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 107
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the northern frontier of his state against raiding forces of the rebel government. He afterwards paid an enduring tribute to the patriot soldier of North Troy in his compilation of the list, which was published, with biographical sketches of some of the most conspicuous, in the Vermont Historical Magazine.
Colonel Elkins was ever interested in public affairs, and was first to encourage all public im- provements, and always willing to aid in any undertaking which would advance the general prosperity of the community. Evidence of this exists to-day in the splendid lighting, roads and side-walks of the village. He was deeply inter- ested in education, and gave valued service as a member of the school board and as secretary of the board of trustees of the Missisquoi Academy. He favored the modern methods of instruction and recognized the necessity of physical as well as' intellectual culture. He was one of the original projectors of the Missisquoi and Clyde Rivers Railroad Company, chartered by the legislature of Vermont in 1869, and afterwards controlled by the trustees of the South Eastern Railroad Company, which made Troy a noted shipping point for lumber and farm produce, and which also brought business of various kinds to the village.
Nor was his efforts confined to his own com- munity, in which he had occupied nearly every official position. In 1872 he was elected to the legislature. Averse to prominence, he seldom engaged in debate, but he rendered excellent ser- vice as a member of various important commit- tees which formulated much salutary legislation -those on ways and means, on railroads and cor- porations, and of the joint committee on the re- form school, and in the last named he was chair- man of the contingent from the lower house.
Colonel Elkins was a member of the Repub- lican party, and exerted a strong political in- fluence, but never allowed party spirit to control his actions at the expense of principle. He be- lieved thoroughly in the tenets of his party and was enthusiastic in promulgating them. For this reason he gained the good will of both ad- herents and opponents. He was a member of the Republican county committee for a number of years, also of the town committee, and was often prominent in the Republican county conventions.
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He was a delegate to the state convention several times, and was esteemed as a valuable member.
In religion he was a member of the Protestant Episcopal church and was one of the founders of St. Augustine's church, of which he was a loyal supporters. He was a lay reader in the church, and on occasion conducted services in most reverential spirit. While firmly established in his own religious belief, he had a deep respect for the opinions of those who differed from him, and never allowed himself to become bigoted or intolerant. His personal traits were those which mark the model Christian gentleman. He showed the greatest respect and affection for his parents. giving them his greatest care and attention dur- ing their later years, and the suffering and dis- tressed were ever the objects of his commisera- tion and bounty.
Colonel Elkins was married February 26, 1879, to Mrs. Mary Loraine (Porter) Chamber- lain, at Lowell, Massachusetts. Her parents were Eleazor and Mary A. (Culver) Porter. Her father was a native of New Hampshire, and was educated in Vermont, where he lived the life of a farmer. He was a man of excellent character and a staunch Republican. His wife was also born in New Hampshire, her father, John Culver, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was granted a pension for three years' actual service as private in the Connecticut troops, and his service for a portion of the time was under Captain Harmon and Colonel Durkee. A grand- father of Mrs. Culver, named Jenks, was granted a coat of arms for distinguished services in the early colonial days. Mary L. Porter was born at North Troy, Vermont, where, August 20, 1873, she was married to Dr. E. Chamberlain, of La Crosse, Wisconsin. April 1, 1875, a son came to gladden their home. December 3, 1876, Dr. Chamberlain died, and his widow went to Lowell, Massachusetts, to live. She was married to Colonel Elkins, as before related. Their home life was particularly happy, and they were held in affection by a host of friends who knew them for their excellent disposition and abundant hos- pitality.
Eight years from the time of his marriage Colonel Elkins died, February 26, 1887, after an illness of one month. His demise was sincerely deplored throughout the community and state,
and a beautiful tribute was paid his memory in the publication of a memorial volume contain- ing the funeral (liscourse by the Rev. Joseph Hooper, rector of St. Augustine's church, the resolutions being adopted by that church and by its Ladies' Guild, letters of condolence addressed to Mrs. Elkins by Rt. Rev. Bishop Bissell and others prominent in the clergy, laity and public life, and a notable manuscript discourse read by Colonel Elkins in his capacity as a lay reader of the church. These tributes are tender and affect- ing, but cannot be as impressive as the record of his well rounded life, with its sterling virtues and high character, which have made his name an honored one in the annals of his native state.
