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 29

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 29

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).

September 1, 1886, he purchased the Pavilion Hotel in Montpelier, Vermont, and placed it under a manager, as his contract with his employ- ers obliged him to remain with them yet two years. In 1888 he was released. and he took personal charge of his hotel property and busied himself energetically in its improvement. He added another story, making thirty-five ad- ditional rooms, rebuilt the kitchen entire, put in an elevator and improved the sanitary conditions by new plumbing. As a result of these and con- stantly succeeding improvements the hotel is as modern and complete in its appointments as means and skill could make possible, and is noted throughout all New England as a beautiful and restful home for the traveler and summer tourist. It contains one hundred and sixty large and airy rooms, each one with its steam radiator and electric light, bath rooms and closets are on every floor. and pure spring water for drinking and culinary purposes is piped in from four splendid springs on the summit of the mountain a mile ·distant. The culinary department is not sur- passed in the state. Milk and cream are brought in daily from Mr. Viles' fine farms, one on the Northfield road, a part of the Tower estate, and the Junction farm, the one purchased in 1893. and the other in the following year. He also bought about one hundred acres on the hills to the rear of the hotel, and on this tract are located the springs which afford the hotel water supply. The hotel itself is delightfuly situated and com- mands a beautiful view of Capital Park, with its majestic elms surrounding the state build- ings.

In 1895 Mr. Viles purchased the water privi- lege of a grist mill, sawmill and shingle mill in the town of Middlesex. this giving him control of the water power of that town. In connection with this he erected an electric plant of fifteen hundred horse power, which furnishes light and power to Middlesex, Montpelier and Barre, and in Montpelier and Barre the power is extensively used in the granite works and in running stone

dressing machinery. The Viles electric plant has proved a remarkable success, and has been one of the most important factors in developing the granite business in this part of the state.

In all Mr. Viles' business career is a striking example of success attained throughout industry and well directed effort. Beginning life as boy in a store, he advanced himself by sheer force of character and the development of his natural abilities entirely unaided by capital inherited from any source. Mr. Viles is of a quiet, re- served disposition, and deliberate, but of uncon- querable resolution when he has once decided upon a course of conduct. He is altogether des- titute of political ambition, and his connection with public concerns is confined to those purposes which are of advantage to the community. He is a Republican in his views, but maintains an independent position. He is a member of the Monitor Lodge, F. & A. M., of Waltham, Massa- chusetts.

He married, November 29, 1899, Mrs. Florence Porter, widow of the late Hon. Charles Wacott Porter. She was born in Montpelier, Vermont, February 18, 1864, the daughter of Charles Wesley and Olive (Eaton) Bailey, of Montpelier. Mr. and Mrs. Viles have one daugh- ter, Katharine Bailey, born in the city of Mont- pelier, Vermont, September 28, 1900. They re- side on Western avenue, in one of the finest resi- dences in the city.

HEMAN W. ALLEN.

The Allen family, represented in the present generation by Heman W. Allen, of Burlington. Vermont, is one of ancient and honorable New England ancestry, descended from Walter Allen. who came from England and was a resident of Newbury, Massachusetts, in and possibly before 1640. He died in Charlestown, Massachusetts, on the 8th of July, 1681, at the age of eighty years. His son, John Allen, who was probably born in England, lived in Newbury, Massachus- etts, until 1662, whence he moved to Sudbury. that state. and there his death occurred on the Ist of December. 1711, when he had reached the age of eighty years. His name appears conspicuously in colonial annals, for when Sudbury was at- tacked by the Indians during King Philip's war

154

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

in 1676, he was one of the supporters, and his loss, as proved before the general court, was es- timated at sixty pounds, a considerable sum in that day. In 1688 he was one of the number who took the public stock of ammunition, which would indicate that he was a militia or minute-man. It is probable that his son Thomas was killed dur- ing one of the French and Indian wars, in 1689. In the records of that event it is presumable that John Allen, the father, was he whose name ap- pears among others on a petition setting forth that "some of us for ourselves, others for our chil- dren and servants who were last winter impressed into dreadful service, where, by reason of cold and hunger and in tedious marches many scores of miles in snow and water, and lying on the snow by night, having no provisions but what they could carry on their backs, besides side arms and ammunition, it cost many of them their lives."

