USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Reading > Centennial celebration, together with an historical sketch of Reading, Windsor County, Vermont, and its inhabitants from the first settlement of the town to 1874 > Part 13
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He built a grist mill and carding works in 1821; these were destroyed by fire. He died in 1828, aged 71 years. He had six- teen children, ten of whom survived him, and all are now dead, except two daughters, Mrs. Sally Hapgood and Mrs. Charlotte Hawkins.
His children were Polly, b. Apr. 5, 1781 ; Sally, b. Apr. 19, 1783; Abel, b. Feb. 21, 1785 ; Eliphlet, b. Jan. 13, 1787 ; Asa, b. Feb. 4 1789; Betsey, b. Aug. 18, 1791 ; Clarissa, b. Dec. 12, 1794 ; Amer- ica, b. June 22, 1796 ; Luia, b. May 28, 1801 ; Livia, b. June 27, 1803 ; Napoleon, b. Jan. 24, 1806 ; Charlotte L. b. Mar. 20, 1814.
AMERICA AMSDEN.
America Amsden, son of Abel, was a native of Reading and spent there the early years of his life, but subsequently was a farm- er in West Windsor. He possessed a genial disposition, making his society agreeable, and discharged faithfully and creditably all the duties of an American citizen. He was accidentally drowned at the time of the great freshet Oct. 4, 1869. His widow and two sons survive him. His sons, Rollin C. Amsden of Windsor and Charles Amsden of Weathersfield, are among the most enterprising and successful business men of the state.
Rollin in 1873 built an expensive brick block in Windsor vil- lage, and is an extensive dealer in lumber and grain.
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HISTORY OF READING.
Charles is largely engaged in the manufacture of lime and lum- ber and dealer in grain and general merchandise, and is the owner of a village known as Amsden's Mills.
Amsden, Orville D. farmer, m.
Austin, Henry, farmer, m. Mrs. Susan Dodge.
Bailey, Leonard, farmer, m. Mary Thomas.
Bailey, Wm. W. farmer, m Frances Lull.
Baldwin, Otis, merchant, m. Sarah Rice.
Barnes, Lewis, farmer, m.
Bates, Zacheus, manufacturer of chairs, m. Charlotte T. White. Belknap, Nahum, basket maker, m. Betsey Noyes.
Bement, Wm. C. farmer, selectman, m.
Benjamin, Harvey, a musician of talent and reputation and a popular singer.
Bisbee, Marvin, stage driver, m.
Bixby, James A. farmer, m.
Bliss, Charles H. mechanic, m.
Brink, Oliver, farmer.
Bryant, Carlos, farmer, m.
Bryant, James, farmer, m.
Bryant, Henry, farmer, m - Henry.
Bryant, Marcellus, farmer, lister, m. - Spear.
Buchanan, David, farmer m. Mary Parker.
GEO. H. BUCK
was b. at Reading, Jan. 2, 1824, m. Alzina Holmes, who d. Feb. 9, 1862. Their children were :
Martha, E. b. Jan. 28, m. Rufus F. Pierce.
Helen.
Walter, b. Feb. 19, 1850, m. Mary E. Weston, Aug. 31, 1873.
Byron, b. Aug. 4, 1852.
Eunice, b. Nov. 1858.
Caroll and Carrie, twins, b. May 15, 1860.
Mr. Buck, m. Marcia M. Gurney, June 19, 1869.
Buck, Simon M. farmer, m. Sarah Fuller, and now resides in the north west part of the town.
Butler, Alvah, L. cooper, m. Harriet Griswold by whom he has four children, Hiram D., Oliver B., Andrew J. and Marietta M.
LEVI BAILEY
came in 1790 from Hartland Vt., and settled on the " Hiram S. Fay farm," which he in part cleared up. In 1794 he in company with Geo. Betterley, purchased of Micah Holmes, Jr., for £100, the site of " Bailey's Mills," a dam and mill pond then existing, but Mr. B. soon became the sole owner. He was an active, enterpris- ing man, built an oil mill in 1823, starch mill in 1831, the large brick building now standing, in 1835-37, and three different grist mills, besides the cloth-dressing mill. From the fall of 1812 to
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HISTORY OF READING.
