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 94

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 94

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GEORGE W. SNEDEN.

George W. Sueden, of Bristol, Vermont, who is employed in the capacity of pension attorney and collection agent, was born at Weybridge, Vermont, October 2, 1839, a son of James T. and Artemisia (Gulley) Sueden. The family is said to be of English and Dutch extraction. James T. Sueden was born May 7, 1808, in New Jersey, where he obtained his early education in his native town. When quite a small boy he removed with his widowed mother and two sisters to the town of Weybridge, where he learned the trade of wheelwright, which he pursued successfully both there and at Addison. Subsequently he re- moved to New Haven, Vermont, where he en- gaged in the occupation of farming up to a short time before his death. He died December 9, 1893, at the home of a son in Waltham. He was united in marriage to Miss Artemisia Gulley, who was born April 17, 1806, in Addison, Ver- mont. and died July 17, 1892. They had a family of four children, three of whom are living : James, the eldest, died December 8, 1902: George W .; Eliza E., widow of Manville Keeler, a farmer of New Haven, Oswego county, New York; Mar- tha M., wife of Elihu Kingsley, a prominent cit- izen of New Haven, Vermont.

George W. Sneden, second son of James T. and Artemisia Sneden, attended the common schools of New Haven, Vermont, and later was a student in the academy there and high school at Vergennes, Vermont. After completing his education he was employed as teacher in the com- mon schools of that vicinity, where he remained until the year 1861, when, his country being in need of his services, he enlisted in April of that year. He was the first man in New Haven to respond to President Lincoln's call for seventy- five thousand three months' men, and joined Company I, First Vermont Regiment. At the ex- piration of his term he was honorably discharged

from the service, but re-enlisted in June of the sanie year in Company C, Ninth Vermont Regi- ment, and was attached to the Ninth, Eighteenth, and later to the Twenty-fourth Army Corps. For his bravery on the field of battle he was promoted to the rank of sergeant, then to first sergeant and later to that of second lieutenant. The regi- ment passed through Harper's Ferry and was captured September 15, 1862. Lieutenant Sne- den saw considerable service during the progress of the war, and participated in the following named battles: Newport Barracks, February 2, 1864; Chapin's Farm, September 29 and 30, 1864: Fair Oaks, Virginia, October 27, 1864; and he was at the fall of Richmond, April 3, 1865. He resigned after the war ended, in May, 1865, and returned to the town of New Haven, where he pursued his trade of wheelwright and joiner. Subsequently he was engaged in the mill- ing business in Weybridge and finally, in 1887, located in Bristol, where he first conducted a mill and subsequently a feed store, and later engaged in his present business of pension attorney and collection agent. Self-reliance, energy and hon- esty are the traits of character to which may be attributed the success which has crowned his efforts.

In his political affiliations, Mr. Sneden is a Republican, and he has served as town grand juror for a number of years. He has been a member of Libanus Lodge. No. 47, F. & A. M., for four years, and served on its financial committee and is now secretary. Both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star Chapter, of which his wife acts in the capacity of worthy matron. He is a prominent member of Walter C. Dunton Post No. 110, G. A. R., in which he has been commander and held several other offices. He is also aide-de-camp and assistant inspector of the department staff of the state of Vermont. Mr. Sneden takes an active interest in the temperance organizations of the town, and the members of his family are consistent members of the Baptist church of Bristol, Vermont.

March 20, 1865, Mr. Sneden was united in marriage to Miss Marcia L. Evans, born in Ran- dolph, Vermont, a daughter of John Evans. Three children were born of this union: Albert E., the eldest, died in 1877 at the age of nineteen years ; Merle B., born in Starksboro, Vermont,

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

resides in Niles, California, and is engaged in the drug business there ; Claude M., born in Wey- bridge, Vermont, is a student in the medical col- lege of Baltimore, Maryland. The mother of these children died November 3, 1893, and Mr. Sneden subsequently contracted an alliance with Miss Seraph C. Prime, who was born in Bristol, Vermont.

FRANK T. BRIGGS, M. D.

Dr. Frank T. Briggs, general practitioner of Bristol, Vermont, was born in Bath, New York, February 16, 1865, a son of Darwin and Elmira Briggs. Tyler Briggs, father of Darwin Briggs, was born in Slatersville, Rhode Island, where he received his education. Desiring to become a member of the medical fraternity, he accordingly pursued a course of study in medicine, and after securing his degree of Doctor of Medicine, com- menced the practice of his profession in Woon- socket, where he spent the remainder of his life, in the full enjoyment of a large and lucrative practice.

