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 14

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 14

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

tensively engaged in the produce and dairy busi - ness, owning and conducting three creameries in northern New York. His landed possessions con- sist of one thousand and seventy acres of land, which is devoted to dairying purposes. Although Mr. Allen's business interests have ever been ex- tensive he has found time to devote to the public welfare of his county and state. In 1882 he was made the representative of his town to the state legislature, during which time he was a member of the joint standing committee on state and court expense and also a member of the committee on railroads. In 1800 he was elected to the senate, where he served on many different committees, being chairman of that on railroads, and in 1900 he was elected to the position of lieutenant gov- ernor of Vermont. He is and always has been most liberal in supporting and promoting all measures for the public good, has ever kept fully abreast of the times, and the Republican party in the Green Mountain state may well be proud to claim him among its leaders. Mr. Allen is a member of the Fish and Game League, also of the Algonquin Club of Burlington, and in the Masonic fraternity he has passed all the degrees in the chapter and commandery, and is now a member of Mount Sinai Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Montpelier. The cause of religion has also re- ceived his earnest support, and he has long been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has held the office of steward for many years.

The marriage of Mr. Allen was celebrated in 1867, when Eliza F. Daniels became his wife. She was born in Amesbury, Massachusetts, and is a daughter of Edward and Flaville (Ayers) Daniels, the former a native of Leeds, England, and the latter of Maine. The father, who was a woolen manufacturer, died in Ferrisburg, at the age of seventy-five years, and the mother was called to her final rest in 1881, at the age of fifty- four years. They became the parents of two chil- dren, of whom Mrs. Allen is the only one now living. One daughter has blessed the union of our subject and wife, Sarah F., who married Will- iam M. Newton, of North Adams, Massachusetts.

Stoddard Norman Allen, a brother of Martin Fletcher, was also reared in Ferrisburg and re- ceived his education in the Troy Conference Academy at Poultney. For two years after en-

tering upon his business career he was employed as clerk in his father's store, after which he formed a partnership with his brother, this rela- tionship continuing for six years or until 1886, and from that time until 1900 he continued the business alone. Disposing of his mercantile in- terests in that year, he engaged in farming and dairying with his brothers, and they are now numbered among the foremost business men of Addison county. Mr. Allen was united in mar- riage, in 1886, to Jennie M. Pratt, who was born in West Pawlet, Vermont, a daughter of Martin B. and Mary (Rising) Pratt. The former was born in White Creek, New York, and the latter was a native of Rupert, Vermont. They became the parents of three children,-George R., now a resident of West Pawlet; Emma M., who mar- ried F. J. Nelson, also of that place ; and Jennie, the wife of Mr. Allen. The father of these chil- dren was a merchant of West Pawlet for fifty years. and his death occurred at the good old age of eighty years. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Allen,-Mary P., Anna M. and Beulah Fletcher. Mr. Allen also gives an unfalt- ering support to the principles of the Republican party, and in 1896 he was elected by his fellow citizens to represent his town in the legislature, while two years later he served as the door- keeper of that body. In his fraternal relations he is prominently connected with the Masonic order, in which he has passed all the chairs in the blue lodge and is a member of the council and com- mandery. He is also a member of the Fish and Game League, and is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has long served as a steward.

HEMAN LOOMIS GILMAN.

Heman Loomis Gilman, proprietor of the Groton Grist Mill, at Groton, was born June 19, 1847, in Marshfield, Vermont, a son of Solomon Loomis . and Diantha (Pow- ers) Gilman. Solomon L. Gilman was born January 14, 1818, on the farm in Marshfield, where the son was born, and bought it just before his marriage, from his father, Roger Solomon Gilman. The latter married Sally Rob- inson, of Calais. He died in 1847, aged fifty- seven years. His father came from Connecticut

He & Gilman

Affi of Gilman

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

and cleared up the Marshfield farm where his son and grandson were born, and which is still held in the family. Solomon Loomis Gilman died in the town of Marshfield, July 27, 1902. On September 8, 1846, he married Diantha P.,daugh- ter of Heman Powers, of East Montpelier. She was born in 1825, in that place, and is still liv- ing, at Plainfield, Vermont. Her mother's maid- en name was Nash.