1833, he was engaged at the Centre in mercantile business with the late Abel Gilson, Jr., under the style of Bailey & Gilson. His children were :
Samuel, who lives at the old place.
Sarah, m. S. C. Shedd.
Betsey, m. Joseph Shedd.
Rhoda, m. Asahel W. Warren of Weathersfield, Vt.
Pluma, m. Benj. Kimball, of Mo.
Thusa, m. Oliver Holmes of Mo.
Of Samuel's children, George m. Albila Shedd, and resides at the old homestead.
Orville, Ransom and Samuel reside at Baileyville, Ogle Co., Illi- nois, and are extensive farmers and dealers in grain.
Cady, Jefferson, m. Fanny Burnham. Their children are :
Gustavus A.
Eliza M. E. m. Albert Allen.
Charles H. m. Aug. 13, 1867, - Grant.
CAPTAIN DAVID BURNHAM
came from Duxbury, N. H. prior to 1786 and in that year opened at the Centre the first tavern in Reading. He was a pub- lie spirited citizen and for many years kept a much frequented public house.
He was b. Dec. 3, 1757, and d. Oct. 16, 1834. He m. Abigail Persons, Aug. 7, 1780. She d. Nov. 11, 1797. Their children were :
Betsey, b. March 5, 1781, d. January 17, 1828.
Nabby, b. June 15, 1783, m. Edmond Page, Dec. 6, 1801.
Sally, b. April 2, 1786, m. Jona. Page, March 7, 1804.
John P., b. May 7, 1792, d. Aug. 7, 1871, m. Deborah Randall, Nov. 7, 1814.
Asa A., b. Aug. 3, 1795, m. Sabra G. Davis, March 18, 1840.
David Burnham m. Eliza Burns, June 4, 1800. Their children were :
Caroline, b. May 14, 1801, m. Oliver Ferry, Feb. 25, 1835. Clarence, b. May 14, 1803, d. April 22, 1812.
Thomas F., b. Sept. 16, 1805, m. Eliza H. Page, March, 5, 1829. Fanny, b. Aug. 27, 1807. m. Jefferson Cady, Oct. 11, 1827.
Lucinda, b. Oct. 16, 1820, m. Esek W. Adams, Aug. 16, 1831.
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HISTORY OF READING.
ASA A. BURNHAM, ESQ.
WRITTEN BY L. C. DAVIS, ESQ.
Mr. Burnham died May 17, 1872, at the residence of Esek W. Adams, Esq. his brother-in-law in Cavendish, aged 78 years. He was a native of Reading, and son of Capt. David Burnham. Few men possessed more energy and perseverance in early life. He was known throughout the country as a contractor and jobber, and many massive bridges still stand a monument to his labors in the summer season,-while his winters were spent with his men and teams, in the lumber regions near Lake Champlain. He often vis- ited Brighton and Boston markets with his team, of four oxen, laden with the produce of his farm. He was an extensive owner and dealer in cattle and in real estate,-often buying large droves of cattle and shipping them to Brighton. But for many years his labors have been confined mostly to his farm, with the same perse- vering industry, till bending under the weight of years and other infirmities, tired nature at last must rest. He sought the aid of physicians in vain,-Saratoga's healing waters could not cure him, nor the sympathy of kind friends save him. But as he neared the Mystic River he felt that all was bright and beautiful beyond, and without a struggle he passed on to the golden shores of Immor- tality.
Mr. Burnham had two children,-David E., who occupies the home farm and succeeds to the extensive farming interests of his father, and Anna, who keeps an extensive and popular millinery establishment at Ludlow, Vt.
Burnham, Richard, farmer.
Burlingame, Henry, farmer.
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GEORGE M. CLARK.
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HISTORY OF READING.
Cady, Azro, farmer.
Cady, Lyman, farmer, m. Jerusha Whitmore.
Cady, Jefferson, farmer, m. Fanny Burnham.
Carter, Rev. Ira, farmer, and clergyman of the Methodist E. Church.
Carter, Edmund H. merchant and teacher.
Cilley, Frederick, farmer, m. Jane Bixby.
Carlton, Freeman, farmer, m.
Chase, Caleb, farmer.
