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 41

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 41

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His active interest in popular education is at- tested by his service as town superintendent and city school commissioner, as also by his member- ship in the Vermont state board of education from 1867 to 1874. In 1876 he was a member of the board of examiners at the United States Military Academy at West Point. His publications have been chiefly baccalaureate and other sermons and

educational addresses, with an occasional maga- zine article. He has an enviable reputation in Vermont and adjoining states as a thinker and speaker on religions, educational and social top- ics. Ile is master of a singularly lucid style, sententious and forcible, but never attracting at- tention to itself. In the development of his thought he is logical and progressive. His rank as scholar had fitting recognition in 1877 in the bestowal of the degree of Doctor of Divinity by both Dartmouth and Hamilton colleges. In 1900 he received the degree of LL. D. from Middle- bury College.

Mr. Buckham was married December 3, 1857, to Miss Elizabeth Wright, of Shorcham, Ver- mont. Of their four sons, the eldest, James, is a journalist ; John Wright is a clergyman ; Robert Barmby is a lawyer; and Charles Wyman is an architect. A daughter, Mary, is married and re- sides in Chicago. Mr. Buckham married for his second wife, in September, 1897, Martha G. Ty- ler, a daughter of the Rev. Josiah Tyler, D. D., a missionary among the Zulus in 1849-89, and later of St. Johnsbury, Vermont.

COLLINS MILLARD GRAVES.

Mr. Graves is a law student with the well- known law firm of Barber & Darling, in the city of Bennington, and as a representative of one of the old and honored families of this common- wealth well merits consideration in this compila- tion. The name borne by our subject has been identified with the annals of American history from the early colonial epoch, the lineage being traced back in a direct way to Admiral Thomas Graves, who was born in Ratcliffe, England, on the 6th of June, 1605, and who died in Charles- town, Massachusetts, on the 3Ist of July, 1653. From 1632 until 1635 he was master of several ships sailing between England and America, and in 1643 he was master of the Tryal, the first ship ever built in Boston. As a reward for the capture of a Dutch privateer in the English channel, dur- ing Cromwell's protectorship, he was appointed to the command of a ship of war and was made a rear admiral, while he was presented with a sil- ver cup by the owners of the ship. On the 7th of October, 1639, he was admitted to membership in the church at Charlestown, as was also, simul-

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taneously, his wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Coytmore. He became one of the prominent citizens of the Massachusetts colony, and, so far as authentic records are available, fig- ures as the original American progenitor of the family of which the subject of this sketch is a member.

Collins M. Graves is a native son of the town of Bennington, where he was born on the 7th of November, 1871, a son of the late William R. and Flora (Millard) Graves. The father was born in Bennington, a son of Luther R. and Sarah Maria Graves. He received his early education in the public schools and Yates Seminary, in Ben- nington, and later completed a course in East- man's Business College, at Poughkeepsie, New York. Upon returning to Bennington he became identified with the business of his father, Luther R. Graves, who was conducting a large business and was one of the honored and influential citi- zens of the place. Eventually he became a mem- ber of the firm of Graves, Root & Company, tin- ware manufacturers, and he had the general su- pervision of this important enterprise for about a score of years, becoming one of the leading busi- ness men of the city and commanding unequivocal confidence and esteem in the community where practically his entire life was passed. He dis- posed of his interests in the concern mentioned in the year 1890, and thereafter lived retired until called from the scene of life's activities, his death occurring on the Ist of December, 1895. He was a man of marked intellectuality and sterling char- acter, and his identification with local interests was of a most intimate character in many direc- tions. He was one of those concerned in the organization and incorporation of the First Na- tional Bank of Bennington, becoming a member of its original directorate, and thus continuing to serve until the time of his demise. In politics he gave a staunch allegiance to the Republican par- ty, and his religions faith was that of the Baptist church, in the work of which he took a most prominent part as one of its board of trustees for many years, as superintendent of the local Sun- day-school and as organist and chorister. He was a talented musician and took a deep interest in the "divine art."

