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 68

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 68

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health. After a period of rest and recuperation in his native state his health was restored and he was enabled to engage in business again. In December, 1867, he went to New York city and became a member of the wholesale shoe jobbing house of Du Bois, Magovern & Company, of which his brother, Gilman B. Du Bois, was also a member. At the end of five years he retired permanently from active mercan- tile pursuits, and has ever since made his home in his native place, contributing much toward its financial, moral and educational growth. He im- mediately erected his present handsome residence on South Main street, where hospitality, good cheer and a refined influence reign.

He was largely instrumental in establishing the West Randolph graded schoool, one of the best and most successful of its kind in the state, and was continuously a member of its board of management twenty-one years. For the same period he was treasurer of the West Radolph district, and since the incorporation of the village of West Randolph, in 1876, he has served it as treasurer. Previous to 1875 no organized bank had ever been established in the town of Randolph, and the establishment of the Randolph National Bank at Randolph, May 8, 1875, was the result of his enterprise and executive ability. This has filled an urgent need of the community, and, with a capital of $100,000, it has steadily paid divi- dends to the stockholders and largely benefited this section of the state. Mr. Du Bois has con- tinually held the presidency of the bank, and was chairman of the board of water commissioners at the time of the construction of the village water works, and continued eleven years on the board. He has also served many years as treasurer of the town of Randolplı, which position he still fills. In 1896 he was instrumental in organizing a free public library for the town, and was elected one of the five trustees to manage it. At the end of his term of four years he was re-elected to the same position for a period of five years, and continued to act as secretary and treasurer of the board. In 1901 his old friend and schoolmate, Colonel Rob- ert J. Kimball, volunteered to supply a building and furniture, and the care of its construction has fallen chiefly upon Mr. Du Bois. The building is a handsome and substantial one, reflecting credit upon all concerned in its erection, and occu-

pies a convenient site on Main street. The library now includes more than five thousand volumes, and is highly creditable to the town.

Having faith in the governmental principles of the Republican party, he has ever been a firm adherent of its policy, and exercised a powerful influence in its councils, both locally and at large. His service to his state has been as cheerfully, widely and efficiently rendered as those exercised in the interest of his home town, and with the same fidelity, energy and executive ability that have well ordered his private affairs. His elec- tion to the legislature from the town of Randolph in 1876 was characterized by the largest majority ever given a representative from the town. He served in that legislature on the committee on banks and education and the joint special commit- tee on state expenses. In the same year he was appointed inspector of finance by Governor Horace Fairbanks, being successively reappointed by Governors Proctor and Farnham, holding the position six years. From 1882 to 1890 he con- tinuously held the office of state treasurer. Again, in 1892, he was appinted in- spector of finance by Governor Fuller, and filled the post two years. He was elected in 1892 to represent Orange county in the state sen- ate, and served in the session of that year as chair- man of the committee on finance and on the joint standing committee on state and court expenses, and was a member of the committee on railroads and several special committees.

Mr. Du Bois was the first state officer to rec- ommend to the legislature a direct tax on corpora- tions in the state. Governor Proctor, in his mes- sage to the legislature in 1878, endorsed the rec- ommendation made by the inspector of finance in his report, of a one-half of one per cent. tax on savings bank deposits, and a law was enacted for the purpose. This has become the settled policy of the state, and the tax upon all kinds of corpora- tions, through subsequent enactments, now af- fords nearly $500,000 annually toward state ex- penses.

Jannarv I, 1862, William H. Du Bois was married to Miss Anne Eliza Gilbert, daughter of Myron J. and Jerusha (Fanning) Gilbert, of Brandon, Vermont. She was born April 20, 1844, in Troy, New York, and died in West Randolph, May 31, 1887. Widely known and much beloved,

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Mrs. Du Bois was active in the social and relig- ious life of the state, being a prominent member of the First Baptist church of West Randolph. The fine-toned bell which calls people to worship in the building of that society was presented by Mr. Du Bois in memory of his lamented wife. She was the mother of nine children, five of whom are now living. Mr. Du Bois was married June 5, 1888, to Adeline Lucy, youngest daughter of Horace and Lucy (Smith) Moulton, of West Randolph.

