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 50

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 50

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Lynn B. Brooks, the only child born of their union, was well trained in the various branches of agriculture during his youthful days, receiv- ing instruction from his father while on the home farm, and attended first the district school, com- pleting his studies at the Goddard Seminary. Coming to Montpelier in 1885, he entered the em- ploy of W. W. Park, remaining with him as clerk for five years. On April 1, 1890, he entered into partnership with his former employer, and con- tinued the grocery business under the firm name

of Park & Brooks until the following June, when Mr. Park died, and his son-in-law, W. C. Berry, purchased an interest in the business, the firm name becoming Brooks & Berry. Four years la- ter W. C. Berry sold out his interest in the con- cern to C. J. Berry, but the firm name remained unchanged. In the fall of 1902 Mr. Brooks pur- chased the interest in the business from his part- ner, and is now conducting the business alone. A large and lucrative trade in fancy and staple gro- ceries has been established, Mr. Brooks being among the best patronized grocers of this vicin- ity.

Mr. Brooks is not an aspirant for official fa- vors, but has served for two years as a member of the board of village trustees. Socially he be- longs to the Apollo Club. On February 1, 1888, Mr. Brooks married Flora M. Morse, who was born in East Montpelier, Vermont, October 7, 1859, a daughter of Sylvanus and Laminta T. (Leland) Morse, of Grafton, Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks have one son, George L., born Feb- ruary 5, 1895.

HENRY STEPHEN BINGHAM.

A man's reputation is the property of the world. The laws of nature have forbidden isola- tion. Every human being submits to the con- trolling influence of others, or as a master spirit wields a power either for good or evil on the masses of mankind. There can be no impropriety in justly scanning the acts of any man as they affect his public and business relations. If he is honest and eminent in his chosen field of labor, investigation will brighten his fame and point the path that others may follow with like success. From among the ranks of quiet, persevering yet prominent citizens -- prominent on account of what he has done in commercial circles-there is no one more deserving of mention in a volume of this character than Henry S. Bingham, who is now numbered among the leading representatives of commercial interests of Bennington.

Mr. Bingham was born in Bennington, Ver- mont, February 9, 1850, and has ever since made this place his home. His ancestral line can be, through his father Hiram Bingham, traced back through many generations to Deacon Bingham, who was the progenitor of the family in America.

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Deacon Thomas Bingham was baptized on the 5th of June, 1642, in Sheffield, England, and crossing the Atlantic to America spent his last days in Windham, Connecticut, where he died on the 16th of January, 1729, his remains being in- terred in the cemetery there. His eldest child, Thomas Bingham, Jr., was born December II, 1667, in Norwich, Connecticut. He was married on the 17th of February, 1691, to Hannah Backus, a daughter of Lieutenant William Backus. He was the only one of the family who settled in Norwich, and thus he succeeded to the privileges of his father as a proprietor of the town. He died on the 5th of April, 1710, leaving a family of eight children, the youngest being Deacon Jo- seph Bingham, who was born June 4, 1709, in Norwich, and died at Bennington, Vermont, on the 4th of November, 1789, having served as a lieutenant in a company of provincial troops dur- ing the French and Indian war, but some years afterward broke his hip and was thus prevented from joining the colonial forces and participating in the battle of Bennington. He was, however, a resident of this place at the time the memorable engagement with the British troops occurred here. He was married on the 25th of November, 1731, to Ruth Post, who was born October 15, 17TI, and was the second daughter of Samuel and Ruth (Lathrop) Post. Among their chil- dren was Calvin Bingham, whose birth occurred in Norwich, Connecticut, October 8, 1750, and on the 6th of January, 1777, he married Lydia Den- ton, a daughter of John Denton, whose ancestors came from England.

Calvin Bingham was a deacon of the first church. established in Bennington. His life was devoted to agricultural pursuits, and through most of his life he resided in this place. He died on the 19th of February, 1831, when eighty years of age. In his family were thirteen children, of which the youngest was Stephen, who became the father of Hiram Bingham, who was born in Ben- nington, Vermont, December 16, 1821, and de- voted his life to merchandising. He was edu- cated in the public schools, and for a number of years occupied the position of bookkeeper for the Furnace Company, but subsequently became asso- ciated in business with Daniel McEowen. Their relationship was maintained for a number of years as proprietors of a general mercantile establish-

ment, with which Mr. Bingham continued to be connected until about 1856, when he sold his in- terest to his partner.

