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 116

Author: Carleton, Hiram, 1838- ed
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1032

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 116

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HON. CHARLES A. FORBUSH.

Charles Angustus Forbush, for forty years actively and prominently identified with the bank- ing interests of Springfield, Vermont, is a de- scendant of Daniel Forbush, who was born in Kinellor, Scotland, about the year 1620; he was a member of the Scotch militia and participated in the battle of Dunbar, where he was captured with other soldiers and deported by Cromwell's orders to the New England colony.

Captain Samuel Forbush, son of Daniel For- bush, was born in 1674, and later became one of the first settlers of Westboro, Massachusetts. He was one of the list of persons selected by the captain general for particular garrison duty" in guarding the frontier. He married Abigail Rice, and their children were: Samuel and Charles, the former named being a prominent resident of Westboro, Massachusetts, where he was captain of the militia ; he had two children, Samuel and Abigail.

Samuel Forbush, born in 1733 in Westboro, Massachusetts, was actively identified with the commercial and political affairs of the town; he was elected to the office of selectman and served during the years 1773-1774-1787-1788-1791-1792. His children were: Rufus, Samuel, Isaac, Abi- gail, Lydia, Sarah, Persis, Jose, Jonah and Polly Forbush. The father of these children died July 27, 1818.

Captain Rufus Forbush, eldest son of Samuel Forbush, was born in Westboro, Massachusetts, May 6, 1757. In early life he devoted his at- tention to agricultural pursuits in his native town and continued there for many years. He served during the Revolutionary war, and was in Cap-

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tain Seth Morris's company of General Ward's regiment, which marched on the first alarm, April 19, 1775, from Westboro, serving for fourteen days. Later he was corporal on the muster roll of Captain Timothy Brigham, in Colonel Job Cushing's regiment, enlisting July 27, 1777, and being honorably discharged August 29, 1777, at Bennington, Vermont. Later he served in the state militia of Massachusetts, rising to the rank of captain. He was a man of commanding pres- ence, being six feet two inches in height, and in war times was noted for his personal courage and officer-like bearing. The subject of this sketch has his commissions of second lieutenant, first lieutenant and captain, two signed by John Han- cock and one by Samuel Adams, governor of Mas- achusetts. He was prominent in local affairs in Westboro, and also in Reading, to which place he removed in 1806, filling various town offices.

He was married to Miss Mary Brown, and their children were: Mary, Elijah, Daniel, Nathan, Rufus and Maria. Captain Forbush died January 27, 1830.

Hon. Rufus Forbush, father of Charles A. Forbush, was born in Westboro, Massachusetts, January 25, 1794. He moved to Reading, Ver- mont, with his father. On attaining his majority he purchased the old homestead of his father and resided there to the year of his death, in 1866. He was highly regarded in the community. He held at different times all of the prominent offices in the gift of the town. He represented the town in the legislature several times, and was a mem- ber of three constitutional conventions called to amend the constitution of the state, until the law was abolished. He was a veteran of the war of 1812, served as sergeant of Seventh Company, Third Regiment, Vermont Detached Militia ; en- listed September 19, 1812, and served through the war.

On March 14, 1822, Mr. Forbush married, at Reading, Vermont, Miss Fidelia Hapgod, youngest daughter of David and Sally Myria Hapgood. Their children were: Charles A., who is mentioned at length later ; Rufus O., born October 7, 1824, and died June 26, 1899, who married Eliza A. Spencer ; Harriet Fidelia, born March 29, 1832, died June 15, 1839; Agnes Vic- toria, born August 30, 1835, died June 26, 1839; Mary J., born May 8, 1839, and in 1866 became

the wife of Dr. Orlando W. Sherwin, of Wood- stock, Vermont, her death occurring December 1, 1886. Rufus, the father of these children, died August 16, 1866, at Reading, Vermont, and Fi- delia, his wife, died October 21, the same year, and they are both buried in the old cemetery at Reading Center.

Hon. Charles A. Forbush, eldest son of Hon. Rufus and Fidelia Forbush, and their only child now living, was born January 8, 1823, on the old homestead in the town of Reading, Vermont. He attended the public schools of Reading, and later was a student in the South Woodstock Academy, and the Unity Scientific and Military Academy at Unity, New Hampshire, where he became well qualified for the position of teacher which was offered to him when he was only seventeen years of age; he served very success- fully in that capacity for several terms, after which he commenced the study of imedicine, but soon abandoned that idea. Subsequently he was employed in a country store as a clerk, which position he retained for some time, during which time he accumulated almost two thousand dol- lars. April 9, 1853, he located in Springfield, Vermont, where he has since resided, and where he engaged in the mercantile business, which proved very successful. After pursuing this business for several years he was obliged to dispose of it on account of failing health.

