USA > Vermont > Genealogical and family history of the state of Vermont; a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Vol I > Part 111
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On December 8, 1875, Mr. Shepard was united in marriage to Miss Celecta Smith, who was a daughter of Hiram F. and Susan Celecta ( Ed- son) Smith. Their children are: Earl S., born June 10, 1880; Neal V., born October 16, 1883, died February 5, 1889: Lynn Harold, who died in the second year of his age; Lee Harlan. born October 17, 1888, and Ralph Wilton, born March 18, 1892.
EDWARD CHANDLER CROSBY.
Edward C. Crosby, of Brattleboro, Vermont, and well known as a master in railway construc- tion, traces his descent from men who have con- tributed largely in their respective generations to the welfare of the community. His grandfather, Godfrey Crosby, who was of English ancestry, was born in Brattleboro, Vermont, in 1784, and received what was for those times, when educa- tional facilities were limited, a remarkably good education. At the age of seventeen years he be- came the teacher of the West Park district school of Brattleboro, serving in that capacity for sev- eral successive terms, after which he spent a num- ber of years as a clerk in the store of Deacon John Holbrook, afterward engaging in business in Dummerston with the assistance of Mr. Hol- brook, who held him in high esteem. Persons now living have heard him say: "Godfrey Cros- by was a man of superior talents, energetic and faithful in the discharge of trusts, with few equals
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THE STATE OF VERMONT.
in penmanship and as an accountant." The busi- less venture of Mr. Crosby in Dummerston prov- ing unfortunate, he again resorted to school teach- ing, but on account of failing health was soon obliged to lay down this work. He married Syl- via MeCune, and was the father of three children, -Enos, Fanny and Edward. Mr. Crosby died at the early age of thirty-three years, leaving his family with very limited means.
Edward Crosby, a son of Godfrey and Sylvia '(McCune) Crosby, was born in Brattleboro, Ver- ment, in 1815, and the record of his life shows how well he improved the stern lessons of poverty and deprivation which he received in youth. Al- most half a million of dollars yearly passed through his hands in the flour trade, requiring unremitting care, and he erected three large brick blocks in the heart of the village, the largest build- ing, known as the Crosby Block, containing banks, stores, etc., while the others are devoted to me- chanical purposes, all being supplied with steam power and the best of modern conveniences. In 1879 he finished and opened a large and beautiful hall, known as the Crosby Opera Hall. In 1870 and 1871 his neighbors manifested the great es- teem in which they held him by electing him to represent his native town in the state legislature. His life's labors were ended in death in 1892.
Edward C. Crosby, a son of Edward Crosby, was born on the 7th of July, 1846, in Marlbor- ough, Vermont, and when two years of age was taken by his parents to West Brattleboro, where he attended the public schools, subsequently enter- ing the high school at Brattleboro, to which place his parents had removed, and in 1863 he gradu- ated at the seminary at Springfield, Vermont. He then became a clerk in the general store of Cyrus W. Wyman, while later for two years he assisted his father in the grain business, in which he be- came interested at the age of twenty-two years, the firm being known as E. Crosby & Company. When the younger Mr. Crosby became connected with the firm his brother-in-law, Charles B. Rice, was a member of the company, the latter con- tinuing his connection with the firm for several years, until 1871, during which time the Crosby Block was biult on the site of the old Brattleboro House. In 1871 Mr. Rice sold his interest in the business to Edward Crosby, and a few years later Leroy F. Adams became connected with the firm,
which, however, is still known as E. Crosby & Company. The firm is one of the largest and best known in New England, having extensive connections and dealings throughout this section of the country, and among the investments of Messrs. Edward C. Crosby and Leroy F. Adams at Brattleboro was the purchase in 1888 of the Brooks House property, one of the most popular hotels in the state of Vermont. The building, which was erected in 1871-2 by George Brooks at a cost of almost one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars, including furnishings, is, under the present management of Crosby & Adams, re- garded as one of the very best in New England. In 1896 MIr. Crosby disposed of his interest in the grain business to Messrs. Leroy F. Adams and his brother, Charles R. Crosby, and has since had active and extended interests in the construction of street railways. Since 1896 he has been asso- ciated in these undertakings with M. A. Coolidge, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Mr. Crosby being president of one of the companies operating the street railway at Springfield and a director in companies operating at Northampton, Deerfield and Amherst. In 1894 they built the Brattleboro street railway, and in 1897 the Springfield and Charleston railroad, the latter being eight miles in length. Hon. Adna Brown, of Springfield, Ver- mont, was associated with them in the last named enterprise, and at his death was succeeded by his son W. W. Brown. Messrs. Crosby and Coolidge also built the Northampton and Amherst Railroad and the Northampton and Hatfield Railroad, and they are also interested in the Greenfield and Deerfield Street Railroad and the Greenfield, Deer- field and Northampton Street Railroad, the latter being but recently completed, and during this time they have also had contracts for three other roads. The firm operates under the name of Crosby & Coolidge. Besides these extensive and varied in- terests Mr. Crosby is extensively interested in real estate, and all his undertakings of this kind have proved successful and profitable.
