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 106
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William Northup Sherman was born Febru- ary 19, 1809, in North Kingston, Rhode Island. In 1883 he located in Woolsocket, Connecticut, and subsequently removed to Greenwich, Rhode Island. He was a man of high character and much prominence. He built the Marlborough street chapel, supported it during his life, and he also organized the largest Sunday-school in the state. In 1834 he married Mary M. Bliss, a high- ly educated lady, daughter of Ichabod and Re- becca (Holbrook) Bliss, of Brimfield, Massa- chusetts. To them was born a daughter, Mary, who became the wife of Dr. John A. Mead, at whose home in Rutland, Ver- mont, they passed much of their time. It was on one of their visits that Mr. Sher- man died, March 2, 1882, at the age of sev- enty-three years. He had long suffered from a complication of ailments incident to age, and found himself unable to return home, and passed
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away after a severely painful illness. His widow subsequently presented to the village of Green- wich a fine town clock as a memorial of her husband and a book of his life has been pub- lished.
Thomas Bliss, who was born October 26, 1742, was one of the ancestors of Mrs. John A. Mead. He was sergeant in Captain Chapin's company, Colonel Woodbridge's regiment, in Gate's Continental northern army, in 1777. He was a descendant of Thomas Bliss, who was compelled to leave England on account of re- ligious persecutions, and embarked with his fam- ily at Plymouth, for the wilderness of America, in 1635, and whose father was Thomas Bliss, a wealthy landowner and a staunch Puritan of De- vonshire, England, born in 1550.
Judge John Holbrook (great-grandfather of Mrs. Mead), of Abington, Connecticut, fed the patriot troops while they were on their way to Boston to engage in the battle of Bunker Hill. The elm tree under the shade of which the citi- zen soldiers ate their food, became historic, and still guards the old Holbrook mansion as it did more than a century and a quarter ago.
Mrs. John A. Mead is a member of the Colonial Dames, through her lineal descent from Hon. Phillip Sherman, who was a commissioner of boundaries, state recorder, member of as- sembly many terms and a noted man of affairs in the colonial period of Rhode Island. Upon her mother's side Mrs. Mead belongs to the Choate family, and has in her possession an im- mense pewter platter (the silver of olden times) with the coat of arms and "R. C." (Rebecca Choate ) engraven thereon. Hon. Rufus Choate, the distinguished jurist, and Hon. Joseph H. Choate, the present American ambassador at the court of St. James, are relatives. Mrs. Mead says, "I am sure we are not proud to be the descendants of Henry VIII, but such we know is a fact." Mrs. Mead was president of the auxil- iary to the Rutland Young Men's Christian As- sociation for seven years, is ex-president of the Progressive Shakespeare Club, is a member of The Fortnightly, a church organization, and has written many papers for it and served on its com- mittees. She is treasurer of the Ladies' Aid As- sociation of the Rutland City Hospital, and is also a member of the Oread Association, com-
posed of the alumni of the Oread Collegiate In- stitute, located at Worcester, Massachusetts.
Dr. and Mrs. Mead are the parents of one child, a daughter, Mary Sherman, born October 12, 1878, in Rutland, Vermont. She was edu- cated at the Ogontz school for young ladies, near Philadelphia, and at Miss Anne Brown's school on Fifth avenue, New York city. She has been for several years secretary and treasurer of the Progressive Shakespeare Club, and chairman of the membership committee of the auxiliary to the Young Men's Christian Association and a mem- ber of the Fortnightly Club. She was one of the charter members of the Mercy Holmes Mead Chapter of the Society of the Children of the American Revolution, and its name is that of her ancestress. She is also a member of the Ann Story Chapter, Daughters of American Revolu- tion. She was married, June 25, 1902, to Carl Bingham Hinsman, vice president of the Howe Scale Company, and director in the Borden & Selleck Company, Chicago. Mr. Hinsman rep- resented ward nine of the city of Rutland as alderman on the municipal board in 1901 and 1902, the latter year being unanimously elected president by the council.
EDGAR ALONZO CUMMINGS.
Edgar Alonzo Cummings is a descendant of the well known and honored Cummings family, who claim to be among the earliest settlers of New England, and the ancestral history appears in part in the sketch of A. O. Cummins, which appears in this work.
Isaac Cummings (I), the progenitor of the American branch of the family, was probably born in England in 1601, and after emigrating to this country settled in Salem, Massachusetts, where he died in 1677. His children were John, born in 1630, Isaac, Jr., Elizabeth and Ann Cum- mings.
