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 24

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 24

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).

It was during his pastorate in this part of the state that the frightful epidemic of small- pox, which visited the country at that time, made its greatest ravages in and around Newport. Father Michaud, who was frequently called upon to administer to the sick, finally fell a vic- tim to the dread disease after having attended the nineteenth patient infected with the plague. But his career was not destined to end here, and after lingering many weeks in an enfeebled condition, with great care he regained his health and strength.

Shortly afterwards the Rt. Rev. Bishop de Goesbriand, moved by Father Michaud's mar- vellous successes, confided to his care, in addi- tion to his already extensive parish, the mis- sions at Island Pond on the east, at Ely-Cooper Mines on the south, Wells river and as far as Peabody station in the direction of Montpelier.

123

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

He had as his assistants, successively, the Rev. E. R. Maloney and the Rev. J. M. Coathuel, the latter remaining his faithful auxiliary until the end of his six years' arduous toils and trials in this first field of his activity.

In May, 1879, Father Michaud was recalled to Burlington to assume charge of the con- structing of St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum on North avenue, an imposing structure which he completed in 1883. In the meantime he had had charge of Bennington and North Benning- ton, in the absence of Father O'Dwyer, as well as Fairfield, Underhill and Charlotte; and. had been later appointed pastor of St. Stephen's church at Winooski Falls. Here he constructed a pastoral residence and purchased several acres of land just back of the church for further build- ing purposes.

After a much needed rest spent in Europe, Father Michaud returned to receive a new ap- pointment, and was given charge of the parish of St. Francis de Sales at Bennington, October 16, 1885. Although the parish was possessed of a church edifice at the time, it was the ardent wish of the bishop and the people of Bennington to have a new structure raised to God's honor and worship in their progressive town. With his characteristic energy the newly appointed pastor undertook the task: and, four years after the ground was broken, in 1888, one of the grand- est church edifices in New England stood as a monument to the faith and generosity of the people of Bennington and to the zeal and abil- ity of Father Michaud.

Bishop de Goesbriand, who had begun to feel the weight of his years, some time previ- ous to 1892 applied to Rome for a coadjutor to relieve him in part of his burdensome duties. When, therefore, it became known throughout the state that a new bishop was to be appointed and several candidates for the high office had been chosen, priests, indeed, of exceptional mer- its and rare qualifications, all eyes were turned upon the subject of this sketch :- they saw none so well fitted to assume episcopal responsibilities. His intimate and extensive knowledge of the dio- cese, his ability as a financier, his disinterested devotedness in the cause of religion, his unabat- ing zeal and untiring energy in upbuilding both the material and spiritual church, his sterling

qualities as a citizen and a man, and his un- assuming virtucs as a priest and a Christian, all marked him out as the happiest choice that could have been made among the clergy of the entire- province, as well as the most worthy ecclesias- tic of his own diocese to succeed Vermont's pi- oneer bishop, Louis de Goesbriand.

Whilst Father Michaud was busily engaged in putting the finishing touches to his beautiful church at Bennington, the Holy Father in the Eternal City was putting the final stroke to the document that made him the future head of the church in the diocese of Burlington.

On April 4, 1892, he was named coadjutor bishop, and on the 29th of June, following. his consecration took place in the cathedral at Bur -. lington, the Most Rev. J. J. Williams, archbishop of Boston, assisted by the Rt. Rev. Dennis M .. Bradley, of Manchester, New Hampshire, and the Rt. Rev. Henry Gabriels, of Ogdensburg, New York, performing the ceremony amidst a large concourse of prelates, priests and people.

It is not unworthy of note that the sermon- preached on this occasion was delivered by the- Rev. Father Beaven, of Holyoke, Massachusetts, a classmate and the life-long friend of Bishop- Michaud and the present bishop of Springfield.

In Father Michaud's elevation to the dignity of the Episcopate, it may well be said: "Digitus Dei his est". It was another manifestation of the Blessed Mother's signal protection of her children, peculiarly committed to her care, and of God's special providence over the destines of his church in the Green Mountain state; whilst it furnished a new evidence of Rome's proverbial wisdom, as events in the subsequent decade have- abundantly borne testimony.