Heman L. Gilman was reared on the parental farm, acquiring a thorough knowledge of the sci- ence of agriculture as prosecuted in those days, and receiving his early education in the common schools, this being supplemented by an attend- ance at both the Phillips and Barre Academies. On becoming of age he formed a partnership with A. V. Taylor, of Plainfield, with whom he was engaged in lumbering for three years. Dispos- ing of his interests then to Mr. Taylor, he worked for a year on the construction of the Montpel- ier & Wells River Railway, after which he was employed on the Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad as brakeman and baggage master be- tween Lancaster, New Hampshire, and Boston, running on the regular trains. This position he held until 1881, when he became conductor on the narrow-gauge line then opened between Bethle- hem Junction and Bethlehem street, at the end of the season resuming his former position be- tween Lancaster and Boston, retaining it for a year, when he resigned.

In 1887, in company with Mr. H. W. Wes- ton, of Boston, Mr. Gilman purchased timber lands and a sawmill of Dr. George B. Hatch, in Peacham, Vermont, and was there engaged in lumbering for twelve months. The partners then sold their business to the Weston Lum- ber Company of Boston, Mr. Gilman remaining as manager until 1891.

In September, 1882, he settled in Groton, pur- chasing of A. L. Clark the grist mill, which he has since managed with excellent pecuniary re- sults. He was ably assisted by his wife, a woman of remarkable financial and executive ability, who assumed entire charge of the grain business and bookkeeping of the grist mill, until it was leased. He thoroughly repaired and refitted the old mill, doubling its capacity by putting in two modern water wheels, removing the wheat-run and bolts, but retaining the corn-run until 1899, when he

put in a new steel grinder, making the present capacity of the mill five hundred bushels of corn a day, which is sufficient for all purposes. For three years previous to leaving the lumber com- pany, Mr. Gilman leased the grist mill to other parties. Mr. Gilman owns, also, one-fourth of Wells River pond, which usually supplies him with ample water power, and is now carrying on a very extensive business, it having increased with great rapidity from year to year; his location is most favorable.

Mr. Gilman married, in 1880, Miss Abigail L. Richardson, daughter of Isaac E. and Mary Chamberlain (Wheeler) Richardson, of Bethle- hem, New Hampshire. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Gilman is a son, Harold W., born April 8, 1889. Politically Mr. Gilman is identified with the Democratic party, and fraternally is a mem- ber of Coos Lodge, No. 35, I. O. O. F., of Lan- caster. New Hampshire, and of Caledonia Lodge, K. of P., of Groton. He is liberal in religious be- lief, and sustains the Universalist church. Isaac E. Richardson died April 7, 1889, at his home in Bethlehem, New Hampshire. He was born January 1I, 1819, in Lisbon, New Hampshire. February 22, 1844, he married Mary Chamberlain Wheeler, who was born January 3, 1824, in Littleton, New Hampshire, and died at the birth of her daughter, Abigail L. Mr. Richardson subsequently married Elizabeth Gordon Burnham. Isaac E. Richardson was one of the best known of the business men of north- ern New Hampshire. For a long term of years he was actively engaged in the lumber business, cutting out immense quantities of timber, at one time taking the lead among the manufacturers of that commodity in this region. On the burn- ing of his mill several years ago he quit business, owing to advancing years, and subsequently lived on his farm near Bethlehem Hollow.

WILLIAM HENRY JACKMAN.

