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 125

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 125

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Returning to Grand Isle, Mr. Tobias took up the trade of carpenter, which he has since followed with much success. His high standing in the community is attested by the numerous local offices to which he has been elected from time to time, the principal being that of selectman, which he occupied for nine years, in seven of which he was first selectman. He was also notary public for four years, and he has held numerous other positions. He is independent in politics and liberal in his religious views.

Mr. Tobias was married in 1875 to Miss Anna Griswold, who died April 7, 1900, leaving a

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daughter, Daisy B. Tobias. Mrs. Tobias was born in Canada, a daughter of Carpenter and Aurelia ( Loveland) Griswold, who were the par- ents of four children, all residing in Grand Isle : Mrs. Aurelia Wilcox; Mrs. Levi Hoag; Helen, who is the widow of Herman Earl; and Anna, who was the wife of Mr. Tobias.

LYMAN ROGERS, M. D.

The life record of Dr. Lyman Rogers is one which portrays progress and advancement along all lines which lead to the development of a char- acter above reproach. He gave his attention, throughout his business career, to a profession which ranks among the most useful of the call- ings of men. He was a friend of education, of morality, and endorsed every movement and measure that was calculated to benefit his com- munity. It was no wonder, then, that Benning- ton felt that she had lost one of her most valued citizens when he was called to his final rest. A strong personality and marked force of character, combined with his devotion to all that was hon- orable, true, and beautiful, made him a leader of public thought and opinion, and to know Dr. Rogers was to esteem and honor him.

He was born in Danbury, Vermont, Novem- ber 10, 1832, his parents being Abraham C. and Olive (Engram) Rogers, the former of Marsh- field, Massachusetts, and the latter of Adams, Massachusetts. He comes of old English an- cestry. His parents removed to Vermont and were among the New England families that con- tinued the work of upbuilding her institutions during the first half of the nineteenth century. Reared amid the refining influences of a good home, Dr. Rogers early had instilled into his mind lessons of industry, honesty and self-re- liance. His early education, acquired in the com- mon schools, was supplemented by study in the Black River Academy at Ludlow, Vermont, and later he entered Castleton Seminary, then a lead- ing educational institution in this state. He was graduated with the class of 1855 and soon after- ward began preparation for the practice of medi- cine. He attended a course of lectures in the Castleton Medical College during the autumn of 1856, and subsequently entered the medical de- partment of the University of Vermont, where

he continued his studies for two years, being graduated with the class of June, 1858. He took a leading part in the commencement exercises and completed his course with honor.

Dr. Rogers entered upon the practice of his profession in Shaftsbury, Vermont, on the 3d of January, 1859. He remained in practice in Shaftsbury until the first of July, 1883, when he came to Bennington and entered into partner- ship with Dr. Edward N. Morgan, whom he suc- ceeded at the latter's death.

Dr. Rogers was one of the most capable and skilled physicians that have ever been connected with the medical fraternity of this portion of the state. He was the loved family physician in many a household, and his practice was of a very important character. He had a larger number of difficult surgical cases than usually fall to the lot of the country physician. It was his desire in later years to put aside the arduous duties of his calling, but he found this almost impossible because his patrons were so loath to employ an- other physician. In 1865 he became secretary of the Bennington County Medical Society, and in 1873 was made treasurer of the Bennington County and Hoosick Medical Society. In 1879 he was elected president of the Union Medical Society, and was also an honored member of the State Medical Society, in which he served as one of the board of censors and as vice president, and in 1897 was unanimously elected president. In 1884 he was active in establishing the state board of health, and was always much interested in its work, as well as in the work of the State Sanitary Association, of which he was one of the board of managers. For a number of years he was connected with the local board of health, and for a long time served as its president. At the time of his death he was a member of the county board of pension examiners, and was at- tending physician for the Soldiers' Home from its organization until he was called to his final rest. One of his last professional visits, made on the day of his death, was in answer to a call from that institution.

