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 38
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younger son, is in the actuary's department of the National Life Insurance Company. The mother died November 15, 1884, and Mr. Dwinell was again married on the 5th of June, 1894, his , second union being with Miss Anna J. Chandler, a daughter of the late honored Dr. C. M. Chand- ler, of Montpelier.
Mr. Dwinell is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity and is a past master of the blue lodge. He has also taken the degrees of Royal Arch Masonry and of the commandery. and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. He be- longs to Bethany church of Montpelier, and in his political views is a stalwart Republican, tak- ing a very deep and active interest in the work of the party, its growth and the extension of its influence. Positions of public trust have been conferred upon him, and for a number of years he served as town clerk and treasurer of Plain- field. In 1878 he was elected to the legislature and in 1890 was chosen to represent his district in the state senate, where he served as president pro tem. He is one of the honored and respected citizens of the Green Mountain state, and has attained to a distinguished position in financial and political circles.
JOSEPH WILLIAM RACETTE, M. D.
The world instinctively pays deference to the man whose success has been worthily achieved. During the years of his connection with a pro- fession which ranks among the most important to which man gives his energies, Dr. Racette has ever commanded the highest respect by reason of his skill and ability and his sterling personal worth. He is engaged in practice in Benning- ton, and a large patronage attests the confidence reposed in him by the public.
Dr. Joseph William Racette is a native of Quebec, Canada, his birth having occurred in that city on the 27th of March, 1867. His father was born in France and at an early age crossed the Atlantic to Canada with his parents, being reared and educated in the city of Quebec. Through- out his life he followed farming, an occupation which had been the pursuit of his ancestors for many generations, and in the community where he lived he was accounted a most prosperous farmer. He married Philomena Belleville, who
was also born in Quebec, and was a daughter of Augustus and Agatha ( Walboisert ) Belle- ville. Her father was a successful farmer, whose life span covered the long period of eigthy-nine years, while his wife reached the advanced age of fourscore years. By her marriage Mrs. Ra- cette became the mother of seven children, of whom four are yet living: Winnifred, J. W., Alfred and Pamelia. The parents are still living on the old homestead in Quebec, and enjoy the warm regard of many friends in that locality.
Dr. Racette spent his early youth under the parental roof in his native city, and after at- tending the common schools continued his educa- tion in the National University, from which in- stitution he was graduated in 1889. With a broad general knowledge to serve as a founda- tion upon which to rear the superstructure of professional learning, he began preparations for the practice of medicine, becoming a student in the Albany Medical school of New York. Desir- ing to attain a high degree of proficiency, he af- terward went abroad, spending some time in Rome and France and Germany, in investigat- ing the hospitals and colleges and gaining a knowledge of the methods pursued therein. He took a special course of study in Notre Dame Medical College in Rome, and then returned to America. Taking up his abode in Bennington, he has since successfully engaged in practice here, and his advancement has been continuous, for as the years have passed he has demonstrated his ability to successfully cope with the problems which are continually confronting the physician. He is very accurate in diagnosing a case and an- ticipating complications that may arise, and his efforts toward the alleviation of human suffering have been most effective.
In 1894 the Doctor was united in marriage to Dorile Amyot, who was born in Cohoes. New York, and is a daughter of Bruno and Zoe (Ducharme) Amyot: The father is a wholesale dealer in horses, and still makes his home in Co- hoes. Mrs. Racette was one of nine children. and the others are all still living in Cohoes. By her marriage she became the mother of three chil- dren, George, Eva and William. In his political affiliations the Doctor is a strong Republican. be- lieving firnily in the principles of the party, al- though he is not active in political work. He is
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a member of the Knights of Columbus, served as trustee of the order for two years, and also belongs to the Foresters fraternity and the Catho- lic Loyal Legion. In the line of his profession he is now connected with the Bennington County Medical Society, the Vermont State Medical So- cicty and of the Union Medical Society, of the last named of which he is serving as vice presi- dent, having jurisdiction over six counties, viz : Bennington, Berkshire, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Al- bany, Windham. Dr. Racette is an extremely busy and successful practitioner, constantly over- burdened by demands for his services, both pro- fessionally and socially. Ile is a man of the high- est and purest character, an industrious and am- bitious student, and a gifted teacher of surgery. Genial in disposition, unobtrusive and unassum- ing, he is patient under adverse criticism, and in his expressions concerning brother practitioners is friendly and indulgent.
