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 29

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 29

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Whitcomb E. Lamson obtained a good com- mon school education in his native town, after which he began his mercantile career as a clerk in the general store of H. C. Badger & Com- pany, of Randolph, remaining with that firm

three years. The ensuing four years he was in the employ of Hobart Smith, dealer in dry-goods, boots and shoes, leaving him at the end of that period to accept a positon with his former em- ployer, who had removed to Fort Scott, Kansas. Eighteen months later he returned to Randolph, but after staying here a short time, Mr. Lamson went to Boston, where he secured em- ployment in the wholesale dry-goods house of . Sargent Brothers & Company, with whom he remained until the great fire of October 7, 1872, when the store and its con- tents were destroyed. Again returning to Ran- dolph, he bought, in February, 1873, of F. B. Salisbury & Company, the furniture business which he still carries on. He has greatly increased his operations during these last thirty years, building a commodious establishment, which is fitted with modern conveniences, and adding other lines of goods, carrying an extensive and varied stock. Like his father, he has always been connected with the Christian church, and is one of its most earnest supporters. He has always been a Republican.

Mr. Lamson married, in November, 1875, H. Amelia Philbrick, of Mount Vernon, Maine. Four children have blessed their union, namely : Guy P., born June 20, 1877, was graduated from the University of Vermont with the class of 1900, and is now engaged in the real estate busi- ness at Havana, Cuba ; Grace G., born September 18, 1879, is soprano singer in the choir of the First Baptist church at Fitchburg, Massachu- setts; A. Gail, born December 31, 1883, was graduated from the Randolph high school in 1902; and Genieve A. W., born April 29, 1887, is a pupil in the Randolph high school.

SYLVANUS B. CARPENTER.

The gentleman who bears this name comes of a family long prominent in the affairs of Ran- dolph, where he himself has been an influential public man for several years. Both sides of the house are of New England origin and trace their descent through a highly honorable line, which has been in close touch for generations with the public life of this famous section of the Union. Elias Carpenter, the father of our subject and a native of Randolph, was a life-long farmer and

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an influential man in his community. He was a soldier at Plattsburg during the war of 1812, and made a most creditable military record, in line with the hereditary patriotism always dis- played by the Carpenters at every crisis of the nation's history. The grandfather of our sub- ject was Jonathan Carpenter, a native of Con- necticut, and a worthy representative of the "Land of Steady Habits," who became one of the first settlers of the town of Randolph and ex- ercised a strong influence in the community. He built the house now occupied by Jerry B. Adams, and for many years conducted it as a hotel, be- ing known far and wide as a landlord of the old New England type. Elias Carpenter married Orinda Blodgett, a member of the famous family of that name, whose history is given in another part of this work.

Their son, Sylvanus B. Carpenter, was born at Randolph, June 16, 1828, and has spent all of his long and useful life in and around the place of his nativity. After obtaining his elementary education in the village schools he engaged in farming on his father's farm, and agricultural pursuits have claimed his undivided attention during all his working years. Allied with the Republican party and long influential in its coun- cils, he has filled most of the town offices, and was a representative in the legislature in 1866 and 1867, there being an extra session in the latter year. He was appointed on several important committees, and served satisfactorily, bringing to bear on his legislative duties the good sense and keen judgment acquired by long training in the practical affairs of life. As a farmer he has displayed ability, as is proved by his unvarying success as a cultivator and breeder, his place be- ing one of the most carefully managed in the county.

Mr. Carpenter has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Laura Adams, a sister of the late Baily F. Adams, and whom he espoused in 1855. The only child of this union was a daugh- ter, who died in early life, and her mother passed away in 1857. In 1862 Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage to Miss Ellen A., daughter of Al- den and Betsey (Kendall) Loomis, of Roxbury, Vermont, where the former was a popular and successful farmer. Both as a public man and in his business dealings with the community Mr.

Carpenter has earned the reputation of being high-minded, honest and conscientious in the discharge of every obligation. His standing is among the best as an official, a farmer and a progressive citizen, ready at all times to exert his best efforts in promoting growth and de- velopment.

HON. NELSON LUTHER BOYDEN.

