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 75

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 75

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Bank in that city. Mr. Pierpoint was one of the founders of Otter Creek Lodge, I. O. O. F., and was at the time of his death the only surviving charter member of that body. He also belonged to the Masonic lodge of Rutland, and was a Con- gregationalist in his religious preference.

Mr. Pierpont married, June 4, 1841, Sarah J., daughter of James and Miriam (Buttrick) Barrett, of Rutland. Five children were born to them, of whom only one, a daughter named An- nie Evelyn, is now living. Mrs. Pierpoint died May 7, 1893. Mr. Pierpoint survived his wife some years, passing away July 12, 1896, at the age of eighty years, leaving behind him the memory of an honest and enterprising business man, a loyal and public-spirited citizen, and a benevo- lent and kind-hearted man.

JOHN ROBINS.

John Robins, a leading granit manufacturer of Barre, Vermont, inherited through two genera- tions a predisposition for the business which has engaged his attention through a long and active life. His paternal grandfather, Nicholas Robins, a native of Roach, in Cornwall, England, was en- gaged in the granite busines and was quite suc- cessful.

George Robins, son of Nicholas Robins, was born in Mortonhamstead, Devonshire, England, in February, 1819. His education was received at the schools .of Cornwall, where his parents re- sided. He was brought up in the granite busi- ness, and followed it during all his active life, until he was seventy-five years of age, and during a part of the time he was superintendent of quar- ries. He was a member of the Methodist church, in which he was an itinerant preacher. He mar- ried Mary Ann Redding, who was born in the year 1812, and died in 1898. Their children were: George, born in 1844, who died at the age of sixteen years ; John, born April 24, 1845 ; Nich- olas, born in 1847, who resides in England; Philip, born in 1849, who is in South Africa ; and Edwin, in 1851, resides in England.

John Robins, eldest living child of George and Mary Ann (Redding) Robbins, was born at Fowey, near Plymouth, Cornwall, England. His education was received in the parish schools. He learned the trade of granite-cutting, which

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he followed until he left England for the United States. He landed in New York city in the latter part of June, 1870, and he followed his trade in the metropolis for three months, and then located at Westerly, Rhode Island, where he worked for one year. He was afterwards engaged at Mon- son, Massachusetts, for a short time, and then at Cape Ann, Massachusetts, where he was em- ployed for two years. He visited England in 1873, and with his wife and two children re- turned to the United States and located at St. George, Maine, where he entered the employ of the Clark Island Granite Company, with which he remained for fourteen years. In July, 1888, he removed to Barre, Vermont, where he fol- lowed the granite business for himself for three years. He then accepted the positon of foreman for C. E. Tayntor & Company, which position he held for seven years, leaving it to become a member of the firm of Robins Brothers, consisting of himself and his sons. Their present extensive plant was built in 1901, and its product comprises all descriptions of high-grade monumental work, mausoleum and all other cemetery work. The firm holds an interest in the quarries worked and owned by the Manufacturer's Quarrying Com- pany of Barre, from which their material is drawn. Their product is of the highest repute, famed for excellence of quality and superiority of workmanship, and reaches all the markets known to the commerce of Vermont.

Mr. Robins is a man of marked public spirit, and his influence is exerted in behalf of all com- munity interests, in the advancement of material and moral ends. He is at present the alderman from the first ward of the city of Barre. His political affiliations are with the Republican party. He is a member of the Protestant Episco- pal church, of Aurora Lodge, F. & A. M., of Rockland, Maine, and of the New England Order of Protection.

He was married January 27, 1865, to Miss Emily Shute, daughter of William and Mariah (Buckler) Shute; she was born in the parish of Bradworthy, county of Devonshire, England, February 25, 1847. Her father came to America with his family in 1871; he was a farmer and located at Meriden, Connecticut, where he died in 1897. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Robins. George was born in the parish of

North Hill, county of Cornwall, England, June 29, 1866. He came to America with his parents in 1874, and learned the granite business at St. George, Maine, under his father, with whom he is now associated in business, as is his brother. He is a member of the lodge of Odd Fellows at Barre, and in politics is a Republican.

Charles was born in the parish of North Hill, county of Cornwall, England, January 9, 1870, and came to the United States with his parents. He learned his trade with his father, and is now engaged in business with him. In politics he is a Republican. He was married in August, 1896, to Miss Addie M. Wall.

