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 II, Part 102

Author: Carleton, Hiram, 1838- ed
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1044

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 II > Part 102

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Dudley Kimball Andross, son of Broadstreet Spafford and Mary (Kimball) Andross, was born September 12, 1823, and in early life followed the occupation of lumberman, later becoming a

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railroad builder and helping to lay the first rail of the Rutland and Burlington Railroad, in 18.49. He was the first man from Bradford to go to Cal- torna as a miner, making the journey by way of the Isthmus. After various interesting adventures and experiences, and two years' suc- cessful work in the placer mines, he returned to Bradford and associated himself with J. W. Bliss, of Bradford, in the purchase of furs, a business in which he was engaged for several winters, having headquarters in Missouri.

At the opening of the Civil war, Dudley K. Andross was lieutenant of the Bradford company of militia. In its reorganization for the three months' service, upon the first call for troops by President Lincoln, in 1861, Lieutenant Andross was elected captain of his company, which formed a part of the First Vermont Regiment, Colonel John W. Phelps commanding. The regiment took possession of Newport News, the first really per- manent occupation of Virginia, and on June 10, took part in the battle of Big Bethel, in which the Union forces were repulsed. When the three companies of the First Regiment attacked the Confederate earthworks, Captain Andross was the first man to reach the embankment. At the close of the three months' service the company was honorably discharged, and Captain Andross aided in recruiting the Fourth, Sixth and Ninth Ver- mont regiments, and in the later regiment (com- manded by Colonel Stannard), he was commis- sioned lieutenant colonel, May 26, 1862. The regiment was stationed for a time at Washington, D. C., and was then sent to Winchester, and sub- sequently took part in the operations in the Shen- adoah valley. He was engaged in the unfortunate battle of Harper's Ferry, September 14, 1862, in which the Union forces were overpowered and 11,500 men were taken prisoners. The Ninth Regiment. as prisoners, Lieutenant Colonel An- dross among the number, were paroled at Har- per's Ferry, sent first to Annapolis, Maryland, and then to Chicago, where Lieutenant Colonel An- dross, who was in temporary command of the post, received over 3,600 Confederate prisoners, who were from the Murfreesboro and Arkansas post, and who were then held like themselves to await exchange. While in Chicago, Lieutenant Colonel Andross was honored for his brave and soldierly conduct with the commission of colonel,

and he served with that rank until the end of his service. In April, 1863, he and his fellow prison- ers were duly exchanged at Chicago and re- turned again to active service. He was or- dlered into Virginia to exchange the Con- federate prisoners then under his charge, a task which, after considerable delay, was finally effected at City Point, below Richmond. At Suffolk, Virginia, Colonel Andross and his sol- diers were besieged for twenty-three days, but their defense was determined and effectual. After a patriotic and honorable service in the cause of the Union, ill health compelled him to tender his resignation in June, 1863.

The career of Colonel Andross has been one of thrilling adventure, of bravery and patriotism in the cause of his country, and of energy, activity and unabated interest in all that pertains to the civic advancement and progress of the common- wealth. In "Vermont in the Civil War," a pen- picture of the soldier and the popular command- ing officer is as follows: "Now in his fortieth year, tall, straight, soldierly, rough in his way, but kind in deed, he was a favorite with the men." On his return as a citizen to his native town, Colo- nel Andross entered with great interest into muni- cipal affairs, and served as one of the selectmen of the town during the years of 1867, 1868 and 1869. He now leads a more quiet life and is in- terested in the pursuits of agriculture, yet is still so active and high-spirited that, although in his eightieth year, he occasionally engages in a short hunt. In his early and mature manhood he was famous as a hunter, credited with more real ex- periences than any other person in his region. For a number of years he made a business of fox hunting, and he considers six hundred a conserva- tive estimate of the number he has killed. In one season he killed sixty-two, and on one occasion he shot three foxes, and with the aid of two men, W. D. Cook and George F. Cowdery, had them skinned inside forty minutes, and at another time he shot two within as many minutes. Coon hunt- ing was another of his favorite amusements. About twenty years ago he killed one which weighed thirty-one and one-half pounds, the larg- est he ever saw or heard of, and in one of his outings in one night, he and two others, Ellis Mc- Duffee and Newton Howard, killed three un- usually large coons, one of which weighed twenty-

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four and one-half pounds, while the other two weighed twenty pounds each. Colonel Andross was an almost unfailing marksman, and he has been known to bring down his game at a distance of eighteen to twenty rods, with apparent lack of aim.

