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 69
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good doctor and his estimable wife, who stood in the same room, and in the same corner and on the same floor where the wedding ceremony was pronounced June 16, 1850. In near proximity was the clergyman, the Rev. Edward Conover, who had officiated on that distant occasion. This gave an interest to the reception not always ac- corded, and which was a delight to all present. After a few moments of social enjoyment, each in turn was invited by a group of relatives into the dining-room, where elegant refreshments were served by them, and the return to the par- lors, both in the afternoon and evening, was fol- lowed by surprises not 'down on the bills.' On the first occasion named, the Rev. Doctor Wash- burne, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, spoke as follows: 'My dear Doctor and Mrs. Potter: It is an unusual thing for persons to celebrate their "golden wedding"-perhaps not another man or woman in this assembly have been thus privileged. In this very house, in this room and in this very corner of the room, you were married fifty years ago. This house was not then your property, only the bride in it. Oh, the mystery of this corner on that occasion-but kodaks were not in order-we know that you did not receive congratulations by telegraph or tele- phone, and that your wedding tour was not by steam or electric cars. We have usually been obedient to your commands, for it seemed to be to our interest to do so, but we have disobeyed you on this occasion-and I am requested by a few of your friends to present you with this purse as a token of our friendship and esteem. You have done well to gather these comforts for the evening of life and Mrs. Potter has done well to stand by you in the "better and the worse" of life. May the remaining years of life be sunny and happy.'
"The purse contained fifty-five dollars in gold and was made up by the official board of the church of which Dr. Potter has been for years a member, augmented by a few other near friends.
"The Rev. Edward Conover, in 1850, was pas- tor of the Baptist church of this village. In the half century just ended, he has held various pas- torates, but a few years ago retired from regular ministerial duties, and has returned to pass his remaining days in town. During the evening another surprise was in store for Doctor and
ยท
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Mrs. Potter and their guests, this time by Mr. Conover, who read the following original poem :
"Fifty years, ah yes! these fifty years have sped, How fast time's onward way has been !
How fraught with hopes, anon with fears, with dread,
Could any gifted one these years have seen ?
A seer himself with wisest way, Could not have looked along these years,
Divining to this bride and groom that day, Their many joys, their sometimes tears.
Unknowing 'tis to all, this book of life, Howe'er its page begins with fairest seeming, No hand of ours, nor plan of man is rife To thwart the solemn, wondrous meaning.
'Tis best a loving Father keeps these days Locked in His own most loving care, Else life would be a fearful, sad amaze, And naught but gloom such life would wear.
And yet with kindest hand this Father's love Has filled with richest blessings from Himself, These fifty years' of married troth,
And made these lives to each, a truest wealth.
Fifty years ! great things have come and gone, They've left a mark as ne'er before, Events have hardly waited to be born E'er other happenings claimed the floor.
These friends have had of life its blessed share, Theirs has been true union, not two minds, A century's half! such length of time is rare, They've often sung 'Blest be the tie that binds.'
They've often heard the fickle vows of those Who, on this same holy road, have started And merely for a married life have posed, And in a trice have up and parted.
Along these fifty years the wrecks are strewn, Of short-lived homes and hearts deserted, Simply because these holy vows have grown To be a nothing, a thing too often flirted. 25
But look you on this grandly gladdening sight
That meets each guest, this golden nuptial day, And then decide as well you might
This marriage clearly came to stay.
I am so glad that fifty years ago,
They honored me as chaplain for the occasion, They're my credentials here and now, to show That well done honest work seeks no evasion.
The years will come and go and life flow on as ever, And yet this bond that bound so long ago, A bond so many, many try to sever, Will only yield to kindly death we know.
We're here to-night to greet these friends And make for them this glad ovation, Beseeching still as life for them its way yet wendy The best and blest of every situation. .
And since the grave will surely part us all, And fondest nuptial ties therein be broken, Kind Heaven come down, these dear ones call With sweetest words that can be spoken.
Or when at last these eyes are holden And the Heavenly city draweth near, May they pass to where the gates are golden And the eyes undimmed by tear.
May they reach at last the home immortal, Without which no earthly union is complete, Welcomed gladly, welcomed at the portal, And their dear blessed Savior gladly greet.