LELAND LE GRAND FILLMORE, M. D.
The state of Vermont, with its pulsing indus- trial activities and rapid development, has at- tracted within its confines men of marked ability and high character in the various professional lines, and in this way progress has been main- tained and social stability fostered. He whose name initiates this review is accorded recogni- tion as one of the able and successful physicians of the state, and by his labors, his high intel- lectual attainments and his sterling characteris- tics, has justified the respect and confidence in which he is held by the medical fraternity and the local public.
Dr. Leland LeGrand Fillmore was born in Bennington, February 24, 1874, and traces his ancestry back to England. The first of the name in America, John Fillmore, crossed the Atlantic, located in Boston, and was captured by pirates. He was a seafaring man, and after being cap- tured he and a companion killed some of the pi- rates and ran the ship into Boston harbor. The great-great-grandfather of Dr. Fillmore was Na- thaniel Fillmore, Sr., a resident of Bennington, and it was in this city that Nathaniel Fillmore, Jr., the great-grandfather, was born and reared. He was a farmer by occupation, and when the country became involved in the war with Eng-
land, which resulted in the establishment of the republic, he participated in the battle of Ben- nington, where the Green Mountain boys covered themselves with such glory that the history of their contest has since found a prominent place in the annals of the nation. Elijah Fillmore, the grandfather of the Doctor, was also a farmer and followed that pursuit throughout his entire life. A very prominent and influential citizen, he was called to represent his district in the state legis- lature for a number of terms, and was very active in securing many measures that were passed dur- ing his connection with the assembly. After a long, useful and honorable carcer, he passed away at the age of sixty-nine years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Armstrong, was born in Bennington and came of a family that was also represented in the Revolutionary battle which occurred here. She became the mother of seven children, including Elijah Fillmore, Jr.
The latter was educated in the common schools of Bennington, and, like his ancestors, devoted his attention throughout his business ca- reer to agricultural pursuits. He also took a very prominent part in public affairs, and many im- portant interests were intrusted to him. He served as the administrator of several large estates, and was very conscientious and faithful in the per- formance of his duties. He filled the office of selectman, and was widely known as one of the . influential and leading residents of his town. In his political views he was a Democrat and one of the staunch supporters of Samuel J. Tilden. He held membership in the Grange, being one of its active representatives. He died at the age of sixty-nine years. He was twice married, his first union being with Abigail Chase, who was born in the town of Bennington, and by her marriage became the mother of four children : Millard, now of California ; Marshall ; Edwina and Eldora, de- ceased. The mother died at the age of thirty years, and for his second wife Mr. Fillmore chose Arianna Thayer. They became the parents of three sons, of whom two are yet living, Henry D. and Leland L. The mother passed away at the age of forty-eight years.
Dr. Fillmore spent his early life in Benning- ton, and in the common schools began his edu- cation, which was supplemented by a course in the high school. When the time came to make
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choice of a profession which he desired to make his life work, he determined to prepare for the practice of medicine and became a student in the Albany Medical College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1896. His initial practice was as an interne in Albany Hospital, a position which he held through successful com- petitive examination and thus put his theoretical knowledge to the practical test. In the fall of 1897 he removed to Sheffield, Vermont, remain- ing an active member of the medical fraternity of that place until 1900, when he located at Ben- nington, where he has since engaged in general practice, having already won a large business.
In 1897 Dr. Fillmore was united in marriage to Miss E. Josephine Moore, a daughter of David E. Moore. She was born in Manchester, Ver- mont, and her father was a native of Bennington. He still resides in that city and is serving as street commissioner. David Moore married El- len Luther, a native of Dorset, Vermont, and they became the parents of two children who are yet living. Ellen and Robert. To the Doctor and his wife has been born a daughter, Gladys E. In his political affiliations Dr. Fillmore is a Demo- crat, and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, but has never sought or desired office. Closely associated with the military interests of the state for a number of years, he belonged to Company K. First Vermont Infantry, in which he held the rank of sergeant. Fraternally he is con- nected with Mt. Anthony Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, in which he is now serving as junior steward, and he also belongs to the Junior Order of the United American Mechanics. He also belongs to the town and state medical so- cieties, and through intercourse with his fellow practitioners keeps in touch with the advanced thought of the day, so that he is widely read in his profession, and his ability is of no inferior order.