Chamberlin, Hiram, farmer, m. Mary Kendall.
Coburn, Orpheus, farmer, m. Mrs. Elizabeth Joues.
Coburn, Milton, farmer.
Coburn, Sylvester, farmer, m.
Coolidge, L. G. stage proprietor, m. Nancy Crossman, Sept. 17, 1848, at Andover, Vt. Their children are :
Ada.
Orin, farmer, m. Eliza Burbee.
Ella, m. Byron Bingham of Brandon, Vt.
Edgar, stage proprietor.
Ashbel and Isabel, twins.
Omeria and Omeron, twins.
Cook, Milo, B. farmer, m. -Whitmore.
Corey, Silas, dyer.
Corey, John S. mechanic.
Curley, Martin, shoe maker, m. Mary Conlin.
Curley, Thomas, student at Tuft's College, Mass.
GEORGE M. CLARK
was born in Clarendon, Vt. in 1835, where he resided till his thir- teenth year. His musical talents were developed at an early age and at the age of nine years he was a skilled player on the violin, and until he left Clarendon in the spring of 1850 he was the fid- dler at all the country huskings, apple-parings, parties, &c., in that section of country.
In 1850, he came to Weathersfield and there spent the next four years of his life in going to school, working some and fiddling more. His advent to Felchville is dated in Dec. 1854, when he opened there a stone cutter's shop and the following August mar- ried Cornelia E. Paige of Weathersfield. She died in October, 1856, leaving surviving one son, Ed. H. Clark.
The marble working business not proving congenial to Mr. Clark's tastes, he abandoned that and became a teacher of country singing schools. Professionally these were successful, but financi- ally unsuccessful.
In February, 1858, he married Lucinda A. Felch and became a farmer, and struggled with the "Widow Felch's farm," until the fall of 1859, when business engagements took him to Jacksonville, Florida. His musical talents were learned and appreciated by the citizens of that genial clime and he taught music, tuned pianos,
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HISTORY OF READING.
gave concerts, and led the Presbyterian choir in Jacksonville, from whom he received a gold lined silver cup. While in Florida he wrote several songs, among which were a seranade, " Moonlight is Beaming," that attained great popularity.
In 1860, commenced his more public life as a showman having then, in connection with O. A. Whitmore, started the company known as the " Broadway Minstrels," and with that class of busi- ness he was principally occupied until August, 1862, when he en- listed as a fifer in Co. E. of the 16th Vt. Vols., was promoted ser- geant, then drum major, and 2d lieutenant and detailed as pro- vost marshal on the staff of Gen. Geo. J. Stannard. He was in the battle of Gettysburg, and honorably mentioned in Gen. Stan- nard's official report of that engagement.
The years 1864 and 5, were spent in traveling the country with Whitmore and Thompson's Minstrels. In the spring of 1866, he started with E. P. Hardy and O. A. Whitmore, the company so well known as Whitmore & Clark's Minstrels. This company travelled the New England States, New York and the Provinces and everywhere were greeted with enthusiastic audiences. Their performances were high toned and chaste, and free from everything low and vulgar.
In 1867 Mr. Clark made his first appearance before the public as a clown in the United States circus. His ready wit, excellent imitative powers and musical abilities, here found full opportunity for display, and he has rapidly worked himself up to the front rank among this droll class of public caterers. He has since played the clown for J. M French's Oriental Circus and Geo. F. Bailey's Cireus and Menagerie and gained a national reputation.
Mr. Clark has written some twenty-five songs, both words and music, many of which have been published, copy-righted, and become well known and popular. Among these are " Annie's Grave," " Meet me Josie at the Gate," "Drifting with the Tide," " Give me the Man that is True to his Neighbor," &c. All his songs have been of a moral or sentimental character.
Mr. Clark has written much church music, some of which has been published, and nearly all of which has at times been rendered by the Union Choir at Felchville of which Mr. Clark has long been the leader.
Mr. Clark during the past winter has given public lectures at Felchville, Windsor, Proctorsville and Montpelier, upon " The West." These have drawn large and intelligent audiences and been highly commended by the Press. His great liberality has added hundreds of volumes to the Reading Library, of which he was an active founder.
MOSES CHAPLIN.