The surviving children of Mr. Du Bois are briefly mentioned, as follows: Mary Susan, a graduate of Smith College, in the class of 1893, is a teacher in the Randolph high school. Charles Gilbert, graduated from Dartmouth College in 1891, and has since been connected with the Western Electric Company, being now sec- retary of the company, with headquarters in Chicago. Clara Adelaide, a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, was married September 6, 1890, to Homer B. Bell, a merchant of Randolph. Anne Lamson graduated in 1894 from the Randolph high school, and subsequently from Smith Col- lege. John Henry graduated from the former institution in 1896, subsequently spending two years at Dartmouth College.

LEVI K. FULLER.

Levi K. Fuller, deceased, who has served in the capacity of lieutenant governor and governor of the state of Vermont, was born February 24, 1841, at Westmoreland, New Hampshire. He is a descendant of a long line of distinguished an- cestors. The progenitor of the American branch of the family was Dr. Edward Fuller, who, ac- companied by his wife and son Samuel, set sail from England in the year 1620 in the illustrious ship Mayflower, which brought the little band of Pilgrims to Plymouth Rock. On November 6, 1620, William Butler, a youth who was en- gaged by them as a servant, died and was buried at sea ; Edward Fuller and his wife died shortly after coming to this country, but their son Samuel lived, married and had four children. Edward Fuller arrived in Boston in 1630, and his son John Fuller was one of the first proprietors of Salisbury in 1640, and perhaps of Ipswich in 1648. He settled in Lynn, Massachusetts, in

1646, where his death ocurred April 2, 1676. John Fuller, son of John Fuller, was a resident of Lynn in 1644, where he died June 2, 1666, and surviving him were three sons, John, William and James. John Fuller was a resident of Lynn, and served for five years as lieutenant in the state militia ; he died April 29, 1695. His sons were: John, Thomas, Edward, Elisha, Joseph and Benjamin. Matthew Fuller resided in Plym- outh in 1640, and removed to Barnstable in 1652, was a surgeon general in the Plymouth colonial forces in 1673, and was appointed to the rank of captain in 1675, in which year he died. Robert Fuller, of Salem, Massachusetts, was made a free- man of the colony in 1658; later he removed to Rehoboth, Massachusetts, and was granted a deed for land in that town on May 28, 1696. He was twice married, his first wife, Sarah, was buried in Rehoboth, October 14, 1676; his second wife, Margaret, died at Rehoboth, Janu- ary 30, 1697 or 1700. His death occurred May IO, 1706. Their children were : Jonathan, born in 1640; Elizabeth, born in 1645; Mary, born in 1647; Samuel, born in 1649; John, born in 1651; Abigail, born in 1653, and Benjamin, born in 1657. Robert and William Fuller were admitted freemen of Rehoboth, June 2, 1641, and Robert Fuller registered as a land purchaser in 1652. The original purchasers of Attleboro, Massachusetts, October 2, 1665, were: John Ormsby, Robert Fuller, Jonathan Fuller, Thomas Ormsby and Jacob Ormsby. Salem town granted to Robert Fuller, April 1, 1643, twenty acres of land at Jeffries Créek.

Jonathan Fuller, eldest son of Robert Fuller, was born in 1640, married in Rehoboth, Decem- ber 14, 1664, Miss Elizabeth Wilmarth, born in Rehoboth, April 4, 1647, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Wilmarth. Mr. Fuller died, and his estate was divided. August 3, 1709, by his widow Elizabeth Fuller. Their children were: Jonathan, born December 23, 1665; David, born September II, 1667: Daniel, born August 6, 1669 : Robert and Thomas, twins, born June 28, 1671, Robert dying the same year; Robert, born March 2, 1673; Nathaniel, born May 1, 1675; Elizabeth, born May 12, 1678; Sarah, born April 23, 1680; Noah, born in February, 1682-3, and Esther.

Robert Fuller, son of Jonathan and Eliza-

Lin K. Fuller

٢٠

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beth Fuller, was born March 2, 1673. He was married twice, his first wife having been Miss Elizabeth Shephardson, who died September 28, 1701; he then married Miss Mary Titus, who was born in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, March 30, 1681-2. Their children were: Josiah, born November 18, 1704; Sarah, born in 1707; Eliza- beth, born in 1710, and 'Robert.

Josiah Fuller, eldest son of Robert Fuller, was born November 18, 1704. He was united in marriage to Miss Mehitable Ormsby, and the following named children were born to them: May, Oliver, Isabel. Caleb and Noah, born March 28, 1739. Tlie father of these children died in 1754, and his wife pased away in March, 1779.

