USA > Vermont > Washington County > Gazetteer of Washington County, Vt., 1783-1889 > Part 62
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as a citizen and neighbor, and on account of his excellent judgment was sought as a juryman in the trial of important cases at law. His children were Lucy (Mrs. Samuel Lewis), John E., George R., who married Sylvia. Farr, and resides on a farm in Waterbury, Mary A. (Mrs. Dr. Huse), Eliza (Mrs. Silas Perry), deceased, and Charles C., who married Carrie Lewis, is a farmer, and at present resides on the estate of his father.
William Wells, born in Waterbury, December 14, 1837, entered the service as a private soldier in Co. C, Ist Regt. Vt. Cav., in 1861, was promoted to first lieutenant, captain, major, colonel, brevet brigadier-general, brigadier- general, and brevet major-general of volunteers, and was mustered out of service January 16, 1866. He represented Waterbury in the legislature in 1865 and 1866 ; was adjutant and inspector-general of Vermont from October 1, 1866, to May 1, 1872, when he was appointed collector of cus- toms for the District of Vermont, which position he held until after Grover Cleveland was inaugurated President, in 1885. He is a member of the firm. of Wells, Richardson & Co., wholesale druggists of Burlington.
David C. Sheple was born in Massachusetts, December 25, 1789, and in 1814 came to Calais, Vt. He married Phebe R. Bancroft, who was born in Petersham, Mass., April 19, 1789. Four children were born to them-three sons and one daughter. . In 1828 they moved to Waterbury, having purchased a large farm known as the Gen. Peck farm, on which he remained until his death. He was in the mercantile business in Waterbury several years with A. S. Richardson, the firm being Richardson & Sheple. Mr. Sheple died October 8, 1864, and Mrs. Sheple January 16, 1862.
Curtis N. Arms was born in Duxbury, December 31, 1821. In 1837, at the age of sixteen, he came to Waterbury and engaged as a clerk in the em- ploy of D. & W. Carpenter. In 1846 he formed a partnership with J. G. Stimson, which continued six years. He commenced business alone in 1852, and continued until impaired health made it necessary to rest in 1865. He- sold to, and was succeeded by, Wyman & Smith. About 1864 he commenced wholesale business, and retired from the firm of Arms & Haines in May, 1887, after an active business career of fifty years. He was town treasurer twelve years before and during the war period, is now a director of Waterbury Na- tional bank, and treasurer of Winooski Valley Agricultural society. Although he has never entered the political field for promotion, he has often been called by his fellow townsmen to positions of responsibility and trust, and has dis- charged these duties with fidelity and good judgment.
Gideon Ricker and his son Gideon came to Waterbury from Waterborough, Me., in the spring of 1839, and settled on Ricker Mountain, so-named in. honor of Joseph Ricker, a brother of Gideon, Sr., who was the first perma- nent settler of the neighborhood. Gideon Ricker continued to reside on the place where he settled until his death, April 11, 1862, at the age of eighty- eight years. He and his son were active and energetic business men, and
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successfully prosecuted lumbering and farming. About ten years before the death of the senior the property was transferred to the younger, who still owns it. He married Miss Mary Lord, of Maine, who died on the place in December, 1886, aged sixty-nine years. Their children, who attained mature age, are Mark, Jane (Mrs. Albert Town), who resides in the neighborhood of. her old home, Simon, Eliza, Levi, Ashley, and Jackson.
