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 55
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Captain Moseley was born on the 4th of March, 1840, in Northfield, a son of John and Lydia C. (Knight) Moseley. The birth of John Moseley occurred in Montpelier in 1801, and his early life was spent upon a farm. Being left fatherless when a mere child, he was early thrown upon his own resources and during his boyhood spent some time in New York state. On his re- turn to Vermont he lived with the late John Torry, at Bethel, and at that place he was united in marriage with Miss Lydia C. Knight, a daugh- ter of Perly Ayres Knight, of Oakham, Massa- chusetts. He then purchased a farm in the town of Northfield, Washington county, and success- fully conducted the same until his wife's health failed. when he sold the place and removed to Northfield Center, where she died in 1851. Sub- sequently he wedded Sarah Child, of Boston, who
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died in 1857, and for his third wife he married Mrs. Eliza Dean, whose death occurred in July, 1866. Ile survived them all and passed away at the home of our subject in 1871. In religious faith he was an Episcopalian, while his first wife, the mother of our subject, was a member of the Congregational church. By their union four chil- dren were born, one son and three daughters, namely : Harriet A., who married Noah Clark, of Randolph, and died in 1861 ; Lois Ellen, who became the third wife of Noah Clark; Jolin Luther, of this review ; and Ida Annette, who died in infancy.
Captain Moseley remained under the parental roof until 1859, after which he spent a year in Randolph. His education was obtained in the local district schools, the Northfield Academy and the Orange county grammar school. Hardly had the echoes from Fort Sumter's guns died away when he offered his services to the government to assist in putting down the rebellion, enlisting about the middle of April, 1861, in Company F, First Vermont Volunteer Infantry, and serving until the following August, when he was mustered out, as his term of enlistment had expired. In October, however, he re-enlisted, this time becom- ing a member of Company K, Seventh Vermont Volunteer Infantry, and on the organization of the company was chosen first lieutenant, in which capacity he served until January, 1864, when he was transferred to Company E and commissioned captain of the same, holding that rank until dis- charged from the service in April, 1866. For five long years he served his country faithfully and well on southern battlefields, and participated in nearly all the engagements in which the Army of the Gulf took part.
After the war Captain Moseley returned to Northfield and became associated with Captain William H. Boynton in the meat and provision business, which they carried on together for many years, building up a large and lucrative trade. This connection continued until the death of Cap- tain Boynton in 1885, after which our subject conducted the store alone until 1891, when he re- tired from the business, having acquired a com- fortable competence which enables him to lay aside all business cares and spend the remainder of his life in ease and quiet.
On the 2d of October, 1864, Captain Mose-
ley was united in marriage withi Miss Clara A. Boynton, of Pepperell, Massachusetts, a daugh- ter of Isaac and Nancy ( Boynton) Boynton. Three sous were born to them, namely : Riley Boynton, who died at the age of nine years; Harry Chester, who married Miss Nellie Judd and is now engaged in the provision business in Northfield ; and John Pool, who is now an insur- ance surveyor in the employ of the Ferris Map Company of New York City.
Captain Moseley is a member of the Congrega- tional church, and is quite prominent fraternally, being connected with De Witt Clinton Lodge, A, F. & A. M., and William H. Boynton Post, G. A. R., of which he is a charter member, and in which he has filled all the offices, serving as adjutant for ten years. Originally he was a char- ter member of Johnson Post. The Republican party has always found in him a stanch supporter of its principles, and he has taken quite an active and influential part in local politics, serving as village trustee and selectman, and as chairman of the board for many years. He was elected a member of the corporation of the Savings Bank and a trustee in 1900, and is also a trustee of the Norwich University. Public-spirited and pro- gressive, he has ever taken a commendable inter-, est in everything calculated to advance the moral, intellectual or material welfare of his town and county, and as a citizen he ever stands ready to discharge any duty devolving upon him, his patriotism being manifest in days of peace as well as when he followed the old flag to victory on southern battlefields.
ALLEN MARTIN.
