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 57
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127
On December 25, 1856, Mr. Egerton was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Frances Tyler, and their children were: Edith Kingsbury, born July 3, 1858, died August 12, 1861 ; and Fred- erick Tyler, born July 13, 1862, died March 4, 1887. Mrs. Egerton died February 2, 1886, and Mr. Egerton married, October 20, 1887, Miss Emily L. Abbott, who died September 5, 1897. He contracted an alliance, December 10, 1899, with Miss Mary Hickson, daughter of Richard Gregory Hickson, of Windsor, Vermont, who was a son of Sir George Hickson, of Gregory Castle, county Kerry, Ireland.
OLIVER L. WATSON, M. D.
Throughout a long period Dr. Oliver L. Watson devoted his time, energy and attention to the humane work of alleviating human suffering and prolonging life through the administration of medical agencies, and now he is living retired in the enjoyment of a richly deserved rest. He was born in Worcester, Vermont, on the Ist of May, 1828, and is a son of Oliver and Esther (Brown) Watson. His father was born in Con- necticut, October 8, 1785, and when a boy learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade, serving seven years' apprenticeship under the direction of an Englishman. Thus he thoroughly mastered the business, but when he had completed his term of
service he had no capital to aid him in starting out in life. Making his way to Montpelier, he followed his chosen pursuit in this city, and also in Worcester, and adjoining towns. He was a master workman on the state-house that was de- strowed by fire, and he followed carpentering and building throughout his entire life. He found recreation from his labors in gardening, and took great pride in his work in that direction, pro- ducing some of the finest vegetables that were ever raised in his section of the state. On the 29th of May, 1817, he married Miss Esther Brown, a daughter of Amasa Brown, of Worces- ter, Vermont, but formerly of Winchendon, Massachusetts. Her mother bore the maiden name of Sybil Stoddard, and Mr. and Mrs. Brown were numbered among the pioneer resi- dents of Worcester. There were but three fam- ilies who remained in that town during the ex- tremely cold and memorable winter of 1816, the Browns being one of these. Mr. Brown served as town clerk and was a member of the state leg- islature, being widely recognized as a leader of public thought and action. He was also one of the original members of the Congregational church of Worcester. To Oliver and Esther Watson were born eight children: Edwin C .. born May 26, 1818, was a member of the firm of French, Watson & Company, manufacturers, of Hartford, Vermont, and died in that town on the 20th of December. 1885; Sybil Eliza, born April 21, 1820, married Nelson H. Caswell, on the 4th of July, 1843, and she is still living at the ad- vanced age of eighty-two years ; Caroline B., born November 26, 1822, was married on the 27th of March, 1842, to Alvin Colby, and died September 13. 1889: Amasa B., born February 27, 1826. went to Michigan, was wealthy and prominent in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he was inter- ested in manufacturing, banking, lumbering, etc., was a self-made man, was married October 7. 1856, to Martha A. Brooks, and died September 18, 1888; the doctor is the next of the family; Esther L., born September 14. 1830. died March 26, 1852; Olive O., born November 27. 1832. be- came the wife of James Rice, on the 13th of No- vember, 1854, and died August 29. 1860: and Algernon Sydney, born February 6. 1838. died July 19, 1880. The father of this family was a member of the Congregational church. and in
316
THE STATE OF VERMONT.
his political views was an old-line Whig. He died August 29, 1870, and his wife passed away on the 3d of November, 1872.
In the common schools Oliver L. Watson ac- quired his early education, and then, determin- ing to make the practice of medicine his life work, he became a student in the office of Dr. Charles Clark, and also continued his reading under the direction of Dr. Macomber, of Wor- cester, Vermont, and subsequently was grad- uated in the medical department of the State University in 1864. He began practice in Wa- terbury Center, where he remained for one year, and then removed to Middlesex, where he con- tinued in practice for four years. His next place of residence was at West Thompson, where he met with success in his undertakings, contin- uously following his profession there until 1890, when he retired from active life and took up his abode in Montpelier. He had always remained a close and earnest student of his profession, keeping in touch with advanced thought con- cerning science, and thus his labors were effect- ive and his business proved a profitable one.