A few years subsequent to this Hiram Bing- ham established himself in a similar line of busi- ness on West Main street, and at the opening of the Civil war was for a time in partnership re- lations with George Rockwood & Company, man- ufacturers of hosiery. He next devoted his at- tention to business as a jobber in underwear, and in his business interests met with well merited success, for his careful management and keen in- sight, combined with industry, proved an excel- lent foundation upon which to rear the super- structure of prosperity. He was also prominent in other lines of life, and left the impress of a strong nature upon political and church circles. He long served as a deacon in the Second Congre- gational church, of which he was a faithful mem- ber. In politics he was known as a stalwart Re- publican, and was frequently called to public of- fice. Mr. Bingham was twice married. He first wedded Lucy Lillie, the wedding being celebrated on the 8th of November, 1843, but when little more than a year had passed she was called to her final rest, on the 17th of April, 1845. Mr. Bing- ham afterward married Adelaide C. Rogers, on the 5th of February, 1849. She was a daughter of Jonathan and Catherine Rogers. Her father was born in New Haven, Connecticut, was a dealer in boots and shoes and conducted a profit- able business. Her mother was Catherine God- frey, granddaughter of Brigadier General George Godfrey. of Taunton, a Revolutionary hero. To Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Bingham were born two children, Henry S. and Mary A.

The elementary education of Henry Stephen Bingham, acquired in the common schools. was supplemented by an academic course, and when he entered upon his business career he became con- nected with Henry F. Dewey, in 1870, in the man- ufacture of paper boxes. He also succeeded his father in the underwear jobbing business, and is now a leading factor in commercial and industrial circles of Bennington.

On the 2d of January was celebrated his marriage with Miss Fannie Thresa Loring. a daughter of the late Joseph Henry Loring, whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume. They have now two children, Loring Dewey and

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Ella Adelaide. The son was born in Bennington, pursued his early education in the public schools. He attended the St. Johns Military Academy at Manlius, New York, also the Peekskill Military Academy. Ile has also been associated with his father in the underwear business at Bennington and at Syracuse.

Politically Henry S. Bingham is a Republican, and upon that ticket has been elected to a number of town offices. He was president of the village in 1894, and in the same year was chosen to rep- resent his district in the state legislature. In 1898-9 he served on the staff of Governor Smith with the rank of colonel. In December, 1900, he was appointed railroad commissioner for a two years' term, and reappointed in 1902. He is also trustee of the Free Library, and was a member of the Vermont National Guards. Fraternally he is connected with the Mount Anthony Lodge No. 13, F. & A. M., with the Temple Chapter No. 8, R. A. M., with Taft Commandery, K. T., and the Oriental Temple of Troy, Mystic Shrine. The Sons of the American Revolution also number him with their members. His wife is secretary and registrar of the National Society of the Co- lonial Dames of America in the State of Vermont. He is ranked among the straightforward and en- ergetic business men of his community, and such success as he has had has by no means been the · result of fortunate circumstances. It has come to him by well directed effort and an evenly balanced mind, and by honorable business princi- ples. He has made the most of his opportunities, and could never justly be called extravagent un- less it was in his benevolence. In manner he is quiet and straightforward, saying just what he means without the addition of useless compliment. He is not slow to condemn injustice and dis- honesty, nor is he slow to reward faithfulness. Although rather retired and conservative before the public, he commands the respect of all with whom he comes in contact.

GEORGE E. E. SPARHAWK, M. D.

Dr. George E. E. Sparhawk, one of the most prominent physicians, and probably the oldest of the Homeopathic school in active practice in the state of Vermont, was born in Rochester, Ver- mont, February 20, 1829, a son of the Rev.

Samuel Sparhawk, who was born in Templeton, Massachusetts, January 1, 1801 a descendant of Scotch ancestry. The Rev. Samuel Sparhawk was a minister in the Congregational church, and officiated in that capacity in Massachusetts, while visiting relatives, on occasions also in Albany, New York, and in Vermont. His death occurred in November, 1869, in the town of Pittsfield, Vermont. He was located for the last thirty years in Randolph.

