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 61

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 61

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Abel Stillson, of Newtown, Connecticut, had the following children in the order named : David, Jonathan, Abel, Elnathan, Dorothy Jane, Sarah Ann, Isaac, Anan, and Asa-nine in all. Abel Stillson, Jr., a son of the above mentioned Abel, was born September 26, 1791, and died December I, 1846. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Wetmore, was born in Danbury, Con- necticut, September 19, 1790, and died February 18, 1875. They had seven children, as follows : Eli Bennett, Joseph, Polly Ann, Dorothy Jane, Abel, Mary Beers, and Anan. Eli Bennett, the eldest son of Abel, Jr., and Sarah (Wetmore) Stillson, was born in the homestead before men- tioned, April 13, 1813, and died at Middle Gran- ville, New York, November 25, 1873. He mar- ried Eliza Ann Leonard, the only child of Henry and Anne (Porter) Leonard, the fathers of both of whom served with distinction in the Revolu- tionary war. Henry Leonard was the youngest son of Colonel Job Leonard, of Norton, Massa- chusetts, one of the staff of General Horatio Gates, and Anne Porter was the eldest daughter of John Porter, of Danbury, Connecticut, who was an artificer throughout the war for inde- pendence on the staff of General George Wash- ington. To Eli Bennett and Eliza Ann (Leon- ard) Stillson were born four children: Henry Leonard, John Porter, George Hamilton Gray, and Anan Francis.

Henry Leonard Stillson, eldest son of Eli Ben-

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nett and Eliza Ann (Leonard) Stillson, was born in Middle Granville, Washington county, New York, September 19, 1842, and it is an interesting coincidence that his grandmother, Sarah Wet- more, and his eldest daughter were also born on the 19th of September. He received his educa- tion in the public schools, in the Troy Conference Academy at Poultney, Vermont, and by a pri- vate tutor. Subsequently he graduated from the Eastman National Business College of Pough- keepsie, New York, and after teaching several years, began his newspaper career in the office of the Rutland Herald in 1862, remaining with that paper until the spring of 1867. He published the Bulletin at Poultney, Vermont, in 1870-71, after which he moved to Bennington, this state, where he has since resided. From 1874 until 1895 he was associated with The Bennington Banner, retiring therefrom in April of the latter year, and returned to the editorial chair Decem- ber 15, 1899. During his career as a journalist Mr. Stillson has achieved distinction as a fra- ternity historian, and his writings on Freemasonry and Odd Fellowship -- standard works-are pub- lished by the Fraternity Publishing Company, of Boston, Massachusetts. "The History of Free- masonry and Concordant Orders," published in 1891, and prepared by Mr. Stillson and his col- laborators-comprising the best labors of a large number of eminent Masons in Europe and Ameri- ca-although somewhat iconoclastic of tradition- ary lore, enjoys the high distinction that no state- ment therein contained has ever been successfully questioned. It has passed through many suc- cessive editions, and is selling better today than when first issued. His "History of Odd Fel- lowship-The Three-Link Fraternity," published in 1897, and constructed on the same plan, was made "official" that year by the Sovereign Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F., paying both Mr. Stillson and his publishers the highest compliment possi- ble. In 1891 he was appointed historiographer by Governor Carroll S. Page to compile the pa- pers and addresses in connection with the cen- tennial celebration of the admission of Vermont into the union. The outcome was a book of his- torical value that is now much sought for to place in libraries throughout the United States and Canada. Mr. Stillson was also the chairman of the committee on printing at that event. He is

chairman of the Committee of History of the Bennington Battle Monument and Historical As- sociation. A bibliography of his published works occupied two pages in the annual report of the American Historical Association of 1893.

