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 81

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 81

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Frank J. Nelson, fifth son of Harley and Fannie Nelson, was born in the town of Heb- ron, Washington county, New York, September 2, 1855, attended the common schools and grad- uated from Pawlet Academy in the nineteenth year of his age. He then engaged in the produce business at Pawlet, Vermont, making a specialty

J. J Nelson

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of potatoes and apples, which he shipped to New York city and other eastern markets, hand- ling as many as seven hundred carloads of po- tatoes in a year. He has also dealt extensively in western horses, handling as many as ten car- loads a year, has been a successful wagon dealer, handling over three hundred wagons in a year, and in connection with this speculative trade he has operated a farm of six hundred acres at West Pawlet, Vermont, from which he derives a goodly income each year. His life has been one of great activity, energy and perserverance, and these qualities have gained him prestige in business circles. Politically Mr. Nelson gives a faithful and earnest support to the candidates of the Democratic party, and in 1902 was elected senator from Rutland county, serving on the committees of temperance, judiciary, state pris- ons and grand lists.

Mr. Nelson was united in marriage Novem- ber 3, -1887, to Emma Pratt, a daughter of Mar- tin Van Buskirk and Mary (Rising) Pratt; the former named, now deceased, was a wealthy and retired merchant of West Pawlet, Vermont, and the latter was a daughter of Judge Simeon and Jane (Montgomery) Rising, old and honored residents of Rupert, Vermont. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson: Leland, de- ceased, and Frank Nelson. Mr. Nelson and his wife are members of the Baptist church of Paw- let, Vermont, and are actively interested in the work of the various societies connected with it.

WILLARD GAY.

Willard Gay, of Randolph, is counted among the most substantial, conservative and upright citi- zens of the town. He was born October 25, 1822. in Stockbridge, Windsor county, Vermont, a son of Daniel and Sally (Baker) Gay. His grand- father, Daniel Gay, was among the first settlers of the town of Stockbridge. His wife was Eunice Fay, and they were natives of Massachusetts. Daniel Gay, Jr., kept a hotel at Gaysville, in the town of Stockbridge, known as "Gay's Inn," and his son was early accustomed to make himself useful about this hostelry, and upon his father's farm, thus acquiring habits of industry ; and he naturally imbibed the spirit of Yankee thrift which pervaded this region, especially in his youth. The

village school at Gaysville supplied his education, as far as books went, and he began at an early age the absorption of lessons in the practical af- fairs of life. Entering a local store as clerk, he soon acquired a knowledge of and taste for trade, and continued in this line through his most active years.

He came to West Randolph in 1851 and be- came associated with Harvey Spalding in the dry- goods business, under the style of Spalding & Gay, later becoming the junior member of the firm of Badger & Gay. In 1858 Mr. Gay bought out the hardware business of his brother-in-law, Royal T. DuBois, who removed at that time to Northfield. . This establishment Mr. Gay contin- ued until the store and stock were destroyed by fire, February 21, 1862. About this time Mr. Du- Bois returned to Randolph, and a partnership was formed, with the title of DuBois & Gay. The business relations of the partners were thereafter most intimately connected until dissolved by the death of Mr. DuBois. The son of the latter con- tinted in his place, however. They continued the hardware trade until May 1, 1871, when it was sold to Jasper H. Lamson, and the firm of DuBois & Gay conducted a private banking busi- ness until the organization of the Randolph Na- tional Bank, of (West) Randolph, in which they were among the principal stockholders and di- rectors. Mr. Gay has been most successful in dealing in wool and other farm produce.

With a keen interest in the welfare of man- kind in general and an especial desire for the progress of his home community, Mr. Gay has ever been ready to foster any undertaking that promised to secure these ends. As a good citizen he was ready to perform such public duties as seemed to devolve upon him, and in this line it may be noted that he served the town eight years as lister and was four years a trustee of the vil- lage of West Randolph (now Randolph). While he entertains settled opinions and convictions upon questions that usually interest mankind, he does not attempt to deny the right of others to hold differing views, and accords to all the courteous consideration to which they are entiled. A Dem- ocrat in political principle, he was active in the service of his party for a period of four years, as state committeeman, and was its nominee for the office of state treasurer in 1882, opposing his

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brother in law, William H. DuBois, the Repub- lican candidate.

