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 49
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CHARLES H. STEVENS.
Charles H. Stevens, a prominent man of af- fairs in Winooski, Vermont, was born in this city on the 26th of June, 1867, and is the only son of Alonzo Jackson and Mary J. (Rood) Stevens. He received his preparatory education in the graded schools of his native town, afterward spent three years in the Burlington high school, of which he is a graduate, and on the 26th of June, 1889, graduated in the department of civil engi- neering in the University of Vermont. Previous to this time, however, he had been employed dur- ing vacations in his father's factory, but after his graduation went to eastern Tennessee, where he spent one year engaged in railroad surveying. Returning on the expiration of that period to Ver- mont, he re-entered his father's establishment, be- ing placed after a time in charge of the business. In 1898 he received the appointment of assistant engineer of Winooski, in consequence of which he resigned the position which he held in his father's
GUY C. NOBLE.
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establishment and returned to the practice of his profession, the work of surveying for .the sewer- age system having been conducted under his di- rection. This work being completed, he again took charge of his father's business, which he suc- cessfully managed until the 24th of April, 1900, when he purchased the plant and has since con- ducted it very successfully. In this extensive es- tablishment twenty-five workmen are given em- ployment in its various branches, which include a large foundry, where all kinds of castings are made, and a machine shop furnished with all the latest machinery, where are made rotary bed- planers, box-board power matching machinery, hoop shavers, general mill repairs and mill sup- plies. The work turned out is of a high class and is sent to all parts of the country.
On the 30th of September, 1891, Mr. Stevens was united in marriage to Frances E. McBride, a daughter of George L. and Emma McBride, the former of whoni, a farmer by occupation, is now living at Colchester, Vermont. Four children were born to this union: Loren A., Emma J., Lizzie F. and Hattie M. Mrs. Stevens died March 18, 1902, in Southern Pines, North Caro- lina, whither she had gone in search of health, and in the loss of his most estimable wife Mr. Stevens passed through a terrible bereavement. Although in failing health, she was slowly recov- ering when the sad news was received of her sudden death. As a woman she was greatly ad- mired and as a wife and mother was tenderly loved by her husband and children, to whom she was deeply attached, and throughout the commu- nity she was greatly esteemed by all who knew her.
Mr. Stevens gives his political support to the Republican party, and takes an active part in pub- lic affairs, enjoying in a high degree the esteem and confidence of his townsmen. He has served as selectman for one year and as a trustee of the village for two years, acting as clerk of the board during the same length of time. He is a member of Webster Lodge No. 61, F. & A. M., in which he holds the office of junior warden, and also belongs to the Winooski Steamer Company, of which he was foreman for three years. He is an attendant at the Congregational church, where he succeeded his father in the office of treasurer. Amid his various and pressing duties Mr. Stevens
finds time to maintain the associations of his col- lege days, holding membership in the Phi Delta Theta society.
ROBERT NOBLE.
Robert Noble, president and general man- ager of the St. Albans Manufacturing Company, has risen to his present responsible position through honest and earnest perseverance in those- paths which lead to real success. He is de- scended from an honorable ancestry on both the paternal and maternal sides. The progenitor- of the American branch of the Noble family was Thomas Noble, who was born in 1632, came to this country before the year 1653, and his death occurred in the town of Westfield, Massa- chusetts, January 20, 1704. The line of descent from Thomas Noble is as follows: Mark, John,. Captain Eli, Robert, Sylvester Campbell, Guy- Chaplin, and Robert Noble.
On the maternal side Robert Noble is de- scended from Thomas Dewey, the emigrant an- cestor, from whom descended Jedediah, Jede- diah, Martin, Archibald, Reuben, Jerusha Dewey. Mr. Noble is also related to the Safford fam- ily, whose earliest ancestor was Thomas Safford. a proprietor of Ipswich in 1641; he purchased a farm of Henry Kingsbury, February 8, 1648, and was made a freeman December 19, 1648. The origin of the Safford family is not definitely known, but Ipswich was so named because it is. the port where many of the inhabitants took shipping in England, and the name is still found' in that town. Deacon Joseph Safford, who died in Bennington, Vermont, June 25. 1775, was born in Ipswich, Massachusetts, in 1705, and would' appear to be the son of John, born before 1670. son of Joseph, son of Thomas Safford. The line. of descent is as follows: Joseph Safford, of Ipswich, born in 1631, married, March 6, 1660, Mary Baker, and their children were: Mary,. Samuel and John. John Safford came from Staffordshire, England, to America in 1670 and settled in Ipswich; he married Abagail Morton, and their children were Joseph, John, Solomon, Abigail and Sarah. John Safford, son of John, born February 28, 1687-8, probably in Ipswich. settled in Norwich, Connecticut, and was united in marriage to Lydia Read, and the following-
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named children were born to them: John, Jo- siah, Lydia, Zedekiah, Elisha, Saviah, Labia and Silas Safford. Jolm Safford, first of the last named family, settled in Fairfax, Vermont, in 1780, having removed from Bennington; his children were: Hiram, John and Silas Safford. Silas Safford probably married Lucretia Story, and their children were: Reuben, Henry, Hiram, Charlotte and Polly Safford. Polly Safford married Reuben Lovegrove, great- grandfather of Robert Noble, of Burlington.