JOHN VOSE CARNEY.
High on the roll of eminent men of Vermont who have made their homes in Bennington, is found the name of the Hon. John V. Carney, who is now serving as judge of the probate court of District No. I, and who as a member of the state senate left the impress of his individuality
upon the legislature of the commonwealth. In a republic where honor is. won through public service and usefulness, one may well be proud of achievement, since merit and ability are the foundations upon which advancement rests, and the men who occupy conspicuous positions as leaders of public thought and action are they in whom skill and intrinsic worth are recognized. Loyalty in citizenship and a deep and abiding in- terest in the welfare of his state won for Mr. Carney high rank in its councils, and gained for him judicial distinction.
Judge Carney was born in Newcastle, Maine, November 6, 1835, and his father, Daniel Car- ney, was likewise a native of that state. For many years, however, the latter engaged in busi- ness in Boston, but, as time advanced and he had acquired a handsome competence, he retired from business life, spending his last days in New- castle, where he passed away at the age of eighty- six. For many years he had served as postmaster in the village of Sheepscot. He wedded Mary Wheeler, who was born in Boston and was a daughter of Captain Josiah Wheeler, one of the valiant soldiers of the Revolutionary war. The latter was also an attendant at the famous Boston Tea Party, on which occasion the colonists, no longer willing to meet the excessive tax on tea, threw that product overboard into the sea. Cap- tain Wheeler was a master mechanic and attained a most prominent position in the line of his chosen calling. He was the architect of the Bos- ton state-house, and also planned many other of the fine building's of that city. Daniel and Mary Carney had a large family, inculding Emmeline, who became Mrs. Eastman and is living in Sheepscot; Mrs. Ann Chase; Mrs. Henrietta Cole, of Fall River, Massachusetts ; Addison and Edmund, also of Sheepscot; Franklin G. and John. The mother passed away at the age of eighty years. The parents were both members of the Episcopal church, and Mr. Carney served for many years a vestryman ol the old Trinity church in Boston, where his remains are interred.
Judge Carney spent his early years in New- castle, Maine, and for three years resided in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he learned the machinist's trade. In 1854 he came to Benning- ton, and, therefore, for almost half a century has been a resident of this place. For some time he
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was connected with its industrial interests as a manufacturer of knit goods. He was interested in a shoddy mill, but lost considerable in that en- terprise, on account of the destruction of the plant by fire in 1876. In that year he was one of the assistant judges of the county court, and he was in the fall elected judge and filled that position for two years. In 1884 he was chosen senator for the term of two years. To each ques- tion which came up for attention he gave his care- ful consideration, and his earnest thought and ef- forts had no little effect in influencing the work of the senate. In 1892 he was elected judge of the probate court and by re-election has since been continued in that office. No higher testi- monial of faithful and capable service could be given than the fact that by popular ballot he has been five times chosen for one position. He has also held a number of town offices, including that of appraiser of property. The Republican party has ever had his strong alleginace, and his efforts in its behalf have been effective in promoting its growth and success. .
In 1854 Judge Carney was united in marriage to Susan A. Abbott. a daughter of Asa and Sallie Abbott. Her father was born in Holden, Massa- chusetts, but spent his last days in Bennington, Vermont, where he died at an advanced age. In the family were four children, who are still liv- ing: Eleanor, who became the wife of Henry Bradford; Miss Annice; Mrs. Carney ; and L. F. Abbott, who married Miss Laura Hancock. To Judge Carney and his wife was born one daughter, Laura Jeannette, the widow of Clif- ford N. Hodgkins, by whom she had one daugh- ter, Allura May, who is now living with the Judge and his wife.
