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 16
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SIMEON IDE,
the first son of Lemuel, was born in Shrewsbury, Mass., Sept. 28, 1794, but removed to Reading with his parents and there resided from 1797 to 1809. He served an apprenticeship in the office of the Vt. Republican at Windsor Vt. In Feb. 1815, he began his business life by printing, in his father's blacksmith shop at New Ipswich, N. H., an edition of the New Testament. He sold to the N. H., Bible Society 1000 copies of this Testament, the first of any part of the Bible ever printed in N. H.
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He subsequently published at Brattleboro, Vt., a weekly news- paper, entitled, " The Vermont Yeoman," and at Windsor, Vt. from 1817 to Jan. 5, 1835, in association with other parties, pub lished the " Vermont Republican and American Yeoman," and man-"b ufactured books for Boston and N. Y. publishers. Since Dec. Ste iel
1834, he has resided at Claremont, N. H., and for over 24 years acted as agent and manager of the " Claremont Manufacturing Co.," for four years published the " Claremont Eagle," and now at the age of 80 amuses himself with type-setting.
Mr. Ide's second son, William B., took an active and conspicu- ous part in the "Bear Flag " enterprise in California. The facts in the case were, that the Spanish Governor, Don Castro, became jealous of the growing Yankee influence of the new settlers flocking into the Californias from the states, and about a year previous to the U. S. war with Mexico, he issued a proclamation, warning those Re SI Yankee emigrants to leave the country, threatening their extermina- tion, if, after a certain day named, they were to be found within the limits of his jurisdiction. Thereupon about 100 of those emi- sey tail grants, including a few of the earlier English settlers, formed, or associated themselves into an organized, mounted and equipped military company, the command of which was given to Mr. Ide wh by ballot of its members. Thereupon, principally by Mr. Ide's contrivance, the " Bear Flag " was instituted, a " Pronunciamento," signed by him, issued, setting forth the grounds of their resistance to Gov. Castro's exterminating proclamation; and under this rudely and hastily manipulated flag and pronunciamento, the said company made a raid upon the Governor's fort and head-quarters, took it and the Governor's family by surprise in the night. Don Castro and his men having barely time to make their escape, leav- ing a good equipment of cannon, small arms and ammunition be- hind, and his family as hostages for his future good behaviour. As the nominal governor of Upper and Lower California under of Spanish pronunciamento-law, Mr. Ide held possession of that terri- was tory, until in 1846, in his said capacity, he formally delivered it over to the authorized agent or officer of the United States, Com- Fele modore Shrubrick.
Mr. Ide afterwards followed the mining operations successfully for a season, accumulating a handsome property in real estate, held the office of Judge of Probate and several others, under the new ra state government, and died at Monroeville, Cal., Dec. 19, 1852, fisti aged 56.
THE SWAIN FAMILY.
Nathaniel Swain, John Swain and another brother, came to this country from Scotland and settled in Massachusetts, and from these three brothers all the people in this country bearing that sir-name have descended.
Nathaniel Swain, (2d,) son of John, emigrated to Reading, Vt., from Reading, Mass., in 1785, and settled upon and cleared up a
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farm of 250 acres, being the farm now known as the "Swain place," bought of Henry Henderson, being the " right or share of " land formerly belonging to Simon Stevens by virtue of his name " being in the original charter of said township." This Simon Stevens resided at Charlestown, N. H., and subsequently at Spring- field Vt., and was a notable " Yorker " in his day.
Mr. Swain had three sons, Nathaniel, Jr., John and James and four daughters, Lydia, who married Aaron Townsend of Reading, Sarah, who married Nathaniel Pratt, Jr., one who married Mr. Hart Massey and was one of the earliest settlers of Jefferson Co., N. Y., and another who married a Mr. Goodall. Mr. S. was a farmer, died in Reading in 1850, aged 81. Of his children;
Nathaniel Swain, (2d,) lived and died on the old homestead in Reading. He married Charlotte Sherwin, daughter of Samuel Sherwin, one of the early settlers of the town.
His children were, Alva, Mary, deceased, Nathaniel, Lois, Bet- sey, Charlotte, Marcus, John F., Lewis and Oliver, who all at- tained full age, though but four of the number now are alive.