Beatrice Emily, only daughter of Mr. Robins, was born in St. George, Maine, November 9, 1874. She was married June 8, 1897, to Wilmer Shar- ron Davis, son of Cyrus and Maria (Converse) Davis, and he was born at Johnson, Vermont, August 9, 1868. To these parents has been born one child, Frances Beatrice, December 29, 1899.

Willie Shute, youngest son of Mr. Robins, was born at St. George, Maine, June 12, 1876, and resides in Barre. He was a member of Company E, First Vermont Regiment, in the Spanish war, and was quartermaster sergeant. He had pre- viously served in the Vermont National Guards.

HERBERT DANIEL RYDER.

Herbert D. Ryder is a descendant of early and virile New England stock. On the maternal side he is related to Thomas Brigham, one of the Puritans who fled to this country to escape the tyranny of their persecutors, and settled in Marl- boro, Massachusetts, in 1635, and his grat-grand- father, John Brigham, born in 1758, was a partici- pant in the war of the Revolution. There is also a strain of the sturdy Scotch-Irish blood in his mother's ancestry, and in that of his father. The mother can trace her Scotch-Irish ancestry to a family named Duncan, who participated in the siege of Londonderry in 1688.

Herbert D. Ryder was born in Acworth, New Hampshire, November 12, 1850, a son of Daniel A. and Elizabeth (Brigham) Ryder. He received his early education in the district school of his native town and later pursued a preparatory course of two years at Oberlin, Ohio, and New Hampshire ; he then entered Dartmouth College,

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from which he was graduated with the class of 1870. Shortly after his graduation be assumed the position of principal of the high school in Springfield, Vermont, and continued to serve in that capacity until 1870, but, having in the mean- time chosen the vocation of the law for his life work, at the conclusion of his engagement as principal he entered the office of Judge David Cross : then he was with Judge Henry E. Burn- ham (now United States senator), of Manches- ter, New Hampshire, and finally completed his studies with J. W. Pierce, in Springfield, Ver- mont. Me was admitted as a member of the bar in 1880, and parcticed law one year in Spring- field. In 1881 he was offered the position of principal of the high school in Bellows Falls, which he accepted, and for six years he credit- ably and honorably fulfilled the duties of the office. He was then engaged in the mercantile business of Derby & Ball in Bellows Falls from 1887 until July, 1890, when he resumed the practice of his profession in that town, which he has since con- tinued. His sound judgment, thorough knowl- edge of the law, energy and determination form important elements in his business career, and he now enjoys a large and select patronage which returns to him a good income.

Mr. Ryder has always taken an active and deep interest in the cause of education and other public matters of importance. He has been school examiner of Windham county since 1891, superintendent of schools from 1890 to 1897, and since 1891 has been chairman of the school board of Rockingham. He was chairman of the board of bailiffs of Bellows Falls in 1891, 1893 and 1896 ; in December, 1897, he was appointed dep- uty collector of internal revenue for the district covering New Hampshire and Vermont. He is a Mason, being affiliated with the lodge, chapter and council, and is also a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he has always been an ardent believer in the principles of the Republican party.

On November 30, 1881, Mr. Ryder was united in marriage to Miss Margaret E. Ball, daughter of Hon. Franklin P. and Elizabeth (Meachem) Ball, and the children born of that union are: Jessie E., Margaret S., Helen W., Charlotte D., Katherine F. and Daniel Franklin Ryder.

WILLIAM GEORGE NYE.

William George Nye, postmaster of North Montpelier, Vermont, is a descendant of Dennis Nye, who was a resident of Rochester, Mass- achusetts, and removed to East Montpelier, Ver- mont, in 1794. He located in the northeast por- tion of the town, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and eight acres of land, for which he paid the small price of two dollars on acre. At the time that Mr. Nye acquired this land it was a complete wilderness; he cleared away the woods and underbrush and cultivated it, and after many years of arduous work he succeeded in making the land productive. Mr. Nye was one of the representative men of the town, ever among the foremost in aiding all movements for the advancement of public interests. He mar- ried Miss Betsey Gray, daughter of John and Mary Gray, who were pioneer settlers of the town. He died about 1850, at the age of eighty years, and his wife survived him about thirteen years. The following named children were born to them : William, who located in Columbus, Indiana, where he died after being engaged for many years in teaching ; John, who married Bet- sey Rich, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Rich, and resided on the old homestead until his death, which occurred in 1880; Ezekiel D., born July 3, 1812, who married Sarah M. H. Guy, of Peach- am, Vermont, and who represented his town in the legislature in 1861 and 1862; and George Gifford, born June 26, 1815.

