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 126

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 126

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The anti-polygamy law now in force is rightly known as the Edmunds law. But a list of good

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measures passed and bad measures defeated by his efforts and under Ins leadership would be interminable.

Unsought by him, in 1880 and 1884, many of his party, who wanted it to make its first states- man its leader, carnestly worked for his nomina- tion for the presidency in the Republican national conventions of those years. In 1891 he resigned his seat in the United States senate, and has since devoted his time to the practice of his profession.

FRED FELTON TWITCHELL. 1

Fred Felton Twitchell, a merchant of St. Al- bans, was born in Townshend, Windham county, Vermont, August 10, 1849, son of Colonel Jonas and Lucy D. (Felton) Twitchell. He obtained his carly education in the common schools and the Leland and Gray Seminary in Townshend, and he was graduated from the Powers Insti- tute, at Bernardston, Massachusetts, in 1869. With an inclination toward mercantile life, Mr. Twitchell entered the dry-goods business at Meri- den, Connecticut, in September, 1869, with Ives, Upham & Rand, and in 1872 started in with a stock of dry-goods and clothing and a partner, under the firm name of Holbrook, Twitchell & Company, at Athol, Massachusetts. Five years later he sold out his interest in the business, and took a position as buyer for Shepard, Norwell & Company, of Boston. He remained with them until a more lucrative place was offered him as buyer for Ladd & Davis, of Providence, Rhode Island, which engagement was terminated in 1881, when he again embarked in business at St. Albans. The following year he bought his part- ner's interest, and since then has carried on an extensive establishment under the firm name of F. F. Twitchell & Company. After enlarging his old quarters several times to accommodate his growing business, he removed to his present loca- tion, corner of Main and Kingman streets, where he has one of the finest and best equipped stores in Vermont.

Mr. Twitchell is a Republican, but has never aspired to political honors. He was for seven years a member of the St. Albans school board, and twice its chairman. Under his administra- tion the kindergarten was introduced in the

schools, the first in the state belonging to the public school. Many other changes and needed reforms were instituted by him which are now much appreciated by the public. Not least among these was the erection of two new school houses, which are monuments to the cause of education in the beautiful city of St. Albans. He was one of the organizers of the St. Albans board of trade, and served at two different times as its president. He is a member of all the Masonic societies, and a thirty-second degree Mason.

Mr. Twitchell married, in 1875, Miss Flora S. Sabin, of Winchester, New Hampshire, who died in 1896, leaving three children : Florella E., born October 22, 1876, and who married, in Sep- tember, 1902, F. S. Bedard, of St. Albans, where they now reside; Adelle I .. , born in March, 1882; and Karl S. Twitchell, born in June, 1885. Karl S. Twitchell began his education in the common schools and high school of St. Albans, and in the fall of 1903 will begin his college course at Queen's University, of Kingston, On- tario, Canada.

JOHN A. ARTHUR.

John Arthur, son of Francis Arthur, and the founder of the Arthur family in America, was born in Bisley, township of Stroud, England, March 7, 1746. Upon the second marriage of his father, John Arthur left his carly home, landing in America in the year 1768, bringing with him a goodly inheritance. He first established himself as a merchant in New York city ; he then married, in Old Trinity church, Elizabeth Cheeseman, a sister of Captain Cheeseman, aide to General Montgomery, and who fell with his distinguished chief at the battle of Quebec, in 1775. About 1780 John Arthur bought large tracts of land adjoining Fort Ticoderoga, New York, build- ing there mills of various kinds, also doing a large business in lumber. The family of John Arthur and his wife, Elizabeth Cheeseman, con- sisted of ten children, all born in New York city.

John Augustus Arthur, the eighth child, was born September 16, 1787. When about twenty- one years of age he removed with his father's family to Ticonderoga, joining there in business interests with his father. He was greatly inter- ested in the militia of the state of New York, and

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was in the branch of field artillery, rising, while still quite young, to the rank of brigadier general, his brigade extending from Newburgh on the Hudson to the Canada line.

In June, 1813, John Augustus married, in St. Paul's church, New York, Charlotte, daugh- ter of Benjamin and Mary (Kipp) Haight; (a monument to Benjamin Haight and Mary Kipp, his wife, is placed to their memory in St. Paul's churchyard, New York, where they both lie. It can be seen from the steps on entering the church.)