Allen Martin, an eminent attorney of Essex Junction, Vermont, is a descendant of Aaron Martin, a native of Connecticut, and who moved to the state of Vermont in the early part of the eighteenth century. His son, Allen Martin, was born in Williamstown, this state, and he became the father of Henry Martin, who was born in Barre, Vermont, June 7, 1829. Henry Martin received his education in the common schools of his native town, and later in life removed to Williamstown, where he purchased a farm, and there was successfully engaged in the raising of a general line of garden produce. He was united
allen Martin
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in marriage to Miss Lestina Phelps, of Barre, Vermont, and two children were born of that union : Sidney I., a farmer, of Williamstown, and Clayton H., who died in February, 1902. For his second wife, Mr. Martin married Miss Lois N. Bond, a daughter of Stephen B. Bond of Top- sham, Vermont, and the only child born of that union was given the name of Allen. Henry Mar- tin was one of the representative men of his town, and was chosen to serve as selectman and lister, positions which he creditably filled for many years. He died on the 11th of July, 1900.
Allen Martin, the only son of Henry and Lois Martin, was born in Williamstown, Vermont, August 14, 1875, his educational training having been received in the Goddard Seminary, at Barre, Vermont, and in the St. Johnsbury Academy. After his graduation in the last named institu- tion, he decided to enter the legal profession, and accordingly entered the office of Hon. John W. Gordon, of Barre, where he pursued a course of study in that calling. He was admitted to the bar on the 14th of October, 1898, and just one month later began practice in Essex Junction, where he is now enjoying an extensive patronage. In addition to his private practice, he has served in the capacity of administrator for several es- tates. He was admitted to practice in the United States courts in February, 1899.
Mr. Martin was married on the 14th of Jan- uary, 1903, to Miss Kizzie Bates, a native of Illi- nois and a daughter of Job Bates, who is now living a retired life at Essex Junction after a long life devoted to agricultural pursuits. He has served his fellow townsmen as lister, selectman and grand juror, his public duties having ever been discharged to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. Mrs. Martin is the eldest of his eleven children, and one of her brothers, James, has just returned from China and the Philippine Islands, where he served for three years in the United States service.
In politics, Mr. Martin has always been a stanch Republican, and has served as delegate to the county convention. In 1900 he was elected president of the village in which he lives; in 1901 was elected treasurer of said village, and in March, 1902, was elected town clerk for the town of Essex, and he is now the present village treas- urer and town clerk, and he withholds his sup-
port from no movement or measure which he be- lieves will prove of public good, his influence be- ing marked in promoting the best interests of the town.
He is a prominent member of the Masonic order, and of Mt. Mansfield Lodge, No. 18, Knights of Pythias, of which he was chancellor commander in 1902, and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
When only twenty years of age, Mr. Martin delivered the Memorial Day address at Windsor, Vermont, and since then his services have been frequently in demand for similar occasions. His success in life has come to him through energy, determination and perseverance, directed by an evenly balanced mind and honorable business principles.
JO D. HATCH.
Hon. Jo D. Hatch, deceased, for many years the efficient mayor of the city of Burlington, Ver- mont, was born in Norwich, Vermont, January 21, 18II, a son of Reuben and Eunice (Dennison) Hatch. The early years of Mr. Hatch's life were spent in attending the primitive schools of his na- tive town, and this was supplemented by his entrance, in 1826, as a student at Dartmouth Col- lege, from which institution he was graduated with honor in 1830; among his classmates were President Smith, the Hon. W. H. Duncan and John H. Noyes, of Oneida community fame. Af- ter his graduation Mr. Hatch returned to Wind- sor and engaged in mercantile pursuits, being the proprietor of a general store; by frugal and industrious habits, coupled with sound business judgment, he accumulated a fortune and became one of the prominent and influential men of the town. He was often urged by his friends to allow his name to be used for some leading county or state office, but only twice would he appear as a possible candidate ; then he was unanimously elected to represent the town in the state legisla- ture for 1853 and 1854, and was chosen senator from Windsor county in 1857 and 1858. After having retired from business pursuits, Mr. Hatch removed to Burlington in 1861, and being an in- timate personal friend of Governor Smith, he interested himself in the Vermont Central, Ver- mont and Canada, and other railroads, and with
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the late Joseph Clark, Lawrence Brainern, John Smith and others, did much, in shaping the legisla- tion that has given Vermont one of the finest lines of railroads in the country. He took an ac- tive part in local and state affairs, being elected in 1870 a member of the board of aldermen, which office he hekdl until 1876, when he resigned in order to accept the responsible position of mayor. At that time the city had a bonded debt of $409.312.13, and a tax of two dollars and fifty cents on the hundred, and it was largely through his judicious and persistent efforts that the tax in 1882 was but one dollar on the hundred. When he vacated the office of mayor in 1883, the bonded debt of the city had been reduced to $42,679.71, and the sinking fund of the city increased $43,- 824.26; the long term in which he was the in- cumbent of the office shows the esteem in which he was held by his fellow citizens. Few men in the state enjoyed a wider acquaintance than he, his kind heart and amiable disposition making him popular with all classes; as a business man he proved his ability to become an executive and leader, and his public record was untarnished in every respect.
