USA > Vermont > Essex County > Guildhall > A history of Guildhall, Vt > Part 14
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Ho moved from Guildhall to Middlebury where he was engaged in the marble business, residing there until his deatlı.
HON. EBEN W. JUDD.
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HISTORY OF GUILDHALL ..
DEA. ROBERT CHASE.
Son of Robert and Eliza (Jewell) Chase was born at Pelham, N. IL., in 1830; came to Gaildhall in 1865 and with his brother Joseph bought 3 interest in the water privilege and mills on both sides of the Coun. River. In the spring of 1873 they disposed of their interest in the mills on the Vt. side of the river and took the peg mill and paper mill on the N. II. side, which business they carried on in company till the death of his brother Joseph. and from that date he carried on the basiness alone, till he took his son Chas. D. in as a partner in 1877. Ile has, since he took the mills on the N. II. side, rebuilt the paper mill, and repaired the peg mill, so that they are two of the finest and best equipped mills of their kind and size in New England. He has lived in the village of Guildhall since 1$65, having bought the "Steele house" (so called) which he remodeled and virtually rebuilt, using nothing but the pine frame which was put up about 1800, and which today is as sound and perfect as it was the day it was raised; he has the best and most finely arranged honse in town, if not in the county, which could be said without casting any slurs on the other houses in the county. He has always atten led to his own business in person, (and has not had the time, or seemed to have the inclination to attend to other folks' business,) and of course, has made his business a success; has given employ- ment to a large number of men and women in his mills at good wages, and a number are working for him now that commenced with him in 1865. He has always been very liberal in giving to all charitable objects: has been one of the deacons of the Congregational church since 1868, and has shown his earnest love in his large contributions in
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supporting and carrying on the work, and sustaining the church of which he is a consistent and faithful member.
lle married Susan Davis in 1854, a lady of fine ability, who has done her shire in making a happy and comforta- ble New England home, and at the same time has found time to aid every worthy effort to advance the welfare of the community in which she has lived so many years, and when she and her husband shall have to lay down the bur- deus of this life it will be a great loss to the town, as the writer thinks he is the most energetic and thorough busi- ness man who has lived in Guildhall since 1865.
They have one son who was born at Lawrence, Mass., in i:55, who is in company with his father.
JOSEPH CHASE.
Brother of Robert Chase, was born in 1832; was a ma- chinist by trade. He went into the army and served as heretofore referred to ; came to Gnil lhall in 1867 and was in company with his brother until the time of his death in May 1873. He was a man of fine personal appearance, and a practical level-headed business man, and every one lost a friend when he was so sally and suddenly taken away from this life when in the full enjoyment of mental and physical strength.
MADAM ELIZA (JEWELL) CHASE.
Came to Guildhall with her sons Robert and Joseph, and has resided in town ever since, and all who have known her will not think it strange that her sons should have been energetic and capable men, as she is one of the best women who ever lived in this or any other communi- ty, and it is the earnest wish of all that she may be allowed to bless this community with her example and kind acts for many years.
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HISTORY OF GUIL.DIIALL.
ELIJAH FOOTE.
Was one of the first attorneys who located at Guildhall, and his name appears first upon the court docket. Ile was a very able lawyer, and had a large practice while he lived in town. He was a highly esteemed citizen, and represented the town five years. Ile went from here to western N. Y. where he lived until the time of his death. CHARLES G. BARRETT.
Born in Vernon, Conn. in 1835; came to Guildhall in 1864; he followed the occupation of farmer for a while, but the last few years has worked at the trade of joiner and carpenter. He married Amanda J. Richardson of Newbury in 1858 ; they have one child living : Nellie L., born Apr. 1860, she married George E. Morse and resides at Lancaster. Mr. Barrett has held the offices of Lister, Selectman and Justice at different times, to his credit as a faithful and impartial officer. His religious belief is of the Second Advent faith, and he has without doubt, spent more time studying the Bible than any one of his age in this section ; he is a consistent believer in the faith, which he is ready on all proper occasions to declare without fear, favor or hope of reward, further than shall await every faithful Christian. On account of the state of his health he has been deterred from entering upon the work of a minister of the Gospel, which he has by his friends been urged to do, but his health has been such that he could not, and has had to forego a calling which he has the talents to perform with ability, as he has an easy and pleasing way of speaking, which a few only are allowed as a natural gift.
