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 4

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 4

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His funeral took place from the Collegiate Reformed church, Fifth avenue and Forty- eighth street, New York, and was attended by many political, financial and railroad dignitaries. His remains repose in Greenwood cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.

Trenor W. Park was married December 15, 1846, to Laura V. S. Hall, daughter of ex- Governor Hiland Hall. Lovely and beloved, a woman who through life showered sunshine on all around her, she died in June, 1875. Two daughters and one son survive their parents. One of the daughters is the wife of Governor John G. Mccullough, and the other of Frederick B. Jennings, a prominent lawyer of New York city. The son, Trenor L. Park, resides in New York city. On the 30th of May, 1882, Mr. Park was married to Ella F., daughter of A. C. Nich- ols, Esq., of San Francisco, California, who now survives him, and lives in San Rafael, California.

I 5

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

GEORGE W. LOWRY.

George W. Lowry, a prominent business man of Burlington, is a descendant of a typical Ver- mont family, one which, in its various genera- tions, was stamped with all the rugged homely virtues and deeply imbued with the principles and patriotic spirit which actuated the Allens, Fays, Robinsons and their compeers, through whose strenuous effort the commonwealth was founded and its independence won.

George W. Lowry was a descendant of Thom- as Lowry, a native of the North of Ireland, born in 1701, who married one of his own name, but no relative, Anna Lowry, who was born in Scotland in 1704. The pair came to America about 1740, landing in Boston, whence they soon removed to West Hartford, Connecticut, where David, their fifth child was born. The family afterward went to Farmington, locating in that part known as Redstone Hill (Plainville), on a tract of land now occupied in part by Shafrach Manchester, known as the Levi Curtis place. Mr. Lowry died May 16, 1788, aged eighty-seven years, and his wife December 31, 1790, aged eighty-six years, and their remains were interred in the old cemetery in the east part of Plainville. Their children were: John, Thomas, Nathaniel, Samuel, David and Daniel.

Thomas (2), son of the parents above named, was a man in moderate circumstances, but high- ly respected for his industry and integrity. He married Phoebe Benedict, daughter of a Presby- terian clergyman, and they became the parents of a son, Heman, who was born in the town of North East, in Dutchess county, New York, September 4, 1778.

Heman (3), was reared in Jericho, Vermont, then an unknown wilderness, whither his parents removed when he was a year old. As soon as old enough, he aided his father in clearing up a farm and in adding to the comforts of a home. His father died while he was yet a lad and be- fore he had opportunity for acquiring more than the mere rudiments of an education, and it is presumable that he was greatly indebted to his mother (a woman of beautiful character and, for the times, excellent attainments) for the greater part of that instruction which, aided by his own thirst for knowledge and close applica-

tion to study, enabled him in after years to take a high position as a man of affairs, and brought him to positions of prominence and usefulness in public life.

The first official station to which Heman Lowry was called was that of under or deputy sheriff of the county of Chittenden, under the late Heman Allen, afterward minister to Chili. He was probably Mr. Allen's successor in office, as he was appointed sheriff of the county in 1809, and was for nearly forty years in public life, and during that time was almost constantly in public employment, nineteen years as high sheriff, eleven years as United States marshal, a member of the council of censors, and in various other positions of honor and trust. During the stormy and troubled period of the last war with Great Britain, and the exciting period which pre- ceded it, he discharged his public duties with such ability and excellent judgment as to earn for himself the respect and esteem of all parties, and secure his reappointment from year to year, and not unfrequently from his political opponents. Though warm and decided in his political opin- ions, his impartial and faithful discharge of his public duties shielded him from political censure, and secured for him the friendship and good will of his political opponents.

In all relations of life, both public and private, he had the singular good fortune to gain the per- sonal confidence and esteem of all who knew him. He was a man of strong intellect and sound judg- ment, and was noted for his integrity and love of truth and justice. It may be truly said of him that he was a frank, straightforward old-school Vermonter, proud of his state and jealous of its honor. Few men exercised a more extended in- fluence in maintaining its high character and hon- or, and few were more widely known within its borders, for there were few prominent men in the state who did not known and respect him for his manly virtues, integrity of character and de- votion to his friends. His death occurred at his residence in Burlington, January 5, 1848, in the seventieth year of his age. The supreme court being in session at the time of his decease, the bar immediately held a meeting and adopted resolu- tions expressive of the sense of the profession in view of the dispensation of Providence which had removed from them one who had been so

11)

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

long connected with them as the chief executive officer of the country, testifying their respect for his memory and his many virtues, and requesting the court to adjourn at noon on the day of his burial, to enable them to attend his funeral in a body. Accordingly, the court adjourned, and the members of that body and a large concourse of mourning friends followed the remains of their departed associate and friend to their final resting place.