Noah Fuller, son of Josiah and Mehitable Fuller, was born at Wrentham, Massachusetts, March 28, 1739. He became a member of the medical profession, from the practice of which he acquired a goodly competence. On the 6th of April, 1779, he purchased one hundred acres of land from Zethon Bailey, in the town of West- moreland, New Hampshire, it being in latitude three, range three and division two, the deed of which was recorded July 19, 1780. He erected a log house on this ground, but subsequently he built a large two-story house on the first road that was built from East Westmoreland to Surry. He was married to Miss Dorotha Hunt, who was born January 17, 1743, and died August 16, 1762; they had one child, Josiah, who was born No- vember 16, 1761. Mr. Fuller was then united in marriage in 1763, to Miss Esther Ware, of Wrentham, Massachusetts, who was born June 10, 1739. Their children were : Noah, born May 28, 1764 ; Robert, born March 4, 1766; Es- ther, born January 25, 1768; Dorotha, born Jan- uary 21, 1770, died March 20, 1861 ; Abigail, born February 1, 1772; Joshua, born February IO, 1774; Sibyl, born June 15, 1777; Joseph, born July 30, 1779; and Betty, born August 10, 1783, died July 10 1797. Mr. Fuller died and was interred in the old cemetery in Surry, New Hampshire, and his wife died in May, 1809.

Joseph Fuller, fourth son of Noah and Es- ther Fuller, was born in Wrentham, Massachu- setts, July 30, 1779. He was joined in marriage, January 30, 1803, at Westmoreland, to Miss Anna Knight, who was born January 7, 1779, a

daughter of Josiah Knight, of Worchester, Massachusetts. The following named children were born of this union: Luther K., born May 8, 1805, in Franconia, New Hampshire, died July 26, 1852; Betsey, born July 23, 1808, at Franconia, New Hampshire, died July 21, 1871; Christopher C., born July 16, 1809, at Westmore- land, New Hampshire, died March 28, 1877; Washington, born November 1, 1812; Mary K., born October 8, 1814, died July 21, 1858; Simon, born August 3, 1816, died April 23, 1824; John, born May 25, 1818, died March II, 1824; Lucy K., born May 21, 1820; and Lydia, who changed her name to Ellen, was born September 27, 1823. Mr. Fuller's death resulted from injuries re- ceived in a fall in his shop, and his wife died from paralysis of the left side.

Washington Fuller, third son of Joseph and Anna Fuller, was born in East Westmoreland, New Hampshire, November 1, 1812. He was united in marriage in Ashby, Massachusetts, De- cember 10, 1838, to Miss Lucinda Constantine, who was born at Mt. Holly, Vermont, July 3, 1812, a daughter of Jacob and Eunice (Sawin) Constantine, the latter named being the daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Whitney) Sawin. Their children were: George W., born September II, 1839, at Westmoreland, New Hampshire; Levi K., born February 24, 1841, and died October 10, 1896; and Mary Ann, born September 18, 1845, at Westminster, Vermont, died October 18, 1880, at Springfield, Massachusetts, and was in- terred at Brattleboro, Vermont.

Levi K. Fuller, second son of Washington and Lucinda Fuller, was born February 24, 1841, on the homestead of Noah Fuller, then owned by Joseph Fuller. In 1845 his parents removed to Westminster, Vermont, and young Levi at- tended the public schools until he attained the age - of thirteen years, when, with only twenty-five cents in his pocket, he left his father's residence, determined to make a place for himself in the world. Coming to Brattleboro he learned the trade of printer in a Brattleboro office, and in his leisure hours studied and practiced the science of electricity until he thoroughly understood it, and at the same time learned the art of telegraphy. Shortly after this he applied himself to mechanics and in order to become familiar with this line of work he served an apprenticeship as a machinist

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at Boston, Massachusetts, where he also attended an evening school. Mr. Fuller was intended by nature to be a scientist, and few men have ever beeu better equipped mentally to study and prac- tice scientific problems. He was one of the first electricians in America or any other country to note the influence of the aurora borealis upon telegraph lines ; at that time he was serving as night telegraph operator, and the press of the country and scientists of high attainment gave him full credit for his important discovery. He was devoted to the study of astronomy, and in his observatory in Brattleboro he had one of the finest equatorial telescopes in the east. In 1860 Mr. Fuller became actively connected with the Estey Organ Company's factory, and he demon- strated his value to the company in so large a degree that six years later he was admitted as a member of the great corporation. His re- sources as an inventor were great, and over a hundred patents have been issued to cover his many devices. He was a prominent member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, of the American Society for the Advancement of Science and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.

