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 30
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
Harlan Wesley Kemp received his education at the Washington county grammar school and the Montpelier Seminary. Subsequently study- ing law with S. C. Shurtleff, he was admitted to
1 59
THE STATE OF VERMONT.
the bar in September, 1880, at Montpelier, where he at once began the practice of his profession. From 1885 until 1890 he was in partnership with John H. Senter, but since that time has carried on business alone. In 1885 Mr. Kemp became identified with the Union Mutual Fire Insurance Company as its treasurer, continuing as such until 1896, when he was made both secretary and treasurer, positions which he has since filled. He is also secretary of the American Fidelity Com- pany of Montpelier. Mr. Kemp has served the public in many official capacities, being state's at- torney for Washington county from 1884 until 1886; national bank examiner from 1890 until 1893 ; and a representative to the state legislature in 1898. He was captain of Company H, First Vermont Militia, for three years. He is a Repub- lican in politics, and a supporter of the Congrega- tional church. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Aurora Lodge, No. 22, F. & A. M .; to King Solomon Chapter, No. 7; to Mt. Zion Commandery No. 9, K. T .; and to the Mystic Shrine.
Mr. Kemp married, December 13, 1881, Sarah A., daughter of Christopher C. and Elizabeth (Stone) Putnam. They have two children, namely : Margie Belle, born September 27, 1882; and Bessie Eliza, born March 28, 1885.
MRS. EDGAR S. POWELL.
Mrs. Edgar S. Powell, daughter of Homer and Alvira (Baldwin) Clark, was born at Char- lotte, Vermont. Homer Clark was born in Con- necticut, and at the age of twenty-one years ac- companied his uncle Amos Clark to Charlotte, Vermont, whither they went as pioneers. They cleared a tract of land and commenced the cul- tivation of the soil, which occupation they fol- lowed together. Amos Clark was prominently identified with every movement instituted for the advancement of the town, which had gradually grown to some proportions since he became a settler there ; naturally his deep interest was re- warded by his being selected to fill many im- portant public offices. Besides these, he served as deacon in the Baptist church for over thirty years. Upon his death, which occurred in his sixty-fifth year, his nephew, Homer Clark, be- came the owner of the farm, which he conducted
successfully for the remainder of his life. His wife, Alvira Baldwin, was born in Connecticut and came to reside in Charlotte with an aunt. Their family consisted of thirteen children, eight of whom are still living, namely : Mrs. Edgar S. Powell; Mrs. V. M. Reed, of Addison, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this work; Harriet, wife of Frederick Lyman, of Hinesburg ; Mrs. George Foote, of Charlotte, elsewhere men- tioned in this book; George A., of Charlotte; Jennie, wife of Louis Prindle, of Charlton, Mas- sachusetts ; J. Clark, of Hinesburg ; and Braton, of Charlotte. The father of these children died in his seventy-six year, his wife at the age of seventy-nine years ; they were both faithful mem- bers of the Baptist church, of which he acted as deacon for forty years.
Mrs. Edgar S. Powell was married in 1849; her six children are as follows: Mrs. George E. Prindle, of Charlotte, who had two sons, Ed- win, who married Carrie Clark, and Harris Prin- dle. Mrs. O. P. Reed, of Charlotte, was the mother of four children, namely: Orrin B., Edith, George and Ina Reed. Mrs. John W. Bradley, widow of John W. Bradley, of Burling- ton, has two children, Florence, of Burlington, and John Bradley, of Hartford, Connecticut. Mrs. William Kellogg, of Charlotte, had four children: Luna, wife of George Walston, of Monkton, Vermont ; Lewis, William and Car- lotta Kellogg. Wesley, of Charlotte, married Addella Bassett, of New Haven, Connecticut ; their two children are Irene and Niles. Mrs. Cyrus E. Gove has one son, Elmer E. Gove. Both Mr. and Mrs. Powell are members of the Method- ist Episcopal church, of which he was steward. Mrs. Powell at present resides in South Burling- ton, Vermont.
NORMAN A. BAILEY.
Norman A. Bailey, of Readsboro, is a sub- stantial member of the farming community, and a highly respected citizen. He was born May 30, 1849. on what is known as the Stearns home- stead, a son of Apollos Bailey, and a grandson of Caleb Bailey, both life-long residents of this town. He is of English ancestry, and comes of sturdy pioneer stock. his great-grandfather, James Bailey, having come to Readsboro at a
160
THE STATE OF VERMONT.
time when settlers were few and far between. From a tract of mmbroken land he cleared and improved a good farm, residing here until his death.