On the 5th of August, 1868, Mr. Stillson mar- ried Josephine Sophia Woodruff, she being a daughter of Benjamin Leeke and Emily (Buck- man) Woodruff, of Plattsburgh, New York, and her death occurred February 18, 1880. Of their two children the son, Benjamin Leonard Edward, did not survive his youth, and the daughter, Frances Emily, is now living in Brooklyn, New York. Mr. Stillson's second wife was in her maidenhood Helen Kenyon, of Manchester, Ver- mont, to whom he was married September 6, 1881. To this union there were born four chil- dren, all now deceased: Bessie, Ruth Katherine, Adah Caroline, and Lee Hascall. The strenuous nature of the demands upon time to edit a news- paper and carry along the literary researches necessary to the works mentioned above, coupled with the agency of the Associated Press, held by Mr. Stillson from 1876 until 1896 in southern Vermont, forbade the holding of political office ; but, nevertheless, he has rendered invaluable and appreciated services as health officer of the town and villages of Bennington. He is now serving his fourth three-year term in that important ca- pacity. While his early aim, as he says, was to gain distinction in journalism, it is the opinion of his friends that he will be best known in con- nection with his tenure as health officer and as a historian. Yet his many-sided abilities have left their mark on his profession. The Banner is rated second in the Blue Book, and Mr. Still- son's reports of the Vermont Centennial cele- bration of 1877 and 1891, both held in Benning- ton, were highly praised by the managers of the Associated Press in New York and Boston. He has also found time amid the many cares of a busy life to render distinguished service to the several fraternal societies and clubs in which he holds membership. In turn he has been honored by them, among which may be named the Masonic fraternity, of both the American and Scottish Rites, the Independent Order of Odd Fellow's, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Good Templars, and others. The Stillson family numbers many who are eminent in the medical

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and other professions, and the diversity of talents shown by the one whose biography is here in- scribed proves him to be a man of unusual at - tainments, and likewise an honor to the grand old family which he represents.

DAVID BLAKELY.

David Blakely, deceased, for many years one of the most prominent figures in national musical circles, and the creator and general manager of the world famous concert band conducted by John Philip Sousa, also president of the Blakely Print- ing Company, of Chicago, Illinois, and a pioneer newspaper publisher in the west, was gifted per- sonally as a singer and was passionately fond of music. Interested as he was in the develop- ment of music among the people, the application of his wise business methods, his keen judgment of the popular musical taste and his executive ability in the management of the affairs of a great musical organization was to him a pleasure and delight.

David Blakely was born in East Berkshire, Franklin county, Vermont, in 1834, and four years later his parents removed to Syracuse, New York, where his education was acquired in the public schools. At the age of thirteen he entered the printing office of the "Daily Star," between which and the office of the "Journal," he thor- oughly mastered the typographic art. After com- pleting his apprenticeship he returned to the state of Vermont and devoted five years to study, two of which were passed at the Bradford Academy, under the personal supervision of Governor Farn- ham, and two at the University of Vermont. In 1860 Mr. Blakely located in Rochester, Minne- sota, and entered upon the profession of journal- ism ; three flourishing newspapers owe their ori- gin and success to him, the principal one being the "Rochester Post," which he established in 1860. The paper soon became a power in that young and vigorous state, and attested not only the value of natural adaptation, but of the prac- tical experience that Mr. Blakely had in that ex- acting profession. He was early recognized as an advanced thinker, and was appointed secretary of state by Governor Alexander Ramsey, and the legislature immediately created him super- intendent of public instruction of the state, in

which capacity he contributed largely to the or- ganization of the flourishing common school sys- tem of Minnesota. As ex-officio secretary of the Normal School board, he promoted the estab- lishment on an enduring basis of the excellent system of normal schools for which Minnesota promises to become distinguished. In 1869 he was elected chief clerk of the Minnesota house of representatives, to which office he was re- elected the following year. In the autumn of 1865 he purchased the "Chicago Evening Post," and at once took editorial charge of that radical and popular daily. The newspaper plant was de- stroyed during the great Chicago fire of 1872, after which he returned to Minnesota and pur- chased the "St. Paul Pioneer," then the leading Democratic paper of the northwest, and soon brought about its consolidation with the "St. Paul Press," the Republican organ of that sec- tion. The "Pioneer-Press" was firmly estab- lished on its new footing by Mr. Blakely, who subsequently purchased the "Minneapolis. Daily Tribue," at which time he severed his connection with the St. Paul publication, and remained its editor and proprietor up to the end of his jour- nalistic career. While in control of this pros- perous daily he also established the "Minneapolis Evening Journal," and in addition to these enter- prises he was president of the Blakely Printing Company, of Chicago, also a large stockholder. This is one of the largest establishments in the country, the work turned out amounting to nearly half a million dollars yearly, the specialty of this great concern being the printing of newspapers and the turning out of illustrated art works of typographical beauty and merit.

Although this large industry was Mr. Blake- ly's chief business employment, he had it so sys- temized that he was able to give much of his leisure time to music. During his journalistic career in Minneapolis and St. Paul he was the conductor of two flourishing vocal societies, was the president and director of the Philharmonic, and as such organized several great annual mu- sical festivals, for which he drilled the choruses. He secured the services of such eminent artists as Mr. Thomas, Christine Nilsson, and the great and historic German trio, Winkleman, Scaria and Materna. In 1875 he removed to New York and assumed the general management of the P. S.