"There were presented, also, an original poem, engrossed in gold, in antique booklet form, by James W. White, and another poem by Miss Minnie L. Blackmer. The former poem was read by the Rev. Doctor Washburne, fol- lowing that of Mr. Conover's. There were nu- merous other remembrances from relatives and family friends. This was one of the pleasantest events that has ever occurred in Bennington. The homestead was profusely decorated with flowers and potted plants, several floral pieces being among the loving remembrances noted above. In common with hundreds of others, the Banner hopes that the 'seventy-fifth anniversary' may
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find the two m health, ready for its enjoy- ment."
Not only did Dr. Potter win distinguished honors in the line of his profession, but was also long recognized as one of the most influential and prominent men of Bennington. He left the impress of his individuality upon matters of much importance to the city and was long a leader in public thought and action. In 1872 he was chosen to represent his district in the State Leg- islature, where he served for a term of two years. From 1870 to 1876 he was connected with the school board of Bennington, and for two years was its president. For a number of years he was also justice of the peace, and filled other positions in which he showed himself wor- thy of the trust and responsibility reposed in him. His political support was given the Re- publican party, and his opinions carried weight in its councils. He frequently attended his county and state conventions as a delegate, and his work in behalf of Republican principles was ef- fective and far-reaching. Long a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, for more than thirty years he served as one of its stewards. Fearless in conduct, faultless in honor, and spotless in reputation, no man in Ben- nington commanded to a higher degree the con- fidence and respect of his fellow-citizens than Dr. Henry J. Potter, whose lamented death occurred March 8, 1902.
MIRS. S. L. GODFREY.
Mrs. S. L. Godfrey, who has long resided in Bennington, and is held in the highest esteem by a very extensive circle of friends, was born in Woodford. Vermont, August 19, 1819. Her fa- ther, Lebbeus Barney, was a son of Rufus Bar- ney, one of the officers of the Revolutionary war, who served with the rank of captain, having com- mand of a company of Vermont troops. He par- ticipated in the battle of Bennington, where the "Green Mountain Boys" covered themselves with glory in the splendid attack which they made on the enemy, the British troops far outnumbering the American forces. Captain Barney was a very prominent and influential man, and spent the last years of his life in Bennington, where he was held in the highest regard. The mother of Mrs.
Godfrey was a daughter of James Bushnell, also of Revolutionary fame, for although he was too young to enlist and take part in the regular ser- vice, he aided his country by driving a provision wagon. The story is told of him that on one very cold day he was driving along when he met George Washington. The latter asked him why he did not put on his overcoat, and he replied that he did not own one, whereupon Washington took his own coat off and requested Mr. Bushnell to put it on, and when answered "But that will leave you without one," Washington said "I have another one." The next day James Bushnell re- turned the overcoat to the great general, who then presented him with another overcoat for his own.
To Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Barney were born several children. including Lebbeus Barney, the father of our subject. He was born in Benning- ton and was a worthy representative of an hon- ored family ever noted for straightforwardness in all life's relations. He was upright in all his dealings with his fellow men, was reliable in busi- ness and ever commanded the respect and con- fidence of all with whom he came in contact. He never sought or desired official preferment, but was a stanch advocate of Republican principles. He married Anna Bushnell, and both are long since deceased. They were the parents of ten children, of whom two are living: Mrs. God- frey, and J. Hampton Barney, of Jersey City.
After attaining womanhood the daughter gave her hand in marriage to Samuel L. Godfrey, who was born in Bennington on the IIth of September, 1809. His mother's name was Sarah S. (Stiles) Godfrey, and his father was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, April 7, 1786, and his mother was a native of Bennington, born on the Ist of Feb- ruary, 1788. Samuel L. Godfrey was educated in the public schools of Bennington, and then en- tered commercial circles as proprietor of a gen- eral store, which he conducted throughout his business career. He enjoyed a liberal patronage, and his straightforward business policy and un- questioned probity commended him to the con- fidence of all. He was recognized as one of the leading and influential residents of Bennington, and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his ability and worth, called him to public office. He served as selectman and as justice of the peace, dis- charging his duties with promptness and
M
S. L. GODFREY.
JAMES BUSHNELL.
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fidelity. His political support was given the Republican party, and he strongly en- dorsed its principles, believing they were best calculated to conserve the public good. He held membership in the Baptist church, and took an active interest in its work and contributed liberally to its support. His death occurred in Bennington in 1878, when he had reached the age of sixty-nine years. No man was ever more respected or more fully enjoyed the confidence of the people of Bennington, and his loss was deeply felt throughout the community as well as in the home circle.
