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 88

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 88

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of Revolutionary stock, his great-grandfather, Rufus Pierce, a farmer in Vermont and a baker by trade, was killed in battle during that war. The maiden name of his wife was Thankful Lindsay. Mark Pierce was born, lived and died in Putney, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits during the greater part of his active life. Of his union with Mary Ann Fisher ten children were born, as follows: Betsey Ann died in in-

WILL ERI PIERCE.

fancy ; Melinda Ann married Adolphus Farring- ton: Clark is father of Will E .; Nathaniel mar- ried first Abbie Rice, and second Dora Newton ; Royal married Addie McClure ; Thankful became the wife of Martin Snow ; Diana married William Heath ; Ellen married Josiah Bemis ; Ada married Frank Fuller; Emma, twin sister of Ada, mar- ried Densmore Brown.

Clark Pierce was born on the ancestral home-

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

stead in Putney, Vermont, July 25, 1835, and re- ceived his early education in the little "Brick School House." During his early manhood he was employed in a livery stable and afterward in driving a six-horse stage from Wardsboro to Brattleboro for a number of years. Returning then to the occupation in which he was reared, he carried on general farming, first in Brattleboro, then in Chesterfield, but settled permanently in Putney. He is a Democrat in his political affilia- tions, and an earnest worker in party ranks. He married Isadore Watson, a daughter of Asahel and Adelphia (Jackson) Watson, and a sister of Judge Watson. Four children were born of their union, as follows: George A., a lumber manufac- turer and dealer, married Julia Rice, by whom he has two children, Lila Isadore and George Irving ; Nettie A. is a dressmaker in Putney; Will E. is the special subject of this brief sketch ; and Edgar C., an engineer on the Boston & Maine Railway, married Augusta Hosford, and they have one child, Gertrude.

Will E. Pierce attended the district school in his boyhood, assisting his father on the farm dur- ing the long vacations, and remaining beneath the parental roof until sixteen years old. Beginning then the battle of life on his own account, he worked four seasons in a brick yard at Westmin- ster, where he was for a time also employed in an overall factory. Soon after becoming of age he purchased his brother's interest in the home farm, and six years later bought the Leonard Blanchard and Shelley estates, near East Putney, the two farms containing two hundred and forty acres of land. Since that time he has carried on general farming on an extensive scale, and has built up a large business as a lumber manufacturer and dealer, in the latter industry employing from fif- teen to twenty men, and turning out two million feet of lumber annually. He has one of the fin- est dairies in this section, keeping a large herd of Holstein cattle, many of which are of his own raising, and he also raises other stock. For sev- eral years he has kept a large number of horses in addition to those used on the farm, using them in jobbing, in which he has built up a very profit- able business. In his various operations he avails himself of all the latest and best-improved ma- chinery, owning a gasoline engine, a United States separator, a wood saw, an ensilage cutter, etc. 32 ×

He formerly owned and operated a threshing ma- chine, reaper, harvester, planter, tobacco trans- porter and other modern machines, doing much of the neighborhood work with them in their re- spective seasons. He is interested in almost every branch of agriculture, among his crops being oats, corn, tobacco, sweet corn for the canning factory, Hungarian, ensilage and vegetables and fruit for home use.

Mr. Pierce married, July 26, 1893, Cassa J. Pember, daughter of Milton H. Pember, of Put- ney. He is a member of Golden Rule Lodge, F. & A. M., and of the K. of H. In politics he is in- dependent, voting for the best men and best meas- ures, regardless of party restrictions.

CHARLES C. RUBLEE, M. D.

Among the representative members of the medical profession in Morrisville, Vermont, is Dr. Charles C. Rublee, who for over thirty years has followed the practice of medicine and surgery, and is now the senior physician of the town, as well as pension examiner and health officer. Lu- man Rublee, grandfather of Dr. Rublee, and a son of Hiram Rublee, who lived and died at Berkshire, Vermont, was a native of Berkshire, Franklin county, Vermont, and after attaining his majority went to Montpelier and engaged in the trade of hatter with Erastus Watrous, Esq. He was also engaged for many years in the manu- facture of gloves in partnership with Mr. Wat- rous, and later his younger brother, Norman Rub- lee, was interested in this industry with him. In 1845 Mr. Rublee removed to New Haven, Addi- son county, Vermont, where he conducted agri- cultural pursuits between nine and ten years, after which he returned to Montpelier, where he spent the last twenty-five years of his life in compara- tive retirement. Mr. Rublee was married twice, his first wife having been a sister of Silas Bur- bank, and among his children were Chauncey Moore, and Eliza, who was the faithful guardian and comforter of his declining years. During his sojourn in New Haven he married a second wife, Miss Smith, who died before his return to Montpelier. He was a member of Bethany church, a zealous Christian, modest and retiring in manner, faithful and true as husband, father and friend, without malice and free from guile.