Isaac Cummings, Jr. (2), son of Isaac Cum- mings, was born in 1633. He was united in mar- riage, November 27, 1659, to Miss Mary An- drews, and ten children were born to them: the three eldest died in infancy, and the names of the others are: Isaac, born September 15, 1664; John, born June 7, 1666; Thomas, born June 27, 1670: Mary. born February 16, 1671 : Rebecca,
THE STATE OF VERMONT.
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John Cummings det, son of Laat Cummings, Jr., was born in Topsfield, Massachusetts, and married Mis Susannah Towne, daughter of Jo soph Lowne. His death occurred between May Soul Ink 10, 1722.
Joseph Cummings Up, son of John Cum- nunes, was born in Topsfield, Massachusetts, January 20, 1080. He was united in marriage, Max 22, 1712, to Miss Abigail Eistee, and her death occurred January to, 1730. She left these children surviving : Joseph, born July 27, 1713; Jacob, born May 12, 1717 : Abigail, born Decem- ber 10, 1721; Daniel, born December 4, 1724 : and Moses, born October 9, 1726. The father of these children died December 24, 1720.
Jacob Cummings (5), son of Joseph and Abi- gail (Estee) Cummings, was born at Topsfield, Massachusetts, May 12, 1717. After completing his studies in the district school he learned the trade of carpenter, and followed that occupation for many years. He removed to Sutton, Massa- chusetts, where he was married January 21, 1740, to Miss Mary Marble, who bore him five sons and six daughters. All the sons of this family were very patriotic and served their country faithfully during the Revolutionary war.
Daniel Cummings (6), son of Jacob and Mary ( Marble) Cummings, was born in Sutton, Massa- chusetts, April 17, 1743. He learned the trade of shoemaker, which he followed for many years in his native town, and later he located in Auburn, Massachusetts, where he still continued in the same line of trade. On May 16, 1765, he mar- ried Miss Rachel Hayden, who possessed more than the usual intelligence and force of character.
Elisha Cummings (7), son of Daniel and Ra- chel (Hayden) Cummings, was born in Ward, now known as Auburn, Massachusetts, January 22, 1768. In 1790 or 1791 he located in Mont- pelier, Vermont, and on March 20 of the latter year his name appears on the records as among the voters who aided in the organization of the town. He erected a log house upon one half of a lot of ground near that of his brother John, and after clearing the land he cultivated it in such a manner that it became very productive. He re- turned to his native state, and on February 3,
1700, was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Falds. They immediately set out for their home in the wilderness of Vermont, and their house- hold effects, including a spinning wheel, were transported in an os cart. Here they remained for the balance of their lives, reared their chil- dren and gave them an excellent practical educa- tion. In his political affiliations Mr. Cummings was an ardent Democrat, took an active interest in all public matters, and was elected to the office of selectman. He died November 21, 1860, at the extreme old age of ninety-three years, and his wife passed away November 12, 1852.
Elisha and Rachel Cummings had six sons and three daughters, Joel, Oren, Avery, Amasa, Lucius and Luman, twins, Sophia, Almira and Lorinda. The members of this large family nec- essarily entered upon life with limited means, but, with fine physical powers and a strong applica- tion of wise judgment, they by industry and per- severance accumulated for themselves a compe- tence for their enjoyment in old age. All the children have passed away with the exception of Lorinda, who attained the age of ninety-three years on January 11, 1903. Luman and Lucius, the latter the father of Edgar Alonzo Cummings, so closely resembled each other when children to- gether at school, that, being dressed alike, the neighbors were unable to distinguish them apart. They retained the same strong affection for each other when they had reached manhood, and this was the more marked became they were so often together when away from home. Luman never married. He and his brother Lucius were ac- knowledged mathematicians, and many were the difficult and knotty problems sent to them from different parts of the United States for solution, and they never gave one up until they had solved and proved it, notwithstanding that such prob- lems might call for a knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry and higher branches, in which studies they were thoroughly qualified. Another of the brothers, Joel, was also a talented mathematician, and he had a son Lean- der who taught school in California for many years, but who is now deceased.