Mr. Godfrey is survived by his widow and son Rufus B. Mrs. Godfrey, like her husband, is a Baptist and has led an earnest, consistent Chris- tian life. She had four children, but Rufus B. is the only one now living. He was born in Ben- nington and makes his home with his mother. He is indebted to the excellent public school system of Bennington for the educational privileges which he enjoyed, and since his father's death he has had charge of the business. In connection with his mother, he owns an ochre mine, and in its operation is meeting with a high degree of success, its product finding a ready and profit- able sale on the market. He, too, is an ad- vocate of Republican principles, and keeping well informed on the issues of the day, is ca- pable of supporting his position by intelligent argument. He has served as county commis- sioner and justice of the peace, and his efforts in behalf of the public welfare have been bene- ficial and far-reaching.
GENERAL WILLIAM WIRT HENRY.
General William Wirt Henry, for many years a prominent citizen of Burlington, Vermont, dis- tinguished both by his military and civil record, is descended on the paternal side from Massachu- setts stock. The founder of the Henry family in America emigrated to this country from York- shire, England, in the early portion of the eighteenth century, the first ancestor who appears in our colonial history being Luther Henry, a resident of Shutesbury, Massachusetts. His son, Sylvester Henry, who was a carpenter, re- moved to Vermont about 1795 and settled in Wa- terbury, in which town buildings which he helped
to construct are still standing as monuments to his skill. James M., the son of Sylvester Henry, who was born in Waterbury in 1809, twice rep- resented the town in the legislature. He was one of the leaders in the cause of temperance, taking an active part in the Washington move- ment, and for twenty years lecturing at irregular intervals in aid of sobriety and total abstinence. In his later years he was engaged in the drug business. He married in January, 1831, Matilda, daughter of Peter Gale, whose wife was of an old English family named Tottingham. James M. Henry was the father of eight children.
William Wirt Henry, eldest son of James M. and Matilda (Gale) Henry, was born No- vember 21, 1831, at Waterbury, Vermont, and received his primary education in the common schools of the town, afterward becoming a stu- dent at the People's Academy of Morrisville, Vermont, where he graduated in the autumn of 1849. During the following winter he taught school at Wolcott, Vermont, and in the spring joined the company of the "argonauts" in Cal- ifornia, where, for seven years, he led the life of a miner, and in 1857 returned, by way of the Isthmus to Waterbury, where he engaged in the drug business, becoming a member of his fa- ther's firm of J. M. Henry & Sons.
On the breaking out of the Civil war, Mr. Henry sold his interest in the business and de- voted himself to military service. He recruited a company, in which he took his place as a private ; this company became Company D, Sec- ond Regiment, Vermont Volunteers, and in it he was commissioned first lieutenant, May 21, 1861. He was mustered into service June 20, 1861, and was present at the first battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. Soon after that disastrous defeat, his health failed, and on the 5th of November. 1861, he was mustered out on a surgeon's certificate. Being told by physicians that it was absolutely necessary for him to lead an outdoor life, he purchased a farm and occupied himself thereon, and, to the surprise of both his friends and phy- sicians, completely recovered. He again entered the service, August 26, 1862, with the commission of major of the Tenth Vermont Volunteers, and during the following winter served on the Potomac. On the 17th of October he was pro- moted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and on
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April 20, 1864, to the colonelcy of his regiment, which he commanded in the battle of the Wil- derness. On the night of the second day's fight, when the Confederates turned the right of the line and captured Shaler's Brigade, his regiment and that of Colonel Townsend, the One Hundred and Sixth New York, stopped the break and perhaps saved the army from destruction. For this gallant achievement, he received honorable mention in the reports of the commanding gen- eral. Colonel Henry participated in the san- guinary engagements of Spottsylvania and Talopotomy Creek, and also in that of Cold Har- bor, in which he was wounded, losing the fore- finger of his right hand. He also commanded his regiment at the battle known as the first Petersburg and at those of Weldon River, Mono- cacy Creek and Cedar Creek. At the battle of Monocacy Creek, Colonel Henry was slightly wounded, but at Cedar Creek, on October 19, 1864, he served as a target for the bullets of the enemy no fewer than four times, and for his gallantry on this occasion, he was awarded a medal by Congress. On the 7th of March 1865, he was breveted brigadier general "for merito- rious services in the battles at the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, Peters- burg, Cedar and Monocacy Creeks." The im- portance of the gallant stand made at the Mono- cacy may be estimated in the light of General Grant's statement, that he credited the Third Division of the Sixth Army Corps with having saved Washington by the stubborn fight it made with Early at that point. Through the winter of 1864, General Henry was disabled by illness and on December 17, 1864, was honorably mus- tered out of the military service of the United States, having taken part in fifteen regular bat- tles, as well as in a number of skirmishes. Gen- eral Henry's military record is honorable and brilliant, illustrating the best qualities of the gen- uine soldier and patriot, and exhibiting the char- acteristics of the born, disciplined and competent commander.