On the 18th of February, 1861, Dr. Rogers was united in marriage to Miss Mary Desmond, and for almost thirty-eight years they traveled life's journey happily together, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its adversity and pros -;

Lyman Rogus

----

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perity. They became the parents of five children, but the only son died December 17, 1864, at the age of nine months, and the eldest daughter, Helen, passed away March 13, 1893. She was a highly accomplished young lady, widely known as a teacher, and her untimely death was a sad blow to the household. Three daughters yet survive: Anna D., who took her sister's place in the Bennington high school in 1893; Susan I., who is in charge of the local insurance office of A. P. Childs ; and Laura M., who is attending college at Northampton, Massachusetts. On the 4th of January, 1899, the family was called upon to mourn the loss of the wife and mother, and it was on January 22, 1900, that Dr. Rogers passed from this life. In speaking of his death a local paper said :

"The mid-winter evening had hardly set in when the familiar form of Dr. Lyman Rogers, for the last time, passed along the main thorough- fare of our village. He was going home to re- main but a few minutes, for a messenger awaited him there. Soon after reaching the house, he sank into a chair and his earthly career peacefully ended. Quickly sped the sad intelligence through the village and nearby hamlets, while over the wires the electric current carried the sad news of the death of one of the most prominent phy- sicians in Vermont, and one of the most beloved in this section of our state. While for a year or more it was noticed that Dr. Rogers was not at his best, physically, yet it was but a short time ago that the seriousness of his condition became generally known. The death of a loving daugh- ter, richly endowed intellectually, which sad event occurred a few years ago, was the first blow to weaken a constitution apparently of iron strength. This affliction was followed later bv another-the passing from earth of his devoted wife, who so steadfastly ministered to his every comfort and brightened his home. Fond of home and its companionships, the break in the family circle told heavily upon one of his nature, and while ever pleasant, there was yet a certain sadness in his manner that was unmistakable since his bereavement. Monday last, feeling much better, he visited for a short time at one of the homes in Old Bennington on the Hill, a home where his presence was always welcome, and where for years his professional skill had

been often in demand. He seemed bright and, cheerful, and those with whom he visited were encouraged to think that the day of his departure was yet far off. As he was taking leave of those made so glad by his coming, he bade each one good-bye, they little thinking that it was his last farewell, but perhaps the experienced physician realized, as we must sooner or later, that

" 'This is not my place for resting, Mine's a city yet to come, Onward to it I am hastening, On to my eternal home.'"

Dr. Rogers contributed largely to the im- provement and progress of Bennington in many ways. For six years he was a trustee of the Bennington graded schools and was president of the board for three years of that time. In 1895 he was instrumental in forming a literary and social club, and in naming it, in honor of Governor Tichenor, the Tichenor Club, which became one of the leading associations of Ben- nington. In 1864 he became a member of Mt. Anthony Lodge No. 13, F. & A. M., and was ever an exemplary representative of the craft. One who knew him long and intimately said of him: "He was of a kindly disposition, and had a very wide circle of friends. His skill in his profession was also acknowledged by his brother practitioners. Dr. Rogers was always kindly dis- posed toward the younger members of the pro- fession, and often took much pains to introduce them in practice. He was a man whose opinions were respected, and the confidence reposed in him both by patient and friend was deep."

WILLIAM BROWN.

In giving the history of the town of Berlin. Vermont, one must give a conspicuous place to the name of William Brown. who has ever been prominent in the welfare of his community, and is one of its prosperous and progressive farmers. Daniel C. Brown, his father, married Anna Bix- by, and was a resident of the town of Fayston, this state, until 1855; he then located at Water- bury, Vermont, and remained there until 1865, when he took up his residence in Berlin, where he followed farming all the remainder of his act-

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ive career. In 1889 he retired, and spent the rest of his life in quiet in Northfield, where he died in March, 1891. His wife survives, living with her son-in-law, Horace W. Strong, in the town of Berlin. The children of these parents were as follows : Malissa married Edward Handy, of South Warcham, Massachusetts; Lydia mar- ried Rev. N. W. Chase, and resides in Boulder, Colorado: William is the subject of this biog- raphy ; Wilber married, first, Emma L. Dewey, who died September 18, 1884, and on June 7, 1886, he was married to Cora Brooks; he was one of the prominent men of Berlin, and is now deceased. Hosa N. is married, and lives in Mont- pelier, Vermont ; Ella married Horace W. Strong, and lives in the town of Berlin.

The birth of William Brown, the son of the above parents, occurred in the town of Fayston, Washington county, on the 19th of September, 1845. He was educated in the schools of his native town and in Waterbury. His life has been passed in the quiet activity of farming, and he has resided in Berlin since his father located there in 1865; he possesses a fine farm not far from Berlin Corners, and there engages in general farming and in dairying, being a man who has been successful through close application to busi- ness and by good management.