In 1863 he became, with Henry Barnard and others, one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Springfield, and was elected one of the directors, which position he holds at the present time (1903). In 1860 he was made a corporator of the Springfield Savings Bank. In 1874 he was made president of the Savings Bank, and filled this position and also that of treasurer until 1880, when the state passed a law that the same person should not hold both these offices, and he resigned the office of president, and has held the office of treasurer ever since to the present time (1903). When Mr. Forbush became associated with the bank, the deposits amounted to $260,000, with no surplus, but at the present time (1903) they have on deposit $1,380,000, and the largest per cent. of surplus of any bank in the state of Vermont. This remarkable increase is largely due to the business ability and able inanagement of Mr. Forbush, who is the only one of the orig-

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inal incorporators of the bank now living. He also makes anual trips to Michigan and other sections of the west, to look after his extensive banking interests there.

A Republican in politics, Mr. Forbush repre- sented the town of Springfield in the legislature in 1864 and 1865; was appointed trustee of the State Reform School by Governor Paul Dilling- liam, deceased, the year it was founded; this position he resigned to accept the position of director in the state prison, to which he was elected by the legislature at the same time. He was selectman of the town during the war, and as such was engaged during the Rebellion in the enlistment of soldiers from the town of Spring- field, the most of which were enlisted under his administration. He served thirty years as a member of the school board, of which he was president most of the time, and was chairman of the building committee at the time of the erection of the new school edifice, which was conceded to be the finest in the state. He presided at its dedi- cation, and he regards this as one of the proudest events of his life. He also served as moderator of the town for thirty years, having usually re- ceived unanimous elections, and his tenure of the office was the longest on record in the history of the town. Mr. Forbush has always held decided views on political questions, a Republican in poli- tics, and a radical prohibitionist. He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, his grandfather having served during the struggle for independence, and his father in the war of 1812.

June 25, 1859, Mr. Frobush married Elizabeth Davis, a daughter of Danie; and Alice Davis; she was born at Springfield, Vermont, February 26, 1831, and graduated from the Mt. Holyoke Female Seminary. She was a highly cultured and educated lady, and an exemplary and devout member of the Congregational church, and greatly esteemed by all; her death occurred Feb- ruary 16, 1884. Two children were born of this union : Charles Francis, who died in infancy ; and Frank D., born March 31, 1863.

Frank D. Forbush fitted for college at St. Johnsbury Academy, Vermont, and graduated from the University of Vermont in the class of 1888. He then went to Michigan, where he was married to Miss Florence Moore, of Grand Rap-

ids, daughter of Captain Herman Moore, for some years postmaster in that city. He there be- came connected with the furniture manufacturing fırın of Stowe, Davis & Company, and was treas- tirer of the company. After some years of sic- cessful business he sold out his interest and became associated with his father-in-law, Mr. Ilerman Moore, in the Grand Rapids Packing Company. This association was maintained until the death of Mr. Moore, whose estate was settled by Mr. Forbush, who then accepted a flattering offer from the United Fruit Company, with an office in Detroit, Michigan, and Toledo, Oliio, with which he has been connected to the present time.

Rufus O. Forbush, brother of Charles A. For- bush, was born October 7, 1824. He learned the silversmith trade in Claremont, New Hampshire, and subsequently removed to Worcester, Massa- chusetts, where he was located for many years, and served as a inember of the city council. Later he removed to Springfield, where he became the associate of his brother in the mercantile business. After closing out their mercantile business in 1862, Mr. Forbush became a director in the First National Bank, and served as such twenty-three years, and was president of the bank at the time of his death. He was ever watchful of its in- terests, and his integrity and honor were never questioned.

LINDSAY M. HAYS.

The newspaper business in Vermont has made noticeable advancement within the past five years, and a striking illustration is found in the Burling- ton Suburban list of twelve weekly newspapers which are issued at Essex Junction by the Es- sex Publishing Company, a corporation under the- laws of the state.

The nucleus of this unique newspaper under- taking was the Burlington Clipper, which has- now had an existence of nearly thirty years. When the present Essex Publishing Company was organized, there were but three newspapers on the list, but in the past five years every weekly newspaper in Chittenden county, with a single exception, has been absorbed by the new organi- zation, while four others have been established. The list is as follows: The Burlington Clipper,

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Shelburne Review, Hinesburg Recorder, Rich- mond Gazette, Essex Eagle, Essex Record, Jeri- cho Reporter, Underhill Enterprise, Milton Rays, Winooski Journal, Charlotte Chronicle and Grand Isle Star.

