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 39

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 39

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Luther Stone, the grandfather of William Luther Stone, grew to man's estate in Arlington, there receiving his early education, after which he studied medicine. Subsequently locating at Charlotte, Vermont, he was there engaged in the practice of his profession for a number of years. He was very successful as a physician, accumulat- ing a large property, and during the later years of his life devoted his attention to the care of his

luge landed interests. Dr. Stone was an active politician, being first identified with the Whigs and later with the Republicans. He filled numer- aus local offices and represented his town in the state legislature. He married Eunice P. Fuller, a daughter of Ammi Fuller, a Revolutionary sol- dier, who came from Connecticut to Vermont in pioneer times. Three children were born to the Doctor and his wife, namely : Ammi F., the father of our subject ; Luther, who followed farming and died at the age of sixty years, having married P'hebe Kcyes, by whom he had five daughters, Fanny, Josephine, Ruth, Jennie and Isabella ; and Louise Maria, who married Captain T. D. Chapman. The Doctor and his wife were mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Ammi F. Stone was graduated at the Burr Seminary, after which he attended the University of Vermont, and later studied law with Luther P. Marsh, being admitted to the Vermont bar at Rutland on the day he was twenty-one years of age. Settling at Plattsburg, New York, he be- gan the practice of his chosen profession, but after a few years returned to Charlotte, Vermont, where he established himself in the mercantile business. He afterward engaged in agricultural pursuits for a time, but retired from that occu- pation in 1869 and located in Burlington, where he carried on brewing for about ten years. He married Julia A. Wright, a daughter of William and Maria (Johnston) Wright, who came to this state from the north of Ireland and settled first in Underhill, and afterward lived in various places, but both spent their last days in Burling- ton, the father dying in July, 1886, and the mother in May, 1890. They reared five children, as fol- lows: Eliza; Maria; Julia A., who became the wife of Ammi F. Stone : Mary Jane ; and William.

William Luther Stone acquired his early edu- cation in the district school, after which he en- tered the seminary at Charlotte, and later pursued the branches of knowledge in which he was most interested at a select school. Leaving the home farm when a lad of seventeen years, he came to Burlington to complete his education, and a year later, in company with his father, purchased the Petterson Brewing· business, being engaged in brewing and malting until 1879, when, on account of the stringency of the prohibition law, he dis- continued his operations in that line. He has

Brow. Hendes

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since carried on an active business as a bottler and dealer in mineral and soda waters. Mr. Stone is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Burlington Lodge, F. & A. M .; to Burlington Chapter, R. A. M .; to Bur- lington Council, R. & S. M .; to Burlington Com- mandery, K. T .; to the Lodge of Perfection ; and he is a member of the Scottish Rite. He is an ardent sportsman, enjoying hunting and fishing, and in his political affiliations is a Democrat. On the 12th of January, 1882, he was united in mar. riage to Etta H. Stannard, a daughter of the late General George J. Stannard.

HON. GEORGE W. HENDEE.

Hon. George W. Hendee, of Morrisville, former governor of the state of Vermont and member of Congress, who has also occupied many other responsible public positions and has contributed largely to the development of the commonwealth through his connection with pioneer railroad and other important enterprises, is a descendant of an old family which through several generations has had among its members those whose lives have been of much usefulness.

His paternal grandfather, Roswell Hendee, was active in the upbuilding of the village of Ran- dolph, where he came to his death from injuries sustained in falling from a building upon whose construction he was engaged. By his marriage with a member of the Terrill family, Roswell Hendee became the father of the following named children : Jehiel P., who is to be referred to be- low ; George, who was a mechanic in the employ of the Central Vermont Railroad Company, and is now deceased; Wealthy, who became the wife of one Stillings; Millie, who became the wife of Dr. O. P. Forbush, a practicing dentist of Mont- pelier ; Eliza, who married one Flanders; Eliza- beth, who married one Magill, and now resides in Washington city ; and Homer.