Colonel Andross was married March 17, 1878, to Marcella Wason, daughter of Rev. H. W. Har- ris. Their children are: Mary Kimball; Walter Carpenter Andross, who was a corporal in Com- pany G, First Vermont Regiment, in the Spanish- American War; and Alice Caroline. As stated in the beginning of this sketch, Colonel Andross is believed to be (with the possible exception of General Stephen Thomas), the senior surviving colonel of the Vermont troops.

HON. HORACE S. JONES.

Hon. Horace S. Jones, deceased, a direct de- scendant of Deacon Josiah Jones, who came to America from Wales in 1633, was born in Waits- field, Vermont, May 10, 1813. He was one of a family of nine children who lived to maturity. The Rev. Ezra Jones, a brother of Horace S. Jones, died in New York some years ago at an advanced age, and three sisters still survive, aged, respectively, eighty-five, ninety-two and ninety-four years. His boyhood was spent on his father's farm; he received an excellent educa- tion in the district schools and at Montpelier Academy. He subsequently taught school during the winter months, and worked on a farm during the summer season, often earning but ten dollars per month. In 1838 he removed to Coventry, and purchased the farm on which he resided for forty-four years.

Mr. Jones represented Coventry in the legis- lature in 1852, and cast his vote for the first prohibitory law in Vermont; the following year he was re-elected after a close contest on this issue. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1870, and from 1872 to 1876 he held the position of assistant judge of the Or- leans county court ; he was urged to accept a re-nomination, but declined to do so. During his term as assistant judge, Judges Redfield, Peck and Powers held the court in Orleans county. In expressing to Judge Peck his want of confi- dence in his own judgment on questions which

came before them, this eminent lawyer and jurist replied, "Our opinions agree as well as those of any judges of the supreme court." In 1882 he retired from active life, and removed to Bar- ton Landing, where he lived until his death, which occurred May 19, 1896, after a brief ill- ness, at the age of eighty-three years.

Horace S. Jones was a man of broad views and humane feelings, and the old-time creeds were repugnant to him. He believed that greater light was yet to dawn, and this faith increased with his years, while the essential spirit of Chris- tianity remained in fuli vigor. He was a man of unquestioned integrity and spotless reputation, of sound conservative judgment. He held his own opinions firmly, while tolerant of the opin- ions of others. He was an extensive reader, with a retentive memory, and he kept abreast of the times. Judge Jones always looked on the bright side of life, and held a large faith in humanity. He was eminently a social man, and in all re- lations of life the kindly, genial, mirthful spirit was prominent. His life was filled with quiet, unostentatious deeds of charity and kindness. The poor, sick and those in any kind of trouble found in him a sympathizing friend and helper, and he always endeavored to act upon the scrip- tural injunction, "Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you." He united with the Congregational church of Waitsfield, Ver- mont, in 1831, and when he removed to Coventry he continued to worship in a church of the same denomination. For many years he was constant in his attendance, going four miles over a hilly road. The late Rev. Pliny H. White once said to him, "You preach a sermon four miles long every Sunday." Hon. Horace S. Jones was mar- ried twice. Both of his wives were sisters of the late Hubbard Joslyn.

HARRIET JOSLYN JONES.

This lady was the widow of Horace S. Jones. Of a delicate, sensitive organization, her intense energy, courage, faith and fortitude enabled her to accomplish a life work by no means small. In entering upon a married life of more than fifty years, she assumed and most truly filled the place of a mother to three young children. She pos- sessed a very bright, active, critical mind, with

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a passionate love of nature, flowers, poetry. oratory, genealogy and the best in literature. The daughter of a physician, she inherited a taste for medical science, and was skilled in the care and treatment of the sick. Never idle, the work of her hands and the sympathy of her heart went out to those in sorrow and in need. Her religion was not of creed but of the heart. Her's was a great soul in a frail body. She died De- cember 24, 1898, at the age of eighty years.

HUBBARD JOSLYN.

