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 80

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 80

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

James Averill, father of George C., was an able Congregationalist minister, born and reared in Connecticut. He secured his early education in the excellent schools of that state, supplement- ing this by a course in Amherst College and finishing at Yale. After graduating from the divinity school of the last named institution he began preaching in the Congregational church at Thomaston, Connecticut, where, giving excellent satisfaction, he remained some time. Having made an admirable record for himself, when the Civil war broke out he was appointed chaplain of the Twenty-fourth Regiment of Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. In this capacity he served

449

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

his country well, and died in the service. In his young manhood he married Sylvira A. Carpenter, and they had two children, George C., who is mentioned below, and Mary A., who never mar- ried and is now a teacher in the high school at Springfield, Massachusetts.

George C. Averill was born in Thomaston, Connecticut, October 28, 1857. Later he removed to Greenfield, Massachusetts, and in the schools of that place secured a good education. At the age of sixteen he was prepared to leave school and take a position which was offered him in the First National Bank at Greenfield. Discharging his duties with marked credit, he remained here until he was twenty-five years old. Then, in 1880, he was made teller of the First National Bank of Northampton. Five years later, in 1885, he came to Brattleboro to fill the position of teller in the Vermont National Bank, where, winning the con- fidence of the stockholders and depositors, he has since remained, and from time to time has re- ceived merited promotion. In 1886 he was made cashier, and served in that capacity until 1897, when, upon the death of George S. Dowley, he was elected president. Though Mr. Averill has never neglected his main line of business, he has, nevertheless, other large interests, being a di- rector in the Brattleboro Gas and Electric Light Company and incorporator of both local savings banks.

Mr. Averill married Nellie E. Chubbuck, of Boston, and they have two children, Margaret C., at Holyoke College, and Richard C., a student in the high school. Besides attending to his vari- ous lines of business Mr. Averill has always found time for the performance of public and social du- ties. He is now treasurer both of his school dis- trict and of Windham county. Fraternally he is a member of Brattleboro Lodge, No. 102, F. & A. M., and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. Keenly interested in religious and charit- able work, he is an active member of the Young Men's Christian Association, and treasurer for the Home for the Aged and Disabled, also of the Thompson Hospital, besides having charge of several estates and trust funds. In politics he has always been a Republican. Mr. Averill is a member of the Congregational church, of which he served for a time as treasurer and as a member of its board of trustees.

DANIEL O. GILL.

Daniel O. Gill, deceased, of Springfield, Ver- mont, who for many years was prominently identi- fied with the business interests of that city, being repeatedly called to positions of honor and trust, was the descendant of that Daniel Gill who was the founder of the family of that name in that neighborhood. The pioneer Daniel Gill came to Springfield from Rhode Island about the year 1770. In a prior year the original proprietors of the Springfield tract, at a meeting held in 1763, by their vote agreed to convey twenty acres of land to such person or persons as should es- tablish a mill and maintain it in good repair for fifteen years, also agreeing to provide "a set of irons" for said mill. This right had been secured by Simon Stevens and Page Harriman, who, by deed dated February 8, 1771, transferred it to Daniel Gill. The mill tract was located at the lower falls on Black river, near the present site of W. H. H. Slack & Brother's electric light plant.

Mr. Gill expended considerable labor and means in rock-blasting and excavating, but his enterprise was finally defeated. The mill tract was claimed by Richard Morris, who asserted a grant to the same as made to him from the prov- ince of New York, and who rejected all over- tures made by Mr. Gill for a settlement of the difficulty. He gave himself to agricultural pur- suits, and accumulated considerable property, and he was also called into prominence in public affairs. He was elected to the legislature in 1784, and again in 1792. In the latter year one hundred and ninety-five inhabitants of Springfield memo- rialized himself and Captain Abner Bisbee, by petition dated October 19, to act as their agents, selecting homestead lands for them in Upper Canada, in response to a proclamation issued by John G. Simcoe, governor of that province. The mission was accepted and was faithfully fulfilled, but Mr. Gill was taken ill while returning home, and died at Sing Sing, New York. December 7,1793. He married Mercy Whitford, a native of Exeter. Rhode Island. Their grandson Charles was a farmer by occupation, in Hartland. Ver- mont, where he died at the venerable age of ninety years, and his wife, who was Sophia Healey, lived to the age of nearly eighty years.

450

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

They were the parents of three sons, of whom two are now living, Frank and Henry, who are dentists by profession and reside in Rockford, Illinois.

