y.. and then moved to Fair Haven, \'er- mont, where, on .\|)ril 19, 1849, he hegan his mercantile career by opening a small general store, lie snl)se(|uenlly dealt e\clu^i\elv in llour. and was the only Hour merchant in that town, suijplying both the wholesale and retail trades. Later in life, he devoted his time and attention to coal and lumber. He was a Repub- lican, politically, and was a man of much prom- inence. He served as town clerk lin all) thir- teen years: and represented the town of Fair Ifaven in the State Legislature for three terms. He also served as selectman, justice of the peace, etc. He was in Alontpelier in 1864, when St. Albans was raided bv the Confeder- whoni the subject hereof is the eldest living. The mother of these children died when she was only twenty-eight years old, and Marcia was seven years of age. The father formed a second union, wedding Harriet Ann Hub- liru-d. who bore him thirteen children, and is still li\ing. She resides upon the old farm in Deerfield, Mass., where Benjamin Frank- lin Reed died, September 21st, 1891, aged ninety-four years and five months. He re- tained his faculties of both body and mind most remarkably, until his last illness. His widow is now eighty-six years old, and is still a bright old lady, much beloved by all. Of the nineteen children born to Benjamin F. Bridges, eleven were sons, and eight, daugh- ters. Four died young and fifteen grew up. ates from Canada. He was a lifelong mem- Eunice Elizabeth died at the age of fourteen, ber of the Congregational church, and served ' and one son, Hul)bard Clapp. dieil when twen- as deacon. He was also an active temper- ance worker, and served several vears as Sun- day school superintendent. Corril Reed died November 6, 189J, leav- ing his widow with one son. Rolland C On June 13, 1848, he was united in marriage with the subject (if this sketch, who was then Marcia .\nn Bridges. At the time that Airs, i-ieed was married ( w hich was nearly fifty-two years ago), in her father's family there were eleven children, six sons, and five daughters. Those eleven children are living at the pres- ent time. Airs. I\eed is a daughter of Ben- jamin Franklin and Eunice (Clapp) Bridges, her mother being a native of Deerfield, Alass., and her father, of Hardwick, in the same state. They were the parents of six children, of ty-three years old. The other thirteen are living. Mrs. Reed has two brothers, and one sister. One brother, Benjamin Franklin Bridges, Jr., was a general of the Massachu- setts state militia, and has been warden of the Charlestow n ( Mass.) State Prison, for the last six years. Mrs. Reed has one son, Rolland C, and an adopted daughter, Emma L., wlm married PL W. Hubbard, of Greenfield, Alass., and they now reside at Siloam Springs, Arkansas. They have three sons. Rolland C. Reed left school in 1874, antl, for fi\e years, was engagetl in the printing business. In the winter c^f 1877, he "took a course in a business college at I^ochester. X. Y., and then 1)ecame associated in mercantile pursuits with his-father, which line he has fol- RUTLAND COUNTY 287 lowed ever since. This lousiness was estab- lished, some twenty-four years ago, l.)y his father, Corril Reed, who purchased the con- cern of William C. Kittredge. At a later pe- riod, Rolland C. was taken in as a partner, and the firm name was changed to Corril Reed & Son. Upon the death of the senior member of the firm, the style was altered to that of Rolland C. Reed, and the business was carried on by him alone. In January, 1899, the Reed Coal Company was formed, of which Mr. Reed is treasurer and business manager. This company deals in coal, lumber, cement, etc., at Fair Haven. The business formerly car- ried on Ij)' his father was located in the O. A. Peck brick block, which was burned down in the spring of 1899. Upon the same loca- tion, Corril Reed had built a flour, grain, and feed store, thirty-three years before. On June 6, 1881, Rolland C. Reed was joined in marriage with Mary A. McCaw, of Norwich, N. Y., a daughter of Deacon James McCaw. now a retired citizen of Norwich. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have three children: An- nie Franklin ; James Corril ; and Rolland Les- lie. Annie is a young lady of seventeen, and attends the Fair liaven graded schools, being a member of the class of 1900. James Corril is fourteen years of age, and is also attending school. Rolland Leslie is a bright boy of eleven years. Rolland C. Reed is, politically, a stanch Rej)ublican, and has served ten years on the countv conunittee, but has declined at all times to run for office. He is a member of the Congregational church and Sunday school, and has been secretarv and treasurer of the latter, for fourteen years. He and his family reside at Number 59, Prospect street, at the old house where his parents settled more than twenty-five years ago. Mr. Reed believes in home industry. He is one of the founders of the Clock Works, of which he is a director and a prominent stock- holder. He was, for several years, a director and treasurer of the Western A'ermont Agri- cultural Society, but resigned in 1898. For six years Mr. Reed has been a director and treasurer of the cemetery association, of which his father was also a director. He has a powder horn carried by his great-great- grandfather. Colonel Isaac Bridges, during the French and Indian \\'ar. It was used in the battles of Ticonderoga, and Crown Point. He also has in his cabinet of relics, a lath taken from the house of John Daniel Reed, a grand- son of John Reed, who was an officer under Cromwell, and who subsequently settled in Norvvalk, Connecticut. This house was built early in the year 1700, and is in a state of good preservation at the present time. Rolland C. Reed is in the eighth generation of the direct line of descent from John Reed. B R. HIRAM LEVI MANCHES- TER, an able physician and sur- geon, of Pawlet, Rutland county, \^ermont, has. successfully pursued his chosen a\-ocation, for the past twent\- years. During that time his practice has increased from a small office patronage at first, to an extensive 288 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES business in tlie locality in which he resides. He numbers anion^' his patrons not onlv many of the best citizens of I'awlet, but is frequently called on to attend patients in neighboring towns and counties. He de- votes his whole attention to general practice, having had valuable experience in that branch of his profession. Dr. Manchester is a native of Hampton, New York, where his birth occurred Decem- ber 28, 1855. He had a good common school- ing, up to his sixteenth year. This was suj)- plemented l)y one year at Castleton Seminarv, and one year at the University of Vermont, in Burlington. Young Manchester then decided to fit himself for the noble profession to which his life is devoted. In order to prepare him- self in a lltting manner, he attended the Uni- \'ersity of New York, graduating from the medical department of that institution, in 1879. In June of the same year, Dr. Manchester launched forth as a physician and surgeon at Pawlet, \'ermont. which is still his home. On July 8, 1879, he was joined in marriage with Flora A. Bartliolomew, an attractive young lady, of \\'hitehall, New York. Mrs. Manchester is a daughter of Harry and Annis (Benjamin) Bartholomew. Her mother died in 1865, leaving three daughters, besides Mrs. Manchester. The youngest of these was but eight years old. The father of these children is still living. He is now nearing his eight- ieth milestone. I )r. and Mrs, Manchester ha\e two chil- dren, Paul K. and Hazel A. The former is a student in the Granville High School. He is a bright, promising lad. The latter is a charm- ing child of seven years. She is handsome, bright and winning. Dr. Manchester is a son of Le\i W. and i^\elyn (Shaw) Manchester, and a grandson of W elcome and I-ydia (West) Manchester. \\'elcome Manchester was a native of Con- necticut, where he was born about the year 1798. He dieil in Whitehall. New York, in 1858. His marriage with l.ydia West resulted in the birth of nine or ten children. These chil- dren all grew to manhood and womanhood. All married and had families, except two of the daughters. One son and one daughter are still living, namely: Alfred, a prosperous farmer, in Minnesota, now eighty-four years old : and Harriet, w ho still resides at Hamp- ton, New York. Levi A\'. Manchester was born in White- hall, New York. October 24, 1827. In 1847, he was joined in marriage with Evelyn Shaw\ an accomplished daughter of Hiram Shaw, of Hampton, New "N'ork. The young folk fol- lowed farming, and were blessed with a fam- ily of fi\e children. \iz. : Hiram Levi, the subject of this sketch; L\dia ; tjeorge T. ; Owen L. : and Florance E. Lydia is the wife of Williams H. Billings, a farmer in West Ha\en, \'ermont. George T. resides in W'il- liamsville. \'erniont. lie has ;i wife, one daughter and two sons. Owen L. is a resident of F.air Haven. \'er- mont. lie has a good jiosition in the wire works of that ])lace. I'dor.ance F. is leading an ad\enturous life. He is now located in RUTLAND COUNTY 289 Dawson Cit)-, in the Klondike region, where lie is well, and hopeful of success. Dr. ]\Ian- chester's father passed to his final rest, March II, 1898. He is still survived by his widow, who is now seventy-four years old. She is still active in both mind and body, and is a well preserved lady, for her years. Although Dr. Manchester's professional life has been a busv one, lie has found time for other pursuits. He is a Mason of high degree, being a member of the commandery. In poli- tics, he is a Republican, but allows no ambi- tion for office to interfere with the obligations of his practice. He has, however, been fav- ored with the confidence of his chosen party, and served in the lower house of the leg- islature, in 1894, and in the senate, in 1896. He is an active member of the First Congre- gational church, of which he is clerk and treasurer. When exhausted by his arduous duties, the Doctor makes a journey to recu- perate his strength. He has traveled in the West and South, and \-isited the \Vorld's Fair, in Chicago. TIS FREDERICK SMITH, a worthy citizen of Brandon, Rutland county, \'ermont, has filled various positions in life. He has been in turn a printer's devil, a compositor, and a farmer ; for the last ten years, he has turned his attention to collect- ing bills and accounts, and has done a large amount of legal work. Mr. Smith is a son of Otis and Abilena (Stearns) Smith, and a grandson of Asahel Smith, of Lanesboro, Massachusetts. His maternal grandfather was Ebenezer Stearns, also of Lanesboro, who married Anne Hyde, of Norwich, Connecticut. Otis Smith, father of Otis Frederick, was born in Lanesboro, Massachusetts, about the year 1784. His death occurred at the same place, in 1829, from lung fever. His mar- riage with Abihena Stearns resulted in the birth of seven children, namely : Claudius R. Maria Louisa; John Adams; Myron Stearns Frances ; Lorenzo Dow ; and Otis Frederick the suliject of this biography, who was born after his father's death. Claudius R. was born in June, 18 18. He went into the Civil War as chaplain of the Sec- ond Reg., Vermont Vol. Infantry. Since the war, he has been in the United States Govern- ment's employ in the treasury department. He was also detailed to look after and supervise the government schools. He was a successful teacher before the war, and was a graduate of Middlebury College, in the class of 1845. He now resides in Anacostia, D. C, and although eighty-two years old, he is still on duty in the U. S. treasury department. He has not been absent on account of sickness, in ten years. Maria Louisa married Virgil M. Thomp- son, of Hudson, Ohio. She died in 1838. John Adams was born about the year 1822. He went west to Clay county, Kansas. He lo- cated at Fancy Creek, Kansas, and died about the year 1884. Myron Stearns went to Cali- fornia, during the gold fever, in 1849, and, two years later, embarked for the Sandwich 290 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Islands. He died on board a vessel, and was buried at sea. Frances married Hiram Baker, of Franklin county. New York. She died in Holyoke, Massachusetts, in 1894, or 1895. Two daughters and one sun still survive her, residents of the same pkice. Lorenzo Dow died in early youth. After the death of her first husi)and, Otis Frederick's mother married Jeremiah Rock- well, of Cornwall, \'ermont. Air. Rockwell was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He participated in the battles of Bunker Hill, Sar- atoga, etc. Two children blessed this second union, one son, Cyrus S., and one daughter, Victoria Elizabeth. Cyrus S. Rockwell was born in Stam- bridge. Province of Quebec, al)out the year 1838. He was a soldier in the ranks of the Union army during the Civil War. He served in the .?n(l Vi. Infantry under McClellan, and was in the battles of the first Bull Run, the Wilderness, and Antietam. He is a pensioner of the government, and resides at East Dick- inson, Franklin county, New York. Victoria Elizabeth Rockwell was born in 1840, in Stambridge, Province of Quebec, Canada, as was, also, her brother. She married ^^'illiam H. Blanchard, and enjoys the distinction of being the youngest member of the Daughters of the .American Revolution, in the United States. The mother of Otis Frederick died in West Bangor, N. Y., aged sixty-seven years. She is buried beside her second husband, at that place. Otis Frederick Smith was born in Lanes- boro, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, July 30, 1829. He began his career at fifteen years of age, as printer's devil, inking the type on the "Vermont Observer," in Middlebury, Vt., arid, subse(|ucnllv. did similar work in East Poultney, \'t., after the "X'ermont (Jbscrver" office bad removed there. He worked in the same office where Horace Greeley learned his trade. Mr. Smith finished learning his trade, in 1846. During the Dorr Rebellion, he went to Prosidence, Rhode Island. In less than a vear the pajier upon which he was at work was discontinued. It was the state paper of the Dorrite party, which subsided, but the em- ployees were all ])aid. The subject hereof was a compositor imtil he was twenty-two years old. He was later engaged in book work, in Buffalo, New York, in the "Buffalo Commer- cial Ad\-ertiser" office. He spent some time in the \Vest, and was in Ohio for a brief period, but finally returned to Brandon, Franklin county. New York. He then conducted a small farm for his mother and step-father for a few years. February 2, 185 1, Mr. Smith was joined in marriage with Lucinda Baker, a daughter of Jason Baker, and a cousin of Mary (Baker) Eddy, who was the founder of Christian Science. l'"i\e children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, namely: Jason Baker; Mary D. ; Tluu'za Frances: Ruby Lucinda: and Fred- erick Otis. Jason Baker Smith was born June 28, 1853. He is an engineer and ma- chinist, in Brandon, A'ermont. He has been twice married and has two children, one by each marriage. Mary D. Smith married Jul- ius McArthur, and resides at the home of the RUTLAND COUNTY 293 subject hereof, at Brandon, Vermont. She has one daughter, Rub_v, aged eleven years. Thurza Frances Smith married Arthur June, and also resides with her father. She has one son, Carroll, and one daughter, Carrie. The latter is now a young lady. Ruby Lucinda Smith married Charles E. Watts. She died in Rutland, X'ermont, in 1896. Frederick Otis Smith is employed on a street railway in San Francisco, California. He has a wife and one son, Herbert Frederick, a boy of five years. Mr. Smith is a Republican, and was eight years in Uncle Sam's ser\ice, as mail agent between Ogdensburg, New York and St. Albans, \'ermont. He went to Brandon, in 1869, and for eight years, was agent for the Brandon Kaolin Paint Company. A part of this time he spent on the road, as the com- pany enjoyed a large wholesale business. He then turned his attention as a notary puldic to collecting bills and accounts, and for the past ten years has done much legal business in that line, in Rutland county. He affiliates with the Masonic fraternity from the blue lodge to Knights Templar. Religiously, Mr. Smith is a liberal Baptist, and of late, has worshiped with the Congregationalists in Brandon, \'ermont. Mr. Smith in starting out on his career, left his home at Stambridge, Canada, with all his possessions in a small satchel. He was a little more than two days in reaching Middlebury, Vermont, one hundred miles from home, on foot. There he began to learn the printer's trade. His long pilgrimage has been full of vicissitudes of fortune. He met with a serious injury to his right arm, and the maimed mem- ber is almost useless. His life work has been one of indefatigable effort, crowned at last with pronounced success. ARSHALL TARBELL, manufac- turer of hay rakes, hoe and fork handles, jiggered chair stock and lumber, in the town of Mount Holly, Vt., has the satisfaction of knowing that he has con- trolled more business than any other man in the town and has furnished employment to more men. He was born in 1829, in the town of Mount Holly, Rutland county, Vermont, very close to the site of his present residence. His education was obtained in the public school ; although he did not succeed in get- ting a good education, reading, writing, and arithmetic being his only studies, he has been ambitious and persevering in the various pur- suits in which he has been engaged. After leaving school he worked for his father until he became of age, working in the mill, on the farm, and also in the starch factory, one sea- son for $10.00 per month, boarding himself. In order to make extra money he followed trapping and selling skins during leisure mo- ments. On arriving- at his majority, he en- gaged in business with his father, and was as- sociated with the elder Mr. Tarbell until that gentleman's death. Mr. Tarbell's brother was also a partner in this business, but on the death of his father and brother, our subject took charge of the mill, adding to it and 294 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES improving it in every possible manner. He sells large quantities of pulp wood yearlv. In the early days, he bought the starch factory and remodeled it for manufacturing rakes and handles, operating the same several years when it burned, causing a total loss. ]Mr. Tar- bell has met with many reverses, but with in- domital)le pluck he has surmounted all ob- stacles and won measured success. Twice has Mr. Tarbell's plant been burned down, and neither time would he accept as- sistance, being too proud and self-reliant to receive the profifered aid. His circular mill shop, which is run by water power, is operated by two turbines of 50 horse power, and is ecjuipped with the best machinery for the manufacture of rakes, handles for hoes and forks, jiggered chair stock, and lumber, having an annual output of 500,000 feet. It was started seventy-five years ago, and has been in our subject's family for over seventy- five years. The mill is regarded as one of the steadiest industries of the town. It has furnished employment for from ten to forty men for the past fifty years. For conven- ience, the mill is connected with the turning shops, and is equipped to turn out all kinds of first-class work. Mr. Tarbell buys timber in large quanti- ties. He also owns large tracts of timber land, and has already cleared 1,000 acres of all kinds of timber, such as spruce, hemlock, and several varieties of hardwood. The village of Tarbclbille is supported by his different undertakings, aufl he has done all of the building. Among the numerous monuments to his energy and Enterprise stand the mill and shops, a store, blacksmith shop, ice house, wagon and tool shop, eight tenements, num- erous 1)arns, a hall, store liouse, cheese fac- tory, two carriage houses, and his own beau- tiful residence and grounds. All of the build- ings are of a solid type, pretty design, and well cared for. The village of Tarbellville is one of the prettiest in the county. In fact, every- thing has been done in the thorough manner so characteristic of the man whose name it bears. The cheese factory is of a very modern type and annually turns out 110,000 pounds of the finest full-cream cheese. To this branch of the business our subject gives his personal at- tention, attending to the selling and market- ing of the product. He sells mostly in Connec- ticut, Massachusetts and Ohio markets, where his cheese is justly famous. On his large farm are employed a r umber of men who look after his agricultural interests. In his rake business he uses 100,000 feet of white ash. He has a large export trade, and his goods have always been far above the market price, owing to their superior quality. Although he never employs a salesman, his products are always sold without trouble. Unfortu- nately, in recent years, Mr. Tarbell has not en- joyed good health, and although he really is not tit to attend to his business, he man- fully sticks to his post and works when a less courageous man would take to his bed. He subsists almost entirely on fruits and vege- tables. Mr. Tarbell married Finette E. Chapman. RUTLAND COUNTY 295 They had one cliild, Amy L., an accomphshed young lady. She died, in 1883, aged twenty- nine years, and was mourned by all who knew her. Mr. Tarbell has always been a public spirited man, but has not been active in pol- itics. He is a Republican but would never accept office. As a trul)- representative, enter- prising citizen of Rutland countw the pub- lishers of this volume take pleasure in pre- senting Mr. Tarbell's portrait on a foregoing page. ATTAIN LEMUEL W. PAGE, who j l)ears a most honorable record for serv- ' ice in the Union army during the ci\il war, began life's battle at a very imma- ture age, and his career up to the time of his retirement was marked bv the greatest indus- try and success. He is now an esteemed citi- zen of Brandon, Rutland county, Vermont, and enjoys life at an age of almost eighty years. He was born in Burlington, Vermont, April 30, 1 82 1, and is a son of Lemuel and Clarissa (Whitney) Page. Mr. Page's ancestry is traceable back to the year 1256, and is of English stock. Of his ancestors, four brothers came to America from their native country, and settled in as many different states, namely : New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Virginia. Lem- uel Page, the father of Lemuel \\'., was born in Rindge, N. H., in 1781, and died in 1826, at the age of forty-five years. He was a sol- dier in the War of 1812, and participated in the battle of Plattsburg. He was united in marriage with Clarissa Whitney, a daughter of Dr. Isaiah Whitney, she, too, being a native of Rindge, New Hampshire. Of their issue two still are living, namely : Harriet, the widow of Leonard John Mott, who is now eighty-two years old; and Lemuel W'., the subject of this sketch. After the demise of her husband, Mrs. Page married Joseph Jones, a widower with three children, in Burlington, Vt., and they removed to his large farm in New Hampshire. Of the children born to them, Mrs. Clarissa Hulburt is now living, making her home in Cambridge, Massachu- setts. Lemuel W.'s mother died in 1843, aged sixty years, and lies buried in the cemetery at Lyndeboro, New Hampshire. Lemuel W. Page was but seven years of age when his mother formed a second matrimonial alliance, and wjien they remcn-ed to the farm at Lyndeboro, N. H., he worked thereon until he was fifteen years of age. He then went into a store in Nashua, N. H., and from there went to Peterboro, New Hampshire. At the age of twenty-one he went into business for him- self in Wilton, N. H., and remained there one year. He then sold out and went to Burling- ton, \t., where he continued in business until the war broke out. He then sold out and went into the army. Notwithstanding his active life, his health is unimpaired, except for defective hearing, and he still manifests an intelligent interest in all that transpires in the world at large. He is a pleasant conversa- tionalist, and especially is he interesting when he relates the incidents and experiences which marked his service in the Union army. He 296 BOOK Op- BIOGRAPHIES was a man who entered the military service versity, and at the College of Physicians and from motives of pure patriotism. j Surgeons, Xcw York City, graduating from Although he was a disciplinarian, he never [ the former in June. 1866. His first practice forgot the hovs under his connnand, and he looked to their interests constantly, notwith- standing the fact that this, at times, brought him into conflict with the surgeons, or with otiticers of higher rank. ]\lany a ])oor soldier would have died for lack of proper treatment had he not interfered, lie entered the serv- ice from Burlington, \'t., in 1862, and was mustered out as captain of Company C, 12th Reg., Vermont Vol. Infantry. He recei\-ed one hundred votes for the captaincy of the company from as fine and true a body of men as ever wore a uniform, anil tliey became his des'oted followers. ( )ut of lo\e for his men, he turned aside from all ])romoti<)ns, and loy- alty to the boys was a sacred obligation with him. Captain Page was twent\-one vears of age. when in Peterboro, N. H.. he was united in marriage with Susan Saunders, of that i)lace. ancl she l)ore him two children. Frank W. and Clara. Frank W. was born in I'last Wilton, N. H., August 24, 1843, and received his pri- mary education in tine private schools of Bur- lington, antl at the Union high schools or Bur- lington Academy. He entered the University of X'ermont in i860. He graduated therefrom in 1864, receiving the degree of .