Alva married Mary Ann Collins, had four children, Charles H. who now lives in Claremont, N. H., Elbridge, Lewis and Charlotte, the latter deceased.
Charlotte married Timothy B. Collins, died 1869 leaving one child, Mrs. Ellen Fales of Sharon Vt.
Lewis married Lucia Garvin by whom he had two children, Mary and Lewis. This family are entirely deceased.
Col. John F. Swain was a farmer and resided for many years where E. Pomroy now lives. His house, when built, was regarded as a grand mansion. He rose to the rank of Colonel in the State Militia. He now resides at Papillion, Neb. He married first, Lydia Davis, by whom he has now living three children, the oldest of whom is Mrs. Payson Pierce of Woodstock ; his second wife was Mrs. Sophronia Ferrin, who has two children.
Marcus Swain, M. D, practiced his profession about one year at Felchville, then for many years at Essex, Vt., for 15 years in Wis- consin, and now resides and practices at Englewood near Chicago, Ill., m. Charlotte Woodbury.
Marcus had five children, four now living, the eldest, Dr. Edgar Swain, now a prominent surgeon dentist of Chicago ; served with distinction in the late war, and received the rank of Colonel.
Oliver Swain, M. D. pursued his studies with Dr. Phelps of Windsor Vt., and practiced at Colchester Vt. He was skillful as a surgeon, but died at the early age of 35 years.
Betsey married Wm. P. Felton and resides at Jacksonville, Ill., has two children, Sarah and Byron.
Lois, m. Edward Putnam, of Glen's Falls, N. Y., the well Known stage proprietor.
Nathaniel m. Lucia Stow, of Wooodstek, was a farmer, and re- ided where Edgar Stearns now lives, and also where U. Allard
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now lives, and at So. Reading the last fifteen years of his life, where he died July 30, 1860.
His son, Albert Nathaniel, has been for the last 17 years the editor and proprietor of the Bellows Falls ( Vt.) Times, a weekly news- paper. He has been postmaster at Bellows Falls from June 1861 to Sept. 1873. He was a member of the Constitutional Conven- tion, (from Rockingham,) in 1870, and is the present representa- tive of Rockingham in the State Legislature. He married Susan W. Putnam of Brattleboro, Vt., Nov. 13th, 1856.
Lorette L. Swain m. Joseph S. Whitten, Feb. 1852, who died Jan. 3, 1870, and March 20, 1872, m. M. E. Goddard, Esq.
Mrs. Lucia S. Swain, now in her 74th year, resides with her son, Albert N., at Bellows Falls, and is remarkably vigorous for a lady of her age. She will be remembered as one of the early time school teachers of Reading.
Thayer, Chas. L., farmer, m. Martha Hemmenway.
Thomas, Roswell, farmer.
Thomas, Frank, farmer.
Thomas, Addison, farmer, m. Mrs. - Davis.
Thomas, Chas. B., farmer, m. Mary Metcalf.
Thomas, Hiram F., was b. in Weathersfield, Feb. 3, 1836, but the larger part of his minority was spent with his uncle, Benjamin Reed, Esq., at Waitsfield, Vt. After attaining his majority he became interested in mercantile pursuits, and his popular, agreea ble manners peculiarly qualified him for success in his chosen pur- suit. His business life in Reading commenced in August, 1866, as a member of the well known firm of Thomas, Baldwin & Thorn- ton, and he continued with that firm until his death, Aug. 25, 1871.
He was chosen to many positions of trust and honor and in 1870 was the representative of the town in the State Legislature.
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MR. WILLIAM TOWNSEND
was born in Lynfield, Mass., September 8, 1780, and came with his father's family to Reading, Vermont, when a boy, where he spent the balance of his life, save from 1836 to 1857, which he passed in Norwich, Vermont He was of revolutionary memory, his father and brother, Daniel Townsend, engaging in deadly conflict for lib- erty, the latter sacrificing his life in the early part of the struggle.