At the close of the war, General Henry re- turned to his business in Waterbury, and in 1868 removed to Burlington, establishing the old firm there under the name of Henry & Company. In 1870 this partnership was dissolved, the firm becoming Henry & Johnson, and later under-
going a final change to Henry, Johnson & Lord, under which title it is now doing business.
General Henry's record as a public man began. during his residence in California, where he was appointed, in 1856, constable in White Oak town- ship, Eldorado county. Since his retirement from military service, General Henry has not neglected the political interests of the state and of the nation which he has served so bravely and so well, but has cheerfully accepted the bur- dens and responsibilities which naturally fall to his lot. In 1865, 1866 and 1867 he represented the citizens of Washington county in the state senate. In each of these years he served as chairman of the committee on claims, and also, on the committee on the reform school. In 1874 he was elected state senator from Chittenden county, and in view of his previous admirable record, was again appointed to the chairmanship of the committee on claims. In 1869, 1870 and 1871 he was one of the board of aldermen of the city of Burlington, officiating during the last two years as president of the board, and in 1887 and 1888 was elected to the mayoralty. In April, 1879, he was appointed United States marshal for the state of Vermont, in the place of General George P. Foster, deceased. May 1, 1883, he was re-appointed for four years by President Arthur, holding the position, in all, for seven. years, and for two years filling the office of im- migrant inspector. General Henry remained in- business until his appointment as consul to Que- bec by President Mckinley. At the expiration of his term of service, he was re-appointed for four years by President Mckinley.
General Henry is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, being the second to be. honored with the election to the position of de- partment commander in the state of Vermont, and he has also been admitted to the Order of the Loyal Legion and the Society of the Army of the Potomac. General Henry is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having received his first degrees in Aurora Lodge, Montpelier, in 1858, having been a charter member of the lodge at Waterbury and also past master and having been a charter member of Burlington Lodge, Burling- ton. He has enjoyed the honor of grand master and grand representative of the Sovereign Grand" Lodge of Masons, and that of past grand master-
Henry A. Burt,
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of the I. O. O. F. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias.
General Henry married August 5, 1857, Mary Jane Beebe, daughter of Lyman and Mary (Sher- man) Beebe, of Granville, New York. Mr. Beebe followed the occupation of a farmer for many years in Waterbury until his retirement from active life; Mrs. Beebe passed away at the home of General Henry. General and Mrs. Henry were the parents of five children: Ber- tram; Mary Matilda, who became the wife of Frederick S. Pease, of Burlington, Vermont ; Ferdinand Sherman; Kate Beebe, who married W. H. Hopkins, of Poughkeepsie, and Carrie Eliza. Mrs. Henry died in 1871, and of her children, Mrs. Pease is the sole survivor. A brother and sister of Mrs. Henry are still living : Mr. Charles Beebe and Mrs. G. M. Lord, of Burlington, Vermont. In December, 1872, Gen- eral Henry married Valera Y., daughter of Tim- othy J. and Susan P. (White) Heaton, of Wa- terbury, Vermont.
HENRY A. BURT.
Henry Adams Burt, eighth child of Augustus and Mary (Lafferty) Burt, was born in Sheldon, Franklin county, Vermont, February 10, 1828. He is a direct descendant (seventh generation) of. Henry Burt, who came from England to America in 1635 and settled in Springfield, Mas- sachusetts in 1640. He was a prominent man in his time, and among his descendants are num- bered one president of the United States, one president of Yale College, senators and repre- sentatives in Congress, soldiers of fame, judges and leaders in the professions and business world for nine generations.