Benjamin Allen, a son of John Allen, was born January 30, 1662, and died August 12, 1721, at Weston, Massachusetts. Zebadiah, a son of Benjamin Allen, was born January 19, 1702, in Weston, and died of smallpox, January 2, 1777, at the age of seventy-five years. Zebadiah, a son of Zebadiah Allen, Sr., was born March 12, 1734. He served during the Revolutionary war, and in 1776 was commissioned first lieutenant of the First Company, Seventh Regiment, and was cred- ited to Worcester county, Massachusetts. John Allen, a son of Zebadiah Allen, Jr., was born in Barre, Massachusetts, May 5, 1764, and died on the IIth of October, 1811. He married Hannah Robinson, who was a lineal descendant of the Rev. John Robinson of Puritan memory.

John Allen, a son of John, Sr., and Hannah (Robinson) Allen, was born on the 24th of Sep- tember, 1798, at Barre, Massachusetts. In 1820 he removed to Chittenden county, Vermont, where he was for some time a school teacher, hav- ing among his pupils the young lady who after- ward became his wife. In the following year he purchased land, and soon afterward was joined by three of his brothers, Artemas, Horatio and Denison, all of whom became prosperous farmers and highly respected citizens. John Allen was a man of high character and great ability, and was prominent in public affairs during the formative period of the commonwealth, having represented his town in the legislature for four years, also

represented his county in the senate for one year,. and was assistant judge for two years. In the year following his arrival in Vermont, he was united in marriage to Clarissa Rice, one of the nine children of Sanmel Rice, who had come from Barre, Massachusetts, some years previons- ly. At one time all of the Rice family were niem- bers of the Congregational church, Mr. and Mrs. Rice and nine children. Mr. Allen died at West- ford, Vermont, on the 23d of August, 1856.

Heman W. Allen, a son of John and Clarissa (Rice) Allen, was born in Westford, Vermont, on the 3d of April, 1844, and received his carly education in its public schools. Entering upon his business career at the age of fifteen years as a clerk in a country store in Westford, he gained the practical knowledge and experience of busi- ness methods which eventually enabled him to be- come a successful merchant. His future was ac- cordingly assured, but the Civil war broke out and his patriotic spirit moved him to join the ranks of the volunteers who were called upon by the immortal Lincoln to aid in maintaining the Union. Early in the year 1862, when eighteen years of age, he enlisted in Company A, Thir- teenth Vermont Infantry, in which he served in the notable campaign of the Army of the Potomac in Virginia in 1862 and 1863, and also, with Gen- eral Stannard's brigade, took part in the three days' fight at Gettysburg. When his term of en- listment expired, in 1863, he was anxious to re- enlist for further service, but at the earnest so- licitation of his mother he went to Eastman's. College at Poughkeepsie, and completed his schooling, which had been interrupted by his en- tering the army, and after completing the course there was retained for some months as an in- structor.

Coming to Burlington on the 29th of March, 1864, Mr. Allen entered the employ of Edward Lyman, proprietor of the leading dry-goods. house in this city. In 1848 Edward joined Elias. Lyman, then a dry-goods merchant in Burling- ton, and three years later Edward Lyman be- came sole owner and manager. To this accom- plished merchant and noble man came young Al- len, who by intelligent and industrious application to his duties so won his way into the confidence. and trust of his employer that in the fall of 1868 he was admitted to a partnership, the firm name

155

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

becoming Lyman & Allen. This connection was continued until the death of Mr. Lyman in 1890, and through this period of more than a quarter of a century the most pleasant and harmonious relations existed between them. Success has at- tended the enterprise, their capable management, unquestioned reliability and energy having se- cured for them a very liberal patronage. After the death of Mr. Lyman Mr. Allen purchased his interest in the store, and associated with him Frank D. Abernathy, who had been a junior part- ner in the firm of Lyman & Allen since 1885, and these gentlemen formed the firm of H. W. Allen & Company, which conducts to-day, as it has for years, the leading retail and jobbing dry-goods house in all this region, its trade extending throughout the state and over northern New York. The firm has fully maintained the high reputation which was enjoyed by the one which it succeeded, besides steadily increasing its field of operations in times of more strenuous effort and sharper competition. It may also be said of Mr. Allen that he has been an active factor in the work of development along modern lines, for the period of his entering the firm was conincident with the death of the old system of a mercantile house being sought for by its customers, and the inauguration of those new methods which made it necessary for merchants to work their trading territory as a farmer tills his grain fields. How . successful this arduous effort has been, is at- tested by the high place the firm of H. W. Allen & Company occupy in the mercantile world. Be- sides giving close personal attention to the con- duct of the large mercantile business with which he is connected, Mr. Allen has also been long identified with other enterprises which form an important part of the commercial and financial life of Burlington, and in whose inception and development he has been a leading spirit. He has been a member of the directorate of the Ver- mont Electric Company from the time of its or- ganization, and in the Merchants National Bank he succeeded the late Edward Lyman as a direc- tor .in 1890, and the late Judge Wales as vice president in 1902.