Darwin Briggs was born June 30, 1823, and was reared in the town of Woonsocket. After acquiring his education in the common schools he learned the trade of a machinist and engineer, and later secured a position as locomotive en- gineer on the road running from Chatham to New York. He was subsequently employed on western railroads, including both the Northern and Southern Pacific, and also on the Vermont Cen- tral, where was employed for many years. When about sixty years old he settled at Franklin, Mas- sachusetts, where in early life he had married Miss Elmira Brown, and the following named children were born of this union: Stella, wife of Daniel W. Whiting, of Franklin, Massachu- setts ; Abbie, wife of C. C. Bailey, of Woon- socket, Rhode Island; Frank T., of this review ; and Ida, who resides with her mother. One son and two daughters died in childhood. The family are consistent members and attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church. The father of these children died September 15, 1896, in Franklin, Massachusetts, at the age of seventy-three years, and is survived by his widow, who is still a resi- dent of that town.

Dr. Frank Tyler Briggs, only surviving son

of Darwin and Elmira Briggs, received his early education in the common schools of Franklin, Massachusetts, and then entered Dean Academy, of the same town; later he pursued a course of study in Bowdoin College, Maine, and was grad- tiated from the Medical College of Baltimore, Maryland, in 1897, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Shortly after completing his medi- cal course he located in Bristol, Vermont, where he commenced a general practice of medicine and surgery, and being a man of unswerving integ- rity and honor he has gained and retained the confidence and respect of his fellow men, being recognized as one of the leading citizens and prominent practitioners of that town, with whose interests he is fully in accord.

On July 24, 1890, Dr. Briggs was united in marriage to Miss Mabelle Braman, born in Walpole, Massachusetts, a daughter of George and Frances Braman, both of whom were life-long residents of Massachusetts. Dr. Briggs is a member of the Phi Chi Medical Society, and is prominently identified with the Masonic order, being a member of Libanus Lodge and Gifford Chapter, of Bristol and Mt. Calvary Command- ery, K. T., of Middlebury. He is also identified with Bristol Lodge and Encampment, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, being past chief patriarch of the latter body. He is past regent of Mt. Nebo Council, No. 707, Royal Arcanum, of Medfield, Massachusetts, being also a member of the grand lodge of that order ; and is examining surgeon and treasurer of the local court of the Independent Order of Foresters. The Doctor and his family are members of the Daughters of Rebekah, and of the Baptist church of Bristol. Vermont.

WILBUR E. HANKS.

Wilbur Edson Hanks, a prominent merchant anl man of affairs of Bristol, Vermont, belongs to a family which has been, for several genera- tions, represented in the state. Alvin Hanks, his grandfather, was one of the early settlers of Ver- mont, whither he went from New Hampshire. In his new place of abode he did the work of a pioneer, clearing and then cultivating the land whereon he resided. He married Betsey Clifford and was the father of eight children, five of

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

whom are still living: Arzy, residing in Roches- ter, Vermont : Mary, who is the widow Hussy, and lives in Averill, Massachusetts; Alvin, who resides in Warren, Vermont ; Harvey, a resident of Bristol, Vermont ; and Betsey Ann, the wife of Simon N. Gould, and resides in Randolph, Vermont. Mr. Hanks died when seventy years of age, and his wife survived to the age of eighty.

Benjamin Hanks, son of Alvin and Betsey (Clifford) Hanks, was born in Lincoln, and all his life followed the business of a farmer and lumber merchant, owning a number of mills, and conducting an extensive business. He was a Re- publican in politics and enjoyed in a high de- gree the respect and confidence of his neighbors, being called upon to fill the office of lister for two years and that of selectman for the same period. He married Mary J. Bagley, born in Warren, Vermont, daughter of Daniel Bagley. The last named was born in Hartland, Vermont, later removed to Warren, and thence to Lincoln, where he died at the age of eighty years. Mrs. Hanks was one of a family of six children, two of whom are still living: Walter and Melissa. The mother of these children died at eighty years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Hanks were the parents of six children, five of whom are living : Wilbur E., mentioned below : Forester, residing in Huntington, Vermont ; Alvy, living in Albany, New York ; Eugenia W., a resident of Randolph, Vermont ; and Judson, who lives in Richmond, Vermont. Mrs. Hanks, who died at the age of sixty, was a member of the Christian church. Mr. Hanks was sixty-seven years old at the time of his death.

