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 33

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 33

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In October, 1852, Mr. Huntington was united in marriage to Miss Alma J. Parker, daughter of E. P. Parker, of Washington, Vermont. They have become the parents of four children : Wilder, who died at the age of forty years ; Charles E., also deceased; Frank, who is en- gaged in business in Montpelier; and Florence, the deceased wife of Albert W. Ferrin. Mr. Huntington exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Repub- lican party, and for two years he served as alder- man elected on that ticket. He has a very wide acquaintance in the city, and enjoys the friend- ship of many with whom he has come in contact because of the possession of sterling character- istics which have made him popular with those whom he has met.

ALBERT L. NOYES.

The Noyes family of Vermont, of which Al- bert L. Noyes, now deceased, was a representa- tive member, holding a prominent and conspicu- ous position for more than a quarter of a cen- tury in business and political circles of northern Vermont, where he was chiefly distinguished as a banker and financier, trace their ancestry to the Rev. William Noyes, who acted in the capacity of rector of the parish Choulderton, Wiltshire, England, from 1602 to 1621; he was united in marriage to a sister of the Rev. Robert Parker, a learned Puritan divine.

The progenitor of the American branch of the family was the Rev. James Noyes, a son of the Rev. William Noyes ; he came to New England in 1634, preached first at Medford, later at Water- town, and at the time of his death, which oc- curred in 1656, was the pastor of a church at

Newbury, Massachusetts. The Rev. James Noyes married Sarah Brown, a native of Eng- land, who accompanied her husband and his brother Nicholas Noyes and cousin .Thomas Parker, to this country, sailing in the ship Mary and Jolm.

Rev. James Noyes, son of the Rev. James and Saralı ( Brown) Noyes, officiated as the pastor of a church at Stonington, Connecticut, for over fifty years. He was united in marriage to Dor- othy Stanton, a daughter of Thomas Stanton, one of the original proprietors of Hartford. Among their children was a son named John Noyes, who married Mercy Breed, and among the children born to them was a son, Deacon John Noyes, who was engaged in agricultural pursuits in the town of Stonington, Connecticut, where his death oc- curred. He was twice married, and one of his sons, Oliver Noyes, who was born in Stonington, Connecticut, May 9, 1755, later became one of the pioneers of the town of Hyde Park, Vermont ; he married for his first wife Thankful Clark, and the following named children were born to them : Oliver, Breed, Rebekah, David Prentiss and Jo- seph Clark Noyes ; Mr. Noyes chose for his sec- ond wife, Eunice Babcock, and they were the par- ents of Jesse Billings, Gilbert and Eunice Noyes. The father of these children died in Hyde Park, Vermont, December 6, 1829, aged seventy-five years.

Breed Noyes, second son of Oliver and Thank- ful Noyes, was born in 1786, married Sarah Keeler, who was born in 1791, and their chil- dren were: Breed, Caroline, Lucius Hubbell, Carlos Sanford, Mary, Edgar, Morillo, Carolus, and Kimetia. Mr. Noyes died at Hyde Park, Vermont, December 28, 1834, survived by his widow, whose death occurred October 10, 1852.

Lucius Hubbell Noyes, second son of Breed and Sarah Noyes, was born in Hyde Park, Ver- mont, April 24, 1811. He became a successful merchant and was one of the representative citi- zens of the town, filling a responsible place in its business and financial affairs. He was largely instrumental in the formation of the Lamoille County Bank, in 1855, and served as its first president ; his brother, Carlos S. Noyes, also served in the same capacity for a number of vears. His three other brothers, Edgar, Morillo and Carolus, were successful and prominent men,