Born in Waitsfield, Vermont, March 5, 1810, he was the son of a country physician of more than ordinary attainments and skill. The family is of English descent; the name originally was Jocelyn. Dr. William Joslyn, born in Weathers- field, Vermont, studied his profession with Dr. Corbin of Newport, New Hampshire, a practi- tioner of some note. Here the young physician married Rebecca Perry, a lady of rare faculty and strength of character. This family is also of English descent, though there is evidence that the original stock was Norman. Anthony Perry, the founder of this branch of the American line, born in England, was among the early settlers of Rehoboth, Massachusetts. Commodore Perry is found in one branch of the line, and among the later names of note in this branch is the well known authoress, Sarah Orne Jewett.

His parents removed to Waitsfield the year that Hubbard was born. He was the fourth son in a family of thirteen children. His education was limited to the populous district schools of the time, where he evinced a decided taste for mathematics, in which he excelled. His boy- hood was spent in hard labor on the paternal farm, professional duties absorbing the father's time. Some time after the latter's death the farm was sold, and with his mother and sister he removed to Morristown, Vermont, where they lived two years. In the fall of 1840 he came to Brownington and began the manufacture, by hand, of spade cultivators. With the aid of a blacksmith to apply the castings, he completed three hundred that winter. The following spring he purchased a house, near the old academy, and with his mother and sister established a home. A natural mechanic, he possessed the Yankee fac-

ulty of turning his hand to any employment. While here he made churns extensively and bed- steads. In 1845 he located at Derby Line and engaged in the stove and tinware trade, first with a partner but soon alone. Sherbrooke was then in its infancy, Coaticook was not, Newport had not dreamed of its future greatness. Here was the metropolis, and its business advantages were well improved. He dealt largely in sugar uten- sils, and bought sugar, sending it to Brandon in exchange for stoves. He induced the farmers to stir their sugar, thereby obtaining a better market. Through life his influence was felt in the development of this industry and in the adop- tion of improved methods. He had an extensive trade in eastern townships, for the inhabitants and resources of which he ever retained a high regard. While in trade here, another dealer, with Hon. Justin S. Morrill as a silent partner, came in with the declared purpose to run Joslyn out. The latter said to his old customers, "I will bid with the gentleman as long as he desires,, but you must take his stove in the end." When prices had reached a ruinous point he was diligent in sending customers, well supplied with money, to his rival, who soon found himself run out. He made many warm friends here and a few equally warm enemies. He closed out his business some time in the fifties, but for years thereafter his aid was sought in the establishment of water works. For some time he boarded with Timothy Winn at the old hotel. This shrewd, original character he admired. He continued with him at the hotel on Stanstead Plain, Quebec, as long as Winn kept the stand, twenty years in all. While there he built the trotting course, an excellent track, on which famous contests occurred. For years he lived and kept an office at Rock Island. It is a significant fact that long after he aban- doned the business, he was besieged by his old customers for loans. In 1877 a farm in Salem came into his hands, on which he made his home. He there projected the annexation of the town to Derby. With aid of others, both towns were canvassed. He went to Montpelier to look after the bill, and when the towns voted on the accept- ance of the measure he was on hand at the Salem meeting till assured of success, when he hastened to Derby, sending his team for voters, inspiring : others with his own energy and zeal.

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Mr. Joslyn never married. At the age of twenty he was a victim of epilepsy, induced by overwork. It blighted his hopes and hampered his efforts for more than twenty years. He felt that the joys and sacred associations of home- which none would have prized more highly- were not for him. He thought of others, not of himself. He recovered at an age when few es- cape its toils, and less, without impairment of the mind. His strong affection, denied its nat- ural channels, went out to his friends, to children for whom he showed a life-long fondness, and to his horses. At an early age he overheard the remark of an elder brother in reference to his malady, "We shall have to take care of him." To one of his natural energy and independence this was a spur, and doubtless had a lasting in- fluence on his life. A shrewd, close financier, when his will was aroused, especially by attempts to overreach him, he counted not the cost, in the accomplishment of his purpose. This led to ex- tensive litigation, and in his frequent tilts with cross-examining lawyers he rarely came out be- hind. While over the vacant place (induced by his vigorous pursuit) of more than one opponent might be ascribed the epitaph, "He left his coun- try for his country's good." His muscle was of steel, and he found great pleasure in its exercise in the hayfield or wherever there was work to do.

