USA > Vermont > Windham County > Brattleboro > Brattleboro, Windham County, Vermont; early history, with biographical sketches of some of its citizens > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
163
BRATTLEBORO.
a heathen people in their coming to em- brace the Christian faith and enter the church of Christ. All which manifold duties and vocations left no time for idle- ness, or even for that needful rest which a tropical clime makes all the more impera- tive for the foreigner of a cooler sky. Yet here he labored fifteen years, or till March 12, 1862, when, with impaired health, he made return sail, reaching Boston June 7, 1862.
Having rested for a time, Sept. 21st, he took charge of the Congregational church in Saxtons River; for a year ; was then set- tled as pastor of the Congregational church in Feeding Hills, Mass., two years, after which, Oct. 1, 1865, he entered on an agen- cy for the American Missionary Associa- tion in New Hampshire and Vermont, an office which he still continues to hold, hav- ing his home in West Brattleboro.
ADMATHA GROUT, second son, born Feb. 19, 1817; fitted for college in Brattleboro Academy; graduated from Dartmouth in 1845, and from Union Theological Semi- nary in 1851. But failing health did not allow of his entering upon the work of the ministry. He died in Osawatomie, Kansas Territory, Sept. 6, 1855.
HANNAH, third child, born May 9, 1819; married to Mr. Lyman C. Ranney, of Westminster West, Aug. 18, 1859. They reside now at St. Johnsbury Centre.
SYLVESTER BISHOP GROUT, 4th child, born Feb. 7, 1822; married Nancy R. Mon- tague, of Guilford, Jan. 8, 1852; lived in West Brattleboro till March, 1872; re- moved to Kansas; is now living in Clarion, Kansas. Mrs. Grout died September 23, 1879.
PAULINUS SCOTT GROUT, born Nov. 18, 1823; died in West Brattleboro, March 14, 1847.
ISAAC A. GROUT, born March 2,1826; went in early life to live with his uncle Isaac, in Putney; being of age, went to California, where he still resides. He was married April 10, 1879, to Mary T. Taft, of San Francisco.
CHESTER GILBERT GROUT, born April 3, 1828; married Emeline Washburn, of Springfield, Vt .; lived in Kansas for a time; went to Illinois, there volunteered during the late war, and entered the 7th lowa regiment of the Federal army; was
in several severe engagements, as at Bel- mont, Fort Donelson, and Fort Henry: is now living in Kansas.
HENRY MARTYN GROUT, seventh son and eighth child, born May 14, 1831; grad- uated from Williams College in 1854, and married Miss Fannie J. Foster, daughter of Rev. Amos Foster, of Putney, Vt. He was Principal, for a time, of Brattleboro Academy, afterwards of Monson Academy ; was licensed to preach in 1856; labored for a time in Marlboro, Vt .; was afterwards installed over the church in Putney; called to West Rutland, was installed Aug. 26, 1862. His next pastorate, four years, was in West Springfield, Mass., after which he was for several years associate editor in the literary department of the "Congregation- alist," of Boston. He was called to the pastorate of Trinity Church, in Concord, Mass., in 1872, where he is still laboring ; in 1878, received the honorary title of Doc- tor of Divinity, from his Alma Mater.
JOHN MILO GROUT, 9th child of John and Azubah Grout, born April 13, 1835, in Newfane, where all the other children were born; was married May 25, 1858, to Miss Sarah A. Herrick, of West Brattle- boro. He engaged in mercantile business, for a time, in Hartford, Conn .; afterwards in Putney, then in West Brattleboro; now resides in Medford, Mass.
While engaged in mission work, in Na- tal, the Rev. Lewis Grout was chosen cor- responding member of the American Ori- ental Society, in whose "Journal" may be found a number of literary and linguistic papers from his pen, such as an "Essay on the Zulu and other Dialects of South Af- rica," "A Uniform Orthography of South African Dialects," "Phonology and Or- thography" and "Particles of the Isizulu and its Cognates." Among the other lite- rary productions of his pen are "Reply" and "Answer" to Bishop Colenso, on Po- lygamy, and a "Review of the Bishop's Notes on Romans;" Dedicatory, Installing, Historical, and other "Sermons;" "Histo- ry of the Zulu and other tribes in South Africa;" "Reminiscences of Life among the Zulu-Kaffirs;" "Zulu-Land;" "A Gran- mar of the Zulu Language;" "Zulu-Eng- lish Vocabulary;" "English-Zulu Vocabu- lary;" and translations of Psalmns, Acts, and other portions of the Bible into the Zulu language. REV. LEWIS GROUT.