Over and above all these activities, which would be sufficient to consume the entire time and energy of an ordinary man, Mr. Crosby has not neglected his political duties. He affiliates with the Republican party, and during the years of 1884, 1885 and 1886 served as mayor of Brattle- boro. In 1900, at the earnest solicitation of his
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party, he consented to enter the list as a candi- date for the state legislature, but withdrew when three contestants appeared in the field. Mr. Cros- by further manifested his public spirit by serving at one time in the militia. He is a member of the Congregational church, and was for twelve years vice-president of the Young Men's Christian Association at Brattleboro. Mr. Crosby married Emma F. Wyman, a daughter of Cyrus W. Wy- man, an esteemed citizen of Brattleboro and of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Crosby are the parents of eight chil- dren: Henry, who married Miss Bessie Van Do11, is engaged in the flour business; Frank is an architect by profession ; Frederic, a physician, married Miss Cosgrove and died in 1900; Allyn, who married Miss Maud Coudry and has one child, Alene, is superintendent of the electric rail- road of Springfield, Vermont ; Edward, Jr., died at the age of three years ; Helen is a graduate of the New. England Conservatory of Music at Bos- ton : Edna is a student in the Capen Burnham School at Northampton ; and Warren is attending school in Brattleboro.
AUSTIN STEPHEN FOSTER.
The Foster family of East Montpelier, Ver- mont, have for their ancestors some of the earliest settlers of New England. The progenitor of the American branch of the family, Thomas Foster (I), is supposd to have been born in England, whence he emigrated to this country and settled in Massachusetts. His death occurred in the town of Billerica, Massachusetts, April 20, 1682.
John Foster (2), son of Thomas Foster, was born in the town of Weymouth, Massachusetts, October 7, 1642. He received the limited educa- tion that was afforded by the common schools . . of that time, and later in life he removed to Marshfield, Massachusetts, where he became 'prominently identified with the business and political affairs of the town. His death occurred June 13, 1732.
Chillingsworth Foster (3), son of John Foster, was born in the town of Marshfield, Massachu- setts, July II, 1680. He received his education in the district schools of the town, and upon at- taining young manhood he located in the town of
Warwick, Massachusetts, where he died in the. year 1764.
james Foster (4), son of Chillingsworth Fos- ter, was born in the town of Warwick, Massa- chusetts, January 21, 1705-6. He attended the common schools of that town, later located in the town of Rochester, Massachusetts, and finally settled in Athol, Massachusetts, where his death occurred in the year 1788.
James Foster (5), son of James Foster, was born in the town of Rochester, Massachusetts, April 12, 1737. Here he received his education in the district school, and resided for the greater part of his life. He was an active member of the Universalist church of that town. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lewis, a native of Rochester, Massachusetts, and when they were both in old age they removed to the town of East Montpelier, Vermont, where two of their children were located. Mr. Smith died in November, 1829, at the extreme old age of ninety-two years.
Captain Stephen Foster (6), son of James and Mary Foster, was born in the town of Rochester, Massachusetts, July 31, 1772. He ac- quired his education in the common schools of his native town, and when quite a young man he went to East Montpelier, Vermont, where he lo- cated some land, and in 1801 returned to his native town. On January 3. 1802, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary King, daughter of Jonathan King. Immediately after their mar- riage they journeyed to their new home in East Montpelier, Vermont. The means of transpor- tation in those days were not so complete as they are at the present time, so they made the journey riding the same horse. The land that Mr. Fos- ter had selected was near the center of the town, and he began at once to clear up and cultivate the ground ; he also built a sawmill there, which proved to be a great advantage to the early set- tlers of the place. He also built a commodious residence on his farm, being by trade a carpen- ter and millwright. Mr. Foster took an active interest in military affairs, was the lieutenant of a volunteer company that participated in the bat- tle of Plattsburg, New York, in 1814, and subse- quently he was appointed captain of the militia. He was also prominently identified with all meas-
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ures that pertained to the welfare and advance- ment of the town ; it was largely through his aid, both of influence and money, that the society of the Universalist church was formed in the town. He was a man of strong convictions, and was admired and respected by all who came in con- tact with him. His death occurred April 3, 1850, and his wife passed away May 18, 1857.
