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 74

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 74

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George S. Foster received excellent educa- tional advantages, attending first the common schools of Waltham, then the Vergennes Classical Institute, after which he read medicine with Dr. Paschal Maxfield, of Vergennes, continuing his studies with Professor Walter Carpenter, of Bur- lington, and being graduated from the medical · department of the University of Vermont, with the class of 1874. Locating in Putney in April, 1875, Dr. Foster has since built up a very large and remunerative practice, through his profes- sional knowledge and skill winning the confidence of the public in an eminent degree. He is an ac- tive member of the leading medical organizations of the state, including the Vermont, the White River Valley, the Windham County and the American Medical Societies, and is a member of the board of United States pension examiners, located at Brattleboro, and one of the state super- visors of the insane. He takes an intelligent interest in educational matters, and has done much in an official capacity to advance the cause, serving as superintendent of schools of Putney from 1875 until 1882, as a member of the county board of education from 1888 until 1890 and as chairman of the board of school directors from 1882 to 1808. In politics the Doctor is a stead- fast Republican, and is broad and liberal in his religious views, being identified with the Univer- salist church. Fraternally he is a member of Golden Rule Lodge No. 32, F. & A. M., of Fort Dummer Chapter No. 12, R. A. M .; of Connect-

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GEORGE S. FOSTER.

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icut Valley Council, No. 16, R. & S. M. ; of Beau- seant Commandery, No. 7, K. T .; and of Mount Sinai Temple, N. M. S. In 1896 he was a state senator, serving on important committees, such as insane, education and as chairman of the board of state and court expenses.

Doctor Foster married May 28, 1879, Alice S. Wheat, daughter of the late Samuel E. Wheat, of Putney.

CYRUS PRINDLE VAN VLIET.

Cyrus Prindle Van Vliet, one of the enterpris- ing and successful merchants of Shelburne, Ver- mont, was born in Charlotte, Vermont, June 29, 1851, a son of Obadiah and Harriet (Lowrey) Van Vliet. The former named was born in Char- lotte, Vermont, in 1812, a son of Peter Van Vliet, a native of Fishkill, New York. The family line is traced back, through New York, to Holland, the first American ancestor locating in New York in 1628. A complete genealogy has been com- piled, but never published.

Cyrus P. Van Vliet acquired his education in the high schools of Hinesburg and Jericho, and after completing his studies he went out west and commenced his business career by engaging in the live-stock trade, through Ohio and Michigan. This enterprise proved very successful, and he remained there for some time. Subsequently he returned to the east and was employed for seven years as messenger for the National Express Company, running out of New York city. In 1874 he returned to his native state, and settled in Shelburne, where he purchased the interest of Mr. Mead, who was connected with the firm of Tracy & Mead, engaged in general merchan- dising in that town. The firm has since been known under the style of Tracy & Van Vliet, the senior member of the firm being H. W. Tracy, and for nearly a third of a century they have con- ducted a very extensive and lucrative trade ; in addition to their mercantile business they are largely interested in the sale of wool. At one time they also held a controlling interest in the Holton Hardware Company of Burlington, Ver- mont, of which Mr. Van Vliet acted in the ca- pacity of president for a period of six years. Mr. Van Vliet was also a member of the firm of Van Vliet & Hart, fruit buyers, and this connec-

tion was maintained for eight years. Mr. Van Vliet is an important factor in the business circles of Shelburne, where by earnest, persistent and honorable endeavor he has steadily advanced until he now occupies a position among the rep- resentative men of the town. Politically he is a firm advocate of the principles of the Republi- can party. He is a friend of education, and has filled several offices in connection with local school management, beside acting as overseer of town poor.

On August 30, 1881, Mr. Van Vliet was united in marriage to Miss Myra Nelson, a daughter of Lewis Nelson, of Charlotte, Vermont. Two chil- dren have been born to them : Lewis Nelson. born September 21, 1882, who is now being educated in the University of Vermont; and Lela, born January 12, 1887. Mrs. Van Vliet is a descend- ant of Elder William Brewster, one of the May- flower passengers.

GEORGE HERBERT PAPE.

