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 123

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 123

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Boston. Jonathan, the ancestor, so far as known, of all the American families, built in 1636 a house in Dedham, Massachusetts, which with the additions made later is still standing. George, the second son of Jonathan, came with his father from England, resided in Dedham, and in 1657 removed to Sherborn, where he was a leading citizen and chosen to fill the office of selectman. His fourth child, Eliezur, was born in 1655, and became a prominent man in Sherborn. His youngest child, "Captain" Eleasur, was born in 1690, and his eleventh child, born in 1734, was known in Sherborn history as "Deacon" Ebe- nezer ; he located in Brimfield, Massachusetts, in 1783. His second son, Joseph, born in Sherborn in 1763, moved with his father to Brimfield, where he purchased a small farm, and in 1790 married Phæbe Paddock, of Holland, Massachu- setts, whose ancestor came to America with Gov- ernor Carver, and married into the family of Governor Bradford, and whose brother, Judge Ephraim Paddock, and others of the family, com- ing to Vermont, became honored and prominent citizens. Three sons were born to Joseph and Phœbe Fairbanks: Erastus, born October 28, 1792 ; Thaddeus, born January 17, 1796; and Jos- eph Paddock, born November 26, 1806.

Arthur W. Gilmore obtained his preliminary education in the public and high schools of St. Albans, and this was supplemented by a thorough course in the Eastern Business College. Upon the completion of his education he was admitted as a partner in his father's business, which was then conducted under the style of Gilmore & Son. They have a complete, select and fashion- able livery stable, keeping twenty-five horses con- stantly on hand to meet the demands of their customers, and every detail of the establishment is looked after in the most approved and business- like manner. They also buy and sell a large num- ber of horses, and in the management of their business give employment to four hands. In politics Mr. Gilmore has always voted the Repub- lican ticket ; in religion he is a consistent member of the Episcopal church of St. Albans; in fra- ternal matters is a member of Franklyn Lodge No. 4, F. & A. M., of St. Albans, Vermont.

On June 21, 1893, Mr. Gilmore married Flor- ence Foster, who was born in St. Albans, Ver- mont, in 1869, only child of George B. Foster,

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for many years a retired business man of St. Albans, where his entire life was spent and where his death occurred; his wife is living at the present time (1903). The children of Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore are: Arthur Foster and Gordon Fairbanks.

TRUMAN ROBERT GORDON.

Truman Robert Gordon, a prominent attorney at law of Montpelier, Vermont, is a worthy de- scendant of Robert Gordon, who was probably born in the state of New Hampshire. At the breaking out of the war of 1812 he volunteered his services as a soldier and participated in the battle of Plattsburg, New York, where he con- tracted an illness from the severe exposure of the campaign, which later was the cause of his de- cease. He was united in marirage to Miss Rhoda Borden.

William Gordon, son of Robert and Rhoda Gordon, was born in the town of Corinth, Orange county, Vermont, in February, 1808. He re- ceived his educational advantages in the common schools of the town, and after completing his studies he followed the dual occupation of con- tractor and farmer. Being a prudent, industrious and capable man, he succeeded in both these en- terprises, and accumulated what was considered in those days to be quite a fortune. He was one of the representative men of the town, and al- ways took an active interest in all that pertained to its welfare and upbuilding. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary Thurber, who was born in Corinth, Orange county, Vermont, Jan- uary 9, 1822, a daughter of John and Rhoda (Norris) Thurber.

John Thurber, father of Mrs. Gordon, was a descendant of Danish ancestry, and the progeni- tor of the American branch of the family was John Thurber, who emigrated to this country between the years 1660 and 1669. He settled in Swansea, Massachusetts. His wife's first name was Percella. Benjamin Thurber was the father of John Thurber, and was born probably in Clare- mont, New Hampshire, in 1800. He was mar- ried to Miss Mary Graves.

