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 118
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127
Colonal Leland is a Republican, and has been interested in politics since before casting his first vote, at the age of twenty-one. He has been a delegate to the various conventions of his party and a local leader for many years, having taken a prominent part in campaign organization work before arriving at the legal age. He has held many town offices, having been school commis- sioner for the village of Springfield for two years. school director under the town system for six years, and town auditor at three different times. In 1900 and 1901 he was justice of the peace. He has served six terms as president of the vil- lage, being elected the last time in 1902, and is filling that office at the present time. In 1892 he represented the town of Springfield in the state legislature, serving as chairman of the com- mittee on rules and as clerk of the grand list committee. In 1900 he was elected to the senate from Windsor county, officiating as chairman of the joint committee of game and fisheries, banks and education and claims. He has served as vice president of the Republican League of the state of Vermont, as president of the local Re- publican Club, and as chairman of the Windsor county Republican committee. He was appointed by Governor McCullough in 1902 as aide de camp on his staff, with the rank of colonel. Colonel Leland is past master of St. John's Lodge, No. 41, F. & A. M., and in Royal Arch Masonry has held the highest office in Skitchewaug Chapter No. 25, of Springfield and Ludlow. He is also a member of the Springfield Council, Holy Cross Commandery, No. 12, Bellows Falls, in which he holds the office of generalissimo. He is ex-grand senior deacon of the grand lodge of the state of Vermont, and a past district deputy of the first Masonic district, including Windsor county. He has taken all the degrees of the Masonic bodies. including the thirty-second, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In addi- tion to his other business enterprises, he was one of the incorporators of the Springfield Savings Bank.
Colonel Leland married, November 8, 1881,
Nellie A., daughter of Edson X. and Mary ( Bar- rett) Pierce, of North Springfield. They are the parents of two children : Arthur F., born Aug- ust 28, 1886; and Mary A., born June 2, 1891. Mrs. Leland is interested in the work of the King's Danghters and also the Eastern Star, F. & A. M. She is past grand officer of the Eastern Star, of which her husband is also a member, and both were patron and matron of the lodges in Springfield.
JAMES NATHANIEL JENNE, M. D.
Dr. James N. Jenne, an eminent physician and surgcon of St. Albans, Vermont, was born in Berkshire, Franklin county, Vermont, December 21, 1859, a son of John Gilbert and Charlotte (Wordworth) Jenne. Dr. Jenne received his preparatory education in the Enosburg Falls graded schools, after which he entered the medi- cal department of the University of Vermont, from which institution he was graduated in 1881. He commenced the active practice of his pro- fession in Georgia, remaining there until 1887, when he removed to St. Albans, and soon built up a large consulting practice ; here he remained until February 1, 1903, when he removed to Bur- lington, He is a general practitioner, but devotes much of his time and attention to surgery, in which branch of the profession he is very skillful and successful, also in the application of the- X-rays. He took a post-graduate course from the Post Graduate School in New York city, and ob- tained a diploma from there in 1890. Dr. Jenne, in 1888, became a member of the First Infantry Regiment, Vermont National Guard, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and assistant surgeon, which was subsequently followed by his advancement to the position of captain, major and finally to general. He was appointed sur- geon general on the 'staff of Governor Woodbury, and re-appointed on the staff of Governor Grout in 1898: was later appointed by the senate and president of the United States as major and sur- gcon of the volunteer service in the Spanish- American war. During his service he com- manded the Second Division of the Third Army Corps, and subsequently became acting inspector in the Third Army Corps on the staff of General Wade and General Breckenridge. From April
667-
THE STATE OF VERMONT.
to September, 1898, Dr. Jenne was located at Chickamauga, after which he was ordered to Fortress Monroe to act as surgeon in the Josiah Simpson Hospital. While performing his duties there he was taken ill, and was obliged to return home on sick leave, and after his recovery he resigned from the service of the United States army.
In 1890 Dr. Jenne was chosen a member of the board of consulting surgeons of the Mary Fletcher Hospital, to which position he was elect- ed annually till 1895; in 1892 he was invited to fill the chair of adjunct professor of materia medica in the medical department of the Unitver- sity of Vermont, and a year later was appointed professor. Dr. Jenne is a member of the Frank- lin County Society, the Clinical Society of New York, the American Medical Association, and the Vermont State Medical Society, of which he was elected president in 1890.' Previous to this date he was a member of its board of censors, and he has served as delegate on several occasions to the societies of other states, and to the Ameri- can Medical Association. He is also a member of the Order of Foreign Wars, being general officer at one period, and a member of the state camp of Spanish War Veterans. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, being affiliated with Franklin Lodge, Champlain Chapter and Lafayette Commandery, and a prominent mem- ber of the Ancient Order of Foresters of Ameri- ca. In September, 1883, Dr. Jenne was united in marriage to Abbie Cushman, daughter of Hiram and Miranda (Gilmore) Cushman.
