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 92
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Andrew J. Mason attended the district school of Potsdam, and remained under the parental roof until he attained the age of seventeen years, when he removed to New Haven, Vermont, and was en- gaged in the occupation of farming up to the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. He enlisted September 5, 1861, as a private in Company F, Fifth Vermont Regiment, and for the bravery he displayed on the field of battle was promoted through various ranks to be first lieutenant, and at the time of his discharge from the United States service, March 31, 1863, he was acting in that capacity. With his regiment, he saw much hard service, and passed through many severe battles. After his return to New Haven he pur- chased a farm, which consisted of one hundred and ten acres of ground, and situated one mile
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and a half northwest of the village, and success- fully conducted his farming operations up to the time of his death, which occurred January 26, 1898, in his sixty-fourth year. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mason, namely: Conie, who resides at home ; Fred C., who died at the age of thirty-one years, in Elizabeth, Colorado; Jes- sie W., who died at the age of twenty-four years ; Carrie, who resides with her mother; and Sarah, who became the wife of Davis L. Ross, and died June. 15, 1902, and one son survives her, Earle Mason Ross, who was born May 25, 1902. Mr. Mason was a member of the Congregational church, a member of Ethan Allen Post, G. A. R., of Vergennes, and was also one of the char- ter members of Libanus Lodge No. 47, A. F. & A. M., of Bristol. In political principle, he was a Republican. Of domestic tastes, he did not care for official station, and led a quiet, industrious life. Though afflicted with paralysis soon after leaving the army, he contrived to perform con- siderable farm labor, and was a model of patient industry.
JOHN ROBINSON.
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John Robinson, who is extensively engaged in farming, stock-raising and in buying and selling wool, and whose prominence is indicated by the many times he has been called to public office, makes his home in Bennington. He is a native of the Emerald Isle, his birth having there oc- curred on the 8th of May, 1837. His father, Thomas Robinson, was also born in Ireland, was a farmer by occupation, and while still in his na- tive land was united in marriage to Miss Mary Flood, also born in the same country. About 1838, when our subject was but an infant, the parents brought their family to the new world, locating in the western part of Bennington, Ver- mont, where the father carried on agricultural pursuits for a number of years. Later he pur- chased a farm in Bennington and likewise became the owner of a valuable tract of land at Shafts- bury, carrying on agricultural pursuits through- out his entire business career. The Democratic party elicited his political support, and by his bal- lot he supported its men and measures. He was one of the first Irish settlers of Bennington, and at an early day he frequently walked from this
place to Troy to attend church. He died at an advanced age, and his wife passed away at the age of ninety-five years. They were the parents of seven children, of whom five are still living : Mrs. John Crahan, of Bennington; Mrs. Martin Murray, of Shaftsbury ; John, whose name forms the caption of this article; George H .; and Thomas W., who are also residents of Shaftsbury.
John Robinson spent his early years in Shafts- bury and Bennington, remaining upon his father's farms, and in the common schools he acquired his education, which was completed by study in the North Bennington select school. He was after- ward associated with his father on his stock farm in the enterprise of buying and selling stock for eighteen years. At the age of twenty-six he began working for Henry Burden & Sons, as foreman in their large iron ore mines, continuing in that position for three years, during which time he was also engaged in farming to some extent and in dealing in flax. On the expiration of that period he purchased his present farm, be- coming owner originally of two hundred and twenty-five acres, to which he has since added, making an aggregate of four hundred and fifty acres in his home farm, so that he now has one of the most extensive stock farms in this portion of the state. He raises sheep, cattle and horses, and is also engaged in buying and selling wool on a large scale. His operations are bringing to him an excellent return for he is a splendid judge of all kinds of domestic animals, and his investments are judiciously made in all kinds of stock. He readily recognizes a superior animal and buys accordingly. As his financial resources have in- creased he has added to his property until his farm now extends from Bennington to the Pow- nal line. As a wool-buyer he is well known. going as far north as Canada in the interest of this department of his business and also buying and selling throughout the west in addition to his own state. He has likewise dealt extensively in real estate, and for a number of years he has been a trustee of the Savings Bank of Benning- ton. He is a man of sound judgment and rare discrimination, who forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution, brooking no ob- stacles that can be overcome by determined and honorable effort.