\. B.. and that of A. M. in 1869. He began the study of medicine during his junior year in college, and after graduation continued it in the office of Dr. Samuel White Thayer. He attended lec- tures in the medical v ^ ^ 4 "«• BENJAMIN FRANKLIN UUNKLEE. RUTLAND COUNTY 303 went abroad for his health. Father Coffey re- mained in charge of that parish for one year and seven months. Upon tlie return of Fath- er Dronin, the subject hereof spent five months abroad, visitino" nian\' points of inter- est in Ireland, Switzerland, England, France, and Italy. He returned from his interesting journey about Christmas, 1890, and spent the following year in Rutland, where he was again associated with Father Gaffney. Father Coffey was then made pastor of St. Anthony's church at \\'hite Ri\-er Junction, Vt., where he remained two years and four months. May 5, 1894, he was transferred to the more important charge in Brandon, as pastor of St. IMary's church, which station he still fills in a highly creditable manner. The first Catholic church in Brandon was a wood- en edifice erected in 1840, and the society was supplied with ministrations from Burlington. The first resident priest was Father Halpin, who took charge in 1859, and was pastor for a few years. He was succeeded by Father Casey, who remained in charge for eight years. The next priest was Father McLaugh- lin, who filled that pastorate for seventeen consecutive years. He was succeeded by Father Clark, who remained four years, and was, in turn, followed by Father Prevost, for an incumbency of two years. The last named was succeeded by the subject of this sketch. Their fine, large brick church in Brandon was erected under the supervision of Father Clark. The corner stone was laid September 16, 1888, and the edifice was completed in less then two years. The priest's residence, al- though plain, is a most commodious and well built structure of brick, and was constructed about the year 1871, under the direction of Father Casey. Father Coffey is still a young man. With his robust health and fine phvs- i(|ue, combined with superior mental endow- ments and exceptional social qualities, he has every prospect of a long and useful career. He is a clergyman who believes in progress, and keeps fully abreast of the times. He is a man of great personal magnetism; through his attraction, mere acquaintances soon be- come close friends, and even strangers are drawn toward him. Not least among his win- ning qualities are his social characteristics and musical talents. Father Coffey is (|uite pleasantly situated in Brandon, where his efforts in behalf of the church are fully appreciated. ^ENJAMIN FRANKLIN DUNK- ''»r\ LEE, a retired ice dealer and farmer, residing on his farm just within the corporation of the city of Rutland, Vermont, is a highly respected and progressive citizen of that place, and, although he has long since passed the seventy-sixth mile stone, is hale and hearty, and has reason to believe he will live many years yet, for he comes of a family noted for extreme longevity. Mr. Dunklee was born in Rutland, August 9, 1823, when Rutland was only a village. He is a son of Thaddeus Dunklee, who was born in Amherst, New Hampshire, in 1794, and died August i, 1859, and a grandson of Thad- 304 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES deus Dunklee, who, in early life, was a pros- ])frous tanner in the state of Xew Kami^shire, renioN'ing- later to Rutland. W-nnont. One of his sons, Ahel Dunklee, was horn in Am- herst. Xew Hampshire, in 1783, and died near the home of our snliject, at the very advanced age of ninety years; his wife died, in 1863, aged eighty-four years. Her maiden name was Ruth Wright, and she and her husliand lived on a farm in Xew Hampshire for many years, removing later to Xelson, X'ew Hamp- shire, where her death occurred. This worthy couple reared nine children, two sons and seven daughters, of whom four daughters and one son are still living, as follows: Lucia, I'.lmira. Louise, John ^\'right and Jane. Lucia, who was horn August 31, 1S08, is now in her ninety-first year. She is a most active, well-preser\ed lady for one of lier age, and is spending the sunset of life in the Old Ladies' Home. l^lnn'ra ( lUickman) is a widow lady, aged eighty \ears, residing in Pittsford, Rutland county. Louise is the wife of Ldward M. I'ennock, of Rutland. John Wright, a retired shoemaker, is now in his eighty-third }ear. and has lieen twice mar- ried. Jane followed the profession of teaching for many years, teaching her first school when only seventeen years old ; she is now seventy- eight years old. The aggregate age of these five is over 400 years, a record for longevity of which any family might he proud. Thaddeus Dunklee, father of our suhject, was joined in marriage with Elizaheth Capron, a native of Amherst, N. Id. This happy event was celebrated in July, 1822. Mrs. Dunklee was born May 21, 1796, and is a daughter of I'eniamin and Sarah Capron. Her father was IxiiMi in 1752. and died February 3, 1815, while her mother was born February 14, 1757, and died Xovember 23, 1828. Our subject has in possession the day book or journal which formerly belonged to his maternal grandfather. It was kept at Attleboro, New Ham])shire, and is dated 1774. Plis grand- father Capron owned a farm near Attleboro, and reared a family of ten children, eight sons and two daughters, all of whom married, except one son, ^larvin. Those who married reared families, — some of them very large ones. The parents of our subject were blessed with fi\'e children, four sons and one daughter, namely: Benjamin Franklin, the subject of these lines; Hiram C, who was born July 8, 1825 and died Oc- tober 12, 1848; Sarah C, who was born May 2T,. 1827, and died February 7, 1847; Samuel C. who was born August 23, 1830, and died May 6, 1853: aufl (ieorge, a commercial trav- eler in the crockery business, who was born April 8, 1834, and makes his home in Boston. The mother of our subject died March 5, 1835, and his father followed her to the grave Aug- ust T, 1859. He was twice married, his sec- ond marriage was without issue and was con- tracted with Lncinda Pratt, who also rests in the West street burial ground. Our sub- ject's father was a cooper by trade, and dur- ing tiie last ten years of his life conducted a planing mill on the grounds now occupied by our sul)ject. which contains eight acres of land. RUTLAND COUNTY 305 Benjamin F. Dunklee obtained only a lim- ited education in the jjublic schools; at the age of twelve years he began working out in the hay field. When twenty years old he went out by the nionth teaming and finally began working on the railroad. After some time, however, he was induced liy his father to quit railroading and embark in the ice business. As a special inducement his father built him an ice house at the pond in 1856, and Ben- jamin was persuaded to engage in the new enterprise. For thirty-six years he was suc- cessfully engaged in the ice business in the city of Rutland. The first year he sold only 200 tons of ice, and the business that year (1857) amounted to only three hundred dol- lars. During later years of the business, it netted him from three to four thousand dol- lars. At first he drove only one horse, but his ])usiness increased to such proportions that it was necessary to keep eight horses. He now owns a fine farm about one lialf mile north of Rutland. This farm was purchased by Mr. Dunklee in 1872 and contains 60 acres ; upon it he has raised grain and hay, most of which he used to feed his eight horses. In the spring of 1894 our subject retired from the ice business, selling out to his son, Frank- lin v., who still conducts the business very successfully. Our subject has been thrice married. March 30, 1850-, he was joined in wedlock with Elmira Moulton, of W^est Fort Ann, New York. She bore her husband the fol- lowing children: Franklin \'., born Novem- ber 9, 1851, who is married and has six chil- dren ; James I'ldward, who was born April 11, 1854, and died at the age of nineteen years; and Nellie li., who was born September 22, 1856, and is now the wife of Charles P. Beebe, of the city of Rutland. The mother of these children died March 20, 1876. Mr. Dunklee contracted a secorid marriage, this time with Elizabeth Harkness, who died October 28, 1883. On the eighteenth day of November, 1886, our subject married a third time, being- united at that time with Martha T. Zottman, a widow lady whose maiden name was Squier. She is a daughter of Harwood Squier. Mr. Dunklee is a decided Republican, in politics, and has ser\-ed as highway commis- sioner, assessor one year, as selectman, and has served in various other town offtces. He is a man of means, active, prosperous, and progressive, being very popular amcing all classes. His portrait accompanies this sketch of his life, being presented on a preceding page. ARON JACKSON VAIL, a farmer living north of the village of Brandon, Vermont, was born in Greenbush, New York, May 27th, 1847. He is a son of Phenner P. and Angeline ( Ketcham) Vail. The early ancestors of the subject of this sketch, on the jxiternal side, were worthy (Juakers, and people of wealth, for that period. From a history, and genealogy of the Vail family, by Alfred \'ail, of !\Iorristown, N. J., we learn that Isaac was the third son of' 306 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES George Vail, wlio came from England, about the year 1680, and settled on Long Island. Moses, his son, settled and diud. at liuniiuL;- ton, Long Island. He made his will August _'-|, 1749. It was i)ro\'ed and apiiroxed in Xcw N't irk ('il\'. Apiil j. 1750. In this will are fountl the names of his children in the fol- lowing (jrder. Jt)seph. Piatt. Isaac. Moses, John, Israel, Micah, Mar_\-, and I'helie. Isaac \ ail. llie third son of Moses, married La\ina Kelcliam. and settled at Beekman, now \'erbank. I )utclicss county, Xew York. They re.ared :i family of eight children, name- ly : Israel m.arried Eleanor Delong; Phehe married (iilbert \'incenl ; Thom.as married -Sarah Losee; Rebecca married Thomas White: Moses married I'liebe Losee; Mary married Sanmel (Jermond; Llias married Hannah Duncan: Hepsabeth married .Sanmel Losee. Elias, son of Isaac, after marriage, settled at Verbank, became a prosperous farmer, died, and was bmaed there, ,at the adxanced age of eighty-three years, his wife, Hannah Dun- can, having passed awa_\- se\eral _\-ears before, at the age of seventy-six years. There were born to them thirteen children, viz.: David D., born May 18, 1800: Isaac E., born June 12, 1802; Simeon L., born October 8, 1804: Egl)ert B., born December 27, 1806: Marv, born Decemlier 12, 1808: Plienner P., born A]>ril (>. 1810; Ale.xander H.. born October 4. iSi 1 : Thomas S.. born June i. 1813; John D., born Alarch iS. 1S15: Lavinia, born March g, 1817: Miland J., born December 27, 181 9; Sarah, born ()ctol)er 8, 1821 ; and Elias D., born September 15, 1823. Of this large family there are but two living: John D., of Chicago, and Elias D., who resides on the old homestead, at A'erbank. i'henner P. (sid)ject's father), the hfth son of Elias, married Angeline Ketciiam, of Sud- bm\\-. \'ermont. They settled at Schodack, N. N'., and later moved to Greenbush, N. Y., where he engaged in mercantile pm"suits and in sui)plying contractors in the construction of the .\ew York Central Railroad. They sub- se(|uentl\- mo\ed to .Mbanv, where the\' re- mained several years, he continuing in the mercantile business. They then returned to farm life, at Bethlehem, near Albany, in 1862, they moved to A'ermont, settling on a part of the Ketcham farm lying in the town of Or- well. Addison county, where he remained im- til the fall of 1875. Failing health caused a desire on his part to return to the home of his boyhood. He vainly hoped the change would be beneficial. He passed awa\- October 6, 1875. in the sixty-sixth vear of his age. and was biu'ied in the \'erbank cemeterv. which was formerly a i)art (if the \ ail homestead. where he was born. Eive cliildren were born to them; Aaron J., the subject hereof; Sarah ; Margaret; Lavinia; and Phenner. Sarah died at the age of eigh- teen months, and is buried in Sudbury. Mar- garet and Lavinia are maiden ladies, and with Phenner, reside with their mother, at the old home, in Orwell, \'ermont. P'henner married Sarah Goffe, of .\lbany, X. Y. Tlie\- ha\e one child, Emma Erances, born May 7th, 1898. Aaron Jackson \'ail descended, on the ma- RUTLAND COUNTY 307 ternal side, from Edward Jackson, who was born in England, in 1602. He was the son of Christopher Jaciison, and came to America in 1642, with his wife, Frances Jackson. She died en route, or soon after landing, and sev- eral of the children also died. In 1649, Ed- ward Jackson again married. Elizabeth New- gate became his second wife. Edward Jack- son took the freeman's oath in 1645, and in 1646 he purchased a farm in the village of Cambridge, now Newton, Massachusetts. He was deputy to the general court for sixteen years from 1647, and was otherwise promi- nent. He died June 17, 1671. Sebas Jackson, son of Edward Jackson, sometimes called "Sea-born" Jackson, was the next in line of descent. He was born in 1642, and, in 1671, married Sarah Baker, a daugh- ter of Tliomas Baker, of Roxbury, Massa- chusetts. He died Decendjer 6, 1690. His widow surx'ived him until March 25, 1726. Edward Jackson, son of Sebas Jackson, was born September 12, 1672, and died Match 2-j, 1748. His widow attained the age of eighty-eight years, and passed to her final rest in 1753. Their son, Edward Jackson, Jr., was ])()rn October i, i6g8. He married Abigail Gail, and died July i, 1738. Ephraim Jackson, son of Edward, Jr., was 1)orn October 12, 1729. In 1753 he married Mary Davis, of Roxbury, Mass. He was a lieutenant in the French and Indian War. In 1775 he was one of the alarm list, and took part in the battle of Concord. He was lieu- tenant-colonel in Colonel Marshall's regiment of the Northwestern army, and participated in the battles during Burgoyne's invasion. Col- onel Jackson died in camp at Valley Forge, December 19, 1777. Aaron Jackson, son of Colonel Ephraim Jackson, was born in 1758. He was joined in marriage with Lucy Dewing, and had two children. He was one of the early settlers, or pioneers, of Sudbury, Vermont, settling on road I. It is claimed that he built the first frame house in the town, the lumber for which was rafted from Sutherland Falls, now Proc- tor, to Miller's Bridge, in the town of Sud- bury. From there it was conveyed through the wilderness, the way being traced hy means of marked trees. He also had the first oven in that locality. He raised the wheat from which the first bread in the town was made, and is also accredited with manufacturing the first cheese. \\'hen sixteen years of age, he, in company with his father, and a younger brother, en- tered the Continental army, and took part in the battle of Bunker Hill, where he suffered a sunstroke, from which he never fully recov- ered. He died in Sudbury, in 1802, at the early age of forty-four years. Aaron Jackson Vail's maternal grandfather, Maj. Barnard Ketcham, of Sudbury, Vt., mar- ried Mary (more generally called Polly) Jack- son, daughter of Aaron Jackson, before men- tioned. They were among the earliest settlers in the township and suffered many hardships incident to the making of homes for them- selves in the then sparsely settled country. Mr. Vail received his early education in the district schools, and later attended the Bran- 308 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES don Seniinan', and the Castleton Seminary. He married Carrie Daphne Capron, daugliter of C'liauiicev and Mary (Brown) Capron, of Brandon, W'nnont, J)ecenil)er 23, 1880, and settled on a farm in Brandon, remaining;" there until their house was destroyed hy I'lre, July 26, 1891, when they removed to the Capron homestead. Air. Vail is deeply interested in growing fruit, heing the largest fruit grower in the county. He is also engaged in general farming. 'J'he sul)ject of this biography is a niend)er of tlie State Horticultural Society. He is also a member of Independence Lodge of F. & A. M., of Orwell, Vermont. Mv. and Mrs. Vail have only one child — a son — Chauncey Capron, born May 4, 1883. He at- tended school in district Xo. 3, and was of the fourth generation, on the maternal side, to be a pupil in the same schoid house. He is now- pursuing a course of study in the Brandon High School. Mrs. Vail was the ycnmgest of si.x; children, four of whom died in childhood. The eldest son. Sanuiel .Vrthur, resides on a farm in Leicester, Vt., and has no children. Mrs. \'airs father, Chauncey Capron, was born February 4, 1807, and died December 9, 1895, on the farm that has been in the family since 1797. Mrs. \'^airs mother was a daughter of Major Micah and Phebe (Merriam) Brown. She was born in Brandon August 15, 1815, and died October 25, 1889. Mrs. \'ail, on her paternal side, is of the seventh generation de- scending from Banfield Capron, who came from England in 1665, and settled in Attle- boro, Massachusetts. She is also a direct de- scendant of A\'illiam Lyon, who was Lord < Mayor of London, in the year 1500. On the maternal side she is descended from Cyrel and Mary |.\llen) lirowu. She was a first cousin to iuhan Allan, of I il\S. M. C. HARRIS, widow of the late Joel Benedict Harris, resides in one of the most comfortable, residences in Rutland, ^'ermont. This large dwelling N\ith spacious rooms, is situated at Number 34, North Main street, on the corner of Woodstock a\-enue. It is surrounded by a broad lawn, whicli is kept in perfect order. The erection of this home was conuuenced in 1870, ]jy Mr. Harris, who, willi his familx', occupied it Alay i, 1872. Joel 'Benedict Harris was born in Sterling. Connecticut, November 5. 1H22. Mr, Har- ris was educated in the ]'ol\technic Institute, at Troy, New York, where he learned the ])ro- fession of ci\il engineering, which he fol- lowed for years. He was also a bridge build- er and railroad contractor, working principally on the B. & A. Railroad. RUTLAND COUNTY 309 Mr. Harris settled in Rutland, in June, i860,, and began the manufacture of car wheels. He retired from active business pur- suits about ten years prior to his death, which took place at the family residence in Rutland, October 19, 1891. He was an unassuming man, of good lousiness abilities, and was de- voted to his family and home. Joel Benedict Harris was twice married. His first union was solemnized December 30, 1849, "^^'ith Susan M. Pond, who died leaving two children, namely, Susan P., and Charles Pond. The former married George Mather. Mrs. Mather died in Westfield, New Jersey, leaving an infant daughter, Susan. Charles Pond Harris re- sides in Rutland. He married Charlotte Ses- sions, of Springfield, Massachusetts. November 28, 1854, Mr. Harris was again married. This union was contracted with Mary Jane O. Gardiner, the subject of this sketch. The happy event took place at Prov- idence, Rhode Island. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Harris, as follows : Martha Vaughn: \\'illiam Allen: Harriet Lester; Nel- lie S., and Mary Gardiner. Martha Vaughn married \\'illiam Newell, of the firm Newell Bros., manufacturers, of Springfield, Massa- chusetts. They have five children, named as follows : Grace G. ; Nelson Charles ; Mar- garet : Mary Harris : and Joel Harris. William Allen Harris also resides in Spring- field, Massachusetts. He is a foundry man in the manufacturing establishment of Bausch & Harris, and is also a member of that firm. He married Henrietta C. Harris. They have the following six children : Henrietta Corson ; William Allen, Jr.; Chesley Gardiner; Hart Lester ; Daniel Lester, and an infant daughter, vet unnamed. Harriet Lester Harris is a young woman, at home. Nellie S. Harris married Charles A. Bowles, of Springfield, Massachusetts. Mr. Bowles is a grandson of the founder of the "Springfield Republican." He is also a member of the firm of Dexter & Bowles, dealers in paper stock. Mr. and Mrs. Bowles have two children, Dorothy, aged twelve, and Charles Allen, Jr., aged ten years. Mary Gardiner Harris is the wife of Frederic Sweeney, who has a position with the Metropolitan Steamship Company. Thev reside in Dorchester, Massachusetts, and have two children, Harriet Lester and James Frederic, Jr. Joel Benedict Harris was a son of Allen Harris, who was a manufacturer, and also a grain dealer, in Bellows Falls, Vt., where he owned and operated a wholesale store. He was a deacon in the Plymouth Congregational church, of Worcester, Massachusetts. He was a man of prominence and wealth, for that day. His death took place in Worcester where his remains rest. He was twice married. His marriage with Mary Lester resulted in the birth of three children, Daniel Lester; Wil- liam H. ; and Joel Benedict. After the death of his first wife he married Almira Vaughn, who bore him two children : Mary, wife of Edward Marsh ; and Emma, who died young. The subject of this sketch is a daughter of William and Mary J. (Guy) Gardiner. Her father was a native of Rhode Island, and spent most of his life in Providence, Rhode Island, 310 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES where he died June 5, 1870. He was a whole- sale grocer. He married the mother of the subject hereof, about the year 1826. She was born in New Hampshire, ^larch 4, 1809, and is still living in Providence. Mrs. Harris is the eldest of six children. Two were sons, and four were daughters. The others were: Martha; Sarah A.; \\'illiam: Charles, and Nellie Louise. Martha is the wife of Michael J- Talbot, a retired Methodist minister, of Providence, Rhode Island. Sarah A. is the wife of Robert B. Banister, a manufacturer, in Providence. William served in the Union army during the Civil War. He died in 1864. Charles died a few weeks later than \\'illiam. He was then a young man, of nineteen years. Nellie Louise is the wife of George H. Russell, of Montclair, New Jer- sey, who is associated with Minot, Hooper & Co., of that place, wholesale dealers in cotton fabrics. c^»,^> lARTHA P. and CORINTHA E. MITCHELL. The ladies whose names appear at the head of this sketch are highly respected residents of the town of I'ittsford, Rutland county, Vermont. Since the death of their father, they have con- tinued to reside upon the ancestral acres. Thev employ competent farm hands, and superin- tend and conduct affairs in a satisfactory and profitable manner. They are the daughters of William and Cynthia (Morgan) ]\Iitchell. granddaughters of Abiel, Jr., and Sarah (Lingham) Mitchell and great-granddaugh- ters of Abiel Mitchell, Sr. The ])aternal grand])arent of the subjects hereof, Abiel Mitcnell, Jr., was born in Easton. Massachusetts, arid located in the town of Chittenden, ^'ermont, some time prior to 1806. In i8j8, he purchased a farm, \\here he spent the active years of his life. He died in 1848. Abiel Mitchell, Jr., followed farming man\- years. He rendered valuable service to our country during the Revolutionary War. Several relics were brought home from the war by him and are still preserved by the sub- jects hereof. One is a bayonet used by him in the war. Abiel Mitchell, Jr., married Sarah Lingham and reared four sons and three daughters. Two members of the family are still living ; the others are deceased. Those living are Harry and Eliza, both of whom reside in the West. Another son, William, was the father of Mar- tha P. and Corintha E. Mitchell. Al)iel Mitchell, Jr., and his wife both died in Albany, New York, in feeble old age. \\'illiam Mitchell was born in the town of Chittenden, Vermont, January 13, 1809. De- cember 4, 1828, he was joined in marriage with Cvnthia Morgan, who was born in Roch- ester, \'t., March 11, 1811. She was a daugh- ter of Justus Morgan, a native of Rochester, \'ermont. His father was a pioneer settler of that place. Justus Morgan served in the War of 1 812. The weight at the entrance gate to the home of the subjects hereof is a cannon ball, or chain shot, much battered by service on the field. This is a relic of the War of AUGUSTUS BARKER RUTLAND COUNTY 313 1812, whicli was hrouglit home l)y ]\Ir. Mor- gan, and has been in constant use ever since. ^Vi^iam Mitchell followed the same occu- pation as his father. He farmed first in the town of Chittenden, and afterward purchased the farm now owned by the ladies to whom this biography pertains. Their present resi- dence was built by him, in 1859, — forty years ago. Mr. Mitchell died December 25, 1884. He was survived by his widow, until January II, 1897, when she died, aged eightv-six years. Eleven children were born to them. A son dietl in infancy. The others were: Justus; Electa: Ruth: Jane; Olix'e; Henry; Willard ; Lovel ; Martha P., and Corintha E. Justus died in Proctor, Vt., in November, 1861. His death resulted from an injury re- ceived in a marljle quarry. He left a widow and five children. Electa married Henry Kingman. Her death occurred in Pittsford, Vermont. Eive children survi\ed her. Ruth died in February, 1898, aged sixty-one years. Jane has been twice married. She first mar- ried Thomas Lewis, and is now the wife of Stillman Perkins, of Plubbardton. Vermont. They ha\'e one son. 01i\'e married David Rowell, of Chittenden. She died in 1869. Henry was killed during the seven days' fight at Savage Station, and is buried there. Wil- lard was also a soldier during the Civil War ; he was a member of the "th Reg., Vermont \^ol. Infantry. He is now in the employ of the Howe Scale Company, and has one son living. Lo\el died at the tender age of one year. The subjects of this sketch are eligible to niembership in both the Colonial Dames, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Quite a number of their relatives participated in the Civil War, among them the tw'o broth- ers already mentioned, two brothers-in-law (Stillman Perkins and David Row-ell), and thirteen cousins, besides. UGUSTUS BARKER, one of the solid men, as well as one of the oldest farm- ers, of Middletown Springs, Ver- mont, whose portrait we present on a preced- ing" page, is now, practically, retired from ac- tive life. He was born near Bird's Eye Moun- tain, in Poultney, \T., December 7, 1825, but has spent the greater part of his life in ^lid- dletown Springs, where he owns a fine three hundred-acre farm. ?kfr. Barker is a son of Justus Barker, a grandson of Pittman Bar- ker, and great-grandson of Eastus Barker. Eastus Barker was a man of prominence. He served as sheriff, and was state represent- ative at Montpelier, for several terms. He married Mabel Thompson, of Goshen, Con- necticut. They lost one son, Orange, at the age of nine years, and reared two daughters, Eliza and Sally. Eliza married Stephen Bar- rett, and was the mother of Mrs. Eugene Gray. Sally married Jaazaniah Barrett, and had two daughters, — Lucy ; and Louisa, wife of Aloses Vail. Pittman Barker was a farmer in Tinmouth, and Poultney, Vermont. His deatli occurred at the latter place, in 1832. He is buried in the old cemetery at Middle- 314 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES town Springs, where the parents and grand- parents of Augustus Barker all rest. Mr. Barker's maternal grandmother was L\(lia Rudd, before her marriage. She reared tlirce sons and live daughters. Her closing years were spent ujjon the farm now owned by the subject hereof. She died at an advanced age, about the year 1S40. Justus Barker, father of Augustus, was born February 21, 1798, in Tinmouth, \'ermont. He married Rebecca Valentine, who was three years his junior. Thev reared three sons and four daughters. Augustus was the third son. He and his sis- ter Amanda, wife of George Haverland, of Glens Falls, New York, are the only surviv- ing members of the family. Their beloved mother passed to her final rest, August 31, 1870, aged seventy years. Their father sur- vived her nine years, and died at the advanced age of eighty-two years. Augustus Barker was reared to farm life, and had little schooling. At the early age of ten or eleven years, he began to work out as chore boy. He worked tln^ee seasons for the same employer, and received $30, each season, for eight months' work. He con- tinued to follow farm work, sometimes on his father's farm, and also for others, until he at- tained the age of twenty-si.K \-ears. At that time he and his older brother purchased their father's farm, where Augustus made his home. This farm is one of the best in that locality. It contains three hundred acres, and was for- merly known as the Burnham farm. The fine large cottage upon it was built by Mr. Lew Burnham, about one hundred years ago. Augustus Barker was seven years old when his father first settled on this farm, which he had just luiught. It cost him $2,300. At a later period additional land, costing $1,700, was added to the original ])urchase. Since then but few acres have been added, but a house has been erected at an expense of $1,000. In 1885, Mr. Barker built his fine barn, forty- five l)y one hundred feet, with stable room under the whole. Mr. Barker has door steps which are relics of the disastrous flood of 181 1, when the great mill was swept away. Recently Mr. Barker recovered the mill stones from the debris, and converted them into steps for his front door. June 1 1, 1852, Augustus Barker was joined in marriage with Fmil_\- Hyde. Mrs. Barker was born in Middletown Springs, April 11, 1832. She is a daughter of Alonzo and Adelia (Hotchkiss) Hyde. Her mother was a native of Hartford, New York, and her father, of W "allingford. \'ermont, where he was an able farmer. They reared se\en children, the eld- est of whom is Mrs. Barker. The others who are still living are Annette and Erwin. An- nette married James Strong, of Middletown Springs. Erwin Hyde is a resident of Tor- ringford, Connecticut. Mrs. Barker's mother died, October 21, 1883, aged seventy-three years. Her father died, Novend)er 27, 1892, having passed his eighty-fifth birthday. He was a son of Stephen Hyde, of W'allingford, Vermont, and was an of^cer in the state mil- itia. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Barker, as follows : Emma, who died at RUTLAND COUNTY 315 the age of three years ; Ida, wife of Benja- min Petherick, of Colorado; WiUiani C, who died in Minnesota, in 1884, at tlie age of twenty-six years, leaving a wife and daugh- ter ; David, who resides in Middletown, Vt. ; and Lily, wife of Clark Gardner, also of Mid- dletown. Mr. and Mrs. Barker have five grandchildren. The subject of this sketch is a Republican, in politics. He has served as selectman, com- missioner, etc. He was one of the original stockholders of the cheese factory company, formed in 1864, and served as a director there- in. For some years, Mr. Barker has lived a retired life, and rents his farm. His has been an industrious career, marked by faithful toil. He is now enjoying the well deserved fruits of his labors. DIN REYNOLDS WEBB, a promi- nent resident of Brandon, Vermont, has been identified with the agri- cultural interests of Rutland county for many years, but is now li\-ing in retirement. Mr. Weill) was born at Hortonville, in the town of Hnbbardton, Vermont, October 9, 1824. He is a son of Reuben and Sophia (Reynolds) Webb, and a grandson of Ebenezer and Abi- gail Webb. Ebenezer Webb was a soldier in the Revo- lutionary War. He was born May 28, 1757, and died when about eighty-five years old. His wife, Abigail, was born aljout the year 1759. They were married August -28, 1777, and six sons and five daughters were born to them. Their names were as follows : Sally, born i^ebruary 19, 1778; Reuben, father of the sub- ject hereof; Oliver, born in 1782; Abigail, born in 1784, and deceased in 1786; Abigail, the second: Samuel, born May 9, 1789; Lor- ing, born October 10, 1791 ; James, born Jan- uary 22. 1793; Nancy, born May 25, 1797; Thomas, born April 20, 1801 ; and Willis, born July 17, 1804. Reuben Webb, father of Adin Reynolds Webb, was JDorn in Northampton, Massachu- setts, February 12, 1780. While still a lad, he accompanied his parents to Vermont. He learned the useful trade of a blacksmith, and was known as a skilled mechanic. For nearly half a century, he owned a trip hammer shop in Hortonville, Vt., and did a large business, employing many men. He was a Jacksonian Democrat, in politics, and held various town offices. He also served as captain in the militia. Reu- ben Webb was joined in marriage with Steph- enas Peters, on August 8, 1800. Two chil- dren blessed this union, namely: Olive, and Roswell B. Olive Webb was born in August, 1 80 1. She married John Griswold and reared a family of children. She died in Batavia, New York, an octogenarian. Roswell B. Webb was an eminent physician in St. Law- rence county. New York. He was cut off by death in 1846, in the prime of life, at forty- three years of age. The mother of these children died in Hor- tonville, Vt., and their father contracted a sec- ond matrimonial alliance, — this time being -.ne BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES united with the mother of the subject hereof, whose maiden name was Sophia Reynolds. Four chilch'cn lilessed tliis luiion, the eldest of whom is Adin Reynolds, to whom this biography i)ertains. Tiie others were: Maria, Ellen S.. and Andrew Jackson. Maria Webl) was born in 1826. She married John Hazel- tine, now deceased. She resides in Ellenbury, Clinton county, Xew York. Ellen S. Webb died when about the a.i;e of twenty years. Andrew Jackson Webb died in infancy. Adin Reynolds Webb's mother died of con- sumption, in 1834. His father was twice mar- ried afterward, but had no other children. He died November _'o, 18W), in St. Lawrence county, New York. Adin Reynolds Webl) was schot)led in his native place. At an early ai^e. durinn: vaca- tions from school, he began to work in his father's shop, and at the age of fifteen or six- teen years, drove the nails, in shoeing horses. He was his father's successor, for two years, and subsequently built a shop of his own, in Hortonville. \'t., and another in the town of Sudburv, N'ermont. He owned three different farms, with shops upon two of them. Mr. Webb lived, for three years, upon his farm in Sudbury Center. This farm contained one hundred and fifty acres, and is now known as the T. J. Goodrich i)lace. He also owned a farm of one hundred and sixty acres at Lake Hortonia, known as the T. J. Niciiols farm. After following agricultural pursuits for four- teen years, Mr. Webb removed to Brandon. Vermont. He settled at Number 9, U^niou street, Novendjer 2, 1892, and was so well pleased with this location, that he sold his farming interests in July, 1893. and retired permanently from that occupation. .\ugust 28. 1848. Mr. Webb married Mary A. Young, a daughter of Charles Young, whose wife's maiden name was I^ouisa Webb, and who was an own cousin of the subject hereof. Mrs. Webb was born in Sudburv, \'ermont. Novcud)er 17, i8i(). She bore her husband three children, all of whom died young. 'Jdie eldest, an inf;int son. died in 1849. ''^ tlie age of three mouths. Marion E., the second child, was born May 4, 1852, and died August 11, 1865. Charles, the youngest son, was born in December, 1837, and died in 1859. The loss of these beautiful ;uid ])rom- ising children was a crushing blow to Mr. and Mis. Webb, and for a time afterward, life seenu-d a burden to the stricken ])arents. Mr. and Mrs. Webb ha\e a journal conuiienced bv the former's father in 1829. and continued by him u]) to the time of his death. It was then taken u]) b\- Mrs. W ebb and carried on faitli- full\- until October. 181)4. This journal con- tains records most \aluable. and is written in a uniform and legible hand. The facts and events are arranged in a methodical way, and can l)e referred to with ease. Upon its pages are chronicled matters of interest gleaned from all over the workl. These memoirs should be ])ublished. and ]nit on the market, as they are more valuable and more readable than manv other printed records. Mrs. Webb is a lady of great vigor of body and mind, notwithstanding the fact that eighty years have passed ovcv her head. P.orn RUTLAND COUNTY 317 the same year in which Queen Victoria first saw the hght, no one knows liow well she might have filled a more distinguished sphere than the quiet and humble life which has fallen to her lot. Mr. Webb followed the leadership of the Democratic party until 1896, when he changed his political views and voted for President McKinley. He never sought politi- cal distinction, and has never filled ot^ce, save one year as selectman. He won for himself much reputation as a model farmer, in which calling he aimed to excel. His work was done in a methodical, intelligent manner, which goes far toward accounting for his consec|uent prosperity. RRIN A. GEE, M. D., a homeopathic physician who has an extensive prac- tice in Brandon (and vicinity) Rutland county, Vermont, resides upon a fine twelve- acre farm in that town. Dr. Gee was born in Clarendon, Rutland county, Vermont, Janu- ary 15th, 1858. and is a son of Abisha G. Gee. Stillman Gee, the grandfather of the sub- ject hereof, was born in Massachusetts, and was a farmer near Westminster until about the year 1843, when he removed to Rutland county, Vermont. A few years subsequent thereto, he removed to Minnesota, where he spent the rest oi his life. He was joined in the bonds of wedlock witli a Miss Richmond, and they became the parents of the following children: Abisha G. ; Leonard T. and Lydia, twins ; Edwin B. ; Llewellen ; Charles, and Laura. Leonard is a mechanic, at Clarendon, Vt., and Lydia was the wife of George Brown, who died in middle life, leaving three chil- dren, lidwin B. is a farmer in Chicago county, Minn., and is the father of three children. Llewellen lives in Illinois, and has one son and one daughter. Charles is also a farmer in Illi- nois. Laura died in early womanhood. Abisha G. Gee, the father of Dr. Gee, was born in ^^^estminster, Mass., in 1833. He en- listed during the Civil \\'ar, and contracted a disease from which lie died on December 5th, 1862, leaving a widow and three sons. He was married at the age of twenty-four years, his wife being fifteen years old. She was Sarah A. \\'ilkins, who was born in Clarendon, September 24, 1841, and was a daughter of Jeremiah and Mary A. (Daniels) Wilkins. Their union which was effected on Sej)tember 24, 1856, was blessed by the birth of three children: Orrin A., the subject hereof; Ar- thur E., a mechanic who lives at Sandy Hill, N. Y. : md Clarence A., a mechanic, and an amateur i^hotographer, of considerable talent. Mrs. Gee formed a second matrimonial alli- ance and had one daughter, Jessie M., who is now the wife of J. Harwood Eggleston, of StockI:)ridge, Vermont. Mrs. Gee died in December, 1895, in the fifty-eighth year of her age, having spent the last six years at the home of the subject of this sketch. Dr. Orrin A. Gee secured a good education through his own efl'orts. He began to sup- port himself at the age of thirteen years. He attended the Rutland High School, and then took a three years' course in the Homeo- 318 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES pathic College of Xew "^'ork City, g^raduating therefrom on Marcli 3. 1861. at tlie age of twenty-tlirce vears. In tlie month of June of tlial year, lie went to Swauton. \ t.. where he ])ractice(l medicine, for six _\ears. and in iS and a half centuries. It is believed the Cutlers are sprung from the nobility of Eng- land, and their records are traceable to a re- mote ])eriod. James Cutler, the earliest know n ancestor of Mrs. (jee. was born in Eng- land, in 1606. and came to .America in 1634. being one of the original founders of the town of W'atertown. Massachusetts. He later be- came a farmer at Cambridge, Mass., where he died on May 17, 1698, at the age of eighty- eight \ears his will bearing the date of No- vend)er J4, 1684. His son, Thomas, was born in 1^)48, and died Jidy 13. IJJJ, at Eexing- ton, then Cambridge Farms, at the age of sev- enty-four years. He was a soldier having the rank of lieutenant, and was also a conspicuous personage in ci\il affairs. Jonathan Cutler, w ho is the next in line of descent, was baptized on June 17. 1688. and lived at Killingly, Conn., at the time of his demise. He hail live sons and one daughter, the third child being Beach Cutler, who was born at Colchester, Conn.. (Jctober 20. 1716. and died at Plain- held. Xew Idamjjshire. He was thrice mar- ried, his first wife being Abigail Hodges; thev w ere the parents of Gen. Hodges Cutler. The latter was born July 2". 1752. at Plaintield. Conn., and died on February 4. 1857. at the age of one hundred and five years. His oldest son was Joseph Beach Cutler, who was born December 2J, 1779, and died on I3ecend)er 18, 1861. He was a nati\-e of Cornish. X. H.. and became a physician of considerable promi- nence. He began practice at Highgate, in 1806. Doctor Cutler married Catlierine Barr, of Saxtons Ri\er. He was a well-known fig- ure in public life and held a number of posi- tions of trust, among them l}eing a member- ship in the general assembly. He and his wife reared the following children : Hiram C. ; Albert G. ; C. B. ; Martha: Mary; and Eliz- abeth. Hiram C.. born Januarv 29, 1810, was a medical student who died in June, 1833. .\lbert G., born l-'ebruary 2T,. 1812, died iu 1840. G. B. Cutler was a doctor iu Bakers- held, \'ermont. Martha, a twin of Al!)ert. became the wife of L. Pomeroy, Esq. Mary was the wife of Judge Ellis, of Fair Haven, \'ermont. Elizabeth, the grandmother of RUTLAND COUNTY 319 Mrs. Gee, was born December 13. 1S14. She married George M. Kitkler, who died in 1870. Her daughter, Catherine Kidder, became the wife of EHsha H. Rood, whose father was Elisha Rood, and whose mother was Betsey Higgins, of Brattleboro, Vermont. Georgia E. Rood, Dr. Gee's wife was born in Swanton, Vt., and received a high intellectual training in the Swanton High School, and in the Montpelier Seminary, being graduated in 1886. She then studied music and art in Boston. Although fond of his professional work. Dr. Gee loves rural life, and engages in farming, as a pastime. He purchased a farm of twelve acres, in 1892, upon which he has erected good, substantial buildings and made many other improvements. Socially, the Doc- tor is a prominent Mason, whilst in politics, he is a standi Republican. He is also a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., and of the State Homeo- pathic Society. -r-— ^ LISHA RICH HENDEE is a prom- ^ inent farmer and speculator in sheep, and has lived in his present home in Pittsford, Rutland county, Vermont, since June I, 1866. The Hendee family of Pittsford is one of the oldest and most prominent families of that \icinity, with a record dating back for one hundred and fifty years or more. The progenitor of the family in America was Rich Hendee. He was a descendant of a French Protestant family who for religious reasons were expelled from Kormandy, and settled in England. Upon coming to America, he lo- cated in Boston among the first settlers. He married and had two sons, Richard and Calel) ; the latter died without issue. Rich- ard Hendee was twice married : his first wife (lied early in life and left one son, Jonathan, who was reared by his mother's relatives. Richard Hendee re- moved to Connecticut, where he married a ]\Iiss Conant and settled in or near \Mndham. Jonathan Hendee was also twice marrieil. His first wife died and left him David, Bar- zillai, A.sa, and Hannah. A later marriage with Martha Millington resulted in the fol- lowing five children : Jonathan, Richard, Ca- leb, Richard, and Martha. Jonathan Hendee died at what is now called Ellington about 1775. He was poor antl illiterate but was an honest man. He was a man of great physical powers and his sons by his first wife were also powerful men. Caleb, the third son by his second wife, is the ne.xt in line of descent and is the great-grandfather of our subject. Caleb Hendee, Jr.. the grandfather of Elisha Rich Hendee, was born October 21, 1768, and in 1789 marrietl Lydia Rich, by Avhom he had seven children. The third in this family, German Franklin Hendee, was born October 2, I794- November 30, 1820, he was joined in marriage with Sarah R. Jones, of Claremont, New Hampshire. Ten children blessed this union, se\'en of whom were sons and three were daughters. All are now deceased except the following : Elisha Rich, subject of these lines ; 320 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Lydia Ann. wife cif Dr. George E. Sparhawk, of Bmiiui^aon. X'ermont ; and Eliza Maria. Eliza Maria married .\mos Drurv Tififany, of Pittsford, Vermont. Noveml^er 17, 1868, and tiicv became the ])arents of tive children, three of whom are now deceased. The record is as follows: Sarah Abioail. wife of Dr. John Estabrook. of Brandon ; Frederick, who died at the age of ten months ; Arthur Amos, a clerk in the express office at St. Albans. \'er- mont : Harry H., who died in his fifth year; and Carroll H.. who died in infancy. Mr. Tif- fany was engaged in the grocery business with his brother for a numlier of years, and suljse- (|uently entered the emj^loy of the railroad com]:)any as station agent at Pittsford, which position he still retains. He has also been a coal dealer for many years. He is a master Mason and is a deacon of the Con- gregational church. The marriage of Lydia Ann and Dr. Sparhawk, was followed by the birth of two children, one of whom, Sam, is a prominent physician in Burlington. Vt. Elisha Rich Hendee was born in Pittsford, W-rmont, January 15, 1837. He was reared to farm life on his father's farm and obtained the rudiments of an education in the district and select schools. He left home when eigh- teen years old and went to live with J. J. Si- monds, who married his eldest sister, Sarah Rosette. Thev lived in SherlnuMie, X'ermont, w here our subject remained for two years and a half. In 1859, in company with his brother, Ed- win H., he took fifty Merino sheep to Texas. They went by rail to Boston and on board a sailing l)rig to Galveston, Texas. y\r. Hendee remained in Texas until the spring of 1865. While there ha took 300 bucks of high grade into Mexico for George Wiikins Kendall. On his way back he had a most romantic and en- joyable time. While in Texas he increased his weight from 125 to 169 pounds. He spent nearly three years at Barney, near the head of Buffalo Creek, on the ranch of Colonel Gra- ham, who was an able lawyer from Ohio, and was, at one time. United States consul to Buenos .\yres. Mr. Hendee was a conscript in Confederate service for a time and olitained a furlough to go to Mexico. Mr. Hendee lo- cated on his present farm in the year follow- ing his return from the South. This farm is a part of his father's farm, which was settled in 1 83 1. Our subject and his Ijrother, Edwin H., bought out the heirs to this part of the farm which contains 375 acres. The original farm contained 600 acres. Mr. Hendee bought and sold lands and has now a farm of his own con- taining 300 acres. He keejjs a dairy of twen- ty-fi\'e cows and disposes of the milk at the Pittsford creamery. Novendier 20, 1866, he wedded Augusta XX'hite. of Hebron, New York. Two children blessed their union : Frederick and Helen G. Their son was born January 19, 1867, and died when eight months old. ]\Iany hojies were buried with him. Their daughter, Helen G., is a popular teacher in the schools of Burlington, Ver- mont ; she is a graduate of the seminary at Brandon, and of the Vermont University. In politics Mr. Hendee is a Democrat, and JOHN H. MEAD. RUTLAND COUNTY 323 has served in town offices, as selectman, jus- tice of tlie peace, poor master, etc. May 24, 1877, lie was deprived of his heloved wife, who died when her daughter was an infant. This was a sad blow to our subject, who has remained true to her memory and has been a widower for twenty-two years. Mr. Hendee retains some vivid recollections of his experience in the South during the war, and of his great difficulty in getting back to the North. He also brought some trophies back with him; not least among these are his furloughs and passes in the original writing. To obtain these required nerve and tact pos- sessed by few persons in such an emergency. These papers bear dates of May 4th, nth, to the 23d, 1865. With these in his possession, he finally made good his escape to the United States forces, but had to go to Mexico first. (^OHN H. MEAD, whose portrait is shown in connection with this biog- raphy, is one of the most prominent stock raisers of Rutland county, Vermont. He is the proud owner of a fine herd of Hol- stein cattle and a large flock of the finest Mer- ino sheep, some of which have been bred by him, and some are of the best imported stock. Mr. Mead was born October 27, 1848, in Fair Haven, Rutland county, Vermont. He is a son of Andrew Jackson and Ellen E. (Board- man) Mead, grandson of Abner and Nancy (Rowley) Mead, and great-grandson of Abner and Amelia (Root) Mead. The Mead family is of English origin and the first known member of the family whose name has been ]ireserved and who is known to have emigrated from England, is Timothy Mead, who settled at 'Horseneck, N. Y. He descended from one of three brothers, who also emigrated from England. Timothy had one son, who was also named Timothy. Tim- othy Mead, Jr., with his wife Martha, removed to a place called Nine Partners, N. Y., a place named for its first nine settlers. Later in life Timothy Mead, Jr., removed to Manchester, Vt., where his death is known to have oc- curred. He reaVed five children, namely: Timothy, the third, born in Manchester; Zeb- ulon and James, born in Rutland ; Stephen, born in Pittsford ; and Ezra, born in Rutland. Colonel James Mead, the great-great-grand- father of our subject, was born at Horseneck, N. Y., August 25, 1730, and died January 17, 1804, aged eighty-four years.. August 7, 1752, he was united in marriage with Mercy Holmes, who was born April 7, 1731, at Horseneck, New York. After marriage, the young couple sought a home in the wilds of Vermont, near the present site of Rutland, where they located in March, 1769. Their first night was spent in an Indian wigwam on the banks of the Otter Creek, a short distance below Center Rutland. The friendly Indians first offered the pipe of peace and then the use of the wigwam was profi'ered. Mrs. James Mead bore the first white child in Rutland, where she and her husband were the first white settlers. She was one of twenty persons who formed the first Congregational 324 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES cliurcli in Rutlaiul. uhicli wa.s organized in 1773. After the many hardships mcident to the ])ionccr hfc of tliose early settlers, made more terrible by the War of the Revolution, Mrs. James Mead lived to see the woods converted into fertile and culti- vated fields. She had tiflcen children, one hun- dred and ninety-two grandchildren, one hun- dred and fifty-four great-grandchildren and ten of the fifth generation, in all three hun- dred and seventy-one descendants, whom she lived to see. She was an active member of the Congregational church for more than tiftv vears. and, allhou!;h deprived of her husband in 1804, she remained faithful to his memory and died a widow. May 17, 1823, aged ninetv-two years. Both these ancestors now rest in the Evergreen cemetery, whither they were removed (by Dr. J. A. Mead) from the old Congregational burial ground in West Rutland. Col. James Mead served in the Revolu- tionary War and was particularly active and brave at the battles of Hubbardton and Ben- nington. ( )ne incident which occurred at the time of the battle of 1 lubbardton, showing the extreme bravery and courage of Mrs. James Mead, may be appropriately given here. Mrs. Mead was left at her home with her three small children, and, although she often said she was not afraid to stay alone, when foes were reported to l)e in the neighlwrhood, she became alarmed and feared for the safety of her i)recious children. Going into the ])as- ture, she caught a wild colt which had never been broken and, with much dit^culty, saddled it. She then managed to get one child in front of her. one I)ehind her, and taking tlie third in her laj). she rode away from Rutland to Bennington, fifty-five miles, where she was safe among her friends, as she deserved to be. This feat was heralded as one of the most courageous of that long and weary struggle, and Mrs. Mead was an acknowledged heroine. The eldest son of Col. James Mead was .\bner Mead, the great-grandfather of our subject. Abner Mead, Sr., wed Amelia Root, a daugh- ter of Rev. Benjamin Root, the first clergyman in Rutland. \'t. ]\Irs. Mead died June 17, 1800, and was survived by her husband until February 17, 18 13. They reared the following eight children: Ira. Elizabeth, Truman, Ab- ner, Jr., Laura, Abial, Philena, and Peter riiilander. Abner Mead, subject's grandfathe'r, was born in Rutland. September 9, 1785. He married Nancy Rowley, who bore him the fol- lowing five children, all of whom married, reared families of their own, and are now deceased: Harriet; Charity R.. who became the wife of Franklin Blanchard and lived to be eightv-si.x vears old; .\ndrew Jackson, our subject's father; Roswell R.. father of Dr. J. A. Mead, of Rutland ; and John W. H. .Andrew Jackson Mead was born on the farm now occupied by our sub- ject. He was united in marriage with Ellen E. Boardman, an own cousin to Rev. George H. Boardman. of Chicago, Illinois. This wedding was solemnized October 2, 1839, on Boardman Hill, Rutland. Five children blessed tliis union, namely : RUTLAND COUNTY 325 Charles, wlio was killed in the battle of Peters- burg by a sharpshooter, was born in Fair Ha- ven, Vt., April 5, 1843, 'I'l'l 'lid June 17, 1864; Charles Eugene, Ijorn in Fair Haven, Vt., February 19, 1845, is now a resident of Chicago, where he is in the marble business; John H., subject of this sketch: Ellen Cor- nelia, born in Westmoreland, Vt., May 2, 1854, married M. P. Flack and died July 21, 1877, without issue; and Charity Rowley, born January 14, 1858, who is now the wife of W. W. Burr, of West Rutland, Vermont. An- drew Jackson Mead died September 24, 1890, and is still survived by his widow who resides with her daughter, Mrs. Burr. She is now eighty-four years old and is still an active, sprightly, and entertaining lady. She was a daughter of Charles G. and Sophia (Watkins) Boardman. This worthy couple were resi- dents on the hill in West Rutland, where Mr. Boardman farmed. Timothy Boardman, the father of Charles G.,» settled there at an early date, removing from Middletown. When he was eighty-four years old he dro\e back to the old home, accompanied by this grand- daughter, Mrs. Mead, when she was twenty years old. He made the long journey with his horse and wagon and took in all the sights along the way, including the Bennington monument. He died three years later, aged eighty-seven years. Charles Boardman, a cousin of our subject's mother, lives on his farm adjoining the old homestead, which has, unfortunately, passed out of the family pos- sessions. Mr. Mead's uncle, Henry Board- man, the youngest of the family, is a wealthy land owner, residing near Joliet, 111. John H. Mead was joined in marriage with Mary E. Flower, only child of James and Olive (Parsons) Flower, born in Proctors- ville, \'t.. May 7, 1850. She has borne her husl)and three sons, as follows : Charles Jack- son, now a yoimg man of twentv-two; Rob- ert Flowers, aged twenty ; and Richard Harris, aged nineteen )ears. Charles Jackson, the eldest son, was united in marriage October 12, 1898, with Mary A. \\'heeler, of Pittsford, Vermont, a daughter of C. \V. and Ann (Con- roy) A\'heeler. In politics, our subject is a stanch Repub- lican, and has served three years on the state bureau of agriculture. He is now president of the Rutland County Agricultural Society. For two years he was president of the Vermont Merino Sheep Breeders' Association. He has served in minor offices in town and is a faithful member of the Congregational church. Our subject's farm consists of 200 acres and is a portion of the original land grant first taken liy Colonel James Mead, over one hun- dred and thirty-two years ago. Mrs. John H. Alead's father was born in New York, June 10, 181 4, and her mother was born in \\'est Windsor, \'ermont, March 15, 1 81 8. The wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Flower was solemnized February 19, 1841, and they have just passed their fifty-eighth wedding anniversary. They have spent most of their li\es in Clarendon, where they conducted a hotel or boarding house, but they are now living with their daughter, Mrs, Mead. James Flower has a brother, Anson Flower, in Paw- 326 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES let, Vt., who was ninety years old June 5, I the woods, traveling on horseback to 1899, and is still in the cabinetmaking busi- their new home, the farm mentioned ness. The parents of James ?"lower died I above as the birthplace of our subject. young, each within six months of the other, .