SAMUEL KEYES.
The subject of this sketch was born in Pow- nal, Vermont, January 28, 1812, being the young- est child of Seth Keyes, from Hartford, Con- necticut, and Esther (Morgan) Keyes, daughter of Joseph Morgan, of Pownal, Vermont, who served his country seven years, or all through the Revolutionary war, and took an active part in the battle of Bennington August 16. 1777, and was one of the guard over the prisoners, after the battle, in the old meeting house on the hill.
Seth Keyes died in November, 1818, leaving five children, viz: Hiram, born in 1798; Anna, born in 1799; Joseph, born in 1801; Horatio,
born in 1803 : and Samuel, born in 1812. Samuel was therefore nearly seven years of age, and, being thus deprived of a father's care, his early years were burdened with heavy responsibilities. and self-reliance was an early heritage, develop- ing an intense personality which, added to in- tegrity of character, gained him the confidence of all who knew him. His untiring industry and perseverance gave him a thorough and prac- tical knowledge of building in stone and brick, and he became a contractor and master builder at the age of twenty-two years, and for about sixty years, had the management of large forces of workmen. His work was done well, as one-
Samuel Keyes
of his patrons said, "There was character in every brick he laid." Among his buildings are many in this town. The Hunt mill. Cambell mill, Putnam House, court house, postoffice and many . others ; in Williamstown, Massachusetts, the two East Colleges, Jackson Hall and The Chapel ; the Blackinton mills at Blackinton, Massachu-
668
THE STATE OF VERMONT.
setts; in North Adams, Massachusetts, the Bray- ton mills, Arnold's print works, Union factory, Blackinton block on Holden street, and many .others; in Adams, Massachusetts; the Jenks paper mills ; the Brown paper mills, the Collins block and many others in Greenfield and various other places.
He was justice of the peace for more than forty years, although his party was not the dom- inant one, and was at various times a selectman, village trustee, street commissioner, postmaster, -etc., and was always true to every trust. He labored for the right as he saw it. Care for oth- ers was a very marked characteristic, and if he could do a favor to anyone whom he thought in need, he was sure to do it regardless of the inconvenience to himself. And many a poor troubled heart could say, "His kindness has softened my life's rough way."
Coming home from Adams, Massachusetts, one day in 1889, he remarked, "I saved a man's life to-day." Being asked how, he said, "As I was going to the depot I heard a man cry, 'Help!' and, looking around, saw a man in the pond unable to get out. I ran for a pole and reached it to him, and helped him out. By that time others came up, and offered to attend to him, and I came on home, but if I had not been there, the others would have been too late." He did not even stop to learn the man's name. He was very fond of reading aloud at home, and some of the first books owned by him such as "The Life of Washington," "Life of William Wallace" and "American Preceptor," he kept all his life. He was a strong, well built man, six feet and two inches tall, with dark hair and blue eyes. The picture given here was taken when he was about sixty-eight years of age.
He was married in 1835 to Susan, the eldest daughter of Dr. Thomas Bannister, of Pownal, Vermont, formerly of Brookfield, Massachusetts. She was also of patriotic ancestry, as her father, grandfather and uncles fought with the other Massachusetts men in the Continental army. Her father was also an intimate friend and brother- in-law of General Benjamin Lincoln (1733-1810), of Hingham, Massachusetts, of Revolutionary fame.
Mr. Keyes was strong and unwavering in his attachments for his home and family, and
thought nothing too good for them. He died in his ninetieth year at his home, August 30, 1901. His wife died the following January 31, 1902. They were laid to rest in Bennington's historic ground, at the Center. They left thirce sons and three daughters : Albert, Deha A., Celestia S., Catherine E., Samuel J. and Andrew S.
"Let the lifeless body rest ; He is gone who was its guest ; Gone as travelers haste to leave An inn, nor tarry until eve. Traveler in what realms afar,
In what planet, in what star, In what vast aerial space Shines the light upon thy face? In what gardens of delight Rest thy weary feet to-night?"