2. Blakely.

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Gilmore Band, a popular and famous musical organization, a position he held for several years. During this time his attention was called to John Philip Sousa, then with the Washington Marine Band, and he subsequently secured his release from government service and established the now celebrated Sousa Band, retaining the active man- agement of that organization until his death. The success of this enterprise has been something phe- nomenal, and the band is in constant employment, either at Manhattan Beach, at the great exposi- tions throughout the country, or upon concert tours. The compositions of Mr. Sousa are prob- ably sold more extensively than those of any modern composer, and the royalties thereon netted a handsome income to both Mr. Blakely and Mr. Sousa. On several occasions Mr. Blakely en- gaged Theodore Thomas and his orchestra for long tours over the country, and in all such un- dertakings he operated on the broadest and most liberal scope. He also originated the Mendels- sohn Club, in Minneapolis, one of the largest musical societies in the country, and for a num- ber of years was the director of the music for the Church of the Redeemer. He took a great interest in the national development of music among the people, and watched this phenomenon with the keenest delight.

In 1859 Mr. Blakely was united in marriage to Adeline Prichard Low, daughter of the late Asa Low, who was a prominent citizen of Brad- ford, Vermont. Their children were: Jessie, wife of Wallace C. Low, a prominent lawyer of New York city, and they have two sons, Carroll Blake- ly and Kenneth Brooks Low; Bertha, wife of Courtlandt Babcock, a resident of Montclair, New Jersey, and engaged in the commercial paper business in New York city : Julie, wife of John G. Morse, a citizen of Salem, Massachusetts, and engaged in the capacity of factory inspector for a Massachusetts firm ; and Zella Pauline, unmar- ried, who resides at home with her mother. These children all received a musical education. The youngest daughter, Miss Zella Pauline, received her first instruction on the violin under Professor Wildermar Meyer in Dresden, at the age of seven years, also studied under Edward Nadard in Paris, and subsequently was a pupil of Gustav Dannreuthe and Leopold Leichtenburg, of New York. Mr. Blakely's death, which occurred

November 7, 1896, was very sudden. He was stricken with heart failure in his office in Car- negie Hall, New York city, and his remains were taken to Bradford, Vermont, where their summer home was located, for interment. His widow and four daughters survive him. His untimely death caused grief among thousands of musical peo- ple, who regarded him as a man of great intel- lectual powers, of the very highest personal prob- ity and honesty, stainless in his private character and unimpeachable in his public functions.

ASA LOW.

Asa Low, deceased, was a man of enterprise, energy and remarkable executive ability in various directions, and it was largely through his instru- mentality that the village of Bradford, Vermont, became a center of commercial activity. Mr. Low always used his means and his influence as a faithful steward for the public good, and was a liberal contributor for the support of religious and charitable work, while the substantial hotel which bears his name and the many structures of brick and stone which he reared will be enduring monuments to perpetuate his honored name to a grateful posterity.

Asa Low was born in Sanford, Maine, Jan- uary 13, 1796, and after acquiring a common school education was, on April 1, 1814, bound to service for three years to Andrew Henderson, a paper manufacturer of Wells River, Vermont. Here he became thoroughly familiar with all the details of the paper business, and in 1820 removed to Bradford, Vermont, where he began his busi- ness career equipped with a splendid physique, a practical mind, good habits and a resolute will. In 1826 he rented a paper mill, a small wooden structure owned by Mr. Henry, and the follow- ing year became the proprietor of the same. The mill was swept away by a flood in 1828, but the following year another wooden structure was erected on the same site, and this Mr. Low oper- ated until the year 1840, when he built the large granite structure which withstood the elements for over sixty years, but was, in May, 1901, mys- teriously destroyed by fire. In 1835 he also erected a store, the brick used in its construction having been made by himself, and here he con- ducted a thriving trade for many years. He gave

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employment to nearly one hundred men in his various enterprises, which included a printing office and book bindery, printing writing books, almanacs and testaments, etc. Very carly he formed a mercantile partnership with Mr. Naph- tali Shaw, each partner advancing one thousand dollars according to the terms of their contract, but this partnership was dissolved at the expira- tion of three years. This small beginning soon developed into the largest mercantile establish- ment in this section of the state. His four, six, eight and nine horse teams were constantly going to and from Boston, carrying produce of all kinds for the transaction of their business, as well as that of his neighbor, Colonel Prichard, and other merchants in the village. Mr. Low was always a strict observer of the Sabbath, requiring this observance from his employes as well, and he ar- ranged, when at all possible, to have his teams housed at home on Saturday night.