Jehiel P. Hendee, eldest child in the family named, was born in 1807 in Randolph, and died February II, 1851, in Morrisville. He was edu- cated in the common schools in his native town, and while the instruction afforded him was meagre, his native ability and ambition served as a stimulus, and he acquired a generous fund of knowledge through his private studies, and came

to positions of great usefulness and influence. He became the first editor of the first newspaper published in Lamoille county, the Christian Palladium, a religious journal which he estab- lished in 1832, and which he conducted with marked ability for three years. He subsequently became a minister of the Christian church, and during the remainder of his days he discharged the duties of the sacred calling, so far as his not vigorous health would permit, and was particu- larly well known throughout northern Vermont, where he was held in high esteem. In his early manhood he married Rebecca, a daughter of John Ferrin, of Morristown, and to them was born only one child, George W. Hendee.

George W. Hendee was born in Stowe, Ver- mont, November 30, 1832. His father's health and calling forbade the accumulation of means, and the son was from an early age dependent up- on himself. He began his education in the com- mon schools, and with his own earnings paid for further instruction in the People's Academy in Morrisville. His desire for learning exceeded his opportunities for its obtainment, except by his own private reading of such books as he could obtain. That he made good use of them is apparent, when it is noted that on coming of age he was elected to the position of superintendent of schools. A year before this he began a course of legal study under the preceptorship of W. G. Ferrin, of Johnson, and three years later, in 1855, he was admitted to the bar of Lamoille coun- ty. He made a rapid rise in his profession, while his industry, pleasing address and manifest apti- tude for his calling soon bringing to him an excel- lent clientele and an array of cases which con- stantly grew in number and importance. In the years which followed, his practice was extended to the supreme court of the state and to the fed- eral, circuit and district courts, in all of which, in litigation of commanding importance and abounding in vexatious intricacies, he acquitted himself with a degree of ability which afforded promise of his taking rank with the first of his profession in the land.

But other interests were pressed upon him, and in course of years the law came to be a sec- ondary consideration with him, and he practi- cally declined all legal business except that of the greatest moment and in the highest courts.

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He was one of the pioneer promoters and coll. structors of the Portland & Ogdensburg Rail road, and he gave his undivided attention to that enterprise for a period of seven years. In 1891 he accepted the presidency of the Mont real. Portland & Boston Railroad of Canada. During the same years he was largely connected with the financial institutions, among them the Union Savings Bank & Trust Company, of Mor- risville.

From the time of his election to the super- intendency of schools, at the age of twenty-one years, there has scarcely been a year when he was not also occupied with some public trust. In 1858-59 he was state's attorney for Lamoille county ; in 1861-62 he was a member of the state legislature, house of representatives ; during the Civil war he was deputy United States provost marshal; and in 1866 and for the two succeed- ing years he was a senator from Lamoille county. In 1868 he was elected lieutenant governor, tak- ing his seat as presiding officer of the senate at the ensuing session, and he occupied that posi- tion until February, 1870, when he came to the gubernatorial chair as successor to Governor Washburn. After the expiration of his official term he was elected to the forty-third Congress, and he was twice consecutively re-elected. From 1879 to 1885 he served as a national bank exam- iner, under authority of the United States treas- ury department, and while acting in that capacity was made receiver of the National Bank of Poultney and the Vermont National Bank of St. Albans. In all the various stations to which he was called, as before enumerated, he brought the highest ability and a lofty sense of public duty and obligation. Every trust involving money or other property was discharged with scrupulous honesty. As a legislator and executive, his sole regard was for the public interest, and to con- scientiously guard the people's rights and funds. During his congressional terms, he served upon the committee on private land claims and the committee on the District of Columbia. As a member of the latter named body, he was pri- marily instrumental in drafting and securing the passing of a law which worked a salutary in- novation by placing the District under such a form of government as afforded it a substantial financial basis.

In all this busy life, crowded with so mall' large concerns, Governor Hendee has borne hi- full share of the burdens of a citizen of his home village, and he is there held in honor and af fection for his many unselfish services. He has given his aid unsparing, by influence and means. to the advancement of every worthy local en- terprise, and he has repeatedly occupied local offices, including that of president of the board of village trustees, to which he has been re- peatedly elected. For several years past he has lived in comparatively retirement, caring for his fine agricultural property and finding pleasure in aiding in an industry which has been of in- calculable benefit to the people, the breeding of light-class carriage horses of the beautiful Mor- gan strain. He keeps in close touch with the men and events of the day, and his influence in Republican councils is sought for as it was in the younger days of the party, with which he has been actively identified from its inception.