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

He pursued the even tenor of his life, and his end 1.5 00,rue. He passed away May 12, 1879, aged aglity six years.

Dr. Chauncey Moore Rublee, father of Dr. Rublee, was born at Montpelier, Vermont, No- vember 25, 1821, the son of Luman and Bertia ( Berbank ) Rublee, the latter named having died when he was only three years of age. He ac- quired his education in the district school and academy at Montpelier, and at the age of four- teen years began his business carcer in the ca- pacity of clerk in a drug store, remaining for six years. He then took up the study of medicine with Dr. Charles Clark at Montpelier, and later attended Jectures at the Woodstock Medical Col- lege, from which institution he was graduated. The following year he practiced his profession in Montpelier, and in 1847 went to New York in order to attend lectures and visit the hospitals, but soon after going there was induced by ac- quaintances to take a trip to Europe, where he spent considerable time and attention in the eye and ear infirmary clinics. He landed at Havre, France, in 1848, and went direct to Paris, where he became quite versed in the French language. After spending quite a length of time in medical study in European cities he returned to Mont- pelier and resumed his private practice, which he disposed of to Dr. Mulliken in 1855. He then removed to Boston with the idea of locating there in practice, but after two years' residence in the city his health began to fail, and he returned to Montpelier, where he continued in practice up to the time of his decease, also holding the posi- tion of pension examiner, to which he was ap- pointed some years previously. He also received from Governor Holbrook a commission, with others, to examine all persons enrolled in the militia in the several towns of the county. He ac- quired a valuable library, and a large stock of sur- gical instruments for that day ; he was much in- terested in surgery, but disliked to prescribe for patients who were in better health than himself. He reported for the medical journals, and was for many years a member of the Vermont Medical Society, reading papers frequently before that body. In business he was bold, sharp and shrewd, and accumulated a large amount of property. His life shows how much of success may be at- tained by a resolute, sagacious and persevering

mind, even though it be imprisoned in an infirm body, for he was for many years a sufferer from extreme physical affliction, which to the ordinary person of less courage and perseverance would have precluded a success in any profession. The winters of 1859-60 he spent in Paris, France, with beneficial results as far as his health was con- cerned. In politics he was formerly a Whig and later a Republican, in his religion he was a mem- ber of the Congregational church. At home he was quiet, reserved, pleasant, and very fond of of music. In 1849 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah P. Clark, eldest daughter of Dr. Charles Clark, who was born in what is now called East Montpelier, March 19, 1827.

Dr. Charles C. Rublee was born at Montpelier, Vermont, October 31, 1852, obtained his prelim- inary education in the Washington county gram- mar school at Montpelier, later was a student at Dartmouth College, and began the study of medi- cine with Dr. J. E. Macomber. Subsequently he attended the Harvard Medical College, also the medical department of the University of Ver- mont, spent one year in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city, returning later for a short period of time to the University of Vermont, and finally graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in the class of 1873. He at once located in practice in Morrisville, where he has continued with the exception of two years, one of which he.spent at Montpelier and the other at Hamburg, Iowa. He is the oldest general practitioner in Morrisville, the second old- est in the county, and the success and high repu- tation he has acquired in his chosen calling have been worthily achieved, while his social promi- nence is not less the result of an irreproachable life than of recognized natural gifts. While at Burlington and. New York he acted as assistant to Benjamin Howard, professor of surgery. He served as pension examiner for four years under President Harrison's administration, and was re- appointed to that office ; he is also health officer of the town and village of Morrisville. Dr. Rublee is a member of the Lamoille County Medical So- ciety, the Vermont State Medical Society; Mt. Vernon Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is past master ; Tucker Chapter, R. A. M., of which he has been secretary; and Pales- tine Commandery at St. Johnsbury. Politically

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

he is a Republican, and religiously he is a member of the Congregational Society.

