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 26

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 26

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).

Calvin P. Gilson, son of Prescott W. and Urania M. (Streeter) Gilson, was born October 5, 1839, and was educated in the common schools of Chesterfield and Walpole, New Hampshire. He left school at the age of seventeen, became a peddler on foot through the country, and later traveled for a large chemical house of New York city until the breaking out of the war. He en- listed at the age of twenty-two, May II, 1861, with the rank of orderly sergeant, in Company F, Eighteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volun- teer Infantry, Colonel Barnes commanding, a regiment enlisting for a period of nine months. The regiment was sent to Washington, D. C., first advanced to Ball's Bluff, then to Malvern Hill and the Seven Days' battle. He was dis- charged at Harrison's Landing, came home, and re-enlisted, August 22, 1862, in Company F, Fourteenth New Hampshire Regiment, as a mu- sician. He spent the winter of 1862-63 in Pools- ville, Maryland, was afterward sent to the De-

partment of the Gulf, and served at Key West and New Orleans. He remained on detachment service on the road between New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain as inspecting officer, after- ward participated in the battle of Deep Bottom,. and Bermuda Hundred, and at the siege of Pet- ersburg. The regiment then joined Sheridan's forces in the Shenandoah valley, and took part in the battles of Berryville and Winchester, the- latter being the scene of Sheridan's famous ride. It then formed a part of Sherman's army in its famous march to the sea, and connected with the column which marched by way of August, Geor- gia, and thence to Savannah. Sergeant Gilson had charge of the squad engaged in the pursuit of Jefferson Davis, president of the so-called southern Confederacy, and was associated with his captors. The regiment afterward went to Savannah, and was discharged there, being mus- tered out July 25, 1865.

After returning home Mr. Gilson followed for three years the business of a traveling sales- man, and in 1868 opened a store at West Ches- terfield, and for five years was very largely en- gaged in the horse business, shipping six hundred animals a year. The building which he occupied for several years, known as Gilson's horse mar- ket, for carriages, harness and horses, is now the property of Henry Allen. Mr. Gilson, in con- junction with Mr. Brown, built Gilson's build- ings. He is considered wealthy, his business ex- tending throughout New England to Canada. He was a prominent member of the Great Western Horse Company, and was also extensively en- gaged in the lumber business. He was one of the promoters of that popular resort called Spof- ford Lake, New Hampshire, built the road around the lake, and also the ice plant, which he still owns. He also built two cottages, "The Gran- ite" and "The Rustic," the former, built of gran- ite, being one of the handsomest cottages in New Hampshire. It is elaborately provided with an- tique furniture, and pictures of it have appeared in the Ladies' Home Journal. Mr. Gilson was peculiarly well fitted to superintend the furnish- ing of this cottage, being, in addition to all his other occupations, an extensive dealer in an- tiques, in fact, one of the most marked charac- teristics is this versatility, which enables him to engage successfully in so many different voca-

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Proibis low men have ever clubited such adaptability, which manifest itself in still another direction, Mr. Gibson being deeply inter ested in valuable real estate, both in Brattleboro and at Spotford Lake, and likewise doing a flour ishing business as an auctioneer. He enjoys the distinction of being the first auctioneer in the state of Vermont who made auction sale of horses by the car load lot. He at one time ran four four horse teams for the sale of horse goods, making extensive trips throughout the country. Mr. Gil- son, in the capacity of an auctioneer, sells much real estate for banks, judges and courts. As a member of the firm of Gilson & Brown he built the Gilson carriage repository, now conducted as a grain, feed and sales stable by George P. Gil- man, on Elliott street, Brattleboro, the business being a very large and flourishing one.

Mr. Gilson was for a number of years pro- prietor of the upper ferry, and was also for a length of time proprietor of Gilson's Hall at Putney, Vermont, where he was extensively en- gaged in dealing in horses, carriages and har- ness. Thus it will be seen how greatly Mr. Gil- son enlarged the sphere of his business activities, and in how many different directions his super- abundant energy sought an outlet, each effort proving productive of good results.

But with all these multifarious demands upon his time and thoughts, Mr. Gilson has not neg- lected his political duties. At Chesterfield, in response to the urgent call of his fellow citi- zens, he filled at different time the office of road commissioner, selectman, overseer of the poor, etc. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Phil Sheridan Post, at Hinsdale, New Hampshire, and is president of the Fourteenth Regiment Veteran Association. He is also a member of Golden Rule Lodge, F. and A. M., and of Dummer Chapter, R. A. M., Beauseant Commandery, K. T.