On the 19th of August, 1852, Dr. Watson was united in marriage to Miss Nancy C. Dar- ling, a daughter of Leonard and Mary Darling, of Worcester, and to this union were born three children : Milton B., born June 4, 1853, was a student in Dartmouth College and died on the 28th of August, 1872. Horace L., born Octo- ber 22, 1862, was graduated at the University of Vermont, in July, 1887, and is now a prac- ticing physician of Montpelier ; he wedded Mary Watson, of Woodbury, this state, and they have two children: Harold L., born in April, 1893, and Marion E., born in 1896. Jessie Cornelia, born December 12, 1872, is the wife of Dean Hayes, and they have one child, Leslie Watson, who was born in April. 1898. In 1877 the Doc- tor was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 7th of October, of that year. He afterward married Delia A. Peake on the 13th of October, 1880. She is a daughter of John and Melissa (Hall) Peake, and by her marriage she became the mother of one child : Edwin Clyde, who was born June 22, 1884, and died March 21, 1891.
Dr. Watson still retains his membership in the Vermont Medical Society, and at one time
was the president of the White Mountain Med- ical Society. His political support has been given the Republican party since its organiza- tion, and upon that ticket he has been elected and has served in various public offices. He was justice of the peace, was constable and deputy sheriff. In connection with his professional duties, he engaged in the pension business and accumulated a large property. He has passed the seventy-fourth milestone on life's journey, and in the evening of life receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded one who has reached an advanced age.
MAJOR G. S. BLODGETT.
For forty-seven years Gardner S. Blodgett was prominently connected with the business in- terests of Burlington, Vermont, and is a most honored and respected citizen of the Green Moun- tain state. Throughout the Civil war he per- formed most important service for the govern- ment, and at all times he has been loyal to his country, zealously devoting his energies to the promotion of its welfare.
Major Blodgett was born in Rochester, Ver- mont, November 10, 1819. His father, the Rev. Luther P. Blodgett, was born at Cornwall, Ver- mont, May 15, 1783, was graduated at Middle- bury College, in August, 1804, devoted his life to the work of the ministry and died in Cooperstown, New York, January 26, 1862. The ancestry of the family is traced back to Samuel Blodgett, of Salisbury, Connecticut, who was a French Huguenot. The family had its origin in Brittany, where the name was spelled Blojed.
Major Blodgett was educated in the common schools and in Jericho Academy, and entered upon his business career as a clerk in a country store. He was afterward employed as a salesman in a wholesale dry-goods house in New York city for three years, on the expiration of which period (1852) he returned to Vermont and was ap- pointed mail agent on the Burlington and Boston route. In 1854 he invented and patented a gal- vanized iron portable oven, which is now in use throughout almost the entire civilized world. The government of the United States was also a large purchaser, securing the ovens for army use in camp and field.
317
THE STATE OF VERMONT.
At the outbreak of the Civil war Major Blodg- ett entered the Union service and performed du- ties of the greatest importance and responsibility. He was commissioned by President Lincoln as captain and assistant quartermaster, United States Volunteers, August 3, 1861 ; captain and assist- ant quartermaster, United States Army (regu- lar service), July 2, 1864; and was brevetted major March 13, 1865, for faithful and meri- torious service during the war. His services began with the First Vermont Cavalry Regiment, at Burlington. He filled the twofold position of assistant quartermaster and assistant commissary of subsistence, and upon him devolved the ardu- ous duty of feeding and equipping the command, this, too, in face of what appeared to be insuper- able obstacles. Captain Blodgett received from the quartermaster general of the United States Army a requisition upon the treasury department for one hundred and ten thousand dollars, as pay- ment for the horses purchased for the regiment, and a further requisition from the commissary general, United States Army, for fifteen thousand dollars to pay for the subsistence of the men, at a rate of thirty cents a day. The requisitions were disregarded, and Major Blodgett visited the treasury department at the national capital, only to be informed that the matter must await the usual red-tape circumlocutory process. Major Blodgett was strenuously urgent, however, and his pertinacity was rewarded, and within three days he was on his return to Burlington. In
little more than a month the regiment was fully clothed and equipped, and on its way to the front.