Henry A. Burt, the subject of this article, was educated in the public schools at Bakers- field Academy, the Franklin county grammar school, St. Albans, Vermont, and graduated from the University of Vermont in 1849 with high honors, numbering among his classmates such men as Professor M. K. Petty, William G. Shaw, ex-Governor Roswell Farnham, Elnathan E. Higby, William W. Robertson and Rev. Edwin Wheelock. After his graduation, he was princi- pal of the Franklin county grammar school for two terms, and then resigned on account of ill
health. His father was a leading member of the Franklin county bar, and his brother, James S., although a young man, had won his way to the front by his ability and legal acumen, and, at the time of his death in 1862, was rec- ognized as one of the brightest young lawyers in the state. The subject of this sketch read law in the office of his father and brother, and was admitted to the Franklin county bar in Decem- ber, 1852.
With a well disciplined mind, studious habits, and untiring in his work, he early took high rank in his chosen profession, and to-day stands among the first lawyers in the Green Mountain state. He was state's attorney of Franklin county in 1860-1-2; was the legal adviser of the re- ceivers of the Vermont division of the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad; attorney for the Na- tional Union Bank of Swanton, and has been identified with the more important litigation of his county for many years, still holding a large and lucrative practice in the state and federal courts. He has always been a staunch Republican and has represented the town of Swanton in the general assembly, having been elected town rep- resentative three different times; twice elected to the state senate from Franklin county, and was recognized as an able and conservative legisla- tor. In 1897 he was appointed commercial agent of the United States at Stanbridge, Quebec, and held that position until he resigned in 1898. He has held various offices in the town of Swanton, and has always been identified with its busi- ness and commercial interests, its educational, moral and religious welfare, and has long held the office of senior warden of Holy Trinity church. He has also been president of Swanton village.
In December, 1852, he married Olive Lyman, daughter of Daniel and Harriet (Hawley) Ly- man, of Jericho, Vermont, and first opened an office in Fairfield, Vermont, where he resided until 1856, since which time he has resided in Swanton, Vermont. Mrs. Burt was a lineal descendant of Richard Lyman, one of the original proprietors of Hartford, Connecticut, where he died in 1640. She was a woman of rare attain- mients, a devoted wife, a loving mother and valued friend. She died May 8, 1898, leaving two chil- dren, Henry Augustus, a lawyer by profession,
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associated with his father, and Ellen Cornelia, wife of Rev. Edward S. Stone, a graduate of the University of Vermont and of the General Theological Seminary of New York. Another daughter, Mary Harriet, married Wallace E. To- bin, then a merchant of Alburgh, Vermont; she died December 27, 1886, leaving a son, Lyman Burt Tobin, born December 25, 1886, now a member of the Swanton high school. The son, Henry Augustus, is a graduate of Norwich Uni- versity, and his daughter, Amy M. Burt, is a graduate of the University of Vermont, class of 1900, and is now a teacher of English and his- tory in the St. Albans high school, at St. Al- bans, Vermont.
TYLER DAVID GOODELL.
Tyler David Goodell, proprietor of the Good- ell House at Readsboro, has given a practical demonstration to the traveling public and to the world at large, that a hotel managed on strictly temperance principles can be run successfully, in Vermont, at least. He was born in Readsboro, November 10, 1849, a son of David Goodell. The earliest ancestors of whom he has definite knowledge resided in Connecticut, where his great-grandfather, David Goodell, was born and reared. His son, Harvey, when a young man, penetrated the wilds of western Massachusetts, and taking up land in the town of Monroe, erected a log cabin, into which he soon brought as his bride, Miss Ann Sherman, a young lady of fourteen years, and a native of Colerain, Massachusetts. In that humble log house they spent a large portion of their long lives, subse- quently erecting a modern dwelling. There they reared the fourteen children born of their marri- age, of whom twelve lived to attain maturity, among them being a son David, who was the father of Tyler D. Goodell. Three are still living, namely: Rufus, of Peoria, Illinois ; Betsey, wife of Otis F. Littlejohn, of Mattapan, Massachu- setts ; and Amy, wife of Fayette Snow, of Rowe, Massachusetts. Harvey Goodell, in addition to tilling the soil, became the pioneer teamster of the county in which he resided, making a specialty of taking farm produce to Boston, and bringing back goods for the local merchants, his return
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