Robert Noble, son of Guy Chaplin Noble, was born in St. Albans, Vermont, January 2, 1868. His preliminary education was acquired in the public schools of his native city, after which he pursued a course of instruction in' the academy at Saxtons River, Vermont. In 1888 Mr. Noble entered his father's employ, where he remained until the death of the latter, which oc- curred the following year. On May 1, 1893, he became actively connected with the Northern Supply Company, and prior to this date he was engaged for a short period of time in the general freight office of the Central Vermont Railway, in St. Albans. By displaying excellent business ability, diligence and skill he was rapidly pro- moted from one position to another, until June 15, 1804, he assumed the responsible position of president and general manager of the Northern Supply Company with headquarters in Burlington Vermont. He also succeeded his father in the presidency of the St. Albans Manufacturing Company, and on March 4, 1901, he was ap- pointed general manager of the same company.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Noble supports the men and measures advocated by the Republi- can party, and has served as a member of the police commission, also treasurer of the Repub- lican city committee. He is a prominent mem- ber of Washington Lodge, F. & A. M., and socially is a member of the Algonquin and the Ethan Allen clubs. Mr. Noble is also a member of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Society of Colonial Wars, having served in the latter named society in the capacity of deputy secretary, secretary, lieutenant governor, deputy governor and is the present deputy governor general. On January 15, 1896, Mr. Noble was united in marriage at Woodsville, New Hampshire, to Miss Mary Harrington Cum-
mings, the daughter of George S. and Mary (Harrington) Cummings. They have one child, Guy Chaplin Noble, born August 30, 1900. In religious life Mr. Noble adopts the views of his father and mother and is a member of the First Baptist church of Burlington.
ALBERT JOHONNOTT.
Albert Johonnott, of Montpelier, now living practically retired from business pursuits, has con- tributed his full share in developing the manu- facturing and mercantile interests of Washing- ton county. A native of Barre, Vermont, he was born January 18, 1826, a son of Peter Johonnott, Jr., a man of great prominence in his day.
Peter Johounott, Sr., the grandfather of Al- bert Johonnott, was born July 20, 1772, in Bos- ton, Massachusetts, of Huguenot ancestry, being a descendant in the third generation from one Daniel Johonnott, who emigrated to America from La Rochelle, France, in 1666, being one of a body of Huguenots who left the country at that time. Peter Johonnott, Sr., who, with one sister, was left an orphan when young, served an ap- prenticeship at the tanner and currier's trade, which he subsequently followed in Boston for a short time, then in Hartford, Connecticut. In the spring of 1795, accompanied by his wife and baby, he started for Vermont, making the nine days' trip on horseback, the pathway being marked by blazed trees. Locating on the Robert Morse farm, at the old "flat," he established him- self at his trade, beginning by cutting down hem- Jock trees, peeling the bark, cutting it up with an axe, then digging out troughs to tan hides in, pro- ducing the first year five hides, or ten sides, of leather, an output that was increased threefold the second year. There being no money in circula- tion in those days, these hides were dressed on shares, the tanner having one-half of the leather made, a full year being required to get out the stock. In order to enlarge his operations, he built a small tannery at what is now South Barre, but that not being sufficient to meet the demands of his increasing business, which required better ad- vantages for breaking and pulverizing the bark, he attached a granite boulder, four feet in diam- eter, and one foot thick, to a twelve-foot wooden shaft, which he attached to a post in the center of
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a circle, on the outside edge of which the bark was laid, and the stone rolled over it by horse power until the bark was sufficiently pulverized. In 1830 he further increased the capacity of his plant by purchasing an iron bark mill, by which the bark was ground by horse power, grinding a half cord of bark in a day, this method of grind- ing being continued until 1863. In 1828, in part- nership with two of his sons, Edward S. and Pe- ter, Jr., he opened a currying shop and leather store in Burlington, Vermont, the leather being conveyed to that place by teams, and there dressed. A few years later one of the sons, Ed- ward S., embarked in the tannery business in Chi- cago, Illinois, being succeeded in the Burlington firm by his brother Leonard. In 1840 Peter, Jr., and Leonard bought their father's interest in the Burlington cstablishment, and the father subse- quently devoted himself to the care of his farm as long as able. In 1854 he removed to Solon Mills, Illinois, where he spent his declining years with his daughter, Mrs. Louise Crosby, dying August 24. 1865.