Mrs. Elkins, with her two children, survives her estimable husband. The elder, by her mar- riage with Dr. Chamberlain, is Adams Burton Chamberlain, born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, April 1, 1876 .. He was educated in Lowell, Mas- sachusetts, and St. Johnsbury, Vermont, and was graduated from the academy in the latter named place. He is an electrician and is connected with the Edison Company of Boston. Mrs. Elkins' only child by her marriage with Colonel Elkins is Clayton Rolfe Elkins, born in North Troy, Vermont, December 25, 1884, who is now attend- ing the English high school in Boston, from which he will graduate in June, 1903.
HIRA LEWIS BIXBY.
Hira L. Bixby, deceased, was for many years a prominent citizen of Chelsea, Vermont, where his birth occurred September 13, 1833. He was the fifth son and tenth child born to Ichabod and Susanna (Lewis) Bixby, who were married in 1809 and lived and died on the Bixby farm, which has been in the possession of the family for four generations. The Bixby family came to the state of Vermont from Tolland, Connecticut, in 1787, and James Lewis, the maternal grandfather. from Acworth, New Hampshire, but his wife. Grace (Paddock) Lewis, was the daughter of a sea captain of New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Hira L. Bixby was reared on his father's farm, and acquired his education in the district school and Chelsea Academy, then conducted under the personal supervision of Jonathan Ross, who has since served in the capacity of chief
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judge of the supreme court and United States senator. After completing his studies, in 1865, he secured employment in a photograph gallery in Burlington, Vermont, where he remained until 1872, when he returned to his native town, pur- chased his father's farm and took upon himself the care of his mother and elder unmarried sis- ter. Subsequently he purchased the business of a local photographer in Chelsea village, and up to the time of his decease had his gallery in the second story of the building owned by William F. Hood, the proprietor of the drug store. Some years later he established photographer's rooms at Brookfield and South Royalton, Vermont, de- voting a day of each week at each place, and giving two days of each week to his business at Chelsea, which was well patronized and there- fore very remunerative.
Mr. Bixby was a man of rare intelligence, a great lover of books, especially those relating to the sciences, very fond of music and a devotee of art. He was a constant student of natural science, and so well informed in astronomy that he derived great pleasure in his long rides by night from his study of the stars. He was a violinist of some skill, and he solaced many lonely hours with the melodious companionship of his "Miriam," as he fondly called the instrument he worshipped. « Although preferring to lead a quiet life devoted to business pursuits, yet upon the importunity of friends he accepted several im- portant political offices ; in 1878 he was elected justice of the peace, served four years as select- man, three years as school director, received the highest honor of his town, that of representative in the state legislature, and for nine years was an influential trustee of the public library. He had a large circle of acquaintances, among whom his influence was for the best. He was pro- foundly religious in thought and feeling, and his life appeared to be guided by the teachings ·
of the New Testament. After his sister's death in April, 1895, he lived mostly alone in his home in Chelsea, Vermont.
Mr. Bixby died January 7, 1903, after a short illness, of appoplexy; the remains were placed in the vestry of the new West Hill church, where it seemed so appropriate for him to repose, as he designed and had this room built for the church exactly as he wished during the repairs in the
summer of 1902, and it will ever be known as "Ilira's room." The services were conducted by the Rev. W. E. Allen, his beloved pastor, and the large congregation that attended was a touching tribute of love and esteem for the departed. He left one brother, George F. Bixby, editor of the Republican, Plattsburg, New York. The trus- tees of the Chelsea Public Library offered the following resolutions upon the death of Hira L. Bixby :
"Resolved, That in the death of Hira .L. Bix- by, Esq., who has been a trustce of the Chelsea Public Library during the last nine years, the library has lost a generous and steadfast friend; this board a faithful member, who was wise in counsel, prudent in judgment and ever thorough and courageous in the performance of his duty, a watchful and kindly guardian of the young, to whose best interests he was always most zeal- ously devoted; and that the whole community has been deprived of the free and constant serv- ice of a true man and noble-hearted citizen."
LEWIS KEITH.
Lewis Keith, one of the prominent and res- pected citizens of Barre, Vermont, is a descendant of the Rev. James Keith, who was born in Scot- land, whence he emigrated to this country and settled in Bridgewater Massachusetts. He was then about sixteen years of age, and choosing the ministry for his life work he studied in the theo- logical seminaries of the town and became the first minister of Bridgewater; his first sermon was delivered from a rock in "Mill Pasture," so called from its proximity to the river, and he la- bored in that section of the state for the remainder of his life. He was united in marriage to Miss Susanna Edson, daughter of Dr. Samuel Edson, and the following named children were born to them: James, Joseph, Samuel, Timothy, John, Jariah, Margaret, Mary and Susanna Keith.