George Herbert Pape, one of the successful young business men of Barre, Vermont, was born in the town of Williston, Chittenden county. Ver- mont, September 30, 1876, a son of Leonard W. and Clara Matilda Pape. Leonard W. Pape was born in Williston, Vermont, in the year 1839. His early education was obtained in the district schools, and this was further supplemented by a course of study in the Williston Academy. When he reached young manhood he followed the occu- pation of farming in the town of Williston, Ver- mont, and subsequently removed to Hyde Park, where he entered the employ of Ex-Governor Page. He took a prominent part in the political affairs of his party, and while a resident of Wil- liston he was elected to the office of lister. was one of the members of the school board, for which he served in the capacity of clerk and treasurer ; after his removal to the town of Hyde Park he also served as clerk and treasurer of the school board there under the old school system. Mr. Pape was united in marriage in November. 1871, to Miss Clara Matilda Millard, who was born at Lowell, Vermont, May 19, 1835, a daughter of J. A. Millard. Four children were born of this union, namely : Myrtie A., born October 2, 1872, died July 30, 1897; Alice A., born Octo-

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ber 22. 1871, graduated from the Morrisville Academy, taught school in the city of Barre for eight saus, and is engaged at the present time ( 1902) as a teacher in Portland, Maine; George Herbert ; and Margaret W., born in March, 1878, died in March, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Pape have made the city of Barre, Vermont, their place of residence for many years.

George Herbert Pape, only son of Leonard W. and Clara Matilda Pape, acquired his educa- tion in the public schools of Hyde Park and at the Spaulding School in Barre, Vermont. When he attained the age of eighteen years he commenced his business career by teaching school in Barre, Vermont. He remaind in this positon for four years, filling it very creditably owing to the fact that he possessed many qualifications necessary for a successful teacher. At the expiration of that time he procured a position as bookkeeper in the Granite Savings Bank and Trust Company of Barre, and remained in their employ until January, 1902, when he purchased the insurance business of W. A. Drew, which had been estab- lished for many years. He is interested in both fire and life insurance, but principally fire, and the business has prospered greatly under his skill- ful management. He acts as agent for the fol- lowing named companies: Aetna of Hartford, British American of Toronto, Continental of New York, Fire Association of Philadelphia, Hartford of Connecticut, Home of New York, Insurance Company of North America, Niagara of New York, Orient of Hartford, Phoenix of Hartford, Springfield of Massachusetts, Sun of London, Williamsburgh City of New York, and the State Mutual of Rutland, Vermont. The life company he represents is the Prudential of New Jersey, and in accident, steam boiler and plate glass, he represents the Maryland Casualty Company of Baltimore, Maryland.

Mr. Pape is a Democrat in his politcal be- liefs, and the citizens of his city have honored him by choosing him for their representative to the state legislature on September 2, 1902, and he acted as a member of the general committee in that legisatlve body. He also served as city auditor in 1900 and 1901, and was elected from the third ward to serve as a member of the school board. He is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias, and in a social way is connected with

the Jefferson Club of Barre ; he is also an earnest and consistent member of the Congregational church of Barre, Vermont.

HENRY GEORGE CLARK.

On the roll of the most enterprising, thrifty and substantial agriculturists of Brattleboro, Ver- mont, appears the name of Henry George Clark, a native of that city. George H. Clark, his fa- ther, was born in Brattleboro, Vermont, Jan-

G. H. CLARK.

uary 12, 1818, the youngest son of Joseph Clark, who was a surveyor and engineer. George H. Clark received a practical educa- tion in the common schools of his native town, after which he learned the trade of surveying with Addison Brown and with his father, and for a number of years conducted an extensive busi- ness in that line in the construction of roads and surveying of lands ; he was also engaged in farm-