The above mentioned member of the legal profession of Randolph Center, Vermont, was born in Barnard, Vermont, July 19, 1836, a son of Luther and Hannah (Goff) Boyden. His parents died when he was quite a young child, and his boyhood days were spent in working upon a farm and in attendance at the district schools and in the Royalton Academy. In 1861 he came to Randolph Center, and became a teacher in the Orange county grammar schools, as an assistant to Professor Conant. Soon after this, having chosen the profession of the law for his life work, to prepare himself for this voca- tion, he entered the office of the Hon. Philander Perrin, with whom he pursued a course of read- ing, and was admitted as a member of the Orange county bar in 1865. In the same year he opened an office in Randolph Center, where he com- menced the practice of his chosen profession, and his resolute purpose and well directed ener- gies have achieved a most gratifying success. In additon to this he superintends the work of a large farm, where he has one of the finest herds of Jersey- cows in the state, and he devotes much time and attention to the breeding of fine horses.

In his political affiliations Mr. Boyden is a Republican, and he has been chosen to serve in many offices of trust and responsibility. He acted as superintendent of schools in Barnard and Ran- dolph, and in the latter named place served as town clerk for twenty-five years; in 1882 he was elected senator from Orange county, and was chairman of the committee on education and reform school, besides serving on the judiciary committee. In 1888 and 1889 he was chosen to represent the town of Randolph in the state legislature, and he served in the capacity of chairman of the committees on railroads and Grand Isle bridge, and also a member of the judiciary committee; he also served as state's

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attorne, for Orange county for the years 1870- 72-74-76, and has been both member and presi dent of the board of trustees of Randolph State Normal School, and is resident commissioner of that institution. Mr. Boyden has Jabored un ceasingly for the welfare and interests of this in- stitution, and when the building was destroyed by fire in the summer of 1893 he was unanimously chosen chairman of the committee to erect a new edifice, to which end he devoted much time and attention. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; he has filled the chairs in the four local bodies of the former order at West Ran- dolph, and is a member of Mt. Zion Commandery, K. T., at Montpelier, Vermont, and Mt. Sinai Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of the same city. In all these capacities he has given universal satisfaction by the exactitude, impar- tiality and conscientiousness with which he has discharged his duties.

August 16, 1865, Mr. Boyden was united in marriage to Miss Angene Eleanor Carpenter, daughter of George and Arminda (Miner) Car- penter, of Randolph. Five children have been born to them, two of whom survive, Charles Irving and Florence L. Boyden, both residing with their parents. The son graduated with the class of 1901 from the University of Vermont, and has been employed most of the time since graduation as chemist at the experiment station connected with his alma mater.

CHARLES ELMER HOUGHTON.

Charles Elmer Houghton, a leading business man of North Bennington, and who has occupied various important public positions, was born in Rowe, Franklin county, Massachusetts, March 10, 1818, and died May 12, 1890. He was the son of Jonathan and Melinda (McLeod) Hough- ton, his ancestry being English on his father's side and Scotch on his mother's. His early edu- cational training was received in the common schools. He could almost be styled a self-edu- cated man, for he was always particularly inter- ested in scientific subjects, studying them at every opportunity. Mr. Houghton was one of the best known men in his county, and in the

state as well. He had the executive ability of a successful business man, was a keen reader of men, and held the leadership among his fellows. Ile had his own way to make in public life, yet he found time to devote to public enterprises, and, like the typical Vermonter, early acquired traits of perseverance that won for him place and honor in the commonwealth, as well as a competence. He entered mercantile life in Shaftsbury in 1841, with his brother, the late J. C. Houghton. In 1855, leaving to the junior brother the fine business that the two had jointly built up, he removed to North Bennington, where he engaged in a commercial enterprise with his brother, R. L .. Houghton. Subsequently he took the whole concern and carried it on until 1863, when he associated it with his son, Edmund C., to whom he sold out in 1865 in order to give his attention to his duties as vice president and man- ager of the First National Bank of North Ben- nington, which had recently been organized ; the office of vice president he held until his death. He had held official connection with four Ben- nington banks, and was the trusted associate of a company of solid business men. At the time of his death he was the treasurer of the Bennington and Rutland Railroad Company, and for many years was on the board of directors. He had also been actively connected with several large paper mills in that section.

