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 111

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 111

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In the summer of 1898 Dr. Clark made an ex- tended tour abroad, in the course of which he spent some time in England and Ireland, then passing over to the continent he visited Holland, Germany, Austria, France and Switzerland, this trip being taken not only as a matter of observa- tion and sightseeing, but also along professional lines as a means of familiarizing himself with the methods in use by the most prominent surgeons of the old world.

Dr. Clark's success is an exemplification of what can be accomplished by perseverance with a definite purpose in view. When only a boy in school, he resolved to study medicine, and with energy he applied himself diligently by every means in his power to accomplish this end. By economy and frugality he saved enough money from teaching to carry him through college. His high standing upon graduating demonstrated how firm must have been his determination to stand at the head of his class, and his success since then has seemed to indicate his further determination to stand, if possible, at the head and front of the profession which he so ably represents.

JOEL HUNTINGTON HOLTON.

Joel Huntington Holton, of Burlington, Ver- mont, was born November 15, 1841, in Westmin- ster, Vermont, son of Erastus Alexander and Hannah Brainard (May) Holton. He is a direct descendant of Kenelm, brother of Governor Ed- ward Winslow, of the old Plymouth colony. Mr. Holton obtained his education in the schools of Westminster and the academies of Barre and West Brattleboro. In 1857 he learned the trade of a silver-plater and continued in this employ- ment for five years, when, prompted by his patri- otic impulses, he enlisted August 18, 1862, as

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private in Company 1. Twelfth Vermont Regi- ment, in which organization he was promoted to the grade of sergeant, and served until the regiment was mustered ont, July 14, 1863.

After his return from the army he was em- ployed as clerk in a hardware store at St. Al- bans; he then purchased a half interest in a plating and saddlery concern at Derby Line. In 1871 he removed to Burlington, where he formed a co-partnership to do a wholesale and retail trade in hardware, saddlery and builders' sup- plies, under the firm name of Ripley & Holton. In 1890 Mr. Holton became sole proprietor, and formed in 1897 what has since been known as the Holton Hardware Company, now the most ex- tensive concern of its kind in the state of Ver- mont. Mr. Holton was the original promoter of the Bellows Falls and Saxton's River Street Rail- way Company, and in the interests of its stock- holders is now (1903) general manager of the road.

A staunch adherent of Jeffersonian Demo- cracy, he has taken an active part in city and state politics, has been the incumbent of many important offices, was elected alderman from a. strong Republican ward of the city, defeating Hon. U. A. Woodbury, and was nominated for mayor in opposition to the Hon. U. A. Wood- bury. He was commander of Stannard Post No. 2, G. A. R., and is much interested in Grand Army work. He united with the Congregational church of Burlington.

Mr. Holton married, October 29, 1863, Emma J., daughter of Sylvester and Amanda (Farman) Diggins, of Westminster, who died June 16, 188I. Three children were born to them: Frank E., deceased ; Harry Sylvester, an insurance agent of Columbus, Ohio; and Susie May Holton, a teacher in the Bartholomew School, Cincinnati. Mr. Holton was again married, June 25, 1883, to Kate E., daughter of Thomas W. and Rebecca (Richardson) Wiley, of Westminster.

DAVID AMES PERRIN.

David Ames Perrin, one of the enterprising and successful business men of White River Junction, Vermont, where he is now serving in the capacity of postmaster, was born July 13, 1851, in Pomfret, Vermont. Chester Perrin, grandfather of David A. Perrin, was for many

years a prominent resident of Rehoboth, Massa- chusetts, whence he removed to Pomfret, Ver- mont, being one of the carly settlers of that town, where he was extensively engaged in farming interests. He was united in marirage to Olive Goff, and the following named children were born to them: William, Peter, Olive, Thankful, Mi- nerva, Mary and Hannah, the last named being the only surviving child. Mr. Perrin's death occurred when he was between the age of eighty and eighty-five years; his wife died in the sev- enty-sixth year of her age.

William Perrin, father of David A. Perrin, was born at Pomfret, Vermont, and after ob- taining a practical education in the common schools of the town devoted his attention to farm- ing. In 1872 he removed to Bridgewater, Ver- mont, where he was engaged in agricultural pur- stiits for over twenty years, and being a public- spirited citizen gave his hearty support to all worthy enterprises. In politics he was a Republi- can, held a number of local positions, the duties of which he discharged with faithfulness and efficiency. Mr. Perrin married Betsey Bickford ; their children are: David Ames, born July 13, 1851, and Willard, born in December, 1854, a resident of Charles City, Iowa, where he is en- gaged as clerk of the court of Floyd county, Iowa ; he married Bell Ramsay, and three daugh- ters and one son were born to them. The father of these children passed from this life December 6, 1897, at the age of seventy-nine years, and his wife's death occurred in Pomfret, Vermont, aged fifty-seven years.