Lindsay Mortimer Hays, the editor and mana- ger of the list, and to whom is primarily and in largest degree due the honor of bringing the business of the Essex Publishing Company to its present importance, was born in Lawrenceville, St. Lawrence county, New York, August 22, 1862. He comes of sturdy Scotch ancestors, whose home was in the Caledonian highlands. In the reign of James I (1603), Aaron Hayese (in which form the family name then appeared) was an attendant at the court of that monarch. His namesake and descendant, Aaron Hays, was among those who landed at Plymouth Rock in 1635, and is said to have been one of the first to decry the long-looked for land. A later de- scendant, also named Aaron, born in Connecticut in 1758, was a Revolutionary soldier who, in his later days, received a liberal pension in recogni- tion of his conspicuously brilliant services. He was the first of the family name to make a home and labor in the improvement of the region where is now the city of Putnam, Connecticut. He was a man of strong character and remarkable physi- cal strength, and his life covered a full century of time.

Aaron, the third son of Aaron, was born in May, 1790, in Jay, New York. He was a miller and built a mill which he operated successfully for many years.

Datus L. Hays, son of Aaron and Sarah (Barker) Hays, was born January 1, 1832, in Wilmington, Essex county, New York. He was educated in a country school-house which is yet standing and is now used as a blacksmith shop. He learned the printer's trade, and subsequently became a shoe manufacturer. For some years past he has been engaged as bookkeeper in the office of the Essex Publishing Company. He married Emily Preston, who was born in Wil- mington, Vermont, July 16, 1833, one of five chil- dren of Heman and Roxanna (Bliss) Preston. Her father was a man of sterling character, and a successful farmer of Wilmington. Of this union were born two children, Lindsay Mortimer,

who is written of hereinafter, and Minnie E. Hays.

Minnie E. Hays was born November 2, 1867, at Stockholm, St. Lawrence county, New York. She was educated in the public schools, completed a grammar course and afterwards was instructor in advanced branches of drawing in the academy at Saranac Lake, New York. She is now princi- pal of the graded school at Mooers Forks, New York.

Lindsay Mortimer Hays was graduated from the Lawrenceville Academy in 1878. He learned the printer's trade, and while he was a mere boy began the publication of a weekly in northern New York. In 1886 he accepted a position on the editorial staff of the Boston Globe, and was connected with that journal during a portion of the time in the trying position of night city editor, until 1898, when he voluntarily left it to engage in the business with which he is now connected. His long association with the Globe, covering a period of twelve years, is a splendid tribute to his ability and fidelity, for, under the stress of modern city journalism, labor is peculiarly ar- duous, and errors in judgment and neglects, which would be deemed slight and would be overlooked in any other calling, there bring prompt dismissal. So true is this that no posi- tion is considered so precarious as that of a writer on à city daily newspaper.

In 1898 Mr. Hays was solicited to locate in Essex Junction, Vermont, and take charge of the business of the newly organized Essex Pub- lishing Company. In the opening paragraph of this narrative is contained mention of what the business was then, and what it became, under the masterly management of Mr. Hays. It has been frequently stated that the day of the weekly news- paper is over, but with the Essex Publishing Company and its more than eight thousand sub- scribers the day of twelve weeklies has but begun. If, as is true, the day of some weeklies is over, the career of this company affords evidence that up-to-date weeklies is just in its infancy. All the papers of the Burlington Suburban list are illustrated with men and events, and the growth of the papers, while steady, has been remarkable. Mr. Hays, the editor and manager of the list. young and energetic, an amply equipped practical

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newspaper man, has a style of depicting things which is peculiarly attractive, and his knowledge of events, political, literary and general, coupled with his instinct of discerning what is news and how to get it, are the features which have given to Vermont such popular weekly newspapers as are under his control. With responsibilities and multiplicity of tasks which few would find them- selves able to bear, Mr. Hays possesses inventive- ness, industry and perseverance to such a degree that the profession may well wonder what new departure he may yet make in the pursuit of his calling as editor and newspaper manager.

Mr. Hays was married August 3, 1889, to Miss Frances B. Hassett, who was born in 1869, a daughter of David and Mary A. Hassett, of Northfield, Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Hays have three children: Gertrude Cecil, born December 7. 1893, in Boston, Massachusetts ; Frances Pres- ton, born December 24, 1895, also in Boston ; and Lindsay Mortimer, Jr., in Essex Junction, Ver- mont, November 8, 1902.