Early in life Mr. Houghton served on the regimental commander's staff. He had repre- sented the town of Shaftsbury in the legislature, and had also held the offices of assistant judge, constable, selectman, lister and postmaster while a resident of that place. For two terms he was a member of the state senate, and took a leading position there. He was a presidential elector in 1876, was for six years a director of the state prison, had been county treasurer, and member of the Republican state and county committees. He was active in Masonry, belonging to the lodge and commandery. He was also a member of the committee of the Bennington Historical Society who prepared the bill in 1876 which afterward became the charter of the Bennington Battle Monument Association. On November 1, 1838, he married Mary E. Hutchins, who survives him, with two children : Edmund C. and Helen C. Houghton, now Mrs. Hiram Cole.

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16 ₽

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

WELLS LAFLIN FIELD.

Captain Wells Laflin Field, United States navy, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, January 31, 1846. He is a son of the late Matthew D. and Clarissa (Laflin) Field. Matthew D. Field was the fourth child of David Dudley Field, whose sons gave to the nation most valuable service in important fields of thought and labor.

David Dudley Field, clergyman, was born at East Guilford, Connecticut, May 20, 1781 ; was graduated at Yale College in 1802; settled at Haddam, Connecticut, in 1804, at Stockbridge, Massachusetts, 1819-37; returned to Haddam, where he remained from 1837 to 1851; thence returning to Stockbridge. Of his sons, the eldest and namesake became a most distinguished jurist. Cyrus West Field was the projector of the At- lantic cable, organized the Atlantic Telegraph Company, and continued his exertions to the success of the cable in 1865, when he received a gold medal at Liverpool and a vote of thanks from the American Congress. Henry Martyn Field was a noted clergyman and for many years editor of the New York Evangelist ; was a great traveler, and wrote many books of his travels, which were and are now of great popularity. Stephen J. Field was an associate justice of the supreme court of the United States; served a longer time on the United States supreme court than any other justice since the organization of the court. He was always a leader, firm in his convictions, whether with the majority or minor- ity of the court. Many of his minority reports stand today as a monument to his great ability as a jurist.

Matthew D. Field was the foremost civil engineer of his time. He was the first to build suspension bridges in this country. The bridge over the Cumberland river at Nashville, Tennes- see, was built by him, and was destroyed during the Civil war. He first conceived the idea of the Atlantic cable, and succeeded in interesting his brother Cyrus in the enterprise, and in his ca- pacity as a civil engineer was a constant adviser to his brother until the successful completion of the work.

Wells Laflin Field obtained his education in the common schools of Southwick, Massachu- setts, taking an academic course at Stockbridge.

He was appointed from New York to the United States Naval Academy, then located at New- port, November 20, 1862. His first cruise was to Chinese waters, whence he returned as ensign on the Piscataqua, and later on the Delaware. After the Franco-Prussion war he was with Ad- miral Dewey as master (now junior lieutenant) in European waters. His next cruise was to China as lieutenant on the Lackawanna. His next cruise was to European waters on the Frank- lin, with Admiral John L. Worden, of Monitor fame. For a short period thereafter, he performed shore duty in New York as light house inspector,. next going to China as flag lieutenant to Ad- mirals Clitz and Crosby for nearly four years .. Following this, in 1884-86, he was in charge of: the branch hydrographic office in New York city :. He was next successively with the scholarship St. Mary and War College, Newport, and in De- cember, 1889, joined the Charleston at the navy. yard, Mare Island, California. He was there: in 1891 promoted to lieutenant commander. Re- turning east, he was ordered in command of school ship St. Mary until March, 1897. On. June 15th of the latter year he was ordered in. charge of the recruiting office in New York city .. When war was declared against Spain, in addi- tion to his duties as recruiting officer, Captain Field was invested with authority as supervisor of New York harbor, as a member of the board for the purchase of vessels for United States marine service, and was also in charge of the third district of coast patrol, which included Newport and New York harbors. He was com- missioned Commander April 27, 1898. July II, 1898, he was ordered to command of the col- lier Justin. In the fall and winter of 1898, while in command of the Justin, he was with the Iowa and Oregon on their trip to San Francisco; thence to Honolulu to bring back the collier Sindia

(now Ajax). From June Ioth to November Ist he was light house inspector at Portland, Oregon. On the latter date he was ordered to command of Ranger, man-of-war, at Mare Island, Cali- fornia, remaining in commission to October 15, 1901. He was subsequently, up to October I, 1902, light house inspector at Charleston, South Carolina. He was promoted to captain April 15, 1902, and retired November 20 as rear ad- miral.