Wilbur E. Hanks, son of Benjamin and Mary J. (Bagley) Hanks, was born January 1, 1849, in Lincoln, Vermont, where he received his edu- cation in the town schools. At the age of twenty- one he began life as a farmer, working by the month, and at the end of three years bought a saw and general lumber mill, conducting that business eight years, during which time he was so successful that at the expiration of the time mentioned he bought out a store in Lincoln, which he conducted, in conjunction with his mill and lumber business, for two years. Feeling the need of a wider field for his enterprises, Mr. Hanks sold both store and mill and removed to

Huntington, where he bought two mills and sev- eral hundred acres of timbered land. Later he bought another mill, cutting timber from his land for the three which he then owned. In the course of time he purchased other tracts of land, be- coming at last the owner of about thirty-two hun- dred acres, half of which, as well as one of his mills, lie has recently sold. Mr. Hanks is the proprietor of a very extensive business, giving employment, in cutting timber and operating mills, to twenty-five men throughout the year, and this force during the busy season is increased to fifty. Mr. Hanks manufactures clapboards and staves, for which he finds his principal markets in Boston and New York. In 1890 he moved to Bristol, where he built the beautiful house on Pleasant street which is now his home.

In politics Mr. Hanks is a Republican, and has acted for three years as chairman of the board of selectmen. His townsmen have further testi- fied to the esteem in which they hold him by send- ing him, in 1888, to represent them in the state legislature, and by re-nominating him for the same office in 1902. He has always taken an active interest in everything pertaining to the po- litical welfare of the community, and consented, . notwithstanding all the cares of his business life, to act as a delegate to the county and state con- ventions, and to serve on town and county com- mittees. He is a charter member of Libanus Lodge No. 49, F. & A. M., and a member of Bristol Lodge No. 36, I. O. O. F. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Bristol, of which he is now a director, and is a member of the Baptist church in Lincoln.

In 1870 Mr. Hanks married Eliza A. Merrill, daughter of David and Sarah A. (Caldwell) Merrill. Mr. Merrill was a farmer and passed his entire life on a large farm in Lincoln. He was born in 1810, and died in 1853. His wife was a native of New Hampshire, born January I, 1823, and died in Lincoln April 10, 1902. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Merrill consisted of three children, all of whom are living: Jane, who mar- ried Sargent Sewell, of Lincoln, Vermont; Al- fred, residing in Lincoln ; and Eliza A., mentioned above as the wife of Wilbur E. Hanks. Mr. and Mrs. Hanks are the parents of two children, the elder of whom, Gertrude, became the wife

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

of Burton A. Atkins, a druggist of Bristol, and has three children: Norma, and Wilbur and Wilva, twins. Clayton married Katherine Ward, and is in business with his father as a bookkeeper.

WILLIAM ABBOTT LAWRENCE.

In the history of the business interests of Addison county the name of William A. Law- rence occupies a conspicuous place, for through many years he has been one of the leading fac- tors of the locality, progressive, enterprising and persevering. Such qualities always win success, and Mr. Lawrence is. now known as the most extensive dealer in horses in the Green Mountain state. His birth occurred in Monkton, Vermont, on the 21st of September, 1856, where his paternal grandfather, Josiah Lawrence, was engaged in the tilling of the soil for many years, having come to this state from Connecticut. Orrin Law- rence, the father of our subject, was born Decem- ber 4, 1798, in Monkton, and he also followed agricultural pursuits as a life occupation, his labors being ended in death November 21, 1880. His wife, who was in her maindenhood Lucy Blazo, represented one of the oldest families in the east, and her birth occurred in Starksboro, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence became the parents of eight children, six of whom grew to years of maturity, as follows : Milo C., now a resi- dent of Hinesburg, Vermont ; Lucy, who became the wife of Samuel D. O'Brien, of Lincoln, Ver- mont ; Myron P., of Leadville, Colorado, where he is engaged in mining ; Ruby, deceased ; Sylvia, the wife of S. C. Poor, of Stowe, Vermont ; and William A., of this review. Mrs. Lawrence passed away June 2, 1884, at the age of seventy- seven years and for over fifty years she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. For fifty-three years she and her husband traveled the journey of life together, sharing with each other in its trials, joys and sorrows, and they lived to celebrate their golden wedding.