BYRON H. LUCE.

Byron H. Luce, for many years a leading farmer and respected citizen of Stowe, Vermont, was one of the representatives of a very numerous family. Zebina Luce, a small farmer, was the fa- ther of the following children: Sophronia; Mar- tha P .; Armena ; Elizabeth ; Susan E. ; Alzina A .; Lavina ; Zebina Allen : Byron H., mentioned at length hereinafter; Marion L .; Imogene; and Daniel. By the early death of the father, which occurred October 4, 1846, these children were, before reaching maturity, thrown upon their own resources.

Bvron H. Luce was born in 1834, and dur- ing his youth and early manhood was employed upon farms. In 1856 he followed the advice of Horace Greeley, and went west, to what was then Minnesota territory. In that region, which was at the time of his migration for the most part un- settled, he took up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres of government land, built a shanty, and remained three and a half years. Deciding, at the expiration of that time, that he preferred his former place of abode, he returned to Stowe, after selling his farm. He was employed for a number of years on the farm of Richard R. Waite,

a prosperous citizen of Stowe, whose daughter, then the wife of Mr. Luce, became, upon the death of her father, the owner of the farm. This estate, which is situated in what is called Stowe Hollow, is one of an excellent tier of farms ly- ing in a fertile valley one and one half miles cast of Stowe. It contains about one hundred and forty acres, is on a southern slope, and the build- ings and all the appointments are among thie very best in town. One of its features is a splendid grove of about two thousand sugar maples, where one memorable year, Mr. Luce hung three hun- dred and thirty-three buckets and made two thou- sand seven hundred pounds. Mr. Luce at one time kept two hundred sheep, and was subse- quently the owner of twenty cows and consider- able other stock. He was the possessor of two or three other good farms in the neighborhood. He was very successful in business affairs, having worked his way by industry, perseverance and good judgment. Although one of the niost mod- est and retiring of men, his merit was recognized and appreciated by his fellow townsmen, and for some time he held the office of first selectman. Mr. Luce married Stella V. Waite, and they had two sons: Henry Waite and Dan Zebina, both of whom resided with their father, and ably assisted him in the care and labors of his farms. During the last years of his life Mr. Luce suffered from impaired health, and his death, which occurred June 1, 1899, was sincerely lamented as that of a man whose unassuming worth, practical ability and kindness of heart had won the respect and affection of all who knew him.

Mrs. Luce is a granddaughter of Richard Waite, a farmer of Windsor, Vermont, who re- moved with his family to Stowe, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was a captain of militia. He married Elizabeth Bishop, and their children were: William A., who was three times married, first, to Hannah Gilson, and third to Priscilla Holden ; Ira; John ; Rasselas ; Richard 'R., mentioned hereinafter ; Eliza, who married Dr. D. R. Story; Benjamin Franklin, who married Elizabeth Shaw ; Charles B., who married Emme- line S. Lovejoy ; Marcus S., who married Mary Ann Parker. The death of Richard Waite, the father of this family, occurred when he had reached the age of seventy, and his wife died when seventy-one years old.

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Richard R. Waite, son of Richard and Eliza- beth (Bishop) Waite, was born June 3, 1819, in Windsor, Vermont, and about 1842 removed with his parents and family to the town of Stowe, where he made his home for the remainder of his life. He was a farmer, and was honored by his townsmen with many positions of trust, serving on different occasions as collector of taxes, lister and selectman, often holding, when filling the last named office, the position of chairman of the board. He also held for many years the re- sponsible position of president of the Lamoille County Agricultural Society, at a time when its affairs required the most exact financial ability on the part of the managers. Ever since the organization of the Grange he was an earnest and consistent worker for the interests of the hus- bandman, and a leading member of the order. In politics he was a Republican, until 1878, when he, with many others, joined the Greenback or- ganization. He received the nomination of that party for town representative, and was elected by a large majority. He filled the office with dig- nity, and acceptably to his constituents, voting for the Hon. A. M. Dickey, then Democratic candidate for United States senator. His church connections were with the Universalists.

Mr. Waite married Marcia E., daughter of Cheney and Lavinia (Stowe) Lamson, of West Windsor, Vermont, the former being the son of Samuel, a Baptist preacher. The other children .of Mr. and Mrs. Lamson were: Cynthia, Caro- line, Laura and Almira. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Waite : Stella V., mentioned above as wife of Byron H. Luce ; Mar- cia Elizabeth, who married Charles B. Harris and after his death, Edwin Slayton; Richard C., who is engaged in the hotel business. During the last years of Mr. Waite's life his health declined, and his death took place when he had nearly reached the age of sixty-five. He is remembered as a man of fixed principles and the strictest in- tegrity, kind and honorable in all the relations · of life.