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

Caption Field married. November 8. 180%. Ruth, daughter of the late Key Frederick (. Clark, who had a summer honte at Remington. and whose father was for many years pastor of the old First church at Bennington Center. Cap tain and Mrs. Field have two children : Sarah Blackwell Field, born October 8, 1857 and Wells Latlin Field, born October 11, 1902. The summer home of the family is at Bonington Center.

CLINTON CUTLER.

Clinton Cutler, of East Montpelier, Vermont, one of the leading agriculturists of that section of the country, was born on the old homestead at Cutler's Corners, town of Orange, Orange county, Vermont, December 16, 1844. Jacob Cutler, grandfather of Clinton Cutler, was one of the first settlers in the town of Orange, Orange county, Vermont. He purchased an extensive tract of land, and in order to cultivate it in the best possible manner, he manufactured charcoal and ashes, which he disposed of very advantage- ously, and he applied the proceeds to obtaining the necessary requirements of his farm. He was a man of strong characteristics, and he exerted a wide influence for good in the community in which he resided. He was united in marriage to Miss Betsy Watts.

Chauncy Cutler, son of Jacob and Betsy Cut- ler, and father of Clinton Cutler, was born in the town of Orange, Orange county, Vermont. After receiving a common school education he devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, which he methodically and successfully followed all his life. In his political affiliations Mr. Cutler was a Republican, and he has served in the capacity of selectman, besides holding other town offices. He always resided in Cutlers Cor- ners, and was considered one of the representa- tive men of that section of Vermont.

Mr. Cutler was twice married, his first wife having been Miss Lois Peabody, and their chil- dren were Clinton and Clara Eva Cutler. Mr. Cutler then married Miss Finette Townsend, of Plainfield, Vermont, and their children were: Delmot; Lena, deceased; Harley F .; Dwight ; and Earl Cutler.

Clinton Cutler, son of Chauncy and Lois Cut-

ler, acqumed hi cal education in the public schools of his native town, which was later sup plemented by a couple of Study in the Spaulding school at Bane, Vermont, and in the school at Venburt, Vemment. Afterwards he pursued the occupation of a farmer. He has been eminently necessinl in all his agricultural enterprises, and is now one of the substantial men of the town, whose good judgment and sound common sense are esteemed by all who come in contact with him. He purchased, in 1860, the farm in East Montpelier on which he now resides. In his political preferences Mr. Cutler is a Republican, but he has never taken any active part in the affairs of the town.

On September 19, 1866, Mr. Cutler was united in marriage to Miss Hattie D. Shephard, daugh- ter of Prentice M. and Marion Shephard. They have one child, Murrey C., born December II, 1868. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Cutler married, February 22, 1878, Miss Elsic Pitkin Dwinell, a daughter of Hon. Chester W. H. and Orpah L. (Jacobs) Dwinell, of Marsh- field, Vermont. Mr. Dwinell was born in Marsh- field, Vermont, February 24, 1823, where he be- came one of the leading men of the town. He represented the town in the state legislature for 1863 and 1864; served as associate justice for 1869 and 1870, and was chairman of the county board of appraisers and equilization. The fol- lowing named children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cutler : Dean Elliott, deceased; Plinney Morton, born July 11, 1881 ; Hattie Blanch, born June 19, 1883; Paul J. W., deceased, born May 24, 1887; and Ruth Marion Cutler, born July 25, 1891.

WILLIAM CARLTON BLAKE.

William Carlton Blake, one of the prosperous agriculturists of Miltonboro, Vermont, is a de- scendant of Jasper Blake, who settled in Hamp- ton, New Hampshire, prior to 1650. Timothy Blake, great-grandson of Jasper Blake, was born in New Hampshire in 1740, and participated as a soldier during the Revolutionary war, where he displayed his courage and heroism on the field of battle. About the year 1780 he-removed to Strafford, Vermont, where he settled upon a farm and became one of the representative inen

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of that section of the state; he was chosen to represent the town of Strafford in the state legis- lature in 1784. The first name of his wife was Susannah, and the following named children were born to them: Susannah, born in the par- ish of Hawk, New Hampshire, July 5, 1770; Timothy, Jr., born in the same parish, October 17, 1772; Jonathan, born in Goffstown, New Hampshire, October 27, 1774; Joseph, born in Goffstown, New Hampshire, October 30, 1778; Isaac, born in Strafford, Vermont, February 3, 1781 ; Rachel, born in Strafford, February 23, 1783; and Elizabeth born in Strafford, July 27, 1789.