The family of John Augustus and Charlotte (Haight) Arthur consisted of seven children. The eldest son, Benjamin Haight, was born in New York city, March 9, 1814. In December, 1839, from civil life, Benjamin entered the United States army as second lieutenant, and afterwards served as captain in the First United States In- fantry in the Seminole and Mexican wars, and died at Fort Chadburn, Texas, in March, 1856.

John Augustus Arthur, Jr., the subject of this sketch, the fourth child and second son of John A. and Charlotte (Haight) Arthur, was born at Ticonderoga, New York, July 2, 1820. During his early years he attended the ordinary village schools; later, with his brother, he was sent to the school at Westport, New York, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Kellogg, and afterwards to the school at Castleton, Vermont, taught by the Rev. Mr. Clark. In April, 1837, the family removed to Burlington, General Arthur buying the land outside the town since known as the Arthur farm, and here he died September 14, 1851.

Soon after coming to Burlington, John A. Arthur, Jr., entered as clerk the drug and hard- ware store of Dr. Moody, there remaining until the death of Dr. Moody, in November, 1841. Continuing this business, a partnership was formed with Luther M. Hagar, formerly of Shelburne, Vermont, the firm known as Hagar & Arthur lasting for nearly twenty years. In 1861 Mr. Arthur entered the United States customs service, where at the present writing (1903) he still continues. Since the organiza- tion of the civil service department, Mr. Arthur has been secretary of this service board in Ver- mont. In politics Mr. Arthur was, in his early

years, a Whig, and was a delegate to the Balti- more convention in 1843, which nominated Henry Clay for president, and for him Mr. Arthur cast his first presidential vote. Mr. Arthur was a member of the first city government of Burling- ton, and is the only one of the original board now living.

In 1848 Mr. Arthur married, in St. Paul's church, Burlington, Harriet Fowler, daughter of Timothy Hall, whose early home was in Green- field, Massachusetts, and afterwards in Troy, New York, where for many years Mrs. Arthur attended the school of Madame Exema Willard. Upon the death of her mother, Mrs. Arthur came to Burlington, making her home with her sis- ter, Mrs. Elias Lyman, until her marriage with Mr. Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur have been the parents of six children, three only of whom are now living: the Rev. Louis A. Arthur; Charlotte Haight, wife of Commander Karl Rohrer, United States navy ; and one daughter, Mary, remaining at home. The oldest child, Elliott, lieutenant in the United States navy, passed away in 1886, and two daughters died in early childhood.

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur have passed most of their married life in the old home, where, from time to time for more than half a century, chil- dren and grandchildren have gathered, and been made happy in recalling traditions and memories of earlier days.

MARVIN WRIGHT CLARK.

. Marvin Wright Clark, an enterprising agri- culturist of Williston, Vermont, is a descendant of Paul Clark, who served as a private for seven years in the Revolutionary war. His son, Wright Clark, was born May 18. 1780, in Royal- ton, Vermont. He was educated and lived in his native town until 1830, when he removed to Williston, first settling on what is known as the "Metcalf" place: in IS35 he traded for and moved to the old "Governor Chittenden" home- stead. He was quite successful in the manage- ment of this farm, and was considered one of the most successful farmers in that section of the state, being one of a few who encouraged the building of a railroad as a means to larger

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markets. He was first mited in marriage to Miss Lucy Hlinkly, of Royalton, Vermont, and their children were: Lucy, born January 18, 1812, died August 9, 1814; Philo, born Septem- ber 10, 1817, died June 28, 1859; Justus, born March 22, 1819, died February 17, 1895; Emily died November 22, 1861. Some time after the death of his first wife, which occurred August 11, 1821, Mr. Clark married Miss Priscilla Wright, daughter of Elisha Wright, and the following named children were born to them: Aurill, born November 18, 1823. died March 17, 1894; Jason, born October 27, 1828, died December 22, 1900; Paul, born May 4, 1831, died February 3, 1856; Mary, born October 24, 1832, died February 13, 1902; Sarah, born Feb- ruary 7, 1834, died July 14, 1842; Hiram A., born August 31, 1836, died March 27, 1886; Marvin W., born January 2, 1843, died April 28, 1845. Mr. Clark died April 20, 1866, and his wife died December 11, 1870.