164
BRATTLEBORO.
HON. DANIEL KELLOGG
Was born at Amherst, Mass., Feb. 10, 1791, graduated at Williams College in 1810, studied law with Gen. Martin Field, and commenced practice at Rockingham, Vt. in 1814, where he continued to reside until 1854, when he removed to Brattleboro, where he died May 10, 1875, aged 84 years.
The name and character of this gentle- man as a successful advocate at the bar, President of the Bellows Falls Bank and Judge of the Supreme Court, had long been known to the people of Brattleboro, therefore, as was anticipated, the accession of himself and family to this community proved an acquisition of the most desira- ble character. In various ways did the action of Judge Kellogg and his estima- ble wife, the daughter of Judge Aldis, of St. Albans, contribute to the welfare and attractions of Brattleboro. To the Epis- copal Society, then struggling to obtain a foothold and a church building in this place, their influence and material aid was indispensable, and will ever be gratefully remembered.
They purchased the estate of Hon. John Phelps on High Street, and on grounds of the same erected a handsome residence. Mrs. Kellogg, by the exercise of her taste and culture, intellectual attainments and instructive conversation, rendered her home one of the most attractive resorts in this place. She was, we learn, a pupil in the Troy Seminary, under the manage- ment of Miss Willard, and graduated with great proficiency and honor from that in- stitution, which, at that time, had a repu- tation unequalled in this country.
The greater portion of Judge Kellogg's active life had passed before he became a resident of this town, where he closed his long life of 84 years, therefore we give an extract from the pen of those qualified to give us correct information regarding him.
"He married, first, Jane McAffee, of Rockingham; second, Merab Ann Bradley, daughter of Hon. Wm. C. Bradley, of Westminster; third, Miranda M. Aldis, daughter of Hon. Asa Aldis, of St. Albans.
He was for a few years State's Attorney for Windham County, and Judge of Pro- bate for the District of Westminster, Sec- retary to the old Governor and Council of Vermont, during the administration of
Gov. Butler and Gov. Van Ness, United States District Attorney for the State of Vermont 12 years during the administra- tions of Gen. Jackson and Mr. Van Buren, Adjutant and Inspector General of the State, represented the town of Rockingham in the General Assembly, and for two years State Senator for Windham County. In 1843, he was chosen President of the State Constitutional Convention, and Judge of the Supreme Court of the State from 1845 to 1852.
His children were: HENRY, born Aug. 23, 1823, graduated at Williams College in 1843, engaged in the study of law with Hon. William C. Bradley, of Westminster, Vt., and was drowned while bathing in the Connecticut River at that place, June 18, 1844.
GEORGE B., born in November, 1825, studied law with Hon. Asa Keyes, of Brat- leboro, married to Mary L. Sikes, daugh- ter of Urial Sikes, of Brattleboro, March 15, 1847, commenced the practice of his profession at Rockingham in 1846, soon after his father was elected Judge of the Supreme Court, removed to Brattleboro in 1855, appointed Postmaster at Brattleboro in 1861, State's Attorney for Windham County three years, Adjutant and Inspec- tor General for the State from 1854 to '59, represented the town of Brattleboro in the General Assembly two years, was active in raising and enlisting the Vermont Cav- alry Regiment, and was Lieut. Colonel thereof during the Rebellion, at the con- clusion of which he was discharged, and resumed the practice of his profession at St. Louis, where he died in November, 1875.
SARAH B., born in August, 1831, mar- ried Henry A. Willard, of Washington, D. C., in November, 1855, where she now resides.
DANIEL, born April 9, 1834, married Margaret W. May, of Brattleboro, May 2, 1861, was Postmaster at Brattleboro from 1862 to July, 1868.
At the time Judge Kellogg was elected an associate Justice of the Supreme Court he was in the enjoyment of a lucrative practice in the judicial district for which he was chosen, and although at the time he was open and undisguised in his devo- tion to the democracy, and had accepted
165
VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
the position of United States District At- torney for the State under Jackson, yet his fidelity in the discharge of his official duties, discretion and sterling honesty, his learning and ability as a lawyer, all con- spired to secure an election from his polit- ical opponents. His personal popularity was so great in his Judicial District, that he secured an almost unanimous vote from the members of the General Assem- bly representing the district for which he was chosen, although a large majority of the members were radically opposed to his political opinions, yet they freely and cor- dially supported him for an office which has always been regarded as the highest and most honorable in the State.
