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 62

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 62

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Alanson Lawrence Cooper (7) acquired his elementary education in the common and select schools of Rochester, and at Newbury Seminary, after which he taught several terms in Pomfret and Rochester, also in Cayuga and Wayne coun- ties, New York. Entering the Vermont confer- ence in 1846, he continued in the state about ten years, having charge of churches in different towns. Being forced on account of ill health to give up preaching for awhile, he went to Evan- ston, Illinois, where, in 1857, he entered the Gar- rett Biblical Institute, from which he was grad- uated in 1859. Soon after he was transferred from the Wisconsin conference, which he had previously joined, to the Vermont conference, and the following two years was located at Wood- stock. Since that time Mr. Cooper has filled many of the more important positions in the con- ference, both as pastor and as presiding elder, and by his conscientious work wherever placed has won the respect and hearty approval of his associates. In 1863 and 1864, while stationed at Montpelier, he served as chaplain of the house

of representatives, and was also busily employed in his charitable efforts to alleviate the hardships of our brave soldier boys in camp and field, and to improve the hospital service at Montpelier. In 1880 he was made a Bachelor of Divinity by the Garrett Biblical Institute, which, in 1889, con- ferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Di- vinity.

Dr. Cooper is known to the literary world not only through his valued contributions to the Vermont Messenger and to Zion's Herald, but through stray bits of poetical composition that occasionally find their way into print. Politically he is an adherent of the Republican party, and a strong Prohibitonist. Always interested in ad- vancing the educational standard of the country, he served as superintendent of schools in Cabot and Springfield, Vermont, and for many years has been a trustee of the Vermont Methodist Seminary. In 1868 the Doctor was a delegate from Vermont to the general conference which met in Chicago, and was one of the charter mem- bers of the State Sunday-school Association, of which he was president in 1875 and 1876.

Dr. Cooper married, May 17, 1853, Lucinda M., daughter of Jeremiah and Sarepta (Hincher) Atkins, of Cabot, where her birth occurred June 28, 1830. Doctor and Mrs. Cooper have four children, namely: Mary Ella, born March 2, 1855, in Irasburg, Vermont, married April 25, 1876, Rev. Clarence M. Ward, of the DesMoines (Iowa) Methodist Episcopal conference; Emma Louise, born January 9, 1859, married, October 5, 1887, Rev. Carlos L. Adams, of the Detroit conference of the Methodist Episcopal church ; Alice Etta, born January 31, 1863, at Northfield, Vermont, died February 12, 1882, at Springfield, Vermont ; and Rosa May, born February 7, 1867, at Montpelier, Vermont, residing with her par- ents.

JABĘZ WADSWORTH HOVEY.

Jabez Wadsworth Hovey, a retired agricul- turist of East Hardwick, was born May 3, 1833, in Thetford, Vermont, and is one of the influen- tial men of the town and much respected by all who know him. He comes of Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, Roger Hovey, having been a soldier in the Continental army. The first

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ancestor of the family in America was Daniel Hovey, who came from England and located at Ipswich, Massachusetts, where he maintained a wharf, built as early as 1660. Roger Hovey was a native of Mansfield, Connecticut, but migrated to Hanover, New Hampshire, when young, and afterwards removed to Vermont, living many years in Thetford, and died in Berlin, where he went a few months before his demise, at the age of eighty years. He married Martha Freeman, and among the children born of their union was Frederick, the father of Jabez W.

Frederick Hovey was born and reared in Hanover, New Hampshire, going from there to Thetford, where he was engaged in farming for a number of years. He subsequently settled in Hardwick, and here continued his chosen occu- pation until his death, being the owner of a good farming property. His wife, whose maiden name was Harriet Ellis, was a native of Berlin, Ver- mont, a daughter of Jabez Ellis, one of the first settlers of Berlin.

Jabez W. Hovey was educated in Berlin and at the Barre Academy, and for a few years of his earlier life taught school with excellent success. In 1857 he began farming on his own account in Hardwick, settling on a farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres, located about a mile west of the village, one of the most valuable and pro- ductive agricultural estates of this locality. He devoted himself to general farming, making a spe- cialty of dairying, and met with signal success, by industry and good management acquiring a competency. He still retains possession of this homestead, also owning and occupying a small farm of twenty-five acres at the village of East Hardwick. For several years during his early life he was employed in civil engineering, and made the survey of Washington county for a county map. Politically he has always supported the principles of the Republican party by voice and vote, and has rendered excellent service in most of the town offices, and as justice of the peace. In 1884 and 1885 he was a representative to the state legislature, in which he served on the com- mittee on land, taxes and highways, and took an active part in the discussion on the high license bill, which was introduced that session.