Great as has been Bishop Michaud's activity in the sphere of the priesthood, it was surpassed by his labors as a bishop. The narrative of Father Delany, on which the following recital is based, gives but a faint idea of the enormous amount of work accomplished by the bishop. Although in his immediate work he has the as- assistance of three priests, the labors and respon- sibilities devolving upon him by reason of his position are of the most onerous nature. He has charge of all the property of the Catholic church in the state of Vermont, comprising eighty-six church, school and hospital buildings,

126

THE STATE OF VERMONT ..

included in fifty-six parishes, with a membership of seventy thousand souls.

One of his first acts after his consecration as bishop was the incorporation of the diocese, an act whereby the diocese of Burlington was constituted a corporate body with power to legally hold and administrate all Catholic church property within the state of Vermont, and whose far-reaching advantages, even from an economic point of view, can be fully understood only by those intimately acquainted with the ecclesiasti- cal affairs of the diocese.

Among the churches which have been built under the direction and supervision of Bishop Michaud are those of St. Catherine's, at Shel- burne, St. Anthony's in this city, and of the Holy Family, at Essex Junction, where a parish house was also purchased.

In St. Johnsbury, where a new parish was formed to include the English-speaking Catho- lics, a substantial brick church and house have been erected ; at Barton, at Richford and at Poult- ney imposing church buildings have likewise been constructed; the beautiful marble structure of the Sacred Heart church at Rutland has been raised, and another of the same material is be- ing built at Middlebury; while Montpelier is in possession of a magnificent granite edifice on the high road to completion.

Bishop Michaud has completed the cathedral, raising the main tower to a height of one hun- dred and sixty-five feet, at the top of which has been placed a beautiful statue of the Immaculate Conception in bronze, of heroic dimensions. He has also built a mortuary chapel, behind the altar of which repose the remains of the late Bishop de Goesbriand, and a crypt for the altar of the sacred relic of the chains of St. Peter. He has, more- over, completed the plans for the construction of a hospital in this city on the site of the old St. Joseph's College, which has been razed to the ground. The hospital will be an annex to the Fanny Allen Hospital, which the Bishop founded ten years ago in the vicinity of Bur- lington.

A new church and parish house have been erected at Keeler's Bay, Grand Isle ; a parsonage at Alburg, another at Fair Haven, one at Bristol, one at Bellows Falls. one at Ludlow, one at Pitts-

ford and still another at Castleton. Parishes have been formed at Pittsford, at Bristol, at Keeler's Bay, at Barton, at Woodstock, at Spring- field, at Manchester, at Essex Junction, at Rich- ford, at Bennington and at Shoreham; a new house and church built in Manchester, a new church at Pownal, a church and house at Wood- stock, Arlington church enlarged and beautified, churches at Highgate, Montgomery and Hyde Park enlarged and beautified, a parochial resi- dence at Windsor, a church at Hard- wick, a church and house at Graniteville, a church and house at Readsboro, a large brick church and house at White River Junction, also a fine brick church at lyn- donville with a town clock, a new church and house at Milton, an elegant brick church at Un- derhill, a new residence at Fairfield and also a fine house for the priest at Barton.

But the spiritual needs of the diocese have not alone engrossed the attention and engaged the exertions of Bishop Michaud ; the educational · interests of his flock, as well, have found him a firm friend and ardent promoter. Besides the many and varied improvements made in his ca- thedral church and parish, under his direct sup- ervision, and through his inspiration, the im- posing school buildings recently constructed by him in this city clearly evince his deep solici- tude for the intellectual, as well as the religious advancement of his people. Apart from this, however, his concern for the promotion of edu- cation in his diocese is accentuated by the fact that numerous schools and institutions of learn- ing have been constantly established in this city or elsewhere. In St. Joseph's parish, this city, a new school building and residence for the ladies teaching in said schools. have been built. In the French parish at Bennington a parochial residence and school have been erected; at St. Albans in St. Mary's parish similar provisions on a grand scale have been made, while in the same city, in connection with the Church of the Holy Angels, a convent with large schoolrooms attached has been built ; at Bennington a magnifi- cent school building and a convent have likewise been erected for St. Francis de Sales parish. In addition to the fine parish house built in the city of Barre, a house for the Sisters of Mercy and

127

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

for educational purposes has been lately pur- chased, and St. Peter's at Rutland has doubled its school facilities, having one of the best schools in the state.