\t that time Pittsford boasted of the m tJiat \icmit_\-. and to this Field was obliged to take his and left foiu' sons and one daughter. j onl\- mil Mrs. Flower was a daughter of Abial and mill Mr. Olive (Bliss) Parsons, of Warren, IVIassachu- j grist on horseback during the summer, and setts. This worthy couple reared nine of their i over the ice during the winter. Joshua Field, ten children, eight sons and one daughter. ! our subject's grandfather, was a pensioner of Three are still living, viz. : Caroline, widow the Revolutionary War. He had several broth- of Baidon Bailey, now eighty-one years old, ' ers. among them, Zacharias and Wait. In and residing in Proctorsville, \'t, ; Mrs. Flow- 1826 his wife died, aged eighty-four years, er; and Martha (Plinney), of Brockton, Mass. j They were both members of the Congrega- Herevvith is given a description of the coat ! tional church, and rest in the churchyard at of arms of the Mead family : The field sable — a chevron between three jielicans. In the che\-ron, a lion's head. .\n Egyptian holds the pelican as a hicrogh-phic oi the four duties of a father to his children, which are genera- tion, education, instruction, and good ex- ample. <•-♦ L'RGESS PAUL FIELD, of Xum- bcr (). ]'"raid\lin street, Brandon, \ er- uiont, is an octogenarian, and is one of the oldest residents of Rutland county. .Mr. I'ield was born January 6, 1813, on the ancestral farm, three miles north of Brandon. This farm was settled by his paternal grand- father in 1785, and is now owned bv oiu' sui)- ject, having been in the possession of the fam- ily for more than one hundred years. Mr. Field is a son of Paid and Mercv (Stearns) Field. \'y the aid of marked trees our subject's grandjjarents followed the bridlepath through Brandon. Joshua Field died in 1831. He left several children and had pre\-iously buried three. Those who grew to matiu-ity were: Othnial : Calvin. Paul, our subject's fath- er: l\udol])hus; Dennis: and Sarah and ThankfiU, twins. Othnial died in I'er^ lin, CJhio, in the eightieth _\ear of his age. He was a well-to-do-farmer and was sin'\i\ed hv his widow. Cabin was a large and ]iowerful man: he followed farming in ( ienesee county. New \'ork : he died in .Michigan, an octogenarian, lea\ing three chil- dren. Rudolphus studied medicine and be- came a practicing jihysician in Crown Point, New ^"ork, where he died at about si.\ty-five \ears of age, being sur\ived b\' his widow. Dennis ne\er married, and his death occiu'red in Batavia, X. ^'. Our sid)ject's maternal grand])arents were Jonathan and Hannah (Biu'gess) Stearns. They both fell \'ictims to a winter fe\-er ej)idemic : the grandfather dx'ing in 1812; RUTLAND COUNTY 327 and liis widow three days later ; both were buried in tlie same grave, and both were about sixty-five years old. They reared three children, Jonathan, Sarah, and Mercy. Jonathan Stearns was a mercliant and cotton manufacturer in Malone, N. Y., and later in New York City. He died in Bridgeport, Conn. Sarah Stearns married James Wing, of Rochester, \'t. Paul Field, the father of our subject, was born in Winchester, N. H., April lo, 1779. December 2, 1810, he was joined in marriage with Mercy Stearns, who was born June 11, 1790, at Hardwick, Massachusetts. She was a daughter of Jonathan Stearns. To this union were born seven children, three sons and four daughters. The sons were named as follows : Stearns J. ; Burgess Paul ; and George F. Stearns J. Field was born July 10, 1813, and is now deceased. George F. Field was born June 2, 1819; he was a farmer by occupation and reared fi\'e sons and two daughters. He died in Leicester, \'t., July 7, 1892. Paul Field and his wife, Mercy, began life together on the homestead farm of the husband, north of Brandon, where the whole of their married life was sjjent. He died in 1834, having been fatally gored by an ox. He was tiien fifty-five years old. His widow survived him many years, dying, in 1851, aged sixty-one years. After the death of his father. Burgess Paul Field continued to remain at home until he reached his majority. Even then he did not leave the old place permanently, but has spent the greater part of his long and useful life on his native place. He was engaged in the lum- ber business in Wisconsin for some time, and later became interested in the marble business in Brandon ; but he continued to retain pos- session of the old home farm of 150 acres. April 2"], i860, Mr. Field was joined in mar- riage with Lydia Washer Hemenway, who was born in Ludlow, Vt., Fel)ruary 6, 1830. Mrs. Field was a daughter of ShefSeld and Abigail Dana (Barton) Hemenway, and granddaughter of Jacob and Sarah (Haven) Hemenway. Her grandparents had a family of fourteen children, but lost twins in infancy. Eight sons and four daughters grew to matur- ity, namely : Jacob, Jonathan, Samuel, Dyer, Frances, Elisha, Elijah, William, Isaac, Polly, Sarah, and Beulah. Mrs. Field's father was a native of Spring- field, Vermont. Her mother was born March 31, 1798, and was a daughter of Rufus Barton. She bore her husband four sons and four daughters, as follows: Nelson, born August II, 1823; Abigail Dana, who died in infancy; Abby M., born October 7, 1828; Lydia Washer, our subject's wife ; Charles Wesley, born in 1832 ; Carrie E., born June 30, 1834: Horace C, born April 3, 1837; and Daniel Dana, born May 28, 1840. Mrs. Field was a devout Christian and lived a good and generous life, thinking little of self and con- tinually trying to make others happy. She was an aft'ectionate wife, a true friend and a good neighbor, and her death was sadly nuiurned by her host of acquaintances, among whom she had lived for so many years. Al- though she lived to reach the age of seventy years, her death was hastened by a fall wdiich 328 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES proved too great a shock for Iier system and she sustained a stroke of apoplexy shortly after, which resulted in her death on Tuesday morning. October 31. 1899. Mr. and Mrs. I<"ield lost their only child, Ahby Mercy, whose untinu-K death was a desolating blow and an n\er\\helmiiig sorrow to her devoted i)arents. .\l)by M. Field was born Xovembcr 21. i8()(i. After graduating from the Brandon ])td)lic schools, she con- tinued her studies nearly two vears under the tuition of Miss Clark, of Tvutland. Her death occurred ^larch 29. 1S90. and she was mourned bv manv warm atid adniirino- friends. RANGE A. SIMALLEY. decease.l. In presenting to the public the lives of men who have added luster to tlie name of Rutland county. X'ermont. it is tit- ting that we make due mention of the gentle- man named above, whose investigations in the science of elcctricitx' led to Morse's imention of telegra])hv. .\fter manv \ears of contin- uous labor in coujimction with his skilful as- sistant, Mr. Da\cn])ort. he produced the elec- tro-motor, which, as developed at the present day, has come into use throughout the world. The financial gain to its inventor, was, how- ever, but limited. Air. .Sniallev was born in 1 lartford. Wash- ington county, N. "S'., July 3. 181 2. and was a son of Dr. A. J- Smalley. who was of Irish ancestry. Three l)rothers. in the line of de- scent, cstal)lished the famib in this coim- try. The father of the subject hereof was l)()rn at Xorwicli. Vermont. in 1774. and after graduating from Dart- mouth College, began the ])raclice of medicine, which he followed until his death at Brandon. Rutland count\-. \ ermont. where he resided w itli h\> son on the old (joss pro])- erty. He was united in marriage with Sophia Cioss. a daughter of Joshua (loss, and a grand- daughter of Captain Jolmathan Car\er. an American soldier and traveler, explorer of the great Xorthwest and Lake Su])erior region in 1766- 1 768 and author of "'Carxer's Tra\els to the Interior Parts of Xorth America." Joshua (loss married .\bigail Carver, and after the birth of the mother of Orange A. Smalley. in Massachusetts, he moved to the old Goss homestead at Brandon, \'ermont. Dr. and Mrs. Smalley became the jiarents of thirteen children, three of whom were sons, whose names were: Darwin: ( )range .\.. the sub- ject hereof: and Epp. Orange A. Smallex' bought ])art of the Goss estate, in 1838. and on Xo\ember 17. of the following year, was uniteil in matrimou}' with Alma X. Carlisle, a daughter of Martin and Xancy (Blood) Carlisle. Her grandfather was A\'illiam Carlisle, of Scituate. Mass.. a soldier of the Revolutionary War. He was .1 sturdy old farmer, and moved from Scituate to Westmoreland, X'. H.. and thence to Ran- ilolph. .X. \'.. where he and his wife both died; and buried in the cemetery at East Randol])]!. His wife was Deborah Studely, whom he married in Massachusetts, and they had eight children. Martin Carli.sle, ;m agriculturist, married Xancv Blood, a daughter of Colonel RUTLAND COUNTY 329 P)lood, who saw lionoral:>le service in tlie War of the Rexolution. The sul)ject hereof and his wife became the parents of tliree children, namely : Darwin A. ; Carver W. : and John A. Darwin .\. Smalley, deceased, was born on September 29, 1841, and was a captain in the Ci\'il War, — serving throughont that mem- orable strnggle. From constant exposure to which he was subjected during the four years of his service, lie contracted consumption, from which he died on December 29, 1869. Captain D. A. Smalley was married on Janu- ary II, i860, at Lynchljurg, Va., to Eleanor P. Hastings. Their children. Marion H., born October 27, 1866, and Carlisle D., born May 23, 1869, are now living. Carver W. Smalley was born May 5, 1843, and received a common school education. In August, 1862, he enlisted, for nine months, in the 1 2th Reg., Vermont \'ol. Infantry, as a private, and returned, one year later, as a cor- poral, having participated in the battle of Get- tysburg. He then went west, and for several years was proprietor of the Angier House, at New London. W^isconsin ; six years later, he became a tra\eling salesman, selling fire and burglar proof safes. sfMue twehe years. He also served as United States marshal for a period of sixteen months. On December 25. 1867, he was united in marriage with Hen- rietta M. Lutsey. and their children are: Orange A. and Lottie J. Carver W. Smal- ley now resides on the old homestead, at Bran- don, with his mother. John A. Smalley was born. July 2, 1847, and, earlv in life, learned the trade of a ma- chinist, but now resides on the old homestead with his brother and his mother. On April 18. 1880. he was joined in marriage with Julia A. Morse, and thev are the parents of two children, namely; Mary, who, though but seventeen years of age, is a teacher ; and Car- ver W., a boy of fourteen years. Orange A. Smalley in his youthful days de- x'eloped a love for scientific research, and be- came interested in electricity. He afterward established a shop at Forest Dale and engaged the services of Mr. Davenport, a gentleman some years his senior, who was also a mechan- ical genius. With their combined capital, whicli was very limited in extent, they applied themselves to new experiments. It was in 1834 that Mr. Smalley's designs were put into operation, and the electro-magnetic engine was the result. A patent was applied for in 1835, t'l^ plans having been drawn by Pro- fessor Turner, of Middlebury College. It was a qualified success, as it produced thirty revolutions to the minute, of a wheel, seven inches in diameter. They met with little en- couragement froiu anyone who saw their plans. (3n the contrary, no one placed the least faith in their in\-ention. — the \'illage pas- tor going so far as to say: 'Tf this wonderful power was good for anything, it would have been in use long before this." But undaunted they struggled on. and today, the world en- joys the fruit of their toil. \\'hen the now famous Morse visited their shop, he found what he was seeking, as he saw a current of electricity was passing through three miles of wire wound about a spool. He straightway 330 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES went forth and developed the telegraph, from which he made a fortune, and the men, who were the real discoverers of the principle on which it is based, struggled on as before. Franklin Leonard Pope, a great authority on electricity, who had s])ent nuich time in re- searches in foreign countries, wrote a lengthy article in the January, iS8i, issue of Electrical Engineer, a scientific journal published in New York City, in which he devoted five pages to Mr. Smalley and Mr. Davenport, and their development of jjower l)y electro-mag- netism. He gave them due credit for their discoveries, and commented at length upon their genius and their struggle against great discouragements. Mr. Smalley devoted his entire life to this work, and the success which attended his efforts has already been men- tioned. The sul)ject of this sketch lived to become an octogenarian, and died in Brandon, Ver- mont, on .\pril 6, 1893. His death was greatly mourned as it deprived Rutland county of one of its distinguished citizens, and his towns- men, of a true and faithful friend. In politics, he was a T-iepublican. and for a number of years served in the cajiacity rises that has continued to pay every month and never shut down for more than a month during the most critical panics. The secret of its success has RUTLAND COUNTY 345 Jieen and is tlie meclianical genius and perse- \erance of Air. Xewton, wliose untiring ener- gy and skill has contrilnited so largely to the henefits of the whole community. A great many of the improvements arc also due to the general manager, C. H. Bump, who has served as general manager since the com- pany's incorporation. Also mention should be made of E. C. Thompson, to whom as a man of untiring energy the company's success is largely due. The publishers of this work take pleasure in announcing that an excellent portrait of Mr. Newton, executed from a recent ])hoto- graph, is presented on a preceding pa^e. T^HARLES HOWARD DUNTON, I J| A. M., D. D. Among the ablest edu- ^ ' cators of the Green Mountain State, stands Professor Charles Howard Dunton, the subject of this sketch. Dr. Dunton was connected with the Troy Conference Acad- emy, at Poultney, Vermont, for a quarter of a century. On account of failing" health, he retired, in 1897. from that institution, of which he had been principal for twenty years. Charles Howard Dunton was born at Un- derbill, Vermont, January 24, 1844, of sturdy New England parentage. His early life was spent on the farm where he gained that ro- bustness and strength of body which enabled him to bear up so long under the arduous toil of later years. From the district school he went to the New Hampton Institute, at Fairfax, Vermont. In 1870, he graduated from the University of Vermont, and in 187 1- 1872, he ])ursued a post-graduate course at Boston University. His degree of A. M. was received from his alma mater, -and in 1886, Syracuse University conferred upon him the degree of D. D. \A'lien in the dark hours of 1862, the call came for more volunteers, the suliject hereof, though but eighteen years of age, left the teacher's desk and went to the front. He enlisted as a private in Company F, i3t]i Reg., X'ermont Vol. Infantry, and after a creditable service of six months, he contracted a serious illness and was honorably discharged for disability. When Dr. Dunton ended his studies in Bos- ton, he entered the Troy Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. Previous to this, he supplied the pulpit of that church, at Johnson, Vermont. His first regular appoint- ment, however, was in 1872, when he was sent to Alanchester and Dorset. In 1874, he was elected a teacher of natural science in Troy Conference Academy at Poultney. This in- stitution had been suspended for several years, but was reopened at that time. For three years Dr. Dunton continued there to teach natural science and, also, mathematics. In 1877, he was cliosen ])rincipal of that academy. For twenty years, he directed its growth. During that time, four hundred students graduated from the musical and literary courses, to sa_\' nothing of the number who were trained in the commercial department. As a teacher, he was most thorough ; as a dis- 346 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES ciplinarian. he wns kind to the young offender hut severe with the incorrii^-ihle element: as a counselor, he was wise and ihouLjhtful. His early struggles ga\'e him a tender concern for the jxjor student who was "working his way" through school, and the young man or woman who earnestly desired an education, was nc\er turned away from the lialls of the academy. .Many men and women, who rank high in their respective walks of life, owe their start to the generosity and sympathy of Dr. Dunton ami to this day the meniorv of his noble, unselfish life, while at the academy, still urges them onward to a higher ideal of Christian manhood. Dr. Dunton's career as a citizen and as a church member is also most noteworthv, l)ut it is as an etlucatnr that he lias made an en- viable record. His ability in this direction has not been unrecognized b\- either the church or the state. For ten years, he was appointed by the successive governors of \'er- mont, as one of the state examiners of normal schools. He was also one of the delegates of this state to the Interstate Educational Convention at Louisville, Kentuckv, in 1883, from which bod_\- emanated the famous Blair Educational bill. Dr. Dunton has served several years as president of the National Association of Prin- cipals of Methodist Seminaries. He is always a prominent figure at the annual conference meetings. In 1892, lie was elected one of the delegates to the general conference at Omaha, and while there, he served on some of the jjroniinent conmiiltees. For a long period, he was one of the board of examiners of Troy Conference, before which body all applicants for admission, and undergraduate preachers, nnist ap])ear for e.xaminaticjn. In Jmie, 1897, Dr. Dunton, on account of failing health, severed his connection with the Troy Con- ference Academy at Poultney, and has enjoyed a brief period of recreation. In 1897, lie was elected comity examiner of teachers for Rut- land county. In the fall of 1898, he was elected to the lower house of the legislature, and was chairman of the committee on educa- tion. As a citizen. Dr. Dunton has always taken an active interest in the affairs of the tow n. state and nation. He keeps well posted on the political movements of the day, and is often consulted in regard to matters of mo- ment in connection with local affairs. He has ser\'ed as chairman of the Law and Order League. In his political views, he is a Repid:)- lican. Charles Howard Dunton is a son of Elijah and Mary .\nn ( French) Dunton, and a grand- son of I'llijah and Lydia (Coolidge) Dunton. The grandfather of Dr. Dunton was wounded in the battle of Plattsburg. New York, Sep- tember II, 1814. He was a tavern keeper many years. He w-as united in marriage with Lydia Coolidge, a sister to the famous Quaker publisher, Daniel Coolidge. The latter was a puldishcr in Xew York City for many years, and was succeeded by his two sons, George and William, who were successful publishers of blank books, etc. They also published the "Webster Spelling Book." Dr. Dunton's grandparents reared four RUTLAND COUNTY 347 children: Warren, wlio died wlien twenty years old ; Elijah, the Doctor's father ; Almira ; and Rachel. The father of these children died when fifty-four years old, and rests at West Port, New York. His widow died in the sev- entieth year of her life, and sleeps at North Underhill, \"ermont. Elijah Dunton, father of the subject hereof, was born at \\'est Port, New York, April i, 1811. In 1839. he was joined in marriage with jMary Ann French, a ilaughter of Jon- athan and ( Palmer) French. Dr. Dun- ton's parents spent the most of tiieir lives on their farm in Underhill, Vt., where their six children were born. Of these children, only three are now living, namely: George C, who resides on the old home farm; Martha P., a teacher in Troy Conference Academy; and Charles Howard, the subject of this biogra- phy. The first born, Anna, died wdien twenty- six years old. William F. died, in 1888, in Minnesota. He was unmarried. No record of Dr. Dunton's life would be complete with- out appropriate mention of his estimable wife to whom he ascribes much of his success. June 26, 1872, he was united in marriage with Nettie W. Belding, an accomplished daugh- ter of Judge Samuel and Flavia (Waterman) Belding, of Johnson, Vermont. Mrs. Dunton was born in 1844. She was educated at Johnson Normal School, and Fort Edward Institute. Her musical studies were completed in London and Paris. After teaching in various states she became the wife of the subject hereof, — then a young Meth- odist pastor. She accompanied him to Poult- ney, and has ever aided him with her counsel, and taken a deep interest in his chosen work. For ten years, Mrs. Dunton taught vocal and instrumental music at Troy Conference Acad- emy. She has always been intensely inter- ested in temperance work. She was president, for four years, of the Burlington district, W. H. M. S. of the M. E. church. In his denomination, Dr. Dunton is without doubt or question placed in the front rank, in Vermont. His untiring energy and educa- tional ability have brought him well merited success in his chosen calling, to which he has ever been most devoted. He has recently ac- cepted the position of Dean of the Claflin University, at Orangeburg, South Carolina. It is his intention to leave temporarily his magnificent home which he built, in 1886, near the academy, for the scene of his new labors. One thing is certain. Dr. and Mrs. Dunton will be followed to their southern home by the sincerest wishes of the whole community for their welfare and continued prosperity. Let us hope that in the sunny south, they will find the "fountain of per- petual youth" which Ponce De Leon, and many others, liax'e sought in vain. i^A.\RKER JONES, deceased, was born in Hillsboro, New^ Hampshire. He was a son of Ebenezer Jones, a prom- inent farmer of that locality. Parker Jones was reared on his father's farm and when fifteen vears old, became a clerk 348 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES at the famous Astor House in New j liis wheat in Troy, New York, which was then "Wjrk Citv. He was with that house for a ' the nearest market. He married Temperance jjeriod of thirtv-rtve years and tilled all the ■ Willie, wlm had two sisters. Luc\- antl Sally, positions u]) to that of nianaj^er. He was very popular with the .\stors, who appreciated his worth. He had many other friends among prominent and noted people of the day. He was a close friend of Franklin Pierce and was frequently an honored guest at the White House. Mr. Pierce was horn in the .same town. Mr. Jones also partook of the hospital- ity of .Vhraham Lincoln and Daniel Webster. June 14, 1859, he was united in marriage with Julia Clara Andrus. After ten years of wedded bliss, Mr. Jones died, in 1869, at the Astor House. His remains were interred in the lot marked l>y the family monument in Pawlet cemetery. Among the host of sor- rowing friends who attended the last sad cer- emonies, was a large delegation from the mer- chants and press of New York City, and many other admirers of Mr. Jones. Notable among these were Mayor Hoffman. .\. T. Stewart, and Thurlow Weed. The latter had just re- turned from luu-ope. Julia Clara Jones, widow of Parker Jones, is a daughter of Ezra and Xancy ( McIOaniels) Andrus. and granddaughter of John H. and Temperance (Willie) Andrus. h>hn H. An- drus was born in Norwich. Conn., about 1764. .\bout 1785, he trayeled to Ver- mont on foot, and began life for him- self in the woods of the Green Moun- tain State. He cleared some land and within a few years his crop of wheat amounted to 1,000 bushels. He found a ready market for John H. .Xndrus and his wife were blessed with ti\e daughters and two sons. The sons were: Ezra and John. Ezra Andrus was born in the town of Danby. N'ermont, in Aug- ust. 1799. About 1820, he was joined in wed- lock \\ith Xancy McDaniels, a daughter of James and Sail}- (Harrington) McDaniels. The young couple began life on the ancestral farm of the husband, who was an able farmer, iiimself. He was recognized as one of the leading farmers of his district, where all his life he was an esteemed and worthy citizen. Prior to his death he had a long antl tedious illness; although he suffered much, he was heroic and bore his pain patiently. He was a Christian and was prepared to die when the final summons came. He ilied in 1864, aged sixty-five vears. His widow sur\i\ed him man}- years and finally jjassed away, March 22, 1886. Ten children were born to this worthy couple, seven of whom were daughters and tiiree were sons, and all of them were given exceptionally good educational advantages. They were nametl as follows : Sally -Ann. VXviw .\nn. .\ancy .Maria, James McD., Julia I'lara. John Holmes, .Marv ]uffalo, Xew York, i)ast nnddle age, three sons and one daughter surviving her. Mary T'^sther RUTLAND COUNTY 349 is a maiden lady and also resides at the old homestead. Cordelia Caroline married Col. Birge. of Chicago, and died in Grand Rapids. Mich., leaving one son who is now deceased. Nancy Maria married Jolm Hntchins Mea- don ; he was horn in Albany, New York, of English parentage and received liis education there. His grandfather, Re\-. William Webb, D. D., was pastor over a church in that city for forty years. Mr. Meadon in early life was in business in Cincinnati, (3hio. He after- wards conducted a successful Ijusiness in his native place, still later going to Troy, N. Y., \\here he was one of G. V. S. Quackenbusli & Co.'s most trusted buyers for thirty years. He died in New York City April 9, 1886. Mrs. Meadon lives with her sisters and brother on the homestead farm in Pawlet. John Holmes Andrus, brother of Mrs. Jones, went to New York City while still a young man. He found employment in the postoifice, where he remained three years. Later, he accepted a position with the x-\dams. Express Company and remained in their em- ])loy thirty-one years. He was exceedingly popular and made a fine record in the express business. When the company erected its large, uptown office at Number 12, West 23rd street, in 1873. it was the first large 'business house on that street between Fifth and Sixth avenues. John H. Andrus was placed in charge of the new office as soon as it was completed and had full charge of all the company's business in that office until his death, Mr. Andrus was an unmarried man but was most genial and warm-hearted. He was especially affectionate and kind to his sisters and nieces, to whom he was also very indulgent. He died in New York City July 25, 1895. His remains were brought to Paw- let for interment l)v his sister, ]\Irs. ]\feadon, who was accompanied In' two officials of the Adams Express Company. The funeral serv- ices were held at the old homestead. James McD. Andrus, eldest brother of Mrs. Jones, is a progressive farmer in the town of Pawlet, Rutland county, \'ermont. He re- sides in one of the most picturesque and beau- tiful residences of that vicinity. His home is called "Bonnie View" and is a most delightful spot. The house is about one hundred years old, but has been remodeled, with ample ver- andas on two sides. This gives it the appear- ance of a modern farm cottage. ]\Ir. Andrus was born on an adjoining farm August 13, 1831, and received his education at the Troy Conference Academy. He afterwards taught school during the winter months for several years. He spent one year in a drug store in Troy, New York. February 24, 1870, he was joined in marriage with Sarah Grace Otis, a daughter of William and Delia (Peck) Otis, of Danby, Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. .A.ndrus have four children, namely : Cordelia Caro- line. Caasi McD., John Holmes, and William Otis, who is fourteen years of age. These children are all living at home. I\Ir. Andrus is an ardent Democrat, and has served in some of the town ofifices. He worships at the M. E. church, of which Mrs. Andrus is a member. Both are valued members of society. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Jones 350 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES purchased the old homestead in Pawlet, where she anil her two sisters, Mrs. John 11. Meadon and Mary Esther .\ndrus, reside, together with their x'on nicest brother. .Merrill C. An- drus. It is one of the best located and most attractive places in Rutland county. CBENEZER JOLLS ORMSBEE of Brandon, Rutland county, Vermont. ' son of John Mason and Polly (Will- son) Ormsbee, was born in Shoreiiam, Addi- son county, Vermont, June 8th, A. D. 1834. He received the education afforded by the common schools of the state and the acad- emies at Brandon and South Woodstock, Ver- mont, dividing his time between the farm and the school until his majority, when he taught school winters while acquiring the higher branches taught in the academy. He began the study of tlie law in the of^ce of Briggs and Nicholson, at Brandon, in 1857, and was admitted to tlie liar of Rutland county at the March term of court in i86t. Instead of entering upon the practice of his profession at once he enlisted in the "Allen Grays," a miUtary company of Brandon, in April. 1861 ; this company became Company G of the First Regiment. Vermont Vols., and having been elected second lieutenant thereof, he was commissioned as such April 25th, 1861. and was with his company in the service of the United States during the term of its enlist- ment, being mustered out of the United States service August 15th, 1861. Returning home, he again enlisted in Company G of the 12th Reg't.. \'ermont Vols., was elected captain of the compan_\- and conmiissioned September 22nd. 1862. This regiment was attached to tlie Second Vermont Brigade, commanded by Gen. Stannard. and was assigned to duty within the defences of Washington and con- tinued in the performance of that duty until June. 1863. when it became the Third Brigade of the Third Division of the First Army Corps. Arm\- of the Potomac, and history gives to this brigade a prominent and noteworthy part in the battle of Gettysburg. — the term of en- listment of the 1 2th Vermont Reg't. expired on the last day of the battle. Capt. Ormsbee was with his company constantly during its term of service, sharing the dangers and hard- ships of his men and was again nuistered out with them. July 14th. 1863. Taking up the duties of ci\-il life, he com- menced the practice of law at Brandon, in the s])ring of 1864 as a partner of Anson A. Nich- olson, which ])artnershiii continued until 1868, when he became the ])artner of Hon. Ebenezer N. Briggs, with whose son (Hon. George Briggs) he is now engaged in the practice of his profession at Brandon. Was appointed Assistant United States Internal Revenue Assessor in 1868. serving as such until 1872. Was elected States Attorney for Rutland county, 1870 to 1874: Town Representative from Brandon, in the General Assembly of the State in 1872 and Senator from Rutland county in that body hi 1878. Appointed and served as a Trustee of the Vermont Reform School from 1880 to 1884, when he was elected PROF. ABEL EDGAR LEAVENWORTH. RUTLAND COUNTY 353 Lieutenant Governor of the State and was elected Governor of tlie State in 1886 and oc- cupied tliat office for two years, his term of office expiring in October, 1888. Among many other positions of trust and confidence to which he has been called, is that of Chairman of a Commission to treat with the Pi Ute Indians at Pyramid Lake, Nevada, concerning the relinquishment of a portion of their reservation to the United States, to which he was appointed by the President in 1891, and later in the same year, he was ap- pointed by the President as the United States Land Commissioner at Samoa, the duties of which office he discharged until May i6th, 1893, when he resigned on account of personal duties at home and returned to this country and resumed the practice of his profession. The subject of this sketch has been twice married. In 1862 to Jennie L. Briggs, daugh- ter of Hon. E. L. Briggs of Brandon, and in 1867, to Frances (Wadhams) Davenport, daughter of William L. Wadhams of West- port, N. Y. Always an ardent Republican in politics, he has been an active member of the State Re- publican Connnittee and a firm supporter of the principles and policy of that party. He is a member of St. Paul's Lodge, F. Sc A. M. of Brandon, and has long been a com- rade of E. J. Ormsbee Post No. 18, G. A. R., of Brandon. His religious preference is that of Episco- palian and for many years has been and now is the Senior Warden of St. Thomas Church, Brandon. He is now (1899) engaged in the practice of his profession at Brandon, although for several years, he has devoted the principal part of his time to the performance of his du- ties as receiver of the Vermont Investment & Guarantee Company of Orwell, Vermont, and one of the Debenture Trustees of said com- pany. ROF. ABEL EDGAR LEAVEN- WORTH, an honored and esteemed citizen of Castleton, Vermont, whose portrait is presented with this sketch, is re- garded as one of the ablest educators of his dajf. Almost his entire life has been spent as an instructor. In 1897, on account of failing health, Prof. Leavenworth resigned from the presidency of the State Normal School at Castleton, a position filled by him for many years in a most capable manner. He was born at Charlotte, Vermont, Sep- tember 3, 1828, and is a son of Abel. Jr., and Anna (Hickok) Leavenworth, and grandson of Abel, Sr., and Lydia (Bartlett) Leaven- worth. The family originally came from Eng- land. The first to leave the mother country for America was one Thomas Leavenworth who settled in Woodbury, Connecticut, where he died in 1683. His son. Dr. Thomas, was born in Woodbury, Connecticut, or, pos- sibly, in England, in 1673. He was a man of energy, position, and wealth. From him have descended men of influence, among them professional men, several of whom were 354 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES physicians of note. His son, also called Thomas, was the great-grandfather of our subject. This latter Thomas was born at Stratford, Connecticut, lie was aniony the refugees (lri\-en by the Indians from the Wyoming \'alle_\-, then in Connecticut, but now included in I'ennsvlvania. He lived to be an octogenarian and died in the town of Hamden, Connecticut. Abel Leavenworth, Sr., grandfather of our subject, was born at Woodbury. Connecticut, January 30, 1765. and died in Aliddlcbury, X'ermont, January 2^, 1813. His marriage with Lydia Bartlett took place at Charlotte, \'ermont, November 29, 1791. Lydia was a daughter of Klihu and Statira ( Aleigs) Bart- lett, and her paternal grandfather was Rev. Moses Bartlett, who was born in Guilford, Connecticut, in .\ugust, i//-'. Ilcr maternal grandfather was Deacon Timothy Meigs, who was a descendant of Rev. .Vbraham Pierson, the fir.st president of Yale College. .\bel Leavenworth, Sr.. was a carpenter by trade. He built a mill at Charlotte, X'ermont, and settled there in the woods. At that time no roads had been built and nothing but bri- dle-paths led t(i his new and secluded habita- tion. He and his worthy wife reared fi\-e sons and three daughters. Abel Leavenworth. Jr., was born in Char- lotte, Vermont, Xovember _'4, 1800. and died at the same place May 3. 1S79. He was twice married. January \2. 1S26, his marriage with Anna Hickok was consunnuated. This union resulted in the birth of nine children, — three sons and si.\ daughters. Mrs. Leavenworth was a daughter of .\mos and .\nna (Foote) Hickok. Our subject's father was a marble manufacturer in Charlotte, Vermont, in early life, but subsequently removed to Madrid, St. Lawrence county, X. Y., where he remained twehe years. In 1S44. however, he returned to Charlotte. He was an officer in the artil- lery of the old state militia. Six children of his first marriage reached adult life, namely: .\bel L., subject of these lines; Lydia Anna; Louisa Miller; Lucy Jane; Charlotte Laura; and Sarah Sabrina. Lydia .\nna now resides in Burlington, \'t. ; she is the widow of the late Alfred Sherman of Charlotte, Vermont. Louisa Miller resides in Castleton. Lucy Jane married J. N. Alvord, and died in Decker, 111., Xovember 19, 1865, leaving two sons who are now in Te.xas. Charlotte Laura, who resides in Castleton, is the widow of Joshua Russell. Sarah Sabri- na is the wife of S. S. Tuttle and resides in California. The beloved mother of these chil- dren passed to her eternal rest December 10, 1849. April 10. 1S51, .\bel Leavenworth again married. This time Mary E. Joslyn became his wife and bore him three children, namely : Mary Elizabeth, who died when four- teen years old; Amy Jeannette. who was born in Charlotte. \'ernKMU, .Vugust 9, 1854; and hdla Maria, who was born December 6, 1856, and died when l)Ut ele\cn vears old. I'rof. Lea\enworth was reared on a farm where he remained until after his twent\-first birthday. He attended the district school dur- ing his early youth. This was supplemented by a preparatory course, at Hinesburg Acad- RUTLAND COUNTY 355 emy, which course he completed at the age of seventeen. He then engaged in teaching dur- ing the winter, follow ing that occupation until he attained the age of twenty-one when he left the farm and entered the University of Ver- mont at Burlington. He was one of the founders of the Delta Psi fraternity and also a member of other societies. On account of an injury to his head, young Leavenworth was advised to go south. He became prin- cipal of the Bolivar Female Academy, in Polk county, Missouri, where he remained until 1855. Upon leaving for that section of the country he received high testimonials from President Worthington Smith, D. D., en- dorsed by ex-Governor ^\'illiam Slade, of Vermont. Prof. Leavenworth was principal of Hines- burg, Vermont, Academy for five years before the war. He next took charge of a boarding school for boys at Brattleboro, Vermont. Lie then enlisted in the army and made a most worthy record, which will be mentioned later. At the same time he was part owner and edi- tor of the "Vermont School Journal." Re- turning from war, Prof. Leavenworth again took charge of the Hinesliurg Academy where he was principal for three years. Later he was principal of the New Haven Academy for seven years; he established there courses of studies, secured a fund of $11,000, and the school was incorporated as Beaman Academy in honor of the largest donor. This latter posi- tion he resigned to accept that of principal of the State Normal School at Randolph, Ver- mont. This important position was held by our subject from December, 1874, till August, 1879. During that time Prof. Leavenworth signed certificates of ten graduating classes, comprising about 239 graduates. For twenty-five years our subject was an active member of the Chittenden County Teachers' Association, and filled every office including the presidency. He was an active member of tlie State Teachers' Association from 1859 until his retirement, and was its president for two years. He was one of the six teachers selected by the state to examine and select text books for the public schools. From 1879 to 1881 he was engaged in general educational interests. In 1881 Prof. Leaven- worth went to Castleton and purchased the real estate of the Rutland County Normal School. For sixteen years he was principal of that school which he conducted by author- ity of the legislature, and was the proprietor of that fine property. This school was estab- lished October 15, 1787, and in 1887 cele- brated its centennial. About 600 former stu- dents were present and were banqueted in a royal manner, in the elegant park of sugar maple and elm trees. The occasion was not unlike a patriotic Fourth of July celebration and will long be remembered. About 1892 the health of our subject began to fail and he took his son in as his assistant. This son, Philip Reynolds Leavenworth, a graduate from Yale Lhiiversity in 1892, con- tinued to assist his father until the latter re- signed in 1897, when he succeeded him as principal. Philip Reynolds Leavenworth was joined in marriage with Sarah Theodocia Al- 356 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES len, of Hadley, Massachusetts, a graduate of Smith College. The Normal School at Castle- ton had some important changes during the principalship of our subject. The preparatory department has been discontinued. This fa- mous institution of learning has graduated some hnc classes, and has turned out men and women who liave made their mark in the world. It is now conducted by the state and graduates but one normal class each year. Prof. Lea\'enworth has been twice married. September 14, 1853, he was joined in mar- riage with IMary Evelina Griggs in Corning, New York. She proved a faithful companion to him until cut ofif by death, July 30, 1877. She bore her husband seven children, namely: Anna Maria ; Francis Abel ; Samuel Edgar ; Clarence (jreenman : William Stowell ; Emily Ixeynolds; and Philip Reynolds. Anna ^laria was born at Bolivar, Missouri, August 7, 1854, and died at Hinesburg, Vermont, February 6, 1859. Francis Abel was born at Hinesburg, May 20, 1856, and died at Middlebury, Ver- mont, October 15, 1876. Samuel Edgar was born March 6. 1838. and is now a resident of Nebraska, where he is engaged in the sheep business; he previously lived in North Dakota where he still owns a farm and store. Clar- ence Greenman was born February 28, i860, in Hinesburg, \'i.. and is the general agent for the \'ermont Alarble Company, at Cleveland, Ohio; he has three sons and one daughter. William Stowell was born July 28, 1862, in Brattleboro, Vt., and is a professor in Ripon College in Wisconsin ; he has one son. Emily Reynolds died aged sixteen months, Novem- ber II, 1866. Philip Reynolds was born Feb- ruary 18, 1867. After the death of his first wife. Prof. Leav- enworth formed a second matrimonial alliance, this lime with.Pucv W'adsworth. of Minetto, Xew "Sork. Mrs. Pea\'enworth is a daughter of Marcus North ami Julia ( Burt ) W'adsworth, granddaughter of Thomas and Sarah (North) W'adsworth, of Farmington, Conn., great- granddaughter of William and Ruth (Hart) W'adsworth. Six generations of Wadsworths were born in Farmington, Comiecticut, in the same house. The faniilv was noted for men- tal and moral worth as well as for wealth. The first of the name to seek a home in America was one William A\'adsworth, who was born in England about 1600, and was one of the Hooker colony to emi- grate to Hartford, Connecticut. He was one of the founders of that city and stood high in his community. He held many positions of trust. His son, John Wadsworth, removed from Hartford to Farmington, Connecticut ; he married Sarah Stanley, of Hartford, in 1662. He was one of the most wealthy and influential men of his day. He served in the State Senate of Connecticut and was on duty , there when his brother Joseph seized the char- ter and placed it in the Oak. His death oc- curred in I'armington in 1689. His son, Will- iam, was the next in line of descent. Mrs. Leavenworth's maternal ancestors, the Burt family, were founders of " Springfield. Massachusetts. Henry Burt emigrated from England in 1635 on the ship "James." He lived four years in Roxbury, Massachusetts, RUTLAND COUNTY 357 and tlien removed to Agawam. now Spring- field. He was a prominent public man and was a very perfect type of a Puritan. In cases of emergency he conducted religious services. His death occurred April 30, 1662, at Springfield. His son, David, born in Eng- land, was the first white man in Northamp- ton. Benjamin Burt and his wife were taken prisoners at Deerfield, Massachusetts, and were among the ninety captives taken to Canada. Mrs. Leavenworth is the eldest of fi\e childern horn to her ])arcnts. The oth- ers are : Mary, who died at the age of nine- teen ; James Burt, who lives at the old home in Minetto, Osv>'ego county. New York ; Will- iam Moulton, also a resident of Minetto ; and Thomas Hart, of Gayville, South Dakota. Mrs. Leavenworth is a refined, cultured lady. She had an academic schooling and also fol- lowed teaching. She is a member of the so- ciety of D. A. R., also Colonial Dames of Ver- mont. Prof. Leavenworth has a most notable war record. May 24, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company K, 9th Regiment, Vermont Vol. Inf., and served three years. He was rapidly promoted. July 9, he was made first sergeant, and November 17. of the same year, he be- came first lieutenant. December i, 1864, he received a captain's commission. He was ap- pointed jsrovost marshal at Richmond April 5, 1865. He was mustered out June 13, 1865. He was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry. He was appointed acting assistant inspector- general by General John A. Dix, June 10, 1863, and was assigned to General Isaac J. Wistar's brigade. He acted as inspector-gen- eral of L'nited States troops at Yorktown, Gloucester, Fort Magruder and vicinity from July 29, 1863, to May 3, 1864. While acting in the .same capacity for the Second Division, Eighteenth Army Corps, in the battle of Drury's Bluff, he was the only officer on duty of Major-General Weitzel's staff. He led the skirmish line into Richmond April 3, 1865, assisted by Joel C. Baker, first lieutenant of Company K, and Burnham Cowdry, second lieutenant of Company D, as well as by 120 men of the 9th Vermont Regiment. Prof. Leavenworth's life record possesses many notable and praiseworthy features. Suc- cess has crowned his efforts in almost every undertaking. His has been a true and noble life, worthy of emulation by the youth of to- day. ^ ERDINAND GOSSELIN. This gentleman, of whose life we now propose to give a few salient facts interesting alike to his manv friends and neighbors in Rut- land, Vt., his present residence, and to many throughout Rutland county, is one of the solid and prosperous merchants of the city and deals in meats, provisions, and staple and fancv groceries. Mr. Gosselin was born De- cember 22. 1848, in Henryville, Province of Quebec, Canada. He is a son of John Gosse- lin, a prosperous Canadian farmer, who was born in the district below Montreal. The family originated in France, whence our sub- ject's grandfather emigrated to Canada. 358 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES John Gosselin died November 26, 1874, at the age of sixty-five years : he was survived l)y his widow until the tliirtcentli day of Xo- veniber, 1886, when slie. too, passed to llie life beyond the grave, in her seventv-fifth year. Her remains now rest in St. Johns, Canada, while he sleeps in Farnham, Canada. This worthy couple were parents of nine chil- dren of whom eight grew to maturity, four sons and four daughters, and six are still among the li\ing. Those living are: John, who resides in Lockport, 111. ; Delima, wife of James Daharty, of Providence, R. 1.; Philo- mene, wife of Edmund Dupuis, of Henry ville, Canada, where Mrs. Dupuis was born ; Fer- dinand, suljject of this sketch: Edward, of Worcester, Mass. : and Josejdi, residing in Butte City, Alont. The deceased are: David, who died at the tender age of four years; Adeline, who died aged twenty-nine; and Car- oline (Mrs. Archamhault) who died in her twenty-fifth year, leaving four children. Ferdinand ranks seventh in the order of birth this interesting fami He liad the advantage of a good schooling in Canada, and at the age of seventeen years began learn- ing the carpenter's trade. After serving a three years' apprenticeship, he followed his chosen occupation for a period of fifteen years. In 1870 he left Canada and worked two years in St. Albans, Vermont, locating in 1872 in Rutland, where he worked most of the time in the shop, making sashes, doors, and blinds. In 1882, Mr. Gosselin di.scontinued working at his trade and entered into his present 1)usi- ness under the firm name of Gosselin & Poulin. being located on Center street. After nine years of prosperous trade, our subject purchased liis partner's interest in 1892, and has since conducted tlie business alone at .Xumber 2-j , Center street, where he has been located since November, 1890. He has acquireil an enviable reputation as an upright, conscientious and obliging merchant and enjoys the patronage of the l)est class of people in the city. December 29, 1873, our subject linked his fortunes witli those of \'ictoria (jeer (or Giguere), a native of Keyesville, X. V.. where she was born in 1853; she is a daughter of Joseph and Salina ( Desroches) Geer, highly respected and industrious people. Her father was partly of Scotch ancestry and was de- scended from the nobility. He was a black- smith bv occupation and conducted a shop of his own for many _\ears, removing later to Rutland, where he worked in the railroad shops. He was twice married, his first mar- riage resulting in the birth of seven children, two of whom are still living. His second union was prolific of ten children, seven of whom are numbered among the living, — four daughters and three sons. Mr. and Mrs. Gosselin buried their eldest son, Arthur l^hilip. on the twenty-fourth day of March, 1895; he was nearly nineteen years old. He had been fatally injured by the cars when returning home from college. This was a terrible blow to his parents and family. Four children still bless their home, as fol- lows: Lena Elizabeth, who graduated from the Rutland High School in 1894 and is also RUTLAND COUNTY 359 a graduate in music, fiuishing in 1895, is an accomplished musician and teaches music, besides being her father's able assistant and bookkeeper. Helen Eugenia, who graduated from Rutland High School in 1896 and from the R. E. C. I. in 1897; Blanche Louise, a miss of fourteen years, attending high school in Rutland ; and George Adelor, who was born February i, 1889, and is a bright, manly little fellow. Surrounded by this interesting fam- ily at his beautiful home at Number 60, Elm street, where he settled in ]\Iarch, 1888, our subject enjoys life and has much to live for. He is a member of St. Jean Baptiste Society, of which he has been treasurer several years. In politics his influence and votes are cast in favor of Democracy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gosselin are valued members of the French Catholic church. Mr. Gosselin is well-known in mercantile circles as a substantial citizen, whose industry, strict integrity, pleasant manners, and hon- orable character entitle him to a high place in the esteem of the community. ON. ENOS C. FISH, member of the Vermont Legislature, and, for ' twenty-two years, deputy sherifif of Rutland county, was born in the town of Ira, Rutland county, Vt., September 11, 1836. He is a son of Enos C. and Marcia (Chap- man) Fish, and a grandson of Preserved Fish. Preserved Fish was born on Massachusetts Bay, about the year 1775, of humble parents; when still quite young, he was bound out to his brother, Benjamin Fish. He was joined in marriage with a Miss Carpenter, whose twin brothers were soldiers ni the Revolutionary War. This worthy couple reared eleven children, ten sons and one daughter, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, and most of whom had families of their own. These children and their families are scattered over the L^nited States, from Maine to Cali- fornia. Several of the sons served in the War of 181 2, and distinguished themselves for bravery. Enos C. Fish, father of the subject hereof, was born in Rutland county, in 1812. He was united in marriage with Marcia Chapman, who was born in the town of Clarendon, Rut- land county, Vermont. This union resulted in the birth of seven children, five of whom grew to maturity. Their names are : Clar- issa (wife of Joseph S. Lincoln, of West Rut- land), who has a son and has lost a daughter; Enos C, the subject of this sketch; Filecia, wife of L. W. Fish, of Ira, Vt. ; Emily, widow of Rev. W. S. Blaisdell, who died in Florida, leaving three daughters; Henry C, a farmer in Ira; George D., wlio died in childhood; and Annette, who also died early in life. The beloved mother passed away in Ira, upon the same farm where Preserved Fish first set- tled, and where his death occurred. The father of these children also died upon the same farm, in 1890, aged about seventy-eight years. He held the various town offices and represented his town in the State Assembly. The ancestors of the subject hereof were all 360 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Baptists, in which faith he was reared. He obtained tlic customary sclioolinj;- of a farm- er's Ijoy, and pursued the peaceful occu])atir)n of farmin;;- for nian_\- years: in fact, he still owns two tine farms. Jn 1S57. Enos C. Fish wedded Clarissa Peck, who bore him one child, Helen, wife of C. S. Harris, of .Missouri. Mrs. Fish laid down the burden of life, in 1866, at the homestead farm. Two years later. Mr. Fish contracted a second matri- niiinial alliance. Frances Freeman, a daugh- ter of Frederick and \'iola (I'eck) Freeman, became his wife, and has jjroved herself a most amiable companion. In 1862, Mr. Fish was elected constable, wliich office he held until 1877, when he was made deputy sheriff. That was twentv-two years ago, when he left the farm, and settled in West Rutland. Soon after locating there, he built his tine residence on Clarendon a\'e- nuc, where he is most i)leasantly situated. His farms :ire situated in the town of West Rutland and the town of lr;i, whitdi derived its name from lr;i Allen, ;i brother of Fthan .