He was married to his first wife, Susanna Smith of Wilton, N. H., Jan. 1, 1806, who died at the early age of 36 years, in 1820. His second wife was Hannah G. Bigelow, who is now living at the age of 79. He had a large family of children ten of whom still survive. He was a very kind and benevolent man. Was ever so ready to grant a favor to his neighbors that his name was justly called " Accommodation." His many virtues, social qualities and musical talent, gained him a large circle of friends whom he loved till the close of life.
DENNIS TOWNSEND.
Dennis Townsend, the seventh son of William and Susanna Townsend, was born in Reading, May 8th 1817. He remained with his parents during his early youth. When sufficient matu- rity of age led him to decide concerning the business of life, he went to Boston and engaged as clerk in the store of his brother Elmer, where he soon seemed more inclined to develop into the scholar than the merchant. His desire for an education was very kindly and substantially encouraged by his brother rendering him pecuniary aid, though he reluctantly gave him up.
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HISTORY OF READING.
He fitted for college and entered Dartmouth where he remained two years when pecuniary embarrassments led him to leave and en- gage in teaching with the design of returning to graduate, but cir- cumstances seemed not to favor it. He continued in this his fa- vorite employment, several years, with success both in the South and West. In the early settlement of Cal., he with his wife in company with others, endured a journey of six months in crossing the Plains from Ill., to that land of gold, though it was his fortune to grasp but little of the shining dust. He spent sixteen years there in teaching, and as Co. Superintendent of schools. Seeing the great need of that very useful piece of apparatus, a globe, the price of which might be within reach of all, he put his mind to the task of inventing one. After the most intense thought and great effort, sacrificing time, health and money, the curious, the useful, the beautiful " Folding Globe " appeared visibly, as he had long seen it mentally.
At once he was much gratified to receive handsome recommenda- tions from Presidents of Colleges and others in high standing as educators of youth. Many teachers of common schools are now using it with much satisfaction. In 1869 he received the honorary degree of A. M. from the University of Vermont. He is now in Fiddletown, Amador Co., California, and his globe can be obtained not only there, but in his native town.
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The loss of good and substantial men is always a calamity. Such was that of Elmer Townsend, who departed this life April
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13, 1871. Mr. Townsend was born in' Reading, Vermont, March 2, 1807, where his early life was spent on his father's farm.
He early developed a strong desire for knowledge. In the snatches of time redeemed from the hours usually devoted to rest or amusement, he began to store his mind with useful knowledge. In the recesses from labor he had a book at hand and soon made the contents of it his own. In the long autumnal and winter eve- nings he was in close communion with the books which he found in the old library in Reading, which gave a strong bias to his mind.
With his eagerness to acquire knowledge, there also appeared traits of character for the successful business man. At the age of twenty he left the green hills of Vermont, which he dearly loved to the day of his death, and went to Boston to strive, amid the ex- citements of the city, for the emoluments of talent and industry, where he entered into the employment of Jonathan Forbush as book-keeper. Mr. Forbush soon found his young book-keeper de- veloping into the thorough business man, for after the usual hours of sales were over he would seek out customers and make sales to them. Such traits of character led Mr. Forbush to take him into partnership.
The small limits allowed will not permit of following Mr. Town- send through all the changes which his inventive and versatile mind led him ; but it may with propriety be remarked that his quick apprehension and sound judgment led him to make many good bargains with large profits while others were hesitating. His quickness of thought and decision did not often lead him into errors.
The wealth gained by his superior talents he was ready and willing to give for the benefit of humanity where there were claims on a liberal man's purse.
He often said all he wanted of money was to do good with it. No needy person was ever dismissed from his presence without re- ceiving what was necessary for his wants. His benevolence, were it known to the world, would well compare with the liberality of men of larger means who have done much.
In this brief sketch of Mr. Townsend, it should be added that his many domestic virtues shone with uncommon brightness in the society of his family and friends, leaving a rich legacy in precious remembrances to their deeply sorrowing hearts.
Townsend, Albert O., farmer.
Trask, Geo. E., hotel keeper, m. Mary Kendall.
Tuttle, Geo. F., farmer, m. Louisa Jewett, is one of the present board of selectmen. He is delivering at South Reading a course of public lectures.
Twomley, Christopher, painter, m. Emmaroy Amsden.
Vittum, Asahel C., farmer, m. - Cram.