"On the ruins of the past Blooms the perfect flower at last."
HON. HENRY F. WILCOX.
The Wilcox family of North Thetford, Ver- mont, of which the Hon. Henry F. Wilcox is a representative member, are the owners of a home- stead that ranks among the best of the succession of fine farms along the Connecticut river below North Thetford. It is historic ground, as Aaron Wilcox, grandfather of Henry F. Wilcox, who came to this vicinity from Suffield, Connecticut, about the year 1800, found the remains of an old fort not far from the site of the present house.
Aaron Wilcox was born in 1785 in Suffield, Connecticut, and for fifty years was engaged in agricultural pursuits in the town of North Thet- ford, Vermont, whither he removed when nine- teen years of age. He was a man of marked energy and force of character, and was drafted in the war of 1812, but sent a substitute. He was 11nited in marriage to Teney M. Hosford, daughter of Joseph Hosford, a pioneer settler of the town, and the following named children were born to them: Cornelia, who died in 1901, at the age of ninety years ; Merrick F., unmarried, died at the age of sixty years; Harriet, wife of Asa B. Closson, a farmer of Hanover, New Hampshire, and their children were Charles H. and William B. Closson; Abner B .; Cynthia
1
. 669
THE STATE OF VERMONT.
Adelia, unmarried; Mary P., deceased; Fannie A .; Eliza H., deceased; and Martha Almeda, wife of Joseph Porter, of Lyme, New Hampshire. Mr. Wilcox died September 6, 1879, aged ninety-five years; his widow died in 1865, at the age of seventy-six years.
Abner B. Wilcox, father of Henry F. Wil- cox, was born in Thetford, Vermont, June 12, 1816, was a painter by trade, but for many years was successfully engaged in breeding and selling standard fine wooi sheep. He was the owner of a flock of from one hundred to one hundred and fifty sheep, and his average clip from one hundred and fifty sheep has been twelve pounds from each, and he has disposed of his sheep as high as one hundred dollars each. This remarkable result was accomplished by the most careful attention to details, judicious breeding and liberal feed. He was of a musical turn of mind and was a member of a band of musicians at Thetford; in his religious views he was a mem- ber of the First Congregational church, and in his political sentiment was affiliated with the Re- publican party. He married Martha A. Wad- leigh, daughter of Benjamin Wadleigh, who was engaged in farming pursuits in the town of Lyme, New Hampshire. Their children were: Henry F .; Hattie, wife of Joseph Resseguie, and they are the parents of two children, Henry Wil- cox and Joseph Abner Resseguie, and resides in Everett, Washington; Julia A., a twin of Hat- tie, died in infancy. Mr. Wilcox died March 3, 1890, aged seventy-six years, four months, and he was survived by his widow, who is living at the present time (1903), having attained her eightieth year.
Henry F. Wilcox was born December 9, 1851, at Thetford, Vermont, and was a student in the Thetford Academy. From early youth he as- sisted his father in the cultivation of his land and the management of his flocks, and has re- mained on the old homestead from his birth up to the present time (1903). He makes a specialty of dairying, keeping a large number of excellent cows, and in connection with this industry he deals extensively in grain and feed, also handles produce, shipping to the Boston markets. Mr. Wilcox represents the Vermont State Mutual In- surance Company in the town of Thetford, Ver- mont, and has the handling of about nine-tenths
of all the insurance business in the vicinity. He is essentially a business man, being absorbed in the management of his varied and extensive inter- ests, but he is also a careful observer of public affairs, and enjoys a wide acquaintance through- out the state. He has been chosen to serve as a delegate to various conventions, was elected to fill the offices of justice of the peace, select- man, and senator in 1902, and in the latter named capacity served on the committee of finance, gen- eral committee, and the joint committee on im- migration. He is a prominent member of the Morning Star Grange of Lyme, New Hamp- shire.
On March 24, 1891, Mr. Wilcox married Abbie E. Skinner, a daughter of Cyrus Skinner, and granddaughter of Captain Cyrus Skinner, who was a noted drover in the early days, and. resided at Lyme, New Hampshire. Their chil- dren are Charles Abner and Rose C. Wilcox.
CHARLES HERBERT SLOCUM.