James Keith, eldest son of the Rev. James and Susanna Keith, had the following named chil- dren : James, born in 1696; Mary, born in 1698 Gershom, born in 1701; Israel, born in 1703; Faithful, born in 1704; Esther, born in 1707; Jane, born in 1709; and Simeon Keith, born in I712.
James Keith, eldest son of James and Mary
Themis with
Aichard ofrar.
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Keith had five children : Noah, Nathan, Comfort, James and Abigail Keith.
Comfort Keith, third son born to James Keith, was born March 6, 1742. He was united in mar- riage October 31, 1765. and the children born to him were Eunice, Abijah and Abigail.
Abijah Keith, son of Comfort Keith, was born June 20, 1770, at Uxbridge, Massachusetts, whence he removed to the town. of Barre, Ver- mont, and was among the early settlers of that locality. Three of his sons were named Francis, Martin and Willis Keith.
Francis Keith, son of Abijah Keith, was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, March 26, 1796. In 1804 his parents removed to Barre, Vermont, and it was in that town that young Francis acquired his education in the common schools. Being reared upon a farm, his thoughts naturally turned to that pursuit when he attained young man- hood, and he remained on the old Keith home- stead, which is one of the finest farms in the town of Barre. He is prominently identified with the political affairs of the town, and being a man of exemplary character, he won the respect of his fellow citizens. Mr. Keith was married three times, his first wife having been Miss Persis Bige- low, who bore him six children: Mary, Charles, Erastus, Lewis, Ellen and Elmira Keith. His sec- ond wife was the mother of three children, Clin- ton, Flora and Agnes Keith. He married for his third wife Miss Persis Cook. Mr. Keith died October 3, 1868.
Lewis Keith, fourth child of Francis and Per- sis (Bigelow) Keith, was born on the old Keith homestead in the town of Barre, Vermont, Octo- ber 24, 1831. He spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and acquired his education in the district school. Upon at- taining his majority, he worked for different farmers in the neighborhood, receiving fourteen dollars a month for his services.' He remained at this occupation for six years, and in that period of time he had saved out of his earnings one thousand dollars, with which he purchased a farm in the eastern portion of the town. He was en- gaged in cultivating this ground for five years, but finally disposed of it and resided for a few years on the old homestead. March 3, 1869, Mr. Keith purchased the Walker farm, which was sit- uated on Millstone Hill, where he has resided
ever since. The farm consisted originally of one hundred and seventy acres, but he disposed of a portion of it to parties who were interested in the granite business, and at the present time (1902) it is cut up by railroads and quarries.,
Mr. Keith is one of the representative men of the town of Barre, being a member of one of the oldest families in New England. He has been chosen by his townsmen to fill the offices of se- lectman, lister and representative to the state leg- islature for the years 1896 and 1897 on the Re- publican ticket. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, and also an earnest and consistent member of the Congregational church of Barre.
On March 23, 1858, Mr. Keith was united in marriage to Miss Morancy S. Wilson, who was born November 6. 1835, a daughter of Thomas and Mahala (Averill) Wilson. They have only one child, Mary Mercy, who was born January 24, 1861. She married February 19, 1887, Rich- ard Alexander Hoar, whose sketch follows.
RICHARD A. HOAR.
Richard Alexander Hoar, son of Captain Philip H. and Elizabeth Allen Hoar, was born in Houghton, Michigan, in 1864; he early learned the blacksmith's trade and labored at the forge to earn money to secure an education ; he com- menced to read law in the office of Hon. H. W. Day and Judge White of Herman, New York; he came to Barre in 1886, and in this thriving town has found a congenial field of effort ; he was first employed on the quarry at the munificent compensation of eighteen dollars per month. In the spring of 1887 he began to quarry and sell rough granite, and a year later sold his quarries and entered the office of W. A. and O. B. Boyce, and continued his study of law ; he was admitted to the bar at the October term of supreme court 1889, standing fifth in a class of nineteen ; he was admitted to practice in the United States court in 1894. In 1890 he formed a law partnership with Hon. Walter E. Barney, which partnership continued until Mr. Barney was appointed judge of the city court of the city of Barre. In 1896 he was appointed city attorney for one year, and was reappointed city attorney in 1897, re- signing the office of city attorney to ac- cept the attorneyship for the Barre and
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Montpelier Traction and Power Company, operating a street railway between the cities of Montpelier and Barre. In June, 1898, Mr. Hear was unanimously nominated to the office of state's attorney for the county of Washington, and was elected at the September election, run- ning far ahead of his ticket. Mr. Hoar was appointed state's attorney to complete the unex- pired term of his predecessor, Hon. Fred A. How- land. At the Republican county convention in June, 1900, Mr. Hoar was again unanimously nominated for state's attorney, and elected at the following September election; he was one of the most sucessful state's attorneys Washington coun- ty has ever had. It is universally conceded that the state cases were prosecuted with great vigor, thoroughness and ability. During his term as state's attorney he prepared for trial two hundred and forty-four state cases, which cases included crimes from murder to breach of the peace, and with the exception of eight cases there was a plea of guilty or conviction, and only three disagree- ments of the jury. Mr. Hoar is winning a state reputation as a lawyer of quick conception, ready delivery, an adroit and agressive fighter, and master of the art of cross-examination ; his specialty is criminal and corporation cases. He has a successful practice in the city, county and supreme courts.