Caleb Bailey was born at Douglass, Massa- chusetts, and came with his parents to Reads- boro, Vermont, when fourteen years old. He was prominent in town affairs, serving as selectman, and representing the town in the state legisla- ture three years. He was one of the founders of the Methodist Reform church, of which he and his wife were active members. He married Mercy Stearns, whose brother was the original owner of the farm on which Mr. Bailey now re- sides, and they reared a large family of children, of whom but one, Michael Bailey, is now living. The grandfather died at the age of eighty-seven years, and the grandmother in the ninety-sixth year of her age.
Apollos Bailey was born on the old Bailey homestead in Readsboro, September 23, 1813, and there grew to years of maturity, obtaining his early education in the district schools. Settling as a farmer on the Stearns homestead, which had belonged to his mother's brother, he was there successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, when seventy-seven years old. A citizen of sterling worth, public- spirited, and of sound judgment, he took great interest in advancing the welfare of the town, and served as selectman twelve years, as over- seer of the poor fifteen years, and as a represent- ative to the state legislature three years. He married, first, Belinda Dalrymple, who was born in Whitingham, daughter of James and Belinda (Davis) Dalrymple, who reared six children, namely : Shepherd; Nathaniel : James ; Saloma, second wife of Apollos Bailey; Belinda, first wife of Mr. Bailey ; and Sally. He married, sec- ond, as above stated, Saloma Dalrymple. sister of his first wife, and to this union two children were born, the only living one being Norman A., the subject of this sketch. The mother lived to the advanced age of ninety-two years.
Norman A. Bailey was educated in the com- mon and select schools of Readsboro, on the home farm being trained to habits of industry and thrift. He assisted his father in his agricultural pursuits, subsequently taking control of a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, and later buying
two farms of one hundred acres cach, having. now three hundred and fifty acres of land de- voted to general farming, although he makes a specialty of dairying, running a retail milk route to the village. On one of his farms Moses Brown discovered the first gold found in this locality, and one plant is now in active operation. Mr. Bailey is a Republican in politics, but has per- sistently declined all official honors. He is one of the stockholders of the Brown Mining Com- pany, and attends the Universalist church.
Mr. Bailey married, in 1869, Julia A. Whit- ney, a native of Halifax, Vermont. Her father, Jotham Whitney, a son of Philip Whitney, was born in Halifax, and was there engaged in farm- ing and as a tanner, until his retirement from: the active pursuits of business. Mr. Whitney married Fanny M. Fairbanks, who was born in Heath, Massachusetts, and they became the parents of six children, of whom four are living,- namely : Julia A., now Mrs. Bailey; Alice, wife of Lysander Blanchard; Jennie, wife of George- Gould; and Charles Whitney, of Readsboro. Both Mr. and Mrs. Whitney are living, and Mrs .. Whitney is a member of the Baptist church.
WILLARD HUNTINGTON ALEXANDER.
Willard Huntington Alexander, for many years a prominent and highly esteemed citizen of Brattleboro, Vermont, was born in Montague,. Massachusetts, September 14, 1806, and died at his home in Brattleboro, November 10, 1891. His father, Ebenezer Alexander, was born in 1760 in Winchester, New Hampshire, where he- wes a prominent agriculturist. He spent the latter years of his life in Boston, where he died. Of his union with Rhoda Scott, ten children were- born, namely: Emery, Eusebia, Oliver, Mary B., Henry F., Octavia, Merab, Ebenezer H.,. Miriam S., and Willard H., the immediate sub -- Ject of this memoir.
Willard H. Alexander settled in Chesterfield, New Hampshire in early manhood, and there. carried on general farming on a somewhat ex- tended scale until 1852, being one of the most intelligent and thrifty agriculturists of his neighborhood. Coming then to Brattleboro, he- soon became identified with the highest interests of the place, occupying a prominent position. in:
1
Willing 7. alexander
161
THE STATE OF VERMONT.
political and church affairs. In early manhood he was one of the leading members of the Orthodox Congregational church. Politically he was a steadfast Democrat, with independent tendencies, voting always with the courage of his con- victions. In his earlier years he took a lively interest in local military affairs, serving as captain of a company of militia.
Mr. Alexander married Eunice Lawrence Scott, daughter of Elijah Scott, of Chesterfield, New Hampshire. She survived him several years, dying September 1, 1901, at the venerable age of eighty-nine years. Seven children were born of their union, as follows: Charles E., a resident of Chesterfield, New Hampshire, mar- ried Ellen A. Harris; Serotia; Elijah S., was for several years in business in Chicago, Illinois, as a merchant, and later in the manufacture of paint and a patent rail splice, in the latter occu- pation acquiring great wealth ; Henry W., a resi- dent of Brookline, Massachusetts, and a busi- ness man of Boston, married Mary Jane Clark ; John F., married Mary Perry ; Emma Augusta, deceased ; and Edward Francis, who died at the age of forty-five years.