Peter Johonnott, Sr., married, first, Ruth Shel- don, who bore him four children, namely: Pe- ter, Jr., Ruth, Asa and Edward S. He married, second, Sarah Wheaton, by whom he had four children, Leonard, Louisa, Sarah and Mary Ann.
Peter Johonnott, Jr., was born in Hartford, Connecticut, March 6, 1798, and died in Mont- pelier, Vermont, January 29, 1867. He grew to manhood in Barre, learning the tanner's trade of his father. He embarked in business on his own account, as above mentioned, in company with his father and brother, in Burlington, as a cur- rier and a manufacturer of boots and shoes, the latter business being then carried on in an entirely different manner from the one now in vogue. It was then the custom for the head of the family to buy leather from the tanner, carry it to the manufacturer, who made it up to meet the needs of the family, Thanksgiving day being the especial time for new boots and shoes in each household. Peter, Jr., remained in business with his father or brothers until 1849, when the busi- ness was sold out to his son Albert, the special subject of this sketch, and to Thomas J. Blan- chard, who had married Sarah Johonnott, a sis- ter of Peter, Jr. He subsequently devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, liv-
ing on his homestead until 1854, when he removed to Montpelier, where his death occurred, July 4, 1872. On March 3. 1825, he married Nancy Blanchard, daughter of General Asa Blanchard, and they became the parents of five children, namely : Albert, Emily, Mary Ellen, Martha and Fred.
Albert Johonnott was engaged in business in Barre and Burlington as a manufacturer of leath- er, boots and shoes, from 1849 until 1863. when he became associated with W. N. Peck in the building of a tannery at Berlin, Vermont. In No- vember, 1863, he formed a partnership with Mr. Peck and with his brother Fred Johonnott, and was engaged in the manufacture and sale of leath- er until 1874, opening stores in Burlington and Montpelier. Mr. Pcck withdrawing from the firm in 1874, the business was subsequently car- ried on most successfully under the firm name of A. & F. Johonnott, until 1892, when Albert Jo- honnott retired from active business, having been the most extensive manufacturer in his line in the state. In 1894 Mr. Johonnott became a silent partner in the firm of Johonnott & Hall, furniture dealers, and is also vice president of the Capitol Savings Bank. The larger part of his time, how- ever, is taken up in looking after his own prop- erty interests, and in administering upon estates left to his care. He has served as director in sev- eral banking institutions ; was town clerk and town treasurer in Barre for a number of terms ; served as selectman in Montpelier for ten or more years ; was vice president of the Morse Granite Company from its organization ; and is identified with many other industries.
Mr. Johonnott married, June 29, 1853, Mary J. Parker, who was born in Plainfield. New Hampshire, a daughter of Joseph Parker. She died 'August II, 1882, leaving two children. Ar- thur P. and Nellie. Arthur P. Johonnott was graduated from Goddard Seminary, at Barre, was first engaged in business with his father, but in 1894 embarked in the furniture and undertaking business in partnership with Frank Hall, and is now carrying on an extensive and lucrative busi- ness as head of the firm of Johonnott & Hall. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow. He married, January 1. 1878, Cora King, daughter of Hon. Clark King. She died April 17. 1881, leaving one daughter, Cora K. Nellie Johonnott, young-
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er child of Albert Johounott, married, October 22, 1879, George C. Kellogg, by whom she has two children, Mary Goddard and Henry J. Kellogg. Mr. Johonnott married, second, December 30, 1884, Mrs. Rachel T. Chamberlain, of Barre, Ver- mont.