Dr. Thomas B. Downer, an early, if not the earliest, physician of Stowe,. came to Waterbury Center about 1840, and at once commenced the practice of his profession, which he continued with more than ordinary success to the time of his death. The Doctor had a will of his own, which was a potent cause of his leaving Stowe. At the formation of Lamoille county he de- clared he would pay no tax to the new organization ; hence his removal. He. was medium in stature, inclining to corpulency. His voice was deep and heavy ; his manners brusque and almost repulsive. His figure bestride the " old mare " was daily seen on the country roads, and approach was .. heralded by his peculiar te-he ! which concluded his command to move along. He always had a word of greeting for every one he met, and under the rough exterior possessed a kind and ready sympathy. He was emphati- cally everybody's doctor. He attended, with and without compensation, rich and poor alike. He died in 1851, and was buried in Stowe. His daughter Clarissa married Lyman Smith, who died suddenly, aged about forty years. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were parents of three children who ar- rived at adult age, viz .: John Downer, Clarissa, and George Edward, who was of a happy disposition, an athlete, and a general favorite. He entered the Uuion army when only eighteen years old and served three years in Co. D, 2d Vt. Regt., without a scratch, until at the battle of the Wilderness, where he was shot through the left lung, and was at once discharged, but lived an invalid until his death, in 1885. His widow and son reside in Stowe. John D. Smith married Mary Jane, daughter of Riverius Camp, the pioneer merchant of Stowe, and came to Waterbury Center about the time that his grandfather, Dr. Downer, came. He was a merchant a few years, and was elected town clerk in 1851, and held the office continually till his death, in 1873. He was also justice of the peace and lister, and represented Water- bury in the legislature in 1856 and '57. He was a practical land surveyor,. and did general conveyancing ; advised the people in matters of law, and set- tled a large number of estates. He was a very extensive reader, possessed a large library, and was so well informed that his advice was sought on all questions. He died without an enemy, April 7, 1873. In religion Mr. Smith was a Universalist, and believed in the ultimate salvation of all man- kind .. In politics he commenced an " old line Whig," and entered the Re- publican ranks at its formation, and did good service for his party. Mrs. Smith still survives, and resides with her son Frank N. Frank N. Smith succeeded his father as town clerk, which position he has held to the present:
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time. He is also engaged in conveyancing, settling estates, etc. He is a reader and retains his father's library, and has the same liberal sentiments in religion and politics.
William Moody, son of Joseph Moody, was born in Vershire, Vt., in 1808. He had only a common school education, and spent his boyhood on his father's farm at hard labor, with the usual " three months' schooling " in winter. In early manhood be married Julia Gilman, of his native town, settled on a farm, which he purchased mainly on credit, in the town of Strafford, where he resided until 1846, when he removed to Waterbury, and owned and cultivated several farms, and speculated in live stock and real estate. About ten years later he removed to Waterbury village, and there spent the remainder of his life. He owned and conducted the Washington House two or three years, until it was destroyed by fire. This hotel was on the site of the present Waterbury House. Mr. Moody was an old line Democrat, and remained loyal to that party until the seceding states attempted to dissolve the Union. He then gave his influence and votes, up to the time of his death, to the Re- publican party. In religion he affiliated with the Methodist church, and con- tributed generously to its material interests. Mr. Moody was always the spirited citizen, aiding in all the enterprises to advance the real improvement of the society in which he moved ; and by a life of integrity he had the con- fidence and esteem of his large circle of acquaintances. He died September 5, 1865. Mrs. Moody survived her husband until December, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Moody reared four daughters and one son, viz .: Malvina E. (Mrs. George D. Robinson), who resides in Stowe ; Susan G. (Mrs. N. K. Brown), who resides in Burlington ; Julia J. (Mrs. S. C. Town), who resides in Water- bury ; Frances E., widow of Asa C. Atherton, who also resides in Waterbury ; and Justin W., who married Miss Hattie F. Brown, of Montpelier. At six- teen years of age he was assistant postmaster and clerk in the book and stationery store of N. K. Brown. This position he retained until he was twenty-one years of age, and had sole charge of the office the last three years. He then received the appointment of postmaster, bought the store, and con- tinued postmaster until 1865, when he resigned. He is now giving his atten- tion to the improvement of a fine farm. He resides on Union street, in Waterbury village.
William Deal, who was born in Phillipsburgh, P. Q., settled permanently in Waterbury village in 1851. He married Asentha, daughter of Chester Marshall, of Duxbury. Mr. Deal is the leading architect and builder of the town. He has given this occupation his attention the last thirty-eight years. His skill and great energy bring to him the largest jobs. There are many buildings in the village that he has either built or repaired. The most not- able are M. M. Knight's residence and store, C. C. Warren's residence and tannery, the. block containing the stores of M. O. Evans, J. Burleigh, and F. B. Taylor, the Waterbury Hotel, and the new bank block.