Mr. Gilson married Ann E. Streator, born in 1848, daughter of Captain Clark Streeter. Their children were: Mary A., born December 27, 1867 ; Annie M., born May II, 1869, married Henry R. Brown, an extensive horse dealer and livery proprietor of Brattleboro; Fred C., born August 24, 1876, salesman for Dunham Brothers, married Winnie, daughter of the late Colonel W. C. Hodgkins, of Brattleboro. Mr. Fred C.

Gibson is a member of the Sons of Veterans, and was captain of the camp at Brattleboro. He is also a Mason, member of Dummer Chapter, R. A. M., and Beanscant Commandery, K. T. Mrs. Calvin P. Gilson died February 7. 1901. aged fifty three years.

CHARLES GLOVER WILLIAMS.

Charles G. Williams, one of the representa- tive citizens of Essex Junction, Vermont, is a descendant of Robert Williams, who was the progenitor of the family in this country. He was born in England in 1609, and sailed from Norwich, England, April 8, 1637. He settled in Roxbury, Massachusetts. The line of descent is as follows: John Williams, a resident of Roxbury, Massachusetts, was the father of David Williams, who was born October 13, 1719, and his son, Silas Williams, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, February 4, 1750, and his son David Williams was the father of our subject.

Silas Williams, grandfather of Charles G. Williams, served as a minute-man during the Revolutionary war, where he displayed great bravery and courage. Deciding to remove from Connecticut to Vermont, he made the journey alone and purchased a tract of land; he then re- turned to his native town for his wife, and about a week before their arrival in their new home, the Indians burned the town and massacred the settlers. They had not the means of transporta- tion in those days that we now enjoy, 'for he used an ox team to convey his wife and two children from Hartford, Connecticut, to the state of Ver- mont. He cleared the ground of its weeds and underbrush, then set about to cultivate it, and in due course of time had a finely tilled, profita- ble farm. He was one of the most prominent men of the town, and was chosen to serve as selectman, justice of the peace, and représentative in the state legislature. He served as a captain of a company of militia, and when the battle of Plattsburg occurred, he, with his two sons, started for the place, but on arriving at Burling- ton they were unable to secure transportation, and so were deprived of showing their bravery on the field of battle.

Mr. Williams married Miss Mary Flynn, the following named children were born to them:

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Polydore, born in 1778; Thomas, born in 1780: Mary, born in 1785, in Royalton, Vermont ; Silas, born in 1783; and David Williams. Mr. Will- iams was one of the organizers and was instru- mental in the building of the Congregational church at Royalton, Vermont.

David Williams, father of Charles G. Will- iams, was born in Royalton, Vermont, February 3, 1788. He received his education in the com- mon schools of his native town, and being reared upon a farm he followed that occupation all his life, meeting the success which his labors merited. He was a man of splendid intellectual attain- ments and nobility of character, and he took an active part in the educational affairs of the town. He was elected to the office of justice of the peace, which he filled both honorably and creditably. In his political affiliations he was an old-line Whig.

Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Emma Crandall, and nine children were born to them : Eliza, born February 22, 1815 ; Henry Law- rence, born November 29, 1816, now a physi- cian; John, born February 24, 1818; Dewitt G., born November 17, 1819; Clarissa, born Decem- ber 5, 1821, died when quite young; Silas, born April 14, 1823; Ezra, born October 19, 1824; Charles G., born April 4, 1826; and Ellen P., born April 14, 1828. Mr. Williams died in 1864, and his wife passed away in 1871.

Charles G. Williams, son of David and Eunice Williams, was born in Royalton, Vermont, April 4, 1826. He acquired his early education in the common schools of the town, and later he was a student in the Royalton Academy. At the age of twenty-one years he found employment as a clerk in a store in his native town, where he remained for two years, and he was engaged in the same capacity for one year in Boston, Massa- chusetts. In 1851 he became actively associated with the Central Vermont Railroad Company, which had its offices at Montpelier, as freight clerk; he remained in that position for three years. He was then transferred to Windsor. where he acted as agent for six years, and in the fall of 1860 he was again transferred to Essex Junction, where he acted in the capacity of agent up to the year 1900, when he retired from the ac- tive duties of life. He has the wonderful record of being employed by the same company for

forty-eight and a half years, and in all that long period of time he has lost only one month's pay. After his long service and in 1900 the Grand Trunk bought the railroad and discharged him without any consideration whatever, a good reward of merit for fifty years of faithful ser- vice.