George Gifford Nye, youngest son of Dennis and Betsey Nye, received his education in the dis- trict schools and at the old Montpelier Academy. When he attained to manhood he formed a part- nership with his brother, Ezekiel D. Nye, under the firm name of E. D. & G. G. Nye, manufac- turers of reed organs. Their instruments were of the finest construction and tone, and were al- ways in great demand, and they conducted busi- ness successfully for about forty years.

Mr. Nye took an active interest in the politics of the town. He served as electman, and also filled the office of justice of the peace for many vears. On September 13, 1843, he married Miss Elsie C. King, who was born April 6, 1818, daughter of Dr. Nathaniel C. and Fanny (Davis)

WILLIAM G. NYE

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King, of East Montpelier. Their children are : William George, born December 16, 1844; Wash- ington Irving, born November 26, 1847, 'died March 8, 1849; Ferrand King, born September 21, 1850, died February 27, 1855; Herbert Lee, born April 14, 1853, drowned June 25, 1860; and Edith Frances, born February 4, 1858, wife of John M. Willard, of East Montpelier, Ver- mont. The father of these children died Sep- tember 1, 1900, and his wife died February 20, 1898.

William George Nye, the eldest son of George Gifford and Elsie C. Nye, was born at North Montpelier, Vermont, December 16, 1844. His early education was obtained in the town school, also the Union school of Montpelier, and later by a course of study in the Green Mountain In- stitute, at South Woodstock, Vermont, and in Barre Academy, Barre, Vermont. He entered upon his business career in 1869 by establishing a general store in North Montpelier, which proved so successful an enterprise that he has re- tained it up to the present time. The North Montpelier Co-operative Creamery Company was organized in 1896, and Mr. Nye has acted as its treasurer from that time.

The public career of Mr. Nye began by his appointment to the office of postmaster of North Montpelier by President Grant, and so faithfully did he perform his duties that he has been con- tinued in the position to the present time, with the exception of the four years of President Cleveland's second administration. He has also served for many years as town auditor and jus- tice of the peace. In 1894 and 1895 he was elected to represent the town in the state legis- lature. He is a prominent member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, affiliated with Wyoming Lodge No. 80, F. & A. M., of Plainfield, Vermont, and his record is as follows: King Solomon Chapter No. 7, R. A. M., of Montpelier, Mt. Zion Com- mandery No. 9, K. T., of Montpelier, and Ver- mont Consistory, thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite, also a member of Mt. Sinai Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Montpelier. He belongs to the Vermont Fish and Game League, and also acts in the capacity of treasurer of the Poplar Hill Cemetery Association of North Montpelier, Ver- mont.

On January 22, 1873, Mr. Nye was united in

marriage to Miss Meriden Alice Moorcroft, daughter of William and Ann Eliza Moorcroft. Her father was born in Lancastershire, England, September 8, 1822, and came to America with his father when he was four years of age. His father settled in Andover, Massachusetts, whence he removed to Peacham, Vermont, and thence to Gouldsville, Vermont, where William went into business with John Gould in the manufacture of white flannel. He subsequently owned and ran the Wright Mills, near Montpelier, for eight years. He died November 18, 1898, at Barre, Vermont, where he ran the woolen mills for about twenty years, as sole owner. He married Ann Eliza Fisk, who was born at Gouldsville, Ver- mont, September 2, 1826, and their children were: Meriden Alice, born at Gouldsville, Vermont, February 2, 1848; Charles Conliff, born June 24, 1852; Lillian Frances, born August 27, 1856; John W., born August 7, 1861 ; Lena J., born August 10, 1863; and Blanche, born May 25, 1869.

The children of William George and Meriden Alice (Moorcroft) Nye are Bertha Florence, born November 17, 1873, wife of Arthur Stevens, and they have one child, Rudolph Arthur, born March 17, 1899; Charles Irving, born November 26, 1874, who resides at home and assists his father in the management of his store.

FRANK H. GODFREY, M. D.