On the 16th of April, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Flora Millard, who was born

in North Adams, Berkshire county, Massachus- etts, a daughter of George Millard, who was prominent in business and public affairs in that state and who was an influential member of the Masonic fraternity. He established the first shoe factory in North Adams, and was otherwise con- spicuously concerned in the industrial activities and material advancement of the town. He even- ually became a resident of Bennington, and here likewise he took a prominent part in public af- fairs and in furthering the advancement of local interests. He died here in the year 1873. hon- ored as a man and as a worthy and valuable citi- zen. The maiden name of his wife was Chloe Macomber, and she died in 1889, at the age of seventy-five years, both having been zealous mem- bers of the Baptist church. Of their five chil- dren, Henry, Alden and Mrs. William Graves are living at the present time. The mother of Mr. Collins M. Graves retains her residence in New York, while she holds the esteem and affec- tion of all who have come within the sphere of her gracious and kindly influence. Of her five chil- dren two are living. Collins M., the immediate subject of this sketch; and Russell, also a resi- dent of Bennington.

Collins M. Graves remained in his home town until he had attained the age of nineteen years. having availed himself of the advantages af- forded in the excellent public schools of Benning- ton, where he prepared himself for a collegiate course. At the age noted, in 1891, he was matriculated in Brown University, in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1895, receiving the de- gree of Bachelor of Arts. After his graduation he went to New York city, where he was identi- fied with the real estate business for a period of three years, at the expiration of which he re- turned to his native town, and here took up the study of law in the office of the well-known and representative firm of Barber & Darling. prose- cuting his technical studies with energy and marked powers of assimilation and securing ad- mission to the bar of the state in 1903. He is thoroughly devoted to his profession, is a careful student and has that natural predilection. rein- forced by broad and thorough education, which ever makes for success in this exacting field of en- deavor. In politics he is an uncompromising ad-

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vocate of the principles and policies of the Repub- lican party, but the only official positions he has held were that of tax appraiser and his present commection as the Bennington representative of the Republican town committee. Fraternally Mr. Graves is identified with the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, and also with the Greck letter society, the Delta Kappa Epsilon, of his alma mater. Brown University, in connection with which he has taken a promient part. His inter- est in all that makes for the well-being of the community is distinctive, and he is a member of the Baptist church, while he is a member of the directorate of the local organizations, Young Men's Christian Association and Young Men's Association, of both of which he formerly served as president.

On the 24th of June, 1897, Mr. Graves was united in marriage to Miss Florence Dewey Quackenbush, who was born in Pittsfield, Massa- chusetts, a daughter of Cebra Quackenbush, who is of staunch Holland ancestry and who is a re- tired capitalist. Mr. and Mrs. Graves are the parents of two sons, Cebra Q. and William R. Their home is a center of gracious hospitality, be- ing one of the attractive modern residences of Bennington and having been erected by Mr. Graves in 190I.

GILBERT W. BRADLEY.

Gilbert W. Bradley, of Manchester Depot, is actively identified with its business progress, be- ing proprietor of the Bradley Patent Butter Pack- age Works, a leading industry of the town. He was born October 7, 1839, in Sunderland, Ver- mont, which was likewise the birthplace of his father, the late Gilbert Bradley.

He comes of colonial ancestry, being a direct descendant in the eighth generation from Stephen Bradley, the immigrant. The ancestral line is traced as follows: Stephen, born in 1642, died June 20, 1702; Stephen, born October 1, 1668, married Sarah Ward, and died in 1702; Stephen, born August 5, 1696, married Jemima Cornwall, and died June 16, 1782; Joseph, born June 24, 1720, married Sybil Meigs, and died in 1809; Lemuel, who was born February 26, 1750, and died December 1I, 1800,

married, first, Lucy Baker, and married, second, Mercy Washburn; Ethan, born in 1776, in Guil- ford, Connecticut, died March 24, 1845; Gilbert ; and Gilbert W. Of the descendants of Stephen Bradley, Joseph Bradley, of the fourth generation, with five of his sons, participated in the battle of Bennington. The first "council of safety" was held at the house of Joseph Bradley at Sunder- land. Of his sons, Lemuel was a captain, and Gilbert a major in the patriot army. The Brad- leys and Allens rescued Seth Warner from the British and Tories while the captive was being taken to Albany.