Especially notable have been Bishop Mich- aud's labors in the cause of benevolence and char- ity. Many organizations of a charitable and be- nevolent character have been established through- out his diocese, which owe their origin mainly to his inspirations. Not least among the great works of this kind was the institution of the Fanny Allen Hospital. This hospital, which has accommodations for fifty patients, is under the charge of the Sisters of the Hotel Dieu, who are all trained nurses. It was founded by the bishop in 1894.

Another important undertaking was the pur- chase of a suitable site and building for an in- dustrial school for boys. This institution is lo- cated at Winooski Park, and is in charge of the Oblate Fathers of the Sacred Heart, who have, in connection with it, a novitiate for aspirants to their congregation ; also a hospital at St. Johns- bury in charge of the Sisters of Providence.

These accomplished enterprises, great as they are, do not satisfy the energy and enthusiasm with which Bishop Michaud devotes himself to his work. Not content with the present flourish- ing condition of his diocese, which testifies so strongly to his labors in the past, he is constantly planning new achievements, and also has in con- templation the formation of many other parishes in different parts of the state.

The Bishop, however, always asserts, when speaking with his priests and friends, that the great successes in the diocese must of right be credited to the zeal and prudence of the clergy, and to their loyalty to Holy Mother the church, and also to the constant generosity and co-opera- tion of the Catholic laity of Vermont.

Throughout his entire career Bishop Michaud has been a tireless worker, and scores of churches, schools and charitable institutions which had their inception in him, or in a large degree, owed their founding and firm establishment to his ef- forts, stand as monuments to his zealous inter- est in the cause of religion and his sincere love for Christian education and suffering human- ity.

LESTER HENRY GREENE.

Lester Henry Greene, president of the Lester H. Greene Company of Montpelier, was born in Plattsburg, New York, October 26, 1863, a son of Rufus L. Greene. Rufus L. Greene, a native of Swanton, Vermont, was interested in nautical pursuits in his early life, for several years being a pilot on the lakes, living during a part of the time in Plattsburg, New York. On retiring from that occupation he settled permanently in Swan- ton, Vermont. He married first, Sarah Rylie, who died in 1868, leaving two children: Lester Henry and Earle Francis, of Montpelier, formerly hospital steward in the United States army. serv- ing in China and the Philippines. He married, second, Florence L. Truax, by whom he has two children, Wilbur and Eva.

Lester Henry Greene was educated in Swan- ton, Vermont, being graduated from the high school, after which he was employed in a drug store in that town for four years. Going then to St. Johnsbury, Vermont, he continued in the same occupation for a year,when he returned to Swan- ton, where he bought a drug store, which he con- ducted for a year. Locating in Montpelier in 1882, he worked as a druggist until 1887, when he purchased the Bascomb drug store, which he managed with eminent success until April, 1901. During his career as a pharmacist Mr. Greene obtained a thorough knowledge of drugs and their uses, and utilized this knowledge in prepar- ing a remedy for coughs and colds, placing it on the market under the name of "Greene's War- ranted Syrup of Tar." This syrup became so favorably known throughout the country, and the demand for the remedy so great, that he sep- arated it from his drug business, and on Septem- ber 10, 1898, a company was formed for its man- ufacture and sale, being incorporated under the state law, with L. H. Greene as president. This company has erected a three-story building, seventy-four by seventy-four feet, in which it em- ploys a large force, manufacturing this medicine for the wholesale trade.

Mr. Greene is a Republican in politics, and has served as alderman of ward I. He is prom- inent in social and fraternal circles, being presi- dent of the Apollo Club of Montpelier ; a iem-

128

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

ber of Aurora Lodge, F. & A. M., of which he is treasurer ; of King Solomon Chapter, R. A. M .; of Montpelier Council, R. & S. M .; of Mt. Zion Commandery, K. T. ; and of Mount Sinai Temple, Mystic Shrine. Alr. Greene married, December 2, 1802, Nell E. Gates, of Highgate Springs, Ver- mont, a daughter of C. S. Gates. The only child born of their union, Ina F., died at the age of five and one-half years.

HENRY DWIGHT HOLTON.