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HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
JAMES BOYCE.
Mr. Boyce located in Guildhall in 1841 selecting the north road locality as the place for his home, and at once commenced clearing land, and at length succeeded in obtaining one of the best farms in that part of the town. He was a good citizen and lived in town until his death.
JOHN II. BOYCE.
Came to town with his father when quite young and re- sided here until his death. He owned and occupied the farm on which his brother Geo. S. now lives. He was a very industrious and upright citizen.
GEO. S. BOYCE.
Was 14 years old when he came to Guildhall with his father, and he now resides on the old farm on the north road. He has held town offices at various times. He married Fannie S. Lamkin in 1854, and their children are: Guy, born in 1856, a shoe dealer in Boston. John, born in 1862, also in Boston. Sadie, born 1870, is at home.
DR. N. S. BOYCE.
Come with his father from Newbury when he was 12 years old. He has resided in town since, we believe. He is a professional man, having practiced medicine for quite a number of years. Not being furnished with facts which were respectfully asked for, we are not able to publish more about him.
J. Q. PEABODY.
Came to town 1836 and resided on the "Burge farm." He married Lorinda M. Seaver in 1838. He died 1873. Their children are: John Q., Thomas H., Lucy M., Frank M., Arthur J., Chas. E., Geo. A., Joseph D., Lorenzo L., and Etta A. All the children living have removed from the town.
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HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
ORANGE SCOTT HENDRICK.
Son of Henry and Loisa Hendrick was born Sep. 10, 1846 at Concord, where he resided till Sep. . 61 when he enlisted into the United States Service, Co. "D" Ist. Reg. Vt. Cavalry, and served till Nov. 19th. . 64 when he was mustered out and received an honorable discharge. He returned to Concord and remained till March 20, 65 when he re-enlisted for one year into the U. S. Service, Co. "I'' 7th. Reg. Veteran Volunteers, and serve.l 1 year. At the close of the war, in the spring of .65 this Reg. was stationed at Schuylkill Arsenal Philadelphia, where he served as Past Quarter Master until the expiration of his term of enlistment, when he was again honorably discharg- ed and returned to Vt. During his service in the U. S. Army he was in 72 different engagements. He was cap- tured with 14 others of his Reg. at Hagerstown July 6, 1863 by Stuart's rebel Cavalry, when his Reg. with the union forces were trying to ent off Lee's retreat after the battle of Gettysburg : he was taken to Richmond and con- fined in Libby prison and Belle Isle till he was paroled Dec. 27,'63, and sent to Annapolis, Md., where he re- mained till the spring of '64 when he joined his Reg. and went with Grant's army to Richmond and Petersburg.
He was so fortunate as to escape wounds, which would seem almost miraculous, as the Ist. Vt. Cavalry was for a long time opposed to Mosby's celebrated "Guerilla" Reg. of Cav .; they had a number of hard fights with that rebel force, which was more dreaded than any other equal number of the rebel army. It appeared to he Mosby's greatest desire to capture the Ist. Vt. Cav .; it was also their chief object to do the same to him, but neither side was able to accomplish what they so long and persistent - ly tried to do, and both organizations were in good fight- ing condition at the close of the war.
HISTORY OF GUILDHALL. 255
Mr. Hen trick rame to Guildhall in 1867 and purchased the "Cutler farin," which he carrie l on till 1877 ; ho has since followed the business of painting and innson work in which trade he is one of the best workmen in this vicinity. He is an exemplary member of the M. E. Church : an honest man, and it is hoped that he will make Guildhall his permanent home.
DAVID DENISON, ESQ.
Was born in 1756: lived in the south part of the town. He was one of the most prominent citizens during his life. Just what time he came to Guildhall we are unable to state, but he must have come in the early part of the settlement of the town. as his first wife. (Sarah Spaulding, ) died hor- Aug. 20th. 1787, aged 30 years. His second wife was Anna Paine who was the mother of a wonderfully in- telligent wul smart family of children; (among whom was Aun, the wife of Hon. Anderson Dana, and mother of Hon. Charles A. Dana of N. Y. ; she was one of the most talented women who ever lived in Guildhall, and had a large in Huenec over the community, and will be long romembered for the good which she did; it can be said of her truthfully, "that she rests from her labor, but her works do follow her.") She died here Sept. 3d. 1849.
DAVID E. DENISON.