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ing interests and for a few years devoted his at- tention to the hardware trade as a merchant at Brattleboro. He lived a quiet, retired life and, though he held some minor public offices in the town, yet was never active in public affairs. Mr. Clark belonged to that small body of really an- cient Odd Fellows, who became identified with the order away back in its early infancy ; he was initiated into Wantastiquet Lodge No. 5, August 24, 1846, that being the third meeting after it was instituted and at the time of his decease he had the longest continuous membership in one lodge of any Odd Fellow in Vermont, and a rec- ord but few members can exceed. After serving in some minor offices he was in- stalled as noble grand July 2, 1849; he became a member of Grand Lodge, Feb- ruary II, 1852, as the representative of his lodge, and from that time on was more or less an attendant at the sessions of that lodge, being elected grand treasurer at the session held at Brattleboro, August 23, 1865. Mr. Clark was advanced in office from time to time until the ses- sion of Grand Lodge held in Brattleboro, August 26, 1868, when he was elected grand master, and at its next session held in Burlington, he presided over the lodge. It was during Mr. Clark's admin- istration that the Sovereign Grand Lodge ap- pointed B. W. Lennis, of Michigan, as a special commissioner to come to Vermont and help re- vive the order ; Killington Lodge No. 29 was in- stituted, Caledonia Lodge No. 6 and Stark Lodge No. 9 were revived and among the Rebekah lodges instituted was Lennis Lodge No. I, and among the new legislation enacted at this time by the Sovereign Grand Lodge was the abolishing of aprons. Mr. Clark was the first grand master in Vermont to issue a proclamation for the observ- ance of April 26, the anniversary of the founding of the order. He was also a prominent member of the Vermont militia.

On November 7, 1842, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Hubbard, a daughter of Colonel Erastus Hubbard, of Vernon, Vermont. Mr. Clark's death occurred November 20, 1901, and at the obsequies a large number of the offi- cers and past grand representatives of the grand encampment and Grand Lodge were in attend-

ance to show their respect and aid Wantastiquet Lodge in the last sad rites of her truly beloved and honored member. His remains were inter- red in the family plot in Prospect Hill cemetery to rest beside the companion of his youth, whose demise he sincerely mourned. At this time a touching and eloquent eulogy was paid to his memory by Julius J. Retting, of Brattleboro, Ver- mont.

Henry G. Clark, son of George and Sarah Clark, was born October 14, 1843, attended the public schools of Brattleboro, and after complet- ing his studies, he devoted his attention to farm- ing on the parental homestead, which consisted of three hundred acres of finely cultivated ground on which are situated commodious buildings, which are kept in first-class condition; he also uses the most modern and improved machinery for all purposes. He is extensively engaged in the production of dairy products, keeping con- stanly on hand from seventy-five to eighty cows to meet the demands; is a breeder of horses, hav- ing produced some fine specimens and he has al- ways ready a supply of trotting horses and fancy breeds, and he also makes a specialty of cattle dealing, handling as many as eighteen or twenty head a week. Mr. Clark was one of the foun- ders of the Valley Fair Association, in which he is a director and for many years acted in the ca- pacity of superintendent of the cattle department of the association. He is a prominent member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows and the Order of Red Men.

On December 6, 1865, Mr. Clark married Miss Josephine, daughter of Mark H. and Sarah (An- drus) Wooster, of Manchester, Vermont, and the following-named children were born to them : Mary, wife of G. Musser, engaged in the life in- surance business at Brattleboro, Vermont ; George: Sarah, wife of Ernest E. Perry, a cloth- ing merchant of Brattleboro, Vermont; Clara ; Alice, wife of C. A. Risbey, of New York, en- gaged in the banking business; and Charles H., who assists his father in the management of the cattle business, was a member of the Estey Guards, the crack military organization of Brat- tleboro, enlisted in the Spanish-American war and was stationed at Chattanooga camp, and

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

after serving hes term of enlistment in that war he re culated and participated during the strug- gle in the I'mlippines.

ROBERT PIERPOINT.

Robert Pierpoint, ex-lieutenant governor of Vermont, and for many years an honored citizen of Rutland, Vermont, traced his ancestry back to Robert de Pierpoint, who, in 1066, came to Eng- land from Normandy with William the Conquer- or and was with him in the battle of Hastings, receiving from him a title of nobility for his conduct in that struggle. The next ancestor of whom we have any record was John Pierpoint, who came to this country from London, Eng- land, between the years 1630 and 1640, he being then quite a young man, leaving his father, James Pierpoint, and a younger brother, Robert, in Lon- don. He settled in Roxbury, near Boston, Mass- achusetts, where he purchased lands and reared a large family. Upon hearing of his father's fail- ure in business in London he wrote and advised him to send his brother, Robert, to this coun- try, and he would give him a portion of his large estate; this was accordingly done, and later his father came to this country, leaving his wife in London, and his death occurred in Ipswich, Mass- achusetts. John Pierpoint's grave is marked by a freestone tablet in the old burying ground in Roxbury, which still remains in a fair state of preservation to this day. James Pierpoint, son of the above mentioned John Pierpoint, was born in 1659, graduated at Harvard in 1681, took up his residence in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1685 or 1686, where his death occurred in 1714.

