USA > Vermont > Essex County > Gazetteer of Caledonia and Essex Counties, Vt. 1764-1887 > Part 49
USA > Vermont > Caledonia County > Gazetteer of Caledonia and Essex Counties, Vt. 1764-1887 > Part 49
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William Russell Rosebrook .-- The Rosebrook family was among the early settlers of northern New Hampshire. Capt. Eleazer Rosebrook, a pionee from Grafton, Mass., removed to Lancaster about 1772 ; he soon after set- tled at Monadnock, now Colebrook. Here he was fully thirty miles from any inhabitant, with no guide to his cabin excepting blazed trees. During the War of the Revolution, in 1778 he moved to Guildhall, Vt., in order to have his family in the neighborhood of settlements while he was absent per_
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forming military duty on the frontier, not in the regular army, but in the more hazardous and arduous service of scout and ranger. He was one of the most active and useful of Guildhall's citizens, and took a prominent part in the town affairs. In 1792 he sold his beautiful Connecticut river farm, and in the winter went into the wilderness to Nash and Sawyer's location. Here he soon built a large two-story house, at the base of what was known as the " Giant's Grave," occupying nearly the same site as the Fabyan House, and in 1803 opened the first house for summer visitors in the White Mountains. He was a man of great energy and enterprise ; he erected a saw and grist- mill, large barns, stables and sheds. Just as he had got his estate in good condition and was about to enjoy the comforts acquired by his laborious life, a cancer broke out on his lip, and after patiently bearing his intense suffer- ings for a few years, he died, September 27, 1817. Capt. Rosebrook was a remarkable man. His nature was adapted to the life of the rugged pioneer, and he could not endure the restraints of large settlements ; he must be as free and unrestrained as the strong, pure air of the mountain gorges. Capt. Eleazer had four sons, James, Eleazer, John and William. William was born in Guildhall, Vt. He inherited a strong constitution and an active, energetic nature. An anecdote, related of him, will attest this. In haying time, on going to work, his employer complained of his coming too late to do a day's work. William replied, "measure off a day's work and I will do it if it takes two days." This was done, and when called to dinner he was not in the field, having completed his task and gone home. He could cut twice as much wood in a day as an ordinary man. William Rosebrook married Lydia Dodge. They had seventeen children. Phreeland was one of the younger sons. Mr. Rosebrook, while in advanced years, but still vigorous. and hale, fell from a bridge which was being built across the Connecticut river, and was so severely injured as to be incapacitated from labor ever after. He lived in this utterly helpless state for seventeen years, but was blessed with the loving, tender and willing care of his children. He died in Guildhall, where he had always resided.
Phreeland Rosebrook was born in Guildhall, Vt., April 1, 1791, and mar- ried, December 25, 1817, Mary Kilby, who was born in Nova Scotia, March 24, 1794. Their children were George T., Amelia G., Abigail P., who mar- ried, first, Malachi R. Coe, and second, Ladoit Farmer ; Mary Jane, William R., John K., Alvin E., Charles F., Edward P. and Selden H., all of whom lived to maturity. In March, 1828, Phreeland, with his wife and children, moved from Newark, where he had lived two years, to Brighton, then Ran- dom. Here he purchased seventy-five acres of land at one dollar per acre ; this was mostly paid for by work on the roads, of which he had the charge. Although the section where he was to make his home was an unbroken wil- derness, yet his pluck, persistency and perseverance brought good results, and his farm was the nucleus of what is now one of the finest in Essex county. Mr. Rosebrook was an efficient member of the community where he made his
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home. He was often a grand juror, and for years a justice of the peace, and solemnized the first two marriages in Brighton. He was practical ; possessed excellent judgment and keen foresight. In person, Mr. Rosebrook was nearly six feet in height, spare in build, his eyes and hair were dark, his voice low and pleasant. Mrs. Rosebrook was quick and brisk in her movements, and accomplished a great deal of labor. They were both social and hospitable ; religious in practice and theory, members of the Congregationalist church in Guildhall, and corporate members of the first church in Island Pond. They possessed strong temperance principles, which they enforced by precept and example. Their large family of children were taught prompt obedience and correct habits. At that time the teachers " boarded around," and the larger the number of children, the longer their stay; consequently, out of every three months term, two months were passed with the Rosebrooks. This also had its influence. Mr. and Mrs. Rosebrook lived a pioneer life, working early and late, and did not attain an advanced age. Mrs. Rosebrook died in 1851, aged fifty-seven. Her husband survived her but five months. His death occurred February 14, 1852, in his sixty-first year.