Mr. Lowry was twice married. His first wife, whom he married in 1800, was Miss Lucy Lee, who died the following year. In 1803 he married Miss Margaret Campbell, a lady of high moral worth, who survived him only two years, and died universally beloved and sincerely mourned.

Heman Lowry, son of Heman Lowry :(3), was born March 24, 1819, in Burlington, where he was educated in the public schools. He was married at Shelburne, December 12, 1849, to Ann M. Harman, who was born in Vergennes, Octo- ber 7, 1820, a daughter of Argalus and Martha (Isham) Harman. Martha Isham was a daugh- ter of the late Joshua Isham, who came from Col- chester, Connecticut, after serving for seven years in the Revolutionary war, settled in St. George, Vermont, and was master of Washing- ton Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M. After his marriage, Heman Lowry removed to Dannemora, New York, and accepted a position as keeper in the state prison, where he died in 1860. He was a member of the Masonic order and of the Epis- copal church. His wife died January 2, 1892. They were the parents of two children, Kate Elizabeth, born October 16, 1851, who died No- vember 25, 1895; and George William, born in Dannemora, January 27, 1854.

George William Lowry, only surviving child of the parents last named, was brought to Shel- burne, Vermont, shortly after the death of his father. He received his education in the schools of Shelburne, and at an early age entered a mer- cantile establishment in the capacity of clerk, in Burlington, Vermont. He was thus occupied until 1880, when he engaged in the drug business in partnership with Fred O. Beaupre. This enter- prise was successfully conducted until 1899, when the firm disposed of their stock to embark in the

real estate business, which they have prosecuted most satisfactorily to the present time.

Mr. Lowry is numbered among the most en- terprising and public-spirited citizens of Bur- lington, and extends his aid to every cause prom- ising of advantage to the community. He is prominent in the Masonic order. He was made a Mason in Washington Lodge No. 3, F. & A. MI., in December, 1883, and was master in 1891-2. He is also a member of Burlington Chapter, R. A. M .; Burlington Council, R. & S. M .; Bur- lington Commandery, K. T .; and Mount Sinai Temple, Mystic Shrine, and has passed the chairs in nearly all these bodies.

WALTER JUDE PERRIN.

Walter Jude Perrin, of Hardwick, a dealer in lumber and building materials, is a prominent business man and an active citizen. He was born March 7, 1852, in Bethel, Vermont, a son of Jude Perrin. He belongs to one of the early and honored families of Bethel, his grandfather, Walter Perrin, having been a lifelong resident of that town, where he carried on an extensive business as a tanner and currier. Jude Perrin, a farmer by occupation, was born in Bethel, June 10, 1827, and died there twenty-four years later. His wife, whose maiden name was Lucetta Mc- Intosh, is also a native of Bethel, the date of her birth being January 4, 1828. She is a daughter of Samuel and Phebe (Wyatt) McIntosh, natives of New Hampshire. The father was born in Amherst, a son of John McIntosh, who came from Scotland, having been pressed into the British army during the Revolutionary war. His wife, Margaret Henry, was also of Scotch birth. Phebe Wyatt was a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Parker) Wyatt, of Bedford, New Hampshire.

Walter J. Perrin came with his mother to Hardwick when a small child, and was here brought up and educated, attending the district schools in his boyhood and completing his studies at the academy. Starting out in life as a farmer, he continued in agricultural pursuits until 1892, when he began dealing in lumber and building materials, starting on a modest scale, but has gradualy enlarged his operations, and is now carrying on a substantial business. A man of

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

excellent financial and executive ability, he is often called upon to settle estates of different kinds, for many years being either administrator or one of the commissioners in the settlement of important estates. He is a stanch adherent of the Republican party, and has served in most of the town offices, for the past twelve years serving as one of the listers. Fraternally Mr. Perrin is a member of Caspian Lake Lodge No. 87, A, F. & A. M. He is a Methodist in religious belief, and a generous supporter of the church of that denomination.