Henry Dwight Holton, A. M., M. D., one of the most distinguished physicians of New Eng- land, treasurer for nine years of the American Public Health Association and president of that body in 1901-2, professor of therapeutics and general pathology in the medical department of the University of Vermont from 1873 to 1886, late president of the Vermont Medical Society and vice president of the American Medical Association, one of the founders and recently president of the board of trustees of the Pan- American Medical Congress, secretary of the state board of health (second term), president of the American Congress on Tuberculosis held in New York city in June, 1902, honorary presi- dent of the Congress on Tuberculosis to be held in Washington, District of Columbia, April, 1904, and formerly a senator of Vermont, was born in that state, in the town of Rockingham, July 24, 1838, and since 1867 has been a resident and one of the most prominent and public- spirited citizens of Brattleboro. Dr. Holton is a son of the late Elihu Dwight Holton and Nancy (Grout) Holton, for many years residents of the village of Saxton's River in the town named above. Through his father he is of Puritan ancestry, descending from William Holton, who came from Ipswich, Suffolk county, England, to Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1634, and later was one of a band of one hundred pioneers who pushed into the wilderness and founded the town of Hartford, Connecticut. Returning to Massa- chusetts in 1654, William Holton settled' at Northampton, became a deacon of the first church established in that town, and a magistrate; and was the representative of the town to the general court, taking a conspicuous part in the legisla- tion enacted during his term of office, and making

the first motion on record in that body to pro- hibit the sale of intoxicating drinks. On the maternal side Dr. Holton's lineage runs back through English ancestors to Germany, when the name was variously written Groot, Grote and, when Latinized, Grotius, the last made famous by the great Dutch patriot, philosopher and the- ologian. On both sides he descends from sturdy Revolutionary stock, his paternal great-grand- father Holton, born in Northfield, Massachusetts, July 10, 1738, serving in Captain John Burke's company of Colonel Timothy Ruggle's regiment, and under Ethan Allen at Ticonderoga ; and his maternal grandfather, John Grout, of Spencer, Massachusetts, also fighting for independence in the American army.

A predilection for the study of medicine led to the subject of these memoirs adopting that profession immediately upon completing his English education, which was obtained in the local public schools and the academy of his native village. For a time he studied under that eminent physician, Dr. J. H. Warren, of Boston, and later under Valentine Mott, of New York, the most famous American surgeon of his gener- ation. Pursuing the regular course in the med- ical department of the University of New York, he was graduated in 1860 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. His earliest practice was as physician to the Williamsburg (now part of Greater New York) Dispensary. Drawn back to his native state by ties of affection as well as of interest, he established himself in practice at Putney, whence, in 1867, he removed to Brattle- boro, his present place of residence. Devoted to his profession, the young pupil of the illustri- ous Mott and the scholarly Warren made rapid advances, and, having proved his skill by the successful performance of numerous capital operations, soon took a leading rank among his medical associates.

In the course of years his fame as an operator spread over a wide region, and, coupled with his activity in all that relates to the advancement of medical science and the safe-guarding of the public health, brought him a national repute. Quite early in his career he was chosen a member of the Connecticut River Medical Association, and, after serving five years as its secretary, was elected its president in 1867. He joined the Ver-

W T Bather

Henry D. Hollow

129

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

mont Medical Society in 1861, and twelve years later was honored with its presidency. In 1864, as a young physician and surgeon of great prominence, he was elected a member of the American Medical Association. This highly representative body sent him, in 1875, as a dele- gate to the International Medical Congress at Brussels ; and in 1880 elected him to the office of vice president.

In 1873 Dr. Holton was called to the chair of materia medica and general pathology in the medical department of the University of Ver- mont. When he entered upon the duties of this professorship the medical class numbered but forty students. His coming proved epoch-mak- ing. Other medical men of distinguished ability and wide reputation were persuaded to connect themselves with the school, which soon rivaled the older ones of Boston, New York and other cities, not only in the brilliancy of its faculty, but likewise in the number and earnestness of its matriculants. After thirteen years of assidu- ous and single hearted labor in the building up of this now well known medical school-having during much of that period the cordial co-opera- tion of the late Professor James L. Little, of New York, and that of other distinguished med- ical men-Dr. Holton resigned his professor- ship. During his connection with the school its classes had steadily increased in number, and at the time of his retirement two hundred and sixty students were enrolled. More than thirteen hundred matriculants had pursued their studies successfully, and had been graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine within this period. It was a result which astonished the medical world, and which was a source of deepest satis- faction as it was likewise of great honor to Dr. Holton, who, keeping fully abreast of the prog- ress in medical education, urged entrance exam- inations and written examinations for the medical degree, and also a classification of students in order, that the required work might be done more systematically and thoroughly-reforms which he was finally successful in having adopted.

