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 76

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 76

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tice and has the highest esteem and confidence of the community, while his fine professional ability and careful observance of the ethics of the un- written professional code have gained to him the regard of his medical confreres, among whom he is well known, being one of the honored members of the Vermont State Medical Society and also that of the state of Massachusetts. He has made valuable contributions to various medical publica- tions and has also presented able papers before the medical societies with which he is identified. For the past six years the Doctor has been a mem- ber of the board of pension examiners of Addi- son county, in which capacity he has rendered most efficient service.

Dr. Weston is recognized as one of the leaders of the Republican party in this section of the state and he has taken an active part in pub- lic affairs for a number of years past. While a resident of the Newfane he was the candidate of his party for representative in the state legis- lature in 1892, being elected by a gratifying ma- jority and proving a valuable working member of that body, in which he was assigned to member- ship on the military and other important commit- tees. The popular appreciation of his services was manifested in his being chosen as his own successor at the next regular election, and thus he served as a member of the ses- sion of 1894 also, and at this time he was made a member of the joint committee (house and senate) on public health, in which connection his services were of distinctive value, and was also chairman of the military committee. In the time honored fraternity of Freemasonry Dr. Weston occupies a most conspicuous posi- tion in the state, having been an enthusiastic and appreciative worker in the same for the past thir- ty years and having been called to offices of high distinction in the connection. He affiliates with Blazing Star Lodge, No. 23, Free and Accepted Masons, at Townsend, in which he has passed the various official chairs, having been elected to the office of worshipful master for four terms. In the capitular branch of the order he holds mem- bership in Fort Dummer Chapter, No. 12, at Brattleboro, being past high priest of the same, while he is also prominently connected with the grand lodge and grand chapter of the state, be-

ing in 1893 and 1894 grand lecturer of the for- mer and is past grand high priest of the latter, while he is also a member of the general grand chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the United States and of the Masonic Veterans' Association. As grand lecturer of the grand lodge the Doctor has traveled extensively throughout the state, having made an unequaled record in this connec- tion, in that each year since incumbent of the of- fice he has visited each of the thirteen districts into which the state jurisdiction is divided and al- so attended fourteen annual conventions. The Doctor retains a vital interest in his old com- rades of the Rebellion and is a valued member of Dunton Post, No. ITO, Grand Army of the Re- public, at Bristol, having formerly affiliated with Birchard Post, No. 65, at Newfane, of which he served as commander. The religious faith of the Doctor is indicated in his holding membership in the Congregational church, as does also his wife.

In conclusion we offer a brief resume of the domestic chapter in the life of Dr. Weston. On the 6th of June, 1871, he was married to Miss Eva S. Hall, who was born in Athens, Vermont, being a daughter of Richard H. Hall, who was one of the substantial and influential farmers of Windham county, and who died at the age of eighty-four years. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary E. Crowley, was born at Mount Holly, Vermont, and she died at the age of seventy-six years, being survived by three children,-Mrs. Weston ; Alfred A., who is a prominent member of the Vermont bar, residing in St. Albans ; and Ella M., widow of Fred Wood, of Cambridge- port, Vermont. Dr. and Mrs. Weston have four children, namely: Lena M., who completed her education in Brattleboro, is now the wife of Bert L. Gates, a railroad engineer, residing in London- derry, Vermont; Alfred F., who likewise com- pleted his education in Brattleboro, is a success- ful contractor and builder of New Haven: he married Miss Nettie L. Hinman and they have two children. Mildred B. and Eva May; Bertha E., a graduate of the Beeman Academy, is at the parental home, both she and her elder sister hav- ing been successful teachers: and Grace F., the youngest of the children, is a student in the pub- lic schools.

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

WILLIAM RILEY WORTHINGTON.

In the mighty procession of carnest, faithful workers who with steadfast devotion to the duties before them go perseveringly on their way, and who by honest and business-like methods win a substantial degree of success, is to be named William R. Worthington, of North Bennington, Vermont, a descendant of an old and honorable family of New England. There is much in his career that is worthy of honor. He furnished an example of de- votion to country, having risked life and limb in its service, cheerfully and not count- ing the cost ; of fidelity to home and family ; of industry in the performance of certain tasks committed to him, and of consideration of subordinates. And these are among the qualities which have secured for him a wide- spread estcem.