Mr. Allen has been twice married. On the 19th of May, 1869, he wedded Miss Jeannie D. Dods, of Burlington, who died on the 30th of August, 1875. In 1881, on the 30th of June, he

was united in marriage to Miss Juliette W. Keel- er, a daughter of William and Orissa (Chamber- lain) Keeler, of South Hero, Grand Isle county, Vermont. One son, Edward Lyman Allen, was born of this marriage on the 3d of November, 1886. and he is now attending St. Paul's School at Garden City, Long Island, where he is prepar- ing for college. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are com- municants of the Protestant Episcopal church, and he has been a member of the vestry of St. Paul's church of Burlington for more than twenty years and a junior warden for more than ten years. He is a member of the board of trade ; also of the Sons of the American Revolution, in which his membership is derived from his hon- ored ancestors; of the Society of Colonial Wars; of the Algonquin Club, of which he was president in 1901; and of the Nineteenth Century Club of Burlington. He maintains pleasant rela- tions with his old army comrades by his- membership in Stannard Post No. 20, G. A. R. After returning from army service he gave his aid to military establishment in the state, and from 1864 until 1867 served as first lieutenant of Company I, Second Regiment of Vermont Militia, while from 1894 until 1896 he served on the staff of Governor Woodbury as inspector of rifle practice of the Vermont National Guard, with the rank of colonel. A Republican in his political affiliations, he has al- ways. been an earnest exponent of the principles. of the party and a recognized leader in its coun- cils. In 1896 he was elected to the state senate, in which body his ability found instant recogni- tion, and he was appointed to the chairmanship of the committee on corporations and to mem- bership on the committees on banks, claims. mil- itary affairs, and game and fisheries. In all the relations of life he is regarded with real affection for his fine personal qualities and with confidence- for his sterling ability and integrity.

FRANK D. ABERNETHY.

Frank D. Abernethy, of the well known mer- cantile firm of H. W. Allen & Company, Burling- ton, Vermont, is a native of the state, born in New Haven, December 26, 1858. His paternal grandfather came from Connecticut in 1786 to the Berkshire Hills, as a farmer, and passed his-

¥56

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

last days in New Haven, Vermont, where he and his wife, by remarkable coincidence, both died on the same day, and of the same age, forty- seven years. Their children were four in num- ber. all sons, and all are deceased.

Of the family mentioned, Ira Abernethy was born m New Haven, Vermont, in 1804. He was a prosperous farmer, and he owned one of the largest farming tracts in all that region. From 1850 to 1865 he was an extensive and successful wool dealer. He was a man of high character, and was called to various positions of honor and trust, serving as captain of militia and in all `the local offices. He married Mary Lawrence, who was born in Monkton, Vermont, in 1832. Her father came from Bennington, Vermont, and was an early settler at Monkton, where he was a man of influence and prominence, and where he died at the age of seventy-six years. Ira and Mary (Lawrence) Abernethy were both members of the Congregational church. To them were born two children.

Dr. Julian W. Abernethy, eldest child of the parents last named, was graduated from Middle- bury College and Yale College, and is now prin- cipal of the Berkley Institute, Brooklyn, New York. He possesses acknowledged literary ability, and is author of a standard work treating upon "English Literature in America," a depart- ment in which he is a recognized authority. His widowed mother makes her home with him.

Frank D. Abernethy, the other child of Ira and Mary (Lawrence) Abernethy, was reared in New Haven, Vermont, his native town. He was a student in Bristol Academy, where he was fitted for college, but preferred a business career and took up his residence in Burlington, Vermont, where he entered the dry goods house of Lyman & Allen in the capacity of clerk, in October, 1880. Devoting his unremitting attention to the busi- ness, he manifested such ability and enthusiasm that in 1885 he was admitted to partnership in the firm, the name, however, remaining un- changed. This association continued until the death of Mr. Lyman in 1890, when Mr.Abernethy became equal partner with Mr. Allen, under the firm name of H. W. Allen & Company.

As is to be said of Mr. Allen, his partner, Mr. Abernethy had grown up in the business, and he had borne a full share in all the work of

its development. In his time, the business had quadrupled in volume, and the premises have been greatly extended. The buiding, the most attractive of mercantile edifices in the city, with its thirce entrances, has a frontage of one hundred and twenty-five feet and a depth of one hundred feet, with three floors, the interior specially fitted with all modern appliances for the rapid and correct dispatch of business. The sales force numbers sixty-three people, who handle every- thing desirable in dry-goods, including the most desirable novelties from foreign as well as domestic looms. In all the conduct of the busi- ness, the personality of Mr. Abernethy is felt in every department, his oversight extending to every department, and, in addition, to him is mainly committed the personal purchase of goods in markets abroad.