His wife, whom he married March 21, 1869, was Mary Dewey, whose parents were William and Hannah (Hurlbert) Dewey, of Berlin, the father being born in Berlin, and the mother in Hanover, New Hampshire. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown. Arthur Car- rol was born July 9, 1870; he married Sarah Lin- field, and lives in the town of Berlin. Charles Dewey, who was born February 28, 1872, re- sides with his parents. Mabel Hannah, born October 29, 1875, married George R. Bosworth, and resides in Williamstown. Mary E. was born October 21, 1878, and married George W. Will- iams, now living in the town of Berlin. Wilbur F., who was born February 13, 1881, is still on his father's farm.

Mr. Brown is a Republican ; his fellow citi- zens have several times chosen him to the office of lister, and he has served in the responsible posi- tions of town auditor and school director. Like his parents and grandparents, he was brought up in the faith of the Methodist church, but, as

there was no church of that denomination ať Berlin Corners, he joined the Congregational church. He is quiet and unassuming, but his successful carcer is proof of the sterling nature of his character, and he enjoys the respect of his townsmen and neighbors.

WARREN F. PARKS.

Warren F. Parks, a prosperous farmer and excellent citizen of North Hero, Grand Isle coun- ty, Vermont, is a native of the state and a de- scendant of old and honored families. Elihu Parks, his paternal grandfather, was a pioneer set- tler at North Hero, where he made an excellent farm and established a tannery. His wife's name was Hannah. She was a member of the Uni- versalist church, and lived to the age of eighty years. She was the mother of six children, of whom three are living, Mrs. Lucy Hazen, of North Hero, Mrs. Mary A. Knisley.

Fuoul, son of Elihu and Hannah Parks, was born in North Hero. He was educated in the common schools in his native village and in a private school in Canada, where he acquired knowledge of the French language. He was for many years a farmer and general merchant in North Hero, Vermont. Later he was agent at Troy, New York, and Scranton, Pennsylvania, for a sewing machine manufactory. He was a Republican in politics and served as selectman, and he was a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was run over by an electric car, and passed the last days of his life with his son, Warren F. Parks, and died at the age of seventy-two years. He married Elizabeth Russell, a daughter of William Russell; her father was an early set- tler at North Hero, and was owner of two thou- sand acres of land. Of this marriage were born six children, of whom four are living : Fred W .; William F .; Lillian, who married Charles Ames ; and Jane. The mother of these children was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and she died at the age of sixty-five years.

Warren F. Parks, second child of Fuoul and Elizabeth (Russell) Parks, was born in North Hero, July 29, 1862. He worked upon a farm and attended the neighborhood school until he was seventeen years of age, when his venturesome spirit moved him to go to the far west, and he

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passed four years in Wyoming, teaming for one year, and ranching for the remainder of the time. Returning to his native place, he worked as a farm laborer for three years, and then made a business of renting and managing farms. In this calling he has proved successful, having now under his control three farms of more than two hundred and fifty acres. He has also added to his usefulness and to his income as a skillful breaker of horses and a veterinary surgeon. He is earnest in the discharge of public duties, and has served acceptably in the position of select- man. In politics he is a Republican, and has served as district committeeman. He is liberal in his religious views.

Mr. Parks was married June 22, 1887, to Miss Leona Cory, and of this marriage were born two children, Cora Susie and Claude Sylvan. Mrs. Parks is a daughter of Melvin and Caroline Ger- bett, of Grand Isle. Her father was formerly an express company clerk, and in later years a far- mer. During the Civil war he served faithfully, ranking as sergeant. He was the father of six children, of whom four are living: William E .; Leona, who is wife of Warren F. Parks; Flora, who married James Stanton, of Lake Placid, New York; and Marion, who resides in Burlington, Vermont. The parents of these children are de- ceased, both having died at the age of sixty-four years.

JOHN HARRIS EATON.

John Harris Eaton, an enterprising agricul- turist of Marshfield, Vermont, and who has occu- pied positons of honor and trust in the commun- ity, is a representative of one of the oldest fami- lies of Massachusetts, the name of Eaton being a familiar one in the colonial history of that state. Joseph Eaton, the first ancestor of whom we have any record, and great-grandfather of John Harris Eaton, was born in Salisbury, Massachu- setts, and married a Miss Jane True. He died January 15, 1776, at Hawke, New Hampshire.