Was the most earnest worker in having the Congl. Soc, build its meeting house at the village in 1844 and it was principally through his efforts and management that it was done; he Was a persevering and enorgetie man ond will long be remembered by the influence for good which he exerted while bere; he was born at Guildhall in April 1×05 and died in Mass. 1848. He was twice married, his first wife was Ether Aun Goodrich a native of Hartford, Vt .. his second wife was Amelia Nelson. His children 5 in number, and the only person in this section who ever bore the name of Denison is Mrs. Seth Meacham, who shows by her efforts for good that she has a right to claim and be proud that she is a daughter of David E. Denison.
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HISTORY OF GUILDIIALL.
HON. JOIIN P. DENISON .*
Son of David and Anna Denison, was born at Guildhall in 1809 and resided here on the same farm on which his father lived till Mar. 1860, when he sold the farm and re- moved to Lancaster where he lived a few years and then went to Kan., where he died a few years ago. He married Mary Cooper a lady of very fine presence and ability, a daughter of Hon. Jesse Cooper of Canaan. They had two sons and two daughters : Chas. P., is a railroad conductor in Kan .; Henry E., has been in Japan for a number of years in the employ of the United States Government.
Judge Denison was a farmer while he lived in town, and was an energetic, honest, upright man, was a coasis- tent member of the Congl. Church, and a republican of the strongest kind, being one of the founders of the party in Guildhall. He was a man very decided and positive in what he believed to be right, anl he had the courage o! his convictions, and did not stop to consider on the ques- tiou as to whether any popularity was to be gained or not, and of course he had strong friends and some enemies, as a man of his ability and positive notions always has, but as the wheel of time rolls on he is judged and respected for the integrity of character, and honesty of intention, while those who at the time were finding fault and ques- tioning the purity of his motives have dropped out of sight and are forgotten, as all unprincipled, unscrupulous persons ought to. He left a good example for the inhabi. tanta to follow, with one exception, which wus that in his willingness to assist others he was deceived and betrayed in the confidence he had in those he assisted by the use of his name, by which means he lost his property and left. town a poor but honest man, and it will be a long time before the town will see his like again.
. Thl4 sketch Is not written on heursny but by the dleintion of one who knew him porsoundly.
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HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
HENRY MEACHAM.
Born Sept. 7, 1799 at Charlestown, N. H. He followed the business of farming all his life, and was a good citizen; was married in Guildhall to Clarissa Cutler in 1819.
WM. H. MEACIIAM.
Was born in 1825; married Lydia M. Rosebrook; re- sided in Guildhall till the date of his death Nov. 18. 1892. He was a successful farmer, considering that he had but little capital when he commenced to do business for him- self; the last few years of his life he carried on the "Fiske farm" to the satisfaction and profit of the owners, as well as his own. His wife was a very industrious, estimable lady and prudent housekeeper; she died June 16, 1879. They had four children, one son and three daughters : one of the daughters, the youngest, died only a few days pre- vious to her father's death; the other two reside in Mass. the son Pliny W., carries on the same farm his father did. His second wife, Miss Orril Rosebrook, a sister of his first wife, now resides in Watertown, Mass.
SETH MEACHAM.
Born Feb. 3. 1831; married Sarah Denison Aug. 1859. They have four children. Ile moved into the toll house at Northumberland in 1879; he previously lived in Guildhall. ASHBEL MEACHAM.
The youngest son of Henry Meacham was born Oct. 23, 1846. He was a brave member of the 1st. Vt. Cavalry; he was killed at Winchester, Va. May 25, 1862.
AARON FISKE.
Born in 1778 and died in 1822, and Abigail, his wife born in 1778 and died in 1867, were the parents of Anson Fiske, who owned the Fiske farm, (one of the largest and most productive in town, ) for many years; his wife Prudence Howe, was a daughter of Simon Howe, who owned the same farm during his life, was a model farmer and acquired a large property, and a man who never traded or attempted to make money in any other way than earning it by indus- try and hard work. Mr. Fiske was "off the same piece," and by industry and economy accumulated a large property.