After giving up public life Mr. Hatch was a familiar figure on the streets of Burlington, mak- ing his headquarters at the Algonquin Club, of which he was the vice president in 1891 and chosen to act in the capacity of president the fol- lowing year, and it was in that organization that he spent many pleasant afternoons for several years prior to his death. Like many men who reach the ripe old age of eighty-seven years, he en- joyed "living in the past," and related many stories of his boyhood days with the "boys," as he termed them ; his mental faculties were well preserved for one of his age, and being a good story teller, his society was always sought by his friends.
On April 5, 1832, Mr. Hatch was united in marriage to Miss Frances Forbes, a daughter of General Abner Forbes, of Windsor, Vermont, where Mrs. Hatch was born and where her father lived all his life. Of the children born to Gen- eral Forbes, only one is now living, Gustavus Forbes. of Newton Center, Vermont. Four chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hatch: Pattie F., wife of D. C. Linsley, deceased ; Josephine H., wife of Rodney S. Wires, deceased; Eliza- beth, who became the wife of Isaac Green, now
deceased ; and William D., who died in infancy. Mr. Hatch died May 21, 1898; his last days were not associated with pain or severe sickness, but he passed away with nothing but the natural wearing out of the body, weighted down with more than fourscore years of useful life. The domestic life of Mr. Hatch was a pleasant one, he being a devoted husband and a kind, indulgent father. His wife passed away October 13, 1883.
FARRAND STEWART STRANAHAN. .
Grandfather Farrand Stranahan was born in Cooperstown, New York, in 1778, and was reared and educated there, taking up law as his profession and becoming very prominent in pub- lic affairs. During the war of 1812 he assisted in raising a regiment in Otsego county and was then made its colonel. He was a man of fine military bearing, six feet high, of influential personality, and in all respects a model commanding officer. During the war he was taken prisoner by the British and confined in Canada for some time. He was twice elected to the state senate, and was one of the seventeen senators who voted against giving the electoral college to the people. He spent most of his life at Cooperstown and died there in 1826. His wife was Sarah Stewart, born in 1768, and died in 1824, and her father, General Charles Stewart, was commissariat and general of the issues on the staff of George Washington in the Revolution.
The only child of these parents was Farrand Stewart Stranahan, who was born at Coopers- town, New York, April 24, 1812, and died in 1845. After he had completed his education in the public schools of Cooperstown he went to New York city when still young and there be- came a broker, which business he followed all his life, and was very successful. He was married to Miss Caroline Curtis, who was born in Troy, New York, in 1815, the daughter of Zachariah and Sarah Curtis, and her death occurred in 1843. She was the mother of six children, but the only ones living are Farrand Stewart, and John, the cashier of the Welden National Bank at St. Albans, Vermont. The parents were both members of the Episcopal church.
Farrand Stewart Stranahan, the third of the name in three successive generations, was born
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to the last mentioned parents in New York city, February 3, 1842. He attended the public schools of the metropolis, but when he was seventeen years old, in 1859, he came to Vermont, which was to be his home thenceforth, and in which he was to achieve a high place in public and business life. His first important position was that of pay- master on the Vermont Central Railroad, which he received in 1865; from 1867 to 1871 he was in business in St. Albans, and at the close of that period was appointed treasurer of the National Car Company, and he still holds this place. In 1886 he became cashier of the Welden National Bank of St. Albans and was made its vice pres- ident in 1892; he is also a director of the Cen- tral Vermont Railroad and was vice president of the Missisquoi road. He is an officer in the Na- tional Despatch Line, and vice president of the St. Albans Messenger Company.
