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 57

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 57

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

319

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

In 1893 Mr. Dana served as a Columbian guard at the World's Fair in Chicago, and was chief clerk in the office of the secretary of state during the legislative session of 1902. In his social re- lations he is a member of the Addison County Agricultural Society, in which he held the office of secretary for eight years, and was assistant secre- tary of the Vermont state fair, in 1901 and 1902. and in his fraternal relations he is a prominent member of the Masonic order in Middlebury.

Mr. Dana was married October 12, 1898, to Miss Lucy G. Jackman, a native of Waltham, and daughter of Henry S. and Emma (Wright) Jack- man, natives of Vermont. The latter is a daugh- ter of Judge William S. Wright, who is still liv- ing in Waltham at the age of eighty-four years. Mr. Jackman died April 12, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Dana are the parents of one child, Marion Irene, born December 5, 1900.

Mr. Dana is deeply interested in the affairs of his locality, has always advocated the measures which have advanced its welfare, and has labored for its improvement and progress. In private life he has gained that warm regard which arises from true nobility of character, deference for the opin- ions of others, kindliness and geniality. He in- spires personal friendships of unusual strength, and all who know him have the highest admira- tion for his good qualities of heart and mind.

THAD MINER CHAPMAN.

Among the prominent men of Addison county, Vermont, who have become well known through good citizenship and efficient public service is Thad M. Chapman, the present sheriff of the county. His record as a business man has also been equally honorable, and thus he has gained the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact. A native son of Middlebury, his birth occurred on the 6th of Janu- ary, 1845, and in this village his father, George C. Chapman was also born. Asa Chapman, the father of the last named, was for many years the leading merchant of Middlebury, and later he was appointed postmaster of the town, serving in that important office until the time of his death, which occurred September 29, 1859, when he had reached the age of seventy-five years. By his marriage to Lucinda Bell, also a native of Mid-

dlebury, he became the father of four children, all of whom are now deceased, and the mother was called to her final rest at the age of sixty- five years.

After receiving a good education George C. Chapman began his life work as a clerk in a mer- cantile establishment, thus continuing until he was subsequently admitted to a partnership in the business. In 1870 he put aside the active cares of a business life, and when the had reached the seventy-seventh milestone on the journey of life he was called to the home beyond, his death occurring September 9, 1897. As a companion on the journey of life he chose Adelia Fletcher, a daughter of Paris Fletcher, who for many years followed mercantile pursuits in Middlebury and later served as president of the Bank of Middle- bury, thus continuing until his life's labors were ended in death, in his eighty-seventh year. He was one of the most prominent men of his local- ity, and in his death the community lost an influ- ential and valued citizen. He married Anna Miner, and they became the parents of twelve children, two of whom are still living: Mrs. Henry Hale, of St. Paul, Minnesota; and A. A. Fletcher, president of the Bank of Middlebury. The family of which Parish Fletcher was a mem- ber, and which included eleven children was noted for its longevity, its members having reached an average age of seventy-nine years. Mrs. Parish Fletcher was called to lay down the burdens of this life in her seventy-seventh year. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Chapman was blessed with five children, four now living, namely: Thad M., of of this review ; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Frederick E. Halsey, of Boston, Massachusetts; Fletcher P., who makes his home in New York city ; and Har- riet A., the wife of Henry E. Scott, of Wiscasset, Maine. Mrs. Chapman departed this life June 4, 1894, at the age of seventy years, and both she and her husband died in the faith of the Epis- copal church, of which they were worthy and ac- ceptable members and in which the latter served as warden.

Thad M. Chapman spent the early years of his life in his parents' home in Middlebury, while his elementary education was received in the common schools of the town. Later he entered the Burr & Burton Seminary, of Manchester, Ver- mont, after which he matriculated in the North

320

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

Granville Seminars and afterward studied under Bishop Hopkins in the Rock Point school at Bur - lington, Vermont. In 1862 be entered the col- lege at Middlebury, in which he was a student for two years, and in 1866 he was graduated from Hobart College, of Geneva, New York. With an excellent education to fit him for his life work, he then engaged in the lumber business in Min- nesota, and in 1870, after a four years' residence in that commonwealth, he returned to this place and entered into business relations with his brother, they buying out the store of their father. In 1883, however, he sold his interest therein and embarked in the milling and lumber business, conducting at the present time the largest lumber yard in Addison county and the only one in the village of Middlebury, finding a ready market for his products over the entire section. He operates both a planing and sawmill, which was erected in 1890, in the town of Middlebury, and in addition to these extensive interests he is also engaged quite largely in agricultural pursuits. Among other important industries in which he is interested to a considerable extent may be men- tioned the Orwell Bank and the Vermont Invest- ment Company, of Orwell, being one of the di- rectors in the former concern.