Dr. Frank H. Godfrey, of Chelsea, Orange county, Vermont, is a descendant of one of the oldest families in the state, and one which has been represented, in various generations, by those who have borne a full share in the upbuilding of that region. The family was planted in America by three brothers, all Puritans, who came from Lancashire (the county of Lancaster), in Eng- land, in 1621, and landed at Plymouth, Mas- sachusetts. One of these brothers, Thomas, was the remote ancestor of Dr. Godfrey, and his three sons were James, Salmon and Dan- iel. The children of James were: James, Solo- mon, Salmon, Samuel, Joel, Asa, Polly and Lucy; of Salmon: Salmon James and Solo- mon. The number of children of Daniel, third son of Thomas (I), is not known. The next in the direct line of descent of whom there

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is authentic record was James Godfrey, born in 1773. He married in 1793, and his children, John and Sally, were born in Westboro, Massachusetts, in 1795 and 1797, respectively.

Henry Godfrey, paternal grandfather of Dr. Frank H. Godfrey, was born in Massachusetts, whence he removed to New Hampshire, and thence to Washington, Vermont. He married Ruth Pennock, and of this marriage were born eight children: Anna, in 1795; Alby, in 1796; Polly, in 1798; Eunice, in 1800; Henry, in 1803; Martha, in 1805; Arron, in 1807; and Thomas, in 1809.

Thomas Godfrey, the youngest child of Henry and Ruth (Pennock) Godfrey, was born Decem- ber 5, 1809, in Washington, Vermont. He re- moved to Chelsea, Vermont, where he resided until his death. He took a warm interest in the affairs of the community, and held various town offices. He was a Methodist in religion, a Re- publican in politics, and a carpenter by trade. He married Sarah F. Emerson, and to them were born seven children, Orlana, Olivia, Charles E., Nellie, Alphonse, Albert and Frank H. God- frey. The parents died, respectively, in 1895, and March 28, 1902, at the ages of eighty-six and eighty-seven years.

Frank H. Godfrey, youngest child of the fam- ily last named, was born in Chelsea, January 31, 1860. He received his education in the pub- lic schools of that village, and then matriculated in the Electic Medical College, New York city, from which he was graduated in 1881, the year of his attaining his majority. He was engaged in practice in Montpelier for four years, until 1884, when family ties drew him to Chelsea, the place of his birth and the life-long home of his parents. There, although the youngest physician in point of years, his equipment and genuine tal- ent have enabled him to take a position of ac- knowledged leadership. He is one of the most prominent members of his school in the state, and he is a highly regarded member of the State Electic Association and of the New England Electic Medical Association. He is affiliated with George Washington Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons.

Dr. Godfrey was married in 1883 to Miss Sarion Wilson, a daughter of Russell A. Wil- son, Her father was a former resident of Bur-

lington, Vermont ; he was a woolen goods manu- facturer, and now resides in pleasant retirement in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

MILTON PERRY BARRY.

The gentleman's name we here present is one of the successful men of the community of Sax- ton's River, Windham county, where he owns and operates a large wool pulling plant. He is a member of. one of the early New England fam- ilies, which has been honorable in its connection with society for many years in the Green Moun- tain state. The first member of the family of whom we have knowledge is the great-grand- father of our subject, Jonathan Barry, who was one of the early settlers of Rockingham, and there passed his existence. His son Joel Barry lived out his life on a farm in Rockingham. His wife's name was Hannah Ober, and they had three children : Kendall P. Barry ; Mary M., who married Asahel Wilder; and Lucius M. These are all deceased. Kendall P. Barry married Clar- issa Perry, and there was a family of four chil- dren : Lucius P., deceased February 11, 1901, at the age of seventy years; Cleopatra S., deceased in 1864; Milton P., the subject of this sketch; Henry F., deceased in 1849 at the age of ten years. Kendall P. Barry was a farmer in Sax- ton's River and Rockingham, and owned con- siderable property, and was a man of extensive influence in his day, holding many of the local offices of trust in his community. On the ma- ternal side of the family, great-grandfather John Perry served in the Revolutionary war; was a native of Massachusetts, later coming to Rockingham, where he was among the first set- tlers. Jonathan Barry bought a large tract of land in the southwest corner of the town of Rock- ingham, which he divided among his sons, Sam- uel, John, Joel and Asa. A son of the last named, Stewart Barry, went west and became a Republi- can leader in Michigan, of which state he event- ually became governor. Jonathan Barry is re- membered to have been one of the first deacons in the old Congregational church, and took a con- spicuous part in town and church affairs in his community.