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Dr. Horace Fales was born in Sharon, Vt., February 16, 1823, and spent most of the time there and in adjoining towns until 1843. He then attended the Kimball Union Academy, at Meriden, N. H., where he received his academic education perparatory to the study of the medical profession. In 1845 he entered the office of his uncle, Dr. Reuben Spalding, in Brattleboro, Vt., where he commenced the study of medicine, and graduated at the Wood- stock Medical College in June, 1848, a self-educated physician, having sus- tained himself without aid by his own industry in the practice of dentistry. He soon after located in Waterbury, where he practiced both medicine and dentistry until the winter of 1849, when he left for the purpose of finding a more favorable location. In March, 1850, he removed to Middlesex, Vt., where he continued in successful practice six years. In 1856 he returned to Waterbury, where he had a large and lucrative practice to the time of his death, September 15, 1882. In the thirty-six years of Dr. Fales's practice in Waterbury and surrounding towns he fairly won a leading rank in his cho- sen profession. He was possessed of keen insight in the nature of disease, and his cool judgment made him a safe counselor. "Few doctors ever ap- proached the sick room whose manner and words were better adapted to inspire courage in the invalid." As a citizen Dr. Fales was public spirited, and ever ready to aid every enterprise for the advancement of the society of his town. In May, 1851, he married Henrietta A., daughter of David G. Sheple, of Waterbury, an amiable woman of fine abilities, who survives her husband and resides in Waterbury village.
Charles C. Robinson, son of Noah and Calista (Russell) Robinson, was born in Stowe, November 21, 1833. Mr. Robinson, after leaving the com- mon school, received an academic education at the academy of Bakersfield. February 18, 1864, he married Mary Jane Prescott, of Waterbury. They settled on a fine farm near Waterbury Center, where they now reside. Mr. Robinson is a Democrat, and although his party is only a weak minority in Waterbury he is so much appreciated and respected by his townsmen that they have elected him for many years to the offices of selectman, overseer of the poor, and auditor. He has also been the standard bearer of his party for the position of representative in the state legislature, and received much more than his party vote. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have four children, viz .: Harvey P., Carrie E., Ethel C., and Charles C., all of whom reside with their parents.
George C. Washburne, son of Gamaliel and Caroline C. (Stevens) Wash- burne, was born in Montpelier, November 21, 1845. He resided with his parents in his native village until he was fourteen years of age, and spent his time in attendance at the public school, where he laid the foundation for his substantial education. After spending some time in Boston, with his brother, attending the Quincy School, he went to Philadelphia, Pa., and entered a drug store, with the intention of mastering the trade, and making it his future business. Next year, at an early age, he responded to his country's call and
33*
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entered the Union army, in Co. A., 184th Regt. Pa. Vols., where he served until Lee's surrender, in 1865. His service was in the hospitals. He then decided on the profession of medicine, and immediately after his discharge from the army entered the University of Pennsylvania, where he was gradu- ated in 1867, after two years' study. In the same season he located in Hard- wick, Vt., where he practiced with success until 1870. He then removed to Waterbury, where he now resides and has built up a large and successful practice. Dr. Washburne is a member of the Episcopal church of Montpe- lier ; but as there is no church of that order in Waterbury he attends the Con- gregational church of his village and aids in its support. In March, 1868, Dr. Washburne united in marriage with Mrs. Charlotte L. Delano, daughter of Edwin and Charlotte Lyman, of Montreal, P. Q. They have a son, Gamaliel, and two daughters, Caroline and Katherine M. In the years 1877, '78, and '79 Dr. Washburne held the important position of superintendent of schools of Waterbury, and performed its duties with fidelity.
Rev. Leonard Tenney, son of Benjamin and Betsey (Taylor) Tenney, was. born in Groton, N. H., August 5, 1814. In October, 1831, he united with the Congregational church of his native town, and in March, 1833, he began to pre- pare for college, under the instruction of Rev. Henry Wood, of Haverhill, N. H. A year later he entered Kimball Union Academy, and remained there till he entered Dartmouth College, in 1836. During his academic and college course he devoted a portion of his time to teaching singing and public schools. After he had finished his college course he taught a year and a half in Lyme and Hebron, N. H. In the spring of 1842 he began the study of theology at Andover Theological Seminary, and finished the course in the spring of 1844. September following he commenced to preach in Jaffrey, N. H., as the colleague of Rev. Laban Ainsworth, where he remained until August, 1857. While in Jaffrey he served two years as commissioner of education for Cheshire county. He removed to Thetford, Vt., in 1857, and was pastor of the church of that place until the close of the year 1867. He represented Thetford in the legislature of 1866 and again in 1867. January 1, 1868, he- accepted the pastorate of the church in Barre, and remained in charge of that church until May, 1881, when, on account of illness, he resigned his position. Later he was in charge of the Vermont Bible society nearly three years, when he purchased a house in Waterbury, where he now resides. For more than twenty-five years he has been superintendent of schools. He married Mal- vina Baker, of Lebanon, N .. H., and their union is blessed with a daughter and three sons.