Hiram Allen Clark, son of Wright and Pris- cilla Clark, was born in Williston, Vermont, Au- gust 31, 1836. He was educated in Williston, also studied French in Canada as a means to the better management of his business, which was farming upon the old homestead, it being largely conducted by Canadian labor. Mr. Clark was a Republican in his political views, and represented his town in the state legislature in 1880 and 1881. On January 1, 1861, he married Miss Marcia E. Fay, daughter of Roswell B. Fay. Mrs. Clark died March 18, 1861. On November 26, 1863. he married for his second wife Miss Juliette Hines Smith, the daughter of Benjamin Frank- lin and Eunice (Boardman) Smith. Benjamin F. Smith was the son of Samuel Smith, who was a son of Oliver Smith, a Revolutionary soldier. He moved to Brandon, Vermont, from Massachusetts. He was the son of Samuel Smith, who resided at Northfield, Massachusetts, and followed the occupation of a blacksmith and was also a deacon in the church. He was the son of Presence Smith, who was born at Hadley, Massachusetts, in 1677. He was the son of Sam- uel Smith, who was born in 1639 and died in 1700, at Hadley, Massachusetts. Eunice Board- man, mother of Juliette Hines Smith, was the daughter of Amos and Salina Boardman Weeks;

the latter named being a daughter of Benjamin Boardman, who was a son of Joseph, a son of Wait, a son of Daniel, and he in turn was a son of Thomas Boardman, the founder of the American branch of the family. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. (Smith) Clark : Marvin Wright, born June 20, 1865; Flora M., born September 26, 1867: Ethel A., born July 10, 1870, died February 6, 1874; Belle A., born June 21, 1874, married George E. Dean, of Albion, Michigan, and three children have been born to them, Walter Clark, Ethel Mary and Helen Dean; Frank W., born June 28, 1876; Jason II., born February 28, 1881, died June 8, 1882. Mr. Clark died March 27. 1886, and Mrs. Clark died February 9, 1899.

Marvin Wright Clark, son of Hiram Allen and Juliette (Smith) Clark, was born in Willis- ton, Vermont, June 20, 1865. His education was obtained, after attending the common schools of his own town, first at the Essex Classical In- stitute, where he graduated in 1882; from here a four years' course was commenced in the State. Agriculture College of Lansing, Michigan, but after a little over a year's work at that institution he changed to the University of Vermont, grad- uating with the class of 1886 in the chemical course.

The following year he assumed the man- agement and part ownership of the old home- stead, which consists of over seven hundred acres of land. a farm well adapted to the dairy busi- ness, maintaining a dairy of one hundred cows besides considerable other stock. He treasures the memory of a parentage contented but aspir- ing in the pursuit of agriculture as a vocation, and believes the state of unrest prevalent among farmers, New England farmers especially, at the present time, is due largely to wrong impressions taught or allowed to grow in early childhood.

On January 26, 1887, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Tracy, daughter of Harmon Northrop and Helen Mary (Harris) Tracy. Their children are: Wright, born Feb- ruary 7, 1888; Barbara, born March 19, 1889; Philena, born November 6, 1890; Helen Harris, born July 3, 1892 ; Thomas Chittenden, born Oc- tober 13, 1895; Elam Tracy, born January 3, 1899; Jason, born February 14, 1901.

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SILAS DAVID DOUD.

For many years Silas David Doud was num- bered among the representative citizens and agri- culturists of Addison county, and in his death the entire community felt that an irreparable loss had been sustained by the public. He was a member of one of the oldest families of the Green Mountain state, who trace their ancestry in America to Henry Doude, who came from county Kent, England, in 1639, with the colony under Rev. Henry Whitfield, and settled in Guilford, Connecticut. His death occurred in 1668, thirty years after his arrival on American soil. His son John was born in. 1650, and the latter located in that part of Guilford known as the "neck." In 1679 he was united in marriage to Sarah Toll- man, a relative of Governor Tollman, and his death occurred in 1712. Their son David was born in Connecticut in 1695, and about 1740 he located in Middletown, Connecticut. In 1718 he was married to Mary Cornwall, and their son, Captain Giles Doud, was born in 1735. He ac- companied an expedition to Canada, where he participated in the battle of Quebec. He was afterward stricken with small-pox, and died of that disease in 1776, at Crown Point, New York. In 1757 he was united in marriage to Esther Bacon, also of Middletown, and their son Silas was born in Tyringham, Massachusetts, in 1773. In 1793 the latter came to New Haven, Ver- mont, where he was among the early pioneers. Here he spent the remainder of his life, pass- ing away in death in 1826. He served as its first town clerk, holding that position for many years, and in 1818 and 1819 represented the town in the legislature. He died in 1826. In 1792 he was married to Irena Scoville, who was born in 1770, at Meriden, Connecticut, and came to this state on horseback. She was called to her final rest in 1870, having reached the remarka- ble age of ninety-nine years and six months, and retaining a bright mind until the end. To this worthy couple were born ten children, four sons and six daughters, and nine of the number grew to mature years.