Mr. Hovey married, May 14, 1862, Hannah . mont.

C. Montgomery, who was born in Walden, Ver-

mont, November 6, 1834, a daughter of Ira and Abigail (Winslow) Montgomery, and a descend- ant of one of the original settlers of Walden. Five children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hovey. The first, Otis E., a graduate of Dartmouth College, is now engaged on the en- gineering force of the American Bridge Com- pany of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Elwyn G., also a Dartmouth College graduate, is at present one of the managers of the New York branch of the Western Electric Company of Chicago, Illi- nois, a concern which he formerly represented in Japan ; Frederick M., who died May 23, 1901 ; Mary E .; and Abbie M.

GEORGE TRUMAN SWASEY.

George Truman Swasey, a prominent and in- fluential attorney at law of Barre, Vermont, is a worthy descendant of Joseph Swasey, who was one of four brothers who came from England to this country in the early colonial days. It is supposed that they first settled in Exeter, New Hampshire. Dudley Swasey, son of Joseph Swasey, was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, and attended the common schools of that town. He was united in marriage, March 5, 1796, to Miss Apphia Lougee, of Exeter, New Hamp- shire. Immediately after his marriage he re- moved to Danville, Caledonia county, Vermont, where he purchased a large tract of land which was covered with a dense growth of weeds and underbrush. In due course of time he cleared and cultivated the ground and engaged extensively in the production of a general line of garden pro- duce. He was one of the representative men, and exerted a powerful influence for good in the com- munity.

Dudley Swasey, son of Dudley and Apphia Swasey, was born in the town of Danville, Cale- donia county, Vermont. He received his educa- tion in the public schools of the town, and upon attaining young manhood he chose the occupation of farmer; in addition to his agricultural pur- suits he frequently performed the duties of an itinerant minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was joined in marriage to Miss Lydia Hart, who was born in Waterbury, Ver-

Samuel Hart Swasey, son of Dudley and

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

Lydia Swasey, was born in the town of Danville, Caledonia county, Vermont, in October, 1824. Ile acquired his education in the district school, and began the active duties of life by assisting with the work on the old homestead, and he has since dlevoted his energies to that occupation, in which he met with excellent success. Mr. Swasey has always supported the principles of the Republican party, and is a firm believer in the measures it advocates. He is a consistent member of the Methodist church. He was married in 1851 to Miss Laura Ann Rich, who was born in 1829, a daughter of Alva and Laura Rich, of Calais, Ver- mont. Their children are: George Truman, born March 19, 1853; Minnie R., born in 1862; Nellie R., born in 1863; and Charles Dudley, born in 1866. Mr. Swasey died in Glover, Orleans county, Vermont, in 1887.

George Truman Swasey, son of Samuel Hart and Laura Ann Swasey, was born in Waterbury; Washington county, Vermont, March 19: 1853. His early education was received in the

district school, after

which he was a

student in the Green Mountain Seminary at Waterbury, Vermont; he then at- tended Powers Institute at Bernardston, Massa- chusetts, and subsequently entered the Barre Academy at Barre, Vermont, from which he was graduated with the class of 1876. Having de- cided to follow the profession of the law, he en- tered the office of Judge Hiram Carleton, with whom he remained for some time. He further prosecuted his studies with Joseph A. Wing, of Montpelier, Vermont, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1880. He removed to Wahpe- ton, North Dakota, and entered upon the practice of his profession, meeting with a large measure of success. He was elected to serve in the capac- ity of police judge of the city. In 1887 Mr. Swasey removed to Washington territory, which is now the state of Washington, and located in Centralia, where he enjoyed a lucrative patron- age, owing to the fact that he is an efficient, capable and honest man, and in the discharge of his duties he displays an executive ability of a very high order. In 1891 he had the honor con- ferred upon him of being elected to serve as the first mayor under the city charter, and the fol- lowing year he was elected prosecuting attorney for the county ; he also filled the office of city

attorney. In 18go Mr. Swasey returned to his native state, and located in Barre, where he has since continued the practice of his profession. Ile was elected to serve as city attorney in 1897, and he was chosen by the citizens of Barre to represent them in the state legislature of 1898, where he served on the judiciary committee and acted in the capacity of one of the leaders in the house on the local option referendum bill. In 1890 he was nominated by the Democratic party for their candidate for congress in the second congressional district. Mr. Swasey is a member of Centralia Lodge, No. 58, A. F. & A. M., lo- cated at Centralia, state of Washington.