WALTER BEACH RANDALL.
Walter Beach Randall is one of the public- spirited citizens of Shaftsbury, Vermont, to whose energy and foresight the locality is in- debted for many improvements. While, as a prosperous business man, he has given close at- tention to his private affairs, he has never for- gotten or ignored the bond of common interest which should unite the people of every com- munity, and he is always ready to promote prog- ress in every line.
A native of the Green Mountain state, he was born in Sandgate, February 22, 1833, a son of Walter and Eunice (Sherman) Randall, both natives of Connecticut. His paternal grand- father, Asa N. Randall, came to Vermont from Connecticut about 1800 and settled at Sandgate, where he took up a large tract of land, spending the remainder of his life near the center of the town. There he died at the age of fifty-five years, but his wife, who bore the maiden name of Hannah Baldwin, survived him many years, being eighty years old at the time of her death.
Their other children, besides the father of our subject, were Levi, Flora, Sophia and Norman. The last named was born at the removal of the family to Sandgate.
Walter Randall, our subject's father, was a lad of nine years when he came with his parents to Vermont, and he was reared and educated at Sandgate. After reaching man's estate he be- came a clothier, having a factory for making cloth, and he turned out some very fine work. He was a leading and prominent citizen of his town, and was called upon to fill the offices of town clerk and treasurer for about a quarter of a century. His political support was always given to the Republican party. After a useful and well spent life he died at the age of eighty- two years, and his wife passed away at the age of seventy-eight.
In the family of this worthy couple were the following named children : Flora S., born December 28, 1819, married Daniel P. Walker, who resided in Manchester, Vermont, until 1871, when they removed to Illinois and there died : their children were Herbert; Mrs. Alida Mun- son ; Albert, a resident of Illinois ; and Sherman, a resident of Washington. Evi S., born Sep- tember 7, 1821, is deceased, leaving one daughter Ella. Miriam M., born October 17, 1823, is also deceased. She married J. S. Thomas and left two children, Alida and Clara. Rhoda A., born January 6, 1827, married C. J. Hurd, of Sand- gate, and is now a widow living in Cambridge; she has four children: Juan L., a resident of Chicago, Illinois; Albert J., of Eagle Bridge, New York ; Florence, who married J. C. Barnett and lives in North Adams, Massachusetts ; and C. Jarvis, a resident of Cambridge, New York. Murray N., born May 24, 1829, is deceased. Walter Beach, of this review, is the youngest of the family.
Walter Beach Randall attended the common schools of his native town, and for a portion of two terms was a student in the Burr & Burton Seminary at Manchester, Vermont, going ten miles over the mountains on his way to and from that institution. While in school there his father made an engagement for him to teach in district No. 8, Sandgate, the compensation for four months' service being thirty-six dollars, or nine dollars per month, but the young man had the
11
162
THE STATE OF VERMONT.
privilege of "boarding around," which in those days was regarded by many as a treat. He was carly thrown upon his own resources, and, owing to his father's infirm health, was obliged to contribute very largely to the support of the family from the time he was eighteen years of age. At first he engaged in farming, pursuing that calling for about thirty years, but in 1883 moved to Shaftsbury and accepted the position of station agent for the Rutland Railroad, serv- ing in that capacity six years. He was also post- master of the place for eight years, and while in charge of the office also conducted a general store, which he still carries on with good success, his son being the present postmaster.
On the 19th day of January, 1858, Mr. Ran- dall was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte A. Peck, the only child of the union of Smith and Aveline (Brownell) Peck. When quite young she lost her mother, who was a native of Sand- gate and the first wife of Smith Peck, a farmer of that town. He is still living in 1902 at the advanced age of ninety-three years. To Mr. and Mrs. Randall were born three children, as follows: Evi S., born May 15, 1859, is now a merchant of Cambridge, New York ; he married Anna Palmer, of English descent, and they have one child, Harry. Jessie S., born March 3, 1867, died January 8. 1871. Farrand B., the present popular postmaster of Shaftsbury, was born April 12, 1870, and has spent his life in this section with his father, his education being ac- quired in the common schools of North Benning- ton. He is a member of the Masonic order and is now filling the office of school director in his district. He married Alice Buck, of Shaftsbury, a daughter of David Buck, and they have two children. Walter Beach and Marjorie.