Lucius Cummings (8), son of Elisha and Rachel (Eddy) Cummings, was born on the old homestead, March 10, 1812. His education was acquired in the district schools of Montpelier,
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Vermont, and as he was reared upon a farm his thoughts naturally turned to that occupation. He remained on his father's farm until 1844, when he purchased a farm, and his time and at- tention were devoted to the production of a gen- eral line of produce and the breeding of fine cat- tle. He had one of the finest maple orchards in that part of the state, from which he produced the highest grade of maple sugar, and always found a ready market for it. Although Mr. Cum- mings' time was mostly taken up with agricult- ural pursuits, he devoted some part of it to read- ing good literature, and was known as a well edu- cated man. He was a firm advocate of the prin- ciples of the Republican party, and, although he never sought public office, but rather. declined accepting it, he was elected to serve as lister, and served in the capacity of school district clerk and treasurer for forty years, always taking a keen and active interest in educational matters. In his religious sentiments he was liberal ; he was an attendant at the services of the Unitarian church. He was very charitably inclined, assisted in build- ing churches, and endowed a fund the interest of which is to be used for worthy charitable pur- poses. He was a faithful citizen, a loving hus- band, a kind father and a true friend.
On June 17, 1846, Mr. Cummings was united in marriage to Miss Lucina Ellis, who was born January 29, 1821, a daughter of Benjamin and Susanna (Guernsey) Ellis, of East Montpelier, Vermont. Three sons have been born to them, namely: Luman L., born April 30, 1847, died April 6, 1870; Walter S., born December 28, 1848, died May 7, 1867; and Edgar A., born February 6, 1853. The father of these children died January 29, 1891, survived by his widow, who resides on the farm to which her husband brought her on their wedding day.
Edgar A. Cummings (9), only surviving child of Lucius and Lucina (Ellis) Cummings, was born February 6, 1853, on the farm where he now resides with his mother, in the town of East Montpelier, Vermont. His early education was acquired in the district school, and later he was a student in the seminary at Montpelier. After completing his studies he ably assisted his father with the work of the farm, and after the death of the latter he assumed entire control of the home- stead, and he has met with that success that in-
variably accompanies intelligent application, per- severance and earnest endeavor ; his land is con- sidered among the best, and he has upon it the best set of farm buildings in the town, all having been erected by Lucius Cummings.
As an advocate of the Republican party Mr. Cummings, although never seeking public office, takes an active interest in all political matters that are advanced by his party for the welfare and bet- terment of the town. He takes a special interest in educational affairs and has served as school officer for several years.
CHESTER S. PHILLIPS.
Chester S. Phillips, one of the most prominent and successful business men of Glover. Vermont, was born in that town, April 1, 1854. His edu- cational training was acquired in the common schools of the village, and subsequently he was engaged in farming until he attained his twenty- third year, when he removed to Corinth, New Hampshire, where he entered the gunshop of Mr. Hilliard to learn the trade of gunsmith. While thus engaged he became interested in the art of taxidermy by observing a case of birds that had been prepared and mounted by a fellow workman. He had an opportunity to learn and practice the art, and finding the work very congenial to his tastes he soon became an expert, and devoted his time and attention to this vocation.
His work shows the skill of a master hand : he does not use pliable material, except in speci- mens of a feathered tribe. He makes a wood form in setting up deer, bear, dog, wolf and fish, which not only gives a better shape at first. but it will keep it ever after. In addition to the mounted specimens he furnishes and makes mats or rugs from the skins of bear, deer. wolf and sable. which are so much in demand at the present time. He also has in stock a good supply of guns and hunters' supplies, being well able to furnish these, as he is an experienced hunter.
Some years ago Mr. Phillips was in the habit of taking a wagon load of mounted birds to Beth- lehem, New Hampshire, where he always dis- posed of them at good prices. At the Paris Ex- hibition Mr. Phillips had an exhibit of four deer heads and a half deer, and now he receives from abroad specimens to be mounted, and orders for
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those already mounted that he has for sale. Some of the heads of deer that are used for ornamental purposes are sold for from fifteen to fifty dollars. Mr. Phillips has customers also in many of the large cities of the north and west, and, in fact, from all sections of the country.
FRANK HILLJARD BROOKS.
This gentleman, one of the leading citizens of St. Johnsbury, is a descendant of an old and honored family which was planted in Massa- chusetts in the second half of the seventeenth century and has given to that commonwealth some of its most able and patriotic citizens.