Jonathan Blake, second son of Timothy and Susannah Blake, was born in Goffstown, New Hampshire, October 27, 1774. He was united in marriage to Miss Sally Newman, daughter of William Newman, who was a Revolutionary sol- dier, and fought under General Stark at the bat- tle of Bennington. Their children were: William N., who married Miss Grace Tomberson, and after her death was united in marriage to Miss Hannah French Page, who died April 25, 1895 ; Sarah, who became the wife of David Fergu- son, of Starksboro, Vermont ; Mary, who became the wife of Ira Caldwell, of Georgia, Vermont ; Roxy. who married Charles Jackson, of Milton, Vermont; Jay, who was married four times, his first wife having been Nancy Thompson, his sec- ond wife Sarah Thompson, his third wife Eme- line Smith, and his fourth wife Eveline Carr. Mr. Blake died in Milton, Vermont, March 14, 1890.

William Newman Blake, oldest son of Jona- than and Sally Blake, was born in Strafford, Ver- mont, January 16, 1802. He married Miss Grace Tomberson, who was born July 29, 1803, and the following named children were born to them : Jonathan, born in Milton, Vermont, November 24, 1827; Azro, born February 13, 1831, died December 4, 1832; Hannah L., born in Milton, Vermont, November 20, 1835, became the wife of H. G. Morton and they reside in St. Albans, Vermont. William N. Blake died in Georgia, Vermont, June 30, 1887, and his wife passed away April 20, 1851.

Mrs. H. G. Morton is a member of the Daugh- ters of the Revolution and a Colonial Dame. She has six children living : Leonard J., a prosperous

merchant in St. Albans; Carrol H., president of Franklin County Savings Bank and Trust Com- pany, of St. Albans; Frederick B., a prosperous clothing merchant in St. Albans; Dr. Arthur O., of St. Albans; Mrs. Louise G. ( Morton) Weeks, of Boston, Massachusetts ; and Mrs. Mary (Mor- ton) Webster, of Berlin, Germany.

Jonathan Blake, oldest son of William New- man and Grace Blake, was born in Milton, Ver- mont, November 24, 1837. He acquired his educa- tion in the Georgia Academy, and later in life he followed the occupation of farming. In his politi- cal views he was a Republican, and in his relig- ious beliefs followed the doctrines of the Meth- dist church. On June 29, 1851, Mr. Blake was united in marriage to Miss Emily F. Bean, who was born in Milton, Vermont, April 30, 1830, a daughter of John, Jr., and Phoebe (Soper) Bean. John Bean was born in Goffstown, New Hampshire, in 1782, a son of John Bean, who was a resident of Goffstown, but later removed to the state of Vermont, where he became one of the early settlers of the town of Burlington; about 1800 he located in Milton, Vermont, where he remained until his death, which occurred about the year 1840. He participated in the Revolu- tionary war and displayed great courage and bravery. His son, John Bean, Jr., served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and his death oc- curred in Milton, Vermont, in 1873. One son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Blake, William Carl- ton Blake. Mr. Blake died August 12, 1890,- and his wife died May 6, 1895.

Wililam Carlton Blake, only son of Jonathan and Emily Blake, was born in Milton, Vermont, July 19, 1853. He acquired a good practical education in the Montpelier Seminary, and after completing his studies chose the occupation of farming, and he has been engaged in this line of work all his life with the exception of ten years, when he conducted a mercantile business. The farm on which he now resides is the same ground that was purchased by his great-grand- father, Jonathan Blake, in 1806.

Mr. Blake has taken quite an active part in political affairs in Milton, and is an ardent ad- vocate of Republican principles. He was elected to the position of town grand juror, lister, third. second and first selectman, and he was chosen to represent the town of Milton in the state legis-

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Jature of 1900. He is a member of Milton Lodge No. 67. 1. O. O. F., and he is also a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church in Milton ; he has served the church as steward and district steward, and he acted in the capacity of chairman of the board of trustes, who were ap- pointed by the probate court to carry into effect the provisions of the Laura Ward bequest to the Methodist Episcopal church of Milton, 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 29

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