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 5
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These brief statistics indicate the salient points of his progress in military rank, in a soldiery ca- reer of singular bravery and brilliance. Colonel Pingree's period of service was passed in regions where the bullets flew thickest, and the most exhausting demands were made on the physical and moral resources of the patriot armies. The first important battle in which he was engaged was at Lee's Mills, Virginia, on the 16th of April, 1862, where he lost a thumb, and was also wounded in the hip. Four companies of his regi- ment had been ordered to cross a stream and to capture a battery and rifle-pits, and, the senior captain being disabled, Captain Pingree was placed in command of the detachment. The charge was made, the battery was captured, but nearly half the heroes engaged in the enterprise fell dead or wounded upon the field. Captain Pingree's injuries were of such severity as to confine him for ten weeks in a hospital at Phila- delphia, loss of blood and consequent exhaustion having brought on fever. When sufficiently re- covered he returned to his regiment at Harri- son's Landing, Virginia. The army of the Poto- mac was soon placed temporarily under the com- mand of Major General Pope. The battle of South Mountain, the three days' conflict at An- tietam under General McClellan, and the sharp engagement at Funkstown followed in quick suc- cession. Captain Pingree's regiment, as part of the First Vermont Brigade, took an active part in the first battle of Fredericksburg December 12, 13 and 14, and subsequently in the second battle of Fredericksburg, that of St. Mary's Heights, and in the two days' fight at Salem Church and Banks' Ford. The decisive battle of Gettysburg
followed on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of July, 1803. in which the First Vermont Brigade held the left of the national line, but had not much oppor- tunity for the illustration of their combative qual- ities. The circumstances were widely different in the sanguinary battle of the Wilderness, Vir- ginia, fought on the 5th and 6th of May, 1864. in which all the field officers of the Second Ver- mont Regiment were either killed or wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Pingree was placed in com- mand of that regiment, retaining that position until the organization was honorably mustered out of the service of the United States. In the the first seventeen days of that destructive cam- paign the Vermont brigade lost more than half its members in killed, wounded and missing. Colonel Pingree bore an effective part in the fol- following battles,- of Spottsylvania Court House May 9, 10, II and 12, 1864; North Anna River .. Cold Harbor, June I and 3 ; at Petersburg and on the Weldon Railroad, where he was field officer of the day in command of the picket linc. and where he narrowly escaped capture, together with a portion of his command. At the capture of this railroad he was a member of a party that tore up the road, in which enterprise they lost four hundred men killed and taken prisoners. their force being surrounded by a superior force of the enemy. Colonel Pingree also participated in the battles of Lewinsville, Rappahannock Station. South Mountain and Fort Stevens, besides vari- ous other minor engagements. The last days of his patriotic service as a soldier were devoted to assistance in turning the flank movement of the Confederate General Early on Washington, hi- command arriving there just in time to aid in saving the capitol of the nation from destruction. On the 27th of July, 1864, he was honorably mus- tered out of the military service of the United States, after having served for two months longer than the period of his enlistment.
After his return to civil life Colonel Pingree resumed the practice of his profession at Hart- ford, Vermont. Painstaking industry and careful attention to all the legal business interests of his clients have gained the confidence of a large circle of friends, a circle which is of necessity con- stantly expanding. In whatever he engages his characteristic thoroughness of thought and action is almost certain to insure success, and at the same
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time to command an attention so favorable as to tingnished him as one of the brave sons whoml increase his labors by awakening the desire to Vermont sent forth to save the national Union in the hour of its grievous peril and deep distress. In 1884 Colonel Pingree was elected to the high- est office in the gift of the state, being placed by the votes of the Republican party in the guber- natorial chair. This important office he filled for two years with the same zcal, efficiency and sound judgment which have marked his whole carcer. In 1886 ex-Governor Pingree was appointed chairman of the state board of railroad commis- sioners, which office he held for eight years. commit public interests to his judicious and watchful care. In 1868 and 1869 he was state's attorney for Windsor county. During his term of office Hiram Miller was indicted for the mur- der of Mr. and Mrs. Gowan. The case was one that had evoked unusual popular excitement. Col- onel Pingree had charge of the prosecution, and conducted it with masterly skill and efficiency. The accused criminal was duly convicted and hanged.