William H. Jackman is a well known and highly respected citizen of Addison county, where he is extensively and successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was born on the farm on which he now resides, on the 19th of May, 1874, being a son of Henry S. Jackman, a native of New Haven, this state. His paternal

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

grandfather. Sammel Jackman, also claimed New Haven as the place of his nativity, his birth there occurring February 13, 1868. He was a son of Samuel Jackman, a native of Rhode Island. Sam uel Jackman, Jr., was a farmer by occupation. and his last days were spent in Waltham and Weybridge, and he closed his eyes in death De- comber 28, 1888, near the close of his eighty- third year. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Steadman, and she was a native of Starks- boro, Vermont. Her death occurred in July, 1882. Of the nine children born to this worthy couple four are now living, namely : Wesley, a resident of Ferrisburg: Elisha, of Hinesburgh ; Amos, who makes his home in Omaha, Nebras- ka; and John, of Vergennes. Mrs. Jackman was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Henry S. Jackman was born July 6, 1839, in New Haven. He was reared and educated in the town of Waltham, and he, too, chose the noble art of husbandry as his life occupation. In 1869 he came to the present Jackman homestead, where he owned and operated three hundred acres of well improved and fertile land, and was one of the most prominent farmers of the county. His life's labors were ended in death when he had reached the sixtieth milestone on the journey of life, passing away April 12, 1899. He received many honors at the hands of his fellow towns- men, and in 1884 he was called upon to serve his town in the legislature, and he also served in all the town offices. He was a member of Dorches- ter Lodge No. I, A. F. & A. M., of Vergennes and one of its most active members. Both he and his father were members of the Vermont Sheep Breeders' Association, and for a long period the former served as its president. On the 3Ist of March, 1869, Mr. Jackman was united in mar- riage to Emma Wright, who was born in New Haven, Vermont, June 25, 1843. Her paternal great-grandfather, Ebenezer Wright, a native of Northampton, Massachusetts, born in 1752, came to this state from New Marlboro, Massa- chusetts, taking up his abode in Weybridge, where he was among the early pioneers. His wife, Rebecca Stannard, was also a native of Massachusetts. He died in 1832, in his eightieth year and his wife died in 1794, and both are bur- ied on his homestead in Weybridge. His son Daniel, was born February 4, 1780, in New

Marlboro, Massachusetts, and in 1820 look up his residence in New Haven, Addison county, where he followed the tilling of the soil until his death, in 1866, at the age of eighty-six years. For twenty-two years he held the office of town clerk, and in 1886 was made assistant judge of the county court. He was married March 25, 1802, to Bathsheba, daughter of Phineas Frost, and they had eight children, seven of whom grew to years of maturity. The grandfather spent his last days in the home of his son, William S. Wright, in New Haven, and his death there oc- curred September 11, 1866, at the age of eighty- six years, while his wife reached the ripe old age of eighty-nine years, passing away in Sep- tember, 1869. William S. Wright, son of Dan- iel, was born in Weybridge, January 6, 1819, and was early inured to the work of the farm. In 1867 he came to his present place in Waltham, and here he is now living in the enjoyment of the fruits of former toil. He has held all the local offices in the town, and in 1874 represented his town in the legislature. The mother of Mrs. Jackman, who was in her maidenhood Lucy Phillips, was a native of Pittsford, Vermont, where she was born July 1, 1822, and by her mar- riage became the mother of two children,-Mrs. Jackman and John J. Wright, the latter having been a resident of Burlington, Vermont, where he died March 19, 1903. The mother of this family passed away in death December 16, 1891, at the age of sixty-nine years, having long been a member of the Congregational church. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Henry S. Jackman was blessed with two children : Lucy Grace Dana, of New Haven, and William H.

