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 43
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The sum total of Miss Fletcher's gifts to the Mary Fletcher Hospital is something over four hundred thousand dollars. Of this amount nearly thirty thousand dollars went to the pur- chase of the charming estate which constitutes the hospital grounds, fifty thousand dollars was expended in building and furniture, and the re- mainder is a permanent fund for the maintenance of the hospital, which is today one of the finest in the state of Vermont. This total of gifts made in her lifetime, and of the avails of her legacy, constitutes by far the largest benefaction made to
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the public in our state throughout its entire his- tory.
Miss Fletcher's minor benefactions were in number countless, and were always bestowed with a thoughtful kindness which more than doubled their value to the recipients. She was, of course, beset by numberless solicitations which she was obliged to refuse, but the necessity of a refusal always cost her gentle heart a pang. Among her latest gifts were an addition of two thousand dol- lars to the endowment fund of the Essex Classical Institute and a payment of five thousand dollars to the hospital for the establishment of a free bed in favor of the Winooski Avenue Congrega- tional church, with which she had her church home. This latter gift, one of the last acts of her life, seemed to give her unusual enjoyment.
Miss Fletcher, though outliving all her fam- ily, was a life-long invalid, death from consump- tion seeming to be a near probability at any time for thirty years before it actually came. This prolonged feebleness and perpetual struggle for existence will explain at once her secluded mode of life and the special form of benevolence to which she gave her best thoughts and the largest part of her means. The Mary Fletcher Hospital is an expression of her deep sympathy with hu- man suffering and an embodiment of her earnest wish to do something for its alleviation.
The closing scene in Miss Fletcher's life was especially touching. As soon as she became aware that her end was near she desired to be taken to the hospital. Though informed by her physician, Dr. Carpenter, that the removal would be at- tended with extreme danger, she would not be re- fused. Taken up from her bed in the arms of her faithful attendant, Michael Kelly, she was con- veyed in a sleigh to the hospital and laid upon the bed in her own room, where nobody but herself had ever rested, and there, murmuring thanks that she was permitted to be where she was, in a very brief space she breathed her life gently away, attended by the president, the superintendent, members of the staff, and the nurses of the hos- pital she had founded. It was all exactly as she might have wished, and doubtless did wish, dur- ing those many days of weakness and pain, through and beyond which she has now forever She died February 24, 1885, in the fifty-fifth year of her age.
Miss Fletcher's life, as we now look back upon it, was one of great interest and beauty. In spite of sickness and pain, in spite of manifold limita- tions, a certain serenity rests upon it, a certain degree even of sunshine and charm. Our com- munity is the richer for having such a life treas- ured up in its memory. When more noted names and more splendid careers shall be forgotten, this gentle lady and that which she has done will long be held in loving remembrance.
JOHN A. SMITH.
John A. Smith, one of the prosperous farmers of Jericho, Vermont, is a descendant of William Smith, who was a resident of Lanesboro, Massa- chusetts. Shortly after the Revolutionary war he removed to Essex, Vermont, where he resided for about one year. Samuel Smith, brother of William Smith, also removed from Massachusetts to Essex, Vermont, before the Revolution, when he girdled some trees on a tract of land, but during the progress of the war he returned to his native state, where he remained until the termination of the war, when he returned to Vermont, bringing William Smith with him, and settled upon the same place that he selected when on his first visit. William Smith removed to Jericho, Vermont, where he had two hundred acres of land, which he cultivated and improved, and in a short space of time he had a very productive farm. He mar- ried Miss Ruth Wood, and the following named children were born to them: Nathan, William, John, Isaac, Chloe, Rhuana and Emily Smith.
John Smith, third son of William and Ruth Smith, was born in Jericho, Vermont, June 24, 1797. He was educated in the district school of the town, and upon attaining young manhood fol- lowed agricultural pursuits. He was a prominent advocate of the principles of the Free-soil party, and he was chosen to represent the town of Jeri- cho in the legislature of Vermont in 1854. He was united in marriage to Miss Philena Knowles, who was born in 1802 and died April 23, 1871. Their children were: Cornelius, born August 30. 1824. and died March 23, 1848; and Gordon Smith.