Mr. Abernethy is a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church, and his political affiliations are with the Republican party. He is a leading member of the Burlington board of trade, and his aid is afforded to every enterprise advantageous to the community, whether in com- mercial, moral or educational lines. Possessing fine social qualities, he is a highly esteemed member of various literary and social bodies- the Young Men's Christian Association, in which he is a cheerful and efficient worker ; the Algonquin Club, the Ethan Allen Club, the Masonic fraternity, and several golf clubs.

CYRUS WARREN WYMAN.

Cyrus W. Wyman, of Brattleboro, has for the the past forty-six years prominently identi- fied himself with the business interests of his city. First as a merchant, later as a banker and railroad investor, he has been especially influ- entia !. Being now rather advanced in years, he has somewhat relinquished his strenuous activi- ties in business and is enjoying the quiet of his pleasant home, which he erected in 1864, and which was, by the way, the first residence built on Oak street.

Mr. Wyman comes of a family of an irre- proachable record, and, in fact of many excellent attainments. His grandfather, Uziah Wyman, a man of great intellectual strength, inherited from his forefathers a talent for music. Born

C. W. Woman

157

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

in Walpole, New Hampshire, he resided in that place for some time. Intellectually ambitious, he received an education far superior to the average man of his day, obtaining special instruction in music. When the Revolutionary war broke out he enlisted and did some valiant service for his country. For a regular occupation he engaged in farming, which he carried on rather extensively, and, exercising both skill and science in his labors, met with unusual success. At the same time he gave not a little time to the profession of music. He did considerable work in composition, was an expert player, and in both branches of his art won for himself a wide and excellent reputation. He spent his last days in the town of Rocking- ham. He had six children, Uziah, John, Lydia, Rhoda, Sibyl and Thomas.

Thomas Wyman, father of Cyrus W., was for many years a successful agriculturist of Walpole and was also interested in public affairs. Born in that place, February 17, 1791, he spent his early days there, and upon reaching manhood settled upon a Walpole farm and en- gaged in agriculture with much success. Dur- ing the war of 1812 he served in the infantry as a volunteer substitute for his employer, who was a man in mature life and of large family. Later he returned to his farm, which he con- tinued to manage with his usual good results for many years. He spent his last days in the town of Grafton and died in 1879 at the advanced age of eighty-eight. During his early manhood he married Hulda Gilbert, who was born May 7, 1800, and they had nine children : Cyrus W., is mentioned below; Hiram, born January 8, 1826, was a machinist at Springfield, Vermont ; he married Lucy Wilson and they had one child, Ella, who married H. H. Slack, an ex-repre- sentative. Eli never married and died while at- tending Chester Academy. Judge Asa A., was an assistant to the county judge for some time, was also state senator, representative and a law- yer who did an extensive business in the way of settling estates, acting as guardian and filling other positions of trust; he died suddenly at Montpelier, Vermont, November 9, 1894, at the age of sixty-four years ; he married Martha East- man, and, after her death, Abby Wellman, a teacher of excellent repute. Chauncey married Jennie Alexander, of Athens; as a vocalist he

was the first to travel with Moody, the noted evangelist, and was credited by that great preacher with more than doubling the attendance at meetings. Martha died at the age of ten years. Sophia married a Methodist Episcopal minister, who was pastor of a church in the town of Townsend for several years, but who is now residing in and postmaster of the town of Athens, Vermont; they have two children, Charles and a daughter who died in childhood. One died in infancy in 1842. Edwin born May 27. 1844, died August 27, 1898.

Thomas Wyman was a man of force of character, who won the esteem of all who knew him. As a person keenly interested in public affairs he served his town as selectman and sur- veyor of the highways for some time, exercising both fidelity and marked ability in the perform- ance of his duties.