Henry Dearborn Foster (7), son of Stephen and Mary Foster, was born on the old homestead in the town of East Montpelier, Vermont, April 23, 1815. His education was received in the dis- trict school, and after completing his studies he carried on the work of the farm, and being a very prudent and industrious man, he met with a marked degree of success which enabled him to care for his parents in their declining years. Mr. Foster was a firm adherent of the principles of the Republican party, and was honored by his fellow townsmen by being elected to the offices of selectman and representative of the town in the state legislature. He was a member of the Universalist church. He was united in marriage October 20, 1836, to Miss Sarah G. Bassett, daughter of Joel Bassett. Their children were: Julia Ann, born January 15, 1838, and on De- cember 31, 1863, she married William H. Glad- ding. of Barre, Vermont; Edwin Henry, born March 12, 1839, married, March 21, 1864, Miss Fanny M. Clark, and he died June 12, 1895; Mary King, born April 13, 1841, married, March 4, 1861, Austin Templeton, of East Montpelier, Vermont ; Austin Stephen, born January 12, 1845; Frances Ruby, born in 1848, died in 1853; Emma Sarah, born March 9, 1852, married, March 17, 1875, William Cleveland, of Richmond, province of Quebec, and they are now residents of West Somerville, Massachusetts; and Charles Wallace, born August 15, 1860, married, August 14, 1881, Miss Flora Wheeler, daughter of Alonzo Wheeler, of Calais, Vermont, Mrs. Fos- ter being now deceased. The father of these children died July 27, 1884, and his wife died February I, 1888.
Austin Stephen Foster (8), son of Henry Dearborn and Sarah Foster, was also born on the old homestead in the town of East Montpelier, Vermont, January 12, 1845. His preliminary education was acquired in the district school, and later he was a student in the academies at
Stowe and Morristown, Vermont. He resided1 with his parents, assisting with the work of the farm, until he attained his majority, when he pur- chased the farm on which he now resides, and his thorough knowledge of every little detail of the work, combined with industry and perseverance, has made his farm one of the most productive in that section of Vermont. He is a general farmer, and also devotes much time and atten- tion to dairy products. Mr. Foster has always voted the Republican ticket, and was elected to fill the office of lister of the town. He is an active and carnest member of the Universalist church of East Montpelier, Vermont.
On October 30, 1867, Mr. Foster was united in marriage to Miss Sarah D. Holmes, daughter of William and Diana (Stevens) Holmes, of East Montpelier, Vermont. Six children have been born of this union, namely: Henry Holmes, born April 6, 1871; Harriett, born October 18, 1873, wife of Dr. K. L. Cleaves, of Montpelier, Vermont ; Julia Ann, born November 27, 1876; Kate Holmes, born May 16, 1881; Frank S., born May II, 1885; and William Austin, born March 14, 1886.
JAMES HOPKINS BUCK.
James Hopkins Buck, one of the representa- tive citizens of Moretown, Vermont, was born in the town of Northfield, Washington county, Ver- mont, September 2, 1865. He is a descendant of a family who have followed the occupation of farming as far back as there is any record of the- family in this country.
John Buck, grandfather of James Hopkins. Buck, was born in Connecticut in 1782. When he was quite young his parents removed to the town of Berlin, Washington county, Vermont, where they purchased a farm on which they re- sided until 1826, when they located in Northfield, Vermont, on a farm, and after their decease their son John still resided there and employed his time in the cultivation of garden products. Mr. John Buck was united in marriage to Miss Chloe- Allen, supposed to have been born in Gill, Massa- chusetts, in 1781. The following named children were born to them: Chloe, born in 1810; Eliza,_ born in 1812; Bradley, born in 1814; Amanda,_ born in 1819 ; and Harriet, born in 1823.
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THE STATE OF VERMONT.