HON. CASSIUS PECK.
Hon. Cassius Peck, who has been prominent in political affairs and in agricultural circles, do- ing much in both lines to advance the interests of his portion of the state of Vermont, was born in Brookfield and now makes his home in Bur- . lington. His natal day was March 3, 1842, and he comes of one of the old New England fami- lies, the ancestry being traced back through many generations to Henry Peck, who was the founder of the family in America, and who came to Boston on the ship Hector, June 26, 1637, and settled in New Haven, Connecticut in 1638. The line comes on down through Benjamin, first, second and third. Benjamin Peck, fourth, married Nancy Conner, and among their children was Reuben Peck, whose wife bore the maiden name of Charity French. Of this marriage oc- curred the birth of Thomas Peck, the grandfather of our subject. He was born in Canterbury, Connecticut, on the 15th of August, 1762, and when the country became involved in the war with England because the colonists could no longer endure the yoke of British oppression, he joined the American army, and after the estab- lishment of peace he emigrated to Vermont, Cassius Peck was reared upon the home farm, under the parental roof, and pursued his edu- cation in the Newbury and Randolph academies, but at the breaking out of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal considerations in order that he might aid his country in the preser- vation of the Union. He enlisted on the 12th of September, 1861, in what was known as Company F, First United States Sharpshooters. This was a famous company of picked men, and had the credit of introducing into use the Sharpe's rifles. Mr. Peck participated in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac, serving gallantly as second sergeant and receiving a medal of honor from congress in recognition of his bravery and loyalty. He was honorably discharged Sep- settling in Brookfield, where he followed shoe- making and farming. He was there married in 1793 to Priscilla Howard, a daughter of William Howard, a farmer of Woodstock, Connecticut, whose wife was a sister of Thomas Knowlton, the famous commander who fell at Harlem Heights, in 1776. Thomas Peck died on the 18th of March, 1826. Reuben Peck, the father of our subject and the son of Thomas and Priscilla (Howard) Peck, was born in Brookfield, Vermont in 1799. He became a farmer and also engaged in the manufacture of steel forks, gaining a wide reputation in that line. He was prominent in business and public affairs, being a successful bus- iness man of the. community as well as one who took a deep interest in the public welfare. He tember 12, 1864, having participated in thirty-
served in various town offices, discharging his duties with marked promptness and fidelity. Socially he is connected with the Masonic fra- ternity, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Congregational church. In politics he was a Whig in early life, and after- ward became a stanch Republican. On the 26th of June, 1829, he was united in marriage to Hannah Edson, who was born in Brookfield and was a daughter of Captain Amasa Edson. Reu- ben Peck passed away in March, 1885, and his wife died in February, 1859. They were the parents of the following named children: Mar- tha, the eldest, died in infancy; Marcus, born June 26, 1834, succeeded his father in the manu- facture of steel forks, and carried on a very large business, being a prominent and representative citizen of Brookfield; he was likewise active in political circles, filling all of the town offices and representing his district in both houses of the state legislature ; he was married"June 26, 1859, to Mary E. Wilcox, of Brookfield. Aurelia, the next member of the Peck family, was born April 10, 1836, and died September 10, 1867. Cassius is the next younger. Marshall, born August 22, 1846, is a graduate of Dartmouth College and of Andover Theological Seminary; after teaching and serving as principal for a time in Northfield Academy, Vermont, he went to India as a mis- sionary, but the following summer returned to his native land and soon afterward died, passing away in August, 1874.
Cassius Prek
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seven hard-fought battles, so that he returned to his home with a most creditable military record.
On the 30th of April, 1868, Mr. Peck was united in marriage to Miss Luna Sprague, who was born December 8, 1845, in Brookfield, Ver- mont, and was a daughter of Asa and Mary (Keith) Sprague. The young couple began their domestic life on the old Peck homestead, where Mr. Peck followed farming successfully until February, 1897. He was a very progress- ive agriculturist and took advantage of the im- proved methods of farming. He added many im- portant factors to the facilitating of farm work, and his home and everything about the place in- dicated the supervision and careful management of the enterprising owner. He was also one of the promoters of the state grange, and in this work was largely assisted by his estimable wife. In 1897 he was elected superintendent of the experimental farm located at Burlington, and is now acting in this capacity. His fitness for the position has been well demonstrated in the care and supervision which he has given to the place. Everything is neat and thrifty in appearance, and his thorough understanding of various products cultivated and the needs which they have, together with a knowledge of the kind of soil best adapted for different crops,-all these have made him a valued superintendent. He is like- wise one of the trustees of the State Agricultural College and a member of the board of control.