William H. Jackman, whose name introduces this review, was reared on the old Jackman farm, and the educational advantages which he received in his youth were those afforded by the schools of the neighborhood and the Vergennes high school. He assisted his father in the work of the home farm until the latter's death, since which time he has had entire charge, and he is engaged in both general farming and stock- raising, also keeping a dairy of about sixty cows. His marriage was celebrated on the 13th of March, 1901, when Cora Chapman became his wife. She was born November 14, 1879, in Mid- dlebury, and was a daughter of Charles and Mary

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

(Garland) Chapman, the former a native of Middlebury and the latter of Granville, New York. One child came to brighten and bless the home of our subject and wife, Henry S., who was born March 23, 1902. Mrs. Jackman passed away October 2, 1902. Mr. Jackman is a stalwart supporter of Republican principles, and for three years he served as a member of the board of selectmen, while for two years of the time, in 1900 and 1901, he was chairman of the board. He has also served in the capacity of lister and has been a delegate to county conven- tions. In his fraternal relations he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is affiliated with Dorchester Lodge No. I, of Vergennes. He is a member of the Congregational church, as was also his wife.

ELMER PARKER BIRKETT.

Throughout his entire life Elmer P. Birkett has been identified with the agricultural inter- ests of Addison county, and in this line of en- deavor he has met with a high and well merited degree of success. He was born in the house in which he still resides, on the 4th of March, 1864, and in this ancestral home his father, John Birk- ett, also had his nativity, his birth here occurring on the 12th of March, 1823. The father of the latter, Joseph Birkett, was of English birth, the date of his nativity being 1780. In 1802 he came to Ferrisburg, Vermont, and here he spent the remainder of his life. The farm on which he lo- cated in this state is still in the possession of the Birkett family, and many of the buildings thereon were erected by him. His death occurred when he had reached the age of seventy-four years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Martha Beers, was the first girl born in Starksboro, Vermont, where her father was among the early pioneers, he having come to this state from Connecticut, and here he spent the remainder of his life. Joseph and Martha (Beers) Birkett became the parents of five children, four of whom grew to years of maturity, and a daughter, Martha A., is still liv- ing, being now a resident of LaCrosse, Wiscon- sin, and the widow of Hubert Byington. Mrs. Birkett reached the age of eighty-four years.

John Birkett was reared in the place of his na- tivity, and to the district schools of the locality

he was indebted for the educational privileges which he received. He too chose the noble art of husbandry as his life occupation, and he owned and operated the old Birkett homestead, and was also the owner of an additional tract, his landed possessions consisting of about four hundred acres. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, honored him with many public positions, and for seven years he filled the office of selectman, being for a number of years chairman of the board ; in 1876 and 1877 he represented his town in the legislature ; was a justice of the peace for a number of years and also held many other positions of trust and responsibility. On the 19th of September, 1861, occurred his marriage to Alvira C. Parker, who was born in Underhill. Vermont, April 7, 1838, and is a daughter of Reuben and Susan (Rogers) Parker. The par- ents of Reuben Parker were Benjamin and Ex- perience (Ormsby) Parker. The former located in Manchester, Vermont, in a very early day, where he owned and conducted a blacksmith shop, and his death occurred March 27, 1851, in Underhill. Vermont, at the age of eighty-four years. The latter's father, Gideon Ormsby, served as a cap- tain during the Revolutionary war, and he resided in Manchester, Vermont. To Benjamin and Ex- perience (Ormsby) Parker were born three chil- dren, two sons and a daughter, all of whom are now deceased, and the mother died in Bristol. Vermont, August 5. 1853, when she was eighty- four years of age. Reuben Parker, the father of Mrs. Birkett, followed agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career, and his death occurred February 24, 1876, when he had reached the seventy-eighth milestone on the jour- ney of life. By his marriage to Susan Rogers he became the father of four children, three daugh- ters and one son, and three of the number still survive,-Susan A., widow of Henry Brown, of Adrian, Michigan; Alvira C .: and Reuben, of Ferrisburg. The mother of this family was called to her final rest January 26, 1864, at the age of fifty four years. Mr. Parker was a very influen- tial man in his locality, having been elected to many positions of honor and trust, and in 1836 he represented his town in the legislature. The family affiliated with the Congregational church. To John and Alvira C. (Parker) Birkett were born four children, namely: Martha, born No-

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

vember 23, 1862, is now deceased ; Elmer P., of this review ; Elva S., born October 2, 1870; anu Elsie M., February 1, 1874. The Birkett family were also identified with the Congregational church, but the father held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he was a member of the choir fer forty years, and served as a choir leader for many years, and the mother was also a member of the choir.