Ethan Bradley removed from Connecticut to Vermont, becoming a pioneer of Sunderland. He married Christiance Wood, by whom he had sev- eral children, namely: Franklyn, a noted physi- cian, practiced first in Williston, Vermont, and later in Indiana; Gilbert, father of Mr. Bradley ; William, deceased; Harriet married William Bowker, of Sunderland ; Collins, who was associ- ated with William H. Seward for many years in settling large land claims ; Olive, who became the second wife of William Backus; Maria, the first wife of William Backus; Lemuel, now living in Marshall, Michigan, a violinist of note, married Laura Warner, a most talented woman.

Gilbert Bradley, born October 28, 1801, was reared and educated in Sunderland and Manches- ter. Embarking upon a mercantile career when a young man, he was first located in Burlington, then removed to Sunderland, where he was a suc- cessful merchant and a citizen of prominence for more than half a century. He lived to a ripe old age, dying at the age of eighty years. He married Mary Lockwood, who was born in Manchester, Vermont, a daughter of Alonzo Lockwood, a prosperous farmer, noted for his intelligence and wit. Of the union of Mr. Lockwood with a Miss Purdy, the following children were born : Susan ; Mary, who became Mrs. Bradley; William, an Episcopalian minister, died in Maryland; and Myrtle. Gilbert Bradley and his wife reared four children : Almena M., who married Convis Par- ker, formerly of Rupert, Vermont, now of Wash- ington, D. C., died in 1869, leaving a daughter, Carrie B., who was with the Century Company for a number of years; Gilbert W., the eldest child; Herbert N., of New York, married Mar- garet E. Broadhead, by whom he has two chil-

J. M. Bradley

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dren, Mary B., born June 26, 1886, and Herbert

Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Bradley are the parents of N., Jr., born October 31, 1887 ; and John C., su- . four children, namely : Harry, deceased; Romeo perintendent and manager of the Pratt & Letch- H., engaged in business with his father, being manager of the works ; Misses Jane E. and Annie L. Bradley. worth Steel Works at Buffalo, New York, mar- ried Fannie M. Baker, by whom he has three chil- dren, Helen M., born April 17, 1878, Edith S., born December 3, 1879, and John H., born June WALTER H. BERRY. 25, 1882. The mother who died at the age of sixty years, was a devoted member of the Congre- gational church.

Gilbert W. Bradley attended the common schools of Sunderland, the Burr and Burton Seminary, a Methodist school in New York, and Essex Academy. He was subsequently engaged as a general merchant in Sunderland un- til 1887, when he established his present business in Manchester, locating his plant near the Rut- land Railway station, and having his own tracks to the works. In his factory, which is furnished with special machinery for the making of both the packages and the metal parts, he manufact- ures from selected Green Mountain spruce pack- ages of various sizes, lining the inside of some of them with paraffine, rendering them absolutely tasteless, odorless, dust and damp proof ; this is an original device of Mr. Bradley. He has built up an extensive trade in these packages, orders for his goods coming from every section of the Union. He also makes a large variety of turned goods, in which he carries on a lucrative business. Mr. Bradley, while a resident of Sunderland, served as selectman and superintendent of schools. He united with the Congregational church many years ago, and is a member of Adoniram Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons.

Mr. Bradley married, January 4, 1864, Laura A. Hill, whose father, Jerome Hill, spent his en- tire life of threescore and ten years in Sunder- land, serving much of the time during his active career as postmaster and station agent. Of Mr. Hill's marriage with Laura Lathrop, of Manches- ter, Vermont, the following children were born : Laura A., now Mrs. Bradley; Inez, the eldest child, is the wife of Captain D. H. Dyer, a sketch of whom may be found on another page of this volume; Julius, living on the Hill homestead, married Nellie Fisk; and Hattie, wife of Charles Graves, formerly of Sunderland, Vermont, but now a resident of Dakota. The mother of the children lives with her son on the old home farm.

Walter H. Berry, proprietor of the Walloom- sac Inn at Bennington Center, one of the most at- tractive, homelike and popular hotels in the state, was born January 14, 1862, in Lansingburg, New York. His father, John Berry, a native of Lon- don, England, came to America when young, lo- cating first at Watertown, New York, where he followed the business of a house painter for sev- eral years. Removing from there to Lansing- burg, he was engaged in business on his own ac- count until his death, at the early age of thirty- five years. He married Maria Peltier, who was, born in Albany, New York, of French ancestors. Her father and grandfather, both sea captains, fought under Napoleon. The grandfather of Mr. Berry was born on Good Friday, 1776, in Paris, and married Phebe Tillock, who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in February, 1787.