THE MCCLARY FAMILY.

1689-1903.

Until the battle of Bothwell Bridge, fought in 1679, in which the Scotch Convenanters re- ceived their final defeat, the McClarys were landed proprietors in the Scottish lowlands, with large estates south of Glasgow. They were at that time compelled to choose betwen the renun- ciation of their faith and the forfeiture of their estates. With true Scotch stubbornness they chose the latter alternative and emigrated to the north of Ireland. Here they remained about thirty-seven years, taking part in that glorious struggle for liberty which welded together French Huguenot, English Dissenter and Scotch Cove- nanter, forming the Scotch-Irish race.

On August 7, 1726, Andrew McClary, the first American in the line of descent, left the province of Uister, Ireland, for this country, reaching Boston October 8. He seems to have resided at Haverhill, Massachusetts, during the following winter and to have located at the Scotch-Irish settlement at Londonderry, New Hampshire, in the spring, reaching there on April 19, 1727. In 1738 he removed to Epsom and settled on the farm where now stands the old McClary house, erected in 1741, which is at present one of the noted landmarks of southern New Hampshire. This house was for twenty-five years the head- quarters of the committee of safety, and within its walls were concocted many of the schemes in- fluencing the early history of New Hampshire.

This worthy emigrant apparently took his full share of the responsibilities of pioneer life, and his frequent elections to positions of honor and 2X

trust indicate the confidence in which he was held by his associates.

Major Andrew McClary, the second Ameri- can in the line of descent, was the second son of the emigrant, Andrew McClary. He was born at Northwood, about 1730, and seems to have in- herited from his ancestry a military trend. While he was prominent in all walks of life, his business energy finding expression in his work as taverner, merchant, manufacturer, farmer and legislator,

HORACE P. MCCLARY.

he found his most complete satisfaction in mili- tary leadership.

On April 20, 1775, while plowing the parade ground, which was located on his farm, a mes- senger came giving him an account of the battle of Lexington and within twenty-four hours he was at Medford, seventy miles away, ready to take his part in the impending conflict.

When the New Hampshire troops were or- ganized John Stark was chosen colonel and An- drew McClary major. On June 16 the New

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

Hump hire trumps were ordered to the support of their connades at Bunker Hill, and in the bat - de which followed he was killed by a cannon ball.

At the dedication of the Bunker Hill monu Home the man of the day closes in words as

"Thus fell Maior MeClary, the highest Amer- tem officer killed at the battle, the handsomest man in the army and the favorite of the New Hampshire troops. His dust still slumbers where it was laid by his sorrowing companions in Med- ford, unhonored by any adequate memorial to tell where lies one of the heroes who ushered in the Revolution with such auspicious omens. His death spread a gloom not only over the hearts of his men, but all through the Suncook valley. His sun went down at noon on the day that ushered in our nation's birth."

Many years after General Dearborn, who was a captain of New Hampshire troops at the battle, and whose large experience as a civilian and a soldier qualified him to judge correctly, made this comment on the Major's military ability, com- pared with his contemporary officers :

"With all the bravery of Stark, he possessed greater mental endowment; with the natural ability of Sullivan, he combined the magic power to incite his men to noble deeds; with the popu- larity of General Poor, he was more cool and dis- creet. In fact, he combined more completely than any of his associates the elements that tend to make a popular and successful commander, and had his life been spared he would doubtless have ranked among the most able and noted officers of the Revolution."