Bradley Buck, son of John and Chloe Buck, was born in the town of Berlin, Washington county, Vermont, June 17, 1814. He first attended the district schools of Berlin, and after the re- moval of his parents to Northfield continued to be a pupil in the public schools there. After attain- ing young manhood he chose the vocation of farm- ing, and he successfully managed the farm which his father purchased in Northfield up to the time of his death, which occurred March 19, 1895. Po- litically Mr. Buck was an independent, but never sought or held public office. On March 5, 1856, Mr. Buck married Miss Polly Hopkins, who was born January 17, 1828, a daughter of James and Philura (Walcott ) Hopkins. Their children were: Isadore Amelia, born June 10, 1857 ; Wil- lis Herbert, born August 12, 1858; Carrie Eliza, born February 28, 1860; Arthur Eugene, born October 23, 1861 ; and James Hopkins, born Sep- tember 2, 1865. Mr. Buck possessed many noble characteristics, and he was one of the most re- spected and esteemed citizens of the community.
James Hopkins Buck, son of Bradley and Polly Buck, acquired his education in the common schools of Northfield, and the Methodist Sem- inary at Montpelier, and after leaving school he busied himself with the work on the old home- stead. In the spring of 1897 he sold his farm in Northfield and removed to Berlin, where he re- sided 1intil April, 1903. He then purchased a farm in Moretown, where he removed with his family, and still carries on farming with excellent success. Politically Mr. Buck is a Democrat, and he takes a keen interest in all matters that pertain to the betterment of politics in his community. He' is a man of fine appearance and pleasing per- sonality, and is one of the most respected citizens of the town of Berlin, Vermont.
On January 31, 1892, Mr. Buck married Miss Clara A. Silsby, daughter of Richard and Wealthy Silsby. Mrs. Buck died in 1897, and Mr. Buck was then united in marriage, September 5, 1900, to Miss Mary Helen Moore, who was born July 23, 1862, daughter of James A. and Martha Melvina (Hadley) Moore, the latter named a descendant of Robert Cushman, who came with the Pilgrims on the Mayflower to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in the year 1620. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Buck, Arthur Donald Buck, on July 24, 1901.
HON. ROYALL TYLER.
Hon. Rovail Tyler, of Brattleboro, a dis- tinguished lawyer and jurist whose professional and official career extended over the long period of halt a century, was descended from old and honorable New England ancestry and was the third in descent to bear the name given him. Royall Tyler ( I), paternal grandfather of Royall Tyler (3), was a graduate of Harvard College, and a prominent merchant in Boston. During the stirring times immediately preceding the Revolu-
ROYALL TYLER (II).
tionary war he was a zealous patriot, and took a prominent part in affairs. He served on the most important committees representing the people, and was spokesman of that committee which de- manded of Governor Hutchinson the removal of the troops from Boston. He died in 1771. aged forty-eight years, and was buried in King's Chapel, Boston.
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THE STATE OF VERMONT.
Royall Tyler (2), son of Royall Tyler (1), was born in Boston in 1757, and was graduated from Harvard College at the age of nineteen years. He began the study of law, but desisted to join the expedition against the British at New- port, Rhode Island. In 1779 he was admitted to the bar, and began practice at Falmouth (now Portland), Maine, but returned to Boston two years later. In 1778 he went to Vermont under a commission from Governor Lincoln to negotiate for the arrest of the fugitives from Shay's rebel- lion. After his return to Boston he wrote "The Contrast," famous as the first American play ever placed upon the stage, which was produced in New York in 1786. In 1790 Mr. Tyler made a second visit to Vermont, and in 1791 lie went there again and settled at Guilford, then the larg- est town in the state. During his ten years' stay he cared for a large practice and performed a great amount of literary work for the journals of the day and in the production of plays, and also wrote a novel, "The Algerine Captive." In 1801 he removed to Brattleboro, and was elected an associate supreme court judge. In 1807 he be- came chief justice and served for five years, then resuming his law practice. He died in 1826. His wife was a daughter of General Joseph P. Palmer, who was in the provincial congress in 1774-5, was a member of the committee of safety appointed by that body, and was also colonel of militia serving at Boston. It was said that his wife, as a child, sat in her mother's arms at the table of General Joseph Warren when he ate his last dinner and left the house to go to his glorious death on Bun- ker Hill. Chief Justice Royall Tyler (2) was the father of eleven children-Royall, who died in youth : John A., of Boston ; Mary ; Edward, who became a Congregational minister ; Joseph, who entered the priesthood of the Protestant Episcopal church : William ; Amelia ; George, who became a clergyman ; Royall; Charles; and Thomas, who became an Episcopalian minister.