With his partner, Mr. Gay has been quite extensively interested in real estate, and erected numerous buildings in the village, both for busi- ness and residence purposes, the DuBois & Gay block being one of the best in the town to-day, containing several stores and offices and a large public hall. He is a liberal supporter of the cause of religion and a regular attendant of the Christian church. In the fraternal and benevo- lent orders, also, he has sought to promote the work of uplifting mankind. He passed through the chairs of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is at this time the oldest resident member of Phoenix Lodge, No. 28, A. F. & A. M., of Randolph.

Mr. Gay was married, January 15, 1852, to Miss Susan Sabrina, daughter of Earl C. and Anna (Lamson) DuBois, of Randolph ( see Lam- son and DuBois, in this work). Mrs. Gay died February 28, 1895. The youngest of their two children, Frank Earl, died in infancy. The other, Mary Alice, is the wife of Dr. E. O. Blanchard, of Randolph (see Blanchard).

Susan S. (DuBois) Gay was born February 15, 1832, in West Randolph, and finished her edu- cation at the local academy, a leading institution in those days. She was a woman of much execu- tive ability, and was active in all good work. being a leader in the Christian church and Sunday school, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and many allied societies. Her home was ever a most hospitable one, and she was loved and ad- mired by the whole community. With the ex- ception of two years succeeding her marriage, which were spent in Gaysville, all her life was passed in Randolph, where the influence of her beautiful life still extends a wide influence. At her funeral Rev. G. W. Morrow, her pastor, paid tribute to her virtue, and Rev. V. M. Hardy, pastor of the Congregational church, spoke feel- ingly of her character, while a large assemblage of neighbors and friends testified by their presence to the universal appreciation of her work.

EDWIN OSCAR BLANCHARD, D. D. S.

Edwin Oscar Blanchard, D. D. S., of Ran- dolph, was born April 6, 1862, in Plainfield, Ver- mont, and came with his parents to Randolph at

the age of two years. His primary education was received in the village schools, after which h . matriculated at Norwich University. At the age of sixteen years he began the study of dentistry in the office of his father, George D. Blanchard, one of the foremost dentists of his time ( see clos- ing paragraphs of this article for biography). In 1881 he entered the office of Dr. D. G. Williams, of Boston, where he continued two and one-half years. During two years of this period he pur- sued the course of the Boston Dental College, graduating from that institution in 1885. Hav- ing equipped himself, by long and arduous labors, with a thorough knowledge of his profession, he planned to establish himself in practice in Boston, but the failing health of his father led him to abandon other plans and take up his father's prac- tice in Randolph, where he has ever since resided and labored. His success is a sufficient guaranty of his skill, ability and industry.

Possessed of a progressive mind and keen intelligence, Dr. Blanchard endeavors to keep abreast of all progress, and especially in his pro- fession, and takes advantage of all promising means of advancing himself and his contempo- raries. He is a member of the New England Dental Association, and of the Alumni Associa- tion of Tuft's Dental College and of the Vermont State Dental Society. He has been active in pro- moting the growth and welfare of the last named organization, and his services have been appre- ciated by his colleagues, as shown by his election successively to the most important executive po- sitions in it. For four years he acted as chair- man of the executive committee, and was, in turn, second and first vice-president, succeeding to the presidency March 22, 1895, being the youngest incumbent of that position up to this time.

Dr. Blanchard is active in the work of the Christian church and its collateral societies, and has served ten years as superintendent of its Sun- day-school. He is a member of Phoenix Lodge No. 28, A. F. & A. M., of Randolph. He was married, August 5, 1886, to Mary Alice, only daughter of Willard Gay, of Randolph, whose biography is given above. One adopted child completes the family of Dr. and Mrs. Blanchard, namely Helen Gay Blanchard, born November 16, 1896.

Dr. George Dudley Blanchard, son of William

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and Mary (Hunt) Blanchard, was born April 26, 1833, in Brookfield, Vermont. His ancestors were early in Massachusetts, and a brother of his grandfather, Joshua Blanchard, was the architect, and laid the cornerstone, of the Old South church, in Boston.

George D. Blanchard attended the district schools and finished his education at the West Randolph Academy, one of the leading establish- ments of its kind in that day. Early in life he took employment in a dry-goods store at Lowell, Massachusetts, where he remained two years. As a result of a severe illness he returned to his native place to recuperate, and soon took up photography and maintained galleries at Barre and St. Albans, Vermont. Ill health compelled him to abandon this occupation, and he began the practice of dentistry abou 1860.