Cyrus W. Wyman possessed those natural gifts and attainments which fitted him for follow- ing either a professional or a business career. In the Saxon River Seminary he secured an edu- cation quite sufficient to prepare him for teach- ing and as a schoolmaster he embarked upon life for himself. He taught for one term in the town of Grafton, another in Stratton, receiving part of his salary by the arduous "boarding around" practice, which was then in vogue. Later he- secured a position as clerk in a country store. and remaining there for four years became suf- ficiently well grounded in business methods to engage in store-keeping for himself. Going to Cambridgeport he opened a shop with a large stock of general goods. He had no difficulty in securing custom, and greatly enlarged his trade by contracting to supply goods to the workmen on the Valley Railroad, which was then being built. His business proving highly profitable, he remained here for five years. Then, in 1856, he came to Brattleboro and opened a similar establishment. In this larger town he was even more successful in his business, and for eighteen vears carried on a highly profitable trade. Mr. Wyman was one of the incorporators ( 1870) of the Brattleboro Savings Bank, of which he be- came treasurer and filled his position with marked efficiency for sixteen years. He is now serving both as trustee and as a member of the investment committee. Besides attending to his.

1158

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

banking business he has become largely in- terested in railroads, has purchased considerable stock in two prominent lines, and served as sec- retary and treasurer of the Northampton & Am- herst Railroad up to 1902, and as a trustee of the Springfield line. Because of his wise and shrewd business ability Mr. Wyman is often given the management of property for large corporations, and he is also called upon to act :as administrator. One estate which he recently settled was valued at ninety thousand dollars, and so thorough was the confidence placed in him that he was not required to give a bond.

Mr. Wyman married Charlotte Bruce, a most estimable woman and they have had three children : Emma, who married Edward C. Crosby ; Helen, now the wife of Nathan D. Allen, who has for eight years been warden of the state prison at Charlestown, Massachusetts; and Annie, who married Frederick J. Coudrey, of Weathersfield, Connecticut, and the head steward of the state prison of Connecticut, and they have two children, Wyman Coudrey and Charlotte A. As a business man Mr. Wyman is well known throughout the state, and for many years served as trustee of the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Montpelier. In social and religious circles he stands high in his town, and he is one of the substantial members of the Congregational church.

HARLAN WESLEY KEMP.

Harlan Wesley Kemp, of Montpelier, is ac- tively identified with the business interests of the city as secretary of two of its leading insurance companies. He was born April 5, 1858, at Wor- cester, Vermont, a son of Phineas Allen Kemp, and grandson of Aaron Kemp. His great- grandfather, Benjamin Kemp, a life-long resident of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, married Judith Reed.

Aaron Kemp was born January I, 1784, in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Removing to Ac- worth, New Hampshire, in his earlier life, he worked at his trade many years, moving to Wor- cester in 1839, and died October 3, 1864, at Cornish, New Hampshire. He was an active member of the Congregational church. On March 8, 1806, he married Dolly Allen, daughter of

Phineas and Abigail ( Danforth ) Allen. She died June 27, 1851, aged seventy-seven years. Of their union eleven children were born, nine of whom grew to years of maturity.

Phineas Allen Kemp was born in Acworth, New Hampshire, December 18, 1815, and was there reared and educated. Under his father's instruction he learned the cooper's trade, also becoming familiar with the labors incidental to farm life. Removing to Vermont in 1840, he pur- chased land on Hampshire Hill, Worcester, and was successfully engaged in general farming until 1892, when he retired from active pursuits. Since that time he and his wife have lived with their son, Harlan W. Kemp, in Montpelier. While living in Worcester he was quite prominent in public affairs, serving as selectman, and repre- sented the town in the state legislature in 1853, 1869 and 1870. He was an old-line Whig in his early days, casting his first presidential vote for William Henry Harrison. He married, October 13, 1840, Betsey Blanchard, a daughter of Sam- uel and Margaret ( Witherspoon) Blanchard, and who was born in Acworth, New Hampshire, June 20, 1820. Her father, Lemuel Blanchard, born January 23, 1763, at Shutesbury, Massa- chusetts, a son of Nathaniel Blanchard, was a farmer by occupation, and served as a soldier in the. Revolutionary war, enlisting July 25, 1779, in Captain Elihu Lyman's company, Colonel Elisha Porter's (Hampshire county) regiment, and was discharged August 31, 1779; he was in service at New London, Connecticut. He died September 2, 1855. He settled on a farm in Ac- worth, New Hampshire, living there until the death of his wife, May 6, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Phineas Allen Kemp are the parents of five chil- dren, as follows: Dean Gustavus, born Novem- ber 8, 1841, was for many years a prominent physician of Montpelier, where his death occurred September 3. 1898; Solon Merritt, born July 21, 1843, died in 1852: Clara Adrienne, born Febru- ary 26, 1845, died December 8, 1862; Lenette Alena, born April 10, 1857, wife of Leroy A. Flint, of Montpelier, Vermont; and Harlan Wesley.

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 29

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