Royall Tyler (3), the ninth child in the fam- ily above named, was born at the family home- stead at Brattleboro, April 19, 1812, and lived to survive all his brothers and sisters. His name was originally Charles, and this was changed to Royall after the death of a brother who bore it, in pursuance of an inherited family desire that it should be preserved through the oldest living rep-
resentative. He began his education in the neigh- borhood schools, and when thirteen years of age took employment in the store of a brother in Bos- ton. Shortly afterward he entered Phillips Exeter Academy, and later Harvard College, from which he was graduated in 1834. He read law under the preceptorship of Charles C. Doring, an accomplished practitioner, and was admitted to the bar in 1837. Returning to Vermont, he was admitted to the bar of Windham county, and the next year became the law partner of Asa Keyes, under the firm name of Keyes & Tyler, at Brattleboro. He intermitted his practice for a year to care for business interests at Newfane, and his return home marked the beginning of his public career. In 1842 he was elected state's at- torney and lie proved so useful an officer that in 1844 he was appointed register of probate. In 1846 he was elected judge of probate for the dis- trict of Marlboro, the election being by the legis- lature, and from this time he was successively re- elected during the remainder of his life, a full half century, the greater part of the time by popu- lar vote in accordance with the provisions of the new constitution. This phenomenal term of ser- vice was almost coincident with his service as county clerk, to which office he was elected in 1851, and which he also held during the remainder of his life. When he was elected to the position last named he relinquished his law practice and gave his undivided attention to his official duties .. In discharge of these he was precise and method- ical, and he commanded the confidence of the peo- ple in an unusual degree. Never forgetting what the law required of him, he went beyond that re- quirement in his great goodness of heart and warm sympathy and gave to the distressed widow, the perplexed heir and the timid executor the- benefit of his broad legal knowledge as to their rights and obligations, saving hundreds of fam- ilies from annoying and expensive litigation. His personal traits were so benevolent that companionship with him was a benediction, and his counsel was as that of a father or elder brother. Known throughout the dis- trict as a man of deep knowledge and incorrupt- ible integrity, he was frequently called upon to act as referee or commissioner in cases of great importance.
Judge Tyler grew old gracefully and beauti-
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fully. He was one who might well say with the poet, "My mind to me a kingdom is." A lover of the best literature from his boyhood, he cultivated his taste to the last, keeping closely in touch with the thought of the day, yet turning delightedly, ever and again, to the classics of his youth. He was the personification of unaffected dignity, yet withal genial, loving and lovable. He was a sin- cere Christian, and was one of the founders of St. Michael's (Protestant Episcopal) Church, in which he was for many years a warden and vest- ryman.
Judge Tyler was married April 29, 1840, to Miss Laura B. Keyes, and at the same time Miss Ellen Keyes, a sister of the bride, was married to Frederick N. Palmer, who was afterward post- master of Brattleboro, and the author of the fa- mous Brattleboro postage stamp. The Keyes sis- ters were daughters of Hon. Asa Keves, a lead- ing lawyer who was for some years a partner of Judge Tyler. Mr. Keyes was at different times a register, judge of probate, and state senator, and he was one of the most prominent Free Ma- sons in the state. Three children were born to Judge and Mrs. Tyler-Gertrude, Helen and Edith. Gertrude became the wife of Allan D. Brown, late Commander, U. S. N., but now re- tired, and her death occurred in 1877, leaving two children, Helen and Ethel, the last named of whom became the wife of the Rev. F. Sutherland, a clergyman in Waynesville, North Carolina. Helen. second daughter of Judge and Mrs. Tyler, died at the age of four years. Edith, their young- est child, became the wife of George W. Platt, a druggist of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and to them were born three children-Gertrude, who became the wife of H. L. Moore, of Newark, New Jersey; Royall Tyler Platt, who is in business with his father; and Laura Willard, who is at home.
Judge Tyler died calmly and peacefully on October 27, 1896. He suffered from no specific disease, and he had attended to the duties of his office to within four days of the time when he succumbed to the natural exactions of age, and he passed away, shortly after noon, seated in his chair, from which he gave a last signal of recog- nition to his devoted wife. His death produced a profound impression in the community, and his obsequies were attended by an immense concourse
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