\llen so famous in histor\-. Mr. {'"ish is a loser of line horses, and drives a ("lue te;un. Socially, he is a Knight Temjdar and a .M.isou of high degree, having passed all the cli;iirs from ihe blue lodge to the grand lodge, lie follows the leadership of the Re- p(d>lican ]iarty, and is a \erv inlluenti.al mem- ber of that organi/ation. bv which he was elected to the X'ermont Legiskiturc, in 1S98. Both Mr. and Mrs. h'isli are members of the Congregational church, of which Mr. Fish is now serving as committeeman. The life of the subject of this sketch has covered a wide range of exi)erience, and he has been directly or indirectly connected with prominent men and otVices in m:niy s])heres of acti\ity. On all (juestions of local moment, he is well in- formed, and has ])roved himself a good coun- selor on more than one occasion in town meetings when important subjects came up for consideration and discussion. In every- thing that tends to promote the material ad- \-anccment and i)rosperity of West Rutland, he is sure to be deeply interested, as he has the welfare of the communitv at heart. §OHX METCALF, of Fair Haven. Rut- land county, Vermont, has been since 1882 proprietor and pulilisher of the "Fair Haven Era." The Era was established in 1879, b\' Heiu'v E. Inman, and has grown to be a widely circulated and influential journal. He was born in England, in 1857. He was tiie second child of Walter and Harriet (Hun- ton) Metcalf. When he was four or five months old, his parents came to this countr\-, and ha\e made their home in Poultney, \'t., since 1867. Of the eleven children born to them eight reached manhood and woman- hood. They are: Elizabeth ; John ; Thomas ; Harriet: Walter: Charles: Susan, and Robert. lohn .Metcalf was educated in the public schools and at .St. John's .Vcademy. in Poult- ney. lie was married, in 1886, to M. E. Spencer, daughter of Rev. Dwight and Mar- tha (Hovey) Spencer. They have three chil- dren, Madeline, Marjorie, and Flarold. ISAAC L. HlLl MRS. JULIA B. HILL. RUTLAND COUNTY 365 In politics, Mr. Metcalf is a Republican, and has always been a firm supporter of Re- publican principles. fSAAC L. HILL, a prominent grist mil- ler, manufacturer and farmer, of the town of Mount Holly, Mechanicsville P. O., was born in the town of Mount Holly in 1840. He is a son of Abraham and Lucy (Cole) Hill. A liberal education was obtained in the public schools which fitted him for the profes- sion of teaching. This occupation he fol- lowed successfully in his native town until he enlisted for service in the Union army, dur- ing the Civil War. Abraham Hill, father of our subject, was born at Braintree, Vermont, and received his education in the public schools there. At the age of twenty-one years, he located in the town of Mount Holly, Rutland county, and followed farm work for different people. He then bought a small farm, followed farming and dairying, and later on took up the butch- er business, selling meats to people in the surrounding country. He was united in mar- riage with Lucy Cole, a native of Mount Hol- ly, Vermont. Six children were born to them and named as follows: Miranda (Flanders); Isaac L., the subject of these lines; Elizabeth; Mary (Tobin) ; David, a man of extraordinary height, who was a soldier in the Civil War and died in a hospital in 1864: and Bradley, who died in infancy. Abraham Hill was a Bap- tist in his religious belief, and a Republican in his political convictions. When it became evident that a great con- flict would inevitably take place between the North and the South, Mr. Hill enlisted as a private in Company I, 5th Regiment, Ver- mont Vol. Inf. His company was sent to St. .Albans, and then with its regiment to Vir- ginia, where it formed a part of that famous army division known in the history of the Re- bellion as the Army of the Potomac. At the battle of Savage Station, his regiment was almost annihilated. His company entered this engagement with sixty-four and returned with only sixteen men. Company E, of the same regiment, went in with sixtv-six and came out with six men. In this disastrous struggle, our subject was wounded, but his courage was undaunted. He afterwards fought at Harrison's Landing, Yorktown, Williams- burg, JVIalvern Hill, the Wilderness, and was engaged in numerous skirmishes and minor engagements. In the course of these battles, he was badly wounded and afterwards dis- charged. .\fter being cured and fullv restored to his health, he re-enlisted in 7th Regiment, \'ermont \'ol. Inf. He saw a great deal of hard fighting, but, as he expected it, he there- fore bore it like a philosopher. After returning from the war Mr. Idill worked eleven years for P. E. Chase and ran one of the departments of the saw-mill, work- ing at various machines, and when the mill was removed to Rutland, he bought a farm and followed agricultural pursuits. He added to his farm from time to time until he had one of the finest farms in Mount Holly. In ad- dition to farming he ran a butcher's cart until 366 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES 1891. Stock raising and dairying also be- came a part of his business. He raised consid- eralile stock on his farm, all of which he sold from his wagon. His dairying Ijusiness was a feature of considerable note : he kept the best grade of milch cows, ha\'ing from thirty-five to fifty-five head of cattle on his farm ; the butter and cheese he shipped south and to* local mar- kets. Mr. Hill still conducts the farm but in 1891 located in the \illage of Mechanicsville, where he made some very sid)stantial investments. He bouglit his residence property, saw-mill, and grist mill, adjoining, and started a store for the benefit of his employees. He has a very complete line of machinery in both mills, and is prepared to turn out large quantities of work ; in his grist-mill he grinds feed, and has a capacitv of seventv-five bushels of coarse feed per hour. His saw-mill gives employ- ment to five men in the busy season. In con- nection with the saw-mill, he runs a hay-baling outfit. Our subject was united in marriage with Julia I')enson, \\ho was born and educated in the town of Mount Holly, \'ermont. Ten chil- dren have been born to bless the home of our subject and his estimable wife. They are : Sydney, who conducts a meat market at Lud- low; Herbert, who is engaged in the same line of business in Mechanicsville; George, w hij ablv assists his brother Sydney; Harry; 1 k-rniau : llattie (Bruce) Xcttie ; Lena; Kate ; ami Lottie. Mr. Hill is a genial man, popular with everybody, acti\-e and ijublic-spirited in bring- ing about events of such character as advance the interests of his fellowmen. He is a Re- publican, and has served his party in various offices, as lister, member of the school board, and sujierintendent of schools. He is a sup- porter of the AL E. church, and a member of Colfax Lodge, No. 21. 1. O. (). F. He has filled various positions in the lodge, and has served as treasurer. Recent portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Hill are shown in connection with this sketch, being presented on a preceding page. -r-^ LMER DUAXE KEYES, deceased. pi The distinguished gentleman, who is the sul)ject of this sketch, was in everv respect a self-made man. and was a typical exemplification of the thrift and in- tegrity of New England. From the humble position he occupied at the outset of his ac- tive career, as a man without means, his busi- ness ability and personal integrity raised liim to be the head of the largest wholesale gro- cery business in the state of Vermont. As a business man he occupied a unique position. His untiring energy and ceaseless industry were ever fruitful of the best results and he conmianded to an unusual extent the respect and confidence of all who were in any way associated with him. In his home life he was a thoughtful and loving husband and parent, and a most genial entertainer of the many he delighted to call his friends. Mr. Keyes was born in South Reading, RUTLAND COUNTY 367 Vermont, July 15, 1838, and was a son of Marvin and Lucinda (Fullam) Robinson. His mother dying when he was quite young, he was adopted by an aunt, wlio married \\'ash- ington Keyes ; in tlie course of time, Ehner assumed the name of Keyes which ckuig to him ever afterward. He worked on the farm with his foster-father, who was a well-to-do farmer, until he reached his majority, having in the meantime received a good education. He began teaching when only eighteen years of age, and taught school five winters, spend- ing the corresponding summers in work upon the farm. Early in the Civil War, Mr. Keyes enlisted in the Union army as a lieutenant in Company H, of Colonel Wheelock G. Veazey's regi- ment, the 1 6th Vermont Volunteers. On December 31, 1862, he was promoted to the captaincy of his company and occupied that position until the end of his term of enlist- ment. The 1 6th Vermont Regiment had a very prominent part in the battle of Gettys- burg. After leaving the army, our subject en- gaged in business in Felchville, Vermont, where he remained until September, 1870, when he removed to Rutland. On October i, 1870, he bought the retail grocery business of S. F. Paige, and took into partnership N. R. Bardy, who had Ijeen head clerk in Mr. Paige's store, which partnership continued until June i, 1883, when Mr. Bardy retired. The business had assumed very large propor- tions during these years, and an extensive wholesale branch had been established. Upon the retirement of Mr. Bardy, Mr. Keyes took into the business C. O. Perkins, then a traveling representative of the firm, and in June, 1885, Erwin E. Keyes, the eld- est son of our subject, was admitted to the partnership. The business during all those years was conducted in the large brick build- ing on Evelyn street. Soon after locating in Rutland, Mr. Keyes purchased one-half of the l)lock and a few years later secured the remainder of the building. He gradually with- drew from the active management of the Rut- land business soon after his son entered the firm, and for a few years prior to his death devoted his time largely to his real estate and other financial interests in the West. Mr. Keyes never sought office, but served on the staff of Governor Washburn. At the time of his death he was a director of the Baxter National Bank, the Howe Scale Company, and the Peoples' Gas Company, all of Rut- land, Vt. ; vice-president of the Bank of Volga, South Dakota ; vice-president of the Equit- able Loan & Trust Company; and a director in several financial institutions in various parts of the West. Mr. Keyes was a suft'erer from chronic bronchitis and asthmatic troubles for nearly fifteen years before his death, and during the last five years of his life suffered from several attacks. During a six weeks' business trip through the West, he drove for thirty-four miles over a South Dakota prairie and con- tracted a cold, from the ef!'ects of which he never recovered. His chronic ailments de- veloped into emphysema, which caused his death on the fourth day of December, 1893, 368 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES at the a^e of fifty-five years. He was a Mason and a faithful comnuniicant of Trinit}' Episco- pal church. In speaking of Mr. Keyes' death, Mr. Bar- ely, his former partner, paid the following warm trilnUe to his personal character and business ability : "Mr. Keyes was a man of the most thorough and painstaking instincts. His word was regarded as the euxt<)n, himself, is now enjoying the fruits I if bis industry, but keeps good and trusty men, who do all the manual labor. He believes he has a competency but thinks too nuich monev a cumbersome load of canker- ing care. His investments arc largely in real estate in Rutland county. Imt he has five sec- tions of farming land under cultivation in Nebraska. He recently purchased a valuable business block in Rutland. Few men are so well preserved in body and mind, who have passed through so many years of heavy care and responsibility. He continues to rise early, eat jilain food, and is prompt in all things, even to his meals. During his mining life, he was subjected to discipline as rigid as that required by military regulations. John Emory Buxton is a son of Luther and Samantha (Paris) Buxton, grandson of Tim- othy and Elizabeth (Calvin) Buxton, and great-grandson of John and Betsey ( Kelley) Buxton. John Buxton, who was a native of Rhode Island, mo\ed from there to Danby, Vermont, in 1790. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary \\'ar.. He was a farmer and was in good circumstances for his time. His marriage with Betsey Kelley resulted in the birth of eleven children; thev reared seven sons, and three daughters. 'I~he following grew to maturity, and married: Timothv (subject's grandfather). Stephen, Elizabeth. Benjamin, Joseph, Hannah, Lydia, Prudence, and Diana. Benjamin was accidentally drowned in Lake Ontario. Joseph died in 1868. Hannah married Daniel Idulett. Lydia nVarried Jacob i\nsh. Prudence m.arried Seba Phillips. Timothv Buxton was born in Danby. \'er- mont. He married Elizabeth Calvin, and had three sons, as follows: Luther, subject's father: Benjamin; and Jonathan. Ik'njamin resided in 1 bunburg, Erie county. X. Y.. in the vicinity of Buffalo, until his death in the spring of 1899. at the advanced age of ninety- seven years. At the age of ninety-five years he attended to his own banking. He reared a familv of children, who are settled near him. Jonathan was last heard of in 1869. He then lived at Slatersville, R. L. and was then one hundred and two years old. His wife was one hundred years old. Luther Buxton, our subject's father, was born in Danby, \'ermont. There also his mar- RUTLAND COUNTY 379 riage occurred. In 1825, iie was united in marriage with Saniantha Paris. Tliej' settled on the farm now the liome of our subject, where their eleven children were born. The names of their children are: Adelaide; Ma- lona ; Julia Ann ; Daniel ; Mary Jane ; Harvey ; Henry; John Emory, the subject of these lines; Edwin; Almira ; and Helen. Adelaide died in early childhood. Malona is the widow of David Edmonds. She is the oldest living member of the family and resides in Middle- town Springs. Julia Ann married David Cook of the same neighborhood, and is now deceased ; five children survive her. Daniel settled in Marengo, 111. He married Ann S. Cone, who died when thirty-fi\'e years old, leaving one daughter. Mary Jane married Crocker J. Clift, and lived on the old farm, where her death took place October 28, 1886; she left two sons, — William B. and Edwin Buxton. Harvey was an able lawyer in Car- lyle, Illinois, where he died, leaving six chil- dren. Henry was a prosperous farmer in Middletown, Vermont. Edwin farms in Nebraska. He has a family of nine children. Almira resides at the old home. Helen mar- ried Dr. J. S. Henderson, of Oskaloosa, Iowa ; she is a business woman and has been book- keeper and accountant for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company's mine store at Oskaloosa for many years. Luther Buxton died November 28, 185 1, when fifty-three years old. His widow sur- vived him many years, her death occurring December 26, 1878. She was a noble woman. She gave a good home training to each mem- ber of her large family of children and man- aged with skill her large farm of 300 acres. She was nuich beloved and hon- ored by all her children, who are so widely scattered now. The last to leave was Helen (Mrs. Henderson), who still makes summer visits at the old home, which is a sacred and charming spot to them all. November 20, 1865, John Emory Buxton was joined in marriage with Antha M. Clift. Two children have been born to them, name- Iv : Mae Louise and Benjamin Clift. Mae Louise Buxton was born August 20, 1866. She is the wife of William A. Wells, of Oska- loosa. Iowa. They have one son, Em- ory Buxton, four years of age, and an infant daughter, Leona Mae. Benja- min Clift Buxton, who was born Sep- tember 18, 1867. is his father's successor as manager of the coal mines at Oskaloosa, Iowa. He married Ethel Gray, a daughter of Leon- idas Gra)-, and they have two daughters, Mae Grav, aged six years; and Corine Gray, aged five years. Our subject's children were edu- cated in Penn College. Oskaloosa, Iowa, and in the Northwestern Lniversity of Illinois. IVIrs. Buxton is a daughter of Nathaniel and Polly (Crocker) Clift. Her father was born April i, 1801, and her mother April 10, 1807. They were married January 16, 1829. Twelve children were born to them, six sons and six daughters. Two sons died in infancy. The names of the other ten children are as follows : Alice Lucy ; Sarah Eliza ; Jane Mary ; Henry Rollin ; Crocker J. ; William Walton ; Martha Emily; Antha M. (subject's wife); 380 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Charles Martin: and Louise Elizabetli. Alice Lucy is the widow Dye. of East Poultney, and has one daughter. Sarah Eliza is the wife of Truman Lewis, of ()rwell. Xcrninnt: they had four sons and one daughter, of whom two sons only are livinj^-. Jane Mary married Albert Clark, of East Poultney. \'t. : she died May 12. 1867. being survived at this date (1899) by two of her live children. Henry Rollin is a progressi\e farmer of ]\liddle- town. X'crmont. He married Emeline Camp Ogden, of Newark. Xew Jersey, and ten of their ele\en children are still living. Crocker J. is postmaster at Middletown Sjirings. — his sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Will- iam Walton, who was named for the I\ev. William Walton, of Marble Head. Massachu- setts, famous in colonial times, is a hardware •nercliant in South Dakota at Rajiid Cit\'. January 4. 1871. he was joined in marriage with Emma Jane Wemple. of Janesville. Wis- consin. They have one son and one daugh- ter. Martha lunil}- was married to Dr. Albert .\. Deering. of Boone. Iowa. They ha\e four children. Charles Martin is now in Point Loma. San Diego county. California. He married luilalia Kenned}'. Louise Elizabeth died April 10. 1865. The father of these children died Decend)er 2, 1873. .and was survived by his widow until ( )ctober. 1882. Mrs. Pju.\ton's paternal great-great-grand- father was Samuel Clift. He married Lvdia Dagett, and they reared five sons, all of whom rendered \'alued ser\ice to our countr\ dur- ing the Rexolutionar)- War. tin-ee of them. Lemuel, \\'ills and Waterman, attaining the rank of major. The names of tiie five sons are here given: Amos, Lemuel, Joseph, Wills, and Waterman. Amos Clift was born September 20. 1737. and died July 29, 1806; he is the great-grand- father of Mrs. Bu.xton. In the Revolu- tionary War he was a recruiting of- I licer and held many positions of trust. Lem- uel, who was born October 10, 1755. and died .September 13, 1821. settled in Dutchess countv. Xew York, and reared a large family. [ Joseph Clift was born September 13. 1750, 1 and died May 9, 1827; settled in Onondaga countv. New York, and also reared a familv. Wills, born June 18, 1745, and died in 1810, ! settled in Saugatuck (now West Port), Con- necticut. Waterman Clift was born Dccem- i ber 2'6. 1741 : the date of bis death is un- known. He settled in Wimlham. Connecti- cut. Mrs. Buxton is eligible to both the Daughters of the American Revolution, antl the Colonial Dames. Her son and daugh- ter are eligible on both maternal :uid ]);iternal sides. On her maternal side. Mrs. Buxton de- scentled from Deacon William Crocker, who emigrated from England to Barnstable, Mass., in 1639. He was among the first settlers of that ])lace. He reared seven children, six of wdiom were sons. Josiah. the fifth child, mar- ried Malatiah Hinckle_\', a daughter of Thomas Hinckley, who was Governor of the Plymouth Colonies for eleven' years. The next in line of descent was Joseph Crocker. He mar- ried Temperance Burshley. Their seven chil- dren were all born in Barnstaljle. William, RUTLAND COUNTY 381 who was the first bom, married his cousin, Mary Crocker, and the}' reared eiyht children. Their _voungest son, Benjamin, niarrierenticeship and subsequently followed that trade for seven years. August 7. 1862, ]\Ir. Winn entered the Union army, from Whitehall, New York. He enlisted as a private in Company C, 123rd Reg.. New York Vol. Infantry. After serv- ing three }'ears, he remained in the army about live months. Ijefore recei\'ing his dis- charge. Mr. Winn was wounded in the bat- tle of Silver Creek, N. C. on March 17, 1865. A ball struck him in the arm, causing a com- pound fracture of that member, near the shoulder. His arm has been useless much of the time since then. For the past seven years, the subject hereof has also been troubled with blood poisoning. In politics, Mr. ^^'inn is a Repul;)lican. He is, also, a member of Bosworth Post, No. 53, Ci. A. R., of which he has ser\-ed as com- mander. April 2, 1856, Mr. Winn was joined in marriage with Mary A. Edgerly, of Poult- ney, Vermont. Mrs. Winn was, however, a native of Whitehall, New York. She bore her husband two children, one of whom, a son, died in infancy. The other, a daughter, was called Isabelle L. She is now in Sara- toga, N. Y., where she is a successful dress- maker. Mrs. \\''inn also had one daughter by a former marriage, namely: Elizabeth Moore, who is now a widow, and has one daughter, Jessie Belle Greer. Mr. Winn is generous and kind hearted. His affliction arouses much sympathy in his community, where he is exceedingly popular. He is an important personage in G. A. R. circles. In that organization he has served as junior vice commander and chaplain. ^"f GRACE HOXIE DYER, whose por- trait is presented on the opposite page, is considered by many to be the most affluent and influential farmer in Rut- land county, Vermont, and is certainly one of its most worthy citizens. He comes from a long line of distinguished ancestors, and, al- though he is now almost an octogenarian and has led a remarkably busy life, is far from be- ing worn out, but is still vigorous in mind and body and is actively engaged in looking after his numerous investments and domestic affairs. The founder of the Dyer family in Amer- ica was William Dyer, who was born in Lon- don, England, and emigrated to America, locating in Boston, Massachusetts. He sub- sequently removed to Newport, Rhode Island, where he died in 1677. His wife, Mary, a Quakeress, was hanged for "conscience sake" on Boston Common, January i, 1660, choos- ing to die rather than abandon her faith. On March 15. 1637, he. with other residents of Boston, signed a remonstrance affirming the innocence of Mr. Wheelwright and that the court had condemned the truth of Christ, for 398 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES wliich, November 17, 1637, he was disfran- cliised. April 28, 1637, A\'illiani Dyer, witli eight others, signed a compact preparatory to the settlement of Newport, he Ijeing the town clerk. In company with eighteen others, he, as clerk, signed the compact to incor- porate themselves into a "Bodie Politick," in Portsmouth, R. I., March 7, 1638; and, June 5, 1639, he and three others apportioned the lands, having recorded to his name, March 10, 1640, eighty-seven acres. \\'illiani Dyer was secretary of the town of Portsmouth from 1640 to 1647; in 1648 he was general recorder: from 1650 to 1^)53, he was attorney-general of Rhode Island. On the eighteenth day of May, 1653, he received a commission from the assembly to act against the Dutch, he being at that time commander- in-chief of the seas. He was also commis- sioner from 1661 to 1662; a deputy from 1664 to 1666; general solicitor from 1665 to 1668; and secretary of council in 1669. Dyer's Isl- and, which he owned, was named for him bv Governor Coddington and others. William Dyer was sent to England on imjiortant mis- sions by the colonies and uianv times was a conferee of Roger Williams. His son. Sam- uel Dyer, was the next in line of descent. Samuel Dyer was burn in Boston, Mass., December 20, 1635. anuc(l the life of a farmer as his father did before him. and lived and died in the town of Brandon, Ver- mont. He had no children. His widow still sur\i\es him, aged ninety-two years. Daniel was also a farmer in Brandon. He died in 1896, aged eighty-seven years, leaving one son and one daughter. Mary married Mr. Buell ; both arc now deceased. They left two sons anil two tlaughters. Willis Goodnough, our subject's father, died when seventy years of age, and his wife, Lydia, survived him five years, dying in 1855. ( )nr subject is independent in politics, but generally \otes with the Repul)lican party. He has served as selectman, as postmaster, lister, etc. Mrs. Goodnough was a memljer of the Congregational church, but Mr. Good- nough h;is broad, liberal views on the subject of religidu. He believes in the "Golden Rule" and has charity fur all. We jirc^^ent a portrait of the subject of this sketch on a preceding page. .\RK LEWIS, a prominent farmer and stock raiser in East Poultney, Vermont, was born on the farm which is still his home, on November 21, 1 83 1. His farm is one of the few in that re- gion, which have never passed into the pos- session of strangers. It is a fact of which Mr. Lewis is justly proud, that the old ancestral acres are still in his possession. The place was first settled, in 1771. by his great-grand- father. This farm contains about four hun- dred acres. It is really two farms united. .-\l)out one hundred and fifty acres are com- posed of woodland, and rocky ground. The original farm was increased by Mark Lewis, and by his father. ]Mr. Lewis had a fair chance to obtain an education in the public schools, but was not an apt ])uiiil. When t\vent\'-two years old. lie left home to seek his fortune in the \\'est. He went as far as Peru, Illinois, where he re- mained two weeks. In that short time, he got enough of the West, and returned home. Sep- tember 13, 1855, he was joined in marriage with Sarah Jeannette Hosford, a former schoolmate. Mrs. Lewis is a daughter of Isaac W. and Sarah J. (Ransom) Hosford. She was born in February, 1832. Four chil- dren resulted from this union, namely : Charles S. ; George; Mary: and ]\Iabel. Charles S. reside,^ on a part of the homestead fru-m. lie married ^lartha E. Farwell, and has the fol- lowing children, viz. : Ernest E. ; Everett F. ; .•\rthur C. ; and A. Louise. George is un- married, and still under the parental roof. Mary was accidentally drowned in a cistern when six years of age, and Mabel died when three years old. Mr. Lewis is a natural mechanic, and has done some of his own building, — such as barns, outhouses, etc. He also built his own cheese factory and cider mill. He keeps from RUTLAND COUNTY 407 twenty-five to fifty head of cattle, and has six horses. For a number of years, he made a specialty of raising fine wool sheep, of choice Merino stock. Since 1880, he has gradually discontinued this branch of farming. The subject of this sketch is, politically, a stanch Republican. He served as selectman for fifteen consecutive years, and then re- signed. He is a son of Captain John and Rhoda (Fifield) Lewis, a grandson of John and Ann (Cleveland) Lewis, and a great- grandson of Josiah and Molly (Cole) Lewis. Josiah Lewis went from Connecticut to Poultney, Vermont, at an early date. He set- tled on the old military road, about one-half mile from Mark Lewis' home. He was a sol- dier in the Revolution. He participated in the battle of Hubbardton, and in the capture of Ticonderoga. For a time he was an aid on the staff of Colonel Brookins. He mar- ried Molly Cole, of Connecticut. She was one of the heroines of the Revolution. Dur- ing Burgoyne's invasion, with her first-born, a son, who was then her only child, she fled to a place of safety. For services she rendered the patriots in carrying news and otherwise, she received a land warrant for one hundred and sixty acres, and was given a farm adjoin- ing the home of Mark Lewis. Josiah Lewis died about the year 1800. He reared five sons and five daughters (and, prob- ably, more). John Lewis, Mark's grandfather, was born in Connecticut, and accompanied his parents to Poultney; he is supposed to have settled about two miles north of East Poultney. His union with Ann Cleveland resulted in the birth of eleven children, as follows : Polly ; Eliada ; Azuba ; .