William A. Lawrence was reared in Monkton, receiving his elementary education in its schools, and later became a student in the high school of Vergennes. After completing his edu- cation he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, continuing on the old homestead farm until 1881, when he came to Bristol and began

speculating in cattle, horses and farm products, in which he was engaged until 1884. In that year he embarked in the carriage business, which he continued for the following fifteen years, and during that time he also began dealing in horses and cattle. Disposing of his carriage business in 1899, lie has since given almost his entire at- tention to his stock business, buying horses in car- load lots in Iowa and Missouri, and he usually keeps about seventy-five. His business now extends over this entire state and New York, and he is known as one of the most extensive dealers in horses in Vermont. His pleasant residence on North street, in Bristol, was erected in 1897, and he has also erected several other dwellings in Bristol, having dealt quite extensively in real es- tate in this village.

On the 22d of March, 1876, Mr. Lawrence was united in marriage to Lockie Partch, who was born in Hinesburg. Vermont, being a daugh- ter of Nelson W. and Lucy (Barker) Partch, the former of whom was a life-long farmer and his death occurred at the age of sixty-five years, while the mother's death occurred at the age of sixty-three years. They became the parents of six children, four of whom are now living, as follows : Ella, the wife of J. O. Bottum, of New Haven, Vermont ; John W., who makes his home in Canada ; Orson, of Ticonderoga, New York ; and Carrie, the wife of. W. J. Nash, of New Haven. Mrs. Lawrence, the eldest of these chil- dren, was reared and received her education in Hinesburg, this state, and for six years followed the profession of teaching. She was called to the home beyond on the IIth of December. 1889, at the age of forty-five years. She was a lady of many noble characteristics, and was loved and honored by all who had the pleasure of her ac- quaintance. For his second wife Mr. Lawrence chose Minnic Morrison, who was born in Starks- boro, Vermont, being a daughter of Page and Mary (Orvis) Morrison, and a granddaughter of Thomas Morrison, who came from Connecticut to this state in early pioneer times. Page Mor- rison was a mechanic, and owned and operated a rake and butter tub factory for many years. He departed this life when seventy-two years of age, and his wife was called to her final rest at the age of fifty-two years. Both were born in February, 18II. She was of Welsh descent. Mrs.

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

Lawrence, their only child, has been twice mar- ried, her first Imsband being Anson W. Peet, who was engaged in the lumber business at Himting- ton, and whose death occurred in his native town, Shelburne, this state, at the age of thirty-nine years. One son, Morrison, was born of this union, but he died when but five years of age. Her second marriage occurred on the 27th of March, 1901, when she became the wife of Mr. Lawrence. Mr. Lawrence gives his political support to the Republican party, and for fourteen years he served as the deputy sheriff of Addison county, was for a time a member of the town committee, was president of the Greenwood Cemetery Associa- tion, of Bristol, and in 1900 represented his town in the legislature. He is a member of the Addi- son County Agricultural Society, of which he is now president ; for three years has been a mem- ber of the board of directors of the National Bank of Middlebury ; and for two years was one of the directors and for a similar period vice- president of the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Company. In fraternal relations he is prominent- ly connected with the Masonic order, being now a member of Mount Sinai Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Montpelier, which he represented in the grand conclave at Boston. He is also a member of Bristol Lodge, No. 36, I. O. O. F.

JAMES KELMAN PIRIE.

James Kelman Pirie, until recently junior member of the firm of Lamson & Pirie, quarry- men and granite manufacturers at Williamstown, is one of the leading business men of the town. He comes of the same ancestry as John T. Pirie, the noted dry goods dealer of New York and Chi- cago. He was born May 13, 1858, in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and is a son of Walter and Jean (Kelman) Pirie, who were born in the same place. Walter Pirie was for many years a member of the police force of the city of Ab- erdeen and died in 1865. His widow survived until 1874. James K. Pirie is the only child of their marriage. He spent the first fifteen years of his life in Scotland. Coming then to St. George, New Brunswick, he learned the trade of stone-cutter, at which he worked as a jour- neyman in nearly all of the New England states, locating in Williamstown, Vermont, in 1880.

Inheriting in a marked degree the habits of industry and thrift characteristic of his Scotch an- cestors, Mr. Pirie has met with eminent success in his chosen vocation. In 1883 he became junior partner of the newly organized firm of Wells, Lamson & Company, which purchased in that summer fifteen acres of quarry land lying south of Millstone, in the northeastern part of Will- iamstown, and opened what is now known as the "dark quarry," establishing at the same time large cutting shops in Barre. In 1886 the firm bought nine and one-half acres of land on the northern side of Millstone hill, opening their light granite quarry, and subsequently worked both quarries with great success. In April, 1891, Mr. Wells retired from the firm, and the business was sub- sequently continued by Messrs. Lamson & Pirie, until the death of Mr. Lamson, in Novem- ber, 1902. Mr. Pirie continues the business. In April, 1892, they bought five acres of land on the river below North Barre, and the following summer built a new plant which they equipped with a complete set of the most approved modern machinery used in their line of work.