Truman Robert Gordon, son of William and Mary Gordon, was born in Vershire, Orange county, Vermont, August 3, 1850. His early

education was acquired in the common schools, then he entered Jericho Academy, Underhill Academy, Essex Classical Institute, Green Moun- tain Seminary and the Montpelier Seminary, where he took a college preparatory course and was graduated in 1872, and two years later he was graduated from the full seminary course; subsequently he pursued a partial course in the Vermont University. Deciding to become a member of the legal fraternity, he studied law in the office of Charles H. Heath, then with Heath & Carleton, later with Homer W. Heaton in Montpelier, Vermont, and with St. John Green, dean of the law school of Boston University. He graduated from the law department of the latter named institution in the class of 1877, and was admitted as a member of the Vermont bar at the September term of the same year, of Wash- ington county court, and at the general term in October, 1880, he was admitted to practice in the supreme court of Vermont. He is master in the court of chancery and was admitted as a practitioner in the United States district circuit court. Mr. Gordon's practice is general, and he has been chosen to act as the attorney in many important civil cases; he also acted as the at- torney for the respondent in the murder cases of State versus Murry, and State versus Sanders ; he acted as attorney for the respondent in the perjury case of State versus Rowell, and in the forgery case of State versus Donovan. He was the senior partner of the law firm of Gordon & Gray, which existed for many years in Mont- pelier, Vermont. Mr. Gordon's knowledge of the fundamental principles of law is compre- hensive and accurate, and he has advanced in his profession until now he stands as the foremost representative of the Green Mountain state, and the public confidence in his ability is demon- strated by the large practice accorded him. He has been a member of the Vermont Bar Asso- ciation since 1880.

In his political affiliations he is a Republican, and was elected to fill the office of prosecuting officer for the city of Montpelier; he was also chosen to act as a member of the school board. When he was only twenty-one years of age and a resident of the town of Bolton, he was elected superintendent of schools, which office he held for three years. He is a prominent member of

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the Vermont Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Thomas Wildey Encampment No. II, Canton Montpelier No. 8, in which he has held most of the offices of both lodge and en- campment ; he is also a member and has held nearly all the offices in grand lodge of the state of Vermont, I. O. O. F. He is actively inter- ested in the Young Men's Republican Club of Montpelier, and is an earnest and consistent mem- ber of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church of Montpelier, of which he has been steward and treasurer for many years; he has also acted in the capacity of superintendent of the Sunday- school of that church for five years.

Mr. Gordon has been twice married, his first wife having been Miss Ellen L. Hatch, to whom he was united in marriage November 28, 1874. She was the daughter of Benjamin and Lucy (Church) Hatch, the former named being a prominent citizen of Jericho, Vermont. Mrs. Gordon received her education in the common schools, the academies and Montpelier Seminary. They had one daughter, Ellen L., born in Mont- pelier, Vermont, September 9, 1879. His sec- ond marriage occurred at Montpelier, Vermont, December 25, 1888, to Miss Hattie M. Norris, daughter of Samuel G. and Lucy (Wheeler) Norris, the former named being a son of the Rev. Norris, the first Methodist minister to preach in the town of Hardwick, Vermont. Mrs. Gor- don acquired her education at the Washington county grammar school and Montpelier Sem- inary, from which she was graduated in 1887. Two children have been born of this union : Ruth Ethel, born May 7, 1890, and Robert Truman, born December 3, 1892; they were both born in their father's residence, it being the same house in which Admiral Dewey first saw the light of day. Mr. Gordon is a capable and eloquent lawyer, a representative citizen, and has won and held the respect and esteem of the members of the city in which he resides.

HON. ASAHEL PECK.

Among the chief executives of the state of Vermont, none are worthy of a higher place than the subject of this sketch, who passed to his eternal rest on May 18, 1879, in the town of Jericho, Vermont. He was a Vermonter by

adoption, having been born in Royalston, Massa- chusetts, in September, 1808, and was the son of Squire and Elizabeth (Goddard) Peck. On the paternal side he was a descendant of Joseph Peck, who traced his ancestry back twenty-one generations to John Peck, of Belton, Yorkshire, England. A complete history of this ancestry appears in the sketch of his nephew, Cicero God- dard Peck, elsewhere in this work.

Governor Peck came to Montpelier, Vermont, when only three years of age, and laid the founda- tion of his rugged constitution upon the farm of his father in that town. He was educated in the common schools and prepared for college at the Washington county grammar school, then entering the University of Vermont, where he remained two years. Desiring to become profi- cient in the use of French, he then went to Can- ada, where he mastered this language. He sub- sequently entered upon the study of law in the office of his elder brother, Nahum Peck, father of Cicero Peck, mentioned above. He began prac- tice in Hinesburg, Vermont, in 1833, and soon removed to Burlington, where he continued to follow his profession with increasing success, standing at the head of the bar of Chittenden county, where the remainder of his life was spent.