With the prestige of thus promptly conduct- ing affairs, Major Blodgett was ordered, in May, 1862, to Annapolis, Maryland, under assignment to duty as chief depot quartermaster. This was one of the most important bases of supplies for the great Army of the Potomac, as well as for the troops operating in North Carolina, and he had it in charge during the remainder of the year. It was under him that was built the great parole camp accommodating about fifteen thousand men, and where were received the thousands of prison- ers of war paroled at Richmond, Belle Isle and elsewhere. In 1864 Major Blodgett was ordered to Baltimore to relieve Colonel Alexander Bliss of his duties as chief quartermaster of the Eighth Army Corps, which was under command of Gen-
eral Lew Wallace, with the understanding that it could not relieve him of his duties at Annapolis. This additional position of acting chief quarter- master at Baltimore necessitated his keeping two sets of books and office clerks, one in each city. He remained in the latter position until the con- centration and reorganization of the Ninth Army Corps, when he resigned his position at Baltimore.
The duties devolving upon Major Blodgett were most arduous during the reorganization of the Ninth Corps (Major General Ambrose E. Burnside) at Annapolis. This command num- bered six thousand men, and all were to be re- clothed and equipped. During his service at the Annapolis depot Major Blodgett disbursed nearly two million dollars in cash, issued one hundred and fifty thousand uniforms, fifty thousand tents, three hundred thousand blankets and immense quantities of camp and garrison equipments, to- gether with nine million pounds of grain and forage, two hundred thousand tons of coal for government steamers, and the enormous amount of lumber required for the barracks for the parole camp, army hospitals and other camps. He pro- vided transportation for many thousand paroled prisoners forwarded from Annapolis, and in his accounting with the government five years elapsed before they were finally balanced to a cent.
While stationed at Annapolis, in addition to the service already mentioned, Major Blodgett laid out the national cemetery, selecting the site. purchasing the ground, and later interred therein three thousand of the brave boys in blue who had laid down their lives on the altar of their country. Major Blodgett has the name of all these soldiers aside from those who were unknown. He also attended to the manufacture of the coffins, and was ordered by the secretary of war to paint all the government houses in Annapolis, which he did. He had authority to go into open market and buy any supplies he needed, which was an unusual privilege for a subordinate officer, but it indicated his standing with the government of- ficials and the confidence reposed in him. To those who know Major Blodgett it is unnecessary to say that this confidence was never betrayed in the slightest degree. Major Blodgett also super- intended the erection of a smallpox hospital at Annapolis, and made his own plans, which re.
318
THE STATE OF VERMONT.
ceived the approval of the quartermaster general, and which superceded plans already made by a government architect, the change resulting in a saving of between twelve and fourteen thousand dollars.
The close of the war rendered the Annapolis depot nunecessary, and it was abandoned. Major Blodgett was then ordered to Washington city to succeed Colonel Bliss, who had charge, under Quartermaster General M. C. Meigs, of all rail- road and river transportation. This was as ardu- ous a task, perhaps, as could fall to his lot, for he was chargeable with the transportation to their homes of the vast number of troops now released from service, as well as with the carriage to arsenals and depots of the great quantities of military stores for which there was now no use in the field. During his four years' service Major Blodgett had been absent from his post of duty but ten days, and he asked of General Meigs a leave of absence for a like period. He passed but one night at home, returning to Washington city the next day. But he held on his knee his little son, and the conviction came to him that his family now needed him rather than did the government, and he accordingly resigned, in Oc- tober, 1865, six months after the war had ended.
It is not too much to affirm that no man in all the vast army of the Union performed more useful service than did Major Blodgett. His duties were always performed with promptness and accuracy, and he aided very materially in promoting the efficiency of the army by providing it, without delay, with all that was necessary to its existence. He had a certain reward in the consciousness of duty well done. Again, he had been brought into official relations with some of the greatest men of the day,-the lamented Lincoln, Secretary of War Stanton and his assistant, Charles A. Dana, General Grant, General Wood, General John A. Dix, General Burnside, General Meade and others, and he en- joyed the personal friendship and esteem of these distinguished statesmen and soldiers. In 1873 Major Blodgett was again called into the service of the government for a brief time in the capacity of assistant United States commissioner to the Vienna exposition.