Governor Hendee was married November 17, 1855, to Miss Milissa, daughter of Stevens and Caroline (Johnson) Redding, who died in 1861, leaving one child, Lillian Frances, who is also deceased. On December 23. 1863. Gover- nor Hendee was married to Miss Viola L., daughter of Loren and Fidelia (Paine) Bundy:

REV. GEORGE WESLEY CLOUGH.

Rev. George Wesley Clough, pastor of the Baptist church at Groton, was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, January 12, 1849, a son of Mor- ris and Martha (Foss) Clough, the former of whom died in 1852. George W. Clough is a self-made man in the truest sense implied by the term. Being left fatherless at the tender age of three years, he was bound out as a young boy to a New Hampshire farmer, with whom he lived a number of years, attending the district school in winter, and becoming familiar with the various branches of agriculture. Going to Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1864, he spent a year in that city; while there he was converted, and made a member of the Baptist church. Returning then to Haverhill, he learned the trade of a painter and paper-hanger, which he followed several years, even while pursuing his studies at the Madison, now Colgate, University, at Hamilton,

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New York, where he completed his study of theology in 1869.

Mr. Clough continued his trade in Lawrence, Massachusetts, during the next ten years, during the latter part of the time being intimately asso- ciated with the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion. In this capacity he was a leader in the numerous meetings held in the schoolhouses and parks of the city under the auspices of this organi- zation, preaching a part of the time once a month, helping support a mission, also preaching occa- sionally without compensation to a colored con- gregation. In the summer of 1879 Mr. Clough filled the pulpit of the Baptist church in Newton Junction, New Hampshire, and the following December was ordained in that town. He re- mained there the next three years, and saw the church double its membership. Being called to the Bakers River Baptist church, an off-shoot of an old-established church of Rumney, New Hampshire, he was instrumental in healing the breach between the two religious organizations and uniting the two churches. Coming then. to Vermont, he was settled at Groton for two years, and at North Troy two years, in both of which there were many additions, going then to West Plattsburg, New York, where he remained three years, in the meantime baptizing forty-two per- sons. Returning to Massachusetts, he preached in Andover two years, where a good work was ac- complished, after which he accepted a position at Mount Holly, Vermont, where he built over a church and welcomed over thirty additions.

Six years later he was recalled to Groton, where he has since labored with untiring energy and earnestness, meeting with a deserved reward in his ministerial labors, a goodly number having joined the church by letter and baptism. During this time the church building has been improved by the addition of a bell, and the pews have been supplied with Baptist hymnals, and running water has been put in. Mr. Clough has a rich tenor voice, which is often heard in church, and he is frequently called upon at the state conven- tions of the Baptist churches to lead the singing and sing solo selections. He also has helped many pastors in evangelistic services, and has been greatly blessed in seeing many conversions. He takes an intelligent interest in educational mat-

ters, and served as superintendent of the Groton schools for several years.

Mr. Clough married, June 4, 1871, Miss Mary E. Kempton, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, and they have four children, namely: Ida E., Irwin W. and Eva A., twins, and Arthur W.

CHAUNCEY WELLS BROWNELL.

The name which forms the caption of this sketch was borne by one who during a long and active life rendered distinguished service to the state, and by another, in the person of his son, who has proven well worthy of the name. Chaun- cey Wells Brownell was born in Williston, Ver- mont, September 13, 18II, the son of Samuel and Zeruah (Forbes) Brownell. His paternal and maternal grandfathers were both Revolution- ary soldiers, and made honorable records. The latter of these, John Forbes, widely noted for his ready wit and quick power of repartee, came to Williston in very early times. Samuel A., father of Chauncey W. Brownell, came with his parents from Connecticut to Williston and purchased land in the northeast corner of the original town of Burlington (now Williston), embracing a large portion of the grant to Governor Benning Went- worth, of New Hampshire, in this township.