Samuel Towle Brooks, father of the subject of this sketch, was the family physician of many people for more than thirty years, and was loved and respected by all for his Christian manhood and universal kindness of spirit. He was born December 28, 1822, at Stanstead, province of Quebec, Canada, during a temporary residence of his parents at that place. After graduating at Dartmouth College he pursued a medical course in McGill University, at Montreal, and was en- gaged in practice some fifteen years at Sher- brooke, Canada.
About the beginning of the American Civil war, he removed to St. Johnsbury, Vermont, which continued to be the scene of his labors until his death, which occurred March 20, 1895. He was "the good doctor" to many, and his kind ministrations and manly presence gave courage, hope and recovery to many a sufferer. He was active in all affairs that made for the advance- ment of society, mankind and his country, and was many years a deacon and most useful mem- ber of the North Congregational church. The foe of all wrong and oppression, he vigorously supported the war which had for its object the abolition of human slavery, and continued through his life to advocate with voice and vote the principles of the Republican party.
On June 6, 1855, Dr. Brooks was married, at St. Johnsbury, to Lucy, daughter of Jonas. and Myra (Clark) Mills. Jonas Mills was a native of Colebrook, New Hampshire, where his family had been prominent from the first settlement of the town, while his wife, Myra Clark, was of a family distinguished for its sterling qualities.
Dr. and Mrs. Brooks were the parents of nine children, of whom seven are now living. The eldest of these, Lyman H. Brooks, is a resident of Sheridan, Wyoming. Laura is the wife of William C. Tyler, of the Brooks-Tyler Dry Goods Company of St. Johnsbury. Arthur R. lives in Wilder, Vermont, where he holds a prominent position with the International Paper Company. Alfred H., an organist, is temporarily residing in St. Johnsbury. Helen is the wife of John M. Jenckes, of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. Jonas H., the youngest, is a director and secre- tary of the Brooks-Tyler Dry Goods Company.
Frank H. Brooks was born November 24, 1868, in St. Johnsbury, which place has con- tinued to be his home, though he now maintains a winter residence at Brookline, Massachusetts, and has been an extensive traveler. His educa- tion was supplied by local institutions, and he graduated from the academy in the class of 1889. Previous to this, however, he had spent two years in the large store of E. & T. Fairbanks & Com- pany, acquiring a knowledge of business affairs, and was well equipped for participation in the business and social life of the town. After a year spent in completing the course of the acad- emy, he entered the office of the scale factory of E. & T. Fairbanks & Company, being first em- ployed as general bookkeeper and subsequently as paymaster. His ready grasp of affairs, to- gether with his industry and promptitude, made his advancement rapid, and he soon took a prom- inent position in the community.
On January 29, 1896, he was married to Miss Ellen H. Fairbanks, daughter of the late Frank- lin Fairbanks, whose gift of the Fairbanks Mu- seum of Natural Science to the town of St. Johnsbury will cause his memory to be ever gratefully cherished by its citizens. Colonel Fairbanks was a member of the family which has done so much to build up St. Johnsbury, of whom further mention is made on other pages of this work. Mrs. Brooks is a descendant of worthy sires, and bears her part in keeping up the ethics and amenities of life about her, taking a leading position in St. Johnsbury society. .
After several months of travel abroad, Mr. and Mrs. Brooks returned to St. Johnsbury. Soon after Mr. Brooks was instrumental in form- ing the Brooks-Tyler Dry Goods Company,
Frank Hiliand Brooks
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which purchased the store formerly operated by E. & T. Fairbanks Company, and in which he received his first lessons in mercantile life. He is president and treasurer of the corporation, Mr. William C. Tyler being vice president, and Jonas H. Brooks secretary. This is the largest estab- lishment of its kind in eastern Vermont, carry- ing a large stock of all lines of dry-goods and house furnishings. In May, 1897, Mr. Brooks was elected a member of the board of directors of the E. & T. Fairbanks & Company, which position he still holds.
Mr. Brooks is a member of the North Con- gregational church of St. Johnsbury, being now on its business committee. He is a director and vice president of Brightlook Hospital and a director of the First National Bank, succeeding the late General W. W. Grout. He is also a trustee of the St. Johnsbury Academy and a director of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion. A Republican in politics, he is an inde- pendent thinker and places patriotism above par- tisanship. Studiously avoiding any official con- nection with civil life, he gives his time and tal- ents to his business and benevolent responsibili- ties, and is considered a valuable and exemplary citizen by his contemporaries.