Mr. Robinson not only controls extensive
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business interests, but has long been recognized as an active factor in political circles. In 1870 he held the office of constable and was chosen col- lector of taxes, in which capacity he served for seventeen years. He has also been receiver for mmerous estates. For three terms he served as deputy sheriff, and in 1884 was appointed United States marshal by President Cleveland, serving umtil President Harrison was elected. In 1884 he was also elected sheriff, in which capacity he served until 1886, when he resigned to accept the office of postmaster, in which position he re- mained until 1889. He has since been a select- man. and for a number of years he has also filled the office of justice of the peace. He has served his town altogether in public office for twenty- seven years, and at the present time is one of the board of civil authorities. ' His public record is one which indicates in unmistakable terms the confidence and trust reposed in him as well as his loyalty and capability in the discharge of duty.
On the 19th of Jaunary, 1864, Mr. Robinson was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Erwin, who was born in Ireland and during her child- hood was brought to the United States by her parents, who settled in Bennington. Her father was a farmer by occupation and spent his last days in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have an adopted daughter, Elizabeth, who is now. twenty-two years of age. In his fraternal rela- tions Mr. Robinson is an Elk, and is also con- nected with the Red Men in membership rela- tions. He is accounted one of the leading and representative citizens of Bennington and of this portion of Vermont. The scope and extent of his business affairs and his capable control thereof have gained him prosperity, while his loyal and public-spirited citizenship and his probity stand as unquestioned facts in his life history.
WILL ALSON WHITCOMB.
Will A. Whitcomb, one of the representative business men of Barre, Vermont, can trace his ancestry back to the early part of the seventeenth century, when John Whitcomb, born in Dor- chester, England, came to this country and took up his residence in Scituate, Massachusetts, where his death occurred September 24, 1662.
Josiah, son of John Whitcomb, was born in 1638, united in marriage to Rebecca Waters, and the date of his decease was March 21, 1718. David, son of Josiah and Rebecca Whitcomb, was born in Scituate, Massachusetts, February 20, 1668, was united in marriage to Mary Fairbanks. Cap- tain Joseph, son of David and Mary Whitcomb, was born in 1700, the place of his birth supposed to have been the town of Bolton, Massachusetts; he married Damarins Priest and subsequently re- moved to Swanzey, New Hampshire, where they resided until the death of Captain Whitcomb, which occurred in the ninety-third year of his age. Major Elisha, son of Captain Joseph and Damarius Whitcomb, was born about the year 1723, and after attaining young manhood enlisted for the war of the Revolution and was an active participant in the celebrated battle of Bunker Hill; he was united in marriage to Joanna Whit- comb, of Leominster, Massachusetts, and his death occurred September 17, 1814.
Salmon Densmore, son of Major Elisha and Joanna Whitcomb, was born in Swanzey, New Hampshire, March 19, 1776. After acquiring a common school education he learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for many years in the town of Orange, Orange county, Vermont, whither he removed in 1805, and on May 15, 1806, he was united in marriage to Aruba Camp, who was born in Sharon, Connecticut, October 31, 1787. Their children were: Roxinda, born July 23, 1810; George W. C., born September 14, 1814; Emeline A., born September 18, 1818; Sarah C., born May 18, 1821; L. Waterman, born February 1, 1824; William Elbridge, born November 4, 1826; James Addison, born Sep- tember 5, 1832. The father of these children died in Barre, Vermont, February 22, 1852, sur- vived by his widow, who passed away at Brook- field, Vermont, October 4, 1867.
William Elbridge, son of Salmon and Aruba Whitcomb, was born in Orange, Orange county, Vermont, November 4, 1826, where he obtained a practical education in the district school. He then turned his attention to the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he thoroughly mastered, and for ten years he continued in this line of business. About the year 1852 he entered into partnership with his brother, Lyman Waterman, in the pur- chase of a sawmill located in the town of Barre,
Mr. E. Wieleoweb
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Vermont, and which is now known by the name of the Phelps Mill; it was formerly the property of Benjamin Wood. In March, 1868, Mr. Whit- comb disposed of his interest in the mill, and in company with James M. Smith, Benjamin B. Cook, purchased a foundry and machine shop in North Barre, Vermont, and by the shrewd, en- ergetic and high-principled manner in which they conducted their business affairs, well merited the wonderful success which they achieved in this enterprise ; Mr. Whitcomb continued his interest in the business up to the time of his death.