Elmer P. Birkett, received his elementary edu- cation in the schools of his neighborhood, and early in life he assisted his father in the work of the home farm. Since his father's death he has had entire charge of the old homestead, and in addition to general farming also conducts a dairy of forty cows. The farm consists of four hundred acres of rich and fertile land, and in both branches of his business success has attended his efforts. The Republican party receives his hearty sup- port and co-operation, and he is a member of the Masonic order, affiliating with Dorchester Lodge No. I, of Vergennes, in which he has held some of the offices. His religious preference is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a warm advocate of education and religion, and in all the relations of life he has been true to principle and to duty.

HOYT HENRY WHEELER.

Hoyt Henry Wheeler, of Brattleboro, Ver- mont, a well known judge, whose duties have been largely performed in the United States courts at New York city and Brooklyn, was born August 30, 1833, son of John, born August 6, 1802, and Roxana (Hall) Wheeler, born April 21, 1805, married May I, 1821. John Wheeler was a son of Jonathan, born September 30, 1770, and Lavina (Fisk) Wheeler, born October 27, 1773, both natives of Chesterfield, New Hamp- shire, and were married in 1801. Jonathan Wheeler was a son of Peter, born in 1733 in that part of Groton that became Littleton, and Olive (Davis) Wheeler, daughter of Captain Simon Davis, of Greenwich, Massachusetts.

Lavina Fisk was a daughter of Aaron, born March 31, 1749, and Tabitha (Metcalf) Fisk, both natives of Holliston, Massachusetts. Aaron Fisk participated as a soldier in the battle of Ben- nington in a company which was under the com-

mand of Captain Carlton, Colonel Nichol's regi- ment, General Stark's brigade. Aaron Fisk was a son of Asa Fisk, born February 22, 1708, and Lois (Leland) Fisk, who was born in 1714, a daughter of Timothy Leland; both Aaron Fisk and his wife were natives of Sherburne, Massa- chusetts. Asa Fisk was a son of Nathaniel, born in Watertown, June 9, 1668, and Hannah (Adams) Fisk, of Sherburne, Massachusetts. Nathaniel Fisk was a son of Nathan, born about 1615 in England, and was a resident of Water- town in 1642. Nathan Fisk was a son of Nathaniel, born in Weybred, Suffolk county, England, and Dorothy (Symonds) Fisk, a daughter of John Symonds, of Windham. Nathaniel Fisk was a son of Nathaniel and Mrs. Alice (Hend) Leman Fisk. Nathaniel Fisk was a son of William, born in 1566 in Saxfield, England, and Anna (Anstye), daughter of an- other William Fisk. William Fisk, father of Nathaniel, was a son of Robert, born in Stad- haugh, England, about 1525, and Mrs. Sybil (Gould) Barber Fisk. Robert Fisk was a son of Simon and Elizabeth Fisk, of Saxfield, Eng- land. Simon Fiske was a son of Simon Fiske, who was a son of William and Joan Fiske, of Saxfield, England. William Fiske was a son of Symond Fiske, lord of the manor of Stadhaugh, Saxfield, England, 1399-1442, and Susanna (Smyth) Fiske.

Roxana Hall, mother of Hoyt Henry Wheeler, was a daughter of Edward and Demmis (Titus) Hall, who was born December 13, 1782, in Chesterfield. Demmis Titus was a daughter of Deacon Joseph, of Sutton, and Mary (Bigelow) Titus, of Douglas, Massachusetts. Joseph Titus was a descendant of Robert Titus, who came from near Stanstead Abbey, Hertfordshire, Eng- land, to what is now Brookline, near Boston, Massachusetts, in 1735.