COLONEL ORION NELSON ELKINS. -
The old and honored family of Elkins was closely identified with the earliest history of Ver- mont from the old colonial days. A lineal ancestor of Colonel Elkins, Jonathan Elkins, of Revolu- tionary fame, served in King William's war, and an allowance of one pound, four shillings and ten pence was allowed him by the province of New Hampshire, July 3, 1697. His son, Jona- than Elkins, was taken prisoner at his father's house in Peacham, Vermont, March 8, 1781, by the British and taken to St. John's, thence to Quebec, and finally to Mill Prison near Plymouth, England, remaining there until, by an exchange of prisoners, he was sent back to America, one of a party of one thousand seven hundred and thirty-two Americans who had been held in cap- tivity.
Coming down to a later date, we find this family represented by Josiah Elkins, of Peacham, Caledonia county, Vermont, who was a well
known hunter and Indian trader of that region, and who, in company with others, thoroughly explored the northern frontier of Vermont, gain- ing access to the banks of Lake Memphremagog through a military road made by Colonel Hazen during the Revolutionary war, and extending along the base of the Green Mountains.
In 1797 he with his family left Peacham and: located in the Missisquoi valley, then a wilder- ness, but now the town of Potton, Quebec, Can- ada. Later he became a resident of the town of Missisquoi, afterwards called Troy, and, together with other sturdy pioneers of those early days, by toil and hardship, wrought out from the un- developed resources of the wilderness a home of prosperity and plenty, which is the goodly heritage of his descendants.
One of his sons, Jonathan, married Jane Rolfe, and their son, Orion Nelson Elkins, was. born February 7, 1838, in Troy, Vermont. He attended the common schools of the town, and afterwards entered the Fairfax institute of Fair- fax, Vermont. He acquired a love for literature which he always retained. When sixteen years of age he became a clerk in the store of a promi- nent merchant of Fairfield. Two years later he went to Kansas with his father. They set- tled in a small town on the Missouri river, a short distance from Kansas City, and the young man entered upon his former occupation of clerk.
It was in 1856, the crucial period when the- bitter controversy between the north and south incident to the question of slavery had assumed alarming proportions. It was the time when the admission of Kansas into the Union as a free state was being discussed in Congress: Those were stirring times, and political feeling ran high. Young Elkins, aroused by the apparent evils of a system of slavery which his northern training had led him to abhor, found what was before little more than a sentiment now fast be- coming welded into a fixed principle, and, acting upon his conviction, he took a bold stand against every form of slavery and opposed it by every means in his power, even aiding in the escape of slaves from Missouri.
He returned to Vermont before the conflict was over, and in 1861, in partnership with his father, established a general mercantile business in North Troy. He made himself thoroughly
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funihar with the details of his business, and, while he built up an establishment that attracted customers even from a distance, and thus by wise and far seeing management laid the founda- tion for a successful mercantile carcer, he at the same time established a reputation for honesty of purpose and fair dealing, for business integrity as well as for business ability. For some years he was in partnership with his father, who after- wards retired. Colonel Elkins was then asso- ciated for a short time with John Wheeler, and subsequently with George Braley, of Oregon, In 1878 Colonel Elkins became sole proprietor of the business, which he continued until 1883, when he sold it to Lewis & Company. After this he gave his attention to the development of various business enterprises with which he was connected, and in 1884, he purchased the "Creek Mill," in Potton, Quebec, which largely claimed his at- tention during his later years.
In the same year in which he entered upon business (1861) he was appointed postmaster of the village of North Troy, and retained the posi- tion until 1885, when his removal was caused by a change of administration. An examination of his accounts showed the same accuracy and efficiency that had characterized his business methods. His service had been eminently satis- factory to the community and to the postoffice department, and only the application of politi- cal rules was responsible for the termination of his official position.
During the Civil war period, while he did not enter the ranks, his heart was in the Union cause, and he was active in looking after the in- terests of the wives and children of those who were in the thick of the fight, and instrumental in furnishing a large part of the supplies that were needed, showing a large-hearted patriot- ism and enthusiasm that were contageous. In 1863 he was appointed on the staff of Governor Gregory as aide, with the rank of colonel. While serving in this capacity he accimpanied the gov- ernor on several visits to the national capital and to the seat of war in Virginia, and was in- strumental in providing for the necessities of the Vermont troops, and rendered specially use- ful services in having proper provision made for the sick and wounded. He also aided efficiently in organizing home guards for the protection of
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