David A. Perrin acquired his education in the common schools of Pomfret and White River Junction, having removed to the latter named town when he was fifteen years of age. During his boyhood he entered upon his business career in the capacity of a clerk, working after school hours, and this line of trade he followed for a number of years. Later he entered into partner- ship with Mr. Goff, and conducted a general store under the firm name of Goff & Perrin ; this connection continued for two years, when he dis- posed of his interest to his partner, and estab- lished a general store in his own name, which he successfully managed for five years. At the expiration of this period of time he sold one-half the interest of the business to J. D. Wheeler, and

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subsequently disposed of the other half interest to Mr. Wheeler's father. Mr. Perrin then con- ducted a drug business for eight months, and the following three years, 1886-87-88, he was an employe of the Boston & Lowell Railroad, now known as the Boston & Maine Railroad. After his resignation from this position Mr. Perrin was engaged as a clerk in the store of Wheeler Broth- ers, remaining ten years, and in 1898 was ap- pointed postmaster at White River Junction by the late President Mckinley. He served until 1902, when he was re-appointed by President Roosevelt, his term of office extending until 1906. He is one of the directors and auditors of the White River Savings Bank, and his serv- ices have been frequently called upon in the set- tling of estates.

Mr. Perrin takes an active interest in politics and the educational affairs of the town, being at the present time (1903) chairman of the school board, having charge of twenty-three schools; he was chairman of the Republican town com- mittee of Hartford, Vermont, for eight years, and has served as delegate to various conventions. He is a prominent member of United Brethren Lodge No. 21, F. & A. M .; Cascadnac Chapter ; Vermont Commandery, and Mt. Sinai Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Myr- tle Lodge No. 27, I. O. O. F., having passed through all the chairs and been noble grand of that lodge; he is also a member of the encamp- ment of the same order.

On November 17, 1897, Mr. Perrin was unit- ed in marriage to Miss Alice L. King, who was born in West Rutland, Vermont, a daughter of George A. King, of West Lebanon, New Hamp- shire. One child has been born to them, Maude L. Perrin. Both Mr. Perrin and his wife are members of the Congregational church of West Lebanon, New Hampshire, for which he has acted in the capacity of trustee. Mrs. Perrin is one of six children, four of whom are living at the pres- ent time: F. E. King, of Hartford, Vermont, Mrs. F. E. Foote, W. H. King, of White River Junction, and Mrs. Perrin. The mother of these children was a daughter of John Proctor, a prom- inent resident of West Rutland, Vermont, who was one of the first interested in the marble quarries there. Her death occurred March 24. 1902.

BIRNEY S. FULLINGTON.

Birney S. Fullington, a veteran of the Civil war, and at the present time (1903) acting in the capacity of traveling salesman for the Wal- ker, Stetson, Sawyer Company, dealers in small wares and fancy goods, and Farley, Harvey & Company, dealers in dry-goods, covering the field of northern Vermont, is a grandson of Ephraim and Sarah Foster Fullington. Ephraim Fullington was a prominent agriculturist of East Cambridge, Vermont.

Bradbury Fullington, father of Birney S. Ful- lington, was born at East Cambridge, Vermont, and acquired an excellent education in the com- mon schools. In early life he devoted his atten- tion to teaching school, but later was engaged in agricultural pursuits in his native town, where he was the owner of three farms and other large real estate interests. He was very successful in the management and' cultivation of his prop- erty, from which he derived a large amount of income, and he was recognized as one of the wealthy and influential farmers of that section of the state. He was a Republican in his political sentiments, and served his township in the various offices within its gift. Mr. Fullington was united. in marriage to Electa Walbridge, and the follow- ing named children were born to them: Birney S .; Harrington C., engaged in farming on the old homestead in East Cambridge, and who mar- ried for his first wife Miss Foote, and for his second Miss Badger ; Eugenia M., widow of Dan- iel W. Green, who was a practicing lawyer at Ligonier, Indiana ; Mary, who was engaged as a teacher in the public schools and died at the age of forty-five years; Sarah, wife of Dr. H. B. Jones, a physician and druggist of Industry, Kan- sas, where they now reside with their family of three children. Mr. Fullington died at the age of seventy-six years, and his wife passed away in the seventy-fourth year of her age.