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the two latter for many years residing in Bur- lington, Vermont. Lucius H. Noyes married, in Hyde Park, June 5, 1836, Diadamia J. Smalley, who was born in Hyde Park, August 1, 1816, the daughter of Francis and Martha P. (Hyde) Smalley, and the granddaughter of Jedediah Hyde, who served as captain in the war of 1812. Their children, who were all born in Hyde Park, Vermont, were: . (1) Lucia Helen, wife of Waldo Brigham, son of Asa and Sally Brigham, and their children were: Julia, wife of Henry Moses McFarland ; Mary, wife of James Buck- ham, of Melrose, Massachusetts; and Blanche Brigham. (2) Albert Leigh, of whom mention is made in the latter part of this sketch. (3) Henry Morillo was born in 1846 at Hyde Park, where he resided throughout his life. He received his education in the Lamoille Central Academy. At the age of fifteen he entered his father's store and remained in his employ until he was twenty- three years old, when, in company with his broth- er, Edward Lucius Noyes, they purchascd the stock of goods and conducted the store for a short period of time. He then engaged extensively in the produce business, and was esteemed as a re- liable and competent business man by his towns- men. In 1877 he was elected town clerk, and held that office thirteen consecutive years, and for several years he served as lister. He was a member of the Lamoille county Democratic state committee from 1888 to 1894, when he was ap- pointed postmaster. In 1870 Mr. Noyes mar- ried Melora Kellcy, daughter of the Hon. A. M. Kelley, of Elmore, and two sons and three daugh- ters have been born to them. (4) Edward Lu- cius, born at Hyde Park in 1849, was educated at the Lamoille Central Academy and at East- man's Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York. He began his business career in company with his brother, Henry M. Noyes, but the panic of 1873 involved them in financial embarrassment, In 1875 he went to Nevada, and later to Cali- fornia, where he held a clerkship until the ycar 18,8, when he returned to the New England states. In 1880 he became actively associated with the National Bank, and for nearly a decade of years has acted in the capacity of cashier. He was postmaster of the town of Hyde Park dur- ing the first administration of President Cleveland. and as the Democratic candidate for

representative, in 1892, polled more than the en- tirc vote of his party. In 1873 hc married Josette F. Blanchard, and three children have been born to them: Grace Alice, Isadore D. and Al- bert Leigh Noyes. (5) Ammi Barber, of St. Johnsbury, Vermont, further written of below. (6) Mabel Julia, wife of Roger William Hul- burd, a son of Benjamin Franklin Hulburd, who is a practicing attorney at Hyde Park. (7) Milo. (2) George. (9) Julia Emma. (10) Grace Melvina. The four last named dicd in child- hood or early youth.

Ammi Barber Noyes was born at Hyde Park. January 13, 1857. He was educated at the acad- emies at Hyde Park and Morrisville, being fitted for college at the age of sixteen. After a year with his brother Albert, in the Lamoille County National Bank, he left Hyde Park to take a posi- tion in the wholesale flour and grain office of Jocl Fletcher, at St. Johnsbury, resigning in 1879 to take the position of assistant cashier of the First National Bank of St. Johnsbury, from which position he was called to the office of the E. & T. Fairbanks Company in 1883, and re- mained with them until 1887, when he entered the heavy hardware business in company with the late Arthur Wilder. He continued in that en- terprise for ten years, when failing health neces- sitated the settling up of the business. During the last five years his time has been devoted to. insurance and loans, and such business as would give active out-of-door cmployment. He has been a trustee of the Passumpsic Savings Bank: since 1887, and a member of the investing board .. and was for a time director of the Merchants' National Bank. June 12, 1879, he married Emily J. Bowles, and five children have been born of the marriage: Leigh, midshipman at An- napolis ; Isabel and Noel, two little girls ; Barbara and Agnes, dying the same week in 1882 of diph- theria, aged three and a half years and twenty months respectively. Mr. Noyes has always been an active Republican, being the exception in the family. Hc has never aspired to office, although frequently urged to accept candidacy.

Albert Leigh Noyes, eldest son of Lucius H. and Diadamia Noyes, was born January 18. 1840. attended the Bakersfield and Morrisville acad- emies and Johnston Normal School. where he ac- quired a liberal education. He began his busi-

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ness career as cashier of the Hyde Park National Bank, then the only bank in the county, and his long and faithful service in this highly responsible position was characterized throughout with such care and ability that at the time of his death, it may be said the bank never suffered the loss of a single dollar. His whole mind and energies were centered in the bank, of which he was for twenty- five years the practical head and ruling spirit. Ilis name became a synonym, in business trans- actions, for honesty and integrity, and to his earnest effort and personal attention to all the duties of the banking business may be attributed, in a great measure, the good name of the institu- tion he so successfully managed. He possessed a fine discriminating judgment, and was able to measure correctly the abilities of men with refer- ence to their financial qualifications.

In addition to his duties at the bank, Mr. Noyes was associated for several years with ex- Governor Carroll S. Page in the lumber business, operating as many as thirty-five mills at one time throughout Lamoille county, and this was the largest business of its kind ever conducted by a single firm in the state. Mr. Noyes was a Demo- crat in politics, a member of the state committee, and although never an aspirant for political office he took a keen interest in the affairs of his state, and his counsel was frequently sought by party leaders. He was a liberal and public-spirited man, and gave freely to all worthy, charitable and religious objects.