Vittum, Eugene, lumberman.
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HISTORY OF READING.
Vittum, George, lumberman.
Wait, Wm. A., farmer, m. Priscilla Holden.
Walker, Oliver, farmer, m. - Cady.
Walker, Warren, farmer, m.
Walker, Oren, farmer and justice of the peace, m.
Wardner, Carlos, farmer, m. - Goddard.
Frederick Wardner, who married Rebecca Waldo, bought in 1796, 100 acres on the " Wardner Hill," and moved his family from Alstead, N. H., to his newly purchased acres in 1797, and estab- lished himself in a log house thereon. He brought with him six sons and two daughters. His father, Philip Wardner, who emi- grated from Rothensol, twelve miles from Strasburg, Germany, in 1752, subsequently came to Reading and lived with his son until his death in May, 1819, at the age of ninety-two years and eleven months. Philip was a mason, and a stone chapel is now standing on School street, in the city of Boston, which was erected by him.
Frederick was a farmer ; he died Dec. 17, 1825, aged 71 years. Of his children, Joseph died when about twenty-one years of age.
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CALVIN WARDNER.
Calvin, b. Aug. 26, 1782, resided on the old farm, built the large frame house and capacious barns now standing, reared a family of six children, and served his fellow townsmen in positions of trust and responsibility, such as selectman, lister, &c. He possessed
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much decision of character, quick perceptive powers and was tena- cious of his opinions. He was held in high esteem by his neigh- bors and often was resorted to by them for advice and aid. In politics a whig ; in his religious belief a Universalist.
He m. Sarah Fay Jan. 15, 1818, and she dying, he m. Rebecca Clark, March 7, 1822. He d. Feb. 20, 1858, at the old homestead. Polly m. Charles Leavens, farmer, of Reading.
Abigail, m. - Hatch, farmer, of Mendon.
Allen, now resides at Windsor, Vt., aged 87 years. He has been a merchant, was for many years President of the Ascutney Bank at Windsor, State Treasurer, and representative of Windsor in the Legislature.
Luther, m. Chloe Leavens, was a farmer and resided in W. Wind- sor.
Shubael, merchant, resided at Windsor.
James, physician, practiced principally at Reading, Vt., and Plainfield, N. H.
Calvin's children :
Ann, m. Hosea Benjamin.
Betsey, m. Loren W. Lawrence, of Windsor.
Clark, m. Lydia P. Heald, of Cavendish, who d. Oct. 15, 1861 ; again m. to Mrs. Sarah E. Breck.
Sarah, m. Henry S. Story, of Windsor.
Catharine, m. Daniel Benjamin, of W. Windsor.
Fred, m. Mary A. Russell.
Polly's children :
Charles Leavens, of Sheboygan Falls, Wis.
Paulina, m. John Adams.
Mary, m. Aretus Bailey.
Luther's children :
Joseph, Carlos, Azro, Charlotte and Mariette.
AMASA WATKINS
came from Hartford, Vt., about 1798, bought and cleared up the " Herrick farm " where Ezra A. Robinson now lives. His three oldest sons were born at Hartford, and the remainder of his chil- dren in Reading.
His children were : John, m. Miranda Darby.
Amasa, m. Sophia Bigelow, who dying, he m. Judith Merrill. Spafford, m. Sally Parker.
Lucy m. Samuel Royce, of Cavendish.
Zera, farmer, of Sharon.
Wm. m. Almira Hulett, now resides at Towanda, Penn.
Elisha W., farmer, m. Rosilla Robinson. Lorenzo, farmer, of Ulster, Penn. John's children : Urben, carpenter, m., Akron, O. Lucy, m. A. W. Goddard.
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Laura, deceased.
Alfred, farmer, m. Mrs. Helen Watkins.
Charles, died in Waterloo, Iowa.
Spafford's children :
Alonzo P., farmer, m. Mary Fullam.
Betsey, m. Hon. Chas. A. Scott, of Plymouth, a physician of good reputation, and a member of the Vt. State Senate.
Angelette, deceased.
Henry, accidently killed at Putney Vt., m. Helen Taylor.
Lucy's children :
Laura, m. John Green of Cavendish.