In 1873 President Grant appointed Mr. Ful- ler a commissioner to the Vienna Exposition, but he declined the honor as his business interests at home demanded all his time and energy. The best proof of the esteem in which he was held by his fellow citizens is the fact that he occupied two of the highest offices within their gift. In 1886 he was nominated and elected, by a hand- some majority, lieutenant governor of the state of Vermont, and two years later, by an increased majority, he was elected to the responsible po- sition of governor. He made his mark as a public official, and his administration of the af- fairs of the state was regarded as a model of excellence. Governor Fuller, in 1874, founded what was known as the Fuller Battery, and equipped and otherwise supported it for two years when it was turned over to the state. Vermont, through him, was the first state to be supplied with the rifled guns. This battery was nation- ally noted for its efficiency.

On May 8, 1865, Mr. Fuller was united in marriage to Miss Abby Emily Estey, who was born September 21, 1842, at Brattleboro, Ver-

mont, a daughter of Jacob and Desdemona ( Wood ) Estey. Mrs. Fuller is a descendant of a family whose name is said to have been derived from the colony located about fifteen miles to the south of Padua, Italy, in the seventh century. The members of the family soon spread west- ward, and now they are to be found in France, England and America. The progenitor of the family in America was Jeffrey Estey, who was one of the original inhabitants of Salem in 1651. His wife's name was supposed to be Elizabeth Esticke. Isaac Estey, said to have been a son of Jeffrey Estey, was united in marriage to Miss Mary Town, daughter of William Town, of Topsfield; Jacob Estey, fifth son of Isaac and Mary Estey, was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Eliott ; Isaac Estey, second son of Jacob and Lydia Estey, settled the first place west of the common, ncar the foot of Jacob's hill. He was one of the eight persons who "embodied" with the First Baptist church of Royalston, Mas- sachusetts, in 1768, and became its first deacon. He was a man of considerable property and a highly respected citizen. His aged mother came to town with him, rode in a chaise which it re- quired several men to steady and help over the obstructions of the way, and was the first adult female that died in Royalston. Mr. Estey was united in marriage, November 1, 1743, to Miss Sarah Gould. Jacob Estey, son of Isaac and Sarah Estey, was born in Sutton, Massachusetts, August 10, 1744, and succeeded his father on the farm and in the deaconship; he was united in marriage, March 19, 1772, to Miss Sarah Cham- berlain, daughter of Simeon Chamberlain. Mr. Estey died in 1829, at the age of eighty-six years, and his wife died the same year, at the age of eighty. Isaac Estey, son of Jacob and Sarah Estey, was born April 7, 1773, and was united in marriage November 26, 1801, to Miss Patty Forbes, eldest daughter, of James and Abigail Forbes ; Jacob Estey, third son of Isaac and Patty Estey, was born September 30, 1814, and was united in marriage to Miss Desdemona Wood, and their child, Abby Emily Estey, born Septem- ber 21, 1842, became the wife of Levi K. Fuller. Mr. Fuller's death occurred October 10, 1896.

Governor Fuller was active in his identifica- tion with the Sons of the American Revolution, was one of its early members and served as its

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presiding officer in the state of Vermont. Mrs. Fuller is a member of the Daughters of the Amer- ican Revolution. Governor Fuller was active especially in advancing the interests of certain educational institutions, and in the cause of ed- ucation generally. He was president for many years and up to the time of his demise, of the board of trustees of Vermont Academy, and its central building, known as Fuller Hall, was his gift to that institution, which was the recipient also of numerous other donations by him. He took a lively interest in the upbuild- ing of the colored people of the south, and served for some years as a mem- ber of the board of trustees of Shaw Uni- versity, and the firm of which he was a mem- ber erected one of the structures of that institu- tion for the education of colored women, known as Estey Hall. Among his scientific attain- ments, Governor Fuller was recognized as an authority on accoustics ; and, incidental to his in- terest in this direction, he collected, at an ex- pense approximating ten thousand dollars, the historic tuning forks of the world, including those of many of the great master composers and mu- sicians. He it was, too, who largely by individ- ual effort succeeded in establishing a national pitch. No less distinguished an authority than Professor Koenig accorded to Governor Fuller the very first rank of attainment along this line. As a youth Mr. Fuller united with the Ruggles Street Baptist church and continued to be con- nected with that denomination throughout his life and was a liberal contributor to its benefac- tions.