To Mr. and Mrs. Peck have been born the following children: Mary Aurelia, born March 26, 1869, is a graduate of the University of Vermont, of the class of 1896, and is now the wife of Dr. C. A. Shaw, of Northfield, by whom she has two children (twins), Arthur and Alden, born in August 1900; Luna Almeda, born Octo- ber 31, 1870, died March 21, 1881; Marshall Knowlton, born September 2, 1872, was educated at Randolph, afterwards engaged in teaching school and married Fanny Knapp, and died at Parkersburg, West Virginia, on the Ist of March, 1896: Jennie May, born August 22, 1874, was also educated at Randolph and became a teacher, and was married January 3, 1899, to Arthur M. Flint, in the clothing business at Thomaston, Connecticut ; Edith Hannah, born July 29, 1876, was married May 5, 1896, to Charles Abner Bige-
low, of Brookfield, and died July 11, 1901, leav- ing one child, Dorothy May, who was born in 1897; Cassius Reuben, born July 1, 1880, was educated in Randolph and in Burlington, and was graduated from the University of Vermont in 1902, on the completion of the law course, and passed a creditable examination for entrance . to the bar ; Florence Keith, born May 15, 1882, died on the 22d of December, of the same year ; Mildred Sprague and Marcus Ripley (twins), born June 25, 1884, of whom the former is a student in the State Normal School; Arthur Keith, born April 5, 1888, and Bessie Frances, born January 27, 1890, are at home. Mrs. Peck was a writer of considerable note in Vermont, and from her pen came many poems for the entertainment of social gatherings. She had a poetic nature, keenly alive to beauty, and her writings afforded great pleasure to her friends and the general public. She died September 6, 1901, and her loss was deeply mourned, not only by her immediate family, but also throughout the entire community.
In his political views Mr. Peck has always been a Republican, unfaltering in his advocacy of the principles of the party, and his fitness for leadership has caused him to again and again be called to public office by the vote of his fel- low citizens. He has filled all of the township offices, and in 1882 and again in 1886 was chosen to represent Brookfield in the state legislature, while in 1896 he was elected to represent his county in the state senate. His course in the general assembly has ever been one above re- proach. He gave each question which came up for settlement his earnest and careful consider- ation, and when once he had determined upon a course which he believed was right, neither fear nor favor could swerve him from it. Socially he is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, with the Sons of the American Revo- lution and with the state grange, also with the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Royal Arch degree. In his private life he is distinguished by all that marks the true gentle- man, and in his official career he has maintained marked patriotism and unfaltering devotion to the general good, which he has ever placed be- fore self-aggrandizement.
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LYNN B. BROOKS.
Lynn B. Brooks, of Montpelier, is carrying on a thriving mercantile business as head of the firm of Brooks & Berry. He was born in East Mont- pelier, Vermont, September 4, 1859, a son of Christopher C. Brooks, and of Scotch-Irish all- cestry. His paternal great-grandfather Brooks, born in Ireland, of Scotch progenitors, emi- grated to America about 1826, bringing with him two sons, with one of whom lie settled in Can- ada, while the other son, Christopher, located in Burlington, Vermont, and was the next in line of descent. Christopher Brooks married, first, Eli- za Nobles, and lived for a number of years in Burlington, Vermont, where their two older sons, Christopher C. and John, were born. They sub- sequently removed to Richmond, Vermont, where other children were added to their household, in- cluding William, James, Noble, Margaret and Thomas. After the death of his first wife, Chris- topher married Mrs. Stockwell, who died soon after the birth of their only son. He married, third, Mrs. Morehead, by whom he had three chil- dren. In religion he was a Methodist.
Christopher C. Brooks was born in Burling- ton, Vermont, October II, 1827, and was there reared and educated. While young he spent a short time in the west, then located in East Mont- pelier, Vermont, on the old Captain Phinney farm, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death in February, 1898. He was a Democrat in his political affiliations, and served in the various offices of the town. He married Sarah G. McKnight, a daughter of Putnam McKnight. Further parental and ancestral history may be found elsewhere in this work, in connection with the sketch of Edwin P. McKnight. She survived him, dying December 30, 1901.
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