In his deportment he was kind and courteous towards his professional breth- ren and judicial associates. During an extensive practice of more than fifty years, his fidelity to his clients was never ques- tioned, his social, political and business relations were characterized by great frankness and sincerity, and his whole life was distinguished by the most perfect integrity. He was a careful and labori- ous student, precise and painstaking in the preparation of his cases. His examination and presentation of authorities indicated great industry and research.
Although he had been unfaltering in his devotion to the democracy from his early manhood, the free and almost unanimous support he received from the representa- tives of his judicial district indicated the estimate in which he was held as a lawyer and a citizen."
Hon. James Barrett, of Woodstock, who succeeded Mr. Kellogg as Judge of the Supreme Court, and has always been assigned to the same judicial dis- trict, says of him: "I was in practice in the County of Windsor during all his official service, he was adequate to all its responsibilities and requirements, his lawyership was broad, accurate, prac- tical and sensible, the result of faithful study, faithful and extensive practice, of a large conversancy with current business and affairs in all departments, and of most excellent social culture and bearing. As in all things else, so in the law, as practi- tioner and Judge, his faculty and fond- ness of order, system and propriety were
marked, and secured not only the best re-, sults from these qualities in the conduct and dispatch of business, but the highest respect and esteem of all, both clients, the public and the bar. His personal charac- ter was blameless and without the stain or shadow of dubious propriety in any re- spect in all the relations he sustained in life."
"The State Reports which contain the opinions he delivered during his judgeship show that he was worthy of his position, and a worthy associate of the eminent men who were his fellow Judges. In conclu- sion I may properly say, from my famil- iarity with the people of Windham Coun- ty since I have been in service as Judge, that the uniform expression of all in re- spect to him, has shown that few men pass through so long a life, esteemed and honored and gratefully remembered by those who knew him in all his daily walk and conversation, in the deportment and outcome of his current life, private, pub- lic and official, as was Judge Kellogg."
We first met this gentleman eight years before he became a citizen of this place, under circumstances whereby we are re- minded of the foregoing testimony of Judge Barrett, in relation to Judge Kel- logg's "fondness of order, system and pro- priety." In October, 1846, the Windham County Agricultural Society held their an- nual meeting and exhibition here, and we believe it the first and only time that our town has been honored by such an occa- sion. The Common north of Main street was the exhibition ground for live stock, the old School-House for farm products and garden vegetables, the High School- House for manufactures, etc., and the old Unitarian Meeting-House was occupied by the members of the society after the exhi- bition closed, to hear the reports of the committees of the various departments, and transact all legitimate business coming before said society. Judge Kellogg was at that time President of the society, and presided over its action in the old meeting- house, where came into full exercise that "order, system and propriety," to which Judge Barrett alludes, causing dispatch of business and the high respect of all, both members of the society and the public.
After over twenty years of acquaintance and pleasant familiarity of the people of
166
BRATTLEBORO.
this place, with the subject of our sketch, they are compelled to confirm the conclud- ing statements in the testimony of Hon. James Barrett.
Though Mr. Kellogg was some past three score years when he came here, he was not idle, he practiced law several years after he settled in this town, and during about the whole period of his life thereafter he was in offices of trust and responsibility. His facial expression, and the personnel, of the whole man, was such as to inspire trust and confidence.
He was president of the old Savings Bank, the first chartered in the State, and one of the board of Trustees of the Ver- mont Asylum. For the best good of the patients, proper management and general welfare of the institution, he ever betrayed a warm and liberal interest. "The proper thing to do," was the first and uppermost question with him in every position he occupied.
Though a democrat, one of the most influential and decided in the State, he disapproved of the action of the adminis- tration in the Kansas outrages, and also its action, or rather its inaction, near the commencement of the late Rebellion or Civil War. When that awful strife was fully inaugurated, he said: "I know of no other way but to stand by the old flag, come what may, all else is, with me, of secondary consideration-my party, my church may perish, but save the country."
When we consider the long, successful life and honorable record of Judge Kellogg, the partner of his life, one of the finest examples of female excellence, we cannot be insensible to the compliment, to the honor received by this community, that he selected this place for the remaining years of his well spent life.