Gordon Smith, father of John A. Smith, was born in Jericho, Vermont, in October, 1828. After receiving a common school education he entered
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the Jutthe Seadenny, where he pursued a special course of study. He chose farming for his vocal tion in life, and he has followed it ever since. He met with a marked degree of success owing to his industrious, energetic and progressive ideas. He was one of the prominent men in the political af- fairs of the town, and was elected to serve in vari - ous local offices : he represented the town of Jeri- cho in the state legislature in 1874, and was chosen to serve on the committee on foreign relations. On June 13, 1850, Mr. Smith married Miss Lydia E. L.ce, who was born September 25, 1828, a daughter of Azaraih and Annis (Chamberlain) Lee, of Jericho, Vermont. Their children are : Emma E., born June 13, 1852; Ernest, born March 2, 1871, married Miss Cora Chapin, daugh- ter of Milo H. Chapin, of Newport, New Hamp- shire, and they have one daughter ; and John A. Smith.
John A. Smith, older son of Gordon and Ly- dia Smith, was born in Jericho, Vermont, January 18, 1854. His educational advantages were re- ceived in the public school of his native town. Born and reared upon a farm, he has naturally followed the occupation of farming. In this en- terprise he has met with the success that always attends well directed efforts, and he is considered one of the prosperous and progressive farmers of that section of the country. In his political prefer- ences he is an adherent of the principles of the Republican party, and takes a keen interest in all matters that pertain to the welfare of the town. He represented the town of Jericho in the state legislature in 1902, and served on the general committees. In his religious creed he prefers the Congregational church.
Mr. Smith was united in marriage, December 7, 1881, to Miss Elizabeth Armour, a daughter of Neil and Fannie (Ross) Armour, of New York city. They- had one child, a boy who was born July 14, 1883, and died in November of the same year. Mrs. Smith passed away September 6, 1883.
CAPTAIN GEORGE W. BURLESON.
One of the most eminent lawyers of St. Al- bans, Vermont, is Captain George W. Burleson, whose portrait appears on the opposite page, and who is a veteran of the Civil war, and a descend-
ant on the paternal side of a family who came " this country from Scotland, one branch of which settled in Connecticut and the other in Louisiana. Captain Burleson is descended from the Connecti- cut branch. Job Burleson, grandfather of George W. Burleson, was born in Connecticut June 19, 1762, and remained a resident of that state for many years; later he removed to Cat- taraugus county, New York, and devoted his attention to farming and distilling. He was very successful in his management of these enterprises, and became one of the prominent and influential men of the community. He was united in mar- riage to Abigail Bowdish, and the following named children were born to them: Job, born August II, 1784; Ichabod, born October 26, 1786; Peter, born September 12, 1788; Charles, born August 23, 1790 ; Return, born August 13, 1792; Alvah, born August 15, 1794; Sally, born December 16, 1796; Owen, born June 8, 1798; Silas, born September 29, 1800; Caleb N., born August 13, 1802; and Gardner, born December 14, 1804. The father of these children died in Cattaraugus county, New York, March 18, 1827
Colonel Joseph Bowdish, maternal grandfather of George W. Burleson, was a son of. Peter, and he in turn was a son of Joseph Bowdish. Colonel Bowdish was born in Preston, Connecticut, Aug- ust 8, 1766, and subsequently removed to Fair- field, Franklin county, Vermont,where he engaged in agricultural. pursuits; he held various local offices in the town' and was also an active member of the Congregational church. Colonel Bowdish was an active participant in the Revolutionary war, serving with distinction in many of the bat- tles. On August 17, 1796, he was united in marriage at Fairfield, Vermont, to Amanda But- ler, who was born at Norfolk, Connecticut, in 1780. Their children were: Orissa, born May 28, 1797; Clo, born August 25, 1799; George W., born November 12, 1801; Amanda H., born February 15, 1804; Joseph, born December 26, 1805; Fannie, born December 1, 1808; Abigail, born June 28, 1811 ; Cloe, born June 7, 1813 ; and Isaac, born October 3, 1815. Colonel Bowdish died April 19, 1820; his widow died April 12, 1841.
Caleb N. Burleson, father of George W. Bur- leson, was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, August 13, 1802, and his early education was ob-
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tained in the common schools of the vicinity. He then entered a New York medical college, and after his graduation engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Franklin, Vermont, and later established an office in East Fairfield, Frank- lin county, where the remainder of his life was spent. During the early years of his manhood he voted the Whig ticket, but subsequently gave his support to the Democratic party. Mr. Bur- leson married for his first wife Diana Stevens, and their children were: Solomon, who became an Episcopal clergyman, and at the time of his death was serving as a missionary to the Oneida Indians in Wisconsin; he married Abigail Pom- eroy, of Fairfield, Vermont, and they had five sons and three daughters: Rev. Allen, who is rector at Shasta Valley, California ; Rev. Hugh, dean of the diocese of North Dakota, located at Fargo; Rev. John, located at Grand Forks, North Dakota; Rev. Edward Wells, located at Larra- more, North Dakota; Rev. Guy Pomeroy, now a member of the graduating class at the Episcopal Seminary in New York; Mary, who resides at Grand Forks with her mother; Martha, wife of Dr. Wintermute, located at Kilburn, Wisconsin ; and Abby, wife of C. E. Kelsey, a lawyer at San Juan, California. Emma, the other child of Caleb N. Burleson, was the wife of I. G. Bowman, and died in 1864, leaving two children, Homer C. and Marion A. Bowman, now of Topeka, Kansas. For his second wife Mr. Burleson mar- ried Amanda Bowdish, of Fairfield, Vermont, and one child was born to them, George W. Bur- leson. Mr. Burleson died January 21, 1887.
