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 76

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 76

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John Flavel Nye, son of Daniel and Lydia Nye, was born in Norwich, Vermont, December 23, 1790. His early education was acquired in the district school of his native town, and later he attended school at Hanover, New Hampshire. After completing his studies he learned the trade of shoemaking, which he followed for a number of years, and subsequently he pursued the occupa- tion of farming. In October, 1822, he removed to the town of Barre, Vermont, in the part that is now called East Barre, and resumed his agricul- tural pursuits, at which he was eminently suc- cessful, owing to his industry, thrift and careful management. In politics Mr. Nye was a Jackson Democrat, and always took an active interest in all local affairs that tended to develop the town. Mr. Nye was married at Hartland, Vermont, February 22, 1816, to Miss Aurelia Catlin, who was born at Arlington, Vermont, February 12, 1796, a daughter of Russell and Lucina (Jack- son) Catlin.

The American ancestor of the Catlin family was Thomas Catlin, who came from England in 1622, when quite a young man, and settled at Hartford, Connecticut. He married and one son was born to him, who married, July 27, 1665, Miss Mary Marshall, and five children were born to them, four sons and one daughter. Sam- uel Catlin, son of John and Mary Catlin, accom- panied by his family, removed to Litchfield, Con- necticut ; George Catlin, son of Samuel Catlin, served as a private in the Revolutionary war. Russell Catlin, son of George Catlin, was a min- ister in the Episcopal church. He married Miss Lucina Jackson, niece of President Andrew Jack- son, and they had several children, one of whom was Aurelia, who married John Flavel Nye. The

latter became the parents of the following named children : Lydia, born in Norwich, Vermont, No- vember 12, 1816; George Russell, born in Nor- wich, Vermont, March 13, 1819; Laura Ann, born at Norwich, Vermont, November 17, 1820; Almary, born at Barre, Vermont, April 2, 1823 ; Samuel Howe, born at Barre, Vermont, August 6, 1826; Martha Ette, born at Barre, Vermont, November 5, 1829; Warren Catlin, born at Or- ange, Vermont, June 2, 1838; and Wallace Wheaton, born at Orange, Vermont, November 6, 1839. Mr. Nye died June 14, 1867, at North- field, Vermont, whither he had removed in Octo- ber, 1848, and his wife died later at Northfield, Vermont.

Warren Catlin Nye, son of John Flavel and Aurelia Nye, acquired his education in the dis- trict schools of Barre and the high school at Northfield, Vermont. At the age of eighteen years he accepted a position as teacher in the dis- trict school during the winter months, and the remainder of the year he worked at various occu- pations. With the exception of two winters he taught school until he attained the age of thirty- six years. In June, 1862, he purchased a farm in Northfield, which he cultivated and improved ; he remained here until December, 1864, when he lo- cated in Barre, Vermont, and purchased the John Payne farm, and resided there until Jun, 1876, when he disposed of his property and removed to the farm where he now resides, which he had previously purchased, it being a part of the es- tate of Lewis Waterman. He is engaged in the production of a genral line of garden produce, and also gives much time and attention to dairy products ; he raises some very fine Ayershire stock, for which there is always a large demand, and from the sale of which he derives a goodly profit. He has named his property "The Ayer- shire Stock Farm."

In his political affiliations Mr. Nye is a firm and staunch Republican, and has been honored by his fellow townsmen by being elected to fill the offices of selectman, lister, grand juror, over- seer of the poor, a position he held for twenty-two years; and he served as justice of the peace for over twenty-five years. He has also acted in the capacity of administrator of over sixty estates. Mr. Nye is prominently identified with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member

GardnerJ . Sefield

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

of Gill Lodge, No. 57, at East Barre, Grand Lodge of the state of Vermont, Canton Vincent and Encampment, and both his wife and he are members of the Rebekah lodge. Mr. Nye is one of the leading men of the town of Barre, and by his honest dealings in all matters commands the respect of all who come in contact with him.

