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 66

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 66

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to public interests found exemplification in his peculiarly useful services in connection with the volunteer fire department. For four years he was chief engineer, for a number of years fore- man of Star Hose Company, and since treasurer of the Vermont State Firemen's Association. In all public movements conducing to the welfare of the community and the advancement of its inter- ests he is recognized as a leader, and he acts with that enthusiasm which assures success.

Colonel Grant is prominent in various frater- nal organizations, and has occupied high official positions which have given him a broad acquaint- ance and great popularity throughout the state. He has passed all the chairs in the commandery of the Masonic order, has attained to the thirty- second degree, Scottish Rite, is a noble in Mt. Sinai Temple, Mystic Shrine; for twenty-eight years he has been a member of the Masonic order and for three years member of the Veterans' As- sociation. In Odd Fellowship he has passed all the chairs in Green Mountain Lodge No. I and Green Mountain Encampment No. 3; has been for four years department commander of the Pa- triarchs Militant of the state. In these positions he has acquitted himself most creditably, and won the deserved gratitude of his fellow-members in these associations. He is also a prominent mem- ber of the Algonquin Club and the Ethan Allen Club. In politics he is a Republican. In 1875 Colonel Grant was married to Miss Nellie F. Todd, born in 1858, in Burlington, only child of Charles and Helen (Reynolds) Todd. Her father, a native of Vermont, is deceased.

IRA RUSSELL.

The subject of this brief sketch is one of the venerable and honarable citizens of Burlington. Vermont, and is a member of a family which has been prominently identified with the growth and development of this section of the Green Mountain state, where the name has ever stood for the highest integrity and for the best order of citizenship. Ira Russell was born in Shelburne. Chittenden county, on the 10th of July. 1819. be- ing a son of Elihu and Matilda (Cook) Russell. the former of whom was born in Harrisburg. Vermont, on the 6th of January. 1796, and who died on the 20th of January, 1854. He was a

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son of Charles and Pearl Russell, the former of whom was born in Cambridge, New York, whence he came to Vermout as the original representative of the family in this state and as one of its early pioneers. He purchased a large tract of unim- proved land in Hinesburg, and as the years passed he succeeded in reclaiming the same and placing it inder effective cultivation, while he also kept a hotel which was largely patronized by the trav- eling public in the early days. He had four chil- dren-Perry, Mildred, Elihu and Lois.

Elihn Russell was reared and educated in his native county, having completed his early educa- tional discipline in the Harrisburg Academy, and having rendered his due quota of assistance in the clearing and improving of the homestead farm. He continued to devote his attention to agricultural pursuits in his mature years, con- ducting operations on a large scale, and it may be appropriately noted that he was thus associated with his father and brother in the cultivation of twelve hundred acres of land. His political support was given to the old-line Whig party, and he was called upon to serve in various local offices of trust, including those of selectman and justice of the peace. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which both he and his wife were zealous and active workers. His wife, whose maiden name was Malinda Cook, was born in 1796, and her death occurred in 1879, their children being as follows : William P., who was born on the 24th of December, 1817, died on the 25th of January, 1847; Ira is the immediate, subject of this sketch; Phoebe, who was born on the 21st of October, 1821, became the wife of George Lyon, and her death occurred on the 19th of January, 1862; Luthera, who was born on the 3Ist of July, 1823, married Abraham Russell, and her death occurred on the 20th of January, 1899: Eliza, born October 25, 1825, married Mr. Bounton, and she died September 26, 1861 : Clar- rissa, born November 12, 1827, married George Pierce : Amy, born July 27, 1830, died on the 24th of July, 1837; Hannah, born on the 7th of August, 1832, became the wife of Dr. Langdon, and her death occurred on the 18th of January, 1876.

Ira Russell was reared on a farm, then went to Warren, New York; was engaged twelve years in a store ; then sold out and come to Bur-

lington, Vermont, where he purchased a grocery and provision business, which he conducted very successfully for many years. He married in July, 1842, Ruth P. Miner, daughter of Samuel Miner, and born at Shelburne, Vermont. They have had two children-Ellen, who married Asa Withull, . and now deceased ; William P., also deceased, who had three children, Mable, who married Luke Hall, dealer in musical merchandise in Bur- lington, Vermont, and they have one child, Ruth Russell ; Louise ; and Alice, who married Dr. John Hodge, a dentist in Burlington. Mr. Withull was with Ira Russell in business for many years while in Warren, New York.