William R. Rosebrook was born in Guildhall, June 30, 1825, and came to Brighton when a child, where he attended the common schools. He assisted his father in the farm labors, and inheriting the qualities of a good agriculturist, he became a "tiller of the soil." After his father's death, his brothers and sisters wished him to remain on the old homestead and keep it as a home for the family, and he has faithfully done this, keeping the latch-string always up for the " Geschwistern." Mr. Rosebrook could hardly have followed any other vocation than that oldest and honorable calling among men, and has proved to be the right man in the right place. He has much increased the property and has developed one of the finest farms, not only in the town, but in the county. He has one hundred and thirty-five acres under cultivation on the home place, cuts about one hundred tons of hay, and has twenty milch cows. His barn is a model one, and everything about his estate evidences a careful, wise and judicious manager. In 1881 Mr. Rosebrook. built a saw-mill, and has since engaged in the manufacture of lumber. Mr. Rosebrook is liberal in religious belief, Republican in politics, and has represented Brighton four years in the state legislature, being elected a member of that body in his twenty-sixth year. He has held all the prominent local offices ; been first selectman for a long period. In all his official relations he has ever been a kind, courteous and capable officer. He was chosen first selectman in 1852 and served his last term in that office in 1882. He is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, being one of the incorporators of Essex Lodge, No. 13, Island Pond. He married, March 29, 1855, Harriet R. Coe, of Burke, Vt. She has been a help-mate in the true sense of that word. A plain, unassuming man of the people, Mr. Rosebrook has ever enjoyed the confidence and esteem of the better elements of society, and in industry, hon-
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esty and integrity is a worthy representative of the honest pioneer stock from which he sprung.
Orrin Colburn was born in Lebanon, N. H., and lived there until he was about twenty-two years old, when he moved to Waterford, Vt., where he lived but a short time, when he moved to Morgan, Vt., from whence he, in the fall of 1829, moved to this town, settling on road 9. He died about 1851. He married Sarah Cole, and reared twelve children, only seven of whom are living. Mr. Colburn was by trade a carpenter, but followed farm- ing for several years previous to his death.
Oney Aldrich came to this town, from Richmond, in 1832, while his son Elias came in the fall of 1830. Oney was born in 1775, and married Mary Woodward, of Keene, N. H. He held the office of town clerk here for a series of years, being the second clerk chosen. He died July 21, 1865.
William M. Currier, son of Amos, was born in this town, December 18, 1832, being the first male child born here after the name of the town was changed to Brighton. He spent his early life with his parents, but on the 16th day of April, 1861, he enlisted in Co. D, 3d Vt. Vols., and was soon promoted to sergeant. On September 26, 1862, he was promoted from sergeant to second lieutenant of Co. B, and September 2, 1863, was promoted to first lieutenant, Co. G. He was mustered out of service July 27, 1864. After returning to his native town he was appointed collector of customs, where he remained eighteen months, and was again appointed, June 6, 1872, and served until January 1, 1886. He married Sarah J. Smith, July 6, 1861, rearing two children, Alice A., born October 30, 1864, who married John Willoughby, September 24, 1884, and William L., born December 4, 1872.
George W. Noyes .- The name Noyes is of Welch origin. In the eighteenth century some of the family emigrated to this country, and settled in various parts of New England. Among the soldiers of the Revolution was Bela Noyes, of Massachusetts, who, after his patriotic services for his country, be- came a resident of Norway, Maine, where he pursued the honorable calling of a farmer, and died in 1833, at an advanced age. His son Bela was born in Norway, in 1794, and married Honour Prince, of New Gloucester, Me. Mr. Noyes made a home for himself and wife in this sparsely settled section. He felled the trees, cleared the land by persistent and laborious exertions, and was a farmer and lumberman. The four children of Bela and Honour (Prince) Noyes were George W., Warren, Robert P. and Aphia E. (Mrs. David Pratt). Mrs. Noyes was a good christian mother, a member of the Methodist church, and in the newly settled country, although the churches were at a great distance, the zealous, God fearing members were scrupulous in attending the services. Mrs. Noyes died in 1858, aged sixty years. Mr. Noyes's death occurred in 1860, in the town of his nativity.
George Washington Noyes, oldest child of Bela and Honour (Prince) Noyes, was born in Norway, Me., March 13, 1828. His childhood and early youth were passed at home ; his education was that common to the farmers'
Geo. W. Noyes Нео.