In addition to his business and official duties, Judge Carney has been connected with public affairs and was one of the incorporators of the Bennington County Savings Bank. He had also contributed to the moral progress of the commun- ity, being a most prominent and active worker in both church and Sunday-school. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as trustee, steward and class-leader, and in the Sunday-school he has been superin- tendent. His life has been an honorable, useful and active one. Not so abnormally developed in any direction as to become a genius, he has yet
given due attention to all the interests of life which should concern him. He is devoted to his family, loyal in his citizenship, faithful in office and trustworthy in all business relations. Well fitted to become a leader in public thought and action, by his efforts he has been potent in shap- ing not only the policy of his adopted city but also of the commonwealth, and well may Judge Carney be numbered among the representative men of the Green Mountain state.
FREDERICK GAY.
The old and honorable Gay family of Ver- mont, represented in the eighth generation by Frederick Gay, of Burlington, formerly one of the leading manufacturers of the state. was founded by John Gay, who came about 1630 from England to America. He settled at Watertown, and was one of the grantees of the great division of the Beaver Brook Plough lands. He was one of the proprictors of Dedham, where he died, March 4, 1688. His wife was Joanna, the widow of one Baldwicke.
Samuel, son of John, was born March 10, 1639, and died April 15, 1718, upwards of sev- enty-nine years of age. Under his father's will he received a grant of land in Medfield, and was selectman in 1698. He married November 23, 1661, Mary, a daughter of Edward Bridge, of Roxbury, Massachusetts, and she died April 13, 1718. Timothy, son of Samuel, was born Sep- tember 15. 1674, and died May 26, 1719. The name of his wife was Patience. Timothy, son of Timothy, was born December 29, 1703, and he was married in Stoughton, February 10, 1727, to Azubah Thorpe. He died March 29, 1793, when more than eighty-nine years of age, and his wife died December 9. 1773.
Solomon, son of Timothy and Azubah (Thorpe) Gay, was born February 24, 1741. He was a minute-man during the Revolutionary war, and was one of the immortal band which resisted the British troops at Lexington. He married Abigail Gould, February 4, 1762.
Daniel, son of Solomon, was born August, 1768, and died October 4, 1851. He was among the early settlers of the town of Stockbridge. Vermont, and the village of Gaysville was named in his honor. He married Kate Emma Lamber-
Munich Gay
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ton, who died January 3, 1819, leaving to him four children : Daniel, Jr., Paul W., Merrick and Dwight. His second wife was Eunice, the widow of True Whitcomb.
Merrick, third son of Daniel, was born No- vember 15, 1802, in Gaysville, where his entire life was spent, and where he rose to great prom- inence and exerted a potent influence for good in all the relations of life. In his early manhood he engaged in a mercantile business, which proved most successful. At a later day he was associated with others in the establishment of a woolen manufactory. He afterward purchased the interest of his associates and conducted the business in partnership with his son Nelson, and during the Civil war they transacted a large busi- ness in manufacturing goods for the use of the army. He was for many years a director in the National White River Bank at Bethel, and for several years its president.
He was during all these years conspicuously useful in public affairs. For thirty years he held the offices of town clerk and treasurer, and was succceded by his son Nelson, and the two occu- pied these positions for more than half a century. He represented his town in the general assembly for four years, and his service was so warmly appreciated that he was elected to the state sen- ate. At the expiration of his term in the latter body he was re-elected, but was unable to take his seat on account of ill health.
Merrick Gay was married September 1, 1828, to Sarah Maria Whitcomb. She was a daughter of Major Paul Whitcomb, who was born in Stockbridge, a son of Lot Whitcomb, who came from Hardwick, Massachusetts, and was among the early settlers of Vermont. The family was founded by John Whitcomb, the emigrant an- cestor, who was in Dorchester, Massachusetts, as early as 1633. In 1654 he removed to Lancaster, Massachusetts, where he died, September 24, 1662. His son Robert married the daughter of General James Cudworth in 1660. Their son James, born in 1666, married Mary. Parker in 1694, and died in Rochester in 1728. Their son Nathaniel, born in 1697, moved to Hardwick in 1742, and was selectman for five years. His first wife was Rosella Coombs, and his second wife was Phoebe Blackman. Lot, son of Nathan- iel, was born in Hardwick, Massachusetts, May 2, 14
1739; he removed to Vermont in 1795 and laid the foundation for the town of Barnard.