Daniel Oscar Gill,son of Charles and Sophia ( Healey) Gill, was born in Hartland, Vermont, AAugust 15, 1837. When he was three years old he was adopted by his uncle, Daniel A. Gill, and received his education in the public schools and in Kimball Union Academy, at Meriden, New Hampshire. He was a farmer throughout his life. and accumulated a large amount of valuable agricultural property, and was the largest land owner in the town. He also transacted a large business in sheep and wool, in association with John R. Gill, and made numerous marketing trips to the west. In 1888 he took up his residence in Spring- field, still maintaining supervision of his three fine farms and other interests, including that in the Jones & Lamson Machine Company, in which he was a stockholder and director. He was a man of excellent judgment and business sagacity, and was frequently called upon to settle estates and to act in the capacity of guardian and conserv- ator. Held in the highest confidence by the peo- ple, he was called to occupy responsible public positions during nearly all his mature life. For a quarter of a century he served as a justice of the peace. He was also school director for sev- eral years ; was a member of the board of select- men from 1876 to 1878, and was its chairman in 1889. 1891, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1897, and during this period he had the town hall repaired and modernized. In 1886-87 he represented the town in the legislature, and performed efficient service as a member of the committee on railroads. His political affiliations were with the Republican party, and he was a member of the Springfield Grange, Patrons of Husbanry.

Mr. Gill was married January 27, 1864, to Miss Helen C., daughter of Captain John and Elizabeth (Clough) Westgate, of Plainfield, New Hampshire, and who died within two years after their marriage. He contracted a second marriage, December 14, 1868, with Miss Jennie L., daughter of the Rev. George D. and Fanny (White) Butterfield. She was born in Randolph, Vermont, and was educated in Iowa, graduating from the high school in Monticello. She was

a teacher for one year, and she married at the age of eighteen years. Her father was born in West- moreland, New Hampshire, was educated in the public schools, and graduated from the Theolog- ical School in Middlebury, Vermont. He was ordained in the Congregational church, and was pastor in Randolph and elsewhere in Vermont, and afterwards in Monticello, lowa, where he died at the age of sixty-three years. His wife was born in the same village as was her husband, and was a daughter of the Rev. Broughton White, who was a Congregational minister. Seven chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Butterfield, of whom five are now living: Mrs. George A. Gill, of Monticello, Iowa ; George, a dealer in agricul- tural implements in Humboldt, Nebraska, Albert, a farmer, at York, Nebraska; Jennie L., who be- came the wife of D. O. Gill; and William F., who resides in California. The mother of these children died at the age of sixty-three years.

Two children were born to Daniel O. and Jennie L. (Butterfield) Gill, Frank D. and Fred Butterfield Gill. Frank, born September 30, 1873, has been engaged in the clothing business in Springfield, Vermont, and resides on the Gill homestead on the Connecticut river ; he was mar- ried October 2, 1894, to Miss Lutie Merritt, daughter of George and Mary (Rice) (Damon) Merritt, of Springfield, and of this marriage one son was born, Daniel Merritt, who died at the age of three years. Fred B. Gill, born April 2, 1881, is now studying law.

Mr. Gill passed away May 7, 1901. His active mentality was preserved to the last, and he prepared for death with the same serenity of spirit that marked him throughout his career. After giving minute direction as to business con- cerns, he remarked to a friend: "I have but a few more days to stay. I hate to leave my friends, but I cannot think of a man I ever intentionally wronged. I cannot think of a man who ever came to me in trouble, that I did not help if I could. So I am not fearful of the future." As was expressed by a local 'newspaper in comment- ing upon his life and death, he possessed those qualities that made him one of the gentlest and most generous of men. Those who knew him as a husband and father, those in want who had never known him to withstay his hand, all deeply felt that in the life of this large-hearted, generous

45I

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

man, he, as was beautifully said of another. "added to the sum of human joy, and if each one to whom he did some loving service were to bring a blossom to his grave, he would sleep be- neath a wilderness of flowers.'

Mr. Gill is survived by his widow, a lady of excellent education and fine intellectual quali- ties, and who has endeared herself to the com- munity by her many benefactions, performed so modestly that they go unheralded except by the recipients of her bounty.

JOSEPH LOUIS ST. PETERS.