On October 28, 1862, Mr. Nye was united in marriage to Nancy B. (Abbott) Wheaton, who was born October 9, 1833, a daughter of John D. and Dorcas Abbott, and widow of Ashley Wheaton. By- her former marriage she was the mother of Ella A., born November 24, 1857, died February 20, 1863; Joseph, born May 25, 1856, died June 13, 1880; Alice, born June 6, 1860, wife of Ezra Perkins, a manufacturer of doors, sash and blinds in Providence, Rhode Island, and they have one son, Forrest Perkins, who was born May 17, 1880; and Almon, a twin of Alice, who died in 1861. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nye, namely : Arthur Warren, born at Northfield, Vermont, September 20, 1864, mar- ried Miss Jennie Hill in 1886, and they reside at Melrose Highland, Massachusetts, and have one daughter, Grace Nye; Mary Wheaton, born in the town of Barre, Vermont, May 23, 1869, wife of Erdix T. Swift, whom she married in 1885; and they reside in East Barre and have two chil- dren, Roy Warren, born in October, 1887, and Willie Royal Swift, born in December, 1889; George S., born November 26, 1876, married, in September, 1898, Miss Catherine Smith, and they are residents of East Barre, Vermont. The mother of these children died November 13, 1885. Mr. Nye contracted another marriage, Septem- ber 20, 1886, with Miss Lydia D. Smith, who was born June II, 1849, a daughter of Horace and Harriett Davis, of Northfield, Vermont. Her death occurred November 6, 1895, and Mr. Nye was then joined in marriage, September 1, 1896, to Miss Julia A. Partridge, who was born March 27, 1860, a daughter of Lewis Partridge. Mrs. Nye is a graduate of the Normal School.

GARDNER J. GAFFIELD.

The passing years have brought prosperity to Gardner J. Gaffield in recognition of his enter- prise, business ability and capable methods of conducting agricultural pursuits, at which he has

been engaged all his life. The characteristics of his business career have ever been such as to well entitle him to his success, for at all times his course would bear the closest scrutiny and in- vestigation.

John Gaffield, paternal grandfather of Gard- ner J. Gaffield, was born at Stockbridge, Mass- achusetts, whence he removed with his wife and two small children and their household goods on his ox sled ; they came through a frontier region, some of the way marked only by blazed trees, to a little opening in the woods in Bradford, Ver- mont, one and a half miles from the village. In due course of time he cleared, planted and sowed the ground, and here he and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Oldridge, reared and educated a family of thirteen children, all of whom attained years of maturity and are now scattered to various parts of the world. Mr. Gaffield died in Boston, at the age of eighty-three years.

Josiah Gaffield, father of Gardner J. Gaffield, was born in Bradford, Vermont, November 13, 1804, spent his whole life on the home farm, and devoted all his energies to the farming industry. He was a quiet, industrious, upright man, and at one time served as a member of the state mili- tia. He married Climena Banfill, and the fol- lowing named children were born to them: Gard- ner J .; William P., who resides in Fairlee, Ver- mont ; Erastus C., a prominent and wealthy citi- zen of Boston, where he is a wholesole manu- facturer of alcoholic and high wines; Mary M., wife of J. B. Munn, a prominent resident of Brad- ford, Vermont. Mr. Gaffield died at the age of seventy years, survived by his widow, who passed away at the residence of her son, Gardner J. Gaffield, at the great age of eighty-eight years and six months.

Gardner J. Gaffield, eldest child of Josiah and Climena Gaffield, was born on the ancestral home- stead in Bradford, Vermont, educated in the com- mon schools of the neighborhood, and all the ac- tivities of his honest and industrious life have been spent in this town. His farm consists of two hundred acres of finely cultivated ground, and his attention is principally devoted to dairy- ing, he keeping thirteen grade Jerseys. He has been for five years a director in the Bradford creamery and believes in the system. It is his

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opinion that the net receipts of the products of the forms in town are greater than ever before, with the exception of a few years when wool and sheep brought a large amount of money during war times. Ile also has implicit faith in systematically building up the fertility of the farms, and as a familiar observer and lister his judgment is to be relied upon. Mr. Gaffield has been prominent in political affairs for a number of years, being chosen by his townsmen, who recognize his hon- esty and judgment and have implicit confidence in his sincerity of purpose, to the office of chair- man of the board of selectmen, serving in that capacity for five successive years, and he has also been chosen to represent the town of Bradford in the assembly, besides other official positions. Upon the first call for troops from President Lin- coln, Mr. Gaffield responded and joined the Brad- ford Geards, First Vermont Volunteers, with which organization he served until his discharge. He subsequently offered his services, but was re- jected on account of physical disabilities.

In 1863 Mr. Gaffield married Miss Mary E. Manson, of Bradford, Vermont. Their children were: Abbie M., engaged as a teacher; George R. and Mary L., both of whom died near the same time with typhoid fever; and Charles M., a resident of the town of Bradford and acting in the capacity of foreman in the creamery.

