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 21

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 21

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On October 19, 1869, Mr. Nichols was united in marriage to Ada Hutchinson, who was born in Burlington. Her great-grandfather, Stephen flopkins, was a signer of the declaration of Inde- pendence. Henry Collins, her grandfather; re- sided at Essex, Vermont, during the greater part of his life, whither he came from Lebanon, New Hampshire. He was a farmer by occupation, and lived to an advanced age, his death occurring October 16, 1875. He was married March 7, 1797, to Martha Aldrich; the Aldrich family dates back in America to the time when the May- flower landed its passengers on Plymouth Rock. By this marriage there were three daughters, all now deceased; Mahala, who died in 1860, at the age of sixty-two; Frances, who died March 5, 1868, at the age of sixty-five; and Emily, the mother of Mrs. E. L. Nichols. The grandfather was married the second time, December 8, 18II, to Polly Webb, and this wife died August 30, 1866, at the age of eighty-seven years.

William Hutchinson, the father of Mrs. Nich- ols, was born in Whitehall, New York. He was a lumber merchant, and spent much of his life in Burlington, Vermont, but afterward removed to Winooski, Chittenden county, where he built a large house, that is now occupied by A. O. Hood. There he spent his last years, passing away at the age of sixty-two years, and his remains now lie at Greenmount cemetery, in the lot adjacent to the burial place of Ethan Allen. It was the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Nichols whose services were sought when he was an invalid, to locate the spot where Ethan Allen was buried, that there might be no mistake in the placing of a monument to that famous Revolutionary hero. William Hutchinson's wife, who was born Sep- tember 13, 1805, died July 6, 1889. In the fam- ily were five children, but only two are now living, Mrs. Nichols and her sister Eugenie, who lives with her. All were at one time students in the Convers Young Ladies' Seminary, Burlington, Vermont. The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mrs. Nichols came to Bennington in 1865, and since her marriage has largely assisted in the

conduct of the store, having done the buying for the various departments since 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols have one son, Lester, who has passed through the graded and high schools of Ben- nington and is now a student in the Brown Uni- versity, where he is pursuing a special medical course for the treatment of diseases of the car, nose and throat. Mrs. Nichols belongs to the Women's Christian Association, and takes an active part in its work. Both Mr. and Mrs. Nich- ols are helpful and devoted members of the Bap- tist church, in which he is serving as deacon. As a business man he has been conspicuous among his associates, not only for his success, but for his probity, fairness and honorable meth- ods. In everything he has been eminently prac- tical, and is enjoying a handsome competence as the reward of his well directed labors.

GEORGE WARREN PIERCE.

George Warren Pierce, a prominent citizen of Brattleboro, Vermont, was born in Westminster, Vermont, December 3, 1854, a son of the late Na- than G. and Roxana (Keach) Pierce. The fol- lowing is the genealogy of Mr. Pierce's family as far as known: Nathan Pierce, born and died in New Hampshire; his children were Moses, who died in Stillwater, New York; Nathan, who died in Charleston, South Carolina; James, who died in Schaghticoke, New York; Jonathan, who died in Boston, Massachusetts; John who died in the battle of Plattsburg, New York, in the war of 1812; Ebenezer, who died in the same battle; Asa, no record of where he died; Asaph, no rec- ord of his decease; Samuel, who died in Stod- dard, New Hampshire; Rebecca., who died in Stoddard, New Hampshire; Sally and Cynthia also died in the same town.

Moses Pierce, eldest son of Nathan Pierce, was united in marriage to Miss Arvilla Pierce, and her ancestors were Anthony Pierce, Royal Pierce and Ebenezer Pierce; Ebenezer's children being Reuben, Roswell, Rufus, Royall, Anna and Millicent Pierce. Reuben Pierce, who died in Westminster, Vermont, aged ninety-four, eldest son of Ebenezer Pierce, married Miss Arvilla Gilson, daughter of Zachariah Gilson, and their children were: Arvilla, Reuben, Ebenezer, Anna, Holland and Morris Pierce. The last named died

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in March, 1903, aged ninety years. The children of Zachariah Gilson, father of Mrs. Reuben Pierce, were: Zachariah, Benjamin, Michael, Ar- villa, Lewis, Luceba and three other daughters.