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He sold his farm aud timber lands some ten years ago, and went to Haverhill, N. H., where he now resides. He has but one daughter living : Adeline, wife of Dr. Geo. O. Rogers, who came to Lancaster about 1866, a young man, and commenced the business of dentistry, with bui littlo means excepting an abundant supply of pluck, which is said to generate true courage. He, by his industry, study, and economy acquired a lucrative practice, sup- ported himself and wife without help from any one and after practicing his profession some dozen years at Lan- caster, he took it into consideration that in order to do a business such as he wanted to do, he must go where there was more money and more people, and acting accordingly he went to Hong Kong, where in a few years he accumu- lated "his pile" and came back a year or so siace apparently feeling that the wheel of fortune in his case had turned in the way he desired, and of his good fortune his ummerons friends are not envious, but rejoice. He has one child, Ansou Fiske Rogers, a promising young man.
HON. ORAMEL CRAWFORD.
Born at Guildhall April 2, 1800 and has always resided on the same farm where he was born; has followed the business of farming all his life. He has been a man of great influence in the town, having known every one who has lived in town during his lifetime, and being regarded as a man of the strictest integrity, of course, was during his active life constantly in office of some kind, not that he was an office seeker, but his services were demanded by his fellow citizens. His health has been very poor for the past few years, and he has been obliged to give up business matters almost entirely; it is earnestly hoped that ho may recover his health and live inmuy years to enjoy the respect which is due an honest man.
Ho is one of the members of the nated Crawford ruce, so well known and admired in the White Mountain region
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IHISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
for their integrity of character and blunt yankee ways, and a nobler specimen has not as yet been produced than Oramel Crawford. He has been twice married ; his first wife was a Miss Buck of Charleston, N, H., who died young, and his second wife Miss Catherine Bothel, a na- tive of Northumberland, was a woman every way worthy to be the wife of such a man, and their's while she lived was a model New England home ; she died March 30th., 1883, aged 69 years. They had three sous ; George O. who resides with his father and manages the business since his father's health failed, is an industrious citizen ; the second son Harry, went to Watertown, Mass., where he is engaged in carrying on a large market-garden farm, and is a very energetic, prosperous business man, attending to his business and letting other people's alone; he married Miss Annie Rosebrook, a native of Guildhall, and didn't get cheated in the matter, for it is admitted that she is one of the nicest young ladies that was ever raised in Guildhall. The other son Fred, of Watertown, Mass., is a young lawyer, of good ability.
GREENLIEF WEBB.
Born at Lyman, N. H., in 1794; came to Guildhall while a young man and carried on the mercantile business for a number of years; bought and sold timber lands at a large profit, and as a result accumulated a handsome property, and had it not been for the law suits which he indulged in, he would have left a much larger sum for his heirs than he did. He was sheriff of the county for a number of years and the most noted and efficient one that the county had ever had up to his term of office. He was sheriff at the time the land sale called the "Webb sale" was made which gave him a wide and extensive acquaint- ance and notoriety it having been claimed that this was the only good sale that had been made to that time, though it has lately been asserted that it was not a good sale, yet the
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question as to its validity has not been decided by the Su- preme Court of Vermont.
He was twice married ; his first wife being a daughter of Capt. Simon Smith, she died May 1, 1849, and his second wife Susan Hall, widow of Henry Hall and daugh- ter of Seth Eames Esq., of Northumberland ; they were the parents of three children, only one of whom is now living; Seth Webb of Winthrop, Me., who is the owner of a hotel iu that town. His second wife died July 1886.
THE HADLOCK FAMILY.
Hezekiah came to town about 1825 and lived where C. G. Barrett now resides ; he died in 1855. His wife died in 1842. They had 3 boys and 3 girls : Cynthia Jane died in 1852; she was a very bright woman and exerted a great influence; it has been asserted that any person whom she disliked could not be elected to an office in Guildhall; her brother Elon G., was quite a politician in his day, and was on hand to execute any plans his sister directed ; he died in 1866. Horace M., the youngest of the family was a cripple, never being able to stand alone after he was 15 years old, but he lived to be 65; he was a good scholar and the best penman who ever lived in Guildhall.
CHARLES RICH.
Son of the late Hon. Moody Rich, was born at Maid- stone Oct. 5, 1813; lived with his father till 1851 when he came to Guildhall and bought the Eleazer Whitcomb farm, on which he has ever since lived. Mr. Rich is an industrious, hard working, honest man, and one of the best farmers in town. He married Diadama Willard, a daughter of Harden Willard in 1847. They have had six children, only three are now living. Willard, who resides in Delaware : Marshall, who resides with his parents, is a smart young man. The daughter married Mr. James Winslow and resides in N. Y. City.