George W. Burleson was born in Berkshire, Vermont, March 23, 1845; early in life he re- moved to Franklin, where his education was acquired in the Franklin Academy. On May 19, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company C, First Vermont Regiment, and served for three years. The regiment was forwarded to Newport News under command of Lieutenant Colonel Peter T. Washburn, later governor of Vermont, and Colonel Phelps. Their first engagement was at Big Bethel, and after participating in several other battles, his term of enlistment having ex- pired, he returned to Franklin, Vermont, and on October 15, 1861, re-enlisted in Company K, Sixth Regiment, under Colonel Nathan Lord, which constituted a part of the old Vermont
Brigade, and later became a part of the Army of the Potomac. He participated in the follow- ing named battles: Lee's Mills, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Seven Days' battle, second Bull Run, three engagements in front of Fredericksburg, Cold Harbor, defences of Washington, Antietam, both battles of Fredericksburg, Mine Run, second Cold Harbor, Wilderness, Gettysburg, a series of engagements in front of Petersburg, and just be- fore the close of the war at Sailor's Creek, Farm- ville, Winchester and Cedar Creek. Captain Bur- leson enlisted as sergeant in Company K, was made quartermaster in the fall of 1862, quarter- master sergeant in the fall of 1864, first lieu- tenant shortly afterward, and was then promoted to the rank of captain, being mustered out of the United States service at Burlington, Vermont, in July, 1865. During the entire term of his service he received only three wounds, one of them a shell wound in the side, which he received April 2, 1865, in the battle in front of Petersburg.
After his return from the war Captain Bur- leson studied law with the firm of Fitch & New- ton at Highgate, Franklin county, Vermont, and was admitted to the bar in 1876. He has been in active practice in St. Albans since that time, and his high reputation as a lawyer has been won through earnest, honest labor, and his standing at the bar is a merited tribute to his professional ability. In 1884 he acted in the capacity of state's attorney for Franklin county, resigning from his office in order to accept a position as deputy in charge of the customs of St. Albans, district of Vermont, which was tendered to him in 1886. The customs port of St. Albans is one of the most important sub-ports in the United States, employing, besides the deputy, sixteen sub-dep- uties ; the average yearly receipts of all the mer- chandise received being $7,928,166, upon which duties assessed amounted to $3,820,677.78, and which is covered by 15,059 entries. On January I, 1903, he was promoted to the position of special deputy collector of customs for District of Vermont, with headquarters at Burlington, Vermont.
Captain Burleson has been a member of Hurl- burt Post, No. 61, G. A. R., since its organiza- tion ; member of Vermont Commandery of Loyal Legion, this order being composed of ex-com- manders of the Civil war : Eagle Lodge No. 67,
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F. & A. M., of St. Albans, Vermont ; Cham. plain Chapter, No. I, R. A. M .; Columbus Coun- cil, No. 1, R. & S. M. ; La Fayette Commanders. No. 3, K. T .; and also member of Vermont Con- sitory, S. P. R. S., of Burlington, Vermont.
Captain Burleson was united in marriage to Irene E. Spaulding, a daughter of Lemuel G. Spaulding, of Vermont, and the following named children have been born to them : Emma, wife of G. H. Hill, an agriculturist of East Fairfield, Ver- mont ; Eugene H., married Winifred Beals, a native of East Fairfield, and their two children are Max 1. and Lou I. Burleson; Lou I., de- ceased; and George S., who married Lillian T. Tague, studied law with F. S. Tupper at East Fairfield, and is now in the active practice of his profession at Highgate.
FRANK B. HOWE.