Mr. Noyes was united in marriage to Ellen C. Boardman, daughter of Almond Boardman, of Morristown. She was a woman of more than usual ability, always well informed as to current events, and taking an active interest in all local affairs. She was especially interested in all charitable undertakings, for the furtherance of which her work and aid were freely extended. Her kindness to the sick and afflicted was espe- cially well known.

In January, 1887, Mr. Noyes, who had for a number of years been a sufferer from asthma, undertook a journey to southern California in hopes that the climate there might be of benefit to him. The journey proved too much for him. He had overestimated his strength, and, after reach- ing his destination, lived only a few days. He «lied at Pasadena, California, February 16, 1887,

at the age of forty seven years. His wife, Ellen C. Noyes, survived him about ten years, dying October 7, 1897. at Hyde Park, Vermont, where she had contimmonsly resided since her marriage.

Ilarry A. Noyes, the only child of Albert 1 .. and Ellen C. Noyes, was born June 4, 1871, at Hyde Park. He received his preliminary educa- tion at the Lamoille Central Academy, and was graduated from the University of Vermont in 1893 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and from the New York Law School in 1898 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was ad- mitted to the New York bar the same year, and thereupon located in practice at Elmira, New York. He remained there three or four years, returning in 1902 to Hyde Park. He is a director in the Lamoille County National Bank.

On November 2, 1898, Harry A. Noyes mar- ried Lillian Valleau, daughter of Andrew Z. Vallcau, of Napanee, Ontario, whose ancestors were French Huguenots, emigrating to America in 1685. They have one daughter, Natalie Noyes.

BOARDMAN.

Ozias Boardman, of Morristown, Vermont, was born in Canaan, Connecticut. When only nineteen years of age, in the year 1793, he went to Morristown, Vermont, where he began clearing up land purchased by his father eight years pre- vious and shortly before his death. He built a log house on the land, which was located on the Lamoille river, just south of the Hyde Park town line. and two years later brought his mother and two brothers from Connecticut to their new home in Vermont. Ozias married Lydia Whitney, and their children were Almond (1); Lorinda (2), who married Harry Davis, and they soon after moved to Iowa; Elisha (3), who became an ex- tensive wool merchant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin ; Norman (4), who was a prominent lawyer in Lyons, Iowa: Fidelia (5), who married Curtis Merriam, a farmer in South Dakota.

Almond Boardman was born May 16, 1807, and died January 21, 1891. Until his marriage he lived on the home farm with his father Ozias. In 1830 he married Jemima Goodale, of Morristown, and they moved to Hyde Park, where he pur- chased a farm. He remained in Hyde Park twelve years, when with his wife and three chil-

S. S. Small

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dren he returned to the old home in Morristown to assist his father in carrying on the farm. Here he lived until within a few years of his death. The children of Almond and Jemima Boardman were: Cornelia M., Henry A., Charles C., Alma F. and Ellen C. Cornelia married Leander S. Small, of Morristown; Henry went to Cali- fornia, where he died at the age of forty-two years : Charles and Alma died young ; Ellen mar- ried Albert L. Noyes, of Hyde Park.

Mr. Boardman was known as a well-to-do farmer, always interested in his occupation, which he considered most honorable. As a young man he was a successful school teacher, having re- ceived a very good education for his day. He served his town in various official capacities, be- ing justice of the peace, and selectman for many years. He represented both Hyde Park and Morristown two years each in the state legisla- ture, where his services were often sought on im- portant committees. He often alluded to the fact that in the many times he was called to serve on justice and petit juries, he was never "objected off," a record in which he felt considerable pride. He desired the good opinion of his townsmen, and his life was such that he gained it, and he had the respect of the entire community. He was public-spirited and generous. In his religious be- lief he was a Universalist. He led a most honor- able and upright life, and died at the age of eighty-four years.

SMALL.

George Small, father of Leander S. Small, was born at Amherst, New Hampshire, July I, 1789, removing to Morristown in 1818, where he resided in the same neighborhood until his death. He married Orpha Wilkins, of Amherst, and they had five sons and five daughters: Lucinda (I), Leander S. (2), George F. (3), Joseph B.(4). Lydia (5), Hiram M. (6), Harriet (7), Vernon W. (8), Nancy (9), Mary (10).