Charles H. Slocum, vice president of the War- ren Leather Company at Morristown, Vermont, was born in that town December 14, 1849, the son of Orson and Ardelia P. (Hall) Slocum. Apollos Slocum, great-grandfather of Charles H. Slocum, came to the United States from Eng- land with his parents and located in Massachu- setts, where they became prominent and influen- tial citizens and acquired a large amount of prop- erty. Apollos Slocum removed to Bethel, Ver- mant, and later to Eden, where he resided up to the time of his death. In his younger years he was a dealer and speculator in horses and cat- tle, but later devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, which yielded him good financial returns. In personal appearance he was five feet eleven inches in stature, and of rugged build, which was characteristic of the early pio- neer. He was a zealous Christian and a member of the Baptist church. He was twice married, was the father of eighteen children, twelve of whom attained to years of maturity and reared families. Among his children were: Nelson, Alanson, Rebecca, Mary, Mrs. Burnett and Pellis Slocum.
Nelson Slocum, grandfather of Charles H. Slocum, was born in May, 1796, in Massachu-
670
THE STATE OF VERMONT.
setts, later accompanied his parents to Bethel, Vermont, and subsequently to Eden, where he resided for a number of years. He followed the vocation of farming in Morristown, a village near Morrisville, where he cleared a farm and made improvements on the road from Morris- ville to Stowe, his death occurring in the latter named town. He served in the capacity of cap- tain in the Vermont militia, and in his political affiliations was formerly a Democrat and a staunch abolitionist, being one of the first three men in the town to vote the abolitionist ticket. Later he became affiliated with the Republican party and served in various offices, among them being selectman and overseer of the poor. Like his father, he was five feet eleven inches in height, and at the age of sixty years weighed two hundred and forty pounds. Mr. Slocum married Lovicia Goodell, and the following named children were born to them: (1) Joseph, born Christmas day, 1822, married Elizabeth Reserve, and resided in Boston. Their children were Lewis, Clara and Alma. (2) Mary, born May 16, 1824, became the wife of Benjamin Wood, who in 1840 went to San Francisco, engaged in the real estate business and became wealthy. (3) Orson was the father of Charles H. (4) San- ford, born January 15, 1830, in Morristown, where he has resided the greater part of his life, is engaged in farming and speculating in prop- erty. He is independent in politics, has been a Mason for forty years, and is a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge. He married for his first wife Rosenza Danforth, and their children are: Mary, wife of Abner Austin, a traveling sales- man, having no children living; and Margaret, who died at the age of six years. Sanford Slo- cum's first wife died in 1866, and he married for his second wife, October 11, 1877, Mrs. Betsy E. Ball, nee Hersey. (5) Calista is the wife of Jared Pollard, a miner of California, both of whom are now deceased. They were the parents of two sons and a daughter, Ida, now deceased. (6) One daughter became the wife of Samuel Clifford and they had one child, Blanche Clif- ford. Mrs. Clifford married for her second hus- band a Mr. Hamilton, who is engaged in the fruit business in California. (7) Lucy Maria is the wife of Captain J. Lewis, a lawyer and prominent business man of Hannibal, Missouri.
The father of these children died January 22, 1861, aged sixty-five years, and his wife passed away May 28, 1889, at the age of cighity-nine years.
Orson Slocum, father of Charles H. Slocum, was born in June, 1827, was reared on a farm and educated in the district school. Having the taste and inclination for agricultural pursuits, upon reaching young manhood he purchased a farm in the town of Morristown, Vermont, which he cul- tivated to a high state of perfection. He was a man of over average size, and possessed a rugged constitution, but nevertheless died of typhoid fever when only twenty-eight years old. He was united in marriage to Adelia P. Hall, and Charles Herbert was their only child. His widow subsequently married Clark Boynton, and they reside on the farm in Morristown ; they have two children, namely : Frederick and Albert Boynton.
Charles H. Slocum attended the People's Academy, where he acquired a practical educa- tion and completed his studies at the age of ninc- teen years. He then began the study of law with Mr. C. J. Lewis at Morrisville, and later placed himself under the competent preceptorship of Powers & Gleed, attorneys at law, and was ad- mitted to the bar at Hyde Park, Vermont, in 1870. Subsequently he went west, located in Kansas for three years, and afterwards in Col- orado, where he alternated the pursuits of cow- boy, ranchman and miner, spending altogether about thirteen years in the west. In 1883 he re- turned to Morristown, and for fifteen years en- gaged in general merchandise in connection with other business enterprises, being associated with H. C. Fisk in the loan business and later in the produce trade up to the year 1890. He then entered into partnership with C. C. Warren and H. C. Fisk in the Warren Leather Company, of which he has been vice president ever since. They have a large plant covering about two acres of ground, employ between fifty and sixty people, and are conducting annually two hundred thou- sand dollars' worth of business in the manufac- ture of harness leather : they have an extensive and lucrative patronage which extends through- out the country. In addition to the onerous duties which devolve upon him in the management of this business, Mr. Slocum acts in the capacity of a director in the Union Savings Bank & Trust
67 1
THE STATE OF VERMONT.