Emily, m. - Gilman of Springfield.
Aurelia, m. F. V. A. Townsend of Springfield.
Frederick.
Norman, deceased. .
Edwin W. proprietor of mills at So. Reading.
Zera has one son, named Edgar.
William's children :
Gay, Lieut. Col., and was killed in front of Petersburg, Va.
Laura, m. - Waterman.
Mary and Hersey.
Elisha W. is one of the present board of selectmen. His chil- dren are :
Caroline, m. C. T. Fay of Windsor, merchant.
Frank, merchant of Rutland, m. Ada Watkins.
Mary, m. John McCullough, farmer and lister for 1873.
PARSON WESTON.
cleared up the farm next north of John Douglass'. He m. Patty Williams. Their children were :
Mary, b. April 10, 1801, m. Laban Hathorn.
Henry, b. March 3, 1804, d. May, 1853.
Curtis, b. - 1806, d. - 1813.
Laura, b. April, 1807, m. Bridgman Hapgood.
Nathan, b. Oct. 23, 1809, resides at Reading.
Benjamin, b. Aug. 17, 1814, m. Lucretia Fullam at Plymouth. Michael, b. April, 1816, m. Mary Herrick, resides at Reading. Martha, b. March 2, 1822, m. O. A. Keyes.
BIOGRAPHY OF HANK WHITE.
BY DIO GENES.
CHAPTER I.
This celebrated humorist was born about 38 years ago. He be- gan to be funny at a very early age. His mother says he never stopped crying from the hour of his birth till he was two years old. Our hero is not a self-made man ; he was born in Vermont of " poor but respectable parents," who had other children, and so he was not the flower of the family, though always a promising lad.
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Weathersfield is noted as the place of his birth, but not wholly on that account. Other smart boys have been born there. It is the writer's native town.
CHAPTER II.
Hank's power of mimicry developed early, and his boyish im- personations of peculiar characters used frequently to set his el- ders in a roar and bring down the house, or other edifice in which he performed. Even in infancy he used to make up such faces at his mother that she never could keep from laughing long enough to whip him. We have seen his father raise his hand in wrath to give the young Comedian a richly deserved flogging, but one look at the comical face before him would force him to explode with a " ha, ha, ha !" and he would tell Hank to "go to thunder with his nonsense." Hank was well brought up, but he fell into bad com- pany after he left the parental roof. "I name no names," but the public knows the company.
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CHAPTER III.
Hank's "first appearance upon any stage " was at a school exhi- bition. The tragedy was Pizarro. The personator of that char- acter afterward became a Colonel in our army. George M. Clark was " Alonzo," and Hank wanted to be " Cora's child," but he was too big. He took the leading part in the afterpiece, a roaring farce, and achieved a decided success. The applause put out half the tallow candles which lighted the old meeting house.
Hank studied his profession in New York, spending more money than he is ever likely to get back. He first applied burnt cork to his handsome face in 1859, and the bursting houses which from that time to this have greeted him, prove that he has not mistaken his calling.
CHAPTER IV.
Hank has a war record. He blew the bass drum in the 16th Vermont Volunteers, and did gallant service at Gettysburg. He got behind a large rock, and, making as much noise as a whole brigade, drew the fire of three hundred rebel cannon at himself individually. Rising gracefully he bowed his thanks and pro- pounded a conundrum : "Why is White Black ?" While the rebs were studying up the answer-because he is mortarfi(r)ed- Col. V. ordered a charge, and gobbled up a whole regiment of them. The credit of the success was wholly due to Hank. Hank and his companion in peace or war, Lieutenant George M. Clark, sang before Gen. Meade and delighted the whole camp with their music. When their term of service expired they were honorably discharged, and returned home covered with glory and vermin.
CHAPTER V.
Like Greeley, Hank, when at home is a farmer, but he isn't at home much. What he " knows about farming " would fill a whole
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chapter like this, and is therefore omitted. For the last ten years he has been on the road, traveling through the North-Eastern States and the Canadas so many times that their lines of commu- nication are as familiar to him as the paths of his own cow-pasture. Hank is not rich, but he has lots of rich relations. He is, howev- er, moral, temperate and honest, with a soul as clean as that of many a man whose face is white all the time. He is prudent, and doesn't spend his money for good clothes or poor liquor. He sings because he likes to, and laughs because he can't help it, any more than his audience. His fun is purely natural, from a living spring, and doesn't need a force-pump to bring it to the surface. He was always full of it, and has grown fat upon it.