Emory G. Hooker, M. D., son of Liberty H. and Almira E. (Blake) Hooker, was born in Cabot, Vt., February 19, 1839. He remained with his- parents until he was twenty years of age, engaged in labor on the farm and in the saw-mills of his father, and attending the district school and the acad- emy at Barre, where, under the tutelage of Prof. Jacob Spaulding, he com- pleted his academic studies. He then decided to enter the medical profes-
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sion, and commenced a course of study in the office of Drs. Clark and Rublee, of Montpelier, where he continued for about three years, but in the time he was West about a year and a half, teaching, and attending a course of medi- cal lectures at Ann Arbor, Mich. In the winter of 1 864 and '65 he was six months in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York city, where: he graduated. He then located in Waitsfield, Vt., where he remained in suc- cessful practice the ensuing sixteen years. In 1881 he came to Waterbury,. where he immediately had a large professional business, which he continues. to the present writing (1888). December 28, 1865, he married Kate L .- Kneeland, of Waterbury, and they have one daughter, Jessie M.
Dr. Ebenezer J. Foster, son of Leonard R. Foster, whose grandfather, Isaac: Foster, was a pioneer of Moretown, as was also his maternal grandfather,. Ebenezer Johnson, was born in Moretown, January 15, 1847. When about: fifteen years of age he enlisted in Co. B, 10th Vt. Regt., as a drummer, and remained continually with his regiment until it was mustered out of service at the close of the war, in July, 1865. Dr. Foster was a general favorite with his regiment, and was given the pet name of "The Little Drummer Boy of the Tenth." Soon after his return home, in 1865, he decided on the profes- sion of medicine and continued his education, as preparatory to its accom- plishment, and in 1867 entered the Hahnemann Medical College at Philadel- phia, where he graduated. Next he took an extra course in the Philadelphia School of Anatomy and Surgery, and later an extra course in the New York Homeopathic College. Dr. Foster is also a thorough music scholar, and ex- cels in its execution. He has given his attention to the fine arts, and has produced paintings of genuine merit. He practiced his profession in Brook- lyn, N. Y., with very fair success about two years, when he went West, and had fine success in Wisconsin, but eventually settled in Minneapolis, where he built up an extensive and lucrative practice, which he left about five years ago and returned to Waterbury, his native county, to perform the filial duty of administering to the comforts of his aged father, who is over four-score years of age. He now has an extensive practice in Waterbury and adjacent towns.
Will F. Minard, son of R. W. Minard, was born in Hinesburgh, Vt., May 13, 1867. He was educated at Hinesburgh and Bristol academies, read medicine at Burlington with Dr. G. E. E. Sparhawk about four years, entered the Hahnemann Medical College, where he graduated in 1887, at the head of his class. He returned to Burlington and practiced with Dr. Sparhawk about one year and six months, and November 16, 1888, settled in Water- bury, where he is in the practice of his profession with every prospect of building up a successful business. September 20, 1886, Dr. Minard married Mrs. Clarissa C. Smith, of Waterbury Center.
The Revolutionary soldiers who settled in Waterbury and died there were Capt. Thomas Jones, Aaron Wilder, Gov. Ezra Butler, Zachariah Bassett, Moses Nelson, David Town, John Hudson, D. Sloan, Benjamin Conant,
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Paul Dillingham, Asaph Allen, Isaac Marshall, Thomas Eddy, Alphas Shel- don, Joseph Hubbard, Stephen Jones, Asa Poland, and George Kennan.
More than forty of the sons of Waterbury went out in the War of 1812.
All through the dark days of the war for the Union, Waterbury patriotically responded to the repeated calls for men until she had sent to the seat of war 211 of her sons. Of this number are the gallant Gen. William Wells, Gen. William W. Henry, and the lamented Major Edwin Dillingham, who was killed at Winchester, September 19, 1864. Seventeen were killed, or died of wounds received in battle ; eighteen died of diseases ; and one committed suicide. Of those who returned at the expiration of their term of service, or at the close of the war, many brought germs of disease that caused their early death, and others were crippled and maimed for life.