On December 25, 1882, Mr. Swasey was unite- ed in marriage at Bernardston, Massachusetts, to Miss Dilcy H. Bowker, who was born February 18, 1854, a daughter of Dr. Charles D. and Har- riett Bowker, of Bernardston, Massachusetts. Three children have been born of this union: Harold Bowker, born at Bernardston, Massa- chusetts, January 1, 1884, is now a student in the senior class of Goddard Seminary, Barre, Ver- mont; George Truman, Jr., born at Wahpeton, North Dakota, February 5, 1885, is now a stu- dent in the senior class of the Spaulding high school at Barre, Vermont; and Harriett, born in Barre, Vermont, February 3, 1898.

FRED E. PRICHARD.

Fred Elmer Prichard, a prominent and pro- gressive citizen of Randolph, Vermont, who acts in the capacity of principal of schools, is a son of John B. W. and Orissa Prichard. John B. W. Prichard, father of Fred E. Prichard, was born in Bradford, Vermont, September 26, 1839, a son of George W. and Elizabeth (Pearson) Prichard. His preliminary education was ac- quired in the town school, and this was further supplemented by a course of study at the Brad- ford Academy and a private course at St. Al- bans. He commenced his active business career by engaging as a clerk in his father's employ, who was a merchant, and he also served in a similar capacity for his brothers. In the year 1861 Mr. Prichard purchased from his brother the store and stock, and successfully conducted the business for three years. He then located in Massachusetts and was engaged in mercantile

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trade there until 1869, when he returned to his native town and entered into partnership with Barron Hay, and by careful management, keen discrimination and unrelaxing energy they have not only been able to hold their own, but have won a gratifying success. He is a man of su- perior business ability, and through the period of his connection with the business interests of Bradford he has never failed to keep a good name and credit.

When the slave-holding aristocracy attempted to secede from the Union, Mr. Prichard was a member of the noted Bradford Guards, a company of the First Vermont Regiment, and accompanied them when they left the state at the outset of the struggle. He participated at the battle of Big Bethel, and was mustered out with the regiment upon their return from the field in August, 1861. Mr. Prichard is a Republican in politics, and in 1870 was elected to fill the position of town clerk, and with the exception of a single year has been the incumbent of the office ever since. He has served for three terms as selectman of the town, and was chosen to represent Bradford in the state legislature in 1882. Mr. Prichard has filled all the chairs of Charity Lodge, No. 43, A. F. & A. M., and he has presided for two terms in the east; he is a charter member and has acted in the capacity of adjutant and commander of Washburn Post, No. 17, G. A. R.

On January 21, 1862, Mr. Prichard was united in marriage to Miss Orissa George, daughter of Sargent and Melissa (Greenleaf) George. Two children have been born of this union: Warren H. and Fred E. Prichard.

Frd E. Prichard was reared in Bradford, where he prepared for college, and graduated from Dartmouth College in the class of 1891. While in his senior year he taught one term in Corinth Academy, and his time has been taken up in teaching since his graduation, with the ex- ception of two years, which were spent in read- ing medicine. For one and one-half years he was principal of the high school at Williamsburg, Massachusetts, which position he resigned to take charge of the town Central high school at New- bury, Vermont, where he remained two and one- half years. After a trial of medical study he de- cided that the profession was not congenial to him, and again took up teaching, at the Bradford

high school and academy. After three years there, he took charge of the Randolph high school, where he is now (1903) completing his third year.

He was married August 18, 1898, to Miss Metella Paine, a native of Lowell, Vermont, daughter of the late Benjamin Franklin Paine, who died in 1898, at Newport, Vermont, where he was cashier of the Newport customs district. He was a native of Lowell, and was a large lum- ber dealer at Jay, Vermont, and active in public affairs, serving as representative and senator in the state legislature. He was a son of Amasa and Hope S. (Ladd) Paine, who came from New Hampshire to Lowell previous to 1839, in which year B. F. Paine was born. Mrs. Prichard's mother, Mary Jane (Blaisdell) Paine, was born in Greensboro, Vermont, daughter of Hiram and Jane (Somers) Blaisdell. Mrs. Prichard received her education at St. Johnsbury Academy and the State Normal School at Salem, Massachusetts, and spent some years in teaching. At the time of her marriage she was principal of the training school at the State Normal School, Randolph Center, Vermont.