ROBERT G. HARDIE, JR.,
Son of Robert G. Hardie and Fanny W. Hyde, was born in this town in 1854. His early development of artistic talent excited public notice and attention. Before re- ceiving any instruction, his friends were surprised by the accuracy of his pictures from nature. Among specimens of his work we have noticed portraits of Gen. Martin Field and wife, Jacob Estey and wife, Mrs. Col. Hooker, P. B. Francis,
Esq., Rev. Mr. Cummings, Mrs. Dr. H. D. Holton, and Mrs. Gen. Marcy-mother-in- law of Gen. Geo. B. McClellan.
Upon real personal merit alone can one become noted or distinguished in this field of labor, and nothing would be more im- possible than to undeservedly obtain a reputation for excellence in the same, as he has secured in his native town. It does not seem to have given him a satisfied pride, or made him vain to know that his early efforts receive commendation, and his works are appreciated; but, like all true sons of genius, he is constantly look- ing forward to the unattained. During the winter months of the last two or three years, he has pursued his favorite studies in New York city, but now (1879) we learn he is in more favorable conditions for this purpose, in France.
His genius, gentlemanly bearing, good habits and excellent moral character-not always associated with genius -- has inter- ested our best citizens in his welfare. Therefore it is with much pleasure we hear of his favorable progress in Paris, (the la- test field of his efforts,) and that it is our privilege to place his record here in honor of his native home. His father, Robert G. Hardie, is a native of New York city, and his grandfather, Mr. John Hyde, who served in the war of 1812, came from Massachusetts to this town about fifty years ago. It is about thirty years since his name became associated, and, to the last years of his life, he was practically in- terested in, the improvement or regenera- tion of our village cemetery. But a short time has elapsed since the eyes of our ven- erable friend of eighty years closed for- ever, therefore there is here no more famil- iar name than that of "Uncle John Hyde."
HENRY DWIGHT HOLTON, M. D.,
Resident physician and surgeon, of Brat- tleboro, the past decade, was born at Sax- tons River, Vt., July 24, 1838, married there Ellen Jane Hoit, Nov. 19, 1862, who was born Nov. 28, 1839, at Saxtons River, daughter of Theophilus and Mary Damon (Chandler) Hoit of S. R. The early training of Dr. Holton was of the strictest New England kind, and much of his success in life is undoubtedly due to the principles thus early instilled into his mind by his parents. His boyhood was like that of the
167
BRATTLEBORO.
majority of boys brought up on a farm, and is well described by Warner, in his book entitled, "Being a Boy." The fol- lowing account of his life is from a book entitled, "Physicians and Surgeons of America," and a sketch of him in a work published by the Rocky Mountain Medical Association. He was fitted for college at the Saxtons River Seminary, and studied two years with Dr. J. H. Warren, of Bos- ton, and two years with Professors Valen- tine and A. B. Mott, of New York, attend- ing lectures at the same time in the medi- cal department in the University of New York, from which he graduated in March, 1860, settling successfully in Brooklyn, N. Y., (physician to Williamsburgh Dispen- sary, Brooklyn, 1860,) Putney, Vt., and Brattleboro, Vt., his present residence. He has traveled extensively in Europe and this country. He is a member of the Con- necticut River Valley Medical Society, of which he was Secretary from 1862 to 1867, and President in 1868; the Vermont Medi- cal Society, of which he was censor for several years, and the President in 1868; the American Medical Association and the British Medical Association, a correspond- ing member of the Boston Gynecological Society, and member of the American Public Health Association, and a delegate to the International Medical Congress at Brussels in 1875. He is also a member of the Rocky Mountain Medical Association. The Doctor has contributed some valuable papers to medical journals and to transac- tions of medical societies, and reported at one time "Mott's Cliniques" for the press. An article describing his apparatus for keeping in place sternal dislocations of the clavical, and an article on diphtheria, are contributions which show research and ability. He was appointed by the court, in 1873, medical examiner to the Vermont Asylum for the Insane, and in the same year was elected by the Legislature one of the Trustees of the University of Vermont. He has been surgeon of the 12th regiment of Vermont militia. He is now Professor of Materia Medica and General Pathology in the medical department of the Univer- sity of Vermont. The honorary degree of A. M. was conferred upon him in 1879, by the University of Vermont. In June, 1880, he was elected one of the Vice Presidents of the American Medical Association. The
Doctor is a vigorous orator and a clear thinker, and well up in a knowledge of the ! most approved and latest methods of re- lieving human suffering .- From the "Far- well Memorial."