At one time Mr. Low manufactured scythe stones in large quantities, and disposed of them at wholesale throughout this entire section of the state. In 1844 he built the Bradford flouring mills, equipped with six run of stone, and also the adjacent sawmill, which he continued to oper- ate for many years, and from which he realized a handsome income. His attention was also di- rected to agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, which enterprise proved very remunerative. He erected the handsome hotel known as the Trotter House, on the present site of Hotel Low, and he was the first store and hotel-keeper, in all this section of the country, to renounce the sale of spirituous liquors. The law prohibiting such sale had been passed in 1829. At first his trade suf- fered, but customers soon returned, and, fortu- nately for the town of Bradford, his excellent example was shortly afterwards followed by oth- ers. He was the owner of a large number of dwelling houses throughout the town, which were rented to the men in his employ. Notwithstand- ing that his time and attention were almost en- tirely occupied with his many and varied business enterprises, yet he gave every moment that he could spare to the effort of obtaining a railroad up this rich valley, and was the prime factor in ripening conception into fact. He interested Governor Erastus Fairbanks in the project, and

his assurances, being followed by letters from Boston capitalists corroborating his statements, soon had the desired effect, and the Connecticut & Passumpsic Rivers Railroad was built. This opened a communication from the seaports to Bradford, whence it has since been extended to Canada Last, with railroad connections to Que- bec, Montreal, and the far west. During his ab- sence to secure this great public work, his own pecuniary interests suffered severely through heavy losses by flood and fire and through the failure of creditors, and this left him financially embarrassed. Through the exercise of his in- domitable energy and courage, however, he soon found an opportunity, through the purchase of a large consignment of wool on commission, in which line he was an expert, to relieve his neces- sities. Mr. Low was for a number of years a trustee of Bradford Academy. He took a keen interest in the cause of education and in the sup- port of public worship, and was an earnest and persevering advocate of total abstinence from the common use of all intoxicating liquors.

On September 21, 1824, Mr. Low married Lucinda Brooks, a daughter of Deacon Samuel and Anna (Butler) Brooks, formerly residents of Worcester, Massachusetts, but at that time re- siding in Canada East. Their children were: (I) Helen M., who died January 14, 1894, aged sixty-seven years; (2) Caroline Henrietta, wife of the late John B. Peckett, of Bradford, who died August 5, 1889, aged sixty-one years; (3) George Azra, born December 16, 1833, who grad- tiated at Dartmouth College in 1857, was en- gaged as teacher for some years at Chicago, Illi- nois, and at Bradford, Vermont, and subsequently was engaged in various business pursuits in con- nection with his father ; later and for many years he has been interested in the paper business in New York city ; he married Marcia Cutler, daugh- ter of the Rev. Calvin Cutler, and their residence is in Brooklyn, New York; (4) Adeline Prich- ard, widow of David Blakely, whose summer honte is the Low homestead, opposite Hotel Low, whichi home has been in possession of the family for eighty years; (5) Martha A., who resides at her old home in Bradford. Five little ones, three sons and two daughters, of Mr. and Mrs. Low, were taken away in childhood.

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Mr. Low died at his home in Bradford, Ver- mont, in 1875, at the age of seventy-nine years, and his widow passed away five years later, be- ing in the eightieth year of her age.

REV. ALANSON LAWRENCE COOPER.

Rev. Alanson Lawrence Cooper, D. D., of Randolph, has been prominently identified with the Vermont Methodist Episcopal conference for many years. A native of the Green Mountain state, he was born March 14, 1824, in Rochester, Vermont, a son of Elias and Rosalinda (Hub- bard) Cooper. He is of English ancestry, being a descendant in the seventh generation from John Cooper, the immigrant, the lineage being as fol- lows: John, Samuel, Samuel, John, Barnabas, Silas, Alanson L.

John Cooper (I) was born in England in 1618. After the death of his father, his widowed mother, Mrs. Lydia Cooper, married Deacon Gregory Stone, who emigrated to America before May, 1636, bringing with him his step-children, John and Lydia Cooper. The latter married Lieu- tenant David Fisk, of Cambridge, Massachu- setts, by whom she had one son and two daugh- ters, and died prior to 1655. John Cooper be- came one of the leading citizens of Cambridge, serving as selectman thirty-eight years, as town clerk from 1669 to 1682, and as deacon of the Congregational church from 1688 until his death, August 22, 1691. He married Anna Sparhawk, daughter of Nathaniel Sparhawk, of Cambridge, and they became the parents of eight children : Anna, Mary, John, Samuel, John, Nathaniel, Ly- dia and Anna.