\lbert ; John, Jr., Mark's father: Anna; Aurelia ; Ezra; Josiah ; Hannah ; and Harry. Mark Lewis' grandfather .died in 1827, aged sixty-four years. John Lewis, Jr., or Captain John Lewis, as he was commonly called, was ushered into the world in 1792. He was born upon the home- stead farm, reared to farm labor, and spent his entire life upon this farm. He built a saw mill on the place. He was a prominent man in that section. He represented the town of Poultney in the legislature, in 1851, and frequently held town offices. He was twice married. His marriage with Polly Buckland resulted in three children, namely: Helen; Fanny B. ; and Carlisle. Some time after her death, Mr. Lewis formed a second mar- riage. He was united with Rhoda Fifield, who bore him six children, as follows: Hiram; Mark, the subject of these lines; Julius; Charlotte; Martha; and Mary. Hiram died in Poultney in November, 1897. Two daughters and one son survived him. Julius was a volunteer in the Union army during the Civil war. He was first sergeant, and was killed at Charlestown, West Virginia, after having served nearly three years. He was unmarried. Charlotte was twice married. Her union with Rollin Mar- shall resulted in the birth of two daughters. She is now the wife of Eleazer Hayward, of Poultney. Martha is the widow of Henry A. Pond. Mark Lewis' mother was a native of Poult- 408 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES nev. She was about seven years young;er than her husband. She lived to tlie good old age of seventy-five years. Her remains were liuried in Poultney by the side of her lius- band, who liad died, No\-eml)er 13. 1865. Mark Lewis' father was well and fa\-i)rably known. He was a captain in the militia. He added to the farm left him by his fatlier, and made a specialty of raising fine wool sheep. He was an influential man of his day, and was an able farmer. M R. C.\RROT,L B. ROSS* is recog- (^ I nizcd by all as the leading practi- tioner u{ West Rutland, Vermont, where he set up an office in 1886, and has since been acti\ely engaged in the practice of his niible profession. The Doctor enjoys not only a large office practice in town, but also has considerable practice in the surrounding coun- try; his handsome turnout drawn by two pow- erful horses inspires his possible patients with confiilcnce, for the_\- know when needed and sent for. he will reach them right speedily. Their confidence in both the promptness and skill of Dr. Ross, is well merited, and his suc- cess is richly deserved. Dr. Carroll B. Ross was born in Poultney, Rutland county, Augu.st 23, 1861. After re- ceiving a common school education, Carroll B. Ross took a preparatory course in the Troy Conference Academy, and afterwards gradu- ated at Middlebury College (\'ermont) in 1882. He then attended Harvard University, from which he graduated in 1886, and received the title of M. D. The same year, he began the ]iractice of his chosen profession, building at that time his present convenient office. During the same year, his marriage occurred. Dr. Ross has been twice married. Novem- ber 17, 1886, he was united in marriage with Ada L. Dunton, a daughter of W. H. and Harriet ( Randall) Dunton. Mr. Dunton is now a resident of Center Rutland, having lost his beloved wife some time since. He had four children, namel\': Harriet, wife of Ed- ward Dana; Ada L., the Doctor's first wife, now deceased ; Alariam, wife of C. A. Simp- son : and William, who resides in Center Rut- land. The Doctor's first marriage resulted in the birth of two children. Paul D., born in 1889; and Adelaide, born in 1891. Mrs. Ross was called away from her husband and her interesting familv, in 1892. at the early age of thirty-one years. In 1897, Dr. Ross again married, this time wedding Harriet Stewart, a daughter of W. H. Stewart, a retired chap- lain of the navy. Mrs. Ross was born in the slate of Massachusetts, and on November t. 1898, she presented her husband with a little son, who bears the name of Stewart. Dr. Ross works hard for the success of the I\e- publican party. He believes in orthodox re- ligion. Socially, he is a Knight Templar, a Forester, and is a valued member of other beneficiary societies. The founder of the Ross family in Amer- ica was one Paul Ross, who w^as a native of Scotland, where his birth occurred in 1767. After attaining his majority, he determined tg RUTLAND COUNTY 409 seek a home in America, and accordingly set sail for the land of the free, in 1788. His mar- riage with Olive Moore, an attractive young lady, was celebrated during the voyage across the ocean. Arriving in America, the young couple settled in Derry, New Hampshire, where Mr. Ross followed farming. The young wde died in gi\'ing birth to her first child, lea\'ing a little son called Paul M., who was the grandfather of the subject hereof. The death of his beloved wife was such a blow to the stricken husband that he, too, died about a year afterward, leaving the little son entirely alone in the world. Paul M. Ross was born in Derry, New Hampshire, September 4, 1800. He was fos- tered by one Judge Reed, and at the age of eight years was bound out to a harness maker, which business he learned, and followed for many years. Upon reaching" manhood's estate, he settled in East Poultney, where he followed his trade, and it was there that his marriage occurred. He chose for his life partner, Char- lotte M. Dewey, whose family boasts of near relationship with Admiral Dewey, now so famous in the history of our country. This union resulted in the l)irth of but one child, Carroll B. Ross' father. The Dewey family were prosperous and influential people. Paul M. Ross in time became the owner of consid- erable property, and was the proprietor of the building in which tiie "Northern Spec- tator" was published. It was in that office that Horace Greeley served as printer's "devil," and was the butt of many a practical joke. Dr. Ross' grandmother took poor Hor- ace's part in more than one affair, but espe- cially did this happen when the men and boys about the printing office inked his tow head. Paul M. Ross was a man of influence in his community and held various town offices, also serving as postmaster. He died in 1870, while his widow survived him until 1898, when her death occurred at the age of ninety-three years. The remains of this worthv couple rest in the cemetery at East Poultney. Dr. L. D. Ross, father of the subject here- of, was born in Poultney, Vt.. on July 4, 1828. He was joined in marriage on his thirty-sec- ond birthday (July 4, i860), with Adeline A. Baldwin, an accomplished young lady of Bris- tol, Vermont. She is a daughter of Hiram and Roxana (Strongwood) Baldwin. Dr. L. D. Ross graduated from the Castleton Medical College. He was a volunteer surgeon in the Civil War, and was in service two years. He was a busy man in his profession, but found time to serve the town in educational matters, as superintendent of schools. In 1873, '^^ ^^'"^^ deprived of his nuich loved companion ; since then his daughter has ministered to his wants, and made home pleasant for him. The follow- ing children were born to him and his worthy wife, namely: Carroll B., subject of this sketch; Willis M., an attorney-at-law and real estate dealer, in Rutland : Anna D., a maiden lady, who is comforting her father's declining years: Lucretius H., a successful physician and surgeon, in Bennington, who graduated from Harxard University in 1898; Paul G., postmaster of Poultney, where he is also an attorney-at-law, has a wife and two chil- 410 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES (Ircii ; and Cliarles L.. who is a druggist and expert pliarniacist of Hoosick l-'alls. New \nrk. Tlie subject of this skctcli is a iiard worker in his profession, and keeps himself posted in mcihcal science, in fact he is strictU' an up-to- (hue man in c\cr\- respect. ■rr:^Ei;H]':.\ U. THR.M.L.- a worthy ll^ re])resentati\-e of tlie agricuUural class V— • of citizens of East Poultney, Rut- land county, \'ermont. resides upon his farm near Lake St. Catherine, and is engaged in dairying, — delivering his product to the con- sumers, at Poultney. His farm consists of one hundred and twenty acres, and is well stocked with cattle and horses, there heing always from h\e to ten horses of good grade. He is untiring in his industry, and his efforts has been attended by the greatest success. Mr. Thrall is a rare specimen of physical man- hood, standing si.x feet two and one half inches in height and weighing about two hun- dred .and thirt_\-fi\e ])Ounds. and before going to war, in which he receix'ed injuries, he pos- sessed almost Herculean strength. In politics, he is unswerving in his support of the Repub- lican party. Socially, he is a member of the (Jrand Army of the Republic, in which he is an active worker. Reulicn U. Thra]] was born in West Rut- land. \'ermont, January 6. 1838, and is a son of Luther and Laura (Chipman) Thrall, and a grandson of Jesse Thrall, a native of Rut- land. The latter's father for many years lived in Turkey Hill, Connecticut. Jesse Thrall was a well-to-do farmer and owned a farm in Rutland, and was an inn- keei)er in Castleton, being proprietor of the Mansion House. He was one of the early emigrants to Ohio, and tra\'elcd the entire way overland with his team and covercject's mother is still living: she resides with her daughter Ida, wife of Albert Billadeaux. in Rutland. Jennie, another daughter, is the wife of \\ arren Hun- ton, of Rutland. John W. Blanchard is ne.xt to the youngest child of the faniil\- and had a common school- ing. In 1868, he accomijanied his ])arents from Massachusetts to Bennington, \'t., where the}' continued to live for about eight years and then moved to Chittenden. In .Aug- ust, 1895, om- subject went to Rutland. Prior to going to Rutland, he was engaged in lum- bering. Before his twenty-first birth(l;i\- however, he became a benedict. Flora liaird, of Chittenden, \'t., becoming his wife. She is a daughter of Rufus and Phoebe (Hibbard) Baird. Mr. and Mrs. Blanchard lost an in- fant daughter and still have five children liv- ing. Those li\-ing are: Rufus, aged sixteen years; Gelda Belle, aged eleven; Millard Fill- more, a robust boy of nine years; John \\'., aged five years; and Florence, a babe of one year. .Mr. Blanchard possesses good business ability and enjoys a fair jKitronage. lie is genial, good-natured, ;uid obliging, and has manv friends. RS. LOVIX.V IIFWITT,* widow of Seth H. Hewitt, deceased, enjoys the distinction of being one of the oldest ladies in Pittsford, Rutland countv, X'ermont, where she resides upon her fine farm of one hundred ;ui(l thirtx' acres. Mrs. Hewitt was born in the town of I'ittsford. near Proc- tor, \'ermont, July Ji. 18 u. She is a daugh- ter of Robert and Ruth (.Miller) Loveland. Her father was l:)orn in Ilartfortl, Connecticut, March 19, 1765, and her mother, nine years later. They were married at ( ilastonburv, Connecticut, in 1791. Their first child, Ruth Miller Loveland. was born July 3, 179-'. The rest of their thirteen children were born on their farm in Pittsford, one mile north of Proctor. This was the farm u])on which Mrs. Hewitt's parents settled in their earlv mar- ried life, and was the first farm settled in Pittsford. Mr. and Mr''. T.o\eland were in humble cir- cumstances, but by iiidustrv and economv accjuired considerable means. Their four sons and nine daughters all reached adult life. They RUTLAND COUNTY 413 married, with the exception of one daughter, Lozina, who was a twin sister of the subject hereof. Siie died upon tlie okl home farm, in 1894. Another daugiiter, Phylinda, mar- ried William \\'heeler. She died February 21, 1899, at the extreme old age of one hundred and one years, and six months. More than fifty grandchildren resulted from the union of Mr. and Mrs. Loveland, forty-seven of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. Mr. Loveland was a public spirited man, and held various town offices. He died May 13, 1856; he was preceded to the grave by his wife, who died March 18, 1846. Their remains rest in the Pittsford cemetery. They were devout members of the Congregational church. Mrs. Hewitt and her younger sister. Tem- perance, are now the only survivors of this large family, which is particularly noted for longevity. Temperance is now the widow Butterfield. She resides in San Jose, Cali- fornia, where her son teaches school, and her daughter teaches music. In February, 1838, the subject hereof was joined in marriage with Seth H. Hewitt. Mr. Hewitt was Ijorn April 21, 181 1, on the farm where I\Irs. Hewitt still resides, in a log house which was the first dwelling in which his parents settled. He was a son of James and Phoebe (Mead) Hewitt. His father was a native of Stonington, Conn., where he was born February 23, 1771. His mother was born in Rutland, February 13, 1774. They were the parents of twelve children, nine of whom grew to maturity and married. James Hewitt died April 8, 1858, and liad previously buried his beloved wife, August 8, 1855. They rest in the old cemetery at Pittsford. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt settled upon the farm where the latter still lives. It then contained two hundred acres. Four children were born to them. One son, Francis, died at the age of one year. The others are Sarah G., the first born, a maiden lady, still at home with her mother; Ruth, wife of Milton Lan- don, a farmer near by the old home; and Josephine, a successful milliner in Brandon. Mr. Hewitt was a cjuiet, industrious farmer and carried on general farming very success- fully. Mrs. Hewitt still enjoys good health, and retains possession of all her faculties. She is a member of the Pittsford Congregational church. 7^ LARENCE H. MURDICK,* of the I J] firm of Murdick & Parkhurst, leading ^ ' grocers of the city of Rutland, Ver- mont, has been engaged in the grocery busi- ness since 1890, when he became an active member of the firm of Burr & Murdick at Numbers 39 and 41, Center street, Rutland. The partnership then formed existed for three years, at the close of which Mr. Burr retired from the grocery business and removed to New York City, — engaging in the real estate business. His interest in the grocery store was purchased by Mr. Parkhurst, who is still a member of the firm. These gentlemen have been doing a large and constantly increasing business until now their establishment is re- garded by many as the leading grocery house 414 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES in Rutland. The firm also conducts a branch store at Numljer i. West street, which is placed in charge of the fathers of Mr. Mur- dick and Mr. Parkhurst, respectively. The entire force connected with the concern num- bers eight, including the bookkeeper, the members of the firm, and their fathers, each of whom is a practical and hard working man. Although the heads of the firm are young men, they have met with gratifying success, considering the short period they have been in trade. Murdick & Parkhurst's principal store is situated in a fine, double, stone structure, where they carry a full stock of staple and fancy groceries and provisions. The branch store, on the corner of West and North Main streets, is one of the old landmarks of Rut- land. It is an old fashioned, brick building with low ceiling, and heavy timbers hewn and encased, at least a century ago. In this store is carried a complete stock of groceries and provisions, together with fiour, feed, hay, straw, and grain. Clarence II. Murdick was born in the vil- lage of Mendon, Rutland county, May 2"], 1866. He is a son of Wallace J. and Harriet E. (Nichols) Murdick, and a grandson of Leonard H. and Elizabeth (Turner) Murdick. Leonard II. Munlick was born in New Haven, Addison county, Vt., about the year 1797. He was joined in matrimony with Eliz- abeth Turner, who was born October 15, 1815. They reared a family of eight children, six sons and two daughters, of whom four are still living. Leonard H. Murdick was a me- chanic, and operator, in a woolen mill. In 1850, he was seized with the gold fever antl went to California, where he died in Placer- ville, October 27, 1850. His remains still rest there, while his widow was Ijuried in Xew Haven, Vermont, where she died Januarv 21. 1873. twenty-three years after her husband's demise. Wallace J. Murdick, father of Clarence H., was born in New Haven, Addison county, \'t., June 18. 1830. During many years, he was engaged as a mechanic in saw mills, box factories, etc. On the twentieth day of October, 1855, he was joined in mar- riage with Harriet E. Nichols, of Cavendish, Vermont. Mrs. Murdick is a daughter of Amasa and Alvira (Gilmore) Nichols. Mr. and Mrs. Murdick have only two children, one daughter, and one son, the latter the sub- ject of this brief sketch. Clarence H. Murdick was reared on his father's farm in the town of Mendon, \'t., where he remained until sixteen years of age, receiving a practical, but common school, edu- cation. His next two years were spent in farm work, after which young Murdick en- tered the employ of the Rutland Cracker Co., working in the city for one year. He subse- quently became traveling salesman for Thom- as J. Lyon, who was engaged in the cracker and bakery business. After ser\'ing thus for five and a half years, Mr. Murdick relin- quished this position and at once engaged in the grocery business, in Rutland. June 28, 1893, he led to the hymeneal altar, Emma Pierce, an accomplished young lady, of Rut- RUTLAND COUNTY 415 land. ]\Irs. Murdick is a daughter of Nathan and Susan ( Edson) Pierce. Mr. Pierce is de- ceased, while his widow resides in Rutland, with her three children. Mr. Pierce was, dur- ing his life, one of the leading merchants in Rutland, dealing in dry goods and general merchandise. He was also engaged in the marble business, which is one of the leading- industries of the \'icinity. The subject of this sketch and his most worthy wife have two children, Philip Pierce, aged four years, and Robert W'., aged two and one half years. Mr. and Mrs. Murdick reside in a comfortable home at Number lo, Nichols street. They are willing workers in the Baptist church, and are responsive to char- itable appeals. Mr. Murdick is a Republi- can, in his political relations. He is a man whose business ai:)ility ami enterprise indi- cate that he is bound to succeed. .\RVIN A. McCLURE.* Of the prominent citizens of Rutland countv, the gentleman whose name is prefixed to this sketch has a credit- able and enviable standing. He is a man of recognized business talent, as is evinced from his rise from humble beginnings, and he has placed himself in the front rank among the business men of Rutland, Vt., where he re- sides, and where his dealings have made a host of acquaintances, and caused him to be- come, socially, a person of importance. May I, 1892, Mr. McClure opened a music store on Center street in Rutland, and in 1895 added to the first another large store room, sixty-seven by sixty-nine feet, where he carries a full line of pianos, organs, and all kinds of small musical instruments, sheet music, etc. Mr. McClure is general agent for Hazelton Brothers, McPhail, Conover, Schubert, Som- mer. and Gibson pianos, and also handles Wilcox & White and Chicago Cottage organs, together with a complete line of sheet music and musical merchandise. Mr. McClure has the state agency of four standard pianos, and has five men on the road while he himself is busily engaged looking after their work. His principal field is New England and East- ern New York. Marvin A. McClure was born in Middle- town, Rutland county, Vermont, May 30, 1857. He is a son of Harry B. and Susan (Ma- loney) McClure, a grandson of Samuel and Sarah (Arnold) McClure, a great-grandson of James and Patty (McClaren) McClure. James McClure was a native of Scotland, and upon coming to America, settled first in Norwich, Connecticut. At a later period, he followed farming in Middletown, Vermont, where both he and his wife sleep their final sleep. He married Patty McClaren, who was born in Scotland, as her father was, and came to America with his family. Samuel McClure, Marvin A.'s grandfather, was born in Connecticut, and, accompanied bv his parents, removed to Middletown, Vt., about the year 1800. He died about the year 1840 and was a worthy and substantial New England farmer, who lived about a mile 416 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES and a half south of the village. Samuel Mc- Clure. after his marriage with Sarah Arnold, continufd to cultivate the farm, and they reared nine of tl^eir ten children, six sons and three daughters; of these children, all are de- ceased except one son and one daughter. Harry B. McClure, father of the subject hereof, was born in Middletown, Decem- ber 31, 1814. He was a mechanic, and in con- nection with farming conducted a wagon shop. He was not only a good wagon maker and an expert mech.-uiic, I)ut could do a fine piece of cabinet work, and made many cof- fins. In those days coffins were made to order, according to measure, and were not kept in stock as they are at the present time. Harry B. McClure was a worthy member of the Baptist church, as were most of the Mc- Clure family. He was joined in matrimony with Susan Maloney, a charming lady of Mid- dletown; Mrs. McClure was born in 1816. After the marriage the young folk continued to reside in Middletown until about 1869, when they removed to Spencerport, Monroe county, New York, where Mr. McClure con- ducted a fifty-acre fruit farm. He was an in- fluential citizen in Middletown, though not a man of wealth, nor a seeker of political dis- tinction. Both he and his wife died at Spen- cerport. ^Irs. McClure's death took jjlace in 1880, at the age of sixty-four years, and her husband survived her until 1888, when he died aged seventy-four years. They were the parents of the following children : Henry W., a commercial traveler, residing in Rutland, where he has a wife and five children; Charles W., a mechanic in Middletown, where he has a wife and two sons; George W., a prosperous dry goods merchant in Boulder, Colorado, who has two sons and one daughter, but, un- fortunately, was deprived of his belo\-ed wife; Sannicl .\., who has been a letter carrier in Rutland for twelve years, and who is still un- married ; Emmet C, who died in Rutland, September 15, 1898, leaving a widow and one young daughter; and Marvin .\., the sub- ject of this sketch. Mar\in A. McChu'c was reareil to farm life and ojjtained only a common school educa- tion. At sex'enteen years of age, he left the farm and his home in Western New York, and went to Rutland, in 1874. There he en- tered the eni])lo}' of J. B. Meeker, the music dealer, working in the capacit\' of clerk. Eight months later found him so homesick that he returned home, where he remained on the farm during summers, and worked in a doc- tor's office during winter, reading medicine. This was carried on for two or three years. In March. 1877. Mr. McClure returned to Rutland, entering the employ of McClure & Hall, who were music dealers, being indirectly the successors of the firm with whom our sub- ject was lirsl employed. Mr. McClure had charge of the office and l)ooks and also acted as salesman w hen neces- sary and not t)therwise engaged ; he re- mained with the firm of McClure & Hall for nine months ; he then purchased ^Ir. Hall's interest in the business, and the McClure Brothers were the proprietors of the music store until 1887, when reverses came, and the RUTLAND COUNTY 417 firm went out of business. Mr. JvIcClure and his brother continued to tune and repair pianos and organs, and went on the road for a number of years, working in that capacity. At a later period Marvin A. McClure, our subject, entered the employ of the Estey Organ Co., conducting their business of selling organs and pianos, and also handling a line of small musical instruments. After remaining in their employ about four years, he became a traveling salesman for Cluett & Sons, musical dealers of Troy, N. Y. He was with them less than a year, and then opened his present store in Rutland. October 8, 1879, Mr. McClure was joined in marriage with Lottie E. Day, a belle of Spencerport, New York. Lottie was a schoolmate of her husband, in former years, and was a daughter of Samuel H. and (Davis) Day. Lottie's mother died and her father took unto himself another wife, another Miss Davis, who was a sister of his former wife. He had four daughters, all children of his former wife. To the subject hereof and his wife have been l)orn tlie following children : Susie ; Harold ; Ernest ; Florence ; and Alice Bertha. Susie, Harold, and Ernest died in in- fancy. Florence, their fourth child, who died March 21, 1897, aged fourteen years, was a most interesting daughter, and a child of promise. The immediate cause of her death was typhoid fever. Alice Bertha was born January 21, 1887, and is now a promising child of twelve years, mature for her age. Mr. McClure is a master Mason, of the Rut- land lodge. He is also a member of the L O. O. F. lodge, the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, and Royal Arcanum. In politics, he is a Republican, but never sought ofiice. The subject of this sketch resides in a pleasant home at Number 55, Church street, where he settled in 1894; he attends divine services at the Congregational church, of which he is a member. OYLBert n. gee fen tion of being th v^^villase of Hvc GEBO* enjoys the distinc- the only merchant in the Hydeville, Rutland county, Vermont. Mr. Gebo is a prosperous business man who moved to Hydeville, nine years ago, and purchased the stock and trade of Bolger Brothers, general merchants of that place. Mr. Gebo was born in Canton, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., October 4, 1854. He is a son of Peter and Maria (Paige) Gebo, respected residents of Canada. His father was born in Canada, May 2, 1812. His mother was born one day later, but died May i, 1897, while her companion survived her until May 17, 1898. ]\Ir. Gebo's maternal grandfather was Tef- field Paige, from France, whose wife was of English descent. They were married at Niag- ara Falls, New York. At a later period, they went to Canada, where some of their children were born. They subsequently removed to Canton, New York. Mr. Paige was a man of considerable means, and was a speculator. Mr. Gebo was the youngest of eieht children, four boys and four girls. Their names are: Peter : Jane ; Delia ; Nelson ; Theodore ; Ade- line ; Maria ; and Albert N., the subject hereof. 