David Pierpoint, father of the lieutenant gov- ernor, was born in New Haven, Connecticut, July 26, 1764, and was a cabinet-maker by trade. In person he was remarkably handsome, in manners gentlemanly and attractive, in mind well in- formed and highly cultured, and in morals was of the finest Christian character. He married Sarah Phelps, aunt of the gifted Vermont sen- ator, S. S. Phelps, and a woman of extraordinary endowments. By her he became the father of a family of nin echildren, consisting of two daugh- ters and seven sons, of whom Robert was the second. Mr. Pierpoint died in 1826, and his wife passed away in 1852.

Robert Pierpoint, second son of David and Sarah ( Phelps) Pierpoint, was born May 4, 1791, at Litchfield, Connecticut, and as a boy was of feeble and sickly constitution. At the age of seven years he left home and took up his abode with his uncle, Robert Pierpoint, at Manchester, Vermont. There for the following nine years he held the humble position of a boy at a country inn. Much of the time he was ailing, and almost crip- pled by a rheumatic affection. But these very disadvantages, inimical as they were to such success as depends mainly upon sound physical constitution, were turned to intellectual improve- ment. He became a keen student of character, and added to his knowledge of human nature whatever knowledge of books he could acquire by occasional attendance at school, and by the expenditure of leisure hours in reading. This constituted his early education. A remarkably retentive memory held with iron grip all that he had once committed to its keeping. His own tutor, he became one of the best of scholars.

Selecting the profession of law as most con- genial to his own habits and temperament, and as affording the highest probabilities of temporal success, he entered upon its study with intense enthusiasm and persistence. His age was only sixteen. His school was the office of Governor Richard Skinner, and his corps of professors was embodied in the person of that' accomplished legist. All the best literature of the profession was at his command, and he was an indefatigable student. The written volumes of notes and com- ments upon the texts of authors that grew under his unflagging pen, and his subsequent ready ap- plication of principles to the cases in which he was concerned, sufficiently attest his zealous in- dustry. For five years he continued his studies and researches, and in June, 1812, soon after the attainment of his twenty-first year, he satisfactori- ly passed the customary examination and was ad- mitted to the bar of Bennington county. Soon after his admission to the bar Mr. Pierpoint re- moved to Rutland and made it his permanent residence. His marked qualifications for official duty and his judicious energy pointed him out as a fitting man to exercise the functions of deputy collector of the direct tax, and that unsought posi- tion was entrusted to his care. The office itself was not popular. The war of 1812, which had

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necessitated its establishment, was no less un- popular, inasmuch as it had swept the commerce of New England from the seas and grievously injured the material interests of the inhabitants. The direct tax itself was regarded as an outrage upon Americans, and many declared that they would never pay it. Some never did pay it, Their wives, however, did, and by payment saved their husbands' property from the auctioneer's hammer. It will readily be seen that under these circumstances, the duties of the deputy collector demanded unusual energy and tact, but he was equal to the situation, collected the tax and made himself personally popular with the reluctant tax- payers. The office involved discipline and ad- vantages of special value to the youthful incum- bent. When he resumed legal practice clients flocked to his office. The people knew, liked and employed him. His business constantly in- creased. Gradually attaining high position among his contemporaries, he was eventually classed with the best lawyers of Vermont, at a time when Phelps, Bates, Royce, Foote, Williams and other historic characters wer prominent in the law courts of the state. In the entire field of professional labor and contact Mr. Pierpoint had few equals and no superiors. To the courtly style and easy diction of more favored adversaries he opposed a plain and downright honesty that, in the words of one who knew him well, seemed to say, "I am no orator, as Brutus is ; but as you know me all, a plain, blunt man. * -*

I only speak right on." Invective he parried with ridicule ; sophistry he dissipated by transparent statement ; and the opposition of precedent he neutralized by confuting the arguments on which it rested.