George E. E. Sparhawk acquired his pre- liminary education in the Orange county gram- mar school at Randolph, Vermont, and this was. supplemented by a course of study in the West Randolph Academy, from which he graduated with the class of 1850. In the meantime, for six consecutive years a portion of his time was devoted to the occupation of teaching, and thus, as the result of his own exertions, he was en- abled to acquire a broad general education. Choosing the medical profession for his life work, he pursued a course of reading under the com- petent preceptorship of Dr. Gibson, of Sharon,. Vermont, with whom he remained from 1849 to. 1852. In March of the latter year he became. a student in the Vermont Medical College at Woodstock, and at the end of the spring term he entered the office of Dr. William F. Guernsey,. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with whom he re- mained only a few months. He further pros- ecuted his studies in the Hahnemann Homeo- pathic Medical College of Philadelphia, this be- ing at the time the only homeopathic college in the world, from which he graduated in March,. 1853, in the fifth class of that celebrated insti- tution, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine .. The following June Dr. Sparhawk chose his. native town, Rochester, for the field of his labor,. and practiced his profession in partnership with Dr. H. W. Hamilton. He continued his con- nection with this gentleman until January, 1854,. when he purchased the latter's interest and con- tinued the practice alone. He was the pioneer of the "new school," as homeopathy was then called, and for many years was the only phy- sician of this school in the state of Vermont. Like any exponent of a new science he met with much opposition, but being convinced of its su- periority over the old system, he adopted its practice altogether, and the excellent results.

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which he obtained in cases of a most serious character, which attracted attention and finally recognition from the most learned members of the medical profesion, demonstrated the wisdom of his course. In 1856 he formed a partnership with Dr. C. B. Currier, to whom afterward he sold his practice on account of the failing health of his wife. He then located in West Randolph, Vermont, where he practiced his profession, also maintaining an office in Gaysville, Vermont. After the death of his wife, which occurred in December, 1858, he removed to Gaysville, where he became conspicuous through his masterly skill in relieving the sufferings of his patients ; he re- mained here until November 25, 1878, when he located in Burlington, Vermont, where he has since remained. He is very careful in the diag- nosis of a case, is sympathetic and considerate in the sick-room, and for these reasons, combined with his ability, which is recognized as of the highest order, his services are in great demand in cases of the gravest character, where the best medical skill is required.

Dr. Sparhawk, believing that there was a wider field for the practice of his chosen specialty, laid the foundation in 1886 for the magnificent building known as the Sparhawk Sanitarium, which was completed in 1887 with every modern improvement and with accommodations for twenty-five patients. This institution is under the personal supervision of Dr. Sparhawk, ably assisted by an eminent corps of physicians. Thousands of patients, many of whom have been pronounced incurable by other physicians, have been restored to perfect health. Dr. Sparhawk, believing that much good could be accomplished by the use of baths, in 1895 added a beautiful annex, containing Turkish, vapor, electric and numerous other kinds of bathing facilities, which will accommodate twenty-five people at the same time. The reputation of this establishment for effecting cures has spread throughout the Union, and patients are received from every state. Since 1897 the Doctor has been relieved of the most arduous duties connected with his prac- tice by his son, Dr. Sam Sparhawk, who is a graduate of the University of Vermont, and also. from the Hahnemann Medical College of Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania. In addition to his pro- fessional duties, Dr. Sparhawk has devoted some

time to agricultural pursuits. He owns two mag- nificent farms, where are raised all the vegetables as well as the milk, butter and poultry used at the sanitarium.

Dr. Sparhawk aided in founding the Vermont Homeopathic Society in 1854, and it was largely through his instrumentality that the charter was obtained in 1858; he has filled almost every office in the society, acting in the capacity of secretary for over twenty years and is one of its most honored and valued representatives. In 1859 he became a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy, and in 1884 joined the American Obstetrical Society. He holds membership in the Congregational church of Burlington, Ver- mont, and socially is a member of White River Lodge No. 90, Free & Accepted Masons of . Bethel, Vermont, his name being on the roll of its charter members. His political support is given to the Republican party ; he keeps well in- formed on the issues and questions of the day, but has never sought or desired office, prefer- ring to devote his time and energy to his pro- fession.

On March 4, 1854, Dr. Sparhawk was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Ann Griswold, of Randolph, Vermont. After the death of his wife, which occurred December 2, 1858, the Doc- tor married, June 18, 1867, Miss Mary A. Hen- dee, of Pittsford, Vermont, and to them have been born two children: Fred, born December 5. 1870, died October 26, 1879; and Sam, born September 6, 1869, married, in 1898, Miss Frances A. Hall, of Burlington, Vermont, and they have two children, Sam, Jr., and George H. Sparhawk.