He was a thorough student, a conscientius lawyer of the highest integrity. It is said upon one occasion that the late Rufus Choate, of Massachusetts, met Mr. Peck as an antagonist in the trial of a very important case in the su- preme court of the United States, and at its con- clusion was so "astonished to find such a law- yer in Vermont" that he went to Mr. Peck and urgently advised him to remove to Boston, as- suring him that both fame and fortune would there be at his feet. No inducement, however, could move Mr. Peck; having once made up his mind, he would not change it. Burlington had been selected as the theatre for the practice of his profession, and Burlington it must and should be. An eminent member of the bar, speaking of Mr. Peck's abilities as a lawyer and judge, de- clared that no man in New England since Judge Story has equaled him in his knowledge of the common law of England and the law of equity.

He was held in the highest esteem, not only by his associates at the bar, but by the people of his town, county, and the state of his adoption.

Licens , G, Pecky

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He was repeatedly nominated and elected to the highest offices in their gift, each and all of which he filled in a manner not only creditable to him- self and his state, but to the eminent satisfaction of his host of friends and constituents. He rep- resented Chittenden county in the state senate in 1851, serving in the same body with that emi- nent statesman, Hon. George F. Edmonds. In the same year he was judge of the circuit court, and served until it was abrogated in December, 1857. He was appointed to the highest judicial position in the state, the bench of the supreme court, in 1860, where he served with distinction, and was regarded as one of its most able members for the period of fourteen years, when he retired with the intention of returning to the home of his childhood and resting from the active duties of his long public career, but so great was the satisfaction which he had given to the people of the state in the various positions in which he had been placed, that, to show their appreciation of the esteem in which he was held, and further believing that he would fill the chair of the chief executive of the state with honor, he was unani- mously nominated by the Republican state con- vention of 1874. The Watchman, a leading paper of the state, recommended him in the following terms, which his subsequent conduct in the guber- natorial chair fully vindicated :

"The state would be honored by selecting his name as its candidate. So long as Vermont designates such men for its highest offices, it is not liable to the old Tory reproach against Re- publican government, which condemned republics not because the people elected their officers, but because they elected unworthy and ignoble men to office. He would be a worthy successor in the executive chair to Moses Robinson, Galusha, Palmer, Tiechenor, Skinner, Williams, Van Ness, Royce and Hall, who were his predecessors on the bench. His nomination is not merely unob- jectionable, it is in every respect honorable and fit to be made, and would be followed by a triumphant election."

As a governor it is the testimony of all that he was one of the most sagacious and scrupu- lously upright of all the governors of Vermont- thoroughly independent, prudent in every act, and carefully inspecting the minutest details of all questions presented for his official approval. After the close of his term as governor he was

often employed as counsel in important cases, and proved himself master of the law. He re- ceived the degree of Bachelor of Arts from the University of Vermont many years after leaving it as a student, and was made LL. D. by Middle- bury College in 1874.

He was never married. He spent most of his leisure time, after leaving the executive chair, with his friends in Hinesburg, and at his farm in Jericho, where he died May 18, 1879. He was buried in the family lot in the cemetery at Hines- burg, where a magnificent granite shaft has been erected by his nephew, Cicero G. Peck, in loving remembrance of his many grand and noble traits of character.

HON. CICERO GODDARD PECK.

The gentleman whose portrait is presented herewith, needs no introduction to the people of Chittenden county, since, in the town of Hines- burg he has resided for one-half a century, forty years of which have been spent upon his present farm. During this time he has, like the past generation of the family to which he belongs, served the people in many offices of responsi- bility, and particularly in those pertaining to edu- cational concerns. He was born in the village of Hinesburg, Vermont, February 17, 1828. His father, Nahum Peck, was one of the most dis- tinguished lawyers of Chittenden county, and was the eldest son of Squire Peck and Elizabeth Goddard. Nahum Peck was born in Royalston, Massachusetts, October 5, 1796. He was de- scended from Joseph Peck, who was of the twen- ty-first generation from John Peck, of Belton, Yorkshire county, England. Nahum was of the seventh generation from Joseph Peck, the Ameri- can ancestor, who, with other Puritans, fled from the persecutions of the church in England to this country. They came from Hingham, Eng- land, to Hingham, Massachusetts, in 1638, sail- ing in the ship Diligent, of Ipswich, John Mar- tin, master.