Company. Politically Mr. Slocum is a Republi- can, and fraternally is a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons.
Mr. Slocum was united in marirage to Louisc M. Moody, daughter of Gilman A. Moody, of Stowe, Vermont. Their children are Helen Mar- gurite and Ruth Louise Slocum. The family are members of the Universalist church of Mor- risville, Vermont.
JAMES HARTNESS. ?
James Hartness, manufacturer of Springfield, Vermont, is a descendant of Thomas and Mar- garet Hartness, natives of Scotland. They were Covenanters, and on account of religious perse- cution were driven from their own country and settled in the north of Ireland. They had three sons : John, born in 1774; and James and Will- iam, of whose birth we have no record. There three brothers came to this country and settled in Albany, New York. John, the first to emi- grate, began business in the chandler trade, and, after the arrival of his brothers, James becamc his partner.
John Hartness, great-grandfather of James Hartness, was born in County Monahan, Ireland, in 1774, and on September 17, 1804, married Marie Ladue, born September 29, 1785 in Dutch- ess county, New York, a daughter of Peter and Polly Ladue, descendants of French Huguenots driven to this country by persecutions in France. Peter Ladue died about 1812, and his wife in 1818.
James Hartness, grandfather of James Hart- ness, was born September 20, 1807, in Albany, New York. On September 2, 1829, he was mar- ried in the Third Presbyterian church in Albany, New York, by the Rev. William H. Williams, to Anne E. Farnham, who was born on Staten Island, April 8, 1809, a daughter of Lewis and Elizabeth (Albright) Farnham. Lewis Farn- ham was born March 18, 1782, in Connecticut, and died November 26, 1842, in Albany ; he was a grandson of General Starkweather, who was born in Scotland, but later removed to Connecti- cut, where he died. Elizabeth Albright was born March 10, 1788, in Bethlehem, Albany county, and married Lewis Farnham in March, 1807.
James Hartness died May 8, 1889, and his wife died May 21, 1845.
John William Hartness, father of Jamcs Hartness, was born at Albany, New York, July 31, 1830, where he resided until seventeen years of age, and later located at Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained from 1863 to 1893, being em- ployed as foreman and superintendent of a ma -. chine shop. Finally he settled in Springfield, Vermont, where he has since resided, enjoying a well earncd rest from the active duties of busi- ness life. On July 3, 1852, Mr. Hartness mar- ried Ursilla Jackson, at Schenectady, New York; she was born in that city, June 16, 1834. The following named children were born to them: John A., born at Cohoes, New York, November 26, 1853, married, May 12, 1880, Clara Kelley, who died January 24, 1889 and he then mar- ried, August 16, 1893, Minine B. Harpster ; Mor- gan Germond, born at Schenectady, New York, May 2, 1859, died at Cleveland, Ohio, October 28, 1865; James, born September 3, 1861; Robert Benton, born November 7, 1863, married Lulu Caley Whitehead July 15, 1885; and Leonard Stanton, born in Cleveland, Ohio, November 29, 1869, died at Detroit, Michigan, August 9, 1871. All the members of the family that are deceased were interred in Lake View cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio. The mother of these children died Octo- ber 14, 1891. She was a daughter of Robert Jackson, born in Yorkshire, England, about 1790; he was a graduate of Oxford College at York Minster, later taught school at Egton and Egton Bridge, and finally was engaged as teacher in a ladies' seminary at Manchester, England. He came to the United States in the early twenties, bringing with him his wife, Elizabeth Smith, born in 1792, in Listingham Kirby, Moorside, Yorkshire, England ; she was a graduate of York Minster. Mr. Jackson died in 1870, and his wife died in March, 1844, at Schenectady, New York, her remains being interred in the St. George Episcopal churchyard at that place.
James Hartness, son of John W. and Ursilla (Jackson) Hartness, was born in Schenectady, New York, September 3, 1861. He was educated in the grammar schools of Cleveland, Ohio, in which city he was reared ; at the age of sixteen years he entered a machine shop in Cleveland, where hic learned the trade of machinist. Five
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.