Ebenezer Pierce, son of Reuben Pierce, par- ticipated as a soldier during the Revolutionary war, was shot by a Tory disguised in the dress of an Indian, who proved to be one of his nearest neighbors.

Zachariah Gilson, father of Mrs. Reuben Pierce, had two brothers, Michael and Jacob Gil- son. The former named was one of the first set- tlers of Westminster, Vermont, where he passed through many hardships and perilous adventures. Several times he was saved from being captured by the Indians by the timely warning of his dog. He was a large landowner in the town, where he died at the age of ninety-three years.

The children born to Moses and Arvilla (Pierce) Pierce were : Nathan Gilson Pierce, born in Westminster, Vermont, August 19, 1811, died January 8, 1888; and Arvilla Pierce, born in 1815 and died May 21, 1840.

Nathan Gilson Pierce, son of Moses and Ar- villa Pierce, was a prominent agriculturist of the state of Vermont. He was the originator of two varieties of seed corn, the Columbia eight-rowed and the Canada twelve-rowed. Of the latter va- riety he raised on one acre of land one hundred and thirty-two bushels and twenty quarts of shelled corn and took the first prize at the Wind- ham County Fair. A sworn committee measured the land, harvested and measured the crop and reported the same to the officials of the fair. Mr. Pierce was married twice, his first wife having been Miss Melissa Keach, who was born in 1817, daughter of Seba Keach, who was born February 26, 1789. Seba Keach married Miss Adelia Hunt, who was born in Littleton, New Hampshire, May 24, 1796 ; his death occurred January 9, 1852, and his wife died February 18, 1854. Their children were: Laura, born February 26, 1812; Willard, born March 19, 1813; Lewis, born January 21, 1816; Melissa, born August 21, 1817; Lepha, born January 2, 1819; Betsey, born April 12, 1820; Roxana, born February 16, 1823; Orrin, born November 18, 1824; Carleton R., born August 15, 1827; William, born April

12, 1829; Delia, born December 3. 1830: Abigail, born June 15, 1834; Adeline,

born December 21, 1836; Jane F., born Septem- ber 9, 1838; and John Keach, born December 6, 1840. The above named children were all born in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, with the exception of John, who was born in Westminster, Vermont. All of the above named Keach family are de- ceased. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Gilson Pierce : Hart Benton, born in 1835 and died in 1900; Helen Marr, born in 1838 and died in 1843; and Milton, born in 1840 and died at Camp Griffin, Virginia, November 15, 1861, during the progress of the Civil war. The mother of these children died in 1843, and Mr. Pierce chose for his second wife Roxana Keach, born in 1823, died in 1890, sister of his first wife, and the following named children were born to them: Edwin R., born November 2, 1850; George W., born December 3, 1854; an infant daughter Ella, who died December 8, 1852, aged four months and three days; Lilla Jane, born in 1861, died August 28, 1876, and Willard H. Pierce, born November 21, 1864.

EDWIN R. PIERCE, now a resident of Palmer, Massachusetts, resided with his father until his twenty-first year, when he went to Holyoke, Mas- sachusetts. There he took a position in the em- ploy of the Whiting Paper Company, in two years working up to the position of department over- seer. He remained in the employ of this com- pany fifteen years. He represented ward third in the city council for two years, and during that time introduced an order to put in a fire alarm telegraph system. He was made chairman of the committee which performed this work, and at its completion was appointed superintendent of the system.