The genealogy of the Pecks has been traced back probably farther than any other family in Vermont. Nahum Peck's father was a farmer, and removed from Royalston, Massachusetts, to Montpelier, Vermont, in 1803, finding his way by means of marked trees, and there he spent

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his life as a pioneer. There young Nahum re- ceived a thorough academical training. He then studied law, and was admitted to the bar of Washington county at the September term in 1823. Removing to Hinesburg, he opened an office and enjoyed a large and growing practice to about the time of his death, which occurred on the 8th of June, 1883. At this time he was the oldest practicing lawyer in the county. As such he was best appreciated for the judicial accuracy of his opinions, his wide acquaintance with legal literature, and his utter contempt for the emoluments of his profession. 'He practiced law from the love of it, and accepted money in payment for services only as a means of liveli- hood, not of accumulation. He was public- spirited, and in the course of his long life in Hinesburg was honored with many positions within the gift of his townsmen, whom he repre- sented in the legislature a number of terms. He was a well known public speaker, his diction being characterized rather by correctness than readi- ness. He was as decided in his political opinions as in those pertaining to his profession. He was one of the earliest, most determined and ag- gressive antagonists of slavery, at a time when men of that opinion were liable to abuse and opprobrium. He was an early advocate of tem- perance reform. After the formation of the Re- publican party he allied himself therewith, and ever supported its measures with earnestness and consistency.

He was twice married. His first wife, whom he married in October, 1825, was Lucinda, daughter of Benjamin I. Wheeler, of Montpelier, a prominent citizen who represented Montpelier several terms in the legislature. She was the mother of Cicero G. Peck. She died January 14, 1854. His second wife, to whom he was wedded in May, 1857, was Marcia Wood, of Keeseville, New York, who died in August, 1875.

Cicero G. Peck was educated in the old Hinesburg Academy, in which institution he pre- pared for a collegiate course of study, but just as he was about to enter upon such a course ill health deprived him of the opportunity, and he was forced to a life of outdoor work, as an expedient against permanent sickness. He has consequently remained on a farm all his life, and with commendable diligence has added to his

patrimonial and other inheritances, so that with- out them he would be possessed of a handsome property. He came to his present farm in 1857, upon which he erected a new house in 1896, and by repeated purchases he has enlarged the origi- nal arca of the farm to two hundred and fifty acres. He also owns a very large and valuable dairy farm in Jericho, which was left to him by his uncle, Hon. Asahel Peck, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Peck de- votes his attention principally to dairying, though he has done considerable work in general agri- culture. He owns a number of fine Holstein cattle, his herds on both farms numbering about one hundred head. When the Valley Cheese Factory Company was formed in 1865 he was elected treasurer ; he held the office continuously until 1893, when the factory was converted into the Valley Falls Creamery, since which time Mr. Peck has continued to serve as treasurer for the operating firm, of which he is a member, holding a large interest in the business.

He is a firm advocate of Republican princi- ples in politics, and has been placed by his fellow townsmen in almost every office within their gift. He served as selectman for seven consecutive years, was for twenty years town superintendent of schools, and continues to serve in that ca- pacity (1903). In 1878 he represented the county in the state senate on the same committees as in the house in 1890. In 1890 he represented the town of Hinesburgh in the legislature, and served upon the committee on education, and bore a useful and prominent part in urging the revision and remodeling of the school laws of the state. While the effort was not altogether successful, it marked the beginning of a movement which resulted in the enactment of the desired measures at the session two years later. In 1892 Mr. Peck was appointed by Governor Fuller, with con- firmation by the senate, to the position of trustee of the State Reform School for a term of six years. In 1897 he was appointed by Governor Grout as a delegate to the national conference of charities and correction, held in Toronto, On- tario, July 7-14, of that year. In all these varied positions of responsibility, Mr. Peck has acquit- ted himself with a high degree of ability and scrupulous fidelity to the trusts committed to him. In his community he has been repeatedly

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called upon to act as executor or administrator in the settlement of estates, among them being some of the largest in the vicinity. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, which he serves in the capacity of stew- ard, and in the affairs of which he has for many years taken a leading part.