CHAPTER VI.
In conclusion, we take leave of our subject with regret. It was our pleasure to know him intimately in early life, and sometimes to enjoy the felicity of " pulling the wool " over his eyes. When we turn our eyes to the lofty pinnacle of fame which Hank has since attained, we feel a measure of pride at his altitude, and these beautiful lines of Longfellow come unbidden to our mind :
" Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime ; And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time "
OLIVER WHITMORE
came to Reading in 1802. In 1805 he bought of Alpheus Morse the farm now owned by Benjamin Weston and resided on that until 1814, when he bought of Jonathan Conant and.Moses Fay the farm now occupied by his two sons Nelson and Charles, and resided there until his death in 1845, having reared a family of ten children. The part east of the highway, purchased of Moses Fay, is now owned by Chas. S. Whitmore, Esq., Deputy Sheriff.
Of the daughters :
Arvilla, m. Bradford Holmes.
Priscilla, m. Joel Holden, and he dying she m. Wm. A. Wait, Esq.
Christiana, m. Nathan Sherwin.
Lydia, m. Samuel Persons.
Jerusha, m. Lyman Cady.
Aurilla, m. Jonas G. Allen.
Zilpha, m. Wm. Wilkins of Alden, N. Y.
Of the sons :
Nelson, m. Lucy Holden.
Charles, m. Lucy N. Hatch, June 5, 1845.
JOSEPH WILKINS
made his pitch in Reading in 1784. His son, Sewall, purchased and cleared up the farm now owned by Rowland M. Wilkins. He m. Mary Wilkins and their children were :
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Polly, m. Charles Stafford of Bridgewater.
Wm. m. Lucinda Grandy.
Nehemiah ın. Rachel Floyd.
Hannah, m. Calvin Morrison, and he dying she m. Eben Ken- dall.
Alice, m. Jared Nutting, lives in Ohio.
Stillman, m. Clarissa Griswold, d. in Alden, N. Y.
Rowland, M., m. Eliza Ann Chipman.
Mary having deceased, Sewall Wilkins m. for his second wife Abigail Dunham.
Their children were :
Sophronia, m. Nathan Savage, lived in Whitehall, Ill.
Elvira m. Jefferson Chandler, of Canaan, N. H.
Lydia, m. John Lock of Charlestown, N. H.
Abigail.
Olivia, d.
Lucius, died in the army.
Walker, Oliver, farmer, m. Cady. Washburn, Chas., farmer, m.
Washburn, Chas., T., farmer.
Washburn, Darwin E., mechanic, m. Effie Buck.
Weston, Benjamin, farmer, m. Mary Fletcher.
Wetherbee, Levi K., proprietor of steam mill, m. - Cram. Waterman, Julius, clerk.
Wilkins, Clarence, manufacturer of chairs and farmer.
Wilkins, Wallace W., farmer, m. Jenette Gilson.
Wilkins, Alvin F., farmer, m.
Wilkins, Henry, teacher of penmanship, m. Clara Amsden.
Willis, Edward B., painter and a musician of good reputation,
m. Gates.
Whitaker, Wm., chairmaker, m. Mary Greenleaf.
White, Hugh, farmer, m. Ella Jones.
Whitney, Edwin, farmer, m. Marcia Taylor.
Wolcott, P. B., blacksmith.
Wolcott, William, farmer.
Wood, Norman W,, farmer, m. Maria H. Griffin. Mr. Wood has a wide and well-deserved celebrity as a comedian.
Young, Geo. W., blacksmith, m. Aurelia Capron.
The oldest persons now residing in Reading are Mrs. Lucy Stearns who was 97 on the 8th day of November 1873, and Mrs. Mehitable Walker, who was 97 in January, 1874. Mrs. Walker is the mother of Oliver Walker and is hale, hearty and "spry as a cricket."
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