418 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Peter died in 1879, in Peshtigo, Wis., aged forty-three years, leaving a family. He was a volunteer in the Union army during the Civil War. He enlisted in Company A, 60th Reg., N. Y. \'ol. Infantry, and served three years. He then re-enlisted, and served muil mustered out at the close of the war. Jane married William Perry and died at Canton, when thirty years old, leaving two children. Delia married a brother of William Perry. She died in Canton and also left two children. Nelson was also a volunteer in the Ci\il War. He died at twenty-three years of age, in the hospital at Newport News, where he fills a soldier's grave. He was a corporal of Com- pany I, 92nd Reg., New York Vol. Infantry. He became sick at Richmond swamp, and died from disease. Theodore was in the same coni- panv, and died a, short time after his brother. He was twenty-one years old. Adeline died in Potsdam, N. Y., aged twenty-six years. Maria died at the same place at twenty-two years of age. Alliert N. Gebo's father was a farmer. The subject of this sketch remained at home, on his father's farm, until he attained the age of twenty years. He received only a limited ed- ucation. He began a mercantile career at twenty-one years of age, by engaging as a clerk in Nick Lowell's store at Norwood, New York. He was a salesman there, for live years. When twenty-six years old, he became a bene- dict. October 1 1, 1880, he was joined in wed- lock with Helen Payette, an attractive young lady of Plattsburg. Mrs. Gebo is a daughter of Theophilus Payette. After marriage, Mr. Gebo was in the furniture business, in Nor- wood, from 1 88 1 to 1891, when he went to Hydeville. Mr. and Mrs. (jebo ha\e one child, Cora, who is now a young lady, still at home. She is quite an accomplished pianist. Mr. Gebo votes a straight Republican ticket. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. The sub- ject of this sketch possesses good business ability, and enjoys a fair patronage. He keeps a nice, clean, fresh stock of groceries and gen- eral merchandise, in a well arranged store. TT^HARLES F. THOMAS,* a rising I jy }'oung business man of Rutland, \'er- ^*" 'mont. where he is successfully en- gaged in the drug lousiness, is a member of the firm of Miner & Thomas, druggists ami pharmacists at Number 43. ^Merchants' Row. He was born in Plattsburg, New York, Octo- ber 18. 1864, and after receiving his primarx education in the ])ub]ic schools of his native city, took a thorough course in the Plattsliurg High School, graduating with honors, at the age of eighteen years. He immediately en- tered the drug store of Walter Gilbert, of Plattsburg, with whom he remained as clerk for six vears. lie then attended the school of pharmac\'. at .Mbanv. New \()rk, graduating therefrom Marcli 17. 1870. In March, 1894, Mr. Thomas ]iurchascd the interest of T. B. Atchison, and entered into partnershi]) witli L. A. Miner, with a half interest in the business. The partnership RUTLAND COUNTY 419 then formed still exists, and the firm of Miner & Thomas does the main pliarmacy and drng business in Rutland. October 14, 1891, Mr. Thomas married Helen Blanch Guibord, a young lady of Plattsburg. Mrs. Thomas is of French descent. Her father is Henry W. Gui- bord, a prosperous grocery merchant, in Plattsburg, and her family stands high in both business and social circles. Her father's brother is a bank cashier and helps sus- tain the name and dignity of this old and honorable family. Mrs. Thomas' mother was one of thirteen children, of whom four sons and five daughters are still liv- ing. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas was born one son, Raymond Franklin. He is a bright, lively boy, born August 23, 1896, and is a perfect picture of health and happiness. It is needless to say that this precocious little fel- low is not only a constant revelation and de- light to his parents, but attracts the admira- tion of all who see him. In 1896, Mr. Thomas built his beautiful home at Number 21, East Central street, where lie is most pleasantly sit- uated, and is most devoted and happy, in his domestic life. Charles F. Thomas is a son of Charles Thomas who was born about 1834, either in Canada or in Clinton county. New York. His grandfather \\as a millwright, and also a con- tractor and builder, in the New England States, Canada and Northern New York, where he constructed both saw and grist mills. He wedded Sarah Cromley, — their marriage occurred in Canada. Sarah was a native of the old countrv, a descendant of the French Hu- guenots. This worthy couple reared three sons and two daughters. The sons are : James, who resides in the West, where he is a man of property and business ; Charles, father of the subject hereof; and Doras, who resides in Plattsburg, New York, and is a prominent contractor and Iniikler. Charles E. Thomas is one of five children, the others being James Edward ; Agnes Fran- ces ; Margaret ; and Harvey. James Edward is a stationary locomotive engineer, residing in Plattsburg. He is a widower with one son. Agnes Frances graduated from the Plattsburg High School, and is now a successful dress- maker in Plattsburg. Margaret also gradu- ated from the Plattsburg High School and is now successfully engaged in teaching. She is also a graduate of the Potsdam Normal School. Harvey is a bookkeeper in Boston, in the employ of the wholesale dru9"-house of ^^'est & Jennings. Mr. Thomas is a Thirty- second degree Mason, being a member of the blue lodge, of Rutland, of the Chapter, of the Knight Templars, and of the Scottish Rites. He is also a charter member of Rut- land Lodge, No. 345, B. P. O. Elks, and was one of the organizers of that lodge. It was instituted aljout three years ago and now en- rolls a rtiembership of more than one hundred of the best business men in Rutland. Their club rooms, which are located in the Rutland Bank Building, are the finest in the city, and, some say, in the state. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are active members of the Congregational church, and contribute freely to its support. The business relations 420 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES of the suliject of this sketcli are the pleasant- est, and the leading position he holds in busi- ness circles, comes as a direct result of the system and care with which he watches every detail. I^|()P.F.RT JONES,* a retired quarry- man, has been a resident of Hvdeville, Rutland county, Vermont, for tliir- widow lady, w ith one daughter. This daugh- ter, whose name is Estella. is the wife of John \\'. Flagler, of Brooklyn, New York. Mrs. Jones is a daughter of Roswell and Mary (Linfield) Tlutchiiis. Her mother was a na- tive of Minerva, N. Y., and her father, of Boston. After marriage they settled in Win- chester, N. H., where both died. Mr. Hutch- ins died at the age of sixty years, leaving his widow with six children, namely: William; John ; iumice ; Clarissa ; Marv ; and Olivet ty-five \cars. He is a nati\e of Wales, and is a .son of William and Elizabeth (Jones) Jones, I (Robert Jones' wife). William died in 1879, both nati\es of Wales, where they spent their leaving a widow. John resides in Winchester. entire li\es. When twenty-five years of age, accomjianied l)y his wife and one child, Rob- ert Jones crossed the ocean to seek ;i home in America. He located in Fair Haven. \'l.. in June. 1S53. nearly fort\-seven years ago. He Eunice married Amos Tufts. She died at thirty-seven years of age, leaving four chil- dren. Clarissa married Lott Ripley. She ilied in 1895. aged sevent_\-two )-ears. Mary mar- ried Lorenz .\twood, and resides in Charles- is a slate quarryman, and was brought up to ; town. New Hamj^shire. She has three chil- dren. The ])arents of these children were prosperous and thrifty farmers. Mrs. Jones obtained a good education, be- this business. Mr. Jones has been twice mar- ried. His first wife dieany of mourners is tlie best testi- monial to till' man as we Iia\e known him. and sliali ever romcnil)(.'r him. ■■\\'e can onl_\- liope and pray tliat the God who gave, and has taken, this l)eneticent life, will bless its influence; and that from it there shall fall, at least upon our indi\'idual path- ways through the coming years, the light which testifies to the richness of Gods grace, and to the honor which waits on a well si)ent life. W'e bury all that was mortal in our friend: but the spirit of the man may still go with us, and cbeer our homeward way. "1 have ne\er known so serene a life. It should be a revelation to us, a forcible ad- monition, of how much we miss by not seek- ing this grace of the graces, which under the strain of eartli's cares and losses can preserve the heart sweet and make life a happiness to the very last. Serene in life, he was also se- rene in death. He saw its approach, and waited for the snnnnons of God, as one waits to hear a lo\ed one knock at the door. Oh, for the secret of such a life! "Let me die the de.nth of the righteous, and let mv last end be like his.' "I-'or ourseh'es. we mav mourn: but for him let us give thanks. I^et us give him Christian buri.il. with the resurrectitjn light falling on his grave, and with hearts looking up to the blessed company of those who have finished their course, and who wait for our coming to their rest. T^et us bury him in the joy of our Lord, and with the i)ravL'r that for us all. there m;iy be an end for all our sor- rows, in the love of oiu' hca\cnlv Father, who calls us by way of the Cross of ^•■- /.car Son, to rest in the hope of his lo\e which ne\-er fails." RS. MARIA K. HYDE,* widow of the late Pitt William Hyde, is one of the oldest and most esteemed residents oi H\(le\ille. \'ermonl. She is well known throughout I\ntland county, and is regarded as a lady of true worth. The Hyde family originally came from Eng- land. It is. there, one of the oldest and most honored, and is particularly noted for the re- finement and intelligence of its members. The Hyde genealogy is one of the most volumin- ous, complete, and expensively prepared fam- ily histories, in the United States. Tlie first of the name to seek a home in America were two Ijrothers, one of whom was Jetlediah Hyde, who was afterward a captain in the l've\()lutionary War. I^itt William Hyde was born in Sudbury, \'ermont. He died June 23, 1881. in his sixty-fifth \ear. fie was a ilealer in marble. He and his older brother, A. W. Hyde, were the founders of Hydeville, and at one time, owned nearly all of it. The Hyde- ville Marble Comjianv was composed of these two brothers, and Dudley B. I'\iller. They clitl a large and profitaljle business. I^itt William Hyde was united in marriage with Maria Kilburn. the subject hereof, Octo- ber 8. 185 1. Soon after their marriage the young folk settled in the good home where Mrs, ll\(le still lives, and which has been her abode, for nearlv half a centnrv. Three chil- RUTLAND COUNTY 427 (Iren were born to them, two daughters and one son, as follows: Sarah; Annie May; and William Pitt. Sarah married Oliver S. Preb- rey, and resides in Burlington, Vermont. They have three sons, and one daughter. Annie May married Theodore Smith Sherman, of Castleton, Vermont. They have one daugh- ter, and two sons. William Pitt, the only son of Mrs. Maria K. Hyde, is a resident of Port- land, Maine, where he has charge of a stock exchange. He bears a favorite name for many generations in the Hyde family, with a transposition, howe\'er, making it William Pitt. In naming his son, he returned to the old ancestral name, and calls him Pitt William. He also has one daughter. Mr. Hyde was a Thirty-second degree Mason. He was prosperous, and made the most of his fine property by industry, thrift, and good business management. In politics, he was a Democrat, prior to the Charleston Convention, but was a Republican ever after- ward. He served in the legislature of the state of Vermont, for six years. In his religious be- lief, he held the Episcopalian faith, and was a member of that church. He served as treas- urer, and as vestryman. Mr. Hyde was in every sense a true gentleman ; he was ever kind and genial in social and business circles, and was recognized as a leading spirit in both. Mrs. H)'de was born in Berkshire, Ver- mont, near the Canadian line. She is a daugh- ter of Alphonso and Harriet (Johnson) Kil- Inun. The first of the Kilburns to come to America, sailed over from England on the ship "Increase." Abram Kilburn, Mrs. Hyde's grandfather, lived in Litchfield, Connecticut. He married Elizabeth Miranville. They reared a large family of sons and daughters. .Abram Kilburn, however, was not robust, and died com])aratively young. ' The remains of these grandparents rest in the little graveyard at Poultney. Mrs. Hyde is one of a family of six children, four of whom were daughters, and two were sons. All reached maturity, married, and are still living, except one. Hiram Kilburn died in Fair Haven, Vt., in 1895, or 1896. He was sixty years old ; his widow sur- vived him. During the greater part of his life, he was engaged in the manufacture of wool, but spent his declining years in retire- ment on his farm. George Oatman Kilburn, another brother of Mrs. Hyde, went to California, in 1849, and engaged in gold mining. He is now a resi- dent of Los Angeles, California. Y^-)| ARRY P. POWERS,* of Number 3, Pine street. Proctor, Vermont, holds an important and lucrative posi- tion with the Vermont Alarble Company, of that place. Mr. Powers is not only land sur ■ veyor for the above company, but boxes all their marble, by contract. He was born in the village which is still his home, January 6, 1855. He was favored with exceptional edu- cational advantages. He graduated from Middlebury College, in 1882. The fol- lowing year he entered the Hartford The- ological Seminary (Congregational), from 428 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES which he graduated, in June, 1886. He then labored with the American Home Missionary Society, l)cing stationed in tiie West, for a brief period. Tliis Hfe, liowever, (hd not suit Mr. Powers, who then cliose a business career, for wliicli lie beheved himself to be better adapted. In 1888. he accepted his present position which he likes and where he gives perfect sat- isfaction to his employers. July 6, 1885, Mr. Powers was united in marriage with Cora Alice Prior, a daughter of Elbridge William and Helen (Headle) Prior, of Sherburne, X'ermont. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Powers, viz. : Charles Prior and Walter Palmer. Charles Prior Powers is a lad of eleven years; his brother is one year his junior. Harry P. Powers is a son of Jeremiah C. and Jane .\urelia (Rogers) Powers, a grand- son of Richard Montgomery and Polly (Car- penter) Powers, and a great-grandson of Jere- miah Powers. The Powers family settled in Proctor, \'ermont, at an early date. Jere- miah Powers was a nati\e of Greenw ich. .Mas- sachusetts, wdiere he was born, in 1732. He W'as twice married. His first wife, whose name has not been preserved, bore him eight children, namely: Jeremiah; Dolly; Prud- ence; Justus; Joab ; Richard Montgomery; George and Gardner. Harry P. Powers' great-grandmother died in .\ugust, 1823. and the surviving husband contracted a second matrimonial alliance. In this instance, he married Elizabeth Cooley, who was born in 1775- Richard Montgomery Powers was the fourth son of his parents. March 9, 1795, he was joined in wedlock with Polly Carpenter. They were the i>arents of thirteen children, namely: Richard Montgomerv. Jr.; John; Charles; Lucy; Daniel C. ; Mary; Dolly; .\manda ; Melinda; Sarah; Nicholas; Jere- miah C, Harry P. Powers' father; and .\rte- mas C. Nicholas Powers was an able archi- tect and bridge builder. He died at eighty years of age. The grantlfatber of the subject hereof and his eldest son were in the War of 1812. The son was accidentally drowned at Winooski Falls, and is buried in Burlington, by the side of Ethan Allen. After the burial of this son. his father walked to his home which was sixty-three miles distant. He was only twen- ty-four hours on the way, and carried forty pounds of his son's things. Richard Mont- gomerv Powers died in 1847. ^'^ widow survived him until 1863, and died an octoge- narian. Jeremiah C. Powers, father of Harry P., was an aide farmer as was his father, before him. He was a stalwart man, of noble phy- sique. February 7, 1847, he was joined in marriage with Jane .\urelia Rogers. She was born in Whitefield. New Hampshire, Janu- arv 3. 1827. I'wo daughters and one son were the result of this imion. as follows; l.ydia Maria, Kate Gertrude, and Harrx' P., the sub- ject of these lines. Lydia ]\Iaria Powers is a clerk in the War Department at Washington, D. C. where she has been employed many vears. Kate Gertrude is the widow of Charles RUTLAND COUNTY 429 Powers, of the same city. Jeremiah C. Pow- ers died very suddenh'. of lieart faikire, his death talking place September 9, 1881. His widow survi\-ed liim until July 20, 1894. Harry P. Powers is. politicalh-, a Republi- can, and has served as selectman, and as vil- lage trustee. While in Kansas he was deputy county surveyor of Rice county. He erected his ])reseat comfortable residence, in 1889. He is now building a liandsome modern cot- tage on River street. Mrs. Powers was edu- cated at the normal school at Randolph, Ver- mont, and, prior to her marriage, taught school. Both Mr. and Mrs. Powers are social fa\orites. RNOLD MANCHESTER,- a promi- nent stock farmer and dairyman of Rutland county, \'ermont, is most pleasantly situated on his one hundred and five-acre farm just outside the village of Bran- don. Mr. Manchester was born in \Miitehall, New York, November 2, 1821. He is a son of John and Pamelia (Meeker) Manchester, and a grandson of Thomas Manchester. The Manchester family originally came from England. Tradition says that three brothers of that name came over in the his- toric Mayflower. One brotlier is said to have settled in Massachusetts, another in Rhode Island, and the third in New Hampshire. Thomas Manchester was a farmer. He re- moved from Rhode Island to Shaftesbury, Vermont, about the year 1791, and settled. later, in Whitehall, New York. His family con- sisted of four sons, and two daughters. All reared families. One son went to Ohio, and the family thus became scattered. Thomas Manchester died about the year 1821, and rests in Hampton, New York. John Man- chester, Arnold's father, was born in Rhode Island in August, 1787. He was a farmer in \ery fair circumstances. He did not aspire to wealth, but was out of debt, and lived well, besides ha\-ing money to give each of his children a start in life. He married Pamelia Meeker, a native of Redding, Connecticut. She was one of a large family of children, sev- eral of whom lived to reach "the nineties." Mrs. Manchester, herself, attainefl the age of seventy-five years, and was cut off by con- sumption. Arnold's parents had se\-en chil- dren. All grew up save the first born, Lucy, who died young. The others were : Mary ; Arnold: Huldah; Lewis P.; Lucy A.; and John. Mary married Wales C. Humphrey. Hul- dah married N. G. Barker, of Hubbardton, and is now nearly seventy-five years old. She has one daughter. Lewis P. was a farmer, and died, of consumption, at the age of fifty- five years. One son survived him. Lucy A. was twice married. Her first husband lost his life in the Civil War, and she was left with three little daughters. Her second husband was Albert Breeze, by whom she had one daughter. John, the youngest son, died when a youth of seventeen years. Arnold Man- chester remained on the paternal farm until he attained his majority. He then hired out 430 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES as a farm liand, for several years. He was thrice married. XoNcniher lA, 1848. lie wed- ded Eliza A. Morehouse, of Brandon. Five years later she passed to her final rest. — a victim of consumiUion. One son, Franklin Manchester, survived her. He was a dru.i^- gist in Brandon, and died, in 1895, leaving- a widow and three children. The second matrimonial venture of Arnold Manchester was with T.ucinda C. Brown, of Whiting, Vermont. She bore her hu.sband one son, John, who died at the early age of ten years, — just one year after the death of his mother, who laid down the burden of life in T865, while yet in middle age. Mr. Manchester's present wife was, before her marriage, Elmira N. Brown. She is a sister of the second wife of the subject hereof. One daughter blessed this union. Flora B., now a young lady, in her seventeenth year. Mr. Manchester settled at his jiresent home, De- cember 30, 1876, just in time to begin the New 'N'ear. At that time he purchased not only his present farm, but seventy acres along the creek, one mile west of Brandon, and twentv acres of cedar swamji. The whole was bought for a consideration of $10,000, — $2,500 of which was borrowed capital. In a very short time, howe\'er, lie sold a marble ])ri\ilege to a company, for $j,ooo, and was able to clear the debt. December 6, 1897, Mr. Manchester met with quite a misfortune. His cow-shed (con- taining nine fine cows), together with two large barns, was destroyed by fire. In his efforts to save his faithful animals, he came near losing his own life. Fine new buildings took the place of the ones burned. Mr. Man- chester now has ten cows, and has made a specialty of keeping fine Merino sheep. At one time, three-fourths of his flock of sixty- five sheep fell victims to an epidemic. Fie has owned some verv choice stock in this line. Mr. Manchester is the possessor of a fine con- stitution, and has always enjoyed robust health. Although he has been a hardworking man. he is still strong and acti\e, and appears much younger than he really is. ^ INDEX Biograpbical Adams. Andrew N. Alden, Timothy H. Allen, Lafayette Atwood, Don Elijah B 31 388 274 266 Baker, Joel Clarke 61 Baker, Loren Melvin . 57 Bajcer, Orville Clark, M. D. 386 Barker, Augustus . 313 Barker, Uavid A. . . . 48 Barrett. Judge James . 255 Baxter, Chauncey Levi 330 Beaman, John B. . . . 231 Bellerose, Alberic H., M. D. 208 Benedict, Jasper A. 56 Bennett. Charles Carleton 96 Blanchard, John W. . 411 Bliss. Ebenezer Janes . 82 Blossom, Dr. William Ripley 206 Boardman, Charles Henry 142 Bogue, Susan Elizabeth 267 Bolger, Martin 141 Bourne, Montraville A. 161 Bradshaw, Mrs. Betsey (Bemai 1) 122 Braislin, Rev. Gibbs 148 Brown, George Francis Buffum, Dr. John Harold Burbank. Samuel Kendall Burditt, Dan D. Burditt. E. A. . . Butler, Hon. Fred Mason Butler. William B. Buxton, John Emory Carr, Carlos W. Chapman, Joseph H. . Churchill, George H. . Clift, Crocker J. . . . Coffey, Rev. Daniel Edward Colton, Mrs. Helen M. Colvin, Marvin Cramton, John Willey . Cronan. William . D Davis, Edgar . Davis, Mrs. Susan (Dyer) Delahanty, James . Denio, Abel Harwood . Denison, William Tyler Dewey. John Randolph 269 276 213 247 101 91 188 377 73 71 371 34 300 126 260 21 203 145 132 67 135 84 17 Dikeman, Myron Morehouse . 107 Downs, Patrick H. ... 87 Dunklee, Benjamin Franklin . 303 Dunton, Charles Howard, A. M., D. D 345 Durfee, Rev. Herbert A., D. D. 258 Dyer, Horace Hoxie , . . 397 Dyer, OlinG., M. D. . . . 253 Eastman, LeGrand . . . 401 Erskine, Samuel Hodgman . 156 Farrington, Frederick Horton 297 Field, Mrs. Anna .... 76 Field. Burgess Paul . . . 326 Fish, Hon. Enos C. . . . 359 Fish, Lester 62 Fortier, Lewis J 116 Foster, Frederick O. . . . 177 Francisco, M. J 113 Frasier, Prof. Willard A. . . 263 O Gary, Frank Weston . . . 184 Gebo, Albert N 417 432 INDEX. Gee. Orrin A.. M. D. Giltnore. James L. Gilson. Edson P. . Gipson, Henry M. Goodnough. John M. Goodwin. Frank .M. Gosselin, Ferdinand Gray, Albert Y. Gray, William N. . Griffin, Benoni Griffith, Thomas . H Haliowell. Mrs. Mary Melvina Hanger, Samuel . . . • Hanrahan. John D., M. D. Harinan, Henry .A. Harris, Mrs. M. G. . . Harrison, Miss Alice .Mary Haynes, Alpheus . Haynes, Rev. Edwin M., D. D Haynes, .Mrs. Emily . Hendee, Elisha Rich . Hewitt, Mrs. Lovina Hill, Isaac L Hitchcock, Captain Charles Hoadley, Mrs. Ann Jennett Hoadley, Francis H. Hoag. Homer L . Hooker, Judson N. Horner, Eri W. Howe, Charles Luther Humphrey, Robert J. Hyde, Mrs. Maria K. PAGE 317 136 283 273 405 98 357 24 422 43 238 382 368 333 38 308 387 225 257 245 319 412 365 222 392 194 192 124 104 164 338 426 J Jones, Alverton G. ... 375 Jones, John J 88 Jones, Parker 347 Jones, Robert 420 Johnson, Cyrus Alverton . . 168 Johnson, Colonel Endearing D. 45 K Jr. Kenney, George W. Ketchum, James M. Keyes. Elmer Duane . Kidder, Mrs. Lucy (Cutler) King, James C. . . . Kinsman, Charles C. . 246 27 366 175 173 93 Leavenworth. Prof. Abel Edgar 353 Leonard, Erwin .... 23 Lewis, Mark 406 Lincoln, Frank F i!)6 Louis, .Mrs. Maria . . in Lyon, Mrs. Cornelia J. . . 234 Lyon, Thomas J 102 M McClure, Marvin A. . McGuirk. James J. .Manchester. Arnold Manchester, Dr. Hiram Le Martin, Mrs. Sarah H. Mason, William C. Meacham, Ozro Mead, John Abner Mead, John H. Metcalf, John . Miller, Edgar N. . . Mitchell. Corintha E. . Mitchell. Martha P. . Mound, Dr. Thomas . Murdick, Clarence H. N Newton. .AJexander S. Nichols, Joel Thomas . Norton. Dr. Arthur Clarence Norton, Charles W. Noyes, Hiram Franklin Page, Captain Lemuel W. Patrick, William .V. Partridge, Herbert E. . Parks, Darius S. Peck, Orin A. . . . Peck, Simon L. Peppier, George . Phelps, Mrs Anna B. . Phelps, Erastus Hibbard Potter, Collins Potter, Fayette Powers, Harry P. . Pratt, Martin Van Buskirk Prove, Fred J. . . Ransom, Albert Vanness 415 223 429 287 337 125 64 II 323 360 95 310 310 151 413 343 186 131 215 181 295 154 227 191 221 15 236 381 284 13 13 427 235 134 241 Reed, Mrs. Marcia .\nn Rogers, Asa J Ross, Dr. Carroll B. . . Ross, Edward V. . Ross, Dr. Lucretius Dewey Ross. Dr. \"olney . Ruggles, Horace M. . Ruggles, Mrs. Mary Cheney Rumsey, Henry Clav . Russell. Edward B. Sargent, Simon R. . Sherman, Solon Smalley, Orange A. Smith, Hiram A. Smith, Otis Frederick Smith, Rollin C. Smith, rheron Bush Stafford, John Stephen Sterns, Charles . . Stone, Addison Gardner Spalding, Richard Marvin Symons, Major Josiah W. Tarbell, Marshall . . . Taylor, P^dward C. . Terrill, .Samuel .... Thomas, Charles F. Thomson, Dr. Jesse Eugene Thrall, Reuben R. . . . Trudel, Dr. Jacques J. . 285 201 408 138 211 424 36 197 81 233 171 121 328 279 288 77 365 85 182 41 243 335 293 204 152 418 61 410 277 \ail, Aaron Jackson . . . 305 \"erder, .Mrs. Clarinda Willard 162 W Wakefield, Thomas Erastus, M. D. 128 Walker. Henry Freeman, M. D. 53 Ward, Mrs. Sophia ... 46 Webb, Adin Reynolds . . 315 Weed, Mrs. Mary E. . , . 72 Westcott, Mrs. Jane ... 118 Wheaton, George D. . . . 217 Whittaker, Edward S. . . 166 Williams. John M. ... 391 Willis. Charles F. ... 158 Willson, Samuel Morgan . . Ill Winn. George B . . . . 394 Wood, Mrs. Fanny B. . . . 421 portraits Adams, Andrew N. Baker, Joel Clarke Baker, Orville Clark, M. D. Barker, Augustus Beaman, John B. Bolger, Martin Bourne, Montraville A. Burditt, E. A. . . . Butler, Hon. Fred Mason Chapman, Joseph H. . Cramton, John Willey Dunklee, Benjamin Franklin Dyer, Anderson Dana, M. A. M Dyer, Horace Hoxie . D., PAGE 30 50 384 312 230 140 160 100 90 70 20 302 251 396 Dyer, Olin G., M. D. . Frasier, Prof. Willard A. . Gilson. Edson P. . . . Gipson, Henry M. . . Goodnough, John M. Hanrahan, John D., M. D. Hill, Isaac L Hill, Mrs. Julia B. . . . Jones, Alverton G. Leavenworth. Prof. Abel Edga Mead, John Abner Mead, John H. ... Mound, Dr. Thomas Newton, Alexander S. . . Norton, Dr. Arthur Clarence PAGE 250 262 282 272 404 332 362 363 374 352 10 322 150 342 130 PAOE Noyes. Hiram Franklin . 180 Parks, Darius S. . . . . 190 Peck.OrinA. .... . 220 Ransom, Albert Vanness . . 240 Rogers, Asa J . 200 Ross, Mrs. Charlotte M. (Dewey), Dr. Lucretius Dewev, Dr. Car- roll B. and Paul D. . . 210 Rumsey, Henry Clay . 80 Sargent, Simon R. . . . 170 Sherman. Solon . 120 Stong, Addison Gardner . 40 Tarbell, Marshall . . . . 292 Thomson, Dr. Jesse Eugene 60 Williams. John M. . . . 390 Willson. Samuel Morgan . 110