Politically Mr. Whitcomb was a firm adher- ent of the principles of the Republican party, and was chosen by the citizens of the town of Barre to represent them in the state legislature for two terms ; for five years he served in the capacity of commissioner, being appointed by the town of Barre to aid in the effort to secure proper railroad facilities for the people, and finally their efforts were crowned with success. He was one of the incorporators of the Granite Savings Bank and Trust Company at Barre, Vermont, and continu- ously served on the board of directors. He was prominently affiliated with Granite Lodge No. 35, F. & A. M., for over forty years.
On December 1, 1853, Mr. Whitcomb mar- ried Harriet Orville Wood, who was born in the town of Barre, Vermont, August 9, 1832, a daughter of Benjamin and Jennie Corey (Towne) Wood. They had one child, Will Alson Whit- comb. Mr. Whitcomb died January 10, 1900, having survived his wife a few years ; her death occurred December 18, 1897.
Will Alson Whitcomb was born in Barre, Vermont, September 6, 1854, and acquired his literary education in the district schools and at Barre Academy. At the age of seventeen years he entered the machine works at North Barre, in which his father had an interest, and by faithful and close application to his duties he was soon in a position to aid in the management and ad- vancement of the business. On January 19, 1893, he purchased the interest of Benjamin B. Cook in the firm and in 1900 he purchased the interest .of James M. Smith, and later the business was transformed into a stock company with Mr. Whitcomb as president, which position he has most creditably and efficiently filled up to the present time (1903). Upon the death of his fa-
ther he was elected to succeed him as director of the Granite Savings Bank and Trust Company. In politics he is a firm supporter of the men and measures advocated by the Republican party. Mr. Whitcomb is a member of Granite Lodge No. 35, F. & A. M .; Granite Chapter No. 26, K. T .; St. Aldemar Commandery No. II; Mount Sinai Temple at Montpelier; and the Apollo Club of Montpelier, Vermont.
MERVIN P. VARNEY.
Mervin P. Varney, a prosperous business man of Bristol, Vermont, was born in Starksboro, this state, August 23, 1836, a descendant of a family which has resided in the state of Vermont for several generations. Hezekiah Varney, grandfather of Mervin P. Varney, was born in Vermont in 1775. After receiving such educa- tional advantages as were afforded in the district schools of that day, he located in Starksboro, Ver- mont, and purchased the old homestead which is now occupied by his son-in-law, Hiram Perkins, who married Judith Varney. Mr. Varney de- voted the remainder of his life to the cultivation of the soil, and was very successful in producing a general line of farm products. He married Miss Elizabeth Palmer, who was born in 1778, daugh- ter of Enoch Palmer, who was one of the first settlers in the town of Monkton, Vermont. The following children were born to them: Anna, Sarah, Rachel, Jacob, Lydia, Mary, Enoch, Han- nah and Judith Varney. The father of these chil- dren died in Monkton at the age of eighty-seven years.
Enoch Varney, son of Hezekiah, was born in Monkton, Vermont, October 5. 1808. His early years were spent in Monkton, where he acquired his education in the common schools; later he learned the trade of mason, which he followed successfully for a number of years. He bought and sold several farms, but spent his last thirty- five years on a farm in Bristol, which he cultivated while giving some time to his trade. He was an indefatigable worker. and his careful supervision of his property made it one of the most thrifty and desirable farms in the vicinity. In 1831 Mr. Varney married Miss Amanda Pease, born in Starksboro, Vermont, August 15, 1812, a daughter of Obed Pease, who
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was born in Weston, Vermont, April 20, 1789. Mr. Varney's family included the following named children : Noble L., born December 15, 1832; Mervm P., August 15, 1836; Beulah S., September 12. 1841, now the wife of Mr. Myers, of Cornell, Illinois; Milo S., born March 24, 1843 ; Watson H., January 7, 1846, now a resident of Jewell, Kansas ; and Carrie L., born Novem- ber 4, 1855, wife of William Turner, of Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Varney died in February, 1800, at the age of eighty-one years, and his wife's death occurred in January, 1890, in her seventy-eighth year.