In this new country, which his hands aided in clearing and bringing under cultivation, Chauncey W. Brownell grew to manhood. His early days were devoted to arduous manual labor, and his evenings to study by the light of the huge logs burning in the old fashioned fireplace, or the oc- casional aid of the glimmer of a pine knot. There. with a board and piece of charcoal, he solved many a problem in mathematics that afterward served him in good stead when he taught a district school. Under such circumstances did he lay the foundations of an education, and Abraham Lin- coln, at the same time in the backwoods of Illi- nois, was similarly employed. The writer of these pages, who well knew the great American last named, is here tempted to turn aside to proclaim the worth of an education so acquired. not, per- haps, so much in what was immediately learned as in the stimulus which the learning gave for greater effort. Suffice it to say that, in both cases, the process of self-education was continued

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through life, and brought rich reward in practical knowledge and highly developed mental powers.

In 1840 Mr. Brownell purchased a large farm in the southwestern corner of Williston, on which he continued to reside during his life. It was his ambition to build up and improve, and leave to those who should come after him more comforts and larger sources of income than he had been permitted to enjoy. He set out large orchards and grew all varieties of fruit that the climate would permit. He sought to beautify the road- ways, and planted large numbers of maple, elm, butternut, walnut, and other domestic trees, which today expand along the street for more than a mile, making a shady and attractive drive. He added to his real estate from time to time, seldom parting with any he had acquired, and it was owing to this peculiar phase of his char- acter that at his death, notwithstanding convey- ance to his children, he was the possessor of more than one thousand acres. He gave much time and thought to the improvement of stock, and bred and owned some of the best horses, cattle and sheep in the state. Remarkably industrious and energetic, his rare usefulness as a citizen ever fell below his standard, and his last words were those of regret-"My work is but half accom- plished." In his business relations he was hon- esty and integrity personified, and his genial tem- perament made him the friend of all who were brought into association with him.

Deeply attached to the principles of the Re- publican party, Mr. Brownell was a useful, pub- lic-spirited citizen, and was called to nearly all the duties entrusted to town officials. An un- compromising believer in the protection of Ameri- can industries, he was quickly out of patience with those who advocated a free trade policy. He represented Williston in the legislature of 1860-61, and was chosen a member of the state senate from Chittenden county for the first bi- ennial term of 1870. In these positions his con- duct was characterized by strict regard for the public welfare. He never withheld his support from a worthy measure, nor failed to antagonize one which was vicious, and his influence was strongly felt at all times during the legislative sessions.

On March 14, 1841, he married Miss Laura C., daughter of Isaac and Laura (Chapin) Hig-

lee, and to them were born the following named children : Samuel A,, of Essex; Zeruah F., who became the wife of William F. Whitney, of Wil- liston ; Chauncey W., referred to at length here- inafter ; Laura H., who became the wife of John Collier, of Brooklyn, New York; and Eliza, who died in 1862. The mother of these children died in November, 1852. In May, 1854, Mr. Brownell married Miss Martha M., daughter of Hon. John Van Sicklen, of South Burlington. The chil- dren born of this marriage were Sarah V., Mary A., Mrs. W. H. Thorp, of Middlebury, and Grove L., of Essex. One, John Lester, died in 1855. Mrs. Brownell died January 5, 1891, and Mr. Brownell on June 4, 1892.

Chauncey Wells Brownell, second son of Chauncey Wells and Laura ( Higbec ) Brownell, was born October 7, 1847, in Williston, Ver- mont. He received his early education in the common schools of his native village, prepared for college in the Williston and Alburg Springs academies, and entered the University of Ver- mont, from which he was graduated with the class of 1870, and in 1873 he received from the in- stitution the degree of Master of Arts. He be- came a student in the Albany (New York) Law School, and after receiving his diploma opened a law office in Burlington and entered upon the practice of his profession. Amply prepared for his calling, he soon gathered about himself a large and influential clientage, and took his place as one of the most active and successful members of the local bar. Aside from the exactions of his personal practice, he has during all his active life been called to positions of great public im- portance. He was for four years grand juror and prosecuting attorney of his city, and for two years was state's attorney for Chittenden county. A Republican in politics, his party has recog- nized his ability in leadership by choosing him to various other honorable stations. He was as- sistant secretary of the state senate, from 1874 to 1880, then was advanced to the secretaryship, and he occupied the latter position, by successive re-elections, until 1890. In the latter year he was elected secretary of state, and he was re- lected successively in 1892, 1894 and 1896. He was elected for an unexpired term, and consented to serve, as he thought it his duty. He was re- elected in March, 1900, a member of the board