Mr. Russell has held all the town offices. He is a member of the Methodist church, and has been trustee and steward for fifty years.

Mrs. Russell's father, Mr. Withull, came from New Hampshire with his father, Roswell, as a pioncer to Shelburne, Vermont, and spent the rest of his life there. Her father was a farmer, and died in 1871. Her mother, Eliza- beth Bynington, had four children, Mrs. Russell being the only one living.

CLARK KING.

A man's reputation is the property of the world. The laws of nature have forbidden isola- tion. Every human being submits to the controll- ing 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, in- vestigation 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 Clark King. He has also won distinction in connection with political affairs. Unlike many business men he has not allowed the responsibilities of an active business career to overshadow his duties of citizenship, and in the legislative councils of the state he has rendered valued service to the commonwealth.

Mr. King was born in Montpelier on the 8th

Clark King

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

of October, 1830. His father, Dr. Nathaniel C. King, was a native of Rochester, Massachusetts, born July 19, 1789, his parents being Deacon Jonathan and Mary (Clark) King. When six- teen years of age Dr. King began teaching school, and three years later he took up the study of medi- cine, having determined to make its practice his life work. In connection with Dr. Foster, of Rochester, he visited patients, and under the di- rection of his preceptor mastered many of the best text books upon medical principles. When twenty-two years of age he went to Hanover, New Hampshire, where he attended medical lec- tures, and in 1812 he settled in North Montpelier for the practice of his chosen vocation. In 1814 he served as a surgeon on the Plattsburg expe- dition during the second war with England. He met with excellent success in his profession, but about 1817 he relinquished it in order to engage in merchandising in connection with his father- in-law. In the new venture he prospered and be- came one of the wealthy men of the state. He took a deep and abiding interest in everything that pertained to public progress and advance- ment, and in 1849 and 1850 he manifested his loyalty to Vermont by earnest labor in behalf of the commonwealth while representing his district in the state legislature. Through a long period he served as justice of the peace, and probably no justice of the state during the same period had a larger local business to attend to. He was a gen- tleman of strong mentality, of marked force of character, of excellent executive ability and un- wavering integrity. In manner he was genial and courtly, and a fund of anecdote heightened his conversation. In early manhood he was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Davis, a daughter of Nathaniel Davis, one of the founders of the town of Montpelier. To them were born the follow- ing named: Elsie Caroline, who was born April 6, 1818, and is now deceased ; Edward Davis, who was born October 5, 1820, and died June 24, 1825 ; Diana F., who was born June 10, 1826, and is the widow of Sumner Putnam, her home be- ing in Montpelier ; Clark, who was born in Janu- ary, 1828, and died on the 24 of June of that year ; and Clark, whose name introduces this re- view. Dr. King was called to his final rest on the Ist of December, 1882, and was the oldest man living in his town at the time, having at-

tained the age of ninety-three years. His wife, who was born March 31, 1794, passed away No- vember 20, 1847.

Clark King pursued his education in the dis- trict schools and academy at South Woodstock, Vermont. When his native town was divided he became a resident of the portion known as East Montpelier. For a number of years in early life he carried on general farming, but later turned his attention to the produce business, which claimed his time and energies for thirty years and in return for his labor brought to him desirable success. He is now retired, for his activity in business circles secured for him a comfortable competence, that enables him to rest from his labors in the evening of life. For ten years he was a director in the Montpelier National Bank, and in financial and social circles his word was as good as any bond ever solemnized by signature or seal.

On the 29th of August, 1855, in Barre, Ver- mont, Clark King was united in marriage to Rhoda R. Dodge, a daughter of Andrew J. Dodge, and to them have been born the following named : Cora became the wife of A. P. Johnnott, and died leaving a daughter, Cora K. Nathaniel C., born June 4, 1861, was educated in the Uni- versity of Vermont at Burlington and Columbia College of New York, and is a prominent physi- cian of Brockton, Massachusetts; he married Alice Porter, of that place. Charles Carroll, born January 13, 1863, completed his literary studies in Harvard College, is also a graduate of Har- vard Law School, and is now practicing law in Brockton ; he married Etta Allen and is a leading and influential resident there, is a warden and chairman of the board of trustees of the Uni- tarian church, and in politics is a stanch Re- publican.