Joseph True Eaton, son of Joseph and Jane (True) Eaton, was born in the town of Hawke (now Danville), New Hampshire, April 3, 1758. He removed from Danville, New Hampshire, in June, 1806, to the town of Washington, Orange county, Vermont, and in 1825 to Marshfield,

Washington county, Vermont, and settled on the farm where his grandson, John Harris Eaton, now lives. He married Mehitable Eastman, born March 30, 1767. Their children were: Sally, born April 5, 1792, died in East Corinth, Maine, May 9, 1855 ; Moses, born May 3, 1795, died at Danville, Pennsylvania, in March, 1828; Jane, born January 18, 1797, died at Corinth, Vermont, June 5, 1826; Betsey, born November 25, 1798, died at Williamstown, Vermont, October 17, 1883; Joseph, born September 1, 1801; Edward, born January 21, 1804, died October 28, 1834; True, born November 16, 1806, died in Cali- fornia, June 13, 1863. Joseph True Eaton died November 22, 1845, and his wife died September 22, 1850, at East Corinth, Maine.

Joseph Eaton, son of Joseph True and Me- hitable (Eastman) Eaton, was born in Hawke, now Danville, New Hampshire, September I, 1801. When the boy was about five years old, his father removed to the town of Washington, Orange county, Vermont, and there he received his education in the district schools. He was doubly equipped for the battle of life, for, in addi- tion to the agricultural training which he received on the farm, he learned the cooper's trade, acquir- ing it, no doubt, in the thorough manner of those days, which was by apprenticeship. For a time he worked at his trade in Stafford, Vermont, and in 1828 purchased his father's farm in the town of Marshfield, and adopted farming as the busi- ness of his life, devoting himself to it with great success. In politics Mr. Eaton belonged to that branch of the Democratic party known as Jack- son Democrats, and was a member of the Meth- odist church. He married, January 25, 1830, at Stafford, Vermont, Judith Gove, born March 14, 1808, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary (Jones) Gove, of Stafford, Vermont. Their children were: John Harris, born January 3, 1831 ; Eme- line, born September 23, 1832, married Levi Be- mis, and died August 10, 1873; Samuel Moses, born May 1, 1835, died August 26, 1876; Na- thaniel Joseph, born September 23, 1837, who re- sides with his brother, John Harris, on the home- stead. Mr. Joseph Eaton died July 6, 1848, and his wife survived him nearly thirty years, dying April 30, 1877.

John Harris Eaton, son of Joseph and Judith (Gove) Eaton, was born on the homestead, in

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the town of Marshfield, Washington county, Ver- mont, January 3, 1831, and received the educa- tion which has fitted so many men to become use - ful and honored citizens, that of the district school. He remained on the homestead, inherit- ing the taste of his ancestors for agricultural pur- suits. He succeeded in time to the ownership of the farm, and in its cultivation has devoted him- self to general farming and dairying. In politics he is a Democrat, and his neighbors have testified to their confidence in him by electing him to the offices of lister, selectman and trustee of the Jaquith Cemetery Fund. He was made a member of Aurora Lodge, F. & A. M., at Montpelier, Vermont.

ISAAC J. BROWN.

Isaac John Brown, now a resident of Boston, Massachusetts, where he is engaged in the in- surance business, is a native of Vermont, born in Jericho, Chittenden county, October 2, 1835. He is a descendant in the seventh generation from Francis Brown (I), who came from England to Boston, June 26, 1637, on the ship Hector. From Boston Francis Brown went, August 31, 1637, with Theophilus Eaton and others, to Quimipiac, now New Haven, Connecticut, and there, with six others, he was left by Eaton to make preparations for the coming of others of the Hector's passen- gers the next spring. (Atwater's "History of the Colony of New Haven.") He was a land- holder, and prominent in town and church affairs. He was a sworn constable in court, October, 1663, and deputy to the general court under the charter of Connecticut, May, 1665, 1667, and Octo- ber, 1668. He married and was the father of four sons, Eleazer, Samuel, Ebenezer and John.

