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 104

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 104

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She still dwells among the maple trees she loves, rich in years and honors, vigorous in mind and body, loving and honoring the good, the true and the beautiful, devoted as ever to her art, and contributing still to her own great audience the ripest and ablest work of her genius.

IRA ANSON SHATTUCK.

Ira Anson Shattuck, a jeweler and merchant at.Hardwick, is a successful business man and a citizen of prominence. He was born February 2, 1846, in Wheelock, Vermont, a son of Anson Shattuck, whose father, Abel Shattuck, was one of the first settlers of that town. He comes of substantial English stock, tracing his ancestry back in a direct line for nearly three hundred years to William Shattuck, the immigrant, the line of descent being as follows: William, William. John, Samuel, David, Abel, Anson, Ira A.

William Shattuck (I) was born in England in 1621. Emigrating when a young man to Mas- sachusetts, he settled in Watertown, becoming one of its proprietors, and was evidently a man of considerable wealth and influence. He died in 1672. William Shattuck (2), a life-long resi- dent of Watertown, was one of the leading men of his time. He married and reared a large num- ber of children, of whom John Shattuck (3), through whom the line was continued, was the first born. Samuel Shattuck (4) married Eliza- beth Blood and settled in Groton, Massachusetts. where his death occurred in 1758. David Shat-

tuck (5) removed from Groton, Massachusetts, to Pepperell, Massachusetts, where many, if not all, of his children were born.

Abel Shattuck. (6) was born at Pepperell, Massachusetts, in November, 1770. Coming to Vermont in 1793, he was one of the original set- tlers of the town of Wheelock, where he remained a resident until his death in 1828. He was a kind-

And Shallwe

hearted, benevolent man, generous almost to a fault, giving alms and shelter to all who needed it, and was greatly beloved, it being said of him that he never had an enemy. He was twice mar- ried and had a family of fifteen children, thirteen of whom grew to years of maturity, and were educated in the district school. in which about thirty-five of the fifty pupils bore the name of. Shattuck, all being near relatives.

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

Anson Shattuck (7) was born February 11, 1805, in Wheelock, Vermont, where he worked for many years at the trade of a cloth-dresser, also owning and operating a sawmill. Moving to Derby, Vermont, in 1851, he resided there until his death. His first wife, whose maiden name was Mattie Heath, died in early life, having borne him four children. He married, second, Decem- ber 5, 1843, Lucy Pierce, a native of the Green Mountain state, and of their union four children were born, among them being Ira A., the special subject of this sketch.

Ira A. Shattuck remained beneath the parental roof-tree until eighteen years of age, obtaining the rudiments of his education in the district school, subsequently attending Derby Academy two and one-half terms. Then taking up carpen- try he worked at that trade two years, then completed his studies in Boston at a commercial college, in which he was afterwards employed for awhile as bookkeeper. Returning to Vermont he remained in Derby a brief time, then went to Barton, Vermont, where he learned the trade of a jeweler and watchmaker, remaining there two and one-half years. Going from there to Lyndon, Vermont, he worked as a journeyman until 1870, when he settled in Hardwick, coming here in Oc- tober of that year with a stock of jewelry, watches and silverware. He has since built up an extensive and lucrative trade, by his honest and systematic business methods, winning the confidence of the people, and has attained a place of influence in the community. In 1879 Mr. Shat- tuck erected a large block on the corner of Mill and Main streets, the block in which the J. H. McLoud Company is now located, and occupied the lower part as a store until 1888, when he dis- posed of that property and built the store that he is now occupying, on South Main street. In 1876 he was appointed postmaster of Hardwick, and -served for a little more than nine years, and was again appointed to the same position on Septem- ber II, 1889 and served for four years. He has filled many local offices of trust, having been town clerk and town treasurer since October, 1888, and village clerk and treasurer since May, 1901. In 1900 he was census enumerator. He is one of the leading Republicans in this section of the county, attending every Republican town caucus,

and for twelve years was secretary of the second district Republican committee, and attended every district and state convention during that time. Fraternally, he belongs to Caspian Lake Lodge No. 87, A. F. & A. M.