Frank B. Howe, a prominent and enterpris- ing citizen of Jericho, Vermont, was born in Jericho, June 28, 1852, a descendant of Dr. Har- mon Howe, who was united in marriage to Miss Fanny Bliss, a daughter of Timothy Bliss. Mrs. Howe was one of nine children who were born to Timothy and Fannie Bliss; their names were: Binu, George, Lucien, Hosea, Ambrose, Timothy, Cynthia, Fanny and Laura Bliss. The two chil- dren born to Dr. Harmon and Fanny Howe are Lucius Bliss and Mary Howe.
Lucius Bliss Howe, father of Frank B. Howe, was born in Essex, Vermont, in 1828, and after obtaining his preliminary education in the com- mon schools of his native village he pursued a course of study in the Jericho Academy. Subse- quently he entered mercantile life and was en- gaged in the operation of a flouring mill. He conducted an extensive business and enjoyed a high degree of success, which was due to his excellent business ability and capable manage- ment. In politics he was a firm adherent of the measures adopted by the Republican party ; he was elected town treasurer and served in that capacity for ten years ; he was also chosen to rep- resent the town in the state legislature. He mar- ried Clarisa Jennett Galusha, who was born in Jericho, Vermont, in 1830, a descendant of Gov- ernor Thomas Chittenden and Governor Galusha. Their children were: Harmon George, Frank
Bliss Lucuin C., and Truman, who died in in- fancy.
Frank Bliss Howe, second son of Lucius and Clarisa Howe, acquired his education in the com- mon schools of Essex and Montpelier, Vermont, and this was supplemented by a course of study in St. Hyacinthe, province of Quebec. After his education was completed he was engaged in farming and milling, and now runs a dairy of thirty cows and the Chittenden flour mills, custom, retail and wholesale flour and feed business, in the village of Jericho Corners. Since attaining his majority Mr. Howe has taken an active in- terest in political affairs, is a pronounced Re- publican, and was chosen to represent the town of Jericho in the state legislature in 1896. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order, having served as treasurer of McDonough Lodge No. 26, F. & A. M., since April, 1899.
Mr. Howe married, in Jericho, Vermont, in 1875, Miss Ella Melendy, a daughter of Joseph and Martha (Heustis) Melendy; they had one daughter, Mattie Clara, who was a teacher of music, and is now the wife of Byron W. Shepard- son, a merchant miller of Riverton, Nebraska. Mrs. Howe died in October, 1877, and Mr. Howe then married, in Passaic, New Jersey, in Novem- ber, 1882, Miss Lizzie Z. Reed, a daughter of John and Abby (Woodworth) Reed; their children are: Harmon Paul, Frank Loomis and Bernard Reed Howe. The mother of these children died in February, 1900, and Mr. Howe then contracted an alliance in Burlington, Vermont, in August, 1900, with Miss Evaline Clapp Sargeant, a daugh- ter of Simeon Clapp and Lucinda Meade.
DAVID BOSWORTH.
Rev. David Bosworth, now deceased, was born in Hampton, New York, June 9, 1814, and could trace his ancestry back to the earliest set- tlers of Boston, Massachusetts, members of the family being prominently identified with the Rev- lutionary period. Hezekiah Bosworth, grand- father of David Bosworth, was born in Swansea, Massachusetts, January 30, 1741, and was an ac- tive participant in the war of the Revolution. June 20, 1766, he was united in marriage to Mary Giddings, born in Lyme, Connecticut, January 27, 1745, a daughter of a soldier in the Revolutionary
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war. She died December 19, 1812. Mr. Bos- worth died May 4, 1820.
Hezekiah Bosworth, father of David Bos- worth, familarly known as "Judge Bosworth," was born November 28, 1785, at Swansea, Massa- chusetts, where he obtained a practical education in the district school. October 25, 1811, he mar- ried Myra Miller, born September 12, 1792, at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and ten children were born to them, four of whom are living at the present time (1903): Cynthia, wife of Ozro Meacham, of Tacoma, Washington; Amanda, wife of Don Atwood, of Castleton, Vermont ; Eliza, wife of John Wood, of Fairhaven, Ver- mont ; and Myra, wife of Nathan Batchelder, of Fairhaven, Vermont. The mother of these chil- dren died in 1870 at the age of seventy-eight years. The father died in January, 1863.