Merrick Gay dicd November 7, 1866, and his wife died March 6, 1896. Their children were as follows: Harvey D., born December 19, 1829, settled in Columbus, Ohio, where he married, December 19, 1855. Virginia Wolcott; he re- moved to Vinton, Iowa, where he became a very successful merchant, and died July 24, 1878.
Nelson, born February 22, 1832, and died May 7, 1887, was a man of great enterprise. He was associated with his father in business, and was prominent in public affairs, occupying all the local offices, representing his town in the general assembly and scnate, and serving on the bench as assistant judge. He was married January 26, 1869, to Olivia M. Blodgett, of Randolph, Ver- mont, and they became the parents of two chil- dren, Sarah M., born June 10, 1870, and Nelson M., born April 26, 1875. who married Lucia D. Skinner, and now lives in Boston.
Charles M. Gay, born July 10, 1834, gradu- ated from the University of Vermont, embraced tlie law as his profession and settled in Madison, Wisconsin. At the breaking out of the Civil war he returned to Vermont and became editor of the "Rutland Herald." He subsequently located in Boston, and became a member of the publishing house of Littell & Gray. After retiring from busi- ness he spent several years abroad, and died in New York city, April 1, 1900. He married, Jan- uary 15 1859, Maria S. Shaw, of Burlington. and their children were Minnie, born October 5, 1860, who became the wife of Dr. F. H. Daniels, of New York city : and Charles M., Jr., born January 23, 1871, now an architect in New York city.
Jennic S., born October 24, 1837, was married to Hiram H. Gilson, December 25, 1862, and died May 8, 1892. Mary F., born in June 1840, died January 19, 1842. Merrick, born in January, 1844, died June 3, 1846. Frederick, born August 14, 1848, is referred to at length below. Minnie M., born August 6, 1853, was married December 23, 1885, to Rev. Josepli R. Roblin, of Picton, Ontario.
Frederick Gay, of the last nanied family, re- ceived his early education in the common schools in his native village, and further prosecuted his studies in Randolph Academy and Norwich Uni-
.
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versity. He was eighteen years of age when his father died, and he shortly afterward engaged in woolen manufacturing in association with his brother Nelson. In 1874 the brothers set up at Gavsville a factory for making ivory buttons, the business being carried on under the firm name of Gay, Kimball & Gay. In 1880 the business had so far outgrown their capacity that the firm re- moved to Rutland, where larger buildings and more ample machinery were successfully utilized for several years.
In 1891 Frederick Gay located in Burlington and formed a partnership with James B. Hender- son, under the firm name of Gay & Henderson, in a wholesale and retail coal business, which tley continued to conduct upon a large scale. They are largely interested in real estate, having built many houses in the city. Mr. Gay is also interested in the wholesale cigar business of C. F. Rockwood & Company. He is a man of ex- cellent ability in all commercial lines, and takes an active part in all the movements promising advantage to the community in promoting its material and social interests. In religion he is a Universalist, and in politics a Republican. He is a member of the Society of Colonial Wars and of the Algonquin Club.
Mr. Gay was married October 9, 1872, to Miss Laura J. Baker, a native of Morristown, Vermont. Her parents were Andrew and Hulda (Wilkins) Baker, who were the parents of three children : Mrs. Gay ; Clara L., who died at the age of eighteen years; and Frank P., of Gaysville. Mr. and Mrs. Gay are the parents of one child, Robert H., born July 3, 1876. He is a graduate of Philips Andover Academy, Yale College and the Harvard Law School, and is a practicing at- torney in New York city.
ELMER ELLSWORTH LARRABEE.
Elmer E. Larrabee, who is superintendent of the electric light system at Bennington, is a na- tive of the Pine Tree state, his birth having oc- curred in Bath, Maine, on the 19th of February, 1860. His father, James R. Larrabee, was a na- tive of Phippsburg, Maine. He was reared in that town and acquired his education in its public schools. Early in life he went to sea, sailing to many foreign lands, but finally he abandoned the
water and took up his abode in Bath, where he engaged in carpentering for many years. His death occurred on the 20th of September, 1884, when he was sixty-four years of age. He mar- ried Lucretia Davis Elliott, who was born in Brunswick, Maine, a daughter of Ephraim and Rachel ( Williams ) Elhott. Her father was a
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