Mr. Shattuck married March 11, 1875, Louisa E. Leckner, of Wolcott, Vermont, daughter of Frederick and Margaret Leckner, who came to this country from Germany in early life, settling in Wolcott, Vermont, where Mr. Leckner was for many years a carpenter and builder of note. Mr. and Mrs. Shattuck have two children, name- ly : Perley A., born February 1, 1879, a printer by trade, employed in the office of the Hardwick Gazette, and Eula L., born June 14, 1884.

SETH ANDREW BLODGETT, M. D.

Seth Andrew Blodgett, M. D., of Groton, has been actively identified with the medical fraternity of this town since coming here, with Dr. Hatch, in 1896. He was born in Monroe, New Hamp- shire, October 15, 1868, a son of the late Major Andrew and Helen J. (Webster) Blodgett, the former of whom died while in manhood's prime, his death occurring in 1870.

Seth A. Blodgett acquired his first knowl- edge of books in the common schools, subse- quently attending Newbury Seminary, where he studied telegraphy. Beginning life for himself as a telegrapher, he located at Woodsville, New Hampshire, where he remained as train de- spatcher for about eight years, performing the responsible duties connected with his position with commendable fidelity. Having decided upon a professional career, he began the study of medi- cine with Dr. G. B. Hatch in 1887, after which he attended the Cincinnati Medical College and the Baltimore Medical College, receiving his de- gree of M. D. from the former institution in 1891. Returning to Vermont, he entered into partner- ship at Newbury with Dr. Hatch, with whom he has since been professionally connected, having a fair share of the practice of the vicinity.

Mr. Blodgett is actively identified with some of the fraternal organizations of Groton, being secretary and treasurer of St. Andrew's Benevo- lent Society, of which he was one of the incor-

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

porators, and secretary of Unity Lodge, No. 66, I. O. O. F., and is a member of Minerva Lodge No. 86, F. & A. M., of Corinth, Vermont. He is now serving his townsmen as grand juror and as notary public.

JOHN BENZIE.

John Benzie, of Groton, as manager of the firm of M. T. Benzie & Company, is an important factor in developing the granite industry of this section of Vermont. A native born Scotsman, his birth occurring in the village of Inch, Aber- deenshire, June 10, 1857, he is one of the sixteen children of John and Jessie Benzie, who emi- grated, after he came, to Massachusetts, locat- ing in Quincy, where they are now residing. John Benzie, Sr., was reared and educated in his native land, and was there employed as a granite pol- isher, which has been his occupation since com- ing to America. He is now part owner of the quarries operated in Groton by McRae, Benzie & Company.

John Benzie, Jr., learned his trade in Scot- land, serving an apprenticeship of five years with an uncle in Aberdeen, a granite dealer, five of his brothers also becoming workers in granite. He subsequently worked as a journeyman in Scotland until 1878, when he came to America, settling first in Maine, the first year of his stay here being spent at Fox Island. The ensuing two years and a half he worked at his trade in Quincy, Massachusetts, going from there to Mil- ford, Massachusetts, where he was in the em- ploy of Norcross Brothers for a little more than three years, after which he worked for different firms in Barre, Vermont. In 1889 he established himself in business on his account in that town. In 1896 Mr. Benzie accepted the position of gen- eral manager and superintendent of the North Haverhill Granite Company, at North Haverhill, New Hampshire, remaining in that capacity for a year. Coming to Groton in September, 1898, the firm of M. T. Benzie & Company, of which he is junior member and manager, was soon or- ganized, and immediately began work in the I. M. Ricker shed. During the three years that have since elapsed, this firm has met with de- served success in its operations, receiving its full share of local patronage, the B. F. Clark, the Al-

mon Clark, the M. C. Vance, and the T. W. Thurston monuments giving strong evidence of the skill and ability of its workmen. Mr. O. E. Clay is now employed by this company as com- mercial salesman, in his travels receiving many important orders for this enterprising and pro- gressive firm, which has ample facilities for fur- nishing work, which it guarantees, in Groton, Barre, Scotch and Swede granite, and all kinds of American marble.