On retiring from the army Major Blodgett resumed his place in the commercial circles of
Burlington, where he had entered upon business in 1854, as a member of the firm of G. G. Blodgett & Company, jobbers of sheet and galvanized iron and dealers in steam, hot water and hot air fur- naces, plumbers' material, stoves and ranges. For forty-seven years he occupied the same store building, and enjoyed a very large and profitable trade, his honorable business methods, enterprise and energy commending him to the public con- fidence and patronage. At length, having ac- quired a handsome competence, he disposed of his commercial interests and returned to private life, where he is now enjoying the rest which he has so truly earned and richly deserves. In all the relations of life he has been found true and faithful to duty, and as a citizen, business man and in social life he has commanded the respect and regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
Major Blodgett is a valued member of the Congregational Society, and is connected with various military societies. He is a charter mem- ber of the Vermont Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, which was organized October 15, 1891, at which time he was chosen its treasurer, a position which he has occupied to the present time. He also holds membership with the Sons of the American Revolution, the Society of the Army of the Potomac, and Stan- nard Post, G. A. R.
On May 5, 1849, Major Blodgett was mar- ried, in New York, to Miss Sarah E. Ellis, a na- tive of New Bedford, Massachusetts. One son was born of this union, Frank J., now an eminent physician, who makes a specialty of the treat- ment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, and is assistant surgeon of the Manhattan Eye and Ear Infirmary and of the New York Hos- pital.
FREDERICK NEWELL SQUIRE.
Of the commercial interests of Bennington, Professor Frederick N. Squire has long been a representative, and for many years has been con- nected with the jewelry trade. His success in business is the reward of diligence, enterprise and a laudable ambition, guided by sound judg- ment and practical experience. He has the dis- tinction of being the longest established business
319
THE STATE OF VERMONT.
man in Bennington, where he entered mercan- tile life on May 1, 1854.
Mr. Squires was born November 8, 1831, in Bennington, at the same location where he still resides, and on the paternal and maternal sides is descended from ancestry honorable and distin- guished, representatives of both families having been Revolutionary soldiers. His grandfather, Saxton Squire, was born June 4, 1758, in Dur- ham, Connecticut, a son of Samuel and Annie Squire. His name appears three times on the rec- ords of Durham, in connection with the Revo- lutionary army. He first enlisted as a drummer boy, in 1775, being then only sixteen years of age, becoming a member of the First Connecticut Reg- iment under General Wooster; it was the first regiment raised in response to the first call for troops issued by the legislature of the state, the organization being effected May 2, 1775. The drummer boy was promoted to the position of drum major on the 10th of August, 1778, and was discharged on the 2nd of May, 1780. He came to Bennington in 1786 and here engaged in farming and in the tanning business, carrying on these occupations throughout his entire life. He married Sylvia Newel, who was born in Connecticut in August, 1765, and both died in Bennington, the former in 1828, at the age of sixty-seven years, while the latter survived until May 13. 1832, when sixty-seven years of age. A daughter of Saxton Squire, by his first wife, lived to the very advanced age of ninety- three years. Both were members of the old First Congregational church of Bennington, and exerted a strong influence on the moral de- velopment of the community. In the family were the following named: Dorcas, who was born in May, 1873; Alson, born January 25, 1784; Norman, born July 27, 1787; Fannie, born February 27, 1789; Buckley ; Newell, born June 5, 1794; Albert, born September 6, 1796, and Sylvia, born July 11, 1800.
Newell Squire was born in Bennington Cen- ter, and after acquiring a common school edu- cation, learned the tanner's trade, which he fol- lowed for many years. He is said to have been the best snare drummer in the state. The family has long been famous for musical talent, and its members have been prominent in musical circles for many years. Mr. Squire took a deep
interest in politics, kept well informed on the issues of the day and supported the men and measures of the Republican party. He spent his entire life in Bennington and died at the age of eighty-six years. He married Ruth Black- mer, a native of Bennington and a daughter of Samuel Blackmer, whose birth occurred in this place, as did that of his father, who also bore the name of Samuel Blackmer. Samuel Black- mer was a farmer by occupation and spent his entire life in Bennington, where he died at the age of sixty-three years; his wife, who bore the maiden name of Ruth Howard, was born across the mountains and died at the age of thirty-nine years, and by her marriage she had become the mother of seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Squire had three children, but the only one now living is Frederick N. Henry Squire, cousin of the latter, and a son of Buckley Squire, is a celebrated tenor singer and has traveled all over the world, sing- ing in many of the leading cities, but still makes his home in Bennington and generally spends the summer months there.