Mr. Williams is a prominent member of the Masonic order, being made a Mason in Aurora Lodge at Montpelier, Vermont, in 1852; he is now a member of Ethan Allen Lodge at Essex Junction. In his political views Mr. Williams is a firm adherent of the principles of the Repub- lican party. In 1849 Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Louisa M. Howe, a daughter of Deacon Luther and Mary (Lyman) Howe, of Royalton, Vermont. Five children have been born to them: Abbie King died at three years of age; Edward King died at twenty-seven years of age ; Harriet Howe, wife of F. W. Baldwin, of St. Albans. Vermont : Herbert L., died when twenty-seven years old : Ellen F., died at nineteen years of age. The mother of these children died July 28, 1899.

CHESTER MANNING FERRIN, M. D.

Dr. Chester Manning Ferrin, physician and surgeon of Essex Junction, Vermont, is a descend- ant of Jonathan Ferrin, who was born June 9. 1753. The latter spent his entire life in Thorn- ton, New Hampshire, where he was engaged in the occupation of farming. When the Revolu- tionary war broke out he enlisted as a soldier and participated in all the battles of that memor- able struggle. He married Miss Hannah Ela, who was born June 9, 1761, being the daughter of Samuel and Mary (Halman) Ela, the former of whom was born on the 27th of February, 1724. and was married April 21. 1748. Mr. Ferrin's death occurred on the 30th of June. 1829, and his wife survived March 31. 1843.

Micah Ferrin, the father of Chester Manning Ferrin, was born in Thornton, New Hampshire, July 12, 1787. He acquired his education in the common schools of his birthplace, and on reach- ing young manhood removed to Orleans county. Vermont, becoming one of the first settlers of Holland. He purchased a farm there and cleared and improved his land, having pursued this vo-

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cation in all its branches, and by patient and un- remitting toil met with merited success, attaining a high position among the citizens of Holland. He was elected to the various local offices, and also served as representative to the state legislature. Religiously he was a member of the Congrega- tional church, which he built in Holland, and also acted in the capacity of deacon. On March 26, 1814, in Southwick, Massachusetts, Mr. Ferrin was married to Miss Lucinda Conant, who was born in Mexico, Oswego county, New York. They became the parents of the following named children : Martin C., who was born January 22, 1816, was engaged in farming in Holland, and died in 1893; Clark Ela, a Congregational min- ister, who was born July 2, 1818, died in June, 1881 ; Rachel, who was born May 27, 1820, inar- ried Simeon Fletcher, and died in June, 1882; Lois, who was born February 15, 1822, died in infancy ; Charles, born May 8, 1824, died July 25, 1870; Jonathan, born February 28, 1826, was a merchant in Boston and later removed to Min- neapolis, Minnesota, where he died June 19, 1866; Lois, born August 4, 1828, married William B. Macrae; Hannah, born July 2, 1830, married J. F. Tabor, and she died June 14, 1889; Ebe- nezer, born April 24, 1832, died May 17, 1868; and Chester Manning Ferrin. The father of these children died in 1863.

Dr. Chester Manning Ferrin, the youngest son of Micah and Lucinda (Conant) Ferrin, was born in Holland, Vermont, September 27, 1837. He received his early education in the Derby and Hinesburg academies, and later entered the medi- cal department of the University of Vermont, in which he was graduated in 1865. He immediate- ly commenced the practice of his profession in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, where he remained for seven years in the full enjoyment of a large and growing practice. In 1872 he removed to Essex Junction, where his skill as a medical practitioner has made him widely and favorably known to the profession and to the public, and a liberal pat- ronage attests his ability and popularity. In No- vember, 1861, Dr. Ferrin enlisted in Company B, Eight Vermont Volunteer Infantry, serving un- der Generals Butler and Banks in the Department of the Gulf, and was mustered out of the United States service June 26, 1864. For a period of twelve years, ending in 1900, he served as state

superior of the insane, while for the past fifteen years he has been a health officer. He has been a member of the visiting board of the Mary Fletcher Hospital for the past twenty years, and for several years has been one of the attending physicians at the Fanny Allen Hospital and a lecturer there in the nurses' school. Ile is a prominent member of the State Medical Society and the Burlington Clinical Club; is a member and past commander of Rollins Sherman Post No. 86, G. A. R., in which he has served as a dele- gate to many of the national encampments ; and has been a member and deacon of the Congrega- tional church for thirty years. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and has served in the ca- pacity of superintendent of schools for several years.