In July, 1900, Mr. Benzie enlarged his busi- ness by purchasing the shed which he now occu- pies, after which he remodeled it, increasing its length to 132 feet, dividing it into four rooms, equipping each with the most approved modern appliances used in the granite-cutter's establish- ment. The firm uses only the "Groton" granite, which is much sought for purposes of carving, or for use as statuary. This firm employs sixteen men, whose daily pay amounts to about forty dollars, the greater part of which is spent in Groton.

Mr. Benzie married, in 1890, at Quincy, Mass- achusetts, Miss Mary T. Tawse, by whom he has two children, James and Cora. Mrs. Benzie is a native of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, a daughter of James Tawse, a farmer of that section. Mr. and Mrs. Benzie were reared in the Presbyterian church and are

now members of the Methodist church at Groton. Mr. Benzie be- longs to Caledonia Lodge No. 15, K. of P., and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a Republican, of independent mind, placing patriot- ism above partisanship, and is a loyal son of his adopted country.

GEORGE W. WEBBER.

George W. Webber, one of the enterprising and prosperous business men of Groton, is busily employed as a stonemason, jobber and contractor, being prominently identified with the granite in- terests of this town. He was born in 1845, in Newbury, Vermont, a son of Charles and Susan (Leet) Webber, and grandson of Willard Web- ber. He is of English ancestry, being a lineal descendant of John Webber, who emigrated from England to Massachusetts prior to the Revolu- tion, in which he served as a soldier. He subse- puently removed to New Hampshire, where he

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

cleared and improved a good homestead. Ile reared two sons, both of whom served in the war of 1812, one of them being killed in battle, while the other, Andrew Webber, was the great-grand- father of George W. Webber, the special subject of this sketch. William Webber, son of Andrew Webber, was the next in line of descent. Ile re- moved from his New Hampshire home to Ver- mont in carly life, settling in Newbury, on the first meadow farm south of Wells river, becom- ing proprietor of an estate containing two hun- dred acres of land, which he farmed in connection with his trade of mason. He married Susan Tewksbury, by whom he had three son's, Charles, the father of George W. ; and Abner and Andrew, farmers and railroad contractors.

George W. Webber was reared and educated in Newbury, and there learned the stonemason's trade, which had previously been followed by both his father and his grandfather. Enlisting in August, 1862, when but seventeen years old, in the Fifteenth Vermont Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Redfield Proctor, he served eleven months, during the last part of his term having the smallpox. Returning to Newbury he re- mained there until fully recovered, when, in Aug- ust, 1864, he re-enlisted, becoming a member of · the First Vermont Cavalry, with which he partici- pated in the battle of Winchester, Custer's two days' fight at Tom's Brook, battle of Cedar Creek and Custer's raid into West Virginia, the fol- lowing February assisting Custer in cutting off the supplies for Richmond and harrassing Lee's rear. He served-until the close of the war, being mustered out June 21, 1865. Returning again from the scene of conflict, he resumed his labors as a stonemason, working first in New- bury, later in Canada, where he remained six years. He subsequently turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, settling on the Buchanan farm at Ryegate, Vermont, which was his home for twenty-two years, being there engaged in gen- eral farming and working likewise at his trade. In the summer of 1857 Mr. Webber removed to Groton, and here erected the Cliff House, a com- modious building, well equipped and furnished, being up-to-date in all of its appointments. He subsequently leased it to E. T. Raymond, the present proprietor, who is conducting it success- fully under its present name of Raymond House.