The honored subject of this memoir has for a long period been closly identified with the busi- ness interests of Addison county, being one of its most prominent and influential merchants. He was born in Charlotte, Vermont, on the 12th of May, 1850. His father, Mathew D. St. Peters, is a native of Quebec, and in 1833 he took up his abode in Charlotte, Vermont, where he has since engaged in agricultural pursuits, being the owner of a tract of seventy acres. He has reached the venerable age of eighty-six years, and is the old- est man in Charlotte. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Margaret Laramy, and was born in Chazy, New York. This worthy couple became the parents of five children, three of whom still survive-John M., of Charlotte; Victoria F., the wife of John Welcome; and Joseph L., the subject of this review. The mother of this family was called to her final rest in 1876, at the age of fifty-six years.

Joseph L. St. Peters received his early edu- cation in the public schools of Charlotte, and later became a student in Williston Academy. After completing his studies he entered the store of C. W. Wicker, at North Ferrisburg, where for eight years he served in the capacity of a clerk, and during that long period he was only absent from duty eight weeks. In 1877 he became the owner of the business, conducting the same until 1892, and during that time, in 1889, he erected his present store building. Failing health, however, compelled him to put aside the active cares of a business life, and in 1892 he returned to the farm, where he lived in quiet retirement for the succeeding nine years. At the end, of that period he entered into business relations with John J.

Sequin, and they are no'v the owners of the leading mercantile establishment in Addison county, acting under the title of J. L. St. Peters & Company. They occupy a commodious store building twenty-five by sixty-one feet in dimen- sions, in which the carry a complete line of dry goods, groceries, feeds and grains, and the honor- able business methods which they have followed have secured for them an excellent patronage.

In 1885 Mr. St. Peters was united in marriage to Mrs. Sarah A. Newell, who was born in North Ferrisburg, and is the daughter of Theodore D. Lyman, who was for many years well known as a woolen-mill operator, but is now deceased. He was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, and was a son of Jonathan Lyman, also a native of the old Bay state. As early as 1812 the latter came to Vermont, making his way hither by marked trees, and his occupation was that of a clothier. The son of Theodore was reared in Ferrisburg, where he became a prominent woolen manufaturer, and the excellent quality of goods which he placed upon the market made his name a familiar one in this section of the state. He subsequently retired from active business pur- suits and went to the west, his death occurring in South Troy, Minnesota, at the age of seventy- three years. He was ever a loyal and patriotic citizen, and on one occasion, while firing a salute on the fourth of July. he suffered the loss of a hand. For his wife Mr. Lyman chose Betsy Fuller, who was born in Connecticut, being a daughter of Frederick Fuller, also a native of that commonwealth, where he was engaged at the blacksmith's trade. He subsequently came to Charlotte, Vermont, and later located in Keese- ville, New York, where he died at the age of eighty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Lyman became the parents of eight children-Charles H., Elias A., Ellen M., Frederick F., Sarah A .. Maryette, Theodore D. and Jonathan C. The second son Elias A., served as a member of the Minnesota troops in the Civil war. The mother of this family was called to her final rest at the age of seventy years.

Mr. St. Peters is a stalwart supporter of Re- publican principles, but the honors or emoluments of office have had little attraction for him, pre- ferring rather to give his entire time to his busi- ness interests. He is, however, at all times a

452

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

loyal and progressive citizen, and all who know him have the highest admiration for his good qualities of heart and mind.

ROBERT JAMES BOWLES.

Among those who have demonstrated the maximum possibilities of the great basic art of agricluture as a field of legitimate business enter- prise and who have shown that the employment of discrimination, executive ability and scientific methods will yield returns of no uncertain charac- ter, is the subject of this sketch, who is one of the progressive and influential farmers of Wey- bridge, Addison county, Vermont, and one who commands unequivocal confidence and regard in the community.

ROBERT JAMES BOWLES AND FAMILY.

Mr. Bowles is a native of the old Empire state, having been born in Keeseville, Essex county, New York, on the 24th of August, 1847. His father, Jantes Bowles, was born in the city of London, England, and came of staunch old Eng- lish lineage. He was reared in the great me- tropolis of the world, and became an expert and scientic gardner through the effective training and discipline he received in his native land. In 1830, in company with his wife, he emigrated to America, first lo- cating in the province of Quebec, Canada, where he remained for a short time, after which he re- moved to Keeseville, New York, where he was engaged in the work of his profession as a gar- dener for a number of years, attaining a high rep-