On the 2d of January, 1866, Dr. Ferrin was united in marriage to Miss Marian E. Benedict, a daughter of Levi T. Benedict, and six children have been born of this union: Caroline B., born in St. Johnsbury, February 1, 1867; Dr. Carlisle F., born April 22, 1868, is now a phy- sician of New London, Connecticut ; Lena Elena, born February 9, 1871, married E. D. Williams, of Essex, and now of Short Hills, New Jersey ; Bertha Lucinda, born in Essex Junction, Janu- ary 6, 1873, married W. W. Graves, of New York city; Hollis Benedict, born July 20, 1876, died August 8, 1877; and Jessie Marian, born May 9, 1879, is a kindergarten teacher of New- ark, New Jersey.

ELBRIDGE ELINAS STOCKWELL.

The name of Stockwell is a familiar one in Brattleboro, where the deceased subject of this. sketch went in and out among its citizens for a long period of years, and was well known as a gentleman of the most unimpeachable character .. He was born in West Brattleboro, January 17, 1835, and was the son of Horace and Martha (Fish) Stockwell. His birth occurred on the farm which had been owned by his father and grand- father before him. He came to Brattleboro in 1847, and worked on the highways in the employ of S. M. Herrick, who was highway surveyor. In 1877 Mr. Stockwell became highway surveyor, and later road commissioner, a position he held for

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the most of the time up to his death. In addition to this position he conducted a large jobbing and teaming business, and was also interested in agri- cultural pursuits, having a farm in West Brattle- boro, which was of most extensive domain, hav- ing been at one time seven different farms, and included the old Stockwell homestead. Mr. Stockwell married December 8, 1857, Harriet W., the daughter of Malborn and Mercy (Mattison) Staples. There was but one child born to this marriage, Ellian H., who died in girlhood.

Mr. Stockwell's grandfather was Asaph Stockwell, and, as stated, he was a farmer in the town of West Brattleboro. His son Horace, the father of our subject, late in life built a hand- some residence on Spruce street, where he died.

The father of Mrs. Stockwell was born and lived out his active life in the vicinity of Dover and Newfane. He later became an inmate of his daughter's home, where he died. He was an extensive farmer, and became very well-to-do. In religious faith he was a member of the Uni- versalist church. There were eight children in his family : Salinda, who married Paris Rawson, who died leaving two children, Andrew and Ly- dia ; the second daughter, Betsy, afterward mar- ried this same Mr. Rawson, and she became the mother of two children, Merrill and Lovisa ; Sa- mantha, the third daughter, married Mr. Millard May; Resolved, the eldest son, married Martha N. Stockwell; Daniel, whose wife was Eva Wheeler; Clark, who married Anna Pease, and on her decease married Cassie Streeter ; Newton, whose wife was Gertrude Lamb; and Harriet, who became the wife of E. E. Stockwell. Mal- born Staples married, after the death of his first wife, Laura Wallins. now deceased. It is worthy of note, also, in regard to the history of the Staples family that the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Stockwell was Jacob Staples, distin- guished as having been one of the body guard of that immortal Revolutionary soldier, General Israel Putnam. His wife was Mary Sears, and they had the following children: William, Good- win, Holly, Sophia, Patience, Louisa, Malvina. Mrs. E. E. Stockwell is a lady of many graces of character, and is passing her declining years surrounded by a devoted circle of friends and acquaintances.

10>

JOEL BLACHLEY BARTLETT.

Joel B. Bartlett, one of the prominent citi- zens of Shelburne, Vermont, is a descendant on the paternal side of Billy Bartlett, who was a resi- dent of Guilford, Connecticut. He came to Ver- mont with Governor Chittenden, and assisted him in clearing up the old Chittenden homestead, which is now owned and occupied by Marven W. Clark in the town of Williston, Vermont. At the expiration of two years, Mr. Bartlett returned to Connecticut, where he was united in marriage to Miss Selina Blachley, and immediately after he returned to Vermont, accompanied by his wife and all his worldly goods, which were transferred with an ox team to their new home in the wilder- ness. After he passed Bennington, the only way he had to guide him to his destination was by means of marked trees. He settled on two hun- dred acres of land on Governor Chittenden's grant in the town of Jericho, which he immediately began to clear of weeds and underbrush, and by dint of industry and perseverance he soon had his farm in a fine state of cultivation. He was one of the most successful and progressive farmers of his day. He enlisted his services in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of Platts- burg, where he displayed his valor and courage. He was one of nine members who organized and built the first Congregational church in Jericho, Vermont. In 1809, just in the prime of his man- hood, being only forty years of age, he was killed by the falling of a plate at a barn raising. His wife survived him for many years ; they were the parents of the following named children : Elias, Joel B., Martin, Midwell, Ann and Billy Bartlett.