Captain Andrew McClary, of the regular army, the third American in the line of descent, was born at Epsom, New Hampshire, in 1765. He was the second son of Major Andrew McClary and was ten years old at the time of his father's death. He attained his majority in 1786, at a time when this country seemed to be drifting to- ward anarchy. The league of friendship formed between the colonies in 1774 had accomplished its purpose and state rights were again triumph- ant. Finances were in great disorder, and there was little encouragement to embark in business pursuits, but there was urgent call for soldiers. The Indians on our western border were aggres-

i've and bloodthirsty and the rich lands won for the colonies by the sturdy Scotch-Irish fighters from Virginia and Kentucky and secured by the splendid diplomacy of Franklin, Jay and Adams, could not be occupied by settlers. For two years, in 1790 and 1791, the armies sent against them had met with disastrous defeat, and when General Wayne took command of the army in 1792 his call for brave men found immediate response in the heart of Andrew McClary, who enlisted with the rank of ensign and took an active part in that famous campaign which taught the northwestern tribes lasting obedience and fear. Ten years of his life were spent in Indian warfare, during which time he was promoted to the rank of cap- tain. He was honorably discharged in 1802 and accepted a clerkship in the war department at Washington, where he remained for ten years. When the war of 1812 broke out his martial spirit again asserted itself and we find him for the second time enlisting in the army, with rank of captain. He soon became dissatisfied with the conduct of the war and resigned and died soon after.

Captain Andrew McCleary, of Peacham, Ver- mont, the fourth American in the line of descent, was, like many of his ancestors, instinctively a military man and for many years was captain of the local militia company. He was born at Ep- som, New Hampshire, on April II, 1790, and was the only son of Captain Andrew McClary, of the United States army. The occupation of his father necessarily placed upon his mother the en- tire responsibility of his youthful training. When seventeen years of age he became a member of the household of Joseph Ricker, of Newbury, Vermont, where he remained for seven years ex- cept for a period of six months in the army during the war of 1812. On April 5, 1814, he married the oldest daughter of his employer, and removed to Groton, Vermont, where he had previously purchased a farm.

He resided in Groton twenty-four years, dur- ing which time eight children were born to them. In 1838, having accumulated what was at that time considered a competence, and being desirous of giving his family good educational advan- tages, he removed to Peacham, Vermont, where he resided for twenty-nine years, until his death, on September 17, 1867. For fifty-three years he

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

was a prominent citizen of these two adjoining towns, and no man ever gained more completely the confidence and respect of his associates.

Orson R. McClary, the fifth American in the line of descent, was born at Groton, Vermont, on July 22, 1823, and was the third son of Cap- tain Andrew McClary, of Peacham, Vermont. He inherited the physique, but not the military instinct of his ancestry-was six feet two in his stockings and a man of peace. His early life was that of the ordinary pioneer boy-full of toil. The McClary family occupied the Groton farm for twenty-four years, during which period they cleared two hundred acres of land and built five hundred and forty rods of stone wall, which is to- day standing in good order.

In 1838 this large four-hundred-acre farm was sold and the family removed to Peacham, where for two years Orson enjoyed the advan- tages of a good academy.

When seventeen years old he removed to Bos- ton, Massachusetts, and engaged in the trucking business with his older brother, Ira, who was al- ready located there. On July 27, 1847, he bought a fine farm in Albany, Vermont. On January 18, 1848, he married Lucy P. Smith, of Vershire, Vermont, and the Albany farm, where seven children were born to them, was their home until her death, on March 4, 1865. Soon after the death of his wife the farm was sold and he re- moved to Newport, Vermont, where he had al- ready opened a gents' furnishing store, and where he remained until three weeks before his death, which occurred at Malone, New York, on July 25, 1886.

Horace P. McClary, the sixth American in the line of descent, was the second son of Orson R. McClary and was born at Albany, Vermont, on October 12, 1848. When sixteen years of age he removed to Peacham, Vermont, taking a clerkship in his uncle's store, where he remained three years. During this time he attended Peacham Academy three terms, nine months in all. In the spring of 1868 he removed to Omaha, Nebraska, reaching there with only sixty cents in hand. He soon obtained employment at the shops of the Union Pacific railroad and by care- ful attention to their interests was rapidly pro- moted to a good position with a large force of men to direct. A year later he was recalled to

Vermont by the sickness and death of a sister. His intention had been to return to his former position at Omaha, but the offer of a co-partner- ship by his former employer induced him to re- main in Vermont. This co-partnership, under the style of I. L. and H. P. McClary (though the junior partner was not yet twenty-one years of age) continued for two and one-fourth years and was then dissolved by mutual consent.

Some time in the month of February, 1872, Mr. McClary located at Windsor and com- menced the manufacture of small hardware spe- cialties, first with F. J. Walker as a partner and later with George W. Hubbard. The business has proved successful.