Frederick N. Squire was reared and educated in Bennington. He learned the tanner's trade with his father, but upon attaining his ma- turity, abandoned that pursuit and became con- nected with the jewelry business. He is now proprietor of the oldest and finest store in his line in Bennington, it having been established in 1854. He carries a splendid stock of goods and draws his patronage from among the best families of this part of the state. The store would be a credit to a city much larger than Bennington and the proprietor would be a valued addition to the mercantile circles anywhere.
On the 26th of November, 1872. Mr. Squire married Miss Alfretta A. Clark, a daughter of Robert Clark, an engineer, who was the first man to take a train over the Troy and Ben- nington Railroad, and who died at the age of seventy-one years; Mr. Clark's wife, who bore the maiden name of Amelia Frogly, died at the age of sixty-five years, and of their large family, Mrs. Squire is the only survivor.
Mr. Squire's son Robert, who was associated with him in the store and who was not only a prac- tical jeweler, but also a capable and experienced optician, is now traveling for the American Self- Wind Electrical Clock Company, of New
320
THE STATE OF VERMONT.
York. He married Harriet Willard, of Holy- oke, Massachusetts, and they are now living in New York city. Ruth, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Squire, is recognized as one of the finest pianists in the state and has a large class of pu- pils. She has inherited the musical taste and talent of the family, is a pupil of Professor Joseffs, of New York city, and her proficiency is marked. Mr. Squire is a valued factor in mu- sical circles here and for more than ten years was a teacher of vocal music in the public schools of Bennington, while for forty years he has been the leader of the church choir. He was also the leader of the famous Bennington quar- tet which sang together for sixteen years at St. Peter's church. In politics he is a stanch
and active Republican and fraternally is con- nected with Mt. Anthony Lodge No. 13, F. & A. M. He is prominent and influential, hon- ored and respected by all, and in the history of the Green Mountain state, he well deserves men- tion as a leading citizen of Bennington, and also has a wide acquaintance in other parts of Vermont.
GEORGE DAGGETT.
George Daggett, of Winooski, Vermont, was born in Montpelier, Vermont, September 18, 1835. He is a descendant of Arthur Daggett, who was one of the earliest settlers of East Mont- pelier, where he purchased a large tract of land, which he cleared up and cultivated. This ground is now the property of Louis Colburn. Mr. Dag- gett was one of the representative men of that section of the state, and was frequently called upon to occupy local positions of trust and re- sponsibility. His son, Arthur Daggett, grand-fa- ther of George Daggett, was born in Sutton Mas- sachusetts. He received his education in the dis- trict school of his native town. He was on the lake on his way to participate in the battle of Plattsburg when it was fought.
Freeman Daggett, father of George Daggett, was born in Montpelier, Vermont, June 20, 1807. He was reared on his father's farm, and acquired his education in the common schools of East Montpelier. He learned the trade of millwright, and followed this occupation for the balance of his life. He was an honest, industrious man
and won the respect and esteem of his fellow townsmen. He was appointed to the office of deputy sheriff of Washington county, whichi posi- tion he filled both honorably and creditably for many years. He was an earnest, conscientious member of the Universalist church. Mr. Dag- gett married Miss Calista Ingalls, and one child was born to them, George Daggett. Mr. Dag- gett died September 11, 1865, and his wife passed away August 29, 1866, in Winooski, Vermont.
George Daggett, only child of Freeman and Calista Daggett, attended the public schools of his native town, and resided upon the old home- stead, engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1866, when he removed to Winooski Park, town of Colchester, Vermont, where he finished a beauti- ful, commodious residence. He planted a variety of shade trees and shrubbery, which entirely sur- round the house and add greatly to the beauty and attractiveness of the place. Although never learning a trade, Mr. Daggett is one of the finest mechanics in Vermont, and he has finished the interior of the structure in a most artistic man- ner, showing both skill and good taste in the decorations. He continues his farming opera- tions here, and is now the possessor of a finely cultivated, productive tract of land.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.