Samuel Cooper (2), born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, January 3, 1653, inherited the parental homestead, which he occupied until his death, in 1717. He was selectman from 1702 until 1716, and was chosen as deacon of the Con- gregational church on March 22, 1705. On De- cember 4, 1683, he married Hannah Hastings, who was born in Cambridge, January 9, 1656, a daughter of Deacon Walter and Sarah ( Means) Hastings, and their children, all born in Cam- bridge, were as follows: Hannah, Lydia, Sarah, Samuel, Mary, Elizabeth, Walter, John and Jona- than.

Samuel Cooper (3), born March 23, 1689,

inherited the ancestral homestead, which he sold, April 14, 1730, to Ebenezer Frost, and moved to Grafton, Massachusetts, where he united with the First Congregational church, December 28, 1731, and, January 21, 1732, was chosen as one of the first deacons of the church, James Whipple being the other. He was moderator in 1735, 1738 and 1740; school committee in 1738; and town clerk in 1739, being the second to hold that office. In 1738 he was paid three pounds, four shillings, for keeping school at Grafton Road. He married, March 29, 1719, Sarah Kidder, who was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, August 17, 1690, a daughter of Deacon Samuel and Sarah (Griggs) Kidder. The only record of their children is as follows: Nathaniel and Samuel were soldiers in the French and Indian war; Joseph ; John; and Sarah.

John Cooper (4), born in Cambridge, March 4, 1725, moved from Grafton to Hardwick, Mass- achusetts, in early manhood, living there until 1769, when he settled in Cornish, New Hamp- shire, whence, in 1770, he went to Croydon, New Hampshire, and settled on a farm that was after- wards owned by Deacon Otis Cooper. He and Moses Whipple were chosen deacons of the first Congregational church formed in that town, in 1783. He was elected moderator of Croydon seven times ; was town treasurer in 1773 ; tithing- man in 1773 and 1781 ; town clerk in 1772, 1773 and 1774 ; selectman for nine years ; he was also deacon in Hardwick for twenty years ; selectman seventeen years; assessor twenty years; town clerk five years; and frequently taught school while there. He also taught in Cornish, New Hampshire, in 1769. He married, March 15, 1748, Mary Sherman, who was born in Grafton. Massachusetts, December 9, 1726, a daughter of Nathaniel and Mary Sherman, and a cousin of Roger Sherman, noted in colonial history. Their children, all born in Hardwick, were Sarah. Na- thaniel. Mary. John. Joel, Huldah, Sherman, Ma- tilda, Barnabas and Chloe.

Barnabas Cooper (5), born July 28. 1764, resided in Croydon, New Hampshire, from 1770 until March, 1807, when he removed to Rochester. Vermont, where his death occurred February 13. 1813. In Croydon he served as tax collector in 1802 and 1803, and as selectman in 1804. He married, first, Mary Sanger, born in 1769, daugh-

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ter of Isaac Sanger, of Croydon, New Hampshire. She died January 11, 1805, having borne nine children, all born in Croydon, namely : Lois San- ger : Silas; Asaph; Isaac; Phineas Sanger; Ira; Susan, who died in infancy; Susan W .; and Alanson Lawrence. He married, second, De- cember 9, 1805, Lydia Powers, by whom he had one child, Barnabas.

Silas Cooper (6), born January 21, 1790, went to Rochester, Vermont, with his father in 1807, driving an ox team loaded with household goods. He lived there until 1813, when he removed to Croydon, New Hampshire, where he remained until 1822, when he returned to Rochester, Ver- mont, living there until his death, September 20, 1846. He married, first, in 1813, Rosalinda Hub- bard, who was born in Putney, Vermont, Febru- ary 22, 1793, a daughter of Elisha and Susan (Moore) Hubbard. She died in Rochester, Ver- mont, February 15, 1840, having borne him nine children : Erasmus Darwin, Lois, Hubbard, Barn- abas, Silas, Alanson Lawrence, Susan Jane, Eliza Emily and Edward Beecher, the last named of whom died young. He married, second, March 2, 1843, Mrs. Prudence (Amidon) Foster, widow of Hiram Foster, and of their union one child was born, Edward Silas.

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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 61

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