Dr. Rublee was united in marriage to Kate Spicer, daughter of William H. Spicer. Their children are: Sarah J., wife of Fred M. Pike, a prominent resident of Mansfield, Ohio ;. Edna S .: Emilie C .; and George C. Rublee, who is a student in the medical department of the Uni- versity of Vermont. Mrs. Rublee died February 24, 1897, aged forty-four years. Dr. Rublee mar- ried for his second wife Lou C. Mooney, daughter of A. A. Mooney, of Mansonville, province of Quebec. The ceremony was performed in Bur- lington, Vermont, in 1898; one child was born to them, Charles M. Rublee, who died at the age of two years. Dr. Rublee's two elder daughters are graduates of the People's Academy, where Miss Edna is now a teacher.

Dr. Charles Clark, maternal grandfather of Dr. Rublee, was a descendant of Thomas Clark, the immigrant ancestor of the family, who was a mate on board the Mayflower, which landed at Plymouth. He brought considerable property with him, especially cotton, and is known to have resided in Plymouth in 1623. He was a deacon of Plymouth church from 1654 to 1697, and was the patriarch of the colony. He was twice married and was the father of six children. He died at the age of ninety-two years. The next ancestor of which there is any record was Thomas Clark, of Scituate, who came to Plymouth, and was probably a son or grandson of Thomas, the immi- grant. He was a soldier in King Philip's war in 1674. He married Martha Curtis in 1676, and eleven children were born to them, one of whom, Joseph, born in 1684, married Thankful Stevens. They had eight children, one of whom, Nathaniel, born in Rochester in 1729, married Bethniah Crosby, daughter of Theophilus Crosby. Their son Nathaniel, born in Rochester in 1764, mar- ried Lucy Perry, and removed to Montpelier, Vermont, in 1792. They had six children, name- ly : Lovicia, George, Sally, Dr. Charles, Lucy and Adeline Clark.

Dr. Charles Clark was born in what is now called East Montpelier, Vermont, January 31, 1800, and his early life was one of great suffer- ing from a local disease by which he lost his leg when he was seven years old. He submitted to

this terrible operation, and refused to be bound to the table of the operator, as usual in such cases, but laid himself upon it and bore the work of the knife, the saw, and the subsequent dressing of the wound, without the quivering of a muscle or nerve, and without an articulate expression or sign of pain. This showed that the will, judg- ment and sensibilities must have been disciplined to the last degree in the school of pain. He ac- quired his education in the grammar school of the village, after which he began the study of medi- cine under the preceptorship of Dr. Lamb and also attended medical lectures at Castleton, in 1819. The following year he entered upon the practice of his profession in company with. Dr. King, of North Montpelier, later removed to Calais, subsequently returned to East Montpelier, and in 1849 located in Montpelier, where he prac- ticed the duties of his profession until he laid aside work on account of the disease which finally destroyed his life. Dr. Clark seemed to have al- most intuitive knowledge of the disease he was called to treat, and his diagnosis was rarely at fault. He treated his patients, not by theory, but by symptoms, and varied his treatment to meet the various developments of the disease. He was a very watchful physician, and always brought into the sick room a sympathetic and genial spirit, which is often the best medicine that can be given to a patient. He retained a strong hold on the confidence and affections of his patients, and his name was widely known and honored, not only for his professional ability, but also for his intelli- gent interest in moral and educational affairs.

Dr. Clark married Clarissa Boyden, of Mont- pelier, daughter of Darius Boyden, Esq. : she was a woman of remarkable intelligence and beauty of character. Six children were born to them, three of whom still survive: Rev. N. G. Clark. D. D., of Boston, formerly a professor in the University of Vermont, later secretary of Amer- ican Board of Foreign Missions, and who died in Boston, January 3, 1896; Mrs. Vail, who always resided with her father : Mrs. Babcock, of Mont- pelier ; Mrs. Fullerton, of Minneapolis. The mother of these children died in 1853, survived by her husband, whose death occurred June 20, 1874. at his residence on Loomis street. He had been ill for several years, having suffered from a stroke

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

than thirty-two years, when, in 1888, he retired from the active duties of business life. In addi- tion to these duties Mr. Swain served as post- master of Bellows Falls under the administrations of Presidents Lincoln, Johnson and Grant, giving general satisfaction during a period of twelve years.