GEORGE BROWN MILNE.

Of the many men of strong character who have come to America from Scotland, those of one particular class are deserving of a peculiar recognition-those skilled workmen whose life work has been in the quarry and stone-cutting shop. The mountains of their native land were underlaid and built up of that splendid granite which stands as the truest type of its species, and there they found employment as youths. Seeking a more remunerative field for the exer- cise of their industry, they came hither, and in the Green Mountains of Vermont found that which reminded them of their native hills. As- simlating readily with the new conditons, they engaged in the labors to which they had been accustomed, and to their effort is largely owing the building up of the stone industries of their adopted state, making them exceedingly

profitable, and extending their reputation throughout the entire land.

Conspicuous among these Scotch-Americans who have aided in accomplishing these results, is George Brown Milne, granite manufacturer of Barre. He was born December 31, 1857, in Cor- renie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, son of James and Anna (Dickie) Milne. These parents were both natives of the same shire, born, respectively, in 1810 and 1813, and they died in 1894 and 1901. Their son, George Brown Milne, received his education in the parish schools, learning his read- ing from the Bible, and brought up in the Scotch Presbyterian church. When fifteen years of age he began his apprenticeship as a stone-cutter, and served a term of five years, mastering every de- tail of the trade and becoming an expert work- man. In 1880 he sailed for the United States, and arrived in Boston in April. Seeking the field of labor for which he was so well equipped, he went to Quincy, Massachusetts, where he worked at his trade for six months, then going to Fox Island, Maine, where he was similarly employed for two years. In quest of a suitable location in which to open a business upon his own account, he traveled over various sections of the country. For a time he was engaged with the United States engineers in the canal construc- tion on the Tennessee river at Mussel Shoals, Ala- bama, and then in Graniteville, Missouri. He subsequently returned to Fox Island, Maine, whence he removed in March, 1884, to Barre, Vermont, where he located permanently. For two years he performed journey work, and at the end of that time he formed a partnership with W. S. Wyllie, under the firm name of Milne & Wyllie, for the conduct of a granite business. This asso- ciation was maintained until 1895, when the firm was dissolved, and was succeeded by that of Milne, Clarihew & Gray. The new firm extended an already well developed business by the pur- chase of the Empire quarry, and they now operate this and one other for the production of high- grade granite for monumental, vault and other cemetery work. All thoroughly practical men, the members of the firm give their personal at- tention to every detail of the work, from the rough mass of the stone to the cutting and finish- ing, and the superiority of their product has won for their works a well deserved fame wherever

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the granite of Vermont finds a market, even to the remote west.

Mr. Milne is accounted among the progressive business men of his community, and, in addition to contributing largely to its prosperity through the important industry of which he is the head, he aids by all means in his power in all worthy public objects. He is a member of Granite Lodge, F. & A. M., of Hiawatha Lodge, I. O. O. F., and of Clan Gordon No. 12, Scottish Clans. In politics he is a Republican. He was married June 16, 1888, to Miss Caroline Bell Jones, and of this marriage were born two children: Justus John, born March 22, 1889, and died January 10, 1891 ; and George Edmund, born October 16, 1900.

Mrs. Milne was born in Barre, February 9, 1865, only child of John Heath and Alice Amanda (Reed) Jones, of the city named. Her father was a son of Jacob Jones, and was born in Wash- ington, Orange county, April 20, 1841. He was educated in the district schools, and in 1881 he located on a farm in the town of Barre, where he conducts a farm and dairy, and stock-breed- ing farm. A man of strong character, he enjoys the confidence of the community, and has occu- pied various public positons. He has been a road commissioner for eight years, and has given most useful service in that capacity. He was married November 12, 1862, to Miss Alice Amanda Reed, born June 7, 1844, a daughter of Charles Quincy and Caroline (Ketchum) Reed, and of this mar- riage was born a daughter, Caroline Bell, now Mrs. George Brown Milne.

HARVEY DODGE.

Harvey Dodge, a venerable and respected citi- zen of Post Mills, Vermont, whose standing in town and couny has been attested by the many important political positions which he has been called upon to fill during his long and active career, was born at Thetford, Vermont, August 26, 1821, the son of Eliphalet S. and Mary (Cox) Dodge.