The marriage of Mr. Chapman was celebrated in 1875, when Miss Jessie Hammond became his wife. She is a native of Orwell, Vermont, and a daughter of John L. Hammond, also a native of the Green Mountain state. During his active business life he was one of the most prominent men in this section of the state, and for many years was president of the Bank of Orwell. His death occurred when he had reached the age of sixty-three years. By his marriage to Jeanette Thomas, a native of Orwell, he became the father of three children, two now living,-Jessie and Adelia, the latter residing in New York. The mother of this family died when quite young. Mr. and Chapman have become the parents of two children, Jessie L., who married Dr. Daniel C. Noble and now makes her home with her fa- ther, and Florence H., also at home. The family resides in one of the most pleasant residences in Middlebury, it having been erected in 1888. In his political affiliations Mr. Chapman is a stal- wart Republican, and on its ticket he has been elected to many offices of trust and responsibility.

For twenty-eight years he held the office of deputy sheriff, during which time he served under eight different sheriffs, and in 1808 he was made the sheriff of his county, to which position he was re- elected in 1900, and in 1902, when again a candi- date, he received the support of every ticket in the field. For the long period of twenty years he served as chairman of the county and state com- mittees and for fifteen years was a delegate to the county conventions. During the administra- tion of Governor Redfield Proctor, Mr. Chapman was a colonel on his staff. Thus it will be seen that he has taken an active part in the public af- fairs of his county and state, and has ever been a tireless worker in the upbuilding of his locality. In his fraternal relations he is a member of Union Lodge No. 2, F. & A. M., of Middlebury, Vermont, being a past master and past high priest of Potter Chapter No. 22, has held the office of grand commander and other positions in the grand commandery of the state, has taken the degrees of all the Scottish Rite bodies up to the thirty-second degree, and is a charter member of the Morocco Temple of the Mystic Shrine, of Jacksonville, Florida. He is also a member of Green Mountain Lodge, No. 874, Knights of Honor, of which he is past dictator ; of the Sons of Malta, in which he has at different times served as a director; and is a member of Rut- land Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He is an up- right and reliable citizen, true to all the duties of business, official and private life, and his sterling worth has gained him high regard.

EDWIN HARRINGTON.

Edwin Harrington, for many years a leading manufacturer of Worcester, Massachusetts, and later extensively engaged in the same line of business in Philadelphia, belonged, both by birth and descent, to the Green Mountain state, his father, Enoch Harrington, having been a farmer in the town of Stockbridge, Vermont, on what is known as "Davis Hill." He married Lucinda Davis, and was the father of a large family.

Edwin Harrington, son of Enoch and Lu- cinda (Davis) Harrington, was born in Stock- bridge, Vermont, where he received a rudi- mentary education in the common schools, and later attended a business college. He-

Edwin Harrington.

321

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

learned the trade of a machinist in Fitch- burg, Massachusetts, and afterward removed to Worcester, where he became engaged in manufacturing reeds for organs, and became junior member of the firm of Rice & Harring- ton, who conducted a very extensive business. It was noteworthy of Mr. Harrington, that in all his various relations with his employes, they al- ways entertained for him the warmest feelings. He was remarkably successful in all his business ventures, and his manufacturing was later made to include the making of sewing machines, in which he was associated with J. C. Almsby, They continued in the business until Mr. Har- rington sold out to L. W. Pond, and went to Philadelphia, where he engaged in the machine business, building up a very large establishment, which gave employment to two hundred men. He was the inventor of many of the machines he manufactured, and the author of a number of important patents. Among them was that of an extension lathe, which had an immense sale throughout the country.