1866 he established himself at Randolph, and became very successful. , His ability and genial, sympathetic manners soon won him the patronage of the public, and he took a prominent position in the profession and as a citizen. He passed away at Randolph July 28, 1885. He was a mem- ber in good standing of Phoenix Lodge No. 28, A. F. & A. M., of Randolph.

January 1, 1856, he was married to Miss Ellen Brown Blood, daughter of Rev. Friend and Emily (Brow) Blood, of Plainfield, Vermont. Three children were given to Dr. and Mrs. Blanchard. The eldest, Edwin O., succeeded to his father's practice. Eugene died August 9, 1868, at the age of three years. Eva Maud has been librarian of the Randolph public library for the last six years.

GEORGE DAVENPORT, M. D.

George Davenport, M. D., of East Randolph, is one of the oldest and most highly respected physicians of this section of the state. He was born in Wiliamstown, Vermont, December 28, 1822, a son of Amos and Laura (Stockwell) Dav- enport, and a direct descendant from Thomas Davenport, the immigrant ancestor, who emi- grated from England, in 1640, to Dorchester, Massachusetts, where he reared a family of nine children.

Daniel Davenport, the paternal grandfather, of Dr. Davenport, was the father of Thomas Dav-

enport, who invented and constructed the first electric motor machine in existence, receiving from the Unied States government the first pat- ent issued granting liberty to use electricity as motive power, his principle being the same as that now in actual use on the elctric railways. In 1835 he printed a newspaper, the power being fur- nished by elctricity, and he really deserves the credit for the invention of the telegraph, as Morse got his ideas from him. There is a tradition in the family that Morse said, after Davenport's death, that the latter should have full credit for all that he did for perfecting the telegraph and re- ceive full acknowledgment for the same, but it has never been done. It is known that Davenport claimed he could transmit a current of electricity a hundred miles as easily as he could a hundred feet, long before he became acquainted with Pro- fessor Morse. Davenport imagined he must have a wire for every letter of the alphabet, also for every figure, but Morse, by his invention of the telegraphic alphabet, made it practicable, and that made telegraphing complete. Thomas Davenport was a native of Williamstown, Vermont, but fol- lowed his trade of a blacksmith at Brandon. Ver- mont. He was considered one of the greatest inventors of his time, and his name was inscribed over the main entrance to the Electricity Building at the Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago. Illinois, in 1893. Amos Davenport, the Doctor's father, was a soldier in the war of 1812. and took part in the battle of Plattsburg.

George Davenport was educated in the com- mon schools and at the Newbury (Vermont) Seminary. In 1844 he began reading medicine with Dr. S. H. Smith, at Brookfield, Vermont, after which he took three full courses of lectures at the Vermont Medical College, in Woodstock, receiving his degree from that institution on June 9, 1849. In the winter of 1854-55 he further ad- . vanced his professional knowledge by taking a post-graduate course at the University of the city of New York. Dr. Davenport began the practice of medicine in Brookfield, remaining there from 1849 until 1865, when he settled in East Randolph. where he built up a large and lucrative patronage. He has always taken an active part in politcal. literary and professional affairs, and has served with ability in many official positions. During the Civil war, in 1861 and 1862, he was medical

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examiner of recruits for the Union army. From 1838 until 1802 he was postmaster at Brookfield ; was toun clerk and town treasurer of Brookfield in 1856, but declined a re-election to either office ; and was school director of East Randolph in 1886 and 1889. For a number of years he was one of the directors of the Montpelier & White River Railroad Company. He was officially connected with The Patriot, a newspaper published in Mont- pelier, from 1850 until 1860, being editor a portion of that time.

Dr. Davenport is a member of the Ver- mont Historical Society, a prominent mem- ber of the Vermont Medical Society, and of the American Medical Association, which he served as a delegate to the conven- tion held in San Francisco, California, in 1894. He has written papers of value on medical topics, one on "Vomiting in Preg- nancy" being published in the Transactions of the Vermont Medical Society, in 1878; and an- other, "Puerperal Eclampsia," being published in the same, in 1895, and in the New York Journal of Gynecology the same year.