Birney S. Fullington was born in East Cam- bridge, Vermont, in 1845, and was a regular at- tendant at the district school, where he obtained a practical education. In his eighteenth year he enlisted in Company E, Thirteenth Vermont Vol- unteers, under the command of Colonel F. V. Randall, and received his baptism of fire at Get- tysburg, when his regiment executed the famous

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

flink movement on Pickett's advancing column. After his term of enlistment expired he returned home and attended a term of school at Willis- ton, after which he again enlisted in the service of his country, joining Company M, First Ver- mont Cavalry, then on duty at Hancock's head- quarters. He purchased his equipments and horse, a beautiful, gamy and speedy Vermont Morgan, and owing to the speed of his horse and his own personal appearance he was selected for orderly duty; he was with the column of cavalry that, under command of General Kil- patrick, made an unsuccessful attempt to liberate the Union prisoners at Richmond in 1864. Five days before the battle of Appomattox was fought Mr. Fullington became separated from his com- mand in the dusk of the evening, and by mistake rode into a retreating column of rebels, by whom he was almost captured, a bullet grazing his up- per lip as he escaped. He was a member of the cavalry for eighteen months, after which period he was honorably discharged with the regiment. He was then a student for two terms at a school in Johnson under the competent instruction of Mr. S. H. Pearl, and at the age of twenty-one he left his native town and took his way west- ward in company with the star of empire. He was employed as a spare man on a supply train bound for the newly discovered mines near Helena, Montana, from Atchison via Ogden and Salt Lake City. They tarried a few days at Salt Lake City, Utah, where they had the pleasure of seeing and hearing Brigham Young, and after three months on the trail the train reached Helena.

After serving in various capacities Mr. Ful- lington accepted an offer from his cousin, Will- iam Reynolds, agent of the Southern Mail and Express Company, to take charge of a station at Phranagat, Nevada, at seventy-five dollars per month. On the organization of the county he was elected superintendent of public instruction ; he also erected a building and rented it for county offices, but finally removed to White Pine, another mining town, and sold lumber for three hundred dollars per thousand feet. For a short period of time he was employed as a clerk, but soon be- came a merchant, and prospered while White Pine was a mining emporium, which was two years. He was offered a half interest in "The

Little Emma Mine," but being incredulous of its worth he refused the offer, and lost an oppor- tunity of acquiring a fortune. After five years' remarkable experience of the dangers, vicissi- tudes and excitements of pioneer life, he returned to Johnson, in 1871, a wiser if not a richer man. In the same year he removed to Burlington, Ver- mont, and became a member of the firm of Fullam, Safford & Chadwick, dealers in small wares, fancy goods and underwear, and this con- nection was continued for four years. After the death of Mr. Chadwick, his father-in-law, Mr. Fullington acted as the commercial traveler of the firm for fourteen years, and since the expira- tion of this period of time he has traveled for Walker, Stetson, Sawyer Company, and Farley Harvey & Company. He is very successful in his business, and is a man of warm sympathies, broad and liberal views and generous impulses. He is a prominent member of Waterman Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Johnson, Ver- mont.

In 1871 Mr. Fullington married Helen M. Chadwick, daughter of the late Hon. C. C. Chad- wick, of Johnson, Vermont, and her death oc- curred in 1885. In 1891 Mr. Fullerton was united in marriage to Carrie M. Freeman, a resident of Johnson. By the first marriage there are two sons : Harry C. married Miss Maude Swift; they resided in Glendale, Massachusetts, and are the parents of two children, Mary and Birney; Christopher Chadwick graduated from Dart- mouth College in 1902 and Tuck School of Ad- ministration and Finance in 1903. By the pres- ent marriage the following named children were born: Walbridge B .; Helen E .; Hallard D., who in 1901 received an injury from which he died, at the age of three years; Lloyd H .; and Mabel Carrie.

LEROY FRANKLIN ADAMS.

The history of a state as well as that of a na- tion is chiefly the chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon society. The world judges the character of a community by that of its representative citi- zens, and yields its tribute of admiration and re- spect for the genius, learning or virtues of those whose works and actions constitute the record

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of a state's prosperity and pride ; and it is in their character as exemplified in probity and benevo- lence, kindly virtues and integrity in the affairs of life, that we are ever afforded worthy examples for emulation and valuable lessons of incentive. To a student of biography there is nothing more interesting than to examine the life history of a self-made man, and to recognize those traits of character which have enabled him to pass on the highway of life many of the companions of his youth, who at the outset of their careers were more advantageously equipped or endowed. The subject of this sketch has, through his own exer- tions, attained an honorable position and marked prestige among the representative men of the ·Green Mountain state, and it may be consistently said that he is the "architect of his own fortunes," and one whose success amply justifies the appli- cation of the somewhat hackneyed, but most ex- pressive title, "a self-made man."