In the time of the celebrated St. Albans raid from Canada. Colonei Pingree raised and was colonel of the Eighth Vermont Regiment as frontier troops to protect the frontier on the bor- der of Canada. They were encamped on the fair grounds at White River Junction for ten days' drilling and getting ready to march at a moments notice. They were held in reserve until the troubie and threatened danger subsided.
In political affairs Colonel Pingree is not an office-seeker in any sense of the word, but neither has he been a selfish office shunner, the one char- acter being, in the light of social ethics, as obnox- ious as the other. He has been town clerk of Hartford forty-three years, barring the period of absence in the army, propably the longest term in the history of the office in the state. He has been trustee of the Vermont Academy and also of the State Normal School at Randolph for many years, and president of the White River Savings Bank since its organization in 1886. In 1868 he he was a delegate at large to the national Repub- lican convention at Chicago, being one of four from Vermont. In the fall election of 1882 Colonel Pingree was elected lieutenant governor of the commonwealth by the Republican party, receiving 35,856 votes, against 14,442 cast for E. N. Ballard, Democrat : 1534 for J. G. Jenne, Greenbacker, and two scattering. His popularity is indicated by the fact that his vote was the largest of any cast for the state officials, the com- pliment thus bestowed being all the more com- plimentary in view of the fact that he had had no legislative experience. Notwithstanding this, he filled the chair of president of the senate with dignity, and with an impartiality of ruling that commended itself to the praise of all, displaying in this position the thorough efficiency which dis-
Ex-Governor Pingrec is a member of Tracy Post, G. A. R., and has been a delegate to various conventions. In 1870 he was chosen president of the Reunion Society of Vermont Officers, and 111 1872 delivered an excellent and scholarly an- nual address before the members of that asso- ciation. He has been secretary and treasurer of the Third Regiment Reunion Society since its organization, and has held the last named office in the Hartford Memorial Society since the or- ganization of that body. He is a member of the Medal of Honor Legion, having received a con- gressional medal of honor from Congress, which was issued, as the inscription its bears indicates, "for distinguished bravery and courage exhibited in the battle of Lee's Mills, Virginia." Contrary to the rule insisted on by ethical philosophers, ex-Governor Pingrce's extreme modesty doubt- less prevented the attainment of higher military rank, but perhaps the very extremity of the modesty may furnish the explanation of this cx- ception to the general rule. Ex-Governor Pin- gree is a Baptist in religion, but attends the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a teacher in the Sunday-school.
Ex-Governor Pingree married, September 15, 1869, Lydia M., daughter of Sandford and Mary (Hinman) Steele, of Stanstead, province of Quebec. Miss Steele was the sister of Judge Benjamin H. Steele. of the supreme court of Vermont, the latter being a classmate and inti- mate friend of Ex-Governor Pingree.
MILLS JONATHAN LANDON.
Mills Jonathan Landon, of New Haven, son of Elisha H. and Charlotte (Hoyt) Landon, was born in New Haven, December 14, 1845, and has
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ETHAN ALLEN MONUMENT. GREEN MOUNTAIN CEMETERY, BURLINGTON.
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been for many years a prominent and active citizen of the town, ever ready to advance the general welfare. Elisha H. Landon was born October 1, 1800, in Salisbury, Connecticut, a son of Rufus Landon, who served in the Montgomery expedition against Quebec, and spied out the beauties of the Champlain valley on his return. His wife was a member of the Peck family, which has many representatives in Connecticut and Vermont. In 1821 Elisha H. Landon came to New Haven, Vermont, to join a sister, wife of Jonathan Hoyt, who was for several ycars sheriff of Addison county, many years a magis- trate, and surveyor of highways for the county.
Mr. Landon was married, July 12, 1825, to Charlotte Hoyt, born September 13, 1805, in New Haven, a daughter of Ezra and Jerusha ( Phelps) Hoyt. Ezra Hoyt was a son of Ezra and Sarah (Seymour) Hoyt, of Lanesboro, Massachusetts. Ezra Hoyt, Jr., was born October 16, 1770, in Lanesboro, Massachusetts, and came to New Haven in 1792. He was a large landholder and lived on the site of the present Congregational parsonage. He was a man of fine presence, and a courtly gentleman of the old school, and had many friends. He represented New Haven in the legislature nine times, was a member of the governor's council in 1828-29-30; and was for five successive years judge of the Addison county court, being again elected in 1823. In 1824 he was elected first judge of the New Haven pro- bate district and held the office five years. He died August 5, 1831. Jerusha Phelps, his second wife, was born March 28, 1782, in New Haven, Connecticut, was a daughter of Matthew and Thanks Phelps. Matthew was a son of Samuel and Ruth Phelps. Samuel was a son of Samuel Phelps, and was born in 1710, in Windsor, Con- necticut, and died in 1754. His wife died in 1750. Matthew Phelps was born June 4, 1746, in Harrington, Connecticut, and died February 26, 1817, in New Haven, Vermont. He was a captain in the militia. His second wife, Thanks, was a daughter of John and Thanks Phelps, of Norfolk, Connecticut, and widow of Andrew Moore. She died February 17, 1823, in New Haven. Jerusha ( Phelps) Hoyt died August 17, 1855. The Phelps family was among the first in Windsor, Connecticut, and has contributed many
able men to the military, judicial and other branches of the public service of this country.