Mervin Pease Varney, second son of Enoch and Amanda Varney, was reared and educated in Bristol, Vermont. When only nineteen years of age he was employed as a teacher in the dis- trict school, after which he removed to Salem, Illinois, where he resided for eleven years en- gaged in teaching, farming and speculating. Mr. Varney returned in 1870 to Bristol, Vermont, where he became prominently identified with the commercial and social interests of the town. He held the office of selectman from 1872 to 1875, was a member of the school board for a number of years, served on the prudential committee of the fire district. He became a member of the Free and Accepted Masons in Illinois, and while a resident of that state was one of its prominent members.
Soon after his return to Bristol, Mr. Varney engaged in building operations, and, during his residence here, has put up eighteen houses, all of which he has disposed of, except his pleasant home on Church street. In 1875 he opened a furniture store 011 Pleasant street and removed, three years later, to his present location, on the south side of Main street. The long time during which this enterprise has continued sufficiently indicates its success. The building occupied was erected by Mr. Varney.
On July 31, 1861, Mr. Varney married Miss Eliza Gilbreath, who was born November 8, 1837, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (John- son) Gilbreath, of St. Lawrence county, New York, who were the parents of nine children, four of whom are now living, namely : Anna, wife of George Lovell ; Fanny, Mrs. John Rouse ; Mary, wife of Wesley Young; and Eliza, wife of Mervin P. Varney. The mother of these chil-
dren died at the age of sixty-two years. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Varney : A. Watson, born July 5, 1863, graduated from Middlebury College in 1886, and is now engaged as principal of the high school at Burlington, Vermont ; he married Harriet Bond; Lucinda, born December 29, 1868, died in infancy; and Enoch Warner, born November 27, 1875, mar- ried Miss Helen Hill. The family are faithful members and attendants of the Methodist Epis- copal church, always willing to assist in all the work connected with it, and very charitable in their dealings. They occupy a high position in the social circles of Bristol, Vermont.
FRANK N. HILL.
Frank Nathaniel Hill, prominently identified for many years with the commercial interests of Bristol, Vermont, was born in Starksboro, Vermont, September 15, 1839. Samuel Hill, garndfather of Frank N. Hill, was born in New Hampshire, and acquired his education in the dis- trict schools of his native town (see W. N. Hill). About the year 1805 he located in Starksboro, Vermont, and for the remainder of his life fol- lowed the occupation of farming ; he was a man of strong and marked characteristics, and an earnest worker in whatever effort was made to advance the interests of the town. He married a Miss Worth, who was born in New Hempshire in 1780 ; they had a' family of ten children, all of whom are now deceased. Mr. Hill died in Starks- boro at the age of seventy-eight years. They were faithful and earnest members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church of Starksboro, Vermont.
Lionel Worth Hill, their son, was born in New Hampshire in 1805, but, his parents moving to Starksboro, Vermont, shortly after his birth, he was reared and educated in that town. After completing his studies he devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, in which occu- pation he met with a marked degree of success ; his farm was always neat and thrifty in appear- ance, indicating his careful supervision and the enterprise with which he prosecuted his labors. He took an active part in political affairs, and served his town in the capacity of selectman, town treasurer for a number of years, lister of the town, and chairman of that board. He was united
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in marriage to Miss Lois Tasker, who was born in Barnstead, Vermont, in 1808, a daughter of Nathaniel Tasker. Three children were born to them, but Frank N. is the only survivor. They were active and devout members of the Free Will Baptist church of Starksboro, Vermont. Mr. Hill's death occurred when he had attained the age of eighty-four years.
Frank N. Hill, son of Lionel W. and Lois Hill, attended the public schools of Starksboro until he was sixteen years old, later pursued a course in the Hinesburg Academy and the Green Moun- tain Academy at Underhill Center. He followed the occupations of teaching school and farming in the town of Starksboro until he reached the age of twenty-five years. He then purchased a store at Starksboro, which he conducted successfully for twenty years. At the expiration of this period he sold his mercantile business and moved to his farm, and for a number of years was en- gaged in the production of a general line of farm produce. Later he disposed of this property to his son, and in 1890 removed to Bristol, Ver- mont, where he established his present flour and feed business. His store is well stocked with all kinds of grain, flour, feed, lime and fertilizer. His genial nature, combined with his long ex- perience in business and distinct ability, quickly won for him many patrons, and his business in- creased rapidly from year to year. In his po- litical affiliations, Mr. Hill is an adherent of the Republican party, and at the age of twenty-five years he was elected representative of the town of Starksboro, and re-elected the following year. He served as the first constable of the town, a po- sition which he filled for fourteen years, was town treasurer, lister for a number of years, served on the board of selectmen, and for ten years acted in the capacity of justice of the peace. He served as delegate to a number of different con- ventions. It was chiefly through the instru- mentality of the selectmen of Bristol, of whom Mr. Hill was chairman, that three iron bridges were constructed, the wooden bridges having been destroyed the previous spring. Mr. Hill was a member and a supporter of the Free Will Baptist church of Starksboro, Vermont, while living in that town.