MRS. ALFRED ROBINSON.

One of the most highly esteemed ladies of Bennington Center is Mrs. Alfred Robinson, who is a representative of an old and honored family of that locality, being a daughter of Gay R. Sanford, who was for many years prominently identified with the commercial and industrial in- terests of Bennington. He was a native of Derby, Connecticut, and a son of Captain Ray- mond and Rebecca (Chatfield) Sanford, in whose family were two sons. The family was founded in Connecticut in early colonial days. On the

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attempt of the colonies to throw off the yoke of British oppression, Captain Raymond Sanford entered the continental army, and was made a lieutenant of the Sixteenth Company, Second Regiment in 1777, being commissioned captain on the 17th of October, 1779. He was a promi- nent Mason, joining King Hiram's Lodge in 1773, and in 1790 he became a charter member of llart Lodge No 22, A. F. & A. M., of Wood- bridge. After the Revolutionary war he re- moved from his old home in Connecticut to Ben- nington, Vermont, where he continued to make his home until called to his final rest in 1805. His wife died at a good old age. Both were carnest and consistent members of the Presbyterian church, and were held in high regard by all who knew them.

Gay R. Sanford, the father of Mrs. Robin -. is filling the position of foreman of the repair son, was reared and educated in Derby, Con- necticut, and later went to Plymouth, that state, where he learned the carpenter's trade. He sub- sequently traveled extensively through the south, in the interest of a mercantile firm, being thus employed for some years, and on his return to Connecticut he located at Harwinton, where he conducted a store for some time. In 1831 he re- moved to Bennington, Vermont, and in this city continued to make his home throughout the re- mainder of his life. Here he operated a cotton factory and was also proprietor of two stores. He was a wide-awake, energetic and reliable business man, and was able to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. In his political affiliations he was first a Whig and later a Republican, and in his social relations was connected with Wood- bridge Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He died on the 9th of November, 1853, at the age of sixty-six years, honored and respected by all who knew him. His wife departed this life October 23, 1859, at the age of sixty-three. She bore the maiden name of Hannah Brown and was a daughter of Captain Park and Sarah (Curtis) Brown, of Southbury, Connecticut, who were the parents of thirteen children; Mrs. Brown was fifty years of age at the time of her death. FARNHAM MANNING SPRAGUE.

Mr. and Mrs. Sanford had seven children, of whom Mrs. Robinson is the eldest, and all are yet living. One of the family, Charles R.

Sanford, is a well known undertaker and prom- inent citizen of Bennington Center, where he is conducting an extensive business. He married Miss Maria Robinson, a daughter of Deacon John F. Robinson, of Bennington Center, who died at the age of fifty years. By this union was born a daughter, May, who is now the wife of William B. Jennings, of Cleveland, Ohio, and has one child, Nancy. During the winter months Mrs. Robinson makes hier home with her brother Charles R. Sanford. Another brother, William M. Sanford, is a resident of Troy, New York.

FARNHAM MANNING SPRAGUE ..

Farnham Manning Sprague, of Readsboro,

shops connected with the Hoosac Tunnel and Wilmington Railroad in a most capable man- ner. He was born in Whitingham, Vermont,

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June 23, 1858, a son of Manning Sprague. He is of excellent English ancestry, and is directly descended from William Sprague, the immigrant, his lineage being thus traced : William, Jonathan, William, Nehemiah, Elias, Jonathan, Nehemiah, Manning, Farnham M.

William Sprague (I), was born in Upway, county of Dorset, England, a son of Edward and Christina Sprague, the former of whom died in 1614, leaving three sons, Ralph, Richard and William, all of whom came to this country in 1629, in the interest of the Massachusetts Bay Company. William located first in Naumkeag, now Salem, going from there to Charlestown, and Boston, thence, in 1636, to Hingham, Massa- chusetts, where his death occurred in 1675. He married Mellicent Eames. Jonathan Sprague (2), was born in Hingham, Massachusetts, May 28, 1648, and died in September, 1741, having lived in Hingham, and in Providence and Smithfield, Rhode Island. The maiden name of his wife was Mehitable Holbrook.