Mr. Pierpoint's life was largely official. Posts of honor, trust and influence sought his occu- pancy. In the years 1819, 1823 and 1857 he represented the citizens of Rutland in the state legislature, and of the constitutional convention held in 1822, as well as of that held in 1828, he was a member. From 1825 to 1830, inclusive, he was a member of the state council, and from 1836 to 1839, inclusive, he was one of the state senators. From June, 1820, to April, 1839, he was county clerk. In December, 1831, he as- sumed the duties of judge of probate, and dis- charged them until December, 1832. In 1832

and 1833 he served as clerk of the house of rep - resentatives. Educational interests claimed and received his attention. From 1823 to 1833 he was one of the trustees of the University of Ver- mont. In 1848 and 1849 he was elected to the office of lieutenant governor of Vermont. His

sterling acquisitions were acknowledged in 1825 by Middlebury College, whose authorities con- ferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. A similar honor was bestowed upon him by the University of Vermont in 1838. From 1850 to 1859 he was judge of the circuit court as it was then constituted, and in 1828 was a member of the committee appointed to revise the laws of the state.

Official posts so numerous and so diverse are the indexes to the ability, integrity and consist- ency of the official who, for so long a series of years, held them under the confidence and favor of the people. "For many years," said Mr. Rob- erts, of Burlington, to the county court, "Judge Pierpoint was clerk of this and of the supreme court. As justice of the peace, auditor, referee and commissioner he tried and decided more con- troversies than any other one man of this com- munity. He had held various offices in the state government, both legislative and executive; he took a principal part in the revison of the iaws of the state ; he had adorned the bar and graced the bench ; and in all these numerous and varied offices and employments his intelligence, integ- rity and fidelity were conspicuous."

In all the town and village affairs Judge Pier- point bore a conspicuous part, and was held to be an unselfish and public-spirited participant. Friendly to the poor and helpful to the unfortu- nate, his benefactions were enhanced in grace and value by the modesty and quietness which ac- companied them. He loved to do good in secret, to be an unknown benefactor. His death was like his life-peaceful and confident. His mem- ory is blessed, and his name is spoken with in- stinctive reverence by those who knew him best. His simple, austere honesty commanded implicit confidence, and his rapidity of reasoning so near- ly akin to intuition; his subtle, incisive and ca- pacious mind, his learning, wisdom and energy --- all combined to raise him to professional and so- cial eminence. Neither birth nor wealth nor ad- ventitious aids made him the master he was. He

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

was the grand creation of purely intellectual and moral forces, operative under kindly social condi- tions, and as such is an example to every am- bitious youth, and an encouragement to persistent exertion in the period of struggle which brings into vivid relief all the grit, gallantry and grip native to indivduals.

Robert Pierpoint was married to Abigail, youngest daughter of Joshua Raymond, of Dor- set, in December, 1814. In the following sum- mer they commenced housekeeping in the dwell- ing which continued to be their domicile through life. Six children filled it with sunshine and gladness.

Evelyn Pierpoint, son of Robert and Abigail (Raymond) Pierpoint, was born June 10, 1816, in Rutland, and received his early education in the public schools of his native town, followed by a short course of study in Bennington Academy. When twelve years of age he was employed as a clerk ir. the Rutland postoffice, and was for some years a clerk in a general merchandise store owned by the late James Barrett in Rutland. In 1837 he took charge of the store of the Brandon Iron Company, and later formed a partnership with William Y. Ripley, of Center Rutland. He was for a number of years engaged with a dry-goods and importing house in New York city, and was in business four years in Lansingburg, New York. He then returned to Rutland and formed a part- nership with his father-in-law, the late James Barrett, which continued for four years. At the end of that time he erected in Mendon the first steam sawmill in Vermont, and about the same time became interested in the lumber and bridge- building business, in which he was engaged dur- ing the building and operation of the Rutland & Burlington Railroad. The Pierpoint family had considerable real estate in Rutland. Mr. Pier- point was largely occupied in managing it.

He was a Republican in politics, and in 1854 and 1855 was a member of the council of censors. He was one of five delegates to the national con- vention held in Philadelphia in June, 1855. He was justice of the peace and for a number of years town treasurer; was inspector of finance under Governors Washburn, Hendee and Stew- art; was one of the directors and cashier of the National Bank of Rutland; was also one of the incorporators and directors of the Merchants"

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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 74

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