He was born November 3, 1837, in New- fane, Vermont, son of William C. and Prin- cess A. (Winchell) Worthington. William C. Worthington was born in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts, where he was reared and be- came a cabinet-maker by trade. Later in life he took up pattern-making, and did general repair work in the mills at Chicopee. He removed to Newfane, Vermont, and later to Westfield, Massachusetts, where he was en- gaged in an organ factory. He returned to Chicopee, and thence removed to North Bennington, Vermont, where in 1865 he took a position as general repairer in the mills, and was so engaged until his death in 1875, at the age of sixty-four years. His wife was a native of Springfield, Massa- chusetts. She was a devoted wife and mother, and an exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal church; she died at the age of sixty-four years. Her father was a soldier in the war with Great Britain in 1812, and died in the service of his country; her mother, who was a Woolcott, was married three times, and her first husband became the grand- father of William R. Worthington through her only child ; she died at the age of sixty-six.

William R. Worthington was one of seven children, of whom six came to maturity, but of whom he is now the only one living. His early

years were passed at home, in North Adams, Massachusetts, where he received his education. Before fairly entering upon young manhood he bent his efforts towards contributing to the fam- ily support, by working in a cotton mill. Later he

WILLIAM RILEY .WORTHINGTON.

took employment in a machine shop in Holyoke and made his residence in that city, where he afterwards entered the Whiting shops, in which he worked steadily for three years. The outbreak of the Civil war aroused his partiotism, and he volunteered for military service. He was a mem- ber of the garrison at the important Springfield (Massachusetts) Armory until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company I, Tenth Massachu- setts Volunteer Infantry, in which he performed the full duty of a soldier for the term of two years.

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With the Sixth Army Corps he participated in the momentous campaign beginning with the bat- tle of Antietam, and ending with the desperate engagements in the Wilderness, and was twice wounded.

Honorably discharged from the army, he re- turned to Holyoke, Massachusetts, where he worked for three years in the Hampden Mills. He then removed to North Bennington, Vermont, and took charge of a room in the carding and spinning department of the Vermont mills. After three years thus engaged, he removed to Staf- ford county and purchased a farm, which he cultivated for eighteen months. Returning to North Bennington, he was employed in a ma- chine shops for two years, when he again took charge of a carding and spinning room. He abandoned this work on account of a throat ail- ment and removed to New London, Connecticut, where he followed locomotive work for a time. He then finally returned to North Bennington, where during the years succeeding he was va- riously occupied, in a machine shop and as pro- prietor of a livery stable which he purchased. Upon the death of his brother, he took charge of two mills in the capacity of superintendent, conducting one for five years, until it was closed, and the other for more than twenty years, having charge of as many as two hundred and fifty em- ployes. Meantime he had disposed of his stable and in 1882 he opened the present store in Ben- nington for his son. Upon retiring from the mills in 1897, he came to the present store in North Bennington. He had begun the latter busi- ness in 1890, in a building twenty-six by forty- six feet, which he stocked with a full supply of clothing, boots and shoes, men's furnishing goods, etc. In all his long and varied business career, he displayed all the characteristics of a well equipped man of affairs, and maintained an unsullied reputation for integrity.

Mr. Worthington has always borne a useful part in public affairs, and has rendered material aid in the promotion of all interests of the com- munity. He was repeatedly elected village trus- tee, and has also filled the office of selectman with much credit. In 1902 he was elected a trustee of the graded school at North Bennington, and is re- garded as one of the most useful members of the board. In politics he is a Republican, and

with his family he attends the Congregational church.

Mr. Worthington has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Martha Hewes, born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, to whom he was united in 1856, and who died in 1858. His sec- ond wife was Miss Charity Alden, of a promi- nent family in Ludlow, Massachusetts. Four chil- dren were born of this marriage, of whom one, Lizzie E., is deceased. Those living are Nettie E., who married Edward D. Whipple, of Cleve- land, Ohio, and to whom were born two chil- dren, Jesse and Gladys ; Edwin H., of Troy, New York, who married Mamie Allsaver and to whom were born two children, Helen and Josephine, and Martha, who married Benning Hall, and to whom were born two children, Leland and Ruth.