In 1895 Mr. Webber and his son Frederick G. discovered a granite ledge on the Crown farm, and, purchasing an acre, began its development. The venture proving a success, he established a shed, his son Charles, of Hardwick, also assist- ing, thus becoming a pioneer of the granite in- dustry in this part of the state.

Mr. Webber married, in 1866, Sarah An- drews, of Shipton, province of Quebec, and into their pleasant household nine children have been born, namely: Henry E .; Frederick G .; Charles E .; Mary L .; Lillian J., deceased; Susie E., de- ceased ; Maggie E .; Bert A .; and Genie P.

JOSEPH THOMAS GLEASON.

Joseph Thomas Gleason, of Lyndonville, Vermont, was born in Lunenburg, Essex county, Vermont, June 18, 1844, a son of the late George Gleason. He is a lineal descendant in the eighth generation from John Howe, Esq., who resided in Warwickshire, England, and was a near kinsman of Sir Charles Howe, who flourished during the reign of Charles the First, his residence being in Lancaster, England.

The first paternal ancestor of whom knowl- edge is now found was James Gleason, whose marriage at Sudbury, Massachusetts, November 24, 1713, to Mary Barrett, is of record. He had eight children, probably born in Marlboro, Massa- chusetts. Of these, Joseph, born December 13, 1726, married Percis Allen, and had eleven chil- dren. He was a soldier of the Revolution, and died in 1805, in his seventy-ninth year. In 1802 his son Joseph Gleason settled as a pioneer at Lunenburg, Vermont, where for many years he was a deacon in the Congregational church. He was born January 2, 1774, married, September II, 1800, Abigail Howe, and died in 1844, at Lunen- burg.

John Howe, son of John Howe, the immi- grant, was born in 1640, and was one of the pro- prietors of the town of Marlboro. He was mar- ried January 22, 1662, his wife's christian name being Elizabeth, surname unknown. He was killed by Indians, April 20, 1676. His son John, born September 9, 1671, and his wife Rebecca, were the parents of Seth, born April 13, 1708, who married Mary Morse. Their son John, born June 5, 1747, married Susannah Fairbanks, and

Janeth Please

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

these were the parents of Abigail Howe, who married Joseph Gleason, September 11, 1800, as before related. They removed to Lancaster, New Hampshire, and later to Lunenburg, Vermont.

George Gleason, father of Joseph Thomas Gleason, and son of Joseph and. Abigail Gleason, spent the greater part of his life in Lunenburg, dying there at the advanced age of eighty-five years, May 26, 1895. He was a prominent farm- er, and one of the solid men of the town. He was captain of a company of militia for many years, and a deacon in the Baptist church. He married Sabrina W. Thomas, whose grandfather, Joseph Thomas, was a soldier in the Revolution, serving as lieutenant in a New Hampshire regiment.

Joseph Thomas Gleason received but limited educational advantages in his youth, but, being naturally of a studious disposition, fond of read- ing, he acquired a large fund of general knowl- edge by his own strenuous efforts. In December, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Eighth Vermont Volunteer Infantry, drilled with the company for a brief period, but on account of his extreme youth he was rejected. In August, 1862, how-' ever, he entered Company E, Fifteenth Vermont Volunteer Infantry, and in the following June, with his comrades, took up the march from Union Mills, Virginia, to Gettysburg. He was ordered to the hospital by the surgeon at this time, but re- turning to the ranks he continued the march and arrived on the battlefield in the course of the night of the first day of the battle, with his regiment, in which he served with honor until receiving his discharge at the expiration of his term of enlist- ment. During his army life he contracted dis- abilities from which he never fully recovered, and which precluded further service. On returning home, as soon as his health would permit, he re- sumed work on the parental homestead, engaging in agricultural pursuits until 1874. Beginning then the study of law, he was in the office of Jo- seph P. Lamson, Esq., of Cabot, for awhile, be- ing afterward with W. W. Eaton, of West Con- cord. In the spring of 1875 he opened an office on his own account, and the following year was ad- mitted to the bar, after which he was in partner- ship with O. F. Harvey, at West Concord. Lo- cating in Lyndonville in 1878, as its first lawyer, his practice steadily increased from year to year, until it bécame extensive and lucrative, embrac- 38 ×

ing among other cases the settlement of many valuable estates, and in the various suits with which he has been connected he has almost in- variably been successful. His popularity and pro- fessional ability were recognized in 1888, when he was elected assistant judge of the county court, a position which he filled with credit and distinction.