Leroy Franklin Adams is one of the leading spirits of the town of Brattleboro, one of the pro- prietors of the famous hostelry known as the Brooks House, and which under his management sustains a most excellent reputation as a commer- cial and family hotel, and he is also a member of the firm of E. Crosby & Company, large dealers in' flour, grain and feed. Mr. Adams can look back on his life with the satisfaction of know- ing that the competency which he has accumulated is the result of his own qualities and superior busi- ness judgment. He is a genial, popular, whole- souled gentleman, and as such enjoys the confi- dence and esteem of all who are fortunate enough to know him.

Mr. Adams was born in the town of Marl- boro, Vermont, April 23, 1846, and there was reared amid the refining influences of a good home, and given an excellent education in the district and select schools of that community and of Wilmington. He remained at home until he had attained his majority, when he entered the em- ploy of C. H. Smith, at Northampton, Massa- chusetts, with whom he was associated for three years. In 1870 he located at Brattleboro, where he became associated with the clerical force of Mr. Edward Crosby, in the flour and grain busi- ness.

The early life of Mr. Adams was filled with many vicissitudes and struggles, but he kept up a

good spirit, and, gradually acquiring valuable ex- perience and developing good judgment, he fought his way to the front, and for many years has been considered one of the best financiers in his section. When he first became connected with the firm of Crosby.& Company, he performed the manual labor about the house for a period, then receiving promotion to the position of book- keeper. His intimate knowledge of the methods used by the firm, coupled with an aptitude which (leveloped in the salesroom, led to his being given an interest in the firm and his subsequent selec- tion as its traveling representative, and in this latter position he operated with great success for a number of years. In October, 1872, he married Ella H., daughter of his employer, Mr. Edward Crosby. In the year 1884 a company was formed by business men of Brattleboro, of which Mr. Edward Crosby was president and the leading spirit, to carry on a cattle business in Dakota, and Mr. Adams acted in the capacity of general man- ager of this company for three years, with head- quarters at Sturgis, South Dakota. In 1887 Mr. Adams resigned his position and returned to his native state, where he resumed his active connection with the firm of E. Crosby & Company, then as now doing the largest whole- sale business in this section of the state of Ver- mont. The hotel venture was undertaken in com- pany with his partner, Mr. E. C. Crosby, in 1889, when they purchased the property from the ex- ecutors of the George Brooks estate. It has since been conducted under the firm name of Crosby & Adams, which firm immediately re- modeled the hotel and made many valuable im- provements. During his partner's necessary ab- sence from Brattleboro in connection with exten- sive railroad interests in Massachusetts, Mr. Ad- ams has had general management of the hotel interests.

In the social and civil life of the community Mr. Adams has been honorably and prominently connected, having served three years as chair- man of the board of education, and having re- peatedly refused, on account of lack of time, to enter the honorable body of selectmen. In politi- cal affiliation he acts with the Republican party, and on the all absorbing topic of the liquor ques- tion is, with his partner, fearless in opposition to high license, a significant proof of which is

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the firm's refusal to take out heense for the hotel under the new law. Alr. Adams is a consistent and valued member of the Congregational church, of Brattleboro, and one of the society's board of trustees. He is a member of Brattleboro Lodge No. 102, F. & A. M., Fort .Dummer Chapter, R. A. M., and Beausant Commandery, K. T.

Mrs. Ella (Crosby) Adams died January 27, 1890, leaving five children, viz. : Fred C., clerk in the People's National Bank at Brattleboro, and who married Miss Ruth Hunt, a daughter of Frank Hunt, of Brattleboro; George E .; Ruth [ .. : Crosby ; and Ella C. Mr. Adams married for his second wife in 1899, Helen M., daughter of S. B. Emerson, of Brattleboro. By this mar- riage one child, Edith, has been born.

· The Adamses have long been residents of the state of Vermont. Lucius F. Adams, the father of our subject, having been born in Marlboro, June 18, 1816. He - was a prominent farmer in his time, and a man of influence and worth in the community. He died in Brattleboro in 1881, at the age of sixty-five years. His wife was Clor- inda Winchester, the daughter of Carley P. Win- chester, of Marlboro. She died August 19, 1890, also at the age of sixty-five years, having been the mother of four children, of whom our sub- ject was the eldest. Loren M., the second son, married Cora Gilson ; Helen became Mrs. Charles H. Smith ; and Lucius W. was the youngest son.