Mr. Small was a strictly honest man, always conscientious, but ever active, genial and social, and had the respect and esteem of all who knew him. To illustrate one trait of his character, his father, a soldier in the Revolutionary war and the father of fourteen children, found it rather hard to keep even with the world, and had accu-

mulated debts before his death. George, as a matter of course, went to work to pay up his fa- ther's creditors, which he did to the last penny. At this time he was employed as stage-driver, and as such became a very popular and notable character. A ride with him was an event to be remembered, and to his sayings was attached al- most oracular importance. After coming to Morristown he engaged in farming, and was hon- ored by various public offices, having served two terms in the legislature, and many times as justice of the peace, selectman and lister. Although con- servative and a Democrat, he was an admirer and follower of Lincoln and his administration, and an advocate of the conduct of the war. He died May 27, 1875.

A brief account of the children of George and Orpha Small follows: Lucinda married Alvinza Rand, of Morristown; Leander S. is the subject of the sketch below ; George F. married Caroline Keeler, and became a farmer in Morristown; Joseph B. married Sarah I .. Chittenden, of Wil- liston, and was for many years a successful mer- chant in Winooski, later became treasurer and is now vice-president of the Winooski Savings Bank : Lydia A. married W. Herrich, a merchant in Winooski; Hiram M. married Laura Edson, of Randolph, and became a well-to-do farmer in Morristown ; Harriet and Vernon both died young ; Nancy married Chandler Parsons, of St. Albans; Mary married Eliab Blossom, a mer- chant of Winooski.

Hon. Leander S. Small was born at Morris- town, December 3, 1820. He was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools. At twenty-one he took up the study of law in the office of Butler & Wilkins, at Stowe. and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1845. He then, as partner, entered the office of the late Hon. George Wil- kins at Stowe, where he remained for three years, when, owing to ill health, he gave up for a time the practice of law and devoted his attention to teaching. In 1852 he came to Hyde Park, opened a law office and there practiced his profession for many years. In 1853 he married Cornelia M., daughter of Almond Boardman. of Morristown. In 1861 he was elected county clerk and served for seven years. In 1878 he was elected second assistant judge, and in 1880 first assistant. He was a successful practitioner. well versed in the

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law, of which he was always a close student, and his knowledge of elementary law was considered remarkable. He was, too, an untiring worker in behalf of his clients, and would labor as faith- fully to effect an amicable settlement when he be- lieved it for their interests as in his preparation for trial. Ile was frequently called upon to act as referee, which position his impartial judgment and sound legal training enabled him always to fill very satisfactorily. He began the practice of law in ill health, and at a time when he was obliged to compete with some of the strongest legal talent of the state, but soon proved himself a good lawyer, and at the time of his death was the oldest member of the bar in the county, both in years of service and age, except his former partner Mr. Wilkins.

Judge Small was a man of cheerful disposi- tion, kind and neighborly to all, and a decided humorist. He enjoyed a good story, usually had one appropriate to the occasion, and delighted in telling it. in which art he was a master. His stock of wit and anecdotes was inexhaustible. During the last few years of his life, when, through paralysis of the limbs, he was confined to his chair, this trait of character did not desert him. His stories were not forgotten, and he was always cheerful and hopeful. He died March 22, 1896.

JAMES EDWARD WALBRIDGE.

The name borne by the subject of this review is one which has been long and conspicuously identified with the annals of Vermont history, and the family record, from the colonial epoch down to the present time, has been one which reflects credit on the commonwealth. It is a well attested maxim that the greatness of a state or nation lies not in the machinery of govern- ment. nor even in its institutions, but in the sterling qualities of its individual citizens, in their capacity for high and unselfish effort and their devotion to the public good. In these par- ticulars those who have borne the name of Wal- bridge have conferred honor and dignity upon the nation.