Mr. Milton P. Barry was born in Saxton's River, February 3, 1836. He was reared among

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the refining influences of a good home, where he was taught habits of industry and economy, his moral development being looked to very closely, as was the custom in that day. His education was received in the district schools, and was later supplemented by advanced work in Saxton's River Academy. After leaving school he re- mained at home aiding in the tilling of the farm until he was twenty years of age, when he went to the extreme west, where he pre-empted land in Minnesota. During his western experience there he also taught school for a time in Illinois. He finally returned to his home in Saxton's River, where he entered the employ of a local firm as clerk. They conducted a tin and stove business. Later he and his brother Lucius P. bought out this business, and conducted it for a number of years most successfully. It was a paying finan- cial venture, the method used being to employ a squad of some tweny-five or thirty peddlers and send them out through the different communities. In 1861 Mr. Barry sold out his business, and hav- ing received an appointment as paymaster's clerk, under Major J. W. Carpenter, went to Wash- ington, D. C., where he spent the next eighteen months. He later was connected with the pension office in Washington as a clerk. He was also in the office of the Sanitary Christian Commission in Washington, where he was engaged in work- ing out claims for pensions for the soldiers. In the spring of 1867, he returned to Saxton's River, where he has continuously resided since. In 1877, in partnership association with F. B. Sco- field, he established the wool-pulling plant under the firm name of Barry & Scofield. They pur- chased the plant of the estate of C. L. Hubbard. They continued to do business under that name until 1898, when the death of Mr. Scofield oc- curred, since which time Mr. Barry has conducted the business alone. The plant is a four-story building, about eighty feet long, and was built by Mr. L. C. Hubbard and son in the year 1870. Mr. Barry also owned the old grist mill privi- lege, one of the best on Saxton's river, with a fall of twenty feet, and a sawmill and woodwork- ing shop adjoining. Mr. Barry has always been a very staunch supporter of Republican princi- ples. He was in Washington at the time Presi- dent Lincoln was shot, and when General Early threatened the city. He is a popular and re-

spected resident of the community, and is looked upon as a gentleman whose integrity is of the highest character. Mr. Barry married, in Septem- ber, 1862, Sara A. Johnson, a popular and suc- cessful school teacher at Salva, Illinois, who has borne him one son, Henry M. This boy was born in 1870, was given a fine education, being a graduate of Brown University, class of '94. He is at the present time on the editorial staff of the Providence Morning Journal. He was joined in marriage in 1899 to Sally L. Edwards, of Scotland Neck, North Carolina. Henry M. Barry is a young man of an excellent reputation as a thoroughly competent newspaper man. Mr. and Mrs. Milton Barry are worthy residents of the community of Saxton's River, where they merit and receive the kind offices of a large num- ber of friends.

WARREN CATLIN NYE.

Warren Catlin Nye, one of the prominent and well respected citizens of East Barre, Vermont, was born in the town of Orange, Orange county, Vermont, June 2, 1838. The American ancestor of this branch of the Nye family was one of two brothers who settled in the early colonial days in Tolland county, Connecticut. Daniel Nye, one of his descendants, was born in Tolland, Con- necticut, January 8, 1758. After obtaining the limited education afforded by the district schools of that day, he turned his attention to the occupa- tion of farming. He removed to the town of Barre, Vermont, in 1820, and located on a tract of land which is now a part of the village of East Barre. On January 8, 1820, in order to celbrate his sixty-second birthday, he cut three trees and later erected his house there, just north of where his grandson now resides. One night two years later he was attacked by a pack of wolves, and the only weapon he had to defend himself with was a fire brand or torch, with which he drove them away. Mr. Nye was one of the representative men of the town, and took an active interest in all matters that pertained to its welfare and development. He participated in the Revolutionary war, and was deprived of the use of his right eye through an accident while hand- ling his gun. He was an earnest and consistent member of the Congregational church. On No-

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vember 18, 1785, he was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Howe, who was born in Sudbury, Massachusetts, July 28, 1756. Their children were: Chester, born October 31, 1786; John Flavel, born December 23, 1790; Daniel, Jr., born October 21, 1792 ; Elisha, born February 6, 1795 ; John, born August 12, 1798; and Samuel H., born December 1, 1799, and it is supposed he was mur- dered in the Champlain woods in 1845. The father of these children died at Norwich, Ver- mont, February 16, 1844, aged eighty-six years, and his wife passed away at the same place De- cember 2, 1844, at the age of eighty-eight years.

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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 75

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