Mr. McClary is a Republican, but not a poli- tician. He has twice been elected to the Ver- mont Legislature, taking an active part each time in shaping legislation. He has been several times chosen for positions of honor and trust by his fellow townsmen. He is president of the Windsor Savings Bank and secretary and treas- urer of the Windsor Library Association. He is a member of the Sons of the Revolution and of the Society of the Cincinnati.

On July 2, 1878, he married Sarah Frances Bishop, daughter of Rev. Nelson Bishop, a for- mer editor of the Vermont Chronicle. They have eight children.

This genealogy covers a period of about two hundred and six years and reaches seven genera- tions.

CHARLES MELVIN SAWYER.

Charles Melvin Sawyer, a well known lum- berman at Hardwick, is a prosperous business man and a citizen of much prominence. He was born November 2, 1855, at Morristown, Ver- mont, a son of Truman and Lavina (Davis) Saw- ver, both of whom died ere reaching the prime of life. The father was a native of New Hamp- shire, born of English ancestors, belonging to the same branch of the Sawyer family as Colonel E. B. Sawyer, of Hyde Park, Vermont. In early manhood he settled in Morristown, where he was engaged in business as a lumberman until his death.

Charles M. Sawyer was left an orphan when but eight years old, and has since made his own way in the world. Until seventeen years of age

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

he lived with an undle, by marriage, John Smith, in Wayn., Ilinois, there acquiring his rudi- mentary education in the common schools. Re- turning then to the Green Mountain state, he completed the two full courses at the normal school at Johnson, being graduated from the ad- vanced class in 1877. Going then to Poultney, Vermont, he entered the Troy Conference Acad- emy of the Methodist Episcopal church, receiving his diploma from there in 1880, then studied for a year at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. In the meantime Mr. Sawyer had taught school in various places, including Crown Point, New York, earning money enough to pay his educational expenses. Coming then to Hard- wick, he engaged in lumbering, being for a num- ber of years in the employ of Dorman Bridgman, whose entire business he subsequently purchased, and has since conducted. He owns five hundred or more acres of land, which is heavily timbered with hemlock and spruce, and is carrying on an extensive business in the manufacture of lumber, having a large and well equipped mill. By means of his industry, business ability and wise invest- ment, he has accumulated a good property, own- ing among other things a fine residence, and sev- eral tenement houses, from which he receives a good income.

He is actively interested in the welfare of the town and county, and has filled many important offices of trust, serving as school director six years ; as auditor for an equal length of time ; and was a representative to the state legislature in 1896, when he was a member of the committee on highways. He is identified with the Republi- can party, and has been a delegate to many of the county and state conventions. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order, and has held all the offices of the blue lodge. Mr. Sawyer mar- ried, September 10, 1883, Lulie Colburn, a daughter of William H. Colburn, and they have had four children, namely : Neal W., Clyde T., Jessie L. and Nora L. The last named died in July, 1902.

JOHN C. STEARNS. .

Colonel John C. Stearns, of Bradford, Ver- mont, who has been for many years prominent in the public affairs of his state, is of Massa-

chusetts ancestry. His father, John Stearns, a native of Barre, Massachusetts, born February 6, 1785, was among the early settlers of Chelsea, Vermont, where he became a merchant. At twen- ty-one years of age he was appointed postmaster, an office which he held continuously for thirty - three years, and until his death. In all relations of life he was a man of strict integrity, and in his capacity as a public servant he was singularly free from motives of self-interest. He married Elizabeth Chandler, of Pomfret, Connecticut, whose ancestors were among the original settlers of the town. Her father, Joseph Chandler, who was a farmer at Pomfret, was a lieutenant in the Revolutionary army. He married Olive Backus, also of Pomfret, and. to them were born ten chil- dren of whom Elizabeth, mentioned above as the wife of John Stearns, was the seventh. His death took place October 11, 1831.

John and Elizabeth (Chandler) Stearns were the parents of three children: George, born Jan- uary 25, 1815, who died unmarried, in Wiscon- sin, in 1862; Caroline, who married Edward C. Redington, of Chelsea, Vermont, and died in 1877, leaving one child, Major E. D. Redington, a grad- tiate of Dartmouth College and a resident of Chi- cago; and John C.

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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 4

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