Mr. Randall has always taken a very active and prominent part in public affairs, and his fellow citizens recognizing his worth and ability have honored him with several important official positions, the duties of which he always faith- fully and satisfactorily performed. In 1856 he served as superintendent of schools in Sandgate ; represented his town in the legislature in 1863, 1864 and 1865; was lister in 1871 and again in 1881 and 1882: second selectman from 1865 to 1874: justice of the peace for ten years subse- quent to 1868; town clerk and treasurer from
1860 to 1882; and assistant judge of the county court in 1880 and 1882. Since moving to Shafts- bury he has served as selectman, being elected to that office unknown to himself, and serving in that capacity in 1893 and 1894. His public as well as his private life has been above re- proach and he retired from office as he entered it with the respect and confidence of his constit- nents and those he represented.
CHARLES SUMNER CHASE.
Charles Sumner Chase. of Whitingham, is an attorney-at-law and court stenographer of Ben-
CHARLES SUMNER CHASE.
nington and Windham counties. He was born in Whitingham, May 13, 1855, a son of Abraham Chase, and a lineal descendant of Aquilla Chase, the immigrant, who came to America from Eng- land in 1640, settling in Massachusetts. The Chase family is among the oldest in the history
163
THE STATE OF VERMONT.
of England, its ancestry being traced through records as far back as the twelfth century.
Benjamin Chase, the grandfather of Charles S., was born in Sutton, Massachusetts, and came with his father, David Chase, to Whitingham, Vermont, in 1810. He earned his living by the sweat of his brow, being an industrious and thrifty farmer. He married Sarah Sprague, who was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, and they reared the following named children: Sumner ; Jemima : Merrick ; Abraham, the only one now living; Royal and Luana. The grandfather was active in political matters, holding many of the town offices, and both he and his wife were mem- bers of the Universalist church.
Abraham Chase was born on the paternal homestead in Whitingham, educated in the dis- trict schools, and became one of the most ex- tensive farmers and large landholders of the town owning several valuable estates. Since retiring from active pursuits he has lived in the village, being now eighty-two years of age. A man of public spirit and enterprise, he has contributed his full share towards advancing the interests of Whitingham, and has never shirked official re- sponsibilities, having served as lister, selectman, etc. He married Catharine Reed, daughter of Jason and Catharine (Eames) Reed, who reared a large family, of whom Catharine, now Mrs. Chase, is the only surviver. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Reed is living, the former having died at the age of fifty years, and the latter, who was a woman of scholarly attainments and a brilliant conversationalist, lived to the age of eighty-eight years. Abraham and Catharine (Reed) Chase became the parents of five children, as follows : Oscar R., of Readsboro, a farmer ; Augustus L., formerly a prominent physician of Boston, now a resident of Randolph, Massachusetts, was presi- dent of the State Medical Society, and is now on the Massachusetts medical examining board ; Au- gusta L., wife of G. A. Boyd, of Readsboro, a sketch of whom may be found on another page of this work : Charles S., with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned ; and Frank L., who died at the age of four years.
Charles Sumner Chase completed his general education in the public schools and in private study at Whitingham, and read law with the late H. N. Hicks, later studying with H. W.
Brigham, of Whitingham, and was admitted to the bar in 1880. He immediately began the practice of his profession, making a specialty of land law, and is now one of the oldest lawyers in practice in Bennington and Windham counties. In 1876 Mr. Chase was appointed court ste- nographer for Bennington and Windham counties, in 1878 for Rutland and Bennington counties, and in 1883 again for Bennington and Windham counties. During all of this time he has been in attendance upon all trials as court stenographer, among the thousands of cases in which he has taken testimony being sixteen cele- brated murder trials. He has been justice of the peace since his admission to the bar, and for ten years was attorney for the Hoosac Tunnel & Wilmington railroad, in the building of which he took an active part. He was one of the managers and directors of the Moses Newton Shoe Company from its incorporation until the burning of the factory, and is an extensive real estate dealer, having owned a number of farms in this and adjoining towns. He is a Republi- can in politics, and a member of Unity Lodge. F. & A. M., of Jacksonville, and of Pearl Chapter of Eastern Star, of which he is now patron.
Mr. Chase married, January 19, 1881, Carrie E. Brigham, who was born in Boston, a daugh- ter of John A. Brigham, formerly a baker in Whitingham, but now living retired in South Braintree, Massachusetts. Mr. Brigham mar-
ried, first, Emily Parmalee. who bore him four children, of whom Mrs. Chase is the only living one. Mrs. Emily Brigham died at the age of thirty-nine years, and Mr. Brigham married Olivia Harvey, by whom he had one child. Ethel. Mr. and Mrs. Chase have three children, namely : Robert M., a student at Mount Hermon, Massa- chusetts : Harry B., a student at Wilmington high school, and Paul A. Chase.