Mr. Swain was an early member of the anti- slavery party and cast his first ballot for the can- didates of the old Liberty party when it was only ·strong enough to poll but six votes in town. In 1852 he cast his vote for John P. Hale, the Lib- erty party candidate for the presidency, and upon its formation became a firm and loyal adherent of the Republican party. In 1870 Mr. Swain was elected a member of the constitutional convention by the unanimous vote of his fellow townsmen, and was an earnest supporter of the measure for biennial sessions of the legislature; he was also -appointed a representative in the assemblies of 1872 and 1876, and was chosen senator from his county in 1886. As a member of both house and senate he served in the capacity of chairman of the committees on education, printing and joint rules and as a mem- ber of the senate committee on federal re- lations. Mr. Swain served for twenty consecu- tive years as moderator of the town meetings of Rockingham, having held that position longer than any other man in the history of that town, if not in the state; he was with but one exception elected by acclamation, and his record is one of which any man might be proud. He has held other offices of trust and responsibility in the town and always fulfilled his duties in a honorable and creditable manner. Mr. Swain was one of the originators as well as earliest members of the Vermont Press Association and for four years acted as president of that body ; he has served as trustee and member of the finance committee since 1881 of the Bellows Falls Savings Institution, was its vice president for a number of years and is now its president ; has acted in the capacity of president of the Rockingham Free Library since its organization in 1888, and was the leading spirit in securing the funds for its inception.

In 1856 Mr. Swain was united in marriage to Miss Susan W. Putnam, daughter of John and Phobe (Town) Putnam, of Brattleboro.

HORACE M. VINCENT.

Horace M. Vincent, one of the prominent ag- riculturists of East Montpelier, Vermont, was born in that town, July 23, 1821. Dr. Philip Vincent, his grandfather, was a resident of New Braintree, Massachusetts, where he practiced his profession of medicine and surgery for many years, and enjoyed a large and lucrative patron- age, being one of the representative physicians of the town. In February, 1795, he removed to Montpelier, Vermont, where he purchased the farm now occupied by his grandson, Horace M. Vincent. Being a well known and skilled physi- cian, he soon built up an extensive practice here, which he enjoyed until his death, in 1813, in the fifty-fifth year of his age.

Isaac Vincent, father of Horace M. Vincent, was born in New Braintree, Massachusetts. He removed with his parents to East Montpelier, Vermont, when he had attained the age of twelve years. He received his education in the district school, and upon completing his studies he fol- lowed farming as an occupation ; this proved so profitable that he continued in that line of work all his life. Mr. Vincent showed a keen interest in the political affairs of the town, although he never took an active part in them, yet his in- fluence for good was felt in the community. He was joined in marriage to Miss Sally Bordan. He lived to the extreme old age of ninety-four years.

Horace M. Vincent, son of Isaac and Sally Vincent, enjoyed only the privileges of the com- mon school, but by active observation and assidu- ous reading he is practically a well educated man. He resides on the farm purchased by his grandfa- ther, which he has cultivated to a state of perfec- tion, and from which he receives a goodly com- petence. In his political views he is a Republi- can, and takes an active interest in the success of his party.

Mr. Vincent was united in marriage, Decem- ber 8, 1847, to Miss Celinda C. Wing, daughter of David Wing, of Barre, Vermont. Two sons have been born to them: George C., who mar- ried and resides on the old homestead, following farming as an occupation, and his son, Harry W., also resides with his grandfather; and Walter

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THE STATE OF VERMONT.

of paralysis about five years before, from the effects of which he never recovered. He was sev- enty four years of age at the time of his death.

THE SWAIN FAMILY.

Nathaniel Swain, John Swain and another brother, whose name is not known, came from Scotland to this country and settled in Massa- chusetts, and from these three brothers all the members of the Swain family in this country have descended. Nathaniel Swain (2), son of John Swain (1), was a native of Reading, Massa- chusetts, from whence he removed in 1785 to Reading, Vermont, where he settled and cleared a farm, which consisted of two hundred and fifty acres of land, and is still known as the "Swain Place." The farm belonged to Henry Henderson, being the "right of share of land formerly be- longing to Simon Stevens by virtue of his name being in the original charter of said township." Simon Stevens resided at Charleston, New Hamp- shire, subsequently at Springfield, Vermont, and was a notable "Yorker" in his day. Mr. Swain followed the occupation of farming until his death, which occurred in 1850, at the age of eighty-one years. He married Charlotte Sherwin, and their children were: Nathaniel; John ; James ; Lydia, who married Aaron Townshend, of Reading, Vermont; Sarah, who married Nathaniel Pratt, and one who married Hart Massey, who was one of the earliest settlers of Jefferson county, New York.