Mills J. Landon received his education at Beeman Academy, at New Haven, and Black River Academy, at Ludlow. He is and always has been a practical farmer and dealer in young stock. He has made a specialty of the dairy business, breeding Durham cows to quite an ex- tent, has a well laid-out and productive farm which he carefully cultivates, and is one of the succesful farmers of Vermont.
In political faith he is a Republican and has held many town offices, including selectman, lister and justice of the peace, which last position he held for many years past. He represented his town in the legislature in 1886, and served on the committee on the grand list. While there he made a most conservative record, and reflected credit upon the place of his nativity. Mr. Lan- don is a Freemason and is affiliated with Libanus Lodge No. 47, A. F. & A. M., of Bristol. He has been a member of the Congregational church since 1868, and has held for many years the posi- tion of treasurer of the local society. He also served as chairman of the building committee of the beautiful new church edifice recently erected in New Haven.
He was marreid on February 25, 1868, to Harriet L., daughter of Deacon Oliver and Louisa Dexter, of Windham county. Of this marriage three children survive: Charlotte L., Marianne F. and Ralph Dexter. The elder daughter is the wife of Frank L. Shackett. else- where mentioned in this work. The younger is a graduate of Beeman Academy of New Haven. and Middlebury College, and has been for the past two ycars preccptress of the Beeman graded school, successor of the former academy. The son is a graduate of Bceman Academy in the class of 1900, and is now an able assistant on the home farm.
ABNER B. BAILEY.
The above named gentleman is a prominent and well-to-do citizen of West Dummerston, Windham county, and has been through a long life-time intimately connected with the business interests of his state and county. He is a man of
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THE STATE OF VERMONT.
fine intelligence, of high integrity of character, and of the shrewdest business ability. The com- petence which he has accumulated during his life is strictly and solely the result of his own labors, he having started in life at the carly age of nine years on the long journey to success, which he has now completed, though it has been filled with many obstacles and pitfalls. Ilis de- termined will and persistent effort have over- come them all, and he is now enjoying the fruits of his labor.
Abner B. Bailey was born in Dummerston, Windham county, January 14, 1821, on the old Bailey homestead, now owned by his brother, Silas A. Bailey. David Bailey, father of Abner B. Bailey, was born in Westminster, Massachu- setts, on September 9, 1780. He came to Dumi- merston, Vermont, with his parents in 1798 and settled on the old homestead where he died in 1867. He was a man of much influence during his life time, and was for a large number of years justice of the peace of his district. The parents of Daniel Bailey were Dudley and Ruhamah Dunsten Bailey.
Abner B. Bailey received his education in the district schools, though it was somewhat limited by the fact that he found it necessary to leave home early and engage in work for himself. He remembers that even at the age of nine years he went out to work for different farmers near his home. In this kind of a school he was brought to manhood, and it might be said that he has never graduated from it, although he is at the present time is not attending the sessions of that school so regularly as he has in the past. In his man- hood he took up the trade of the carpenter, and became a building contractor, many of the houses in West Brattleboro and Putney being evidence of his skill in that line. He continued this business for some years, and then located in West Dummerston on a farm of twenty-five acres. He has lived in his present location since 1867, and during that time he has been intimately con- nected with the business and social interests of the community. He was for years one of the trus- tees of the Windham County Savings Bank, and also one of the building committee in building the new Savings band and served as selectman for seven years. In 1870 he was the delegate from his town to the constitutional convention of Ver-
mont. In political matters he has always affiliated with the Republican party, though he has not sought for political places.