Dr. Davenport married, July 3, 1851, Eleanor Smith, who was born September 7, 1830, in Ran- dolph, Vermont, a daughter of Captain Samuel and Huldah (Peabody) Smith. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and for many years was captain of a company of local militia. Of the union of Dr. and Mrs. Davenport five children have been born, namely: Frank W .; Walter B., a machinist, residing at Minneapolis, Minnesota ; Anna H., wife of A. G. Osgood, a merchant at East Randolph ; George E., a physician at Bath, New Hampshire; and John P. The Doctor is a Democrat in politics, but, with the courage of his convictions, votes independent of party re- strictions.

ALONSO E. HORTON, M. D.

Dr. Alonso Edward Horton, an active and successful practitioner in Vermont for forty-five years and in Poultney for thirty-nine years, is directly descended from Major Horton. The Christian name of Major Horton, and his an- cestry, are unknown, but he was certainly a patriot soldier of the Revolutionary war. He was presumably a native of Massachusetts; he

resided in Milton until 1753 or 1754, when he removed to Bolton and afterward to Templeton, where (it is believed) he died at the home of his son Jonathan.

Major Horton (1) was the father of six chil- dren, four of whom were sons. Among them was Aaron (2), great-grandfather of Dr. Alonso E. Horton, who was born in Templeton, Massa- chusetts, in 1758, and removed to Mount Holly, Vermont, about 1795, the first of the family to locate there. He was a farmer by occupation. He married Sally Harris, who was born in 1766. She died March 11, 1824, aged fifty-eight years, from injuries received by being thrown from a wagon. Her husband died October 25, 1832. They were the parents of eleven children.

Andrew Horton (3), ninth child and eldest of the three sons of Aaron and Sally (Harris) Horton, was born in Templeton, Massachusetts, October 10, 1786, and removed to Mount Holly, Rutland county, Vermont. He was of remarka- ble physical and mental traits and striking physique, standing more than six feet in height, of dark complexion, with black eyes, and he was constantly smooth-shaven. A farmer by occu- pation, he was also a capable mechanic, and worked as a carpenter, brick-maker and brick and stone mason in the making of his home and in its improvement from time to time. He cleared his land for farming, and the ashes of the trees which he burned he leached and made into salts which he took to Boston and bartered for nails, glass and other building materials. He built his own house and all the outbuildings. He improvised his own horsepower for cutting wood, threshing grain, etc., and was the pioneer in his region in the use of such machinery. He was held in high esteem in the neighborhood, and was an exemplary Christian. He died Au- gust 29, 1867, in his eightieth year. His wife was Lucy Heald, a most estimable woman, who was born January 24, 1793, in Townsend, Ver- mont, and died December 16, 1882, aged eighty- nine years. They were the parents of seven chil- dren.

Alvah (4), eldest child of Andrew and Lucy (Heald) Horton, was born in Mount Holly, Ver- mont, October 7, 1812. He removed about 1878 to North Clarendon, where he carried on his trade as a cooper on a large scale, manufacturing

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cheese boxes and chair stock, a business which is now conducted by his son Bent Earle Horton. He was a most exemplary man, and a sincere member of the Baptist church of Mount Holly for seventy-five years, and was a deacon for fifty years. He married Lepha Ursula Bent, born August 15, 1817, at Mount Holly. She was a daughter of Earle Bent, who was a farmer and served as justice of the peace, and who re- sided in later years in Poultney. To Alvah and Ursula (Bent) Horton were born four children, of whom two are living, Bent Earle and Alonso E. Horton. The father died May 5, 1900, aged upwards of eighty-seven years, surviving the mother, who died July 24, 1893, aged seventy- six years.

Alonso Edward Horton (5), son of Deacon Alvah and Ursula (Bent) Horton, was born on the paternal farm at Mount Holly, June 9, 1835. He began his education in the district schools, and pursued advanced studies in Ludlow Acad- emy. He began to study for his profession at Shrewsbury, under the preceptorship of Dr. L. W. Guernsey, and later under Dr. Perkins. He subsequently attended the Castleton Medi- cal College, and completed his studies in the medical department of the University of Ver- mont, from which he was graduated on his twenty-third birthday, June 9, 1858. For six years he was engaged in practice in Shrewsbury. Seeking a larger field of usefulness, he then re- moved to Poultney, where he has been actively engaged to the present time. He is prominent in homeopathic circles, honored as one of the earliest practitioners of that school in his part of the state, and now the oldest and only living member of his medical college class. He was one of the earlier members of the Homeopathic Medi- cal Society of Vermont, and through his frequent addresses before that body has aided largely in overcoming early prejudices and /in giving to homeopathy an assured position in public esti- mation. Dr. Horton has been, during a long and active career, highly useful in the advance- ment of community affairs, laboring with zeal and intelligence in behalf of all movements promising of material and moral improvement. His political affiliations have always been with the Republican party.