William Sprague (3), a native of Smithfield, Rhode Island, died in 1768. He and his wife, Abigail, were the parents of Nehemiah D. Sprague (4), who married in 1738, Mercy Brown. Elias Sprague (5), born in Smithfield, Rhode Island, June 16, 1744, married, August 5, 1764, Mercy Bassett, and died February 15, 1799. Jonathan Sprague (6), who was born in Smithfield, Rhode Island, December 9, 1765, and died in Thompson, Connecticut, October 29, 1815, married Patience Pixley. Nehemiah Sprague (7), born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, spent the larger part of his active life as a black- smith in Whitingham, Vermont, where his death occurred in 1872. Of this union with Polly Farn- ham nine children ware born, of whom two sur- vive, Charlotte, wife of Samuel Tyler, of Jack- sonville, Vermont : and Francis. Sprague, of Wardsboro, Vermont. Both he and his wife were active and consistent members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church.

Manning Sprague (8), was born in Whiting- ham, Vermont, and died November 19, 1900, in Readsboro, Vermont. He was reared in Whit- ingham, where he attended the district schools and the academy, after which he turned his at- tention to agricultural pursuits. From 1867 to 1890 he pursued the vocation of farming, and was

an esteemed and respected citizen. He was a Democrat in his political affiliations and belonged to the Baptist church. He married Fanny Wil- lard, who was born near Hinsdale, New Hamp- shire, a daughter of Washington Willard. Mr. Willard spent the earlier years of his life as a shoemaker in Hindsdale, New Hampshire, later removing to Wisconsin, where he died at the advanced age of fourscore years. By his mar- riage with Miss Furbush seven children were born, four of whom survive, namely: Mrs. Louisa Welsh; Hannah; Phineas, of Charle- mont, Massachusetts ; and Fanny, widow of Man- ning Sprague, of Readsboro. Mrs. Sprague bore her husband seven children, of whom but two are living, Theodore, of Readsboro; and Farnham M., the special subject of this sketch. She is a member of the Baptist church.

Farnham M. Sprague (9), lived in Whiting- ham until ten years of age, then came with his parents to Readsboro, where he completed his ed- ucation in the common schools. Learning then the trade of machinist, he soon proved himself a skillful workman in the mills, and rose from one position to another, until placed in charge of the machine work in the National Metal Edge Box Company's factory. In 1893 he entered the shops of the Hoosac Tunnel & Wilmington Railroad Company, and after a short time was made fore- man and master mechanic, two responsible po- sitions which he held for some time. On ac- count of the increase of business he was forced to resign as master mechanic, and has since de- voted his entire time and attention to the general repairing of the rolling stock of the road, hav-' ing a number of men in his employ.

Mr. Sprague married, in 1880, Hattie Jewell, a native of Monroe, Massachusetts, and a daugh- ter of Edward K. Jewell, a farmer, now resid- ing in Whitingham, Vermont. She died at the age of twenty-seven years, leaving two children, Blanche E., and Lena H. Mr. Sprague mar- ried, second, in 1892, Etta Chase, who was born in Readsboro, Vermont, a daughter of Joseph and Clarinda Chase, the former of whom is a native of Pelham, Massachusetts, while the latter was born in Whitingham. She is one of a family of four children: Clara, wife of J. F. Megnault ; Allie J. : Etta, now Mrs. Sprague; and Laura, wife of George M. Guernsey. Mr.

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Sprague is a firm adherent of the Democratic party, and notwithstanding that the town is a Republican stronghold, has held the office of water commissioner, and represented Readsboro in the state legislature in 1890. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is an active member of the Baptist church, of which he is deacon and trustee and superintendent of the Sunday school.

CHARLES HENRY HEATH.

Charles Henry Heath, late of Montpelier, Vermont, was born in Woodbury, Vermont, November 4, 1829, a son of Elias and Ruth (Blanchard) Heath. He acquired his early edu- cation in the public schools of Woodbury, the Washington Grammar school and the People's Academy, at Morrisville. After his graduation from the latter institution he entered the Uni- versity of Vermont, from which he was graduated in 1854, and three years later this same insti- tution conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts.

The four years following his graduation Mr. Heath acted in the capacity of principal of the academy at Morrisville, which at that time ranked as the best school of its kind in the state of Vermont. During the time he was principal of the school he studied law in the office of Mr. Thomas Gleed, of Morrisville, Vermont, and was admitted to the bar of Lamoille county court in December, 1858. He practiced his profession at Plainfield, Vermont, until 1872, when he re- moved to Montpelier, and continued his practice up to the time of his death, which occurred July 12. 1889.

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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 50

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