"Some place the bliss in action, some in ease." To him action was a pleasure. Courage, enter- prise. thrift, and integrity he admired every- where. The reverse and all shams he detested. In his wide acquaintance his influence was felt in these directions. When friends were sick or in need he would drop his business and devote himself to theirs with the same energy and in- terest he gave to his own. No stress of weather or business could prevent his frequent visits to some quiet home. Stern and unrelenting where his combativeness was aroused, he was highly considerate and kind when touched by the bet- ter springs of his nature. Yet, rarely to his near- est friends were revealed the strength of his affection. To the poor and honest debtor, whose conduct enlisted his sympathy, he was lenient to a fault. Deprived of the refinements of home, he was indifferent and often eccentric in his per-

sonal appearance. His vanity was like that of old "Daniel Gray" who

"Wore his hair unparted, long and plain,

To hide the handsome brow that slept below it, For fear the world would think that he was vain."

A fluent and forcible talker with a keen sense of humor, social and jovial when in the mood, he did a vast amount of thinking in his silent hours. A critic by nature, he was a master of sarcasm and invective. There was no half-way ground in his make-up. His ambition was con- fined to a single channel. For office he had neither time nor taste. A directorship in banks both in Vermont and Canada was repeatedly de- clined. But when business was laid aside for recreation, it was done effectually.

At the age of seventy, when men rarely change, he was converted under the labors of Rev. Hollis Jordan. To the end his faith was strong, the Bible his constant companion. He died October 19, 1890, at the age of eighty years. He accomplished a large work in life, surmounted many obstacles and left a large estate.

CHARLES H. JONES.

Charles H. Jones, son of Horace S. and Har- riet (Joslyn) Jones, was born in Coventry, Ver- mont, May 9, 1847. He received his education in St. Johnsbury and Derby academies, where he took the highest rank as a scholar, and fitted for the junior class in Dartmouth College, but was unable to finish his college course, owing to ill health. He went south in order to recuperate, and after his return he spent a few years upon a farm. He read law with Judge Thompson, of Irasburg, but his health did not admit of active practice. In 1882 he removed to Barton Land- ing, and was register of probate for ten years, which position he resigned to settle his uncle's estate, which was the largest in the county. For three years he held the position of superinten- dent of schools in Coventry.

He has been a frequent contributor to financial and other journals, and has taken rank as a clear. incisive writer and an eloquent speaker. At the district convention at Montpelier in 1898, he pre- sented the name of General Grout for Congress. Colonel G. W. Hooker, the veteran politician who

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presented the name of Judge Reed, said that Mr. Jones' speech was one of the finest things he ever heard in a convention.

On June 10, 1891, he was united in marriage to Miss Cora G. Humphrey, a lady of rare worth, daughter of Charles W. Humphrey, of Barnston, province of Quebec. She was buried just three months from their wedding day.

JAMES LOREN MARTIN.

James L. Martin, of Brattleboro, Vermont, a prominent lawyer and present United States dis- trict attorney, comes from a good old Scotch ancestry, which stands for strength of character and intellectual ability. The progenitor of his line in this country was one of three brothers, Ebenezer, who came from Scotland and settled in Londonderry, New Hampshire. Grandfather John Martin was born in Providence, Rhode Isl- and, where he remained until he was twenty-three years of age; he then removed to Landgrove, Vermont. By occupation he was a farmer, and regarded by his neighbors as a prosperous man. He was exceedingly popular among his towns- people, and occupied many local offices of trust. In politics he was a Whig. He enlisted in the army during the war of 1812, but peace was declared before he reached the front. He mar- ried, November 8, 1801, at Bristol, Rhode Island, Deborath Wilson, the daughter of William Wilson, by whom he had the following children: Will- iam, who married Sarah Horton; John; James ; and Nancy, who married William Godfrey. John Martin died in his sixty-eighth year.