Although burdened with the duties of his professorship and the cares of a large practice, Dr. Holton found time to devote himself to much useful labor in other directions. Elected 9

by the state legislature, in 1873, a trustee of the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College, he was retained in this office by success- ive re-elections for a period of eighteen years. In the year mentioned he was also appointed medical examiner to the Vermont Asylum for the Insane. It is doubtful if Vermont has within her borders a warmer friend of education than Dr. Holton. For twenty-five years he was a member of the school board of Brattleboro, serv. ing as its chairman during fifteen years. He has also served since its organization as a trustee of the Brattleboro Free Library, in the formation and development of which he took a very active part. A Republican in politics, and willing to serve the people at any cost of his own time and com- fort, Dr. Holton was elected to the Vermont sen- ate in 1884, and as chairman of the committee on education labored zealously in behalf of the schools and colleges of the state. While in the senate he served also as chairman of the commit- tee on the insane asylum, and as a member of the joint committee on the house of correction. In 1888 he was elected representative from Brattle- boro to the Vermont general assembly, and served on the committees on education, ways and means, and public health. In 1892 Dr. Holton was appointed commissioner from Vermont to the Nicaragua Canal Convention, held in New Or- leans ; and in the same year was elected treasurer of the American Public Health Association at the meeting held in the City of Mexico. In the following year he was named one of the Vermont commissioners of the Columbian Exposition. Dr. Holton was active in the organization of the Pan-American Medical Congress, a body com- posed of representatives of all the countries in this hemisphere, which met in Washington in 1893. As chairman of the executive committee . and president of its board of trustees, he had a leading part in shaping and carrying out the work of the congress, and making it the great success it was. At the same time he made the acquaintance of the best men in every country represented. Dr. Holton was a delegate-at- large from Vermont to the national Republican convention held at St. Louis in June. 1896. which nominated President McKinley, and was active in the campaign which secured his election. In all local affairs he has been most usefully

130

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

active as a private citizen, and his judgment and integrity have been amply tested and never found wanting. Several leading corporations have availed themselves of his ability and ser- vices, the Vermont National Bank of Brattleboro being one, in which he has been a director since $881 ; and the Brattleboro Gas Light Company of which he has been president since 1883. He is also president of the Brattleboro Home for the Aged and Disabled. Dr. Holton is a member of the Boston Gynecological Society ; of the Rocky Mountain Medical Society; of the Vermont state board of health; of the British Medical Society; of the American Association for Ad- vancement of Science ; of the American Academy of Medicine; an honorary member of the Maine Academy of Medicine ; member of the executive committee of the New England Education League ; member of the executive committee of American Invalid Aid Society, and member of the National Conference of Charities and Correc- tion. Since 1897 he has been president of the board of trustees of Leland and Grey Seminary, at Townshend, Vermont, an endowed institution in which both sexes are prepared for college. A recent appointment is that of commissioner to the Mexico National Exposition of Mechanical Arts, soon to be held in the City of Mexico.

Few men in his profession have been called to so many positions of honor and trust ; and not the least remarkable fact in connection with this large demand for his services is the success with which he has invariably discharged the duties devolving upon him, however varied their char- acter or heavy their consumption of his time and attention. Throughout the long and busy years of his active practice he has not failed to give his profession the benefit of his wide and varied experience, contributing freely to medical litera- ture. He began his literary efforts by reporting his brilliant preceptor's (Mott's) clinics for the press. In 1880 he published "The Posological Tablet." a compact pocket volume, now in its second edition, which contains the doses of all well known remedies by both the apothecaries' and metric system, and antidotes for poisons. This was probably the first work in which the two standards were presented together. Cases in practice have been published by him from time

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.

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 24

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