Nathaniel Swain (3), son of Nathaniel Swain (2), was born on the old homestead in Reading, Vermont. He attended the common schools of the town and in later years was engaged in the occupation of farming. He was united in mar- riage to Miss Charlotte Sherwin, daughter of Samuel Sherwin, one of the early settlers of the town of Reading, Vermont. Their children were: Alva, who married Miss Mary Ann Collins, and their four children are Charles H., who now re- sides in Claremont, New Hampshire, Elbridge, Lewis and Charlotte, the latter now deceased. Mary is now deceased. Nathaniel (4) married Lucia Stow, of Woodstock, Vermont, was en- gaged in farming and resided where Edgar Stearns now lives. During the last fifteen years

of his life he lived in South Reading, Vermont, and his decease occurred July 30, 1800. Lois mar- ried Edward Putnam, of Glen Falls, New York, the well-known stage proprietor. Betsey married William P. Felton and resides at Jacksonville, Illi- nois ; their two children are Sarah and Byron Fel- ton. Charlotte married Timothy B. Collins, and died in 1869, leaving her one surviving child, Mrs. Ellen Fales, of Sharon, Vermont. Marcus, a prominent physician, practiced his profession for one year at Felchville, then for many years at Essex, Vermont, for fifteen years in the state of Wisconsin, and subsequently and up to his de- cease practiced at Englewood, a suburb of Chica- go, Illinois. He was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Woodbury, and five children were born to them, four of whom are still living, the eldest child, Dr. Edgar Swain, served with distinction in the late war, received the rank of colonel and is now a prominent surgeon dentist of Chicago, Illi- nois. John F. is the next in order of birth. Lewis married Miss Lucia Garvin, and their children were Mary and Lewis; all the members of this family are deceased. Oliver, deciding to become a member of the medical fraternity, pursued a course of reading with Dr. Phelps, of Windsor, Vermont,, and practiced his profession at Col- chester, Vermont. He was a very skillful surgeon, but his career was terminated by his death, which occurred when he was only thirty-five years of age.

Albert Nathaniel Swain (5), son of Nathaniel (4) and Lucia (Stow) Swain, was born in Read- ing, Vermont, July 12, 1828. He acquired his early education in the common schools of the town, but after completing his studies he served an apprenticeship of three years, commencing in 1847, in the printing office of the Vermont Jour- nal at Windsor, Vermont. After this he continued for a similar period of time as journeyman with the same employer, and then being inspired with an ambition to become a journalist he removed to Brattleboro, Vermont, where he was employed as printer and assistant editor of the Vermont Re- publican, then published by O. H. Platt. In 1856 . he located in Bellows Falls, where he became ed- itor and soon after proprietor of the Bellows Falls Times, which he continued to publish in con- nection with a job printing establishment for more -

ALBERT N. SWAIN.

THE STATE OF VERMONT.

H .. . well known physium of Orwell, Addison decd being included in the homestead of Mr. Aplin of this sketch. Thomas Aplin, Jr., the county, Vermont. Mr. Vincent, although over eighty years of age, is still in possession of all his . grandfather of George T., inherited the parental faculties; he is bright and active, and takes a great interest in all the leading questions of the clay.

GEORGE THOMAS APLIN.

George Thomas Aplin, an extensive and thriv- ing agriculturist of East Putney, was born on the homestead farm where he now resides, June 29, 1862, a son of the late William S. Aplin. He is of pioneer Green Mountain state ancestry, his great- grandfather, Thomas Aplin, Sr., having migrated

GEORGE THOMAS APLIN.

to Vermont from Rhode Island, settling in East Putney, in May, 1789, on the farm which has since been in the possession of his descendants, the original seventy acres for which he has the

acres, on which he was engaged in farming and lumbering until his death, at the age of ninety- four years. His widow, whose maiden name was Mary Reynolds, survived him, passing away at the venerable age of ninety-four years. They were the parents of two children, namely: Alex- ander, who lived but five years; and William S. Aplin.

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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 88

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