Eliphalet S. Dodge took up his residence in the town of Thetford, Vermont, in 1802, and purchased one-half of the tract of land owned by Mr. Post, which is now the site of the thrifty village of Post Mills. His time and attention were divided between agricultural pursuits and

the lumber business, and was very successful in the operation of both these lines of industry. Mr. Dodge was the uncle of the late George Peabody, the millionaire banker and philanthropist of Lon- don, England, who, while he was a poor boy, resided with Mr. Dodge and recived from him all the kindness and affection of a parent. He was united in marriage to Mary Cox, and their chil- dren were: George, who married Octavia Free- man, and was engaged at cloth-dressing and as a clothier at Post Mills, Vermont, their children were : George Edwin, William Oscar and Charles Dodge. Charles married Miss Ann Rankin, and followed the carpenter trade at Lysander, New York, where his death occurred; their children were Amanda, Maria Martha and Mary Emme- line Dodge. Mary, deceased, was the wife of David Slack, and mother of Albert D. Slack; they were residents of the town of Post Mills, where their deaths occurred. Daniel married for his first wife Lucinda Wilcox; their children were Kate, Francis L., Smith M. and Smith E. Dodge, the last three named being deceased. Jeremiah was fifth. William was a physician at Post Mills. Adaline married Brias D. Wilcox. Harvey Dodge was the seventh child. Albert E. was a member of the Boston police force.

Harvey Dodge acquired a practical education in the district schools and Thetford Academy, and, being inured to the labors of farm life during his early boyhood days, he followed that vocation in connection with stock-raising upon attaining manhood. His oprations have been conducted on a farm which comprised one hundred and eighty acres of well cultivated ground, formerly owned by his wife's grandfather, John Riley, who resided upon it up to the time of his death; the house, a substantial brick structure, was erected in the year 1825, and is still standing in a good state of preservation. Mr. Dodge received a commission of second lieutenant from Governor Silas Jennison in the Vermont militia, and a sec- ond commission as first lieutenant before he had attained his eighteenth year. He was called out, at the time of the Sharon war, to aid in quelling the difficulties caused by a strike among some Irish employees who were engaged in the con- struction of the Vermont Central Railroad below the town of Royalton.

Politically Mr. Dodge is a Republican, and

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has held various offices, having first served as constable when a young man, later as lister, select - man and first selectman, being elected to the latter position in 1800, during the celebrated and dis- astrous freshet of that year; this made it a very responsible position, as large sums of money were paid out for the repair of bridges and roads. He served as deputy sheriff for fifteen years, was justice of the peace for sixteen consecutive years, assistant judg of the county court in 1876, hold- ing several courts in association with Judge Red- field and H. H. Powers, and taking an active part in the county and justice courts during that period. He also represented his town in the state legislature during the years 1870 and 1871, and was repeatedly chosen a delegate to various state and county conventions. He was a member of the Know Nothing party during its brief ex- istence. He is one of the charter members of Crystal Lake Lodge, I. O. O. F., and has passed through all the chairs ; also a member of Ridgely Encampment, at Post Mills, Vermont. It was largely through his instrumentality that the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows' building was erected at Post Mills. He is a member of the Congregational church.

On April 9, 1846, Mr. Dodge married Sarah Jane Riley, and four children were born to them: Burton Riley, who resides at home, is a farmr and inventor of telephone equipments, and has in- vented what is known as the Dodge system of telephone; Edward Stimson died at the age of four years; Henry Martin, engaged in farming and other pursuits, is a member of Crystal Lake Lodge, I. O. O. F., having passed through all the chairs, a member of Ridgely Encampment, and the Congregational church, and in political views a Republican, and is also assistant librarian of Peabody Library; and one child that died in infancy. Mrs. Dodge died May 10, 1880, and subsequently Mr. Dodge contracted an alliance with Martha E. Ladd, whose death occurred in 1900, at the age of seventy-two years. Mr. Dodge is librarian of the Peabody Library, which was founded in 1876 by George Peabody, a relative of Mr. Dodge, in remembrance of his early asso- ciation with the village. By the terms of the be- quest, three members of the Dodge family, while such members survive, are made permanent trus- tees, and with them are associated other elective

members and the resident minister or ministers of the parish. The library contains nearly six thou- sand well selected volumes.

HON. BURTON S. HOOKER.

Each business enterprise contributes its quota to the activity that has made America one of the leading commercial countries of the world. In every community are found men of enterprise and ability who are successfully controlling their individual business interests and thus advancing the great aggregate. Such a man is Hon. Bur- ton S. Hooker, one of the leading business men of Bradford, Vermont, who was born January II, 1861, at Peacham, Vermont.