Since becoming a resident of Lyndonville, Judge Gleason has been the leading spirit in the inauguration of the many improvements that have so materially contributed to the growth, prosper- ity and moral elevation of this enterprising New- England village. In 1880 he drew up a charter for the incorporation of the village, encountering great opposition from some of the more conserva- tive element, but succeeded in getting the bill through the legislature, the result furnishing the town with good sidewalks and a much needed sewerage system. In 1894 the Judge drew up a bill to so amend the village charter that a system of water works might be introduced, and served as chairman of the committee that was successful in putting the bill through the legislature, the vil- lage now having through his efforts one of the most perfect systems of water works to be found in any village of its size in the state. In 1896 he had the pleasure of drawing up a second bill for the amendment of the charter, the object being to install an electric plant, and carried the bill through the legislature in spite of bitter opposi- tion. On his return from Montpelier after secur- ing this last amendment, he was met at the station by many of the people of the village, headed by a brass band, and was given an ovation that will long be remembered.

Judge Gleason is a stanch Republican in poli- tics, and has served as chairman of the Repub- lican town committee for twelve years, and of the county committee for four years. He has held the principal town offices. He is vice president of the National Bank of Lyndon, with which he has been officially connected for many years. He is prominently identified with the Masonic order, belonging to many of its leading organizations, including the following: Crescent Lodge of Lyn- donville ; Haswell Royal Arch Chapter ; Caledonia Council, R. & S. M .; Palestine Commandery, K. T., of St. Johnsbury; and the grand chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, of Vermont, in

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

which he served two terms as grand patron. He also belongs to Farnsworth Post. G. A. R., of which he has been adjutant and commander. Judge Gleason serves as an illustration of a typi- cal Vermonter, who, coming out of the war broken in health, commanded success from ad- verse circumstances.

On September 9, 1884, Judge Gleason married Mary S. Aldrich, daughter of Rosewell and Lao- dicea ( Holbrook ) Aldrich. They have one daugh- ter, Louise MI. Gleason. Rosewell Aldrich was born in Lebanon, New Hampshire, December 16, 1800. He was a clothier by trade and always tilled a farm. He was married January 25, 1825, to Laodicea Holbrook, of Waterford, Vermont, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Williams) Holbrook, an early resident of that town: Rose- well Aldrich died at Guildhall, Vermont, June I, 1895. He was a son of Andrew Aldrich, and was of English and Scotch descent.

THE BLAKELY FAMILY.

The earliest' ancestors of the Blakely family came to New England from Surrey and Kent, near London, England, about 1635, as the early records of the New Haven colonies show. The family name passed through many changes, be- ing variously written as Blakesley, Blachley, Blacksley and Blakeslees. In the Hon. Ralph D. Smith's History of Guilford, the name of Samuel Blachley appears as the ancestor of the Blakes- lees that located in Waterbury, Connecticut. The members of the New Haven branch of the family followed mercantile pursuits, while those who settled in Guilford, Connecticut, were farmers.

Samuel Blachley was married, at New Haven, Connecticut, in 1650, to Hannah Potter, daugh- ter of John and Elizabeth Potter ; he died in 1672, leaving to his four children his estate, which in- cluded a shop, tools and other personal property.

Samuel Blakeley, his son, born April 8, 1662, married Sarah Kimberly, daughter of Nathaniel Kimberly, November 20, 1684, and lived in West Haven, Connecticut, until 1693, when he went to Woodbury, Connecticut, remaining there until about 1705, when he again returned to West Haven and died there in 1732, aged seventy years. He owned considerable land in Woodbury, a por- tion of which he deeded to his son Samuel for a

homestead. Tilley Blakeley was nominated in his will as sole executor.