ALFRED PAINTER ROSCOE.

Throughout his entire business career Alfred P. Roscoe has been an active factor in the public affairs of Addison county, and is widely recog- nized as a political leader who is laboring earn- estly for the success of his party. Close study has given him a keen insight into the important political problems, and he is ever actively· inter- ested in the issues of the day that affect the nat- ional weal or woe. A native son of the town of New Haven, he has here spent his entire life, and his birth occurred on the 26th of October, 1861. His paternal grandfather, Alfred P. Ros- coe, came from New York to the Green Moun- tain state, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits until his life's labors ended in death in November, 1873, at the age of sixty-six years. He served as town clerk, as justice of the peace, as auditor, and three times represented his town in the legislature. He married Miss Elvira Ladd, of Monkton, and they became the parents of two sons and one daughter, -- Mary, who married J. G. Wellington, cashier of the Bank of Middle- bury for many years ; Alfred M., mentioned be- low ; and Henry C., a merchant of New Haven. The mother of these children died at the early age of thirty-three years, passing away in the faith of the Congregational church, of which she was long a valued member.

Alfred M. Roscoe was born October 7, 1836, in Monkton, this state, and received his education

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in the schools of Manchester, Vermont, and Fort Edward, New York. After completing his edi- cation he entered his father's store as clerk and later was admitted to a partnership in the busi- ness, thus continuing for a number of years, their business being conducted under the name of A. P. Rescoe & Son. Later A. M. Roscoe carried on the business with his brother, the firm name then being Roscoe Brothers, and they were ex- tensively engaged in the general trade of coun- try merchants. This partnership was subsequent- ly dissolved, after which Mr. Roscoe engaged in farming. Subsequently he re-purchased the busi- ness, in partnership with E. S. Leavenworth, and in the spring of 1881 he bought Mr. Leaven- worth's interest, thereafter continuing business alone until his death, which occurred February 8, 1885, at the age of forty-eight years. He was married in January, 1859, to Orra Bingham, who was born September 7, 1833, in Granville, Ver- mont, a daughter of Lucius and Lovina (Riford) Bingham, the former a native of Cornwall, and the latter of Braintree, Vermont, born July 21, 1801. Mr. and Mrs. Bingham had the following children : Mary J., now the widow of Joseph Bowdish, residing in Middlebury ; Orra, the wife of Alfred M. Roscoe; Christina L., widow of Daniel C. Steele, of Lebanon, New Hampshire ; Ellen L., the widow of . O. M. Chapin

and a resident of Bristol. Vermont : Adeline, the wife of E. W. Bird, of Mid- dlebury ; and Chauncey J., also of that town. The mother of these children was called to her final rest January 31, 1874, at the age of seventy-two years. The father, who was engaged in farming in Cornwall and Warren during the greater part of his life, died March II, 1851, at the age of for- ty-seven years. He was born April 3, 1804, and was long a valued member of the Congregational church. Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Roscoe became the parents of five children, four of whom are still living, Mary E., of New Haven, Vermont; Al- fred P., of this review : Kate R., the wife of Will- iam W. Warren, of Springfield, Massachusetts ; and Edward M., principal of the high school at Waterbury, this state. One son, Henry. died at the age of seven years, and the mother passed away February 25, 1902, at the age of sixty-eight years. Mr. Roscoe held the office of town clerk for a number of years, was a member and for a

time chairman of the board of listers, was a del- egate to county conventions, represented his town in the legislature in 1876 and was a very promi- nent man in his locality. He died February 8, 1885.