Dr. Horton was married April 7, 1855, to

Miss Ellen French, of Mount Holly. Five chil- dren were born to this union: Ernest T .; Minnie E., who became the wife of Charles H. Carleton, a business man of Granville, New York; Clyde and Claude A., twins, the first named of whom died at the age of fourteen months; Maude A. Horton, who is an accomplished artist and re- sides at home. The two sons of Dr. Horton. who came to maturity followed in the footsteps of the father and embraced the profession of medicine.

Ernest T. Horton was educated at Randall School, Poultney. He studied for his profession in the New York Homeopathic College, and is engaged in practice in Whitehall, New York, where he has served for three years as health officer. He is a member of various medical so- cieties and of the Masonic order. He married Miss Cornelia Eddy, of Rutland, Vermont, and to them were born four children, Eloise, the eldest, died at the age of eight months; Mildred, Gertrude and Kenneth.

Claude A. Horton, who received his literary education in the Troy Conference Academy, is a practitioner at Glen Falls, New York. He married Miss Delia Griffith, of St. Catherine, Ontario. He is a member of the Medical So- ciety of New York, also of the Masonic order.

LEMUEL CHANDLER.

Lemuel Chandler is one of the few men who. are able to trace their ancestry back to the days of the Puritan settlement of the Bay state, at a time when the possibilities of this country were not even dreamed of, and from that original fore- father till now the Chandlers have borne an able part in the development of the western world. The brief chronicle of the family's history is as follows. William Chandler and his wife Annis came across the waters in 1637 and settled in Andover, Massachusetts; they had a son named John. John Chandler married Elizabeth Douglas, who became the mother of Joseph. Joseph and Susannah (Perrin) Chandler were the parents of David. The latter was the husband of Mary Allen, and a son, Daniel, who maried Mary Ga- lusha. Daniel and Mary (Galusha) Chandler were the grandparents of our subject, and their son, Daniel, was his father.

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Daniel Chandler was born in Pomfret, Con- neticut. January 21, 1784, and when an infant was taken by his parents to Hanover, New Hamp- Store, his mother carrying him in her lap on horseback. The date of his settlement in the top of Berlin is believed to have been about Son, he purchased the farm where his son Lem- uel now resides, and his first home was a log house and a small clearing ; he remained there during the season, clearing off the timber, and in the fall returned to Hanover, where he married Hannah, daughter of Joseph and Temperance (Waterman) Sloan, of Lyme, New Hampshire ; the next spring they settled permanently on their farm, and there passed the remainder of their lives ; he died October 3, 1865. He reared nine children to mature age, -- Daniel, Joseph, Hannah, Harriet, Temperance, Samuel, Levinus, Mary and Lemuel. He was one of the sturdy pioneers, and did much toward building up the town ; his influ- ence was always given to the side of progress and his integrity was unquestioned.

Lemuel was born on the old homestead in the town of Berlin, county of Washington, Vermont, on September 29, 1832. His father gave him a good education in the common schools and in the academy at Randolph, Vermont. He remained on the homestead and devoted himself to farm- ing. He has been active in party councils of the Republicans, and has served his town in the ca- pacity of selectman, lister and other offices of trust. In 1876 he received the appointment to the office of the justice of the peace, and for over twenty-six years has most acceptably filled that position. For a long term of years he was a member of the Grange, and for over seventeen years was business agent of that order. Ever awake to the welfare of his native town, he has gained the high regard of all for his honorable and capable citizenship.

Mr. Chandler was married on the Ist of May, 1861, to Lucretia Electa, daughter of Gad and Maretta (Streeter) Crossett, of Duxbury, Ver- mont, and they have reared a family which now fill honorable places in the world and reflect credit on the wise and careful training of their parents. Myron Lemuel was born May 13, 1864; he is a graduate of Norwich University, at Northfield, also from the medical department of the Uni- versity of Vermont, at Burlington, where he re-

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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 81

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