Hoyt Henry Wheeler spent the formative period of his boyhood at Chesterfield, New Hampshire, where he attended school, and sub- sequently . continued his studies at the high school in Newfane, Vermont. Deciding to adopt the legal profession, after completing his school work he entered the law office of Charles K. Field at Newfane, where he remained for some time, then read law with J. Dorr Bradley and George B. Kellogg at Brattleboro. He was

Bought Wheeler

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

admitted to the bar at Windham county at the September term, 1859, and commenced his pro- fessional career with John E. Butler as partner, in December of the same year, at Jamaica, Ver- mont. Mr. Wheeler has occupied some very important public positions, in the discharge of which he has reflected credit not only upon him- self, but upon the good judgment of those who were instrumental in selecting him for the re- spective offices. In 1867 he was chosen repre- sentative from Jamaica to the legislature; from 1868 to 1869 he was state senator of Windham county ; he was judge of the supreme court of Vermont from December 1, 1869, to March 31, 1877; he was appointed United States judge for the district of Vermont by President Hayes, March 16, 1877. Mr. Wheeler took up his resi- dence in Brattleboro in 1884.

Mr. Wheeler married Miss Minnie L. Mac- lay, of Lockport, New York, October 24th, 1861. John Knowlton, a posthumous son of Benjamin L. and Elizabeth (Maclay) Knowlton, a sister of Mrs. Wheeler, lived in their family. John L. Knowlton married, January 14, 1892, Miss Belle G. Clarke, and their children are, Lauriston Edward, born October 1, 1893; Bernard Walter, born March 23, 1896; and Elizabeth Maclay, born November 20, 1899.

GEORGE ALBERT HUNT.

It cannot be other than pleasing to note in the various personal sketches appearing in this work that there remain identified with the ag- ricultural industry in Addison county many wor- thy and influential citizens whose entire lives have been passed here and many of whom are members of families which have been concerned in the annals of this section from the early pioneer epoch. When it is stated that the gentleman to whom this sketch is dedicated is of the third generation of his family to be identified with the history of Waltham, where he is known as a successful and progressive farmer, it will become at once evident that he stands for classification under the conditions named in this paragraph, and it is altogether fitting that a resume of his career be incorporated in this compilation.

George A. Hunt, as already intimated, was born in Waltham, Vermont, the date of his na-

tivity being December 11, 1866. His father, Numan Hunt, was born in Middlebury, this county on the 3d of June, 1821, being a son of Luther E. Hunt, who was also a native of Ver- mont. He was one of a company of volunteers serving at the battle of Plattsburgh, September II, 1814, and a bullet pierced his boot, but did not harm him. He devoted his attention to dif- ferent occupation, during his active business ca- reer and passed away December 14, 1863, in Wal- tham, at the age of eighty-one years. His wife's name was Susannah Newman. Numan Hunt passed his youthful days in Saranac Lake, New York, and Cleveland, Ohio, and his educational privileges were such as were afforded in the schols of the locality and period. He was reared to the vocation of farming, and agriculture con- · tinued to represent the field of his endeavors until the time of his death, which occurred as the result of a fall from a wagon on the 5th of June, 1899, at which time he had attained the age of seventy-eight years. He located upon the farm now owned by his son in the year 1842, and here he passed the remainder of his life, having brought to bear a distinctive business ability and an indefatigable energy, whose application nat- urally resulted in his becoming one of the pros- perous and successful farmers of the town, while his personal integrity and honor were such as to gain and retain to him the unqualified confidence and good will of the community. He identified himself with the Republican party at the time of its organization, and ever afterward continued to give an intelligent and stanch support to its principles and policies. His eligibility for the discharge of the responsible duties devolving up- on the incumbents of local offices was clearly recognized in the community and led to his being elected to various town offices, including that of selectman, and represented the town in the leg- islature in 1880. He was one of those concerned in the organization of the local Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and was one of its prominent and active members while it existed and was an honor- ed member of Dorchester Lodge Free & Accepted Masons, of Vergennes. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church,-a faith that found exemplification in thought, word and deed and which made his life one of exalted honor and devotion to al that is good. His wid-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 14

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