Elias Bartlett, father of Joel B. Bartlett, was born in Jericho, Vermont, February 15, 1795. He was reared upon the old homestead and received his education in the district school. As a boy he assisted in the management of the farm, and when he was old enough to choose his vocation in life he followed that of farming. He was a very quiet, unassuming and industrious man, and was considered one of the representative men of his section of the country. Mr. Bartlett in his earlier years was an old-line Whig, but later joined the Republican party ; he held the office of justice of the peace for many years. In his religious views

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he was a consistent member of the Congregational church.

On Alauch 11. 1822, Mr. Bartlett married Miss Pizza Wheelock, who was born February 22. ISour, a daughter of John Wheelock, a native of Massachusetts, but who subsequently removed to Onondaga county, New York. Their children were: Lucinda, born December 3, 1822, mar- ried, February 16, 1843, Edgar A. Barney, and she died March 12, 1884 : Joel B., born June 15, 1824; Betsy Manor, born January 12, 1826, mar- ried Jesse Thompson, and she died January 3, 1847; Homer Lyon, born October 17, 1830, now a practicing physician of New York city; Edwin Wheelock, born December 10, 1839, now a prac- ticing physician of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ' Mr. Bartlett died July 27, 1865, and his wife died November 9, 1860.

Joel B. Bartlett, oldest son of Elias and Eliza Bartlett, was born in Jericho, Vermont, June 15, 1824. He received his early education in the common schools, and this was later supplemented by an academic course. After attaining young manhood he purchased a farm in Jericho, which he conducted successfully ; he remained there un- til 1865, when he removed to Shelburne and pur- chased the old Rowley farm, where he has since followed agricultural pursuits, meeting with a well merited degree of success. In his political af- filiations Mr. Bartlett is a Republican, and for many years he has served as justice of the peace. He was also chosen to represent the town of Shel- burne in the state legislature in 1876. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Shelburne, where he acts in the capacity of steward.

Mr. Bartlett married, April 5, 1854, Miss As- cenith Taylor, of Champlain, New York, who was born April 7, 1822, a daughter of Dr. Jona- than and Ascenith (Little) Taylor, the former named being born in Benson, Vermont, Novem- ber 31, 1792, and the latter was born January 17, 1795. One daughter was born to Mr: and Mrs. Bartlett, Sophie Ascenith, born in Shelburne, Vermont, February 20, 1855. She married, June 29, 1882, Frank Harmon, and their six children are: Frances Elizabeth, born June 20, 1883, died in infancy ; William Bartlett, born February 18, 1885; Margaret Wright, born March 13,

1886; Jennett McRoberts, born March 13. 1888; Ibzabeth Taylor and Robert Slater (twins), born May 4, 1891, and the latter died in mfancy.

JOHN J. VAN SICKLIN.

John Jacob Van Sicklin, of South Burlington, Vermont, is a worthy descendant of one of the old Dutch families of Manhattan Island. His grandfather, who was one of the first settlers of Burlington, was a native of Oyster Bay, Long Island. He purchased one sixty-fifth of the town of Burlington from Jacob Sedam. In 1782 he arrived in that town, and shouldering his ax, started. to investigate his new property. He cleared a small portion of it, on which he erected a house; he then returned to his old home in Oyster Bay, and the following spring, accom- panied by his wife and one child, settled in their new home. He retained one hundred acres of the land, which he from time to time cleared of the underbrush and stones, and the remainder he sold at a nominal figure. He was an indus- trious and economical man, and he was able to support his family, and also save some money. His wife was Miss Elizabeth Simonds, and the following named children were born to them: Polly Thatcher, who was born on the journey from Long Island to Burlington; Stephen, who followed the occupations of farmer and black- smith, died in 1813; James, a physician of Bur- lington ; John J .; Nancy; Betsy and Charlotte Van Sicklin. The father of these children died in 1840, at the age of eighty-two years.

John Van Sicklin, father of John J. Van Sicklin, was born on the old homestead in Bur- lington, where he was reared and received his education. He then decided to engage in farming as an occupation, and it proved so successful that he continued in this line of work during his en- tire life. He purchased one hunderd acres of land near his old home, to which he occasionally made additions, until now the farm consists of twelve hunderd acres of valuable land. Politi- cally Mr. Van Sicklin was formerly an old-line Whig, but later affiliated himself with the Repub- lican party. Mr. Van Sicklin's political career began with his election to the various town of- fices. He has acted as assistant judge for seven

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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 26

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