The Republican party also receives the en- dorsement and aid of Clark King, who has been called to many local offices in the town of East Montpelier. From 1867 until 1870 he served as chairman of the board of selectmen, and from 1872 until 1874 he represented Washington coun- ty in the state senate, leaving the impress of his individuality upon the legislation enacted during that period. For a quarter of a centuy he has been a trustee of Goddard Seminary of Barre, Vermont. It would be difficult to find one who

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takes a more imselfish yet active interest in pub- lic affairs for the benefit of his town and state than does Alr. King. His life record is most commendable. His success has been by no means the result of fortunate circumstances, but has come to him through energy, labor and persever- ance, directed by an evenly balanced mind and by honorable business principles. He has made the most of his opportunities, and thus he has pro- gressed steadily. In manner he is quiet and straightforward, not slow to condemn injustice and dishonesty, nor is he slow to reward faithful- ness. He commands the respect of all with whom he comes in contact, and his successful career is an admirable object of emulation.

LESLIE THOMAS PAGE, M. D.

Dr. Leslie Thomas Page, of Wilmington, Ver- mont, was born in Burlington, Maine, April 14, 1866. He can trace his ancestry back three gen- erations to Jesse C. Page, who was born in New Hampshire, probably in the town of Conway, where he was a prosperous farmer. Thomas Page, grandfather of Dr. Page, was born in Con- way, New Hampshire, where he spent his child- hood and acquired his education in the district schools. He chose farming as an occupation, and later removed to Burlington, Penobscot county, Maine, and became one of the pioneers of the town. He was a man possessed of very progres- sive ideas, and was very successful in all his un- dertakings. He built a saw mill, also a lumber mill, and operated both to advantage. He had a farm of one thousand acres, which he cultivated to a state of perfection, and he erected a fine residence. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Charles, born in Lovell, Maine. Eleven children were born to them. John and Herman alone survive. The remaining children were Dean, Norman, Jerry, Jesse, Kate, Elizabeth, Dorcas and Hannah. The parents of these chil- dren were members of the Congregational church, in which they took an active interest, contributing generously to its support. Mr. Page gave each of his sons a farm for their own use. He died at the age of seventy-five years.

Norman Page, father of Dr. Page, was also born in Conway, New Hampshire, February 19, 1819, where he was reared on the old homestead.

At the age of six years his parents removed to Burlington, Maine, where he received his educa- tion in the common schools. He followed farm- ing as an occupation, and in addition to this he was the proprietor of a store and had large hun- ber interests. He was also very successful in the buying and selling of land. He was joined in marriage to Miss Hannah Springer, born in Se- bec, Maine, a daughter of John Springer, who was born in Washington county, Maine, and who conducted a millwright business there for some years, but subsequently removed to Lincoln, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying at the age of eighty-one years. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Page, viz: Angie, wife of Edwin A. Reed, of Springfield, Maine ; Agnes E., now residing in Portland, Maine; Earle S., who resides on the homestead farm in Burlington, Maine; Grace A., who resides in Tacoma, Washington ; and Leslie T. Page. The sisters have all been engaged in teaching, an oc- cupation in which they have been very success- ful. Mrs. Page was a devoted member of the Congregational church, as are her daughters. Mr. Page died at the age of seventy-four years, and his wife passed away in her sixtieth year.

Dr. Leslie T. Page spent his childhood days in Burlington, Vermont, where he acquired his preliminary education in the public schools, and later he attended the Lee Normal Academy. While pursuing his academic and professional studies he taught school for about seven years, which proved to be a valuable experience for him in later years. After spending two years in the study of medicine in the office of Dr. S. W. Bragg, of Lincoln, Maine, he entered the medical department of the University of Vermont, from which he was graduated in 1891. He commenced the practice of his profession in Lincoln, Maine, remaining there for one year. He then removed to Brattleboro, Vermont, where he spent three years as assistant physician at the Brattleboro Re- treat. Being naturally a careful student, he had an excellent opportunity while in this position to make an extensive examination into the nature of nervous diseases and the approved methods of treatment. On January 1, 1895, Dr. Page re- moved to Wilmington, Vermont, where he has built up an extensive practice, not only because of his professional skill, but also as a result of

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

his social and genial characteristics. In addition - to his many professional duties Dr. Page has creditably served the town in the capacity of · health officer, and has also served as a member, trustee, and been a director for three years of the village school board.