ROSWELL K. PECK.
Prominent among the business men of Mont- pelier stands Roswell K. Peck, who is now pro- prietor of the leading hardware store and plumb- ing and heating establishment of this city. He is one of the native residents of Montpelier, his birth having occurred here March 26, 1850. He is a son of William Nelson and Julia Ann
164
THE STATE OF VERMONT.
(Clark ) Peck. His father was born in Mont- pelier in 1811, and was a son of Ichabod Peck, who came from Connecticut to the Green Moun- tain state with two brothers prior to the year 1800. A farmer by occupation, he devoted the greater part of his life to that pursuit, but during the war of 1812 he served as a sutler of the army. Hle was the father of two sons and three daugh- ters; John Quincy Adams; William Nelson; Emily, the wife of Silas Fisher; Clarissa, the wife of John Folsom; and Maria, the wife of A. L. Page.
At the age of sixteen years William Nelson Peck, who had hitherto remained under the parental roof, left home in order to learn the tanner's trade, and carly in life he engaged in that business for himself, following it success- fully in Montpelier for more than a half century. During the latter part of his life he carried on agricultural pursuits for a few years. As a companion and helpmeet for life's journey he chose Julia Ann Clark, a daughter of Oliver Clark, a native of New Hampshire. Mrs. Peck was born in Moretown, Vermont, and by her marriage became the mother of four sons : James S., who was born in 1839, served through- out the Civil war and at the close of the war re- ceived the title of adjutant general, became a lawyer by profession and filled the office of post- master of Montpelier under the appointment of President Garfield; he wedded Mary Blake, of Chelsea, Vermont, and died in the year 1884. George A. is now a business man of this city. Roswell K. and John W. are associated in busi- ness as hardware dealers. The father died in 1899, while his wife passed away in 1882.
Roswell K. Peck at the usual age entered the public schools, and continued his studies until he completed the high school course by gradua -. tion. After putting aside his text books he entercd his father's tannery and learned the trade, which he followed continuously until 1874, when he engaged in business for himself as a member of the firm of Peck & Cummins. In 1884 the father, W. Nelson Peck, retired, and the firm name then became Peck & Cummins, the partner of our subject being A. O. Cummins. This relationship was maintained until 1894, when they closed out the business. In that year Mr. Peck purchased the stove and tinware busi-
ness of D. Dewey & Son, and with his brother John W. Peck, who was engaged in the plumbing business, established the firm of Peck Brothers ; they now conduct the principal business in their line in Montpelier, having a liberal patronage, so that their growing trade brings to them an excellent financial return.
On the 12th of December, 1876, Mr. Peck was united in marriage to Miss Ada N. Pettin- gill, a native of Richmond, McHenry county, Illinois, and a daughter of A. M. and Emily (Johonnott) Pettingill, who had moved from Barre, Vermont, to Illinois. Two children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Peck: Julia Emily, born May 5, 1879; and Martin W., born on the 14th of December, 1881. The former is a gradu- ate of Smith College and the latter of Dartmouth College, with the class of 1902. The family at- tend the Unitarian church, and in his political affiliations Mr. Peck is a Republican.
JAMES MEAD BOUTWELL
James Mead Boutwell, mayor of Montpelier, is a typical representative of the self-made men of Vermont, who have achieved success in life through honest effort, thrift and good judgment. A native of Montpelier, he was born May 6, 1856. His father, Harry S. Boutwell, a son of Colonel Levi Boutwell, was born in Lebanon, New Hampshire, in 1824. In early life he was employed as a stage driver, later becoming a con- ductor on the Vermont Central Railroad, after which he was the first conductor on the Mont- pelier & Wells River Railway. On leaving that position he established himself in the livery busi- ness in Montpelier, continuing until 1873, when he resumed work on the railroad, with which he was identified until his retirement from active pursuits. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, belonging to Aurora Lodge No. 22, and King Solomon Chapter No. 7, R. A. M. He married Incy E. Mead, daughter of Joel and Lucy (Langdon) Mead. She was born in Mont- pelier and died November 2, 1892. Two chil- dren were born of their union, namely: Levi, who died at the age of eight years, of diph- theria, being the first victim of that dread disease in Washington county; and James M., with whom this brief sketch is chiefly concerned.
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.