Mr. Harrington, previous to his retirement from business, made a visit to Bethel in order to recuperate his health, which had been some- what impaired by too close application to his duties. After a brief rest he returned to Phila- delphia, where he continued in business until failing health forced him to retire. He then de- cided to build a summer residence in Bethel, but while the building was in process of erection he suffered a paralytic stroke. Mr. Harrington lived less than a year after the attack which prostrated him, passing away September 23, 1891. He had previously been a remarkably strong man, and was handsome both in face and figure. At the time of his death he had belonged for thirty or forty years to the Masonic fraternity. He was a member of the Universalist Society, he and his wife having been among the foremost supporters of the church of that denomination in the town of Bethel, Vermont. He was a Christian man in every respect, as a business man, a citizen, father and husband. His children were reared in the, church. He was deeply and sincerely mourned, not only by the family and near friends, but by all who had ever been associated with him in business, fraternal and church relations.

He married, October 8, 1848, Mary E. Hol- land, who was born March 12, 1829, at Stock- bridge, Vermont. Mrs. Harrington belongs to a family who are old residents of Stockbridge, Vermont, her grandfather, Reuben Holland, hav- ing been a farmer of that place, where his son Elihu was born, passed his life in agricultural pursuits, and held various town offices. Elihu married Lucy, daughter of John Whitcomb, and was the father of seven children: Betsey, who married Samuel Sawyer; Joanna C., who became the wife of W. Flint; Silas R., who married Maria Hastings, of Sherburne, Vermont; Mary E., mentioned above as the wife of Edwin Har- rington; Rebecca, who married Alonzo Esta- brooks; Parmelia, who became the wife of H. S. Haskins, and now resides in Philadelphia; and Armilda, who married Harris Lincoln, of Stock- bridge, Vermont. Elihu Holland died in Stock- bridge at the age of seventy-five years, and his wife passed away at the age of seventy-seven years, also at Stockbridge.

Mr. and Mrs. Harrington were the parents of three children: Melvin H., born September 21, 1849; Edwin L., born September 12, 1854, at Worcester, Massachusetts; and Mary Ella, born October 12, 1867, at Worcester, died in the thirteenth year of her age, August 28, 1870, in Philadelphia ; Nellie L. (an adopted daughter) was born February 10, 1872, in Philadelphia. Melvin H., the eldest, was educated in a business college at Worcester, Massachusetts, and suc- ceeded his father in the machine business in Philadelphia, the establishment being conducted under the old name of Edwin Harrington, Son & Company. He resides in Germantown, and married, May 16, 1877, Mary E. Hobbs, of Wor- cester, Massachusetts. They have three children : Allen H., born December 5, 1881, who is now deceased; Arthur, born July 20, 1884, who is now in Cornell University; and Mary Helen, born June 17, 1890. Edwin L. Harrington was educated in the Worcester high school, from which he graduated, and in the Worcester Busi- ness College. He then learned the machinist's trade, and became identified with his father's business. He married, November 21, 1883, Mary C. Jorden, of Philadelphia. Nellie L., the adopt- ed daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harrington, mar-

21×

322

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

ried January 5, 1892, Carl Cushing, a resident of Bethel, where he is engaged in the mill busi- ness, and is the present representative ( 1902-03) from the town of Bethel in the state legislature. They have three children: Leila Harrington ; Mary Dana; and Irene.

Since the death of Mr. Harrington the benevo- lent work in which he was so active has been continued by Mrs. Harrington, who was ever in full sympathy with him. Murray Hall, con- nected with the Universalist church at Bethel, has undergone many repairs and improvements from time to time. In 1893 Mrs. Harrington contributed over three thousand dollars to the fund set apart for this purpose. She caused cathedral glass windows to be placed in the church, and converted Murray Hall into a parlor, dining-room, kitchen, painting rooms, and other apartments, making many substantial improve- ments. In consequence of this the name of the hall was changed to Harrington Parlors, as a token of appreciation of her generous spirit and noble work. Mr. Harrington's residence, com- pleted after his death, is one of the finest in Wind- sor county.

In addition to this work, Mrs. Harrington, who possesses business judgment in rare degree, has taken a very active interest in the affairs of the town of Bethel. The creamery, one of the successful business institutions of the town, which is operated under her direction by W. Fish, was built by her and is known as the Har- rington Creamery, and in this name it is ever to do business. Believing that the town would be benefited, she also generously built the present tannery, which is in successful operation.