Ebenezer (2), third of the four sons of Francis Brown, died at New Haven in December, 1668. His son, Joseph (3), born in 1716, went from Connecticut to Vermont, and was the first settler at what came to be known as Jericho. His name was given to Brown's river. He was taken with his family, by the Indians, to Montreal, Canada, where he was held prisoner by the British for three years. He was a large landholder. He married Hannah Johnson, who was born in 1728 and died January 1, 1806, a daughter of Colonel Ebenezer Johnson, of Derby, Connecticut.

Charles (4), son of Joseph (3), was born in 1760, and. died March 26, 1826. He married Clara Hitchcock, who died April 22, 1867. Their children were: Johnson, born in 1788, died in 1820; Hannah, born in 1790; Rachel, born in 1793; Luther, born in 1795; Electa, born Decem- ber 24, 1799, died in 1836; Lucretia, born May 16, 1802; Zina Hitchcock, born December 27, 1805 ; Lucinda, born April 24, 1810; Josiah, born May 5, 1814.

Zina Hitchcock Brown (5), seventh child and third son of Charles (4), was born in Jericho, Vermont; he died at Underhill, Vermont, April 23, 1867. He was a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a Whig in politics until the dissolution of that party, when his ab- horrence for human slavery and his love for the union of the states made him an original Repub- lican, when the party was organized in 1856. He married Abigail Dustin Bourn August 17, 1814, died September 8, 1878, a daughter of Isaac John and Abiah (Page) Bourn. Her father was one of the original settlers of Underhill, Vermont.

Isaac John Brown (6), son of Zina Hitch- cock and Abigail Dustin (Bourn) Brown, re- ceived his education in the public schools and in the academies at Franklin and Swanton. Leaving school at the early age of fifteen years, he served as clerk in various stores in Swanton and Bur- lington, and in 1856 went to Buffalo, New York, and engaged in the insurance business, which he has successfully prosecuted to the present time in that city, New York city and Boston, with the exception of three years during the Civil war period, when he was engaged in mercantile pur- suits. He was for some years president of the Hyde Park (Massachusetts) Savings Bank. He attends the Congregational church, and his po- litical affiliations are with the Republican party. He has never been ambitous for political distinc- tion, and has held but one elective office, that of selectman in the town of Hyde Park, Massachu- setts.

Mr. Brown was married May 3, 1866, at Un- derhill, Vermont, to Miss Harriet Diedamia Wires, a daughter of Hon. Martin and Eveline W. Wires. Three children were born of this marriage :

Frederick Wires Brown, born October II, 1867, at Underhill, Vermont, is a graduate of the

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Roxbury (Massachusetts) Latin School, and of Harvard, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1891, in course, and the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws in 1894. He is a practicing lawyer in Boston, Massachu- setts. He married, June 18, 1895, Maud, a daugh- ter of Timothy Wright Hoxie, of Boston, who was a native of Pownal, Vermont.

William Paul Brown, born Jaunary 12, 1871, in Hyde Park, Massachusetts, is a graduate of the Hyde Park high school and of Bryant & Strat- ton's Commercial College, and is engaged in the insurance business in Boston, Massachusetts. He married, in October, 1897, Abby Richmond, a daughter of Timothy Wright Hoxie.

Walter Stanley Brown, born November I, 1881, at Hyde Park, is a graduate of Chauncy Hall School, Boston, and is now (1903) a junior in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is unmarried.

COLONEL WILLIAM H. H. SLACK.

Colonel William H. H. Slack, a prominent mill-owner and manufacturer of Springfield, Vermont, belongs to a family of English origin, which has been, for at least a century and a half, represented in New England. The paternal great-grandfather of Colonel Slack lived at Jaf- frey, New Hampshire, where, it may easily be imagined, he led, at that early period, the ad- venturous life of a pioneer. His children were: Joel, who lived on what is called Slack's Hill, at Plymouth, Vermont, where he was a farmer; Levi, who was an extensive operator of mills at Bridgewater, Vermont, and became a wealthy man ; and John. The father of these sons fell a victim to one of the many perils of frontier life, a tree which he had chopped down falling upon him, and causing speedy death.

John Slack, son of the pioneer ancestor men- tioned above, was born at Jaffrey, New Hamp- shire, and followed the occupation of a farmer in the town of Springfield, Vermont. In 1805 he purchased a farm on which his son, John A., father of Colonel Slack, now resides. It is called the "River View Farm," and is situated on the west side of Black river. He married Hannah Taylor, and his children were: Sally, Emily,

John A. and Hannah. He died on his farm in Springfield.

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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 125

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