David Bosworth was a pupil in the common schools of Hampton, after which he entered the Castleton Academy, and this training was forti- fied jater by a course in the Troy Conference Academy. Having completed his education at the age of eighteen, he returned home and as- sisted his father in the management of the farm and also acted in the capacity of teacher for sev- eral seasons. Subsequently he purchased a farm adjoining that of his father, and was engaged in both occupations successfully for fifteen years ; during this time he first felt the inclination to preach, and this he did, meeting with a large de- gree of success, at the Advent church in Hamp- ton. He was connected, on the maternal side, with the founders of the "Millerite" sect. later known as the Church of the Advent. In March 1855, Mr. Bosworth moved to Bristol, Vermont, where he labored in the ministry for five years, and the following four years were spent in Water- bury, where he worked faithfully to aid a strug- gling church. He also resided in Fairhaven and Cuttingsville, giving all the assistance in his power to the spread of the gospel in the Advent churches in the vicinity. In 1854 he organized and established a church at Mt. Holly, Vermont. and completed its house of worship and organized a society and built a church at Brooksville, Ver- mont. He was thirty-four years pastor of the church at Mt. Holly.
In 1868 he returned to Bristol and founded the Howden-Bosworth Company, manufacturers
of sash, doors and blinds. In 1869 the plant was destroyed by flood, but was immediately rebuilt and devoted to the making of burial caskets. In 1878 the business was merged in a stock company under the name of the Bristol Manufacturing Company, and at the present time it is one of the largest of its kind in the New England states. They give employment to over one hundred and thirty men in the manufacture of caskets of all grades and undertakers' furnishings, and the busi- ness is in a very flourishing condition, owing to the rare ability and enterprise of Mr. Bosworth, who was one of the largest stockholders and acted for many years as its secretary and treas- urer. He did not, at any time abandon preaching, but continued his religious labors as long as he lived, and his sphere of influence was constantly extended and beneficent in results. He was sec- retary of the "World-Wide Prayer Union," acted as superintendent of Sunday-schools, was presi- dent of the Vermont and Canada conference of Second Adventists, and also president of the American Millenial Association, with head- quarters in Boston. A constant correspondent of Messiah's Herald, he was also the author of a book, entitled the "The Millenium and Related Events."
Mr. Bosworth never took an especial interest in politics, except as it affected educational mat- ters, with whose work he was actively associated in the various places in which he resided. He was first a Democrat, later an adherent of the Free- soil party, and finally a supporter of the Repub- lican party, as he had long been of its cardinal principals.
On November 15, 1842, Mr. Bosworth was married to Miss Melina, a daughter of William Hotchkiss, of Hampton, New York, and the fol- lowing named children were born to them: Alice E., now the wife of Isaac Roseman, of Bristol ; Amanda M., a teacher in the Model School at Trenton, New Jersey ; Evangeline A., who died in infancy ; Ida M., who died in 1895, while the wife of Vincent Menuez, leaving one child, Josephine ; and William H., mentioned elsewhere in this work. Isaac and Alice E. Roseman have a daughter. Lena, now the wife of Ralph Denio, of Pawlet, Vermont. Mrs. Melina Bosworth passed away February 13, 1864, and Mr. Bosworth was again married, March 14, 1865, the bride being
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Mis. comme M., daughter of Harvey and Saman the & Bump) Boardman. Four of the five chil dren of this marriage are now living. The oldest Rev. Boardman B. Bosworth, is pastor of the Washington Heights Baptist church of New York city. Miriam Helen is solist and director of the surpliced choir of her brother's church in New York. Myra M. died in childhood. Grace Mabel is her mother's companion in the Bristol home. David R., who married Anna G., daugh- ter of Judge W. H. Nicholls, of Randolph, Ver- mont, is treasurer of the Bristol Manufacturing Company. Rev. B. B. Bosworth married Phoebe L. Marsh, and has three children, Clarence D., David M. and Boardman M. Bosworth.
David Bosworth died February 7, 1899, at his home in Bristol, and his remains were loving- ly deposited in the local cemetery. He is sur- vived by a widow and seven children, besides many admiring and mourning friends. He exer- cised a strong influence for the right in every- thing, and in his demise the community lost its most useful citizen. It is worthy of note that the business which he established, as a means of sus- taining his family and promoting good works, is now managed by his eldest and his youngest sons. His children have had excellent educational ad- vantages, and the daughters have shown some talent in painting. His widow, who was his faithful coadjutor in good works, is striving to carry along his ideas, with full faith in his merit and good judgment.
HON. DAVID WELLS TEMPLE.
Hon. David W. Temple, mayor of Rutland, a member of the firm of Temple Brothers, and also owner of an extensive stock farm in the vicinity of Rutland, is held in high estimation in political, commercial and social circles as a progressive citizen, and one who possesses fine personal qualities. He was born in Heath, Frank- lin county, Massachusetts, December 24, 1854, a son of David and Caroline Temple.
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