Mr. Adams is a man whom Brattleboro could not well dispense with. He is constant in his endeavors in the line of her progress, and is recognized as an earnest advocate of all meas- ures calculated to prove of benefit to the city along any of the lines that contribute to the wel- fare and happiness of men.

MOSES J. JONES.

Moses J. Jones, who for the past three years has been acting in the capacity of superintendent of the Matthews Consolidated Slate Company's quarries, situated at Poultney, Vermont, and in New York state, was born in Wales, March 12, 1842, the grandson of John Jones, who was a prosperous agriculturist of Anlissey, North Wales, and an active churchman of the Calvin- · istic Methodist faith. John Jones was united in marriage to Elizabeth (family name unknown),

and their children were: John, Hugh, Richard, Edward. James, Elizabeth, Martha and Margaret Jones. The father of these children died at the advanced age of eighty-four years, and his widow passed away when she had attained the same age.

John Jones, eldest son of John and Elizabeth Jones, and father of Moses J. Jones, was born in Anlissey, North Wales, where he was reared and received his education, but upon attaining young manhood removed to Carnarvonshire, where he resided up to the time of his decease. He identified himself with the industrial and commercial affairs of the community, and, like his father, was prominently and actively asso- ciated with church matters. He married Ellen Williams, and three children were born to them : Moses J., William J., and Edward Jones. The mother of these children died, and Mr. Jones again married, and to him were born two sons, Owen and Thomas.

William J. Jones, second son of John and Ellen Jones, is a United States appraiser in the custom house at New York city, a stone cutter by occupation, having been engaged in the build- ing of the state capitol at Albany, New York. He was formerly a prominent resident of Rem- sen, New York, where he served in the capacity of supervisor. He married Sarah Hughes, and one son has been born to them, Dr. David Jones, who is actively engaged in the practice of medi- cine in New York city. Edward Jones, young- est son of John and Ellen Jones, was a repre- sentative citizen of Wales, where his death oc- curred in 1902, leaving one child surviving.

Moses J. Jones, eldest son of John and Ellen Jones, was reared and educated in his native country, Wales, but after attaining his seven- teenth year he removed to Salem, New York, where he resided for six years. In 1872 he settled in Poultney, Vermont, and since that time has made that city his permanent residence. He began his business career with the firm of Griffith & Nathaniel, then served for seventeen years as superintendent of Auld & Conger Company's slate quarries, later became associated with J. L. Creswell in the operation of quarries at Poult- ney, under the firm name of Creswell & Jones. He continued his connection with this firm until- 1900, when he accepted the position of superin- tendent of the Matthews Consolidated Slate Com-

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pany's quarries, which are situated at Poultney and also in the state of New York, having under his personal supervision between seventy-five and eighty employes. Mr. Jones has retained this position up to the present time (1903), and by his kind and considerate treatment of the men under his charge has gained their good will and confidence.

In his political convictions Mr. Jones is a firm advocate of the policy of the Republican party, served as chairman of the Republican town com- mittee for several years, and sat as delegate in various conventions. He served as first select- man (or officer of the members of the board) of the town and village of Poultney for thirteen years. In his candidacy for the office of select- man he met with great opposition, but after a spirited contest defeated his opponent by a vote of three hundred and eighty-four to two hundred and one. His discharge of the duties of this office were of such an impartial character, and he prac- ticed them with such conservative and praise- worthy judgment, that he won the admiration and friendship of those who had been his most bitter opponents during the campaign. During the high license campaign in 1902 he was active and useful in its advocacy among the Welsh popula- tion, and aided materially in the adoption of the present license registration law. Mr. Jones is a prominent member of various Welsh societies; and was grand treasurer of the grand lodge of the American True Ivorites, and treasurer of the Eiseadfob held at Poultney in 1902, and he is a valued and regular contributor to various Welsh presses. He is also prominently affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Morn- ing Star Lodge No. 37, F. & A. M., Poultney Chapter No. 10, R. A. M., Morning Star Coun- cil No. 10, R. and S. M., Killington Commandery No. 6, K. T., of Rutland, and Mt. Sinai Temple, N. M. S., of Montpelier. He is also a prominent Odd Fellow, has passed all the chairs in the sub- ordinate lodge, was treasurer of the grand lodge, and is a member of the encampment.

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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 111

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