Alfred P. Roscoe became a student in the Bee- man Academy, at New Haven, but on account of ill health was obliged to leave the institution at the age of sixteen years, and he then entered the local post office in the capacity of clerk. From the Ist of March, 1885, until June 15, 1886, he was the postmaster at New Haven and in 1887 was made town clerk, being since re-elected to that position each year to the present time, the first year by ballot and afterward by acclamation. On the 16th of December, 1893, he succeeded H. P. Palmer, deceased, as town treasurer, to which office he has also been continuously re-elected, his term of service now covering ten years. In 1889 he was again called to the office of post master of New Haven, serving four years, and again on the Ist of July, 1897, and in 1901. Mr. Roscoe has also been called upon to represent his town in the legislature, being elected to that im- portant office in 1896, when not a single ballot was cast against him. He has served as a dele- gate to county and state conventions, was chair- man of the delegation to the state convention in 1898, and again in 1902 at the convention which nominated Mccullough for the office of gover- nor. For a number of years he filled the position of justice of the peace, and at the present time is serving as chairman of the town committee. As a public official his course has been worthy of commendation, and he ever strives to promote the welfare of his fellow men.

The marriage of Mr. Roscoe was celebrated in 1897, when Miss Mary A. Hathaway became his wife. She was born in Adams, Massachusetts, where her father, Rufus B. Hathaway, is en- . gaged in agricultural pursuits. She was one of thirteen children and of these nine are now living, as follows : Harriett, a teacher in North Adams, Vermont ; Annie M .; Ida B., wife of H. Clarence Parsons, of Fairfield, Massachusetts ; Mary A., the wife of our subject; Edward; Ella F .; Ar- thur ; Elizabeth ; and Daniel. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hathaway are still living. The latter was born in Stamford, Vermont, May 28, 1833, her maiden name being Annie Bratton. Mr. Hathaway was

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born July 3, 1832, on the farm where he now re- sides. Of the two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe one survives,-Alfred Mortimer, born April 24, 1901. Mr. Roscoe is a member of the Addison Agricultural Association, of which he served as assistant secretary many years, and from 1897 to January, 1903, was its efficient treasurer. His religious views connect him with the Congregational church, in which he is also holding the office of treasurer, and he has always been interested in the promotion of education and religion and the welfare of the community at large.

JAMES O. WALKER.

James Otis Walker, one of the well known citizens of Addison county, who is devoting his energies to farming and the buying and selling of hay and whose efforts in that direction result in making him one of the substantial citizens of the community, was born on the farm on which he now resides, on the 28th of January, 1840. This farm was also the birthplace of his father, Zuriel Walker, and it was purchased by his grandfather, Obadiah Walker, in early pioneer days. The latter was born in Connecticut, but in an early day he came to Addison county, Vermont, where he spent the remainder of his life. He became very prominent in the public affairs of his local- ity, and was at one time called upon by his fellow citizens to represent his town in the legislature, while throughout his life he enjoyed the un- bounded confidence and esteem of all with whom he had business or social relations. He married Elizabeth Tupper, and they became the parents of five children. After his death his widow was again married, and her death occurred at the age of eighty years.

Zuriel Walker was reared on the old Walker homestead in Addison county, and in early life he was apprenticed to a clothier, but as that occu- pation did not prove congenial to his taste he soon abandoned it and turned his attention to agricul- tural pursuits, owning and operating two hun- dred acres of well improved and fertile land. He, too, became very prominent in the public life of his locality, and during the years of 1832-33-34 he represented the town in the legislature, while for two years, in 1848 and 1849, he was a member

of the state senate. For the long period of twen- ty-five years he was a justice of the peace, was the town clerk for thirteen years and also held many other offices, ever discharging his public duties to the entire satisfaction of his constitu- ents. As a companion on the journey of life Mr. Walker chose Miss Mary Johnson, whose father Philo Johnson, came to Vergennes from Connec- ticut in pioneer days. Mr. and Mrs. Walker reared a family of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, and five of the number are still living, namely : Henry H., a resident of Burling- ton, Vermont ; Solomon, also of that city ; James O., of this review ; and Mary M. and Maria A., both of Burlington, this state. The mother of this family was called to her final rest at the age of seventy years, dying in the faith of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, of which she and her hus- band were worthy and consistent members, and in which the latter long held the office of class leader.