Fraternally, Dr. Page is a member and past worshipful master of Social Lodge No. 38, F. & A. M., belongs to Mount Horeb Chapter No. 93, R. A. M., (Mattawan K. E. A. G.,) to Beause- ant 'Commandery No. 7, K. T., of Brattle- boro, Vermont, and to Mt. Sinai Temple, Nobles of Mystic Shrine, of Montpelier; he is a past master in the blue lodge of Wilmington, Ver- mont. Dr. Page was united in marriage to Miss Laura Fowler. September 25, 1895. She is the daughter of Thomas and Olive (Hale) Fowler. Mr. Fowler was born in Pittsfield, Maine, where he pursued the occupations of farmer and lum- berinan, and later reinoved to Milo, Maine, where he died in 1902, at the age of eighty years ; his wife survives, and of the ten children born to them six are still living, viz: Oscar; Ida ; Etta, wife of Oscar Thomas ; Alma ; Laura ; and Harry Fowler. One child has been born to Dr. and Mrs. Page, Agnes Fowler Page.

H. ELLSWORTH PARSONS.

H. Ellsworth Parsons, town clerk and treas- urer of the town of Readsboro, is a representa- tive citizen and one of the foremost business men of the place. He was born in Readsboro, April 23, 1863, a son of the late Elijah Parsons. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Parsons, a na- tive of Conway, Massachusetts, came to Reads- boro as a pioneer, and was here engaged in farming for a number of years. Later he went west, and died in Wisconsin, at the age of sev- enty-three years. His first wife, whose maiden name was Rachel Battles, bore him six children, among them being Benjamin, Elijah, father of H. Ellsworth and Philena. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Elijah Parsons, a life-long resident of Reads- boro, died at his home in this town, August 10. 1899, aged seventy-seven years. Choosing the vocation to which he was reared, he was engaged in general farming the greater part of his life, being a successful agriculturist and a citizen of

prominence. Active in town affairs, he filled various offices with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents, for a number of terms serving as selectman. He was liberal in his religious views, and a member of the Univer- salist church. He married Nancy A. Bowen, who was born July 14, 1826, in Monroe, Massachu- setts, a daughter of James Bowen. James Bowen was a native of Richmond, New Hamp- shire, but went to Monroe, Massachusetts, as a pioneer, later settling in Readsboro. Of his union with Abigail Estey, a sister of James Fisk's mother, he had the following named chil-

H. ELLSWORTH PARSONS.

dren : Emily, Euburto, Horatio, Lorenzo, Orrin, Albert, and Nancy, who married Elijah Parsons. The last named is still living, and of her six children, four survive, namely: Hattie A .. Lovane S., Herbert A., and Harvey E., the special subject of this sketch. Minora Imogene and Emma Adelaide are deceased.

H. Ellsworth Parsons received his early educa-

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tion in the common schools of Readsboro, com- pleting his school life in the North Adams high school, after which he taught school in Monroe and in Readsboro. Learning the jewelry trade when young, he has since followed it more or less, having a jewelry store in Readsboro. He has also been undertaker and furniture dealer, and is the manufacturer of what is known as "Parson's Aura Nervo Remedies." In 1894 he erected a fine residence, besides which he is part owner of the Corporation building, or Bullock's block, and is manager of the Readsboro opera house. In politics he is a staunch Republican, and an active worker in his party. He was elected town treasurer in 1886, filling the posi- tion so efficiently that he has been re-elected to the same position every year since ; has served as town clerk since 1895 ; as justice of the peace two years, and is now superintendent of the public schools of Readsboro.