Hon. Sylvester Doud, one of these children, was born in New Haven in 1806, and throughout his active business career followed the tilling of the soil, in which he met with a high degree

of success. He also took an active part in the public affairs of his locality, having held all the town offices, including that of constable for a number of years, was also justice of the peace for many years, and in 1852 and 1853 represented the town in the legislature. His influence was effective and far-reaching, he was a fluent speaker, had considerable knowledge of the law and was widely recognized as a progressive and public- spirited gentleman.

Osmund Doud, the eldest son of Silas and Irena (Scoville) Doud, was born August 12, 1803, in New Haven, Vermont, where he was reared and passed his entire life, engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was active in public affairs as well as being successful in the manage- ment of his own affairs. He held most of the town offices and was for two years a representa- tive in the legislature, while for many years he was a prominent member of the Congregational church. As a companion on the journey of life Osmund Doud chose Elmina Saxton, who was born April 14, 1806, in New Haven, Vermont, where her father, James Saxton, was a well known hotel proprietor. Her death oc- curred February 28, 1860. Of the four chil- dren born to this couple three grew to years of maturity; and two of the number still survive: Delia, who married Sidney A. Smith and resides in Montour, Iowa; and Mary I., who became the wife of Perry J .. Farnworth, a merchant of Northfield, Vermont. The family affiliated with the Congregational church.

Edson Augustus Doud, a son of Osmund Doud, was born on the ancestral farm in New Haven, November 18, 1832, and received his education in the schools of Bakersfield, for a short time after completing his studies pursuing the teacher's profession. Farming, however, claimed his attention as a life occupation, and he, too, became prominent in the public life of Ad- dison county. He held all the local offices within the power of his fellow townsmen to bestow, and for two terms represented his town in the legislature: He was elected to the high office of assistant judge of Addison county, and had not death intervened he most probably would have become a senator. He assisted materially in the erection of the court house at Middlebury, and it was largely owing to his efforts that the repairs

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were made on the Congregational church on New Haven street, in which he long served as a deacon and for twenty-five years led the choir. Hle united with this church in 1868, and was ever afterward one of its most active and valued members. He was an outspoken sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party, and, having quick perceptions and sound judg- ment, was often called upon to act as secretary at public meetings and was a valued correspond- ent of the state press.

The marriage of Edson A. Doud was cele- brated on the 2d of September, 1857, when Alice V. Stowe became his wife. Her father, Loyal W. Stowe, was born March 15, 1814, in the house in which she now resides, and her grand- father, Moses Stowe, claimed Massachusetts as the state of his nativity. The latter was num- bered among the early pioneers of Addison coun- ty, Vermont, and for a long period was the pro- prietor of a hotel in the town of New Haven. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and erected four two-story buildings on Town Hill in addition to his hotel. His first wife bore the maiden name of Mary White, and he was a sec- ond time married, becoming the father of ten children. Loyal W. Stowe early assisted in the work of the hotel and farm, and his entire life was spent in this locality, his life's labors being ended in death on the 21st of June, 1886. He held the offices of constable, selectman, lister, and for two years represented his town in the legislature. For his wife he chose Jane C. Mun- ger, who was born in Middlebury, Vermont, Au- gust 26, 1817. Her father, Samuel Munger, was a native of Norfolk, Connecticut, and he, too, was numbered among the early pioneers of Ad- dison county, and Munger street in Middlebury was named in his honor. His death occurred on the 13th of March, 1821. He married Olive Smith, a native of Windsor, Vermont, and she died November 6, 1865.

Mr. and Mrs. Edson A. Doud became the parents of one son, Saxton L. Doud, who is engaged in the furniture business in Seattle, Washington. He married Emma Roleau, of New Haven, and they have one son, Edson A. For many years Mr. and Mrs. Doud pursued the journey of life together, loyally sharing with each other in the trials, sorrows and pleasures

that fall to the lot of all, but on the 27th of December, 1887, the husband was summoned into cternal rest. His upright life commanded universal respect and wherever known he was loved and honored for his many noble character- istics.

WILLIAMS BARTON FOOTE.