In 1861 Mr. Hill married Miss Jeanette D. Heath, who was born in Cabot, Vermont, in
1841, a daughter of Converse and Betsey ( Smith) Heath, whose family consisted of the following named children: Adeline, wife of Homer C. Hopkins, of Montpelier, Vermont; Emeline, widow of Willard F. Badger, of Lowell, Massa- chusetts; Betsy, wife of Henry A. McCrillis, now deceased; and Jeanette D., wife of Frank N. Hill. The mother of these children died in Bristol at the mature old age of ninety-three years. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hill, namely: Nellie, born in 1862, mar- ried Harry Gassett, of Boston, Massachusetts, who later, his health failing, removed to Denver, Colorado, remained there two or three years, when, not receiving the benefit he was seeking, he returned to Boston, Massachusetts, where he died in February, 1903 ; Fred F., born September 18, 1868, now engaged in farming in Starksboro, Vermont, was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ellison, and their child, Merle Blanche Hill, was born in May, 1890; and Lois Tasker, third child of F. N. and Jeanette D. Hill, born in June, 1881, is the wife of Henry Landon, who is engaged in the livery business in Bristol, Vermont. Mr. Hill erected a handsome residence on the corner of Maple and Pleasant streets, one of the finest in the town, where the family entertain their many friends and acquaintances. Mr. Hill is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church of Bristol.
FRED LANDON.
Fred Landon, one of the representative cit- izens of Bristol, Vermont, was born in South Hero, Vermont, May 16, 1834, a son of Abner B. and Minerva Landon. Thaddeus Landon, his grandfather, was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, and removed to South Hero, Vermont, where he engaged in the occupation of farming. and met with such success in this undertaking that he decided to spend the remainder of his life there. He was united in marriage to Miss Anna Baldwin, and eight children were born of this union, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of John, who resides in the town of South Hero, Vermont. Mr. Landon died at the age of seventy-eight years, and his wife passed away in her seventy-sixth year.
Abner B. Landon, son of Thaddeus Landon, was born June 16, 1802, in South Hero, and re-
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ceived his education in the district schools of the town. Having been reared upon a farm, he un- derstood thoroughtly every detail connected with farm work, and so chose that occupation for his life work. In politics he was formerly a Wlig, but later joined the ranks of the Republican party. lle took an active interest in all the affairs of the town, and served as selectman and lister for many years, besides being chosen to represent the town in the state legislature. Sep- tember 23, 1824, he was joined in marriage to Miss Minerva P. Phelps, who was born func 18, 1801, in South Hero, daughter of Solomon Phelps, a farmer of that town. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Landon, six of whom are still living, namely: Franklin, now a resident of Colchester, Vermont; Ruth, wife of Henry L. Wood, of Georgia, Vermont; Fred, further mentioned below; Charles C., who re- sides on the old homestead; Jed, a resident of Atkinson, Nebraska; and William, who resides in Georgia, Vermont. The mother of these chil- dren died at the age of eighty years. Mr. Lan- don passed away September 10, 1861, aged fifty-nine years.
Fred Landon, second son of Abner B. and Minerva Landon, acquired his education in the district schools of South Hero, Vermont. His boyhood and young manhood days were spent upon the farm in assisting his father in the man- agement of it, and even after the latter's death he still continued his work on the farm until 1866, when he removed to Clarksville, Virginia, where he was engaged for three years in the buying and selling of real estate. At the expira- tion of this time he located in Bristol, where he was interested in the photograph business for four years. He was then appointed postmaster of that town, and so faithfully did he perform the duties of the office that he was retained in that position for nine years under two appointments. He then commenced to lay the foundation for his present extensive business of dealer in horses, carriages, sleighs and harness ; he also, in addi- tion to this, conducts a large trade in lumber, brick and slate. His business prospered from the beginning until now he has the largest trade in that section of the country, and has handled more horses than any other man. He has built a com- modious residence, also all the buildings where
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