From Holyoke he went to Swampscott, Mas- sachusetts, where he engaged in the organization of the New England Oxygen Company, dealers in spring water. The company was incorporated under the laws of the state of Maine, and Mr. Pierce acted as general manager for two years. At the end of that time he disposed of his inter- est in the company, and purchased the Converse House in Palmer, Massachusetts. At the end of two and a half years he sold the hotel and went abroad, spending several months in visiting the principal countries of Europe. He made a study at this time of the various plans of hotel manage- ment in foreign countries. Upon his return he

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

purchased the Convers House, which he still is

Mr. Pierce is an active member of the Palmer Republican Club. He is a member of Roswell Lee Lodge of Masons and Springfield Command erv. and of Hampden Chapter and Washingto ! Council in Palmer, holding the office of (. of (. in the council. Is a member of the knights of Pothias. He is also a member of several Spring field social organizations, among them the "Kamp Komfort Klub" and the Masonic Social Club. He is interested in town affairs, and is always read. to aid in public enterprise. He was married in Holyoke, Massachusetts. December 21, 1874. 10 Elizabeth A. Hutchinson, of Burlington, Ver- mont. He has no children.

WILLARD H. PIERCE is a physician and sur- greon in Greenfield, Massachusetts. He was eda :- cated at the common schools and at Vermont Academy at Saxton's River, Vermont. He grad- uated from the medical department at the Uni- versity of Vermont. He commenced the prac- tice of medicine when twenty-one years of age and soon gained a reputation for skill in surgery. He was the first physician in Franklin county. Massachusetts, to perform the operation known as laparotomy. He has performed many difficult and dangerous operations since that have brought him into prominent notice in the medical frater- nity as well as before the general public. He - a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society. the Franklin District Medical Society and the Connecticut Valley Association. He is a con- tributor to the various medical journals of the country. He is an advanced member of the Ma- sonic order, belonging to the Greenfield Com- mandery of Knight Templar.

On September 7. 1888, he married Nellie May Gray, of Bernardston, Massachusetts. Of this union three children have been born, namely : Roxy, Frank and Esther. Roxy is the only chikl now living, Frank and Esther dying at an early age. Mrs. Pierce is a daughter of Ormando and Roxcena (Arnold) Gray, of Bernardston, Mas- sachusetts, Mr. Gray being the well known map and atlas publisher.

GEORGE WARREN PIERCE, second son born to Nathan Gilson and Roxana Pierce, acquired his education in the common and private schools of his native town, and resided with his father on the

farm until he attained the age of twenty four years, at which time he entered the employment of the Vermont Assim for the Insane at Brattle- boro, now the Brattleboro Retreat. Mr. Pierce served for eight years as supervisor of the male department of this institution, and at the expira- tion of that period he was appointed to act in the capacity of manager of the farm, a position which he still retains. His name has been prominent in the agricultural interests of the town and state. and in 1892 Governor Levi K. Fuller appointed him a member of the state board of agriculture. He was appointed in 1897, by Governor Josiah Grout, as commissioner to the Tennessee Centen- nial Exposition, and in 1899 Governor Edward C. Smith appointed him a delegate to the Farmers' National Congress held in. Boston, Massachu- setts. Mr. Pierce served as secretary of the Ver- mont Dairyman's Association for six years, and officiated as their president for one year ; he was re-elected for the second term, but declined to act. For several years he acted as first vice presi- dlent and chairman of the executive committee of the Valley Fair, which was held at Brattleboro, Vermont, and in 1903. he was elected to succeed the late Colonel George W. Hooker as president of that association. He was also one of the three commissioners elected by the town of Brattleboro, in 1902, to erect the new stock bridge across the Connecticut river, connecting Brattleboro, Ver- mont, with Hinsdale, New Hampshire.