Walter H. Berry has one sister, Alfretta, who makes her home with him. He received his early education in the common schools and the Lan- singburg Academy, and began life for himself as a railroad man, for many years being employed as locomotive engineer on the Fitchburg Railway. Retiring from that work in 1891, he has since had charge of the Walloomsac Inn, which is beauti- fully located in the heart of one of the most at- tractive and picturesque mountain regions of New England, with an elevation of one thousand feet above the sea level. Under his management sub- stantial improvements have been made in every department of the house, which has now full ben- efit of the excellent sanitary system introduced into Bennington in 1891 at a cost of upwards of twenty thousand dollars. Many places of historic interest are to be found in Bennington, or near. while the Berkshire Hills are within easy driv- ing distance, and the Mount Anthony golf course is within five minutes' walk. A pleasant, genial man, of unfailing courtesy, caring for his guests most wisely and generously, Mr. Berry is one of the most popular landlords to be found, and his

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inn is one of the best patronized of the mountain hotels.

Politically Mr. Berry is a stanch Republican, and an active member of his party, being now chairman of the town committee. . He is also one of the trustees of the village at Bennington Cen- ter, and a trustee of the public funds of the town. Fraternally he belongs to Jerusalem Lodge, No. 355. F. & A. M., of Lansingburg; of Apollo Chapter, R. A. M., of Troy, New York ; of Apollo Commandery, K. T., of Troy; and of Oriental Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also an honorary member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

FRANK LASHER.

From an early age Frank Lasher has been de- pendent upon his own resources. When but a

FRANK LASHER.

boy he started out to make his way in the world, and that he stands to-day among the successful

representatives of industrial interests in his por- tion of the state is due entirely to his own efforts. Mr. Lasher steadily advanced until he occupied the office of vice-president and superintendent of the Lasher Stocking Company, of Bennington, and has been, since the recent purchase of the plant by Mr. Olin Scott, the active manager of the establishment, in which are utilized many use- ful devices of his own invention.

Mr. Lasher is a native of the Empire state, his birth having occurred in Ancram, Columbia county, New York, on the 13th of October, 1856. His father, Philip H. Lasher, was also born in that county, pursued his education in the public schools, and throughout the greater part of his life followed farming in Livingston, spending, however, a few years in the west. He died of typhoid fever at the age of forty-three years, in the midst of a useful and busy career. In early manhood he had wedded Helen Mink, who was born in Livingston, as was her mother, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Smith. The latter had a family of three sons and four daughters, and of the daughters but one, Mrs. Lasher, sur- vives. Of her brothers, Robert made his home in Kalamazoo, Michigan, was engaged in railroad contracting and became a very prominent and in- fluential citizen ; Ezra was a veterinary surgeon, and Philip, an engineer. Mrs. Lasher makes her home in Churchtown, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Philip H. Lasher had eight children, and six of the number are yet living : Emily, who mar- ried George M. Easeland, a farmer residing at West Stockbridge, Massachusetts ; Russell, a res- ident of Bristol, Connecticut; Frank, of this re- view ; Mary, the wife of James McGinness, of Waterville, Connecticut ; Sarah, wife of Charles Ruic, a lawyer of Farmington, Connecticut ; and Katherine, who was formerly engaged in teaching school, is a graduate of the New York Hospital and has traveled much in the United States and Europe.

Frank Lasher spent the first four years of his life in Livingston, New York, and in 1860 accom- panied his parents on their removal to the west. He was in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky, and then returned to Gallatin, New York, where he remained for two years, going thence to Phil- mont, where he received limited educational privi- leges. Owing to his father's death it became

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necessary for him to earn his own livelihood, and he began work in a knitting factory at Philmont, being connected with it until 1875, during which time he familiarized himself with every depart- ment of the business and became an expert work- man. He was promoted from time to time, and for two years before severing his connection with that industry was assistant foreman of the establishment, although at the time he left he was only eighteen years of age. He then accepted a position as overseer of a knitting and finishing room in the new mill of George W. Phillips, in whose employ he remained two years, and then entered upon an engagement to instruct in the knitting business one of the sons of Mr. Welling- ton, who had become proprietor of the new mills and had placed his son in them to acquire a thorough and practical knowledge of the business. Mr. Lasher was thus engaged for nine months and then came to Bennington.