Mrs. Harrington also possesses all the fine faculties of the entertaining hostess. To her beautiful home her friends are always cordially welcomed, and large numbers avail themselves of the opportunity, coming from New York, Brooklyn and Philadelphia, in the summer, as many as twenty-five sometimes being entertained at one time. In all the relationships of life, both business and social, by her frank, straight- forward manner, Mrs. Harrington, as did her husband, endeared herself to her numerous friends, each and all of whom hold her in highest esteem.

EDWARD P. RUSSEL, M. D.

Dr. Edward P. Russel, who for many years has been actively engaged in medical practice in Vermont, is one of the talented members of the profession in the state, and has, perhaps, done as much to elevate the standard of medical excel- lence therein as any other man. Being of broad and liberal mind, and having enjoyed the ad- vantages of a superior education, he has the in- terests of his people deeply at heart and has faithfully responded to all demands from sick and suffering humanity.

The Doctor traces his ancestry back to Eng-

EDWARD P. RUSSEL, M. D.

land, where his paternal great-grandfather lived and died. The grandfather, William Russel, was born in London, England, and both he and his brother, Ellis Russel, came to America pre- vious to the Revolution. The former served as a loyal soldier of the American army in the war

323

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

of the Revolution. The latter served on the staff of General Howe throughout the entire struggle, and his death occurred in New Jersey. The former was appointed orderly on the staff of General LaFayette, and he, too, served throughout the entire struggle, after which he located in Charlotte, Vermont. He was among the first to locate at that place, and there he fol- lowed agricultural pursuits. He became the fa- ther of two children,-Ellis M., who remained for a time on the old homestead in Charlotte and afterward located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he died; and William P., the father of our subject. The latter was reared to the life of a farmer boy on the old homestead in Char- lotte, and in its public schools he received his early educational training. He subsequently en- tered the Berkshire Medical College, and in 1830 began the practice of medicine in Middlebury, in which he continued until the inauguration of the Civil war. In 1861 he entered the Fifth Ver- mont Volunteer Infantry, as a surgeon. After the battle of Savage Station he was ordered to care for the wounded, and with them was in- carcerated in Libby prison, where he was con- fined for two and one-half months, after which he was exchanged and returned to the field, later, being honorably discharged, with the rank of major. Returning thence to Middlebury, he was continuously engaged in the practice of his chosen profession until his life's labors were ended in death, being summoned to his final rest on the 4th of June, 1887, at the age of sixty-two years. For many years he served as a selectman and took a prominent part in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his locality, both professionally and otherwise, having served as examining sur- geon and had much to do with securities, was captain of the first militia company organized before the war and was a member of the county and state medical societies. In his fraternal re- lations he was a member of all the Masonic bodies to the thirty-second degree, and was also a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he served as repre- sentative of the order to the Sovereign Grand Lodge at New Orleans, and in both orders he held all offices and was one of the organizers of the present Masonic lodge in Middlebury. He was active in the Grand Army of the Re-

public, and the present post of that order in 'Middlebury was named in his honor. He also occupied an enviable position in the medical pro- fession, being often called in consultation, and for many years he was the only surgeon in this part of the state.

Dr. Russel was united in marriage to Lydia Bass, who was a native of Middlebury and a daughter of William Bass. The latter was born January 16, 1776, in Windham, Connecticut, and in 1797 drove an ox team from that common- wealth to Middlebury, Vermont, being one of the early pioneers of this locality and one of the founders of the town. He, too, was a member of the medical profession, being educated in medicine at Westfield, Massachusetts, and for forty years followed that calling in this village, becoming one of its most able representatives. He lived to a good old age, dying in the faith of the Congregational church, of which he was long a worthy and valued member. His wife, bore the maiden name of Fidelia Mosely, was a native of Massachusetts, born December 23, 1777, in Westfield. She married Dr. William Bass January 1, 1799, and they became the parents of the following children: Jane, who married a Mr. Seymour, for many years a hatter of Middlebury; Charlotte, who married Justin Perkins, the first American missionary to Persia ; Abbie, who married Rev. S. W. Cousins, a well known Congregational minister in both Marblehead and Boston; Sarah, who became the wife of John W. Crehorr, a wealthy farmer and speculator of Milton, Massachusetts; William, mentioned below; Lydia, wife of Dr. Russel; and Rebecca, who died unmarried. Charlotte Perkins and her husband spent the remainder of their lives engaged in missionary work in Persia, and while there he translated the Bible into the Turkish language. William Bass, Jr., is the only survivor of the family and has reached his ninety-second year, and is a resident of Dorchester, Massachusetts. He is the oldest living graduate of Middlebury College, is also a graduate of the Berkshire Medical College and is one of the prominent and well known men of the locality. His wife was called to her final rest several years since. The marriage of Dr. and Mrs. Russel was blessed with the following children : William. B .: Clara, who married