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sons of that period of our country's history, viz .: three months "schooling " in the winter. At the age of eighteen he went to Massachusetts, and was engaged for three summers in farming, and driving a market wagon from Dorchester to Boston. But this was not the occupation for a man possessing his energy, mechanical skill, and perseverance. He began his long connection with railroad interests in 1849, by taking charge of the blasting of the stone for a railroad bridge across the Little Androscoggin, near South Paris, Me. He then returned to Massachusetts, where he remained a year. In 1851 he was engaged as fireman on an engine on the Atlantic & St. Lawrence rail- road (now Portland division of the Grand Trunk railroad). In 1852 he began running an engine, and in 1853 became the engineer of a passenger train running between Gorham and Island Pond. The roads were not con- nected until July, 1853. With all the improvements and appliances available at present, the perils and trials of railroading over thirty years ago, seem almost incredible ; the success depended largely on the skill and faithfulness of the engineers, and the enterprise and courage of all connected is espec- ially commendable. We condense the following from an Island Pond Herald : When the Grand Trunk Road reached Island Pond, in January, 1853, the superintendent of this division was S. T. Corser, a gentleman of unblemished character, vigorous enterprise, and polished manners, who was very much beloved by all employees during his stay on the road. Among the conductors who have served on this road, and whose genial manners and gentlemanly deportment won them hosts of friends, were Waterhouse, Gould, Hobbs, Latham, Whitney. Stowe, Pratt, Stowell, Woodman, Garland and others. Among the engineers were the Noyes brothers, men of unexcelled skill as master mechanics, and now occupying high positions on the road, and who fairly represent the railroad men of the early period. The road was not fully graded nor ballasted, and the ties laid on the snow. To illustrate the hard- ships endured by these veterans, a brief description of one trip will suffice. A train, with G. W. Noyes, as engineer, started from North Stratford as it began to snow. On the heavy grade toward Wenlock the cars were left, and, with the van and engine, they proceeded to Wenlock, where they were obliged to leave the van, and finally arrived with the engine at East Brighton, where the supply of water was exhausted. Mr. Noyes, remaining with his engine, conductor Tuttle went to Island Pond on foot, four miles, through immense drifts to report to superintendent Corser, who set out with a gang of men armed with pails, with which they filled the tender of the engine from a brook at some distance. This required more than a thousand pails of water. Nearly one hundred men from Island Pond, who were employed by contractor Wood in grading the yard, shovelled out the engine and the track, and after a long night of labor the engine reached Island Pond. After get- ting a hasty breakfast, Mr. Noyes and his assistants returned with two engines and a snow-plough to clear the line of snow, and cars left on the main line the night previous, and on arriving at East Brighton, filled the tenders of both 26*
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engines with water, by hand, with buckets; and when near Wenlock, met conductor J. J. Geresh, who had traveled on foot, and with team, when pos- sible, to get through the heavy drifts of snow all the way from Gorham, N. . H., with a message to Superintendent S. T. Corser, that a freight train had run off the track, and had thrown one span of the Wild river bridge into the. stream, which demanded his immediate return to that place. He gave his instructions, and started on foot to North Stratford, leaving Mr. Noyes and other train men to clear the line of cars, and then proceed to Groveton with the two engines and snow-plough, which they did after getting the snow- plough off the track several times east of Wenlock. When about one-fourth of a mile east of Blackberry hill cutting, the snow-plough ran off the track, throwing the forward engine fulf length into the ditch, and the worst part of the accident was the cutting off of both legs of one man just below the knee. It being late at night, four men were detailed to proceed to Groveton for a sleigh, which they hauled by hand to the place of accident, and returned! with the man, who lived but a few days. In the mean time Mr. Noyes took charge of the wreck, and got the engine and plough on the track, clearing the. line, and arrived at Groveton for breakfast.