CHANNING B. GREENE.

Channing B. Greene, one of the prominent and successful business men of Morrisville, Ver- mont, was born October 10, 1865, at St. Albans,

Vermont. He is a grandson of Herman Greene, who was born in Connecticut, but at an early age settled in St. Albans, Vermont, where, up to the time of his death, he was extensively engaged in farming interests. Heman Greene was one of the earliest settlers of that section of the state, and being a man of considerable intelligence he became a prominent factor in the affairs of the town. He was a Mason during the anti-Masonry times, and maintained his connection with the order during the entire time when it suffered so severely from persecution, and served as high priest of the Chapter of St. Albans. He was a zealous, faithful member and liberal contributor of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was for many years a deacon. Mr. Greene's chil- dren were: Nathan, who died in California; Horace, a resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin ; Cy- rus H. ; Sanford : Jewell ; Sarah ; Cordelia : Eliza- beth ; and May W., wife of Porter Brainard, a prominent resident of St. Albans, Vermont.

Cyrus H. Greene, father of C. B. Greene, was born at St. Albans, Vermont, was educated in the public schools of the village, and after com- pleting his studies learned the trade of carpenter, sawyer and millwright. His entire life was spent in the town of his birth, where he was engaged in the operation of a sawmill. He was a skillful musician, playing on several instruments, includ- ing the cornet and violin, and he became quite well known throughout the state of Vermont. He participated as a musician in the celebrated "Tip- pecanoe and Tyler, too" campaign, in 1840, and from that time until his death, a period of fifty- three years, was a member of various bands, in- cluding the old St. Albans Second Brigade Band. He served in the capacity of bugler in the First Vermont Cavalry during the Civil war. being for eighteen months under the command of Col- onel Holiday, and he was the first man to discover the body of the colonel after his suicide. Mr. Greene was a member of the A. R. Hulburt Post, G. A. R., and in his political convictions was a firm supporter of the policy of the Democratic party.

Mr. Greene was united in marriage to Eliza- beth Watson. Their children were: Bertha, wife of William Hickok, of St. Albans, Vermont : Nellie, wife of E. P. Jewell. of Dowagiac, Mich- igan : William Henry, engaged in the carpenter

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business in Worcester, Massachusetts; Channing B .; Katie Rose, wife of C. F. Rhodes, who is engaged in the insurance business at Manchester, New Hampshire ; and Porter Greene, a pattern- maker in the employ of the Central Vermont Railroad. The father of these children died Jan- uary 20, 1893, at the age of sixty-three years. His widow is living at the present time ( 1903), having attained the age of seventy-two years.

Channing B. Greene received an excellent ed- nication in district school No. 5, St. Albans, Ver- mont, after which he entered the employ of the Central Vermont Railroad. He was engaged in the car shops at St. Albans for a short period of time, but later was placed in charge of the wood- work department on locomotives, where he filled the position of assistant pattern-maker. After spending twelve years in the employ of this com- pany, Mr. Greene removed to Morrisville, Ver- mont, and established a machine shop in part- nership with Frank H. Blanchard, conducting business under the firm name of Blanchard & Greene. Some years later Mr. Greene severed his business relations with this firm and accepted the position of foreman in the Morrisville Foun- dry Company, and after eight years' service in this capacity Mr. Greene, in association with Carrol A. Gyles, purchased the stock of the Mor- risville Foundry Company, and they have con- tinued to conduct the business up to the present time (1903). Their plant is located at the cross- ing, and is equipped with all modern machinery, they having recently added a handsome lathe which cost over one thousand dollars. They con- duct a general foundry and machinery business, manufacturing, as a specialty, Swivel plows, but- ter box machinery and gasoline engines; they also manufacture ensilage cutters and carriers. They give employment to ten men, and since em- barking in the business have constructed over forty butter box machines, and are receiving or- ders for more of the same article faster than they are able to fill them. The success they liave at- tained in the business world is due entirely to their excellent executive ability, perseverance and strict integrity. Mr. Green is affiliated with Mt. Vermont Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, at Morrisville, Vermont, of which he is a past mas- ter, and he is also high priest of Tucker Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and is grand pursuivant of

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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 116

Author: Carleton, Hiram, 1838- ed Publication date: 1903 Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1032

Author: Carleton, Hiram, 1838- ed
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1032