The foregoing remarks will give the reader some idea of Mr. Stranahan's prominence in bus- iness life, but throughout his life he has been con- cerned more or less with the affairs of state and nation. His first great service was performed in the cause of a united government when he was scarcely of age, for it was in August, 1862, that he enlisted in Company L, First Vermont Cav- alry. He was successively promoted from first sergeant to the rank of second and first lieuten- ant, and shared in all the battles of his regiment until the winter of 1864, when he was appointed aide-de-camp on the staff of General George A. Custer and served with that brilliant general un- til September following, when he received an honorable discharge and returned home. Be- cause of this service he is a member of A. R. Hurlbut Post, G. A. R., of which he has been commander, and is also a member of the Loyal Legion.
Mr. Stranahan's civil record is also worthy of note. He is a Republican in politics and as a representative of that party served as trustee of the village of St. Albans and represented the town in 1884: four years later he was elected to the state senate, was trustee of the state reform school from 1888 to 1892, and in the latter year received his crowning reward by being elected lieutenant governor of the state of Vermont. Furthermore Mr. Stranahan is president of the
St. Albans Cemetery Association, of which he was one of the incorporators.
On August 26, 1862, Mr. Stranahan was mar- ried to Miss Miranda Aldis, daughter of Hon. Lawrence and Fidelia (Gadcomb) Brainerd, and the two children of this union are Mabel Fidelia, deceased, and Farrand Stewart. Mrs. Stranahan is prominent in social circles, being state regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution, president of the Needle Work Guild, and is one of the board of managers of the Warner House.
EDWARD HENRY POWELL.
Colonel Edward Henry Powell, a lawyer and banker who has rendered valuable service to the state, a veteran of the Civil war, and a promin- ent citizen of Burlington, Vermont, is a descen- dant of an honored New England ancestry. Roland Powell, great-grandfather of E. Henry Powell, was a native of the state of Connecticut, whence he removed and became one of the pion- eer settlers 'of the town of Richford, Vermont, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for the remainder of his life.
Bradford Powell, grandfather of E. Henry Powell, was born in Richford, Franklin county, Vermont, was reared upon a farm, and after completing his studies devoted his attention to the occupation of farming. He occupied a very prominent position in the town, being regarded as a man of strong character, excellent business ability and sterling integrity, and for a number of years he was the incumbent of a responsible office in the custom house at Richford. He was united in marriage to Clarissa Goff, a daughter of Hezekiah Goff, of Deerfield, Massachusetts. where her birth occurred. Mr. Goff came to Richford as a pioneer, having served three en- listments during the Revolutionary war: his death occurred in Richford in 1846, at the age of ninety-seven years. The following named children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bradford Powell : Jay, Emily, Seraphine, Diana, Marcia, Herman, Harry, Bradford and Delight. all of whom are now deceased. Mr. Powell died at the age of forty years, survived by his wife. who died in the eighty-first year of her age.
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Herman Powell, father of E. Henry Powell, was born in Richford, Franklin county, Vermont, was educated in the common schools of the neighborhood and subsequently followed farm- ing on the old homestead for a number of years. He then purchased a farm in Fairfield, Vermont, which consisted of about two hundred acres, in the cultivation of which he attained fair success. He took a keen interest in all matters of public concern, and although not an active politician or desirous of office, he from time to time served the community in the capacity of selectman and lister. Mr. Powell married Julia S. White, born in Sheldon, Vermont, a daughter of Deacon Joel White, who was a prosperous farmer of that town ; Mr. White married a Miss Noble, and they reared a family of four children, namely : Noble, Calvin, John and Julia White ; the mother of these children died in early womanhood. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Powell, all of whom are living at the present time ( 1903) : E. Henry ; Charles A., engaged in the hardware and furniture business in Richford, Vermont; Emily A., a resident of Milton, Vermont ; Homer E., a citizen of Milton, Vermont ; and Ella, wife of R. C. Darling, of Milton, Vermont. The mother of these children died in the seventieth year of her age. Both Mr. and Mrs. Powell were actively associated with the Baptist church of Richford and North Fairfax, Mr. Powell acting in the capacity of deacon for many years. His death occurred when he had attained the age of seven- ty-six years.