Mr. Pierce has always declined to become a candidate for public office, although his name has been offered to fill the position of town repre- sentative, but in a quiet and earnest way he has always supported the principles of the Republi- can party and is a firm believer in the measures and policies which it advocates. Mr. Pierce has, been prominently identified with the Grange, be- ing a member for twenty-six years and serving for three years as master of Protective Grange, of Brattleboro, Vermont. During this period of time one hundred and seventy-six members have been added to the order. He has also acted in the capacity of lecturer and overseer in the state: Grange. He is one of the associate editors of the New England Farmer and Grange Horses,' the oldest farm papers in New England. Mr. Pierce is a member of Brattleboro Lodge No. 102, F. A. M .; Fort Dummer Chapter No. 12,

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R. A. M .; Connecticut Valley Council No. 16; and Beausant Commandery No. 7, K. T .; and Mount Sinai Temple, Mystic Shrine. He is an earnest and consistent member of the First Uni- versalist Society of Brattleboro, and has served on the board of trustees and in other capacities.

In 1885 Mr. Pierce was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Weed, daughter of Alvah and Sylvia Weed, of Saratoga, New York, and the following named children have been born to them : Milton Weed, born March 2, 1886; George Ed- win, born August 7, 1887; Frederick William, born July 10, 1889; Weed Keach, born January 6, 1891, Helen Margaret, born October 15, 1895; and Nathan Gilson Pierce, born March 23, 1898.

CURTIS J. PATTRIDGE.

Curtis J. Pattridge, of South Burlington, Ver- mont, a son of John W. and Mary Pattridge, was born April 16, 1823, in Burlington. Joseph Pattridge, grandfather of Curtis J. Pattridge, was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Warren, a sister of General Warren, who gained consider- able fame during the Revolutionary war. John W. Pattridge, father of Curtis J. Pattridge, was born in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, in 1782, where he spent his childhood days and received his education. He married Miss Mary Lincoln, March 4, 1807. They removed to Peacham, Ver- mont, and in 18II settled in Burlington, and re- sided in a log house near the Shelburne boundary line. Mr. Pattridge worked for some years in a sawmill in Winooski, and in 1814 he purchased the farm on which his son now resides; also a sawmill on Lewis creek, which he operated for many years. Mr. Pattridge was an energetic, industrious man, for, in addition to his labors in the mill, he cleared his large farm, and when he had attained the age of seventy-three years he was strong enough to cut seventy cords of beech and maple wood.

Mr. Pattridge was a member of a military company named the "Troop." They wore a fine uniform, part of which consisted of a red broad- cloth coat, and the trappings for their horses were in keeping with the uniforms. His sword is now in the possession of his great-grandson, who prizes it very highly. The following named children were born to them: 'Adeline, wife of

Ira Nash; Cemira, wife of Seth Morse; Ora; John Warner ; George J. ; and Curtis J. Pattridge. The father of these children died February 12, 1865.

Curtis J. Pattridge, youngest child and only survivor of the children born to John W. and Mary Pattridge, was reared on his father's farm, and he acquired his education in the public school of the town. He resided with his parents until his marriage, which occurred December 11, 1844, to Miss Helen M. Pierson, a daughter of Uzal and Polly (Smith) Pierson. Six children have been born to them: Mary E., born November 4, 1845, married A. L. Inman, and their three children are Curtis, Grace E. and John A. In- man ; Hanson C., born December 24, 1847 ; Frank S., born January 29, 1850; Fanny, who died in childhood; George P., born December 6, 1852, married Miss Anna Miller, and their four chil- dren are Mary E., Hanson J., Blanche M. and Martha M .; Clara H., born April 26, 1860, is the widow of Henry L. Read, and their three children are Edward H., William I. and Helen M. Read. . Mrs. Pattridge died July 14, 1896, after having spent fifty-two years of happy mar- ried life, and occupied the same room in the old homestead. Mr. Pattridge built the present house in 1845. Mr. Pattridge has been a farmer and dairyman. He is a Democrat in politics. He is one of the oldest men in this section of the statc.

EDWARD WHITCOMB FREEMAN.