ECCENTRIC PERSONS IN BRAT- TLEBORO.
Mrs. Lydia Maria Child has, in some of her works, compared such persons to " sweet bells jangled out of tune."
Such characters, of varied capabilities, can be found in every community. The great deficiencies in some render them un- worthy of notice, but the amusing pecu- liarities of others cause them to be con- spicuous and quite universally known and remembered, while many persons of far greater usefulness are forgotten. There- fore the history of the odd specimens of humanity serves to remind us of persons and events that otherwise would be forever buried in oblivion.
OLD JIMMIE BARNES AND SUKIE, HIS WIFE,
Black Sam, Johnson, Aleck, Jess. Mash, John Dover, Ed. Gould and others, have each played their parts before the people of Brattleboro; the curtain dropped, and the actors, with a large share of their audience, passed onward beyond recall.
John W. Blake, Esq., our first post- master, found employment for Jimmie Barnes on a farm owned by Mr. Blake, in the West River district. At this time Jimmie had no family, and he was intensely devoted to the interests of his employer, for whom he had great veneration. He considered the " Esqr." the man, and the only man, fit for office. When asked the question whom he should vote for, for rep- resentative, governor or president, the answer invariably was, "Squar Blake." Jimmie remained a single man until he met Sukie at the store of John Holbrook, in the building now known as the American House. This event must have been before 1810, for Mr. Holbrook ceased his mercan- tile operations in this place about that time.
However much "Barkis was willin'," there was a serious objection, in the shape of a husband, to be disposed of, before Sukie could be honored by the name of
168 .
BRATTLEBORO.
Barnes. In all the stores and hotels of that time, customers were furnished with a popular beverage called "flip." This was, we believe, a compound of some kind of ardent spirits, beer, water, nutmeg, sugar, and finished by inserting into the mug containing the composition, a red hot iron. As Esau sold his birthright for a mess of pottage, the husband of Sukie, for a mug of flip, gave up his marital rights to Jim- mie, and left him in undisturbed posses- sion of "the charmer." The legality of this affair was never questioned before the courts, and for effectiveness, expedition and economy the transaction has never been surpassed, if equalled, in this town. Jimmie ever afterwards had a weakness for the beverage, and had as many bless- ings in store for the man who invented "flip," as Sancho had for the man who invented sleep.
A daughter, the eldest from this novel union, married one of the brave tars who served under Com. Decatur, in the war of 1812, and assisted in the capture of the British frigate "Macedonian." It was the custom of that time to use complimentary words in marriage notices, therefore ap- peared in the village paper, the following: " Mr. J. Freeman, to the amiable and ac- complished daughter of James Barnes, Esq., of England."
Our earliest recollections of Jimmie date to the time he was bent with age and went about with a bag upon his back, to carry off-we were told-naughty, disobedient children, and especially those boys who neglected to attend school and religious exercises.
The frontispiece in the Westminster Catechism-a likeness of Satan-for Sun- day, and Jimmie with his bag for the other six days of the week, rendered one motive of obedience sufficiently prominent for juvenile government in this place. But more dreadful than with a bag was Jim- mie with a spade-that implement of his vocation in the village cemetery-when he covered from our sight forever, Andrew Jackson Shattuck, Willy Fessenden and other of our schoolmates, in the long time ago. The pent up grief, led slowly up cemetery hill by Dea. Wood, often found utterance, when fell upon the ear a hopeless, heart-rending rattle upon the
coffin, of gravel from the glittering spade of Jimmie.
Though
" It was a childish ignorance,"
there was a pleasure in wishing anything but good for the old wretch who dug the first graves on that hill and made so many people cry.
The catechism can yet be seen, but the old "Scratch," decorated with serpents, who once stood at its threshold, long since vanished with Jimmie and his bag. By the death of Mr. Blake, in 1818, Jimmie lost his most highly valued patron. From that time, or a short time before the death of Mr. Blake, Jimmie took up his abode on the east side of the river. The small dilapidated cottage, where he lived with Sukie and an idiotic child named Olive, was, in 1825, standing near the base of Chesterfield mountain and about opposite the Congregational parsonage. He culti- vated some over an acre of ground, about his cottage, but the principal source of his income was this place, where he passed most of his time in varied employments, such as working in gardens, doing chores, moving grain on his back up or down stairs for merchants, and telling big stories.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.