utation in the line. His declining days were passed in the home of his son, the subject of this sketch, and he died at the venerable age of eighty- seven years, his life having been one of signal honor and usefulness. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Johnston, was born in the city of Belfast, Ireland, the daughter of Robert John- ston, of Scotch ancestry, who was a muslin weaver by vocation, following this line of work throughout his entire active business life, and passing away at the age of sixty years, in Bel- fast. His wife, whose maiden name was Eleanor Strickland, was likewise born in the Emerald Isle, and she died at the age of eighty-nine years. Their three children have also passed away. James and Sarah (Johnston) Bowles became the parents of seven children, of whom four are liv- ing at the present time, namely : Mary, the wife of Alexander Dickey, of Middlebury, this county ; Eliza, also a resident of that town; Robert J., our subject ; and Helen H., who also resides in Middlebury. The mother passed away at the age of eighty-nine years, having been a devoted mem- ber of the Presbyterian church, as was also her husband, who became a member of a Masonic lodige in London and who later took an active part in the affairs of the fraternity after his re- moval to America.

Our subject was reared and educated in his native town, there remaining until he had attained the age of seventeen years, when he removed to Cornwall, Vermont, but one year later. in 1864, came to Weybridge, where he became associated with Charles Tier in the purchase of a farm, in whose operation they continued to be associated for four years, after which Mr. Bowles disposed of his interest in the property and was there- after engaged in farming on rented land until 1887. He then effected the purchase of his pres- ent fine farm, which comprises fifty-six acres and which is devoted to diversified agriculture. He has made the best of improvements on the prop- erty and by his judicious methods and indefatig- able industry he has attained a high degree of success in his enterprise. He also operates a farm of sixty-seven acres which is the property of his son.

In 1870 Mr. Bowles was united in marriage to Narcissa Ketch, who was born in Chazy, New York, and who died at the age of thirty-five years,

453

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

leaving two children, Dora, who resides in Am- herst, Massachusetts ; and Samuel, who married Cora Kingsland, of Bridport, and who is a suc- cessful farmer of Weybridge. In 1891 our sub- ject married Harriet Bowdish, who was born in Weybridge, the daughter of Joseph Bowdish, who likewise was born here, a son of Columbus Bowdish, one of the early settlers of the town, where both he and his sons were successful farm- ers. Joseph Bowdish died at the age of sixty- seven years and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Bingham, and who was born in Corn- wall, is now living at the age of seventy-three years. Five of her seven children are now living. Of Mr. Bowles second marriage four children have been born, of whom three are living,-Ruth, Mary and William Paul Dillingham.

In politics Mr. Bowles is a staunch Republi- can, and he served three years as selectman, hav- ing been chairman of the board for one year, while he was lister for an equal period, a mem- ber of the school board for three years, and chair- man of that board for one year; and he was a member of the school committee for six years and served one year as a member of the grand jury. In 1900-I he served with ability and honor as a member of the state legislature, while he has been a member of the township committee of his party for a number of years and has been a delegate to the various county, district and state conventions. He is a member of the order of Good Templars and is one of the prominent mem- bers of the Congregational church, of which he is deacon at the present time, while he has also been prominent and active in the work of the Sunday- school, of which he was superintendent for sev- eral years. His wife and children are also mem- bers of the church, and his son was also superin- tendent of the Sunday-school for a number of years. The family are prominent in the best so- cial life of the community and have the friend- ship and esteem of all who know them.

FREDERIC GRISWOLD FIELD.

Frederic G. Field, prominently identified with the political and commercial interests of North Springfield, Vermont, traces his ancestry back to Thomas Field, a pioneer settler of Providence, Rhode Island, who swore allegiance there in the

year 1667. Pardon Field, grandfather of Fred- eric G. Field, was born at Cranston, Rhode Island, April 13, 1761, and died in Chester, Ver- mont, October 28, 1842. Pardon Field married Elizabeth Williams, who was a daughter of Joseph and Lydia Williams, and the great-great- granddaughter of Roger Williams, who was born in Wales in 1599, became the founder of the state of Rhode Island, and died in 1683. Abner Field, father of Frederic G. Field, was born in Chester, Vermont, November 28, 1793, and married Louisa Griswold, who was born in Springfield, Vermont, December 5, 1807, the daughter of Daniel and Annah Lenthal ( Ames) Griswold. Daniel Griswold was born in Meriden, Con- necticut, December 5, 1762, and died in Spring- field, Vermont, August 4, 1836; he was a de- scendant of Edward Griswold, who was born in England in 1607, and settled in Windsor, Con- necticut, about 1645. Annah Lenthal (Ames) Griswold was born in Middletown, Connecticut, February 17, 1764, and died in Springfield, Ver- mont, June 8, 1826. Mr. Abner Field was the first postmaster of North Springfield, several times represented the town and was twice elected to the state senate.