From 1853, when Mr. Noyes changed his residence to Gorham, to 1864, he ran passenger trains between Gorham and Paris, Me. In the early part of the year 1864, while at work on a wreck. he received a severe fracture of one of his legs, and upon his recovery, in September, his long labors and faithful services and mechanical ability being appreciated, he was appointed locomotive and car foreman (master mechanic) of the Grand Trunk Railroad, the duties of which position he has honorably and skillfully discharged for nearly a quarter of a century, making his home in Island Pond. He also has had charge of the Grand Trunk water-works between Groveton, N. H., and Coat- icook, Canada, P. Q., and nearly all the pipe has been relaid under his superin- tendence. In 1866 the engine house at Island Pond was rebuilt, and, contrary to his advice, a wooden foundation was put under the building, which in a few years became much decayed, so that in 1879 Mr. Noyes had instructions to change the foundation, and he then put in the present massive stone founda- tions. The introduction of water into the village, in 1879, was largely due to his enterprise. Mr. Noyes aims at thoroughness ; no work of his is slighted, and generations to come will have an opportunity of looking upon what he has planned and builded, and to him justly belongs the satisfaction of well directed endeavor. He married, September 19, 1851, Julia A., daughter of Nathan and Amelia (Wood) Horr, of Norway, Me. Their children are Sarah A., who married E. N. Abbott ; Emma A., who married N. E. Bonney ; George Edwin, who was educated at Gorham and Westbrook seminary. Mr. Noyes is an attendant of the Universalist church. A Democrat in politics, he has often been the standard bearer of his, the minority, party. He has belonged to the F. & A. M. fraternity for nearly thirty years, being raised at Gorham, N. H., and is now past master of Island Pond lodge, No. 44, of
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Island Pond, and also a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to Key Stone chapter, No. 16, of Island Pond, and a P. G. of Essex lodge, No. 13, I. O. O. F., also a member of Frontier Encampment, I. O. O. F., of Derby Line, Vt.
Mr. Noyes is unpretending in manner, strong in his attachments, with great love for his friends ; is a good neighbor, loyal citizen, and a worthy example of what perseverance, diligence and fidelity can accomplish. He belongs to that class of New Englanders who, while unostentatious and unassuming, are yet the true benefactors of the community in which they live, in that they add to the material prosperity of their respective localities, and leave behind them tangible results of their life's work.
Miles Coe was a native of Winstead, Conn. He came to the town of Burke, when about ten years old, with his father, Abner. He remained in Burke twelve years, when he married Betsey Cady and moved to Newark, Vt., where he was engaged in farming, and buying and selling real estate. He was the father of nine children. His son Harvey was born in Burke, in 1807, and came to this town about 1834. He was the first postmaster here, appointed August 16, 1849, the office being established at that date. He also represented the town in the legislature. Although never receiving a thorough medical education, he became quite skillful in the use of medicines, and assuming the title of M. D., he had quite an extensive practice in this town for several years. He was succeeded by Dr. C. G. Adams, of Holland, Vt. Mr. Coe died June 8, 1879.
Lemuel Chase came to this town in 1855, from Maine. He was in the employ of Isaac Dyer for about twenty years.
Hobson Family .- Brighton has had from an early date in its history two representatives of this name. The family is old enough to be purely Ameri- can, living chiefly in eastern Massachusetts and southwestern Maine. Nathan Hobson came to Island Pond, from the Saco river, in 1859, as agent for a lumber company. In 1867 he entered the custom house, serving ten years. since which time he has been engaged in the hardware and furniture. business, in which his son was for a short time associated, but later settled in Wiscon- sin. His daughter is the wife of one of the townsmen, W. W. Lombard.
Hon. Samuel Decatur Hobson .- Among the active, vigorous, successful men of Essex county, must be mentioned Samuel Decatur Hobson, son of Samuel and Hannah (Sawyer) Hobson, who was born at Hollis, Maine, October 5, 1830. He is in the seventh generation from William Hobson, an early settler of Rowley, Mass., who emigrated from England about the middle of the seventh century, and his name appears, in 1626, on the list of " merchant adventurers" of London, who fittted out and provided for the famous Plymouth Colony of Massachusetts. (See History of Plymouth Co. Mass.) Captain John Smith, of Pocahontas fame, writes thus in 1624: "The adventurers which raised the stock to begin and supply the plantation were about seventy ; some gentlemen, some merchants, some handicraftsmen ; . some adventuring great sums, some small, as their estates and affection served.