Edward Whitcomb Freeman, the leading pharmacist of Richmond, Vermont, was born in Colchester, Vermont, July 8, 1862, a son of William Seymour and Amanda Freeman. Will- iam Seymour Freeman, father of Edward Whit- comb Freeman, was born in Tolland, Connecti- cut, February 29. 1820. He attended the com- mon school in his native town, and when he had attained young manhood, he removed to Ver- mont, and was engaged in the occupation of selling jewelry. Subsequently he located in Rich- mond, Vermont, where he purchased a farm, and for the balance of his life was employed in pro- ducing a general line of garden truck. M.r. Free- man was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Maria Whitcomb. of Richmond, Vermont. Five

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children were born to them: Emory Levi, now a resident of Richmond; Frank Freemont, also of Richmond : Willie Dewitt, who died m childhood ; Edward Whitcomb and Willie Marshall, who also died in childhood. Mr. Freeman was a Republi- can in politics, and filled several local offices. He was a prominent member of the Masonic order. He died August 4, 1901, and his wife passed away in 1887.

Edward Whitcomb Freeman, son of William Seymour and Amanda Freeman, received his early education in the Goddard Seminary ; sub- sequently he attended the Burlington Business College, where he received a thorough course of study to fit him for mercantile life. His first venture in the business world was in the capacity of a clerk in mercantile business, and on Jan- uary I, 1886, he established a drug store in Rich- mond, Vermont, which he has conducted very successfully ever since. He always keeps a well supplied stock of fresh, reliable drugs, and the courteous and prompt attention which his cus- tomers receive has made his store the most popu- lar one in the town. Mr. Freeman improves op- portunities as they present themselves, and when they do not come he makes them. His energy and perseverance are most commendable, and they have been salient features in his prosperity. Po- litically Mr. Freeman is a Republican, and al- though he does not take any active part in poli- tics, yet he is always interested in the success of his party.

Mr. Freeman is a prominent member of the North Star Lodge No. 12, Waterbury Chapter, R. A. M., and Burlington Commandery, K. T. In 1885 Mr. Freeman married Miss Maroa Hor- tense Wallstone, a daughter of Charles and Maria (Lee) Wallstone, of Williston, Vermont. They have one son, Earl Twing Freeman, who was born in April, 1886.

WILLIS CLAYTON BELKNAP.

Willis Clayton Belknap, the enterprising and successful editor and proprietor of the Bellows Falls Times, was born in the town of Berlin, Ver- mont, April 7, 1866. Joseph Belknap, grand- father of Willis C. Belknap, was a prominent resident of Berlin, Vermont, where for a num- ber of years he was engaged in the occupation of

farming. He married Miss Abigail House, niece of Captain Israel House, one of the wealthy land owners of the town of Berlin and who erect- ed the first brick residence there, which struct- ure is still standing (1903). Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Belknap became the parents of fourteen children. Mr. Belknap died July 25, 1840, his wife, March 5, 1860; their remains are interred in the old East Street burying ground.

John Quincy Adams Belknap, father of Willis C. Belknap, was born in Williamstown, Orange county, Vermont, October 31, 1834. He ac- quired his education in the village school and sub- sequently was engaged in the cultivation of the soil. He was one of the representative men of the town and took an active part in all matters that pertained to its welfare and advancement. He was a faithful and zealous member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church of Berlin. He married Miss Susan A. Richardson, daughter of Lysander Richardson, and two sons and three daughters were born to them: Willis Clayton Belknap ; Della May, wife of F. H. Nichols, a prosperous farmer of Barre, Vermont; Ida N., wife of Jason E. Martin, a successful farmer of Williamstown, Vermont, and they have two children, Gladys and Marian ; Charles B. Belknap, a farmer of Berlin, Vermont ; and Bessie M., wife of Dean K. Lillie, a stone-cutter of Montpelier, Vermont. Mr. John Q. A. Belknap died October 15, 1897, at the age of sixty-three years, and his wife passed away July 17, 1883, at the age of forty-eight years.