WRITTEN BY GEO. W. CHAPLIN OF RUTLAND, VT.
Moses Chaplin was born in New Rowley, Mass., June 22, 1760. He was a descendant of Hugh Chaplin and one of the fourth gen-
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HISTORY OF READING.
eration of that name who lived in that town, and who, with others, commenced the settlement of New Rowley, A. D. 1639, under the spiritual guidance of an eminent Puritan minister by the name of Rogers, from Rowley, Yorkshire, England. He was a cousin of the late Rev. Jeremiah Chaplin, D. D. formerly president of Wa- terville College, (Me.) and also of the late Rev. Daniel Chaplin, D. D. for many years pastor of the Congregational Church, Groton, Mass. His father, Ebenezer Chaplin, removed from New Rowley in an early day, to Groton, and his mother dying while he was quite young, he went to live with a sister in the town of Rindge, N. H., where under the control of an austere and tyrannical broth- er-in-law, he suffered many privations and hardships. At the age of sixteen years he entered the army of the Revolution, and was at Ticonderoga a short time before it was surrendered to the Brit- ish forces and was also, at the taking of Gen. Burgoyne at Sara- toga, in Oct. 1777. After several months service in the army he returned to Rindge, where he remained until he attained to his majority.
He was married to Mary, daughter of Abel Platts of Rindge, in August succeeding.
Soon after his marriage he in company with one Aaron Kimball left for Reading, Vermont, when after taking a cursory survey of the town he settled upon the farm until recently owned and occu- pied by the late Rufus Forbush. Kimball also purchased a home- stead in the vicinity and they commenced to occupy their lands, exchanging work for the sake of company and for their mutual accommodation. It was here that they encountered those severe hardships and privations incident to the settlement of a new coun- try, almost in its primeval state with few inhabitants and provi- sions scarce and dear. Their bread stuffs were chiefly procured from Windsor and Cornish, N. H., ten or twelve miles distant, and after being converted into meal were not unfrequently conveyed home upon their shoulders. At one time after having hoed corn all day for Gen. Chase at Cornish, each took a bundle of young apple trees and bore them home by moonlight twelve miles upon their backs. In the spring of the following year, 1782, Mr. Chap- lin with his wife removed to Reading, and his constituted the ninth family in town, and there together they commenced the bat- tle of life. Mr. Chaplin's residence in Reading extended through a period of twenty-six years, and where, too, his ten children were born, eight of whom attained to their majority. The sons were Moses Jr., Aaron, Asa, Daniel, and George W., the writer of this sketch. The daughters were Phebe, Rhoda and Naney. Of these children two only survive: Nancy, (Mrs. McConnell,) aged 76 years, and George W., 69 nearly. Both reside in Rutland. Mr. Chaplin during his sojourn in Reading if we may regard the testi- mony of his townsmen, was active in his endeavors to promote the material interests and prosperity of the town. He was much in public business as the numerous documents now in the hands of the
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HISTORY OF READING.
writer would indicate. From these it appears that he held succes- sively the office of constable and collector, town representative, and justice of the peace. He also served for a time as assessor and county collector.
His military record shows that he was commissioned as captain of the Seventh Regimental Company in Nov. 1794. He was Major in 1798, and as Colonel was in command of the 3d Regiment, 1st Brigade and 4th Division of Vermont Militia in the year 1800. During the winter of 1806-7, he sold his farm in Reading to Capt. Rufus Forbush then of Massachusetts, and in March following re- moved to Clarendon, Rutland county, where he sojourned many years following the occupation of farming, and where again he was elected to positions of responsibility and trust.
In January, A. D. 1825, Mary Chaplin, his wife, was attacked with bilious fever, and after a severe illness of four weeks died Feburary 25th at the age of sixty-five years, leaving father and son alone as the remnant of the family. He died Nov. 18th, 1840, having lived to the advanced age of eighty years and five months. His religious convictions were of the liberal Faith, and he was a great admirer of the Elder Hosea Ballou who during his residence in Barnard, on several occasions held meetings at his house, in Reading. He was the tried friend of Republican Government, and the earnest advocate of equal rights among all men ; hence his early protest against the institution of American slavery, view- ing it as opposed to the genius of all political compacts where the will of the people is the law of the land. He was a man of gener- ous impulses and labored assiduously for the promotion of peace and good order in society. To the poor and destitute he was liberal to a fault, often dispensing to others beyond his ability to bestow, in view of a safe and necessary economy. To his children he was a wise and faithful parent and counsellor, prompting them to cul- tivate habits of industry, honesty, moral uprightness and good faith in all their dealings with their fellow men.