The First Methodist Episcopal church in Waterbury was organized at Waterbury Center, by Elder Stebbins, it is said in 1800, with Thomas Gup- til, class-leader, and fourteen other members. Their present and first church edifice was built of brick in 1833, and will comfortably seat an audience of 250 persons, which, with the grounds and all other church property, is valued at $4,000. The present number of members is eighty, and Rev. Harvey Webster is their pastor. The Sunday-school has fourteen officers and teach- ers, and eighty-two scholars.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Waterbury village is located on Stowe street, and was organized in 1836. Their first and present house of worship was erected of brick in 1841, and will comfortably seat 250 people. The church and site is valued at $3,000, and the parsonage at $2,500. It has at the present time 189 members, and Rev. W. R. Davenport is their pastor. The Sunday-school has sixteen officers and teachers and 175 scholars. In 1799 the celebrated and eccentric Lorenzo Dow was appointed to " Essex circuit," which embraced Waterbury within its limits. So far as we know this was the first Methodist preaching in town. Through Mr. Dow's efforts a class was formed at Waterbury Center. The class soon grew into a regu- lar church organization. In 1836 a great revival occurred, and the church at Waterbury village was formed. This is now one of the leading churches of the denomination in the state, and has been served by several of the most eminent pastors in the conference. Great revivals occurred under the pas- torates of Revs. H. W. Worthen and W. Underwood ; the winter of 1888-89 also saw a goodly number converted. The venerable ex-Governor Paul Dil- lingham has been one of the pillars of the church from its organization, and to him and wife its prosperity has been largely due. The present governor of the state, Hon. W. P. Dillingham, is also an honored office bearer in the church, and is a tower of strength to the cause. The society contemplates building an elegant brick edifice in the near future, and already has several thousand dollars at interest for the purpose. Fifteen hundred dollars of this sum was generously contributed by Nathaniel Moody. Large numbers of people converted at the altars of this church have gone to swell the working
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force of other Methodist churches ; some also to other denominations; and the Rev. Calvin B. Moody has joined the ranks of the Congregational minis- try, and is settled at Osage, Iowa.
The First Congregational church of Waterbury was organized July 10, 1801, by the Rev. Jedediah Bushnell, a missionary from Connecticut, and the following persons constituted its membership : Asaph Allen, Hugh Blair, Moses Bates, Amos Slate, Thomas Kennan, Mary Austin, Ruth Rich, Samuel Slate, David Austin, Edward Bates, David Town, Esther Slate, Zebulon Allen, John Blair, Lydia Town, and Bathshaba Slate. Rev. Jonathan Hovey was. ordained and installed the first pastor, September 1, 1803, and he was dis- missed December 31, 1807. The church was without a pastor the ensuing eighteen years, but regular meetings were held and sermons were read. In 1824 a meeting-house was erected by the citizens, and is now the house of worship of this church. The whole number of members of this church since its organization is about 400. The present membership is 107, and their pastor is Rev. Charles M. Sheldon. The Sunday-school has an average at- tendance of sixty scholars and eleven teachers. A Bible class is conducted by the pastor, and J. C. Griggs is superintendent.
Waterbury River Free Baptist church is located on Waterbury river, about two miles west of Waterbury Center. It was organized August 5, 1840, by Rev. Ira Gray, with eighteen members. Rev. Ira Gray was their first pastor. The society erected their first house of worship, of wood, in 1845, which is still doing good service, and has a seating capacity for 280 persons. The value of all church property, including grounds and buildings, is estimated at $2,500. The present number of members is seventy-nine. Rev. F. H. Butler is their pastor. The society has a Sunday-school of fifty members. The church is free from debt, and owns a parsonage and a legacy of several hundred dollars. At one time this church had a Sunday-school of over 200, and a library of 600 volumes. Several hundred members of the church and Sunday-school have gone to other places, first and last, including several ministers, the church at the "Center," and a former branch up the river.
The Waterbury Center Freewill Baptist church was organized January 24, 1871, by a council appointed by the Huntington quarterly meeting of the Freewill Baptists, with twenty-four members. Rev. D. H. Adams was their first pastor. Their church edifice was built of wood at a cost of $3,000, and has seats for an audience of 300. The present membership is fifty-one, and Rev. E. B. Fuller statedly supplies the pulpit. The Sunday-school has sixty- five members. This church was organized soon after Green Mountain Semi- nary was opened, and the church held their meetings for public worship in the seminary hall, until they changed to the church edifice where they now worship. This house was owned at that time by the C. Baptists, but was not occupied, and needed repairs. A majority of its pew owners, including some Freewill Baptists, and others, made the needed repairs, and since that time the Freewill Baptist church has occupied the house.
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