Mr. Peck was married March 29, 1854, to Miss Maria Coleman, daughter of Selah Cole- man, of Hinesburg, and her grandfather, Zadock Coleman, was at an early day major general of the state militia of Vermont, and a prominent resident of Williston. He was of Irish descent, and emigrated to Vermont from Connecticut. Mrs. Peck's mother's father, Charles Russell, was an early settler in Hinesburg and participated in the battle of Plattsburg. He was of Dutch de- scent, and came to Vermont from White Creek, New York. At his death he left the largest es- tate ever settled in Hinesburg up to that time. Mrs. Peck was born in Williston May 27, 1836. Their family consists, besides themselves, of an adopted niece, born April 14, 1858, and adopted by them on the 14th of August following. She is now the wife of Marvin R. France, a Metho- dist clergyman, who make their home with Mr. Peck.

ISAAC W. HATCH.

Isaac W. Hatch, a prominent business man of Burlington, Vermont, formerly of Lincoln, Vermont, is a native of the state, born in Panton, August 25, 1838. He traces his an- cestry back to Timothy Hatch, his grandfather, who was born in Connecticut. Warren E. Hatch, father of Isaac W. Hatch, was reared on the farm at Panton, Vermont, and obtained his edu- cation in the common schools. The greater part of his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits in Panton and Ferrisburg. At the age of seven- ty-five he removed to Bristol, Vermont, where he became interested with his son in the furniture business, and where he died in 1895, at the age of eighty-two years. A Democrat in politics, Mr. Hatch found favor with his party, and held several positions of trust and responsibilty. He married Miss Phœbe C. Smith, who was born at Ferrisburg, Vermont, and the following named children were born to them: . Isaac W .; Ida

L .; Smith W .; Ernest L .; Ryland F., who is engaged in the lumber business; George W., of Burlington, Vermont; and Candace Hatch. The mother of these children died at the age of seventy-three years; she was a member of the Methodist church.

Isaac W. Hatch until his twenty-third year lived upon the farm at Panton. He received his preliminary education in the common schools of that town, and later attended the Vergennes and Tenbrooke schools. His patriotism being fired by the serious conditions which threatened the Union with dissolution, he determined to offer his services in defense of his country. In 1861 he enlisted in Company K, Second Regiment, Vermont Volunteers, as a private. He served in the Sixth Army Corps, and participated in fourteen hard-fought battles, and experienced all the dangers and deprivations of the terrible Civil war period. He received his discharge from the service at Petersburg, Virginia, September I, 1864. He then returned to his father's farm at Panton, where he remained until 1866, when he purchased a farm at Addison, which he con- ducted successfully until 1871. At the expira- tion of this period there was an excellent oppor- tunity for him to enter the hotel business in New York, and followed that pursuit for four years, and then engaged in lumbering and farming at Lincoln, which he prosecuted successfully for eighteen years.

In 1900 Mr. Hatch came to the hotel at Queen City Park, about two miles from Burlington, Vermont, situated on the shore of the beautiful Lake Champlain. Located in the midst of the cottages at this popular resort, it is connected with the city by electric cars. The Queen City Hotel has accommodations for about one hundred and fifty guests, and is fitted up especially for the summer trade. Its rooms are cooled by the ever stirring and invigorating breezes from the lake, and its windows command a view of that splendid sheet of water for many miles, presenting one of the most beautiful spectacles to be witnessed in the state. Mr. Hatch has been eminently success- ful in his management of his hotel, which has become a favorite summer home for many of the most prominent families of the United States. In addition to its accommodations, it also pro- vides for all social enjoyments sought by the

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pleasure-seekers, and its spacious ball-room and well trained orchestra are among its most popu- lar appurtenances. While thus providing for the comfort and pleasure of his guests, Mr. Hatch has also gained the approbation of his fellow townsmen for the highly useful part he has borne in advancing the interests and adding to the prestige of the village as a resort for health and recreation, and his hotel has been a potent factor in drawing to the place the annual meeting of Spiritualists and other large bodies.

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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 123

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