Mr. Bailey's marriage occurred in 1843, the lady's name being Caroline A., the daughter of Lyman and Lydia ( Bennett) Huntley. Mr. Bailey has the reputation of being exceedingly openhanded, and his purse and time are always at the service of downtrodden humanity, be it in his own community or in other parts of the world. He is a man who is exceedingly popular among his associates, and in his declining years he re- ceives and merits the respect of a very large circle of friends and acquaintances. Ilis advice and counsel were often solicited by those of his ac- qnaintances. He was called upon to help settle numerous estates as executor and administrator,. appraiser and commissioner.
CAPT. CHARLES E. CLARK, U. S. N.
The annals of the American navy contain no. brighter pages than those upon which are nar- rated the splendid achievements of Captain Charles E. Clark, who, in 1898, as commander of the battleship "Oregon." brought his noble vessel from the far Pacific to Cuban waters, at phe-
CAPT. CHARLES E. CLARK'S BIRTHPLACE, BRADFORD.
nomenal speed, arriving at Santiago de Cuba in time to act a gallant part in the destruction of the Spanish fleet.
Charles Edgar Clark was born in Bradford, Vermont, August 10, 1843. His parents were- James Dayton and Mary (Sexton) Clark, both.
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of whom were natives of the State, the former born in Bradford and the latter in Brookfield. He was educated in the common schools, and in 1860, shortly after coming to the age of seventeen was appointed to the United States Naval Academy. In 1863 he was made acting ensign, and assigned to duty on the steam sloop "Ossipee," of the Western Gulf Blockading Squadron, and was thus engaged until the close of the civil war, par- ticipating in some of the most notable naval oper- ations conducted by the heroic Farragut. In the battle of Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864, a few days before his twenty-first birthday, Ensign Clark commanded the forward division on board his ship, which rammed the rebel ironclad "Tennes- see," Admiral Buchanan's flagship, and he per- sonally answered the hail from the officer who tendered surrender. In operations against Fort Morgan, from the beginning of the bombard- ment until the surrender, August 23, 1864, En- sign Clark commanded the quarterdeck division. In 1865 he was assigned to the steamer "Vander- bilt," attached to the Pacific Squadron. He was promoted to master, November 10, 1866, and to lieutenant, February 21, 1867. In the latter year he was transferred to the "Suwanee," and he re -. ceived his commission as lieutenant-commander on March 12, 1868. He witnessed the bombard- ment of Valparaiso by the Spanish fleet and its defeat by the batteries at Callao. The "Suwanee" was wrecked July 7, 1868, near the northern ex- tremity of Vancouver Island, and Lieutenant- Commander Clark was left in command of a party of sailors on Hope Island, after the remainder of the crew had been taken off by H. M. S. "Spar- rowhawk," and he and his men were afterwards taken on board the Steamer "New World."
In 1868-69 Lieutenant Commander Clark was on duty on board the receiving-ship "Vandalia," at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. In 1869-70 he was with the North Atlantic Squadron, first on the steamer "Seminole," and then on the iron- clad "Dictator." For the next three years he was on duty at the Naval Academy, and during this period (in 1871) he was with the "Saratoga" on her practice cruise. In 1873-74 he was on the coast defense monitor "Mahopae," on the North Atlantic station, and from 1874 to 1877 on the "Hartford," "Monocacy" and "Kear- sarge." on the Asiatic station. Returning home,
he was (in 1877) placed on duty in the Boston Navy Yard, where he remained for two years. In 1879-80 he was attached to the torpedo instruc- tion station at Newport, Rhode Island. From July to December, 1881, he was executive officer of the training-ship "New Hampshire," and com- manded the vessel in 1882-83. He was promoted to commander on November 15, 1881.
Commander Clark was assigned to the com- mand of the steamship "Ranger," and had charge of the survey of the west coast of Mexico and Central America, 1883-86. From 1887 to 1881 he was inspector of the Ninth Lighthouse District, with station at Chicago, Illinois. From May, 1891, to November, 1893, he was on ordnance duty at Mare Island Navy Yard, San Francisco. From 1893 to 1894 he commanded the "Mohi- can," in the Pacific station, and a squadron of six war vessels and two revenue cutters which cruised in Behring Sea to enforce the regulations agreed upon by the Paris Tribunal. From No- vember, 1894, to November, 1895, he served on various boards and general courts-martial, and for ten months afterward commanded the receiv- ing-ship "Independence." Promoted to Captain, June 21, 1896, he was assigned to the command of the double-turret coast defense monitor "Mon- terey."