Mr. Hoar was married in 1887 to Mary M., only daughter of the Hon. Lewis Keith, one of Barre's most substantial citizens ; they have six children : Ellen M., Bernice W., Lewis Keith, Richard Alexander, Jr., Elizabeth Allen and Red- field Dillinghanı.
WILLIAM ALBERT ROOT.
William A. Root is a capitalist of Benning- ton, and is numbered among the representative and prominent citizens of his portion of the Green Mountain state. Honored and respected by all, there is no man in the community who stands higher or has a more enviable position in financial circles, not alone on account of the brilliant success he has achieved, but also on account of the honorable, straightforward busi- ness policy he has ever followed. He was born in Elizabethtown, New York, January 5, 1850,
and far back into the carly annals of the country can be traced his lineage. Only a few years had passed after the first settlement in America when the Root family was also established on the soil of the new world.
The progenitor of the family in this land was Thomas Root, who was born in Badby, England, January 16, 1605. He braved the dan- gers incident to an ocean voyage at that early period in order to become a resident of the new world, and in 1637 was located in what is now Hartford, of which locality he was one of the first settlers. His name is found on a headstone in the old cemetery back of the Central church in Hartford, Connecticut. He settled in Northamp- ton, Massachusetts, May 9, 1654, and two years later was appointed a selectman of the town. He was not only prominent in civil offices, but he was also one of the pillars of the church and a most prominent and influential resident of that com- munity. His buisness interests were those of the farmer, and throughout his active life he car- ried on agricultural pursuits. He reached the advanced age of eighty-nine years, thus ending a long, useful and honorable career.
His son, Joseph Root, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1640, and with his father's family went to Northampton, Massachusetts, where he spent his remaining days. The next in the line of direct descent was Thomas Root, who was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, April 13, 1667. He married Sarah Clark, and removed to Leb- anon, Connecticut, where he died in 1726. Among his children was Thomas Root, Jr., whose birth occurred in Lebanon on the 13th of December, 1705, but his last years were spent in Farming- ton, Connecticut, where he died at the early age of twenty-nine years. He was the father of Eleazar Root, who was born in Lebanon, Connec- ticut, January 28, 1730, and married Rhoda Por- ter, a daughter of Robert Porter, among whose descendants was President Noah Porter of Yale College. Their son, Captain Samuel Root, was the great-grandfather of our subject. He was born in Farmington, Connecticut, July 7, 1759, and won his title as commander of a company in the Revolutionary war, loyally aiding the col- onists in their struggle for independence. He was an upright, God-fearing man, and belonged to the Congregational church. He spent his en-
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tire life in his native town, and died on the 6th of January, 1815.
Asahel Root, a son of the Captain and the grandfather of William A. Root, was born in 1785 in Farmington, Connecticut, and became a tanner by trade, but did not give his entire atten- tion through life to that pursuit, for he became proprietor of a hotel and also owned and operated a farm. He married Chloe White, who was born in Farmington, and they had two sons. Both are now deceased. Asahel Root died in Westport, New York, at the age of seventy-seven years, and his wife passed away at the age of eighty-nine years. Asahel Root was a lieutenant of militia in Captain Jerome Loddell's company at the battle of Plattsburg.