Wall Me. D -

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of aldermen from the Fifth ward. He declined further re-election. In 1902 he was elected to represent Chittenden county in the state senate, and he was unanimously elected president pro tempore of that body upon its organization. In all these various positions he has acquitted him- self most creditably, and won for himself the reputation of an entirely capable and strictly con- scientious officer.

Various important business interests also com- mand the attention of this remarkably industrious man. He has the management and personal su- pervision of the large and valuable paternal es- tate, and is a director in the Electric Street Rail- way Company, and trustee and vice president of the Home Savings Bank. In religion he is a Congregationalist. Mr. Brownell was married October 12, 1875, to Miss Eiva M., daughter of the late Baxter and Laura (Chase) Brigham, of Westford. Four children were born of this mar- riage, Carl Brigham, Elva Mabel, Chauncey Sher- man and Henry Chase Brownell.

ELMORE JOHN HALL, M. D.

Dr. Elmore John Hall, who for a period of thirty-one years faithfully and skillfully dis- charged the many duties of a practicing physi- cian in Morrisville, Vermont, was born February 28, 1834, in Beamsville, Ontario, and was the son of the late Rev. J. P. and Sarah C. (Day- foot) Hall. The father, who was born October 25,. 1805, in Orwell, Vermont, spent the, early part of his life in his native place in Bristol, after which he went to Beamville, in the pro- vince of Ontario. Somewhat later he married, and in 1835 he and his wife united with the Baptist church, being baptized by Elder Curry in Lake Ontario. Soon afterwards he began preaching, and while visiting in Waterbury, Ver- mont, he was persuaded to become the pastor of the Baptist church at that place, and there he remained for eleven years, alternating between that church and the Baptist church: in Morris- ville. At the end of that time he returned to Ontario, where he preached fourteen years, tak- ing up new work which developed into a strong church. At the close of this protracted ser- vice he found that his health was impaired, and as he was advancing in years, he came to Morris-

town, and settled near his children on the out- skirts of the beautiful village of Morrisville. Here he spent the remainder of his days, preach- ing, as his health and opportunity permitted, at Johnson, Waterbury and other places, often supplying the pulpits of the different denomina- tions in his resident village. Only four or five weeks before he died he preached in the Metho- dist Episcopal church, taking for his text the second verse of the one hundredth psalm. He died in Morrisville, February 10, 1889, after a short illness of pneumonia. He was universally revered and loved, being familiarly known in the neighborhood as "Elder Hall." His wife passed away March 20, 1893.

Dr. Elmore John Hall received his education in Morrisville Academy and in Castleton, and in his youth he taught school in Morrisville, Stowe and Bristol. He studied medicine with the late Dr. H. Powers, graduated from the medical de- partment of Burlington College, and subse- quently took post-graduate courses in Burlington and New York, always keeping closely in touch with the advanced thought of his profession. He began the practice in Waterbury Center, and later moved to Highgate, where he continued in practice until August, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company L, First Regiment Ver- mont Cavalry. He was promoted to the rank of assistant surgeon, January 1, 1863, and rendered efficient service until his discharge, by reason of resignation, September 16, 1864. He returned to Highgate, and in 1866 engaged in practice in Morrisville in association with Dr. H. Powers.

In the local life of the community Dr. Hall was always an interested and active participant. A few years ago he and Arthur L. Cheney be- came interested in the drug business, having bought the Woodward store, and later Dr. Hall's enthusiasm and desire for the improvement were largely responsible for the development of plans that made possible the present corner block in which the drug business is situated. He was always intensely interested in the welfare of Morrisville Academy, of which institution he had long been a trustee. For a time he held the position of village trustee. He served as United States pension examiner for twenty-one years continuously and was one of the Pleasant View cemetery commissioners. He was a member of

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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 39

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