Captain Clark had now completed more than a third of a century of active service, and during the greater part of this period he had been afloat. He had begun his career under the eye of the naval hero of the civil war, whose "D-n the torpedoes ! Go ahead !" has gone for all time into the lexicon of American sailors, side by side with Lawrence's "Don't give up the ship!" It is reasonable to believe that Ensign Clark ac- quired something of the intrepid and determined spirit of his old commander, Farragut, and that his subsequent life was colored by the splendid example of the illustrious Admiral.
Early in 1898, Captain Clark was in command of the battleship "Oregon," then stationed at Puget Sound. When war with Spain became imminent his vessel was ordered to Key West. Florida, to strengthen the Atlantic squadron. There was every necessity for speed. No steam vessel had ever attempted so long and continu- ous a voyage, and marine experts the world over questioned if machinery would endure so severe
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a test. Captain Clark raised no question, inter- action. Joining Sampson's fleet off Santiago, the "Oregon" and "Marblehead" engaged the shore batteries at Guantenamo, covering the landing of a party of forty marines from the former named vessel, aud this was the first land- ing in force by Americans on the shores of Cuba, and the first warranted raising of the United States flag upon its soil. July 3d, the Spanish fleet essayed its passage out of the harbor of Santiago. The "Oregon" took position at the head of the United States line of battleships, Cap- tain Clark on the forward turret whence he could command an unobstructed view, and engaged cach one of the enemy's vessels until they were destroyed. Treating a couple of torpedo destroy- ers to a passing firc, the "Oregon" stood for the "Maria Tercsa," Admiral Cervera's flagship, which caught fire and was run ashore. He then engaged the "Almirante Oquendo," and, aided by the "Texas," drove her to the beach. For nearly an hour the "Oregon" was engaged against the "Vizcaya," which also ran ashore. Sinking the "Furor" with a six-inch shell, the "Oregon" then engaged the "Cristobal Colon," the last of the Spanish fleet, which was driven ashore at the west of Santiago. From the time when she fired the first shot from her forward 6-pounder until the "Cristobal Colon" headed for the shore, the "Oregon" fired 1,776 shots. The Spanish officers declare it was the fire from her secondary batteries that mainly drove their men from their guns and forced their ships to beach, and afforded ample confirmation of the truth of Captain Clark's as- sertion, contained in his official report: "I am persuaded that but for the officers and men of the "Oregon" who steamed and steered the ship and fought and supplied her batteries, the "Cris- tobal Colon" and perhaps the "Vizcaya" would have escaped." posed no objection, expressed no fear. Sailing promptly on March ijth, the "Oregon" arrived at San Francisco on the roth, and resumed her voyage the same day. At Callao, Peru, April 5th, Captain Clark received warning that the Spanish torpedo vessel "Temaravio" was prob- ably lurking the Straits of Maqulan, and that Spanish agents in various South American ports were plotting the destruction of the "Oregon." Without stopping at Valparaiso, the "Oregon" hurried on to the Straits of Magellan, making a safe but stormy passage through the tortuous channels abounding in inlets whence an enemy might easily sally and without observation until within dangerous ncarness. Herc she was joined by the gunboat "Marietta," whose incapability to sail more than twelve knots compelled the "Oregon" to reduce spccd. Arriving at Rio de Janciro on April 30th, Captain Clark was there informed that war existed, and that a Spanish squadron under Admiral Cervera had left the Cape Verde islands bound west, and he was given instructions by cable to remain in Brazil should he deem that necessary for the safety of his ves- sel. With supreme confidence in his snip and . mouth of the Rio Torquino, forty-eight miles crew, Captain Clark expressed the conviction that "the 'Oregon' could steam fourteen knots for hours, and in a running fight might beat off or cripple the Spanish fleet." After resting and cleaning his machinery, Captain Clark left Rio on May 4th, and five days later coaled at Bahia. She was sighted at Barbadoes on May 18th, and on the 24th reached Jupiter Inlet, Florida, having covered the distance of 16,764 miles from San Francisco in sixty-six days, or, deducting stoppages, in fifty-five days of actual steaming, without accident. This voyage, the most remarkable in steam marine annals, was marked by two supreme tests-the endurance of machinery and of human effort --- and without failure in either. The lofty spirit manifested by Captain Clark was reflected in every man of his crew, and each one conducted himself as though the safety of the ship (and none could tell what mighty interests dependent upon it) were in his individual keeping.
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