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These dwelt mostly in London. They are not a corporation, but knit together by a voluntary combination in a society without restraint or penalty, aim- ing to do good and to plant religion." The line of descent is William1, Humphrey2, Humphrey3, Humphrey4, Humphrey", Samuel", Samuel Decatur". Mr. Hobson's early years were passed on the farm ; his education was acquired at the common schools of his native town and at Limerick academy. At the age of twenty he commenced to learn the trade of a carpenter, worked two years in Hollis, and a few months in Portland. In the month of September, 1852, he removed to Island Pond, and was engaged in erecting the first building in the village. He continued there as builder and contractor until 1857, when he was engaged by Isaac Dyer, of Portland, to take charge of his mill and lumber business at Island Pond, and continued in this position two years. In 1859 he became the agent of St. John Smith, of Portland, who had come into possession of about one thousand acres of land in the vicinity of Island Pond village. He acted in this capacity one year, and in 1860 bought out Mr. Smith. In 1863 he was appointed United States customs officer, which position; he held for one year. After engaging in merchandising for nearly three years, Mr. Hobson purchased the entire plant of Woodbury's mill, East Brighton, September 20, 1866, and became a resident there, and "Hobson's Mills" has been his home since, with the exception of an absence of two years and a half in Wakefield, Mass. Under Mr. Hobson's keen and judicious management the business has increased rapidly, and the firm, which in 1834 assumed the title of S. D. Hobson & Sons, manufactures building lumber, clapboards, laths, shingles, etc. They also plane and fit lumber for special orders, which is an important and growing branch of their business. They cut from five to six million feet of lumber per annum, employ from forty to one hundred and forty men, and do an annual business of $75,000. Mr. Hobson also carries on a mercantile establishment, and has a large farm from which he cuts about two hundred tons of hay, and this quantity is not sufficient for his needs.
He married, January, 1854, Mary E., daughter of Eben and Sarah (Haley) Sawyer, of Hollis, Me. Their children are (1) Harry Howard, (married Emma A. Mansur, and has one child, Harry M.); (2) Helen M. (Mrs. K. B. Fletcher, Jr., of Lancaster, N. H.); (3) John E., deceased, October, 1867, at ten years of age ; (4) Eugene F. (married Nellie G. Lang, has two children, Beatrice and Albion) ; (5) Sarah M., now (1886) on her fourth year in Boston University ; (6) Albion W. (he is completing his college course in Germany, and his bright and graphic letters from abroad give evidence of an observing eye and an inquiring mind); (7) Mary C .; (8) Elsie G.
Mr. Hobson's religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been a prominent and beneficent member since 1877. Polit- ically he is a Republican, and has done good work for his party in town and state affairs. He has filled nearly all the town offices ; represented Brighton in the legislature in 1856, and again in 1882 and 1883 ; in 1860 he was elected
S. D. Hobsen
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assistant judge of the county court and served two years ; in 1884-85 he represented Essex county in the state Senate. He is a man of strong tem- perance principles ; positive in his convictions ; pleasant and unassuming in his manners ; fond of his family and promoting their advance in education generously; liberal in all matters pertaining to public good; as a manufac- turer and business man, he is a persistent and practical worker, and his efforts have been rewarded with financial success. Mr. Hobson is such an one as is needed in every community, his energy and influence are potent for action and advance.
Alonzo Bemis, a native of Lyndon, Vt., born in 1809, was a son of Elias, who was a native of Spencer, Mass. Alonzo lived in Lyndon and Burke until 1852. About the year 1840 he went into trade with his brother Elias, in Lyndon, and continued there about eleven years. They also dealt quite ex- tensively in cattle. After that he was in trade a short time in Burke, then went to Willoughby lake and built what is known as the Willoughby Lake House, and remained its proprietor for about twenty years, when he sold to Dr. John Wheeler, of Concord, Vt., when he again returned to Burke, Vt., where he resided three years, when he came to this town and bought the farm where his son Elias now lives. On August 12, 1832, he married Rebecca Denison, and they reared a family as follows : Adna D., Annie S., Isaac D., Laura A. and Elias A. He died February 28, 1886. His youngest son, Elias A., still lives on the homestead.
Phineas Cole, a native of Lisbon, N. H., born there in 1811, is a son of Samuel Cole. He moved to this town in 1846, and has since resided here.
William Abial Richardson .- The Richardson name is of Norman origin, and is a familiar one in Old England, and in our New England annals. The family includes among its members many names of eminence in all depart- ments of life, civil, military, literary and ecclesiastical. As early as the six- teenth century, Richardsons were to be found in Norfolk, Yorkshire, Durham, and other counties of England, and before that time they were permitted to bear arms. These armorial bearings differed according to the different coun- ties. Thus the Yorkshire Richardsons' arms were unlike those of the Glou- cestershire family ; however, they are all described by Burke in his " Landed Gentry." Sufficient has now been said to vouch for the high respectability and antiquity of the family.
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