HENRY J. POTTER, M. D.

No history of Bennington could be complete without mention of the late Dr. Henry J. Potter, who for more than half a century was engaged in the practice of medicine at this place. He was the oldest physician of the city, and perhaps of the state, and in years of continued connection with the medical fraternity one of its active rep- resentatives. Distinguished honors came to him in the line of his chosen calling, for his merit was widely acknowledged and his skill unquestioned. He was one of the most honored residents of Ben- nington, and with pleasure we present his record to the readers of these volumes.

Dr. Potter was a native of Pownal, Benning- ton county, Vermont, where his birth occurred on the 13th of July, 1828, his parents being Joseph and Sally (Gardner) Potter. The family was founded in New England at an early date, and the grandfather of Dr. Potter, Zara Potter, was a native of Rhode Island. He was united in marriage to Anna Walker. Like her husband, she was of English and Scotch descent, and her people were also among the first settlers in New England. Emigrating to the Green Mountain state, Zara Potter took up his abode in Pownal, where he spent his remaining days, passing away on the 3rd of August, 1834, at the age of seventy- five years. His wife, who was born November I, 1768, died in November, 1808. In the family were nine children, among whom was Joseph Potter. He was born in Pownal, Vermont, and was there reared to agricultural pursuits. Throughout his entire life he engaged in farm- ing and was a progressive and enterprising ag- riculturist. When he had attained to years of maturity, he married Sally Gardner, a native of Pownal, Vermont, and a daughter of Daniel Gardner, who was also a farmer and a prominent and influential resident of his town. He reared a large family, and held membership in the Bap- tist church. Joseph Potter had seven children, of whom two are yet living, the sisters our subject, being Mrs. Zadoc Pratt, of Bennington, and Mrs. Henry Burt, of Pownal.

In the city of his birth, Dr. Potter spent the days of his boyhood and youth, removing to Bennington in 1846. His early education, ac- quired in the common schools, was supplemented by study in Bennington Academy. Determining to make the practice of medicine his life work, he began preparing for this calling in 1848 and was graduated in medicine in 1851. He then opened an office for the practice of medicine and surgery in Bennington, where he remained till his death. From the beginning he enjoyed a good practice, and his patronage steadily in- creased as the years went by. He was a close and earnest student of his profession. interested in whatever tended to bring to man the key to that mystery which we call life. He was iden- tified with the State Eclectic Medical Society, in which he was honored with the presidency for two years, while for ten years he was chairman

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of the board of censors. He also belonged to the National Eclectic Medical Association, to the Union Medical Association of Massachusetts, the American Association of Physicians and Surgeons, and to the New England Eclectic Medical Association. In the last named he was chairman of the board of censors and second vice president.

On the 16th of June, 1850, Doctor Potter was united in marriage to Miss Susan Gibson, who was born in Mendon, Vermont, a daughter of Roswell and Hannah (Edson) Gibson, the former native of Grafton, Vermont, and the latter of Maine. The father, however, removed to central New York, and the mother's people were early settlers of Mendon, Vermont. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Gibson were ten children, of whom six are yet living, namely: Mrs. Pot- ter ; Alonzo, a resident of Syracuse, New York ; Blake, who is living in Grand Rapids, Michigan ; Cyrus, of Bennington, Vermont ; Mrs. Ora Por- ter, of Syracuse, New York, and Irving E., who is also in Bennington. The parents were both consistent and faithful members of the Baptist church, and Mrs. Gibson lived to be over ninety years of age. Dr. Potter and his wife have but one living child, Henry J., who was educated in the public schools of Bennington and in Poultney, Seminary of Poultney, Vermont, where he was graduated. Following in the pro- fessional footsteps of his father, he took up the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Swinburn, the owner of a private sanitarium in Albany, New York. He also attended lectures in the Albany Medical Schools, and was grad- uated in 1887, since which time he has been in practice in Bennington, where he has gained an enviable reputation. He is also a member of many of the leading medical and fraternal organiza- tions. He was married in 1887 to Norma Wood- ruff, of Rutland, whose father was a prominent and influential resident of that place.

Dr. Henry J. Potter and his estimable wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on the 15th of June, 1900, on which occasion more than four hundred guests were present, all being over fifty years of age. In speaking of this oc- casion, the Bennington Banner, published June 22, 1900, said: "The guests were received at the door and in due time were presented to the

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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 68

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