Mr. Prichard is a member of Phoenix Lodge No. 28, A. F. & A. M., of Randolph. Since 1891 he has been a member of the State Teachers' Association, in which he has held several offices, including vice president. He has been county examiner of teachers for Orange county since 1893, and is one of the directors of the American Institute of Instruction. In politics he supports the principles of the Republican party.

LORENZO M. GREENE, M. D.

Dr. Lorenzo M. Greene, an eminent medical practitioner of Bethel, Vermont, is a descendant of Uziah Greene, who was for many years a promi- nent agriculturist of the town of Bethel, his farm being situated on what is now known as Chris- tian Hill. Charles Greene, son of Uziah Greene, and grandfather of Dr. Greene, was born in the town of Pittsfield, Rutland county, Vermont, was reared upon his father's farm and educated in the common schools of the neighborhood. Later he devoted his attention to farming and also learned the trade of shoemaker, which occu- pations he followed in his native town and in

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

Comanda, Cattaraugus county, New York, whither be removed some years later. Politically Mr. Greene was formerly an adherent of the Whig party, but after the formation of the Re- publican party he joined that body. He was united in marriage to a Miss Hall, and their chil- dren were Merril, Harvey, Jessie, Milton, Ellen and Margaret. Mr. Greene died in the town of Gowanda, eighty-one years of age.

Milton Greene, father of Dr. Greene, was born March 10, 1824, in Pittsfield, Rutland county, Vermont, where he obtained a practical educa- tion in the district schools. He then learned the trade of shoemaker, which he followed in connec- tion with farming for a number of years in Pitts- field ; he then removed to the town of Rochester, Windsor county, Vermont, where he resided until 1898, after which he took up his residence in Randolph, Vermont, where he is living at the pres- ent time (1903), having attained the age of eighty years. Mr. Greene took an active interest in the political affairs of the town, and always cast his vote for the Republican candidate ; he has also been a consistent member of the Universalist church. He married Aurora Goodno, and the following named children were born to them: Rev. Ransom A., who was educated at the St. Lawrence University, ordained a Universalist clergyman at Lowell, Massachusetts, where he labored for twenty-six years, and erected a church ; he was married twice, his first wife hav- ing been Clara Wilson, and by his second wife, Hattie Clifford, there was one son, Vernon L. Greene. Romanzo E. is engaged in farming in Granville, Vermont; he married Mary E. Ball, and they had one child, Edith Greene; Romanzo died at the age of thirty-three years. Dr. Lorenzo M. Greene is the subject of this sketch. Rev L. L., who was educated at the St. Lawrence Academy, New York, became a Universalist clergyman and was located at Hudson, New York, for six years ; he married Jennie R. Martin, and their child, Dr. Ransom A., was a graduate from the Balti- more Medical College. Olin, educated at the University of Vermont, from which he was grad- uated in 1879, has since been associated in prac- tice with his brother, Dr. Lorenzo M. Greene, at Bethel ; he married Emma Bee, and they have one daughter, Mabelle Greene. Orlin R., a successful farmer of Randolph, Vermont, where he is acting

in the capacity of overseer of the extensive farm- ing interests of Robert Kimball, the New York banker, was united in marriage to Jennie Morse, and they have one child, Ethel Greene. Orura E. is engaged in farming in Bethel; he married Isa Chadwick, and they have one son, Carl Greene. Genic became the wife of Frank Twitchell, and one child was born to them, Hattie Twitchell; Genie married for her second husband John Noona, of Enfield, New Hampshire; she is now deceased. Janette is the wife of Burt Chadwick, a traveling salesman; they are prominent resi- dents of Randolph, Vermont. The mother of these children died July 1, 1890, at the age of sixty-eight years.

Dr. Lorenzo M. Greene, third son of Milton G. and Aurora Greene, was born October 14, 1852, in the town of Rochester, Vermont. His early edu- cation was acquired in the common schools of his birthplace and at Randolph Normal School; he then entered Dartmouth Medical College and subsequently matriculated in the University of Vermont, from which he was graduated in the class of 1876, with the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. Dr. Greene then established an office in Bethel, and being thoroughly equipped in his profession, not only in medicine but surgery, he soon built up a large consulting practice, which has increased in volume and importance during the passing years. His practice is of a general nature, but he devotes particular attention to sur- gery and diseases of the eye; he also acts in the capacity of medical examiner for various life insurance companies.