James Edward Walbridge, one of the rep- resentative citizens and influential business men of Bennington, is a native son of the county,

having been born in Bennington Falls on the Ljth of December, 1855. being a son of Henry Stebbins Walbridge, who was born in Benning- ton on the 13th of November, 1829. The original American progenitor was Henry Wal- bridge, who emigrated to the new world from Dorsetshire, England, and became numbered among the early settlers in Connecticut, as is

JAMES EDWARD WALBRIDGE.

evident from records extant, the same showing that at Preston, that state, on Christmas day of the year 1688, he married Anna Amos, while his death occurred at Norwich, Connecticut. July 25, 1729. From him the line of direct de- scent to J. E. Walbridge is traced through Ebenezer, son of Henry and Anna Walbridge. his birth having occurred in Norwich. Con- necticut, on the 15th of May, 1705. His son. Ebenezer, was born in the same town, December 20, 1738, and became the father of Stebbins Walbridge, who was born in Bennington, Ver-

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mont, August 10, 1770, where also occurred the birth of his son, Stebbins D. Walbridge, on the 25th of March, 1801, he being the grandfather of our subject. Ebenezer Walbridge, Sr., mar- ried Mary Durkee, and she died at Norwich, Connecticut, May 19. 1794, having become the mother of seven children. Ebenezer Walbridge subsequently married Elizabeth Leffingwell Hyde, who bore him four children.

Ebenezer, son of Ebenezer, Sr., died in Ben- nington, Vermont, on the 3d of October, 1819. In 1760, at Northfield, Washington county, he married Elizabeth Stebbins, who was born Octo- ber 8, 1736, and who died September 24, 1822, their children having been ten in number. He was an original grantee of the town of Georgia, Franklin county, Vermont, on the 17th of Aug- ust, 1763, and his name appears on the town records of Bennington in 1770. He rendered distinguished service as a patriot soldier in the war of the Revolution. March 3d, 1776, he was a lieutenant and adjutant in Colonel Warn- er's regiment of "Green Mountain Boys," while on July 5th following, he was found enrolled in the company of Captain Brown. In October, 1776, he was commissioned first lieutenant of Colonel Seth Warner's regiment, and at Fort Ticonderoga he held this office in the company of Captain Elijah Dewey. As adjutant he par- ticipated in the battle of Bennington, August 16, 1777. and here his brother Henry was killed. On the 12th of the following November Ebenezer Walbridge was made brigade major, while on, the 23d of April, 1778, he was commissioned lieu- tenant-colonel of the Second Regiment Vermont militia. In September of that year he was elected a representative in the legislature of Vermont, and on the 8th of November, 1780, was appointed to the office of state auditor. In April of the following year he was one of a committee of three who signed the only letters of credit ever issued by the state of Vermont. On April 2. 1782, he was chosen commander of a company of one hundred and fifty men who were to march to Windham county to assist in defending the boundary line. He was a member of the state council from 1786 until 1795, and was one of the most honored and influential men of his time in the state. For more than half a century he was a

prominent and devoted member of the Congre- gational church.

Stebbins Walbridge, son of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Stebbins) Walbridge, mar- ried Betsy Denio, who was born October 30, 1769, at Greenfield, Massachusetts, and who died at Bennington, March 26, 1836. He subsequently married Fanny Walbridge, who died in Roch- ester, New York. Of the first marriage eight children were born, there being no issue of the second union. Mr. Walbridge was grand juror of Vermont from 1834 to 1837, inclusive. He was an extensive farmer at Bennington Falls and also owned the paper mill which had been estab- lished and operated by his father, this being the first paper mill in the state. Later he trans- formed this into a woolen mill, this being like- wise the first enterprise of the sort to be estab- lished in the state. About the mill had grown up a settlement, and this became known as Paper Mill Village. There his father had erected in 1786 a fine mansion, and the same is still stand- ing, in an excellent state of preservation. Steb- bins Walbridge took an active interest in public affairs and did much to further the growth and material prosperity of the community. He died in the old homestead, June 19, 1850.

Stebbins D. Walbridge, son of Stebbins Wal- bridge, was born in the Paper Mill Village, and his death occurred August 27. 1885. September 22, 1824, he married Harriet Hicks, who was born in Bennington on the 20th of March, 1803, and who died August 31, 1832. She was a daughter of James Hicks, who was born May 7, 1765, and who died December 14, 1837. On the 26th of April, 1835, Stebbins D. Walbridge mar- ried Eliza Ann Skinner, who was born on the 18th of April, 1816. By his first wife Stebbins D. Walbridge was the father of eleven children, of whom only three are living at the present time, Colonel James Hicks Walbridge, who was born . in North Bennington in 1825: Henry S .; and Edward, who was born August 13, 1831. To the second wife were born three children, of whom but one survives, Warren S. Walbridge, of Des Moines, Iowa.

Henry Stebbins Walbridge was born at Ben- nington Falls, on the 13th of November, 1829, and on Christmas day. 1854, he married Maria

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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 33

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