This concern is noted throughout the Union for the excellent work it turns out, a specialty being made of heavy monumental work, cemetery vaults and mausoleums. It has furnished many notable public and private monuments, among which mention may be made of the Soldiers Mon- ument at Binghamton, New York ;. the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at Kokomo, Indiana; the polished columns and carved caps for the mau- soleum erected at San Francisco, California, by John L. Flood; the monument erected to Hon. A. B. Martin, of Lynn, Massachusetts ; the mau- soleum erected for the family of the late Vice- President Hobart, at Paterson, New Jersey, cost- ing on board the cars at Barre, twenty-five thou- sand dollars; and the one for George Ehret, in Woodlawn Cemetery, Greater New York, which cost one hundred and twenty thousand dollars on the cars at Barre. The establishment employs an average of one hundred men, and in addition to its monumental work carries on a large business in rough granite. Both quarries have side tracks, and operate powerful cranes, and steam derricks with a capacity of fifty tons.

Mr. Pirie married, December 2, 1882, Mary Farnsworth, of Hardwick, Vermont, and they

Jannes Je Parie

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

are the parents of eleven children, namely : James G .; Mary; Frederick F .; Grover C .; Maude I .; Francis, now deceased; Merle; Bessie; Daisy ; Elsie ; and Christina. Politically, Mr. Pirie af- filiates with the Democratic party, and has served with fidelity in many of the more important town offices. For ten years he was justice of the peace, and for six years was a grand juror. Fraternally lie is a member of the Masonic order, of the Scot- tish Clans, the Burns Club, of Barre, and of the state council of Modern Woodmen of America. He owns a fine estate of forty acres, on which is a handsome residence, near the quarries in Williamstown, and is an enthusiastic horticul- turist.

ALBERT LINCOLN CAIN.

One of the representative citizens of Addison county is Albert L. Cain, a man whose history furnishes a splendid example of what may be accomplished through determined purpose, lauda- ble ambition and well directed efforts. He has steadily worked his way upward until he has now reached an exalted position in the business cir- cles of his community, being the president and treasurer of the Bristol Novelty Works, one of the leading institutions of its kind in this part of the state. Mr. Cain was born in Bristol on the 28th of November, 1868, and is a son of Samuel R. Cain, who claimed Massachusetts as the state of his nativity, his birth there occurring in Wareham. The father of the latter, Samuel Cain, was also a native of the old Bay state, and took up his abode in Wareham, but later removed to Bristol, Vermont, and returning to Wareham his last days were there spent.

Samuel Cain, Jr., was a merchant and a man- ufacturer of staves in Starksboro, Lincoln and Huntington, Vermont, and the last years of his life were spent in Bristol, where he passed away in death in 1888, at the age of sixty-two years. He took a prominent and active part in the pub- lic life of his community, and among the many public positions which he was called upon to fill may be mentioned those of selectman and school director. His wife bore the maiden name of Lydia Barrows, and she, too, was born in Ware- ham. By her marriage she became the mother of three children. Lydia R., Mrs. G. H. Bartlett, of

Madison, Wisconsin ; Rena, Mrs. B. M. Sergeant, a resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa; and Albert L., the subject of this review. The mother of these children was called to her final rest in 1888, when she had reached the age of fifty-seven years. Both she and her husband were members of the Congregational church.

Albert L. Cain is indebted to the public school system of Bristol for the educational privileges which he received in his youth, and between the ages of sixteen and nineteen years he assisted his father in his business. On the expiration of that period he assumed control of the enterprise, own- ing and operating nine mills for the manufacture of staves, and his time was thus employed until 1896, when he sold his interest to his partner. George Bartlett, of Jonesville, Vermont. In 1898 Mr. Cain became one of the incorporators of the Bristol Novelty Works, of which he was made the president and treasurer, and they are engaged in the manufacture of turned wooden boxes, han- dles, dowels, novelties, toys, etc. The factory is equipped with all the latest improved machinery. and fifty skilled employes are required to accom- plish its work. The first treasurer of the com- pany was Ashbel A. Dean, but he is now deceased, and the present officers are: A. L. Cain, presi- dent and treasurer ; N. F. Dunshee, vice-presi- dent ; and A. M. Norton, secretary. Mr. Cain is a man of excellent business and executive abil- ity, of sound judgment and capable management. and the prosperity which this firm is now en- joying is due in a large measure to his untiring efforts.

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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 94

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