E. Henry Powell was born in Richford, Franklin county, Vermont, September 3, 1839, and until he reached the age of sixteen years he attended the common schools of that town. He then entered the Potsdam Academy, where he remained one term, and a year later became a student in the New Hampton Institute at Fair- fax. He taught school for nine terms during these years. In 1860 he entered the University of Vermont, where he remained until the follow- ing year, when the war broke out and he enlisted as a private on July 17, 1862. He was promoted to the rank of first sergeant before leaving the state, and at the expiration of a little more than one year's service in that capacity was ordered before General Casey's examining board for pro- motion in colored troops. Owing to the credit-
able examination he passed, he received a com- mission as lientenant colonel dated November 27, 1863, and was assigned to the Tenth United States (Colored) Troops, which regiment he commanded much of the time until nearly fifteen months after the close of the war. From De- cember, 1865, the regiment was one of four com- prising a brigade, and Colonel Powell acted as commander, owing to his seniority of rank. The command was a "Separate Brigade and the East- ern District of Texas." After his discharge as lieutenant colonel from the service of the United States, he returned to Richford, Vermont, hav- ing studied law while in service and been ad- mitted to the bar in Texas. In 1866 he estab- lished a general practice in his native town, where he continued until June, 1892, and in all his pro- fessional effort he has enjoyed the respect and esteem of his colleagues at the bar and the con- fidence of his clients. In 1874 the Richford Sav- ings Bank & Trust Company was organized with Colonel Powell as president, and he is still serv- ing in the same capacity.
In 1892 Colonel Powell removed to Burling- ton, Vermont, in order to accept the position of treasurer of the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College, which he still retains. The same year he was elected one of the directors of the Burlington Trust Company and is still serv- ing in that office. In politics he is an adherent of the principles of the Republican party. He served as inspector of customs from 1866 to 1869; was state's attorney from 1872 to 1874; representative from 1874 to 1876; state senator from 1878 to 1880; was chosen state auditor in 1878 and re-elected continuously for fourteen years, the longest period, with one exception, in the history of the state. Colonel Powell is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic ; of the Loyal Legion, and Sons of the American Revolution.
On November 30, 1864, Colonel Powell mar- ried Ellen G. Rowell, oldest daughter of Adon- iram Judson Rowell, a merchant and prominent business man at North Troy, Vermont, who served as captain and commissary of subsistence in the army. Mr. Rowell married Lucy A. Rich- ardson, who was born at Concord, New Hamp- shire, and the following named children were born to them : Ellen G .; William R., who was a
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lawyer and died at Methuen, Massachusetts ; Dr. George B. of Barton Landing, Vermont ; Charles J. of Denver, Colorado; Miss Ardell, of Barton Landing, Vermont; and Mrs. L. R. Bean, of Newport, Vermont. Mr. Rowell died at the age of forty-five years. Two children were born of this marriage to Colonel and Mrs. Powell : Blanche P., wife of William A. Spring, of Dres- den, Germany, a prominent American dentist ; and Max L. who is a graduate of the University of Vermont and now associated with his father in the law and insurance business. The latter has taken quite an active part in political affairs, having held the offices of deputy auditor of ac- counts, asistant clerk of the house of represen- tatives, secretary of the state senate, and a mem- ber of the school board. Mrs. Powell died at the age of thirty-four years. On October 1, 1877, Colonel Powell married Mrs. Georgiana Reed Bailey, of Montpelier, Vermont. She was the youngest daughter of Thomas Reed and Mary Bowlend, and widow of George W. Bailey, Jr., secretary of state at the time of his death. Her father was a prominent lawyer and banker, whose death occurred at Montpelier, Vermont, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife Mary, who was born in Massachusetts, and died at the age of seventy-nine years, was the mother of six children : George B. Reed, of Cambridge, Massa- chusetts; William, who died in Milwaukee; Ed- ward D., who died in Buffalo; Charles A., of Chicago; Josephine R. Poland of Montpelier, Vermont ; and Mrs. Powell. Two children were born of this second marriage: Thomas Reed, a graduate of the University of Vermont, now in Harvard Law School; and Gertrude Reed, a stu- dent in Smith College.
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