Ezekiel Davis was one of the early settlers, and raised eleven children. They were:
Edmond, m. Rebecca Philbrick and Eliza Martin.
Solomon.
Betsey, m. Sewall Shattuck.
Clarissa, m. America Amsden.
Almon, m. Almira Pratt, Semira Pratt and Grace Stearns.
Sophia, m. Henry Megrath.
Cynthia, m. George Clyde.
John, m. Lydia Pratt. Christopher, m. Almira Wheeler.
Lucy, m. Wm. Grandey.
Lurintha, m. Frank Curtis, of Boxford, Mass.
His eldest son, Edmond, still lives in Reading, having survived both wives. His children are :
Sabra G., m. Asa A. Burnham.
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GILBERT A. DAVIS.
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HISTORY OF READING.
L. Carlos, m. Ruth Hapgood.
Aurelia, m. Hiram Marsh and Jona. Hapgood of Peru.
Salome, m. Silas A. Robinson.
Eliza, m. Silas W. Pike.
Charles A. m. Nancy E. Jones and Henrietta Doughty.
Fanny R. m. B. F. Barnard.
Justin R. m. Ann Tarbell.
Cornelia, d.
Davis, Gilbert A., Attorney and farmer, m. Delia I. Bolles, was Register of the Probate Court for the District of Windsor from Dec. 1, 1862, to Feb. 1, 1867, and the Register's office during that period was at Felchville.
Davis, Leander, farmer, m. - Allard.
Davis, Myron A., proprietor of steam mill at So. Reading.
Davis, Geo. W., farmer, m.
Dana, Blake, farmer.
ELEAZER DEXTER.
Eleazer Dexter was born in Hardwick Mass., July 7, 1813. At an early age he evinced much musical talent and at the age of 13 commenced to travel with his brother giving public exhibitions of which music was a part, and soon the boy became quite a popular singer. He received instructions from eminent musicians in Boston and early acquired a correct vocalization and has gained an envi- able reputation in catering for the public. Possessing a fair bari- tone voice, his rendering of pathetic, light, comic and eccentric songs is of a high order. His personation of the old man in his
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HISTORY OF READING.
famous song of " Adam and Eve," isinimitable. He is a composer of songs as well as instrumental music, and some of his songs have become quite popular In 1839 he was engaged to instruct the the Stratton boys in Swanzey N. H., and fitted them in vocal and instrumental music for concerting. They proved apt pupils and readily acquired the knowledge and skill of their instructor, and soon became popular and successful, and one to-day is a manufac- turer of musical instruments in Germany, while the other is a mu- sic dealer in Boston, Mass., and a successful writer of Operattas. Mr. Dexter came to Reading in 1843 and has ever since made this town his residence. He was the pioneer of all shows and con- cert troupes in this vicinity. Gentlemanly and courteous in liis bearing, with a deep-seated love for music, and talents that attract to him the young of musical tastes, he has exerted a healthy and permanent influence upon the young people of the town. Many eminent musicians (for which the town is celebrated) have received valuable instruction from Mr. Dexter and have made their debut as public performers under his charge, among whom are Geo. M. Clark, a famous clown and singer, Hank White, the well known comedian of Whitmore and Clark's minstrels, O. A Whitmore, solo-clarionetist now in Boston, Mass., Theo. J. Allen, solo-clarion- etist and teacher of Brass Bands, Boston, Willie J. Foley of Reading, with others perhaps not so generally known. Mr. Dex- ter has quite a reputation as a teacher of dancing.
He still continues the business of a public showman which he has pursued for nearly forty-six years, and is still popular with that class of people who would patronize no exhibition but those of a strictly moral character. He has given over forty exhibitions in Reading.
Dorman, Julius, farmer m.
Douglass, John, farmer, m.