Tilley Blakeley, youngest son of Samuel and Sarah Blakeley, was born in New Haven, March 18, 1705, and married Mary Brown, daughter of Ebenezer and Eleanor Brown, of New Haven, February 27, 1728. He settled his father's estate in New Haven, and sold the greater part of his own property, with the intention of changing his residence. He had nine children : Mary, Tilley and Jonathan, born in New Haven, and Justus, Sarah, Dan, Eleanor, Ebenezer and David, born in Woodbury, Connecticut, where he settled after the birth of the first three children. Here he be- came actively engaged in church work, and on the organization of Roxbury parish, in 1743, was appointed one of the deacons. He died March 9, 1769; his wife's death occurred February 26, 1789.

David Blakely, the youngest son of Tilley and Mary (Brown) Blakely, was born in Woodbury, Connecticut, in 1750, and in 1776 married Phoebe, daughter of Thomas Hall, a descendant of John Hall, who came to America from England in 1633. Thomas Hall settled in Roxbury parish in 1759, and subsequently removed to Bennington, Vermont. In 1781, David Blakely established his family at Pawlet, Vermont, where he engaged in farming. He had a high record as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was noted for his re- markable strength and endurance ; his wife was a. most estimable woman, having great beauty of mind and character. David Blakely died in 1821, and his wife died in 1831. Their children were as follows :

(1) Esther, who never married. (2) Eleanor, also tinmarried. (3) Phoebe, born in 1782, mar- ried Benjamin Fitch, and they made their home in New Lisbon, Otsego county, New York; they had two sons and two daughters; Hewitt, one of the sons, was a Baptist clergyman. (4) David, who died in infancy. (5) Sally, born in 1787, married William Broughton and located in Gainesville, Wyoming county, New York ; at that time western New York was an unexplored re- gion, and their goods were moved on an ox sled ; their family consisted of seven daughters, one of whom, Sophronia, was a successful and well known teacher in Batavia, New York. (6) David Blakely, the sixth child of David and

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

Phoebe Blakely, was born in 1789, and married Esther Edgerton. He served as captain of the state militia, was a member of the Vermont legis- lature, and was prominent in town affairs, having at various times held different town offices ; he was a deacon in the Congregational church for many years. He died in Pawlet, March 26, 1871. His wife died March 14, 1881. Their children were (1) Cytheria, born November 10, 1814, unmarried ; (2) Hewitt, born November 10, 1816, who married for his first wife Mary Harwood, and for his second wife Nancy Sargent, and who was selectman of Pawlet for many years; (3) Martin, born June 14, 1818, who married Philinda Branch and whose son, Martin J., is a dry-goods merchant in Granville, New York; (4) Jacob E., born June 19, 1820, was graduated from Mid- dlebury College, Vermont, in 1844, and subse- quently studied theology, and became pastor of the Congregational church in Poultney, Vermont ; he died in Pawlet, May 6, 1854; (5) Walton, born August 30, 1822, married S. Angelette Horr, September 2, 1851 ; he was a member of the state legislature and purchased his father's homestead ; (6) Quincey, born July 26, 1826, was graduated from the University of Vermont at Burlington, Vermont, and afterwards entered the Congrega- tional ministry ; he married Gertrude Sykes, and they had six children; (7) Marshall, who mar- ried F. Aiken and had one son; (8) Maria A., born August 20, 1828, who married Silas H. Moore, and had one son ; (9) Phoebe, born Octo- ber 19, 1830, who married Clark W. Norton, and had four sons and one daughter ; (10) Ann Bora- dil, born November 1I, 1832, who married John Emery Horr, and had two sons, one of whom · died early, the other, David Blakely Horr, resides in Boston.

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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 104

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