Mr. Parsons married, May 29, 1883, Vesta C. Mason, who was born in Plainfield, Massa- chusetts. Her father, Ira Mason, was born in Cummington, Massachusetts, the birthplace of his father, Nathan Mason. Ira Mason was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits during the greater part of his long and useful life of eighty-two years, and was an influential member of the com- munity, serving with fidelity in the various of- fices of the town. He married Celia Gurney, a native of Ashfield, Massachusetts, and she is still living. Her father, Joseph Gurney, who served in the war of 1812, married Olive Torrey, who bore him eight children. He was a son of Joseph Gurney, Sr., of Ashfield, who was a sol- dier in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Parsons has one sister living, Olive, wife of William Goldthwait, of Lowell, Massachusetts. Mrs. Parsons is a woman of culture and refinement, and of recognized ability. After completing her education at a select school, she began teach- ing as a girl of sixteen, a profession that she fol- lowed successfully for five years, having charge of schools in Monroe, then in Hawley, later at Savoy, coming thence to Readsboro. She is now one of the school directors, being the first woman elected to this office, and for the last three years has been a trustee of the public library. She is also a notary public, county reporter for the Deerfield Valley Times, does a large amount of

the clerical work of the town clerk's office, and assists her husband in his jewelry business. Mr. and Mrs. Parsons are the parents of three chil- dren, namely : Carl E., a student in the North Adams high school; Verne E., and Lucile V. Parsons.

MORTIMER T. HAMLEN.

The financial and commercial history of Ver- mont would be very incomplete and unsatisfac- tory without a personal and somewhat extended mention of those whose lives are interwoven so closely with the industrial, financial and political development of the state. When a man or a se- lect number of men, have set in motion the ma- chinery of business, which materializes into a thousand forms of practical utility, or where they have carved out a fortune or a name from the common possibilities, open for competition to all, there is a public desire, which should be gratified, to see the men, so nearly as a portrait and a word artist can paint them, and examine the elements of mind and the circumstances by which such results have been achieved.

Mortimer T. Hamlen finds an appropriate place in the history of those men of Vermont whose force of character, whose sterling integ- rity, -whose fortitude amid discouragements, whose good sense in the management of compli- cated affairs and marked success in establishing large industries and bringing to completion great schemes of trade and profit, have contributed in an eminent degree to the development of the vast resources of this noble commonwealth. His career has not been helped by accident or luck, or wealth or family or powerful friends. He is, in its broadest sense, a self-made man, being both the architect and builder of his own fortune.

Mortimer T. Hamlen was born in Benning- ton on the 26th of May, 1855, and traces his ancestry back to Isaac and Polly Hamlen. The former was born in Cummington, Massachusetts, November 25, 1748, and the latter was born April 18, J754. Among their children was Joshua Hamlen, whose birth occurred in Cummington on the 17th of September, 1787. He married Electa Shaw on September 20, 1810; she was born October 3, 1788. Mr. Hamlen was a hatter by trade, and for some years followed that pur-

Klamlen

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

suit in his native city, but in 1827 removed to Bennington and later engaged in farming, pur- chasing the tract of land upon which our subject lives, in 1844. There he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which ocurred Decem- ber 30, 1869, while his wife, surviving him for a number of years, passed away on the third of April, 1878. In their family were five children, which number included Lafayette Hamlen, who was born in Cummington, Massachusetts, Janu- ary 25, 1824. He was reared upon the old home farm and his elementary education was supple- mented by an academic course. For some years he was associated in agricultural interests with his father upon the old homestead, but in 1858 began dealing in ice, and the business which he then established has since been carried on. In 1864 he began the manufacture of splints for sur- gical purposes, especially for use of the soldiers in the Civil war. He did a large business in that line, carrying on operations until 1866, when, the demand having decreased, he turned his attention to the wholesale petroleum business, which he conducted with good success until selling out to the Standard Oil Company in 1897. In that year he established a cider mill and vinegar manu- factory and these are still operated by his son. To some extent he engaged in the real estate business here. He built a number of dwellings on Union street and several in other sections of Bennington. In public affairs he was quite prominent and served as trustee of his village for many years, but refused all other offices, pre- ferring to give his time and energies to his pri- vate busines interests. His political endorse- ment was given to the Republican party, and he attended the Congregational church, in which he held official positions.

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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 66

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