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HISTORY OF GUILDIIALL.
JOHN CHESSMAN.
Came with his wife from Lancaster about 1873; bought the Basset farm on which with their son, John F. they have since resided. They are both industrious, hard work- ing men. John F. married a Miss Masure, a lady whose parents resided in Guildhall for a number of years.
WM. MORSE, ESQ.
Born at Concord in 1810; was a pedlar and sold dry and fancy goods through Caledonia and Essex Counties for a number of years, then went into trade at Lunenburg and did a good business, keeping an eight horse team on the roail all the time hauling pro luce to the markets of Port- land and Boston, and goods back for his store. But the custom of trusting out goods to any and every body prov - ed disastrous in his case, and he was obliged to fail, for the reason that those he owed wanted and were determin- ed to have their pay, while those who had received credit at his hands did not seem to care what became of him. provided they could evade the payment of the claims he had against them; afterwards he kept a hotel at Lunenburg Corner till it, with the out buildings were burned; this was abont 1:51. He went to Northumberland Falls and kept a hotel for a few years; then he removed to Maidstone and carried on a farm till 1868 when he came to Guildhall and built a house in the village, where he lived till the time of his death Dec. 3, 1878. Soon after coming to town he was elected a Justice of the Peace and was the trial Justice until he died, being one of the best, if not the best that ever performed the duties of that office in Guild- hall. The writer remembers on one occasion, when a per- son had been complained of for violating the liquor law, and brought before him for trial, (although not a very great admirer of the law himself.)
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After hearing both sides, he announced "that this respon- dent is here to answer to a violation of a law of the State of Vermont, and what the opinion of any man or set of men might be as to the law being right or wrong it is not a question I have anything to do with, but while it re- mained on the statute book, and I have anything to do as a magistrate I shall try and enforce it. I find the respondent guilty of two first offences, and adjudge that he pay a fine of twenty dollars and costs." At the next election this violator of the law tried to defeat Esq. Morse, but he was elected almost unanimously, and the job of trying to pre- vent his election as a Justice was never again attempted.
He was twice married, and his second wife died at La"- caster in Aug. 1886. He had two children by his first wife : Mrs Sylvester Poole, of Northumberland, and Mrs. Robinson, of Boston; and five chiliren by his second wife, three sons and two daughters, the sons all went to Mass., one daughter married Sylvester Rich, a native of Maid- stone and resides at Springfield, Mass., the other married a Mr. Wilson who died at Lowell, Mass. a few years since, she now resides nt Lancaster.
BARNARD B. WAID.
Has been a resident of Guildhallfor a long thne. His wife was a Miss Bryant; they have two children, s son and daughter; the son Wm. W. lives with his parents ; the daughter married a Mr. Couch! and lives ut Brighton. Mr. Waid bas, since he lived in town, followed firming and has been fairly successful for a man who has had only a small farm to get a living from.
WM. S. WILLEY.
Was born in Lomington; married a daughter of Mills D. Webb who formerly lived in Guildhall. They have six children, 4 girls and 2 boys; all young and bright, and it is a very pleasant sight to see this family of children going to and from school, and it shows that these parents havo a
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right to feel proud and happy in their pleasant home. He carries on a small farm and also does anything that comes in his way by which he can earn an honest dollar. It would be well if the town had more such families in it.
GEO. A. FORD.
Came from Maidstone soon after he returned from the war of the rebellion; married Celia Hubbard and they have a large family of bright, active and industrious chil- dren. He is a hard working man and a good farmer; owns the "Call farm" on the hill, and is well situated.
WARREN R. MARSHALL.
Came to Guildhall a few years since and bought the farm on the hill formerly owned by Win. H. Meacham. Hle is doing a prosperous business for a farm of it's size in a town so far from the markets where most of the pro- duets that a farmer has to sell now days are disposed of.
He is an active member of the M. E. Church ; is one of the stewards, and at the present time chairman of the financial board.
ISRAEL DREW.
Born in 1785 anddied in 1>63. He married Lucinda Hopkins who was born in 1799 and died in 1883. They lived on a farm in the southwesterly part of the town; he was a good, quiet, well disposed and smart citizen, a man of no large property, but while he was able to work did the best he could to provide a comfortable home for his family. They had a large family of children, only two of whom are now living in towu : Wm., who is a farmer and lives on the farm occupied by his father, and Mrs. Louis E. Webb.
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