Williams Barton Foote is a representative of the honored pioncer element which has done so much for the development and legitimate ad- vancement of the county and state, and for the establishing of the institutions of higher civiliza- tions in this fertile and favored section of the old Green Mountain commonwealth. He is one of the honored citizens of the town of Charlotte, where he has passed his entire life and where he has not only gained success and prestige in connection with the great basic industry of ag- riculture, but where also he has so directed his course as to gain and retain tlie confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in con- tact, thus upbearing the honors of a name which has been prominently identified with this section of the state for three generations and which has ever stood exponent of the best citizenship and the most impregnable integrity in all the rela- tions of life.

Deacon Williams B. Foote was born in the town of Charlotte, Chittenden county, Vermont, on the 9th of December, 1843, and is a repre- sentative of a family long identified with the annals of New England history. His father, Charles P. Foote, was born June 3, 1809, in Washington, Connecticut, a son of Gideon Foote, who removed thence to Chittenden county, Ver- mont, in 1811, his son Charles P. being a mere child at the time of the removal. The latter purchased a farm in this town and devoted the remainder of his life to its improvement and cultivation, his death occurring on the home- steam farm in 1883. at which time he had attained the age of nearly seventy-five years. He secured such educational advantages as were afforded in the public schools of the locality and period. He continued to be engaged in agricultural pur- suits during the entire course of his long and useful life, and was a man of strong indivdual- ity and one who commanded the unqualified con-

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fidence and regard of the community which had been the scene of his able and well directed efforts. He attended the Congregational church, as did also his cherished and devoted wife.

The maiden name of our subject's mother was Lucy A. Barton, and she was born in Char- lotte, where she passed her entire life, her father, Williams Barton, having been a native of the state of Connecticut. He came from Lanes- boro, Massachusetts, to Chittenden county, Ver- mont, in the pioneer days, and here devoted the remainder of his life to agricultural pursuits, be- ing one of the representative citzens of the com- munity. His farm is located in Charlotte. Charles P. and Lucy A. (Barton) Foote became the parents of three children, of whom two are living at the present time: Susan, the wife of Jay A. Clark, a representative farmer of Hines- burg, this county, and Williams B., the immediate subject of this review.

Under the beneficent and invigorating dis- cipline of the homestead farm Williams B. Foote was reared to years of maturity, while the early educational advantages which came to his portion were such as were to be had in the local schools. He has ever continued to regard the art of agri- culture as well worthy of his attention and best effort, and such have been his enterprise, energy and perseverance that he has attained a distinct prosperity in his chosen field of endeavor. His present fine homestead farm comprises one hun- dred acres, eligibly located, equipped with ex- cellent improvements of a permanent nature and maintained under a high state of cultivation, the place being devoted to diversified farming and being recognized as one of the valuable rural estates of this section, thrift and good man- agement being in evidence on every hand. The farmstead was purchased by Mr. Foote in the year 1882, and since coming into possession he has made many fine improve- ments and otherwise added to the value and attractiveness of the place. Thorough- ly alive to the duties of citizenship, Mr. Foote has ever shown a lively interest in all that conserves the welfare of the community, while his political proclivities are indicated by the sup- port which he accords the principles of the Re- publican party. He is a prominent and zealous

member of the Congregational church at Char- lotte, in which he has been an active worker.

In 1868 was solemnized the marriage of Deacon Foote and Miss Henrietta Stebbins, who was born in Caldwell, New York, the daughter of Henry Stebbins, who there passed his entire life, having been a farmer by vocation.

ETHAN MURRAY WRIGHT.

Ethan Murray Wright, a successful merchant at Orwell for over forty years, was born at Hinesburg, Vermont, August 10, 1818, the eldest of six children of Brigham C. and Urania (Mur- ray) Wright. His father was a small woolen manufacturer at Hinesburg, and afterwards a farmer at Williston and Milton, Vermont. The brothers and sisters of Mr. Wright were, Sarah, who married John W. Miles, a physician at Hinesburg; Louisa, who married Daniel A. Bowe, a graduate of Middlebury College in 1846, a lawyer and editor in New Hampshire; Charles R., a graduate of Norwich University in 1847, lawyer and county attorney of Hancock county, Iowa; Norman, a farmer at Milton, Ver- mont, and George B., surveyor, one of the found- ers of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and a man promi- nent in the affairs of that state. None of Mr. Wright's brothers or sisters survive.

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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 126

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