Willis Clayton Belknap, eldest child of John Quincy Adams and Susan A. Belknap, spent his boyhood and youth on his father's farm and at- tended the public schools in the village. When he had attained the age of seventeen years he en- tered the Vermont Methodist Seminary at Mont- pelier, and was graduated from the classical course of that instituution with the class of 1888. During one year of the latter period he served as principal of the public schools of Berlin, Vermont. In the fall of 1888 he became a student at Dart- mouth College, from which he was graduated in 1892 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He was an excellent debater, and was an editor on the Dartmouth Literary Monthly during his junior and senior years, being the managing edi- tor during the senior year. He was chosen class president for commencement and has been re-

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N. C. Belknap

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elected to that office at all class reunions held since. During his collegiate course Mr. Belknap taught two terms of school and in other ways earned money to defray his expenses at college. In the early part of his senior year in college Mr. Belknap registered as a law student in the office of Hon. Frank Plumley in Northfield, Vermont, and in October, 1892, matriculated in the law school of the University of Michigan at Ann Ar- bor, where he completed a two years' course of study in one year, graduating in June, 1893, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Shortly after- ward he located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, was admitted to the Chattanooga bar and soon after became court reporter for the Chattanooga Daily Times, remaining on the staff of that paper until the spring of 1895, when he returned to Vermont, and in company with Lewis P. Thayer purchased the Bellows Falls Times, the only paper pub- lished in Bellows Falls and the recognized Re- publican organ of the vicinity. It has a circula- tion of upwards of three thousand, one of the larg- est in the state and ranking the fifth or sixth in point of weekly circulation. In November, 1896, Mr. Thayer sold out his interest in the paper to Mr. Belknap, who is now the sole editor and proprietor, succeeding A. W. Emerson as edi- tor. Every measure and movement tending to benefit the public welfare receives his endorse- ment and support, and he is widely recognized as a valued and progressive citizen. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic order, Knights of Pythias and Grange. He is a member and vestryman of Im- manuel Episcopal church of Bellows Falls. Mr. Belknap is one of the board of directors of the Bellows Falls Trust Company.

On April 6, 1898, Mr. Belknap was united in marriage to Miss Katie May Carpenter, daughter of Ward B. Carpenter, of Bellows Falls, Vermont. Two children have been born to them : Paul Car- penter Belknap, born February 8, 1899; and Caro- line May Belknap, born April 7, 1902.

MOSES SHELDEN WHITCOMB.

Moses Shelden Whitcomb, a prominent and successful agriculturist and manager and director of the Jonesville Creamery, of Richmond, Ver- mont, is a descendant of Thomas Whitcomb, who was a native of Massachusetts ; subsequently he

removed to Vermont and became one of the earli- est settlers in Essex, and died there at the age of ninety-two years. He was united in marriage to Miss Ann Stevens. Uzziel Stevens Whitcomb, father of Moses Shelden Whitcomb, was born in Richmond, Vermont, in 1816. After receiving an education in the district school, he engaged in the occupation of farming, which he pursued all his life with the exception of five years and three months. Two years of that time he resided in the Dominion of Canada, and the balance of it was spent in California in search of gold, which at that time was thought to be very plentiful there; he was one of the "forty-niners." He returned the first time and purchased a farm in Jericho, and lived there eight years. He was so impressed with the beauty and grandeur of the scenery that he made another trip from Jericho, Vermont, to the Golden state in 1859. He was on board the Ariel when that ship was captured by pirates. He returned to Jericho and farmed till 1864, then came to Richmond, Vermont, where he purchased a large farm and increased the size of it till he had one thousand acres, which he conducted till selling it to his son, Moses Shelden. It was the largest farm in the town. Through industry, perseverance and hard work, he suc- ceeded in cultivating his land, so that it yielded him a large amount of profit. He was prominent in the public affairs of the town, serving as select- man for some time; also a member of the state legislature for three years, and was selected to represent the town in the state senate for two years. He was also an earnest member and served as deacon of the Congregational church of Rich- mond, Vermont.

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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 21

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