Parker Hooker, grandfather of Burton S. Hooker, was a son of Parker Hooker. He was one of the first settlers of the town of Peacham, and became a man of considerable prominence in agricultural circles. In his political affiliations he was an adherent of the Democratic party, and in his religion was an active member of the Con- gregational church. He was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Blanchard. Their children were : Hartwell, who married Cynthia Brown; Orman, who married Mercy Blanchard; Sanford, who married Harriet Blanchard; David, who married Margaret Blair; Lathrop, who married Rachel Shoales ; Parker, who married Sarah Webber ; and Laura Hooker. The father of these children died at the age of seventy-five years.

Sanford Hooker, father of Burton S. Hooker, was born December 19, 1816, at Peacham, Ver- mont, acquired a common school education and early in life became a miller in South Peacham, which occupation he continued up to the time of his death, covering a period of over fifty years. He was also the owner of a small farm which he cultivated for his own use, and the mills he op- erated for so many years were known as the Water Street mills. He cast his vote with the Republican party, whose principles he strictly ad- hered to. He was a consistent member of the Con- gregational church. Mr. Hooker married Harriet Blanchard and the following named children were born to them: Helen became the wife of R. N. Bailey, a prosperous farmer of Peacham and their children are Clarence, Hattie, Robert and Agnes Bailey ; Alla married first Philemon Rowell, of

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Peacham, and for her second husband Joshua , ton and Genevieve Hooker. Mrs. Hooker was Gilfillian, and they reside at Kewanee, Illinois ; educated in vocal and instrumental music at Bos- ton, and subsequently was engaged as a teacher of music for several years at Bradford, and she achieved considerable reputation as a performer through northeastern New England, and her services are in great demand at theatricals and entertainments. The family are active and con- sistent members of the Congregational church of Bradford, Vermont. they have three children-Fannie, Miles and Kent Gilfillian. Isabelle, wife of James Hall, resides in South Dakota, where he is engaged in farm- ing. Hattie is the wife of J. B. Blanchard, and resides in Nebraska, where Mr. Blanchard is one of the successful commission merchants and a dealer in stock. Sarah is the wife of S. B. McLaren, a resident of Louisville, Nebraska ; they have two children-Mable and Roy Blanch- ard. Burton S. Hooker completes the family. The father of these children died in 1899 at the HENRY THEODORE CUSHMAN. age of eighty-two years.

Burton S. Hooker received an excellent clas- sical education at the Peacham Academy, and later entered Eastman's Business College, from: which he was graduated in 1882. He then pur- chased the Water Street mills at South Peacham from his father, which he successfully conducted for ten years, after which he operated the Monroe mills at Monroe, New Hampshire, for two years. In 1894 he removed to Bradford and purchased the Bradford mills, succeeding J. B. Peckett & Co., where he has since continued. The capacity of his plant is five hundred bushels a day, and he handles over one hundred cars of western corn and feed annually, the receipts of his busi- ness being between forty thousand and fifty thou- sand dollars a year. In addition to this exten- sive business he is the proprietor of the Waite's river water power at Bradford, and furnishes the power for the operation of the Bradford electric light plant, of which he is the treasurer and one of its five owners. Mr. Hooker is widely and favorably known in industrial circles as a straight- forward, reliable business man, and his success is attributable to a close adherence to honorable business principles and to unflagging zeal and energy. Politically Mr. Hooker is a Republican, and at the present time (1903) is serving the village of Bradford in the capacity of selectman and trustee. He also represented his town during the years 1901 and 1902. He is a prominent mem- ber of Charity Lodge No. 43, Free and Accepted Masons.

On August, 3, 1886, Mr. Hooker married Clara Dow, daughter of Dr. Frank Dow, of Con- cord, Vermont, who was a general practitioner of that town. Their children are: Sanford Bur-

Henry Theodore Cushman, a successful man- ufacturer and inventor of North Bennington, and a veteran of the Civil war, was born in Benning- ton, Bennington county, Vermont, May 16, 1844. His ancestry was of Puritan stock, he being a direct descendant of Robert Cushman, who sailed with the Pilgrim Fathers in the Mayflower. His great-grandfather, Charles Cushman, was one of the leading men of historic Bennington, a Revo- lutionary soldier, and later serving as selectman of the town, a justice of the peace, and deacon of the old First church.

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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 76

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