Dr. Greene is a member of the Vermont State Medical Society, the White River Valley Medical Society, and he has contributed several valuable articles to medical journals. In his political affiliations Dr. Greene is an ardent Re- publican, and in 1894 was elected a member of the lower house of the legislature, serving on the committees of education, public health and insurance; he was elected to the senate in 1902 and is chairman of the committees of insane, pub- lic health and railroads; for the past two years he has served as a member of the state board of supervisors for the insane institutions of Ver- mont ; a member of the pension examining board, and for ten years he served on the school board of Bethel.

7 2, acfra)

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

Dr. Greene is a prominent member of White River Lodge No. 90, F. & A. M., and has passed all the chairs of Whitney Chapter, R. A. M., at Randolph; Mt. Zion Commandery at Mont- pelier, Vermont ; Mt. Sinai Temple of the Mystic Shrine. On April 2, 1873, Dr. Greene was united in marriage to Ella Durkee, daughter of Norman Durkee, of Pittsfield, Vermont. They have one child. Otto Vernon Greene, who graduated at the Baltimore Medical College, engaged in the practice of medicine.

FRANK EDWARD ALFRED.

Frank Edward Alfred is a descendant on both paternal and maternal sides from an honored Revolutionary ancestry, his great-grandfathers, Phineas Chapin and Elias Babcock, having par- ticipated in the struggle for independence. The name is of English origin, and the first one to settle in this country was Benedictus Alford, as the name then appeared, who made his home at Windsor, Connecticut. He was a sergeant in the Pequot war in 1637, a juror in 1643, and constable of his town in 1666, when a day of special thanksgiving was observed throughout the colonies. He was a member of the Windsor church. When his will was offered for probate in 1683, his estate was valued at two hundred and twenty-nine pounds, three shillings and six pence. This was considered a large amount in those days, and Mr. Alford was looked upon as one of the most prominent and influential citizens. He was married to Miss Jane Newton on November 26, 1640, and the following named children were born to them : Jonathan, born June 1, 1645; Benedict, born July II, 1647; Josias, born July 6, 1649, who inherited the farm granted to his father for services in the Pequot war; Elizabeth, born Sep- tember 21, 1651 ; and Jeremy, born December 24, 1655.

Jeremy was the youngest son of Benedictus and Jane Alford, and the first name of his wife was Jane, who survived him and was the ad- ministratrix of his estate in 1709. Her death oc- curred in 1715; nine children were born to them, namely : Benedict, Newton, Jonathan, Jeremy, Jane, Joanna, Elizabeth, Elizabeth (2) and Job Alford.

Job, the youngest son of Jeremy and Jane Al- 23 ×

ford, was born August 26, 1708, and about 1734 he became one of the first settlers of Harwinton, Connecticut ; his children were Job and John Al ford.

John, youngest son of Job Alfred, was born September 4, 1738, and he was joined in mar- riage to Lydia Fellows; six children were born to them: Eunice, Polly, Joanna, Consider, Will- iam and Benjamin Alford. Benjamin, youngest son of John and Lydia Alford, was born March. 26, 1769. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Chapin, and the following named children were born to them: John B., who died in infancy; John B. (2); Samuel D., who also died in in- fancy; Samuel D. (2); and Elizabeth Alford. The father of these children was a resident of West Springfield. Massachusetts, subsequently removing to Westfield in the same state. He was engaged in the West Indies trade, and was a large dealer in ivory; on one of his return voyages he landed at Savannah, Georgia, to attend a sale of ivory, and contracted yellow fever, from which he died. His second son, John B., was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Hopkins, who bore him four children, namely : Elizabeth ; Caroline ; John B., who died in infancy ; and John B. Alfred.

Samuel D. Alfred, youngest son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Alfred, was born June 14, 1804. He was eleven years of age when his father died; he remained at home with his mother and elder brother, assisting with the work on the homestead farm until he was sixteen years old, when he went to Hartford, Connecticut, and became an appren- tice to a cabinet-maker. After acquiring a thor- ough knowledge of the business he worked as a journeyman in Batavia and Lansingburg, New York, and in the latter named city he was united in marriage to Miss Sally Willard, who was born September 20, 1805. Two children were born to them: Benjamin C. and Roxana, the latter of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Alfred died No- vember 25, 1828, and Mr. Alfred committed Ben- jamin C. to the care of his grandmother, who re- sided in Westfield, Massachusetts. Mr. Alfred then engaged in the sale of clocks, traveling with his wagon as far north as Montreal, Canada. His business soon became so prosperous that he placed a number of traveling salesmen on the road, and he continued at this line of work until he formed a mercantile association with Almon Smith and

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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 62

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