One of their sons was William W. Root, who was born in Elizabethtown, New York, and there spent the days of his childhood and youth, pur- suing his education in the common schools. Aft- er entering upon his business career, he engaged in merchandising and manufacturing, being pro- prietor of a starch factory. He also gave his at- tention to some degree to mining, and was a very prominent and influential resident of his district, not only by reason of his extensive business in- terest which contributed to the general prosper- ity as well as to his own success, but also because ·of the loyal service which he rendered in public affairs. He served as supervisor of his town, and was the only man ever elected to that office in his community without opposition, not a single vote being cast against him. He exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- tres of the old-line Whig and subsequently of the Republican party, and died at the age of eighty- seven years December 17, 1896. His wife bore the maiden name of Harriet Maria Rowell. She was born in Hinesburg, Vermont, and was a daughter of Philip and Hannah (Andrews) Rowell. Her father was a native of Massachu- setts. In his family were three children. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. William W. Root were three children: William A .: Miss Cora and Charles Root, who reside in Elizabethtown, New York, where their mother also resides.
William A. Root spent his early youth in his native village, received his initial schooling, in- cluding a high school course, in his native place, and took an academic course at Westport. His
first business connection was with the Putnam Manufacturing Company, Bennington, with which interests he was identified for a period of five years. Subsequently he went to New York in the interest of the same firm, and later was for three years with the Washburn & Moen Manu- facturing Company, Worcester, Massachusetts. At a later date he again came to Bennington to take charge of the estate. Returning to Vermont, he had official connection with Kenton-Root Marble Company at Dorset until the sale of the plant to another company. He was next in New York as a boot and shoe jobber, and for a num- ber of years was associated with the United Gas Improvement Company, since which time his at- tention has been given to the supervision of es- tate interests. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution, and his close application to business and excellent manage- ment have largely brought to him his high de- gree of prosperity.
Mr. Root was married October 24, 1881, to Katherine E. Root, a daughter of Henry Green and Catharine Louisa (Blackmer) Root. She traces her ancestry back to Joseph Root, who was also an ancestor of our subject, so that originally in the paternal line they come from the same family. This Joseph Root was born in Hartford in 1840, and died in Northampton, Massachusetts, in 17II. His son, Joseph Root, Jr., was born January 15, 1664, at Northampton, and in 1685 settled at Northfield, Massachusetts, but that settlement was broken up by the Indians, and he returned to his native city, where he died Octo- ber 23, 1690. His son, another Joseph Root, was born July 13, 1686, at Northampton, and died February 9, 1728. He was the father of Captain Joseph Root, born June 16, 1713, in Hatfield, Massachusetts, and died October 1, 1786. He was the father of Elisha Root, who was born June 7. 1739, in Montague, where he lived and died, passing away January 1, 1812, at the age of seventy-two years. Among his children was Elisha Root, the grandfather of Mrs. Root, of this review. His birth occurred in Montague, Massachusetts, April II, 1775. He was reared upon a farm in Greenfield, Massachusetts, and afterward came to Bennington, Vermont, where he died in 1855, at the age of eighty years. He
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was the father of eight children, of whom one daughter is still living, at the age of eighty six years, her home being in Bennington, Vermont. Henry G. Root, the father of Mrs. William A. Root, was born in Greenfield, Massachusetts, September 18, 1818, a son of Elisha and Betsey (Moseley) Root. His education was acquired in the public schools of his native town and in Fellenburg and Deerfield academies. At the age of seventeen he entered the employ of the firm of Boynton & Whitcomb, at Templeton, Massa- chusetts, in order to learn the business of manu- facturing tinware. Four years later, when he had mastered his trade, he entered into partnership with Luther R. Graves, under the firm name of Graves & Root, a business association that was maintained for more than fifty years. During much of that time the house was the largest tin- ware manufactory of Vermont, and also estab- lished the First National Bank of Bennington, the second financial institution of this character in the state of Vermont. Mr. Root was the first cashier and subsequently vice president, and be- came prominent in financial as well as manufac- turing circles. He was also very active in the work of the Battle Monument Association and was chairman of the executive committee, having in charge the centennial celebration of the fa- mous battle of Bennington. For more than thirty years he was one of the directors of the Vermont State Agricultural Society, and manifested zeal and earnestness in support of every measure and movement which he believed would contribute to the public good. His early political support was given to the Whig party, and on its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new Republican party, and was one of Abraham Lincoln's electors. He rep- resented the Whig party as a member of the state legislature from 1850 to 1857, and in 1866 was elected on the Republican ticket a member of the state senate, in which he served for two years. To every question which came up for settlement he gave his earnest consideration, and neither fear nor favor could swerve him from a course which he believed to be right. He was a member of the Congregational church and served as one of its trustees. On the 23d of December, 1846, he was united in marriage to Catharine L. Black- mer, of Bennington, whose death occurred in September, 1887, while he was called to his final
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