James O. Walker has spent his entire life on the farm on which he now resides, and to the school system of Vergennes and Addison county he is indebted for the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his youth. When the time came for him to choose a life occupation he se- lected the vocation which his father and grand- father had followed and has ever since been en- gaged in the tilling of the soil. For a number of years he was associated with his father, or until the latter's death, and for the past eighteen years. in connection with his agricultural pursuits, he has dealt in hay, being for a time in partnership with Henry T. Booth. In both branches of his business he is meeting with a well merited de- gree of success, and has long been numbered among the foremost business men of Addison county.

The marriage of Mr. Walker was celebrated in 1865, when Miss Margaretta M. Brady became his wife. She was born in Charlotte, Vermont. and by her marriage has become the mother of four children, three of whom died when young. and the surviving daughter, Jane, is the wife of Frederick H. Walker, president of the Walker Grocery Company, of Burlington, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Walker, of this review, casts his ballot in favor of Republicanism, staunchly advocating the

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principles set forth by the party. His fellow townsmen have recognized his worth and abil- ity and have called him to the office of select- man. He is a member of Dorchester Lodge, No. I, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Ver- gennes, and attends the Congregational church. i

LEVI H. NICHOLS, M. D.

Levi H. Nichols, M. D., a skillful and highly successful physician of Stanford, Vermont, was born in Halifax, Windham county, Vermont, August 29, 1843, a son of Greene C. Nichols. His grandfather, Deacon Arad Nichols, a life-long resident of Halifax, Vermont, was a farmer by occupation, and by dint of unceasing toil, wrested a farm from the wilderness, making it yield a good living for himself and family. He was born November II, 1782, and lived to a ripe old age. His wife was born February 9, 1785. Both were members of the Baptist church, in which he served as deacon for a long period. They were the parents of eight children, as follows : John, born July 4, 1808; Sally, born May 30, 1810; Arad, born January 5, 1812; Greene, born January 24, 1814; Samuel, born September II, 1815; William, born January 14, 1817; Matilda, born December 1, 1823, and Gilbert, who was born in 1824, died March 26, 1843.

Greene C. Nichols, born on the the ancestral homestead at Halifax, Vermont, January 24, 1814, began his independent career as a farmer in the place of his nativity, there meeting with eminent success in his labors. Removing to Stamford, he enlarged his operations by establishing a saw- mill, which he managed in conjunction with gen- eral farming and lumbering until his death, at the age of seventy-six years. He was a public- spirited man, prominent in the ranks of the old- line Whigs and Republicans, and served his fel- low townsmen in numerous positions of trust, including that of selectman and justice of the peace. He was a Baptist in religion, and for many years a deacon in the church. On May IO, 1837, he married Keziah Fairbanks, who was born September 22, 1818, and they became the parents of five children, as follows: Daniel G., born February 24, 1838, died in infancy ; Daniel G., the second, born February 19, 1841, died Au- gust 18, 1864; Levi H., the immediate subject

of these memoirs; Keziah A., born March 28, 1850, and Ruth, born August 27, 1853.

Levi II. Nichols was but four years of age when his parents located at Stamford, their first home being in a log house, which the father sub- sequently replaced by a substantial frame struct- ure. Remaining with his parents until twenty- one years old, he assisted in the home work, a part of the time running the mill. During this time, however, he was preparing himself for a professional career by the reading and study of the best medical works. After attaining his ma- jority, he studied medicine with Dr.Homer Bush- nell and attended three terms at the Albany Med- ical College. Returning to Stamford, Dr. Nich- ols established himself as a physician, and in the quarter of a century that has since elapsed, has won an extensive and lucrative practice in this locality, his professional knowledge and ability being widely appreciated and known. He has ben especially successful in the treatment of ty- phoid fever, and as a health officer has greatly improved the sanitary condition of the town, particularly by instructing the people of his com- munity in regard to the care of the water sup- plies. Politically, the Doctor is a Republican, and fraternally, is a member of Social Lodge, No. 28, F. and A. M., of Wilmington, Vermont. He also belongs to the State Medical and the Northern Berkshire Medical societies. He attends the Bap- tist church, of which his wife is a member, and gave material assistance toward the erection of the new church building by helping to raise money for its construction, and by serving as one of the building committee.

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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 76

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