Here he was made overseer of the knitting mill owned by George A. Wattles, occupying that position for four and a half years, which was fol- lowed by two and a half years' service for George Rockwood in the same capacity. In 1885 he ar- ranged with H. E. Bradford to superintend his knitting machinery. His comprehensive knowl- edge of the business, practical ideas and excel- lent management always enabled him to com- mand important positions, but his ambition went beyond serving in the employ of others, and eventually he found it possible to engage in busi- ness on his own account. Possessing much nat- ural mechanical ability, which his years of ex- perience had fostered, he was always experiment- ing with methods for perfecting machinery used in knitting establishments. When only twelve years of age, while in the knitting mill at Phil- mont, he conceived the idea which was subse- quently embodied by him in what is known as a stop-motion device, which is used to-day through- out the world in connection with knitting ma- chines. Since that time Mr. Lasher has devoted all of his leisure time to experimenting. For a long period he worked upon a stocking machine, which he had so far perfected that in 1883 he had it patented. He also patented what is known as the Lasher half hose. In 1885 he entered into partnership with W. H. Bradford of the firm of H. E. Bradford Company, and the company

proceeded to manufacture the Lasher half hose, Mr. Lasher being one of the company and also holding a position as superintendent of the knit- ting department. This business relation was maintained until 1891, when the Lasher Stock- ing Company was organized and a factory, one hundred and fifty by forty feet and two stories high, was built for the purpose of manufacturing machinery for this industry and also to manufac- ture the hose. The output of the new concern is two hundred- dozen pairs of hose per day, and a large number of skilled operatives are employed. Mr. Lasher has the general management of the plant. The product is widely shipped and brings to the stockholders a good return on their in- vestment. Mr. Lasher has also invented knitting machines and has taken out a number of pat- ents, and at this time is working upon several others, destined to prove of great value in this department of industrial activity. He is con- stantly studying how to improve machinery in order to produce maximum results with a mini- mum amount of labor and has already given to the world inventions of much practical value. In July, 1901, a partnership was formed by Messrs. Lasher and W. H. Bradford under the firm- name of Bradford and Lasher to manufact- ure spring needle ribbed knitting machinery, the device being the invention of Mr. Lasher, and a plant is located at Bennington.

On the 14th of November, 1877, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Lasher and Miss Martha E. Pulver, who was born in Columbia county, New York, and is a daughter of Andrew J. Pulver, in whose family were three children : Augustus, who is living in North Adams, Mas- sachusetts ; Mrs. Lasher : and Henry. Mr. Pul- ver spent his life in Columbia county and died there at the age of sixty-six years, while his wife passed away at the age of forty-five years. Both were devout members of the Methodist Episco- pal church. Mr. and Mrs. Lasher have a daugh- ter. Myrtle Edith. Mrs. Lasher is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. taking an ac- tive interest in its work and the extension of its influence. In his political affiliation Mr. Lasher is a Republican, and while he keeps well in- formed on the issues of the day has never sought or desired office, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business interests. He deserves

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great credit for what he has accomplished, for while his labors have brought to him prosperity they have also proved of great vahe to the in- dustrial world by reason of the inventions which he has perfected.

WILLIAM P. MATTISON.

William P. Mattison, deceased, was one of the most progressive and enterprising citizens of South Shaftsbury, and for many years was prom- inently identified with the business interests of that place. Upon the commercial activity of a community depends its prosperity and the men who are now recognized as leading citizens are those who are or have been at the head of exten- sive business enterprises. Mr. Mattison was a man of broad capabilities, who carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook.

He was born in Shaftsbury on the 22d of De- cember, 1828, a son of Reuben and Eunice (Slye) Mattison. His great-grandfather, Thomas Mat- tison, came from Rhode Island in the latter half of the eighteenth century and was the first town clerk of Shaftsbury, the earliest deed on record in that town bearing his signature. William P. Mattison acquired his early education in the pub- lic schools of his native township, supplemented by a course at North Bennington Academy. For several years he was employed in teaching at Ben- nington and Hillsdale, New York, but on his re- turn to Shaftsbury he gave his attention to the manufacture of squares for several years, while devoting his spare time to the study of law, which he hoped to adopt as a profession.

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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 41

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