324

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

George R. Plum, now editor of the Inter Ocean of Chicago; Edward P., of this review; Char- lotte M., who married Friend P. Fletcher, who for a number of years was a prominent busi- ness man of Bridport, and afterward Albert Il. Fisher, of Bellows Falls, all being now de ceased ; and Elizabeth R., who married Henry B. Robinson, for many years station agent and now 'a coal dealer of Blue Island, Illinois. The eldest son, William B., graduated at Castleton, Vermont, in 1858, and for two years thereafter was engaged in the practice of medicine in Mid- dlebury, going thence in the fall of 1859, to New Orleans, where he entered the First Washington Artillery for service in the Civil war. He was appointed surgeon general in the Confederate army, and was captured at the surrender of Port Hudson. After the close of the war he returned to New Orleans, where he followed the practice of his profession. He married Viola, the daugh- ter of S. E. Brown, his former captain, and his death occurred of yellow fever in 1867. The mother of this family died in 1886, at the age of seventy-five years. Both she and her husband were members of and active workers in the Con- gregational church.

Edward Perkins Russel spent the early years of his life in Middlebury, receiving his ele- mentary education in its common and high schools, after which he matriculated in the Cas- tleton Medical College, but when the Civil war was inaugurated he left the school room and en- tered Company K, First Vermont Infantry. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of third lieutenant of the Middlebury Light Guards, was later made hospital steward, and served through the first battle of Big Bethel. After his dis- charge he assisted in organizing Company B, of the Fifth Vermont Infantry, of which he was elected captain, but on account of his father's service with the hospital corps he was made hos- pital steward, and later appointed second and then first lieutenant of Company E. He took part in every battle in which the army of the Potomac participated, consisting in all of twenty- three engagements, among which may be men- tioned second Bull Run, the Seven Days' Fight and the Wilderness. During his army service he was twice wounded, but was always able to answer to the call of duty, and his military ca-

reer is one of which he bas every reason to be proud. After returning to his home Mr. Russel completed his medical course at the University of Vermont, and in 1866 began. the practice of medicine in Middlebury, but in the following year removed to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he followed his calling for six years. Returning to this city in 1873, he has since occupied a com- manding position among the medical practition- ers in this part of the state, being now, with one exception, the oldest representative of the calling in the county. During the past twenty-five years he has served as a United States pension ex- aminer, during which time he has been president of the board. His political support is given to the Republican party, and he has served as trustee of the village.

In the year 1866 Dr. Russel was united in marriage to Frances B. Mussey, who was born May 13, 1839, in Mendon, Vermont, a daughter of Colonel Edward Mussey, a farmer and hotel keeper of Addison and Rutland counties. He seven times represented the town of Mendon in the legislature, and was one of the prominent citi- zens of his locality. He married Rebecca W. Hatch, of Alstead, New Hampshire, and became the father of the following children: Charles E., formerly of Chicago, but now deceased ; William B., who was for many years a prominent mer- chant of Rutland, Vermont ; Edward B., a farmer of Rutland; Albert W., a ranchman at Foster, California : Draper R., who died in childhood ; Frances B., wife of Dr. Russel; Ellen M., who died unmarried; Frederick D., special corre- spondent of the Cincinnati Commercial and chief of its bureau at Washington ; and Abby T., who married B. F. Greenough, a retired farmer of Rutland. Mrs. Mussey died August 5, 1900, at the age of ninety-two years, passing away at the home of Dr. Russel. Four children have been born to Dr. Russel and wife. The first two, Nellie and William, died when young and were buried at Council Bluffs. Rebecca L., the third, married George MacLean, an electrical engineer, of Jamaica Plains, Massachusetts. Charlotte M. married W. O. Sanford, and they have one son, Russel.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 57

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