James Martin, father of James L. Martin, was born at Landgrove, Vermont, where he passed the early part of his life. He spent one year in Virginia, but returned to Vermont, lo- cating in Londonderry, where he lived up to the time of his death. Mr. Martin was a farmer, and practiced law in his native state; and he was an active partisan of the Democratic party. He was for many years justice of the peace, was also town clerk, and served several terms as an assemblyman. He was state senator for Ver- mont, and while acting in that honorable capacity became known as the "Lion of the Senate" on account of his marvelous oratorical talent, which he used to the best advantage in the interest of

those he represented. Mr. Martin was captain of a company of militia. He was a member of the Universalist church, and was prominently identified with the Masonic order. As a coun- sclor at law his advice was constantly sought, owing to his wide and varied experience in ju- dicial matters. His wife was Lucy Gray, daugh- ter of Henry Gray. Six sons were born of this union, namely : James Albert, born October 22, 1838, died November 28, 1842; John Henry, born October 26, 1840, a farmer, now in his sixty- seventh year, and unmarried; George Jay, born November 16, 1844, died January 7, 1856; James L .; and Joseph G., born October 8, 1850, a law- yer of Manchester Center, Vermont, who mar- ried Mary Emma Barnard (now deceased) ; William Brockway, born March 12, 1854, died July 21, 1854; Mr. Martin died January 24, 1887. His wife, born January 22, 1815, died August 24, 1856.

James L. Martin, second son of James and Lucy Martin, received his preliminary education in the district schools of Londonderry, and this. was later supplemented by a course at the Mar- low (New Hampshire) Academy, where he later became a teacher; he also taught in the public schools of Londonderry for about seven years. Having made up his mind to follow the pro- fession of law, he matriculated at the Albany Law School, from which he was graduated in 1869, and was admitted to the bar at Benning- ton, Vermont, in the same year. He practiced law in Londonderry from that time until Jan- uary, 1882, when he succeeded to the law busi- ness of the late Charles N. Davenport, and moved to Brattleboro. In 1888 he formed a co-partner- ship with Hon. E. L. Waterman, and later George B. Hitt became a member of the firm.

Mr. Martin, besides his extensive law prac- tice, is interested as a director in many large cor- porations, such as the Central Railroad of Ver- mont, the Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany, the American Fidelity Company of Mont- pelier, the Brattleboro Electric Light and Gas Company. Aside from these varied interests, Mr. Martin occupies the responsible position of United States district attorney, having been ap- pointed by the late President Mckinley, and re- appointed by President Roosevelt. Mr. Martin is also a member of the firm of Holden & Mar-

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tin, extensive wholesale lumber merchants, which is one of the largest enterprises of Brattleboro. In 1888 Mr. Martin was appointed tax com- missioner by Governor Dillingham. He is also a member of the Brattleboro school board.

Mr. Martin's political career began with his election to the legislature as representative from Londonderry in 1874, in which body he served on the committee on education, having charge of the bill to abolish the board of education and for the appointment of a state superintendent. Two years later he was again returned to the legis- lature, serving as chairman of the committee on elections, and as a member of the judiciary com- mittee. In 1878 he was for a third time elected to the same position, and was chosen speaker of the house on the second ballot. He was elected to the house in 1880 and 1882, and at both of the last named sessions was again chosen speaker. In 1892 he represented Brattleboro, and declined being a candidate for speaker. He was chair- man of the judiciary committee, and second on the ways and means committee.

Socially Mr. Martin is a member of the Wheelmen's Club, and fraternally is connected with Anchor Lodge, F. & A. M., with which or- ganization he has been affiliated for thirty-four years. For one year he has been president of the Universalist church, during which time the society has been placed upon a firm financial basis, and is free of debt.

Mr. Martin has been twice married, his first wife having been Delia E. Howard, daughter of Lewis Howard, of Londonderry, Vermont. Three children were born to them, none of whom survive. The mother of these children died De- cember 14, 1881. His second wife was Jessie Lilley, daughter of Captain Edward Dewey, of Montpelier, a brother of Admiral Dewey. Three children have been born to them, namely: Mar- garet Susan, Helen Ruth and Katherine Gray Martin.

Mr. Martin stands high in favor with the department of justice at Washington, D. C., where he is frequently called in consultation. He has won considerable fame through his suc- cessful crusade against and prosecution of ille- gal Chinese immigration from Canada through Vermont, which for many years had been a fa-

vorite gateway for this unlawful practice, and through his effort this abuse has been practically brought to an end.

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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 II, Part 102

Author: Carleton, Hiram, 1838- ed Publication date: 1903 Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1044

Author: Carleton, Hiram, 1838- ed
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1044