Frederic G. Field was born at Springfield, Vermont, January 1, 1842, and obtained his pre- liminary education in the common schools, which was supplemented by several years' study at the Springfield Wesleyan Seminary. Shortly after attaining his majority he determined to follow the mercantile profession, and with this end in view opened a store for general trade in North Springfield, Vermont, in 1864, and with the ex- ception of two years has been successfully en- gaged in business there ever since. He is also an extensive owner of real estate, has been in- strumental in settling many estates, and to some extent has engaged in agricultural pursuits. In his political views Mr. Field is an adherent of the principles of the Republican party. and for the past twenty-three years has been connected with the postoffice of North Springfield, Vermont, serving for many years as assistant postmaster and at the present time (1903) serving in the capacity of postmaster. He represented Spring- field in the state legislatures of 1870 and 1872, in the latter year being a member of the com- mittee on rules and chairman of the committee

454

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

on banks, and was re-elected to the same posi- tion in 1900. He was a state senator from Wind- sor county in 1880, and chairman of the com- mittee on claims ; in 1890 he was elected county commissioner, resigning one year later ; in 1801 he was appointed state inspector of finance by Governor Page, to fill out the unexpired term of 1 .. O. Greene, deceased, and in 1895 hie was ap- pointed to the same office by Governor Wood- bury, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Colonel Fred E. Smith. He has served as a notary public since the year 1864, and in addi- tion to these numerous and varied duties he is president of the First National Bank of Spring- field, treasurer of the Vermont Academy at Saxton's river, and president of the board of trustees of the Springfield town library.

On July 2. 1872, Mr. Field married Anna M. Tarbell, daughter of Addison and Florella Tar- bell, of Cavendish, Vermont, and a descendant of Captain John Coffin, the first settler. Their children are: Fred Tarbell, who was educated in the Vermont Academy and Brown University, graduating from the latter named institution, and is at the present time (1903) preparing for the legal profession at the Harvard Law School ; and Bertha Isadore Field, who graduated from the University of Vermont in 1902. The counsel and advice of Mr. Field are highly esteemed in financial and business matters, and he has made a good record in the commercial world, being considered as sound a business man as his brother Walbridge A. Field, the late chief justice of the Massachusetts supreme court, was a lawyer.

JAMES M. FOSS.

James M. Foss, of St. Albans, was born at Pembroke, New Hampshire, January 6, 1829, son of Jeremiah and Clarissa (Moore) Foss. He was educated at Pembroke Academy until his seventeenth year, when he determined to supple- ment his academic instruction with practical in- formation in a direction that would fit him for the business life to which he had resolved to devote himself.

To this end he commenced an apprentice- ship, November, 1846, in the machine shops of the Concord Railroad Company at Concord, New Hampshire. From 1850 to 1862 Mr. Foss worked

as a machinist and locomotive engineer on the Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad, acquiring a thorough familiarity with the details and prac- tical knowledge of the construction and operation of railroad machinery. During the last portion of his service he was in charge of the shops of the last named road. From 1862 to 1865 he was master mechanic of the Boston & New York Air line, also in connection with the Back Bay Com- pany, filling in the Boston Common for building purposes, residing in Boston at the time. In March, 1865, he returned to Concord, New Hampshire, as master mechanic of the Concord Railroad, where he remained until June, 1868. at which time a larger field for the employment of his ability in his special line was afforded him, and he accepted an offer for the management of the Vermont Central Railroad Company, as its master mechanic. In 1873 he was made superin- tendent of the motive power of the Central Ver- mont system, which comprised the Vermont Central Vermont & Canada Railroads, the Rut- land and other leased lines. During this period the corporation constructed its own locomotives, some half hundred of which were turned out under the supervision of Mr. Foss. His efficiency as a railroad man was recognized by his promo- tion in 1879 to the position of assistant general superintendent, which was followed by a further advancement, in 1885, to the office of general superintendent. This appointment he held until 1892, when impaired health compelled him to resign. But the corporation with which he had been connected for so many years was loth to part with his services, and he remained in its em- ployment in the capacity of assistant to the pres- ident, a position in which the benefit of his ad- vice and judgment could be availed of, while he could be afforded more leisure than was possible while performing the more active duties of gen- eral superintendent. This position of assistant to the president he still retained after nearly a half century of active railroad life up to his death, on March 9, 1900.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 80

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