Dugan, W. H. H. farmer m. Mrs. Roena Gay.
Eastman, Albert, farmer and Justice of the Peace, in.
Elgar, Henry, manufacturer, m.
Emery, Thos. J. farmer, m.
Emery, Daniel, farmer, m.
Emerson, Leicester, farmer, m.
Fay, Hiram S., farmer, m. - Burnham.
Fletcher, Summer, farmer, m. Has been justice, selectman and town representative two terms.
Fletcher, Thos. S., farmer, m. Mrs. Mary Farwell.
Fay, Levi C., now of Windsor, carried on the shoe-making busi- ness for many years at Reading Centre ; and subsequently mercan- tile business at the Centre and Felchville. As a merchant he was very successful. He was frequently elected to important offices. His children are :
Amanda, m. Capt. Chester Pike of Cornish, Vt.
Collamer T., m. Carrie Watkins.
Edmond S., m. Franscelia Kendall.
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HISTORY OF READING.
Julia, m.
Foley, John, farmer, m. Zanora Allen.
Foley, Willie, a musician of good reputation.
Fullam Elroy C., farmer, m. - Houghton.
Fulton, James W., farmer and Justice of the Peace, m. Phila E. Dutton.
Foster, Otis, farmer and drummer.
RUFUS FORBUSH.
Rufus Forbush, Esq., youngest son of Capt. Rufus and Mary (Brown) Forbush, was born in Westborough, Mass, Jan. 25, 1794. At the age of twelve he came to Reading with his parents who settled on the farm now owned by Albert Eastman, Esq. When sixteen years old he enlisted into the war of 1812, served through that war and received an honorable discharge.
He married March 14, 1822, Fidelia, youngest daughter of Da- vid Hapgood, Esq., with whom he lived happily nearly forty-five years. They had five children, Charles A., Rufus O., Harriet F., Agnes V. and Mary Jane.
He early took an active part in all public matters and con- tributed his full share in time and means to shape and carry for- ward the various enterprises of the town. He was for many years justice of the peace and selectman, represented the town in the Legislature in 1844-5, was elected delegate to the convention in 1843 to consider alterations of the constitution of the State, and to every succeeding convention of that kind until those conventions 16
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HISTORY OF READING.
were abolished by the Legislature in 1865. He died in this town August 16, 1866, aged 72 years.
REV. SEWALL FULLAM,
son of Timothy, was born in Sterling, Mass., March 2d, 1773, moved to Cavendish Vt., in 1798, and to Reading, March 27, 1807, where he died April 27, 1842.
He was a preacher of the Methodist denomination for a series of years, when disagreeing with them on the infinity of sin and church government, he withdrew from them and united with the Free Will Baptists, where he continued until his death. His edu- cation was that of the common schools of his time with a thorough attention to books and extensive reading, yet he was a correct, energetic and effective speaker and possessed of strong and clear logical powers.
He represented Reading in the Legislature, for five consecutive years and held other important offices and was regarded as a very able and competent man ; he was the father of 6 children. He was married at Fitchburg, Mass., Mar. 25th, 1798, to Mehitable Harris of Fitchburg.
Gates, Dexter, P. farmer, m. Lucia E. Stearns. Gates, Morrill, farmer, m. Asenath Lamb. Giddings, Hiram A., mechanic, m. Emily Perry Giddings, Wm. H., farmer, m. Susan Densmore.
Gilbert, Alonzo, S., harness-maker, m. Sophronia Glynn. Gilbert, George.
HON. ABEL GILSON, JR.
Mr. Gilson was born in Rindge, N. H., April 20, 1789. At the age of fifteen his father's family removed to Reading. He was a volunteer in the war of 1812, and for many years was post master at the centre where he traded in company with Levi Bailey under the style of Bailey & Gilson, and held various town offices. After- wards he removed to Proctorsville and engaged in manufacturing in the firm of Gilson, Smith & Co. He held the office of justice of the peace about fifty years. He was the town clerk of Read- ing from 1823 to 1833, town representative in 1826 and in 1840 and 1841 a member of the Vermont Senate. He was widely known as a useful and extensive business man in his day. He died very suddenly at Springfield, Vt., April 12, 1870, aged nearly 81 years.
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