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 93

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 93

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He was married in 1859 to Ellen Lewis, daughter of William Lewis Herndon, of Fred- ericksburg, Virginia, who commanded the steam- er Central America when she foundered at sea, in 1857, and whose widow was awarded a medal by Congress in recognition of the heroic courage 'and self-sacrifice of her lamented husband. Mrs.

Arthur died before her husband, in January, 1880, leaving two children, Chester Arthur and Ellen Herndon.

HIRAM LEE SPARROW.

Hiram Lee Sparrow, one of the prominent citizens of East Montpelier, Vermont, was born in Elmore, Lamoille county, Vermont, February 17, 1852. Abner Doty Sparrow, son of Philip Sparrow, and father of Hiram Lee Sparrow, was born in Plainfield, Washington county, Ver- mont, August 17, 1813, and his education was acquired in the district school of his native town. Subsequently he removed to Elmore, Lamoille county, Vermont, where he located on a farm, which he cultivated and improved. He remained there until 1864, when he purchased a farm in Calais, Washington county, Vermont, where he. followed general farming. He resided there until his death, which occurred in September, 1883. He was united in marriage to Miss Almira Mar- tha Shephard, who was born November 16, 1820 ..

Hiram Lee Sparrow, son of Abner Doty and Almira M. Sparrow, attended the public schools of Elmore and Calais, and after completing his studies assisted his father in the management of his farm until he was of age. In 1880 he pur- chased his present farm in East Montpelier. He was very successful in the management of his farm from the beginning, and now he is able to produce a large quantity of excellent general farm products, which he can always dispose of very advantageously. He also devotes much time and attention to dairy products, for which he has a steadily increasing demand, and also pays much attention to the raising of horses for general use.

Mr. Sparrow is an enthusiastic adherent of the Republican principles, and was elected by that party to serve as selectman for the town of East Montpelier, the duties of which he dis- charged faithfully and creditably. Being a man of sound judgment and sterling, upright charac- ter, he is often called upon to assist in the settling up of estates in his section of the town. Sep- tember 2, 1902, he was elected to represent his town in the state legislature.

On March 3, 1875, Mr. Sparrow was united in marriage to Miss Ida Isabel Templeton, daugh-

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ter of Hiram and Mary Avery ( Vincent ) Tem- pluton. residents of the town of East Mont- pelo. They had one daughter, Mary Almira, bon Way 24, 1883, but she died August 17, 1805.

TRESCOTT ABEL CHASE.

Trescott Abel Chase, of Bradford, Vermont, who has frequently been placed by his towns- men and by the federal government in positions of trust and honor, is descended from a family which, in the different generations, has rendered important services to the community in which he has resided. His paternal great-grandfather served in the war of 1812, and his grandfather, Jonathan Chase, who was born July 10, 1787, in Corinth, New Hampshire, was an extremely useful and respected citizen. Jonathan Chase was a farmer, and went to Fletcher, Vermont, about 1828, lived there until 1840, and then re- moved to Cambridge, Vermont. He was a Dem- ocrat until the organization of the Republican party, when he allied himself with that body. He held various local offices, and was a member of the Universalist church. He married Hope- still Goldthwaite, and was the father of two chil- dren, who reached maturity: Newton; and Amanda, who never married. Jonathan Chase died July 30, 1860, in Jay, Vermont, whither he had removed in 1849.

Newton Chase, son of Jonathan and Hope- still (Goldthwaite) Chase, was born March 4, 1807, at Croydon, New Hampshire, and was reared on the farm. As a young man, however, he taught school for ten terms at Cambridge, Fletcher and Underhill, Vermont, but followed chiefly the agricultural pursuits which so in- terested him all during his life. In politics he was a Democrat, and afterward a Republican, holding various local offices and serving as selectman, lister and constable, and in 1859 representing the town of Jay in the state legis- lature. He was a member of the Fletcher Guards, and later member of a militia or- ganization at Cambridge. He was also an active member and worker in the Universalist church. Newton Chase married Rozina, daughter of Nathaniel Burdick, a soldier in the war of 1812. They were the parents of eight children :

Trescott Abel; Lucia M., who married George E. Percy, a farmer of. Newport; Lovisa, first married Ebenezer Crandall, and, after his death Nelson DuBois, and resides at Troy, Vermont ; Jonathan E., who married Sarah A. Chamber- lain, and resided at Jay, Vermont ; Bradford N., who married Mary Page, and, after her death, Ann Eliza Smith : Ichabod E. married Barbara West, and resides at Blue Earth City, Minne- sota ; Arthur married a Miss Burdick ; and Helen R., who married William Farrell, and, after his death, Orisa Everts. Newton Chase died at Jay, March 15, 1888, at the age of eighty-one, his death having been caused by an accident. His wife, Rozina, who was born in 1810, died in 1878.

The history of Trescott Abel Chase, son of Newton and Rozina (Burdick) Chase, who was born October 9, 1832, in Fletcher, Vermont, is one of local, political and patriotic interest. He was educated at the Cambridge schools and the Bakersfield and Johnson academies, and at the age of seventeen went with his father to Jay, Vermont, making that town his home until the opening of the Civil war. He enlisted, May 10, 1861, in Company B, Third Regiment Vermont Volunteers, then commanded by Colonel, after- ward Major General, W. F. (Baldy) Smith. Mr. Chase was appointed first sergeant of the com- pany, and was wounded at Lee's Mills, Williams- burg and Antietam, where Company B occupied the advance as a skirmish line. Here, a Con- federate brigade charged the line of battle, Com- pany B, with other troops, pouring in upon them a dreadful enfilading fire that gave the name of the "Bloody Lane" to the road strewn with their dead. On this occasion, Mr. Chase, who ranked only as orderly sergeant at the time, really had command of his company. In December, 1862, he received an honorable discharge for disability incurred in the service. On returning to Jay he purchased the village store, and for a number of years engaged in business as a general mer- chant. After seven years' continuous service at North Troy, as agent for the South Eastern and Passumpsic railroads, he accepted an appoint- ment in the custom house at Island Pond for a period of six years, and at the end of that period returned to the service of the railroad company. In 1888 he was again in trade at Jay, when his

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store, which was under his dwelling, was com- pletely destroyed by fire; in the following year, 1889, he removed to Bradford.

Mr. Chase is prominent as an active Repub- lican, and while at Jay was chairman of the Republican town and county committees, and a member of the county congressional commit- tee. He also filled, while there, the varied and numerous positions of lister, postmaster, town clerk and treasurer, and from 1869 to 1874 repre- sented the town in the state legislature. He was appointed by President Mckinley as postmaster at Bradford, and re-appointed by President Roosevelt. Previous to his first appointment as postmaster he had held the office of station agent at Bradford, resigning his position November I, 1897. In 1894 he represented the town in the general assembly, being elected from a strongly Democratic district. Having been repeatedly re- elected, he served in all for six terms.

Mr. Chase is a member of Chamberlain Post, G. A. R., Pulaski Lodge No. 58, and Champion Lodge, I. O. O. F. Mr. Chase married, in 1884, Fara A., daughter of the Hon. P. R. Follansbee, of Guildhall, Vermont. They have three sons : Frederick Blaine, Frank Putney and Trescott A., Jr.

EDWIN PUTNAM MCKNIGHT.

Edwin Putnam McKnight, of East Mont- pelier, Vermont, was born December 29, 1838, a son of Putnam and Margaret McKnight. Lem- uel McKnight, grandfather of Edwin P. Mc- Knight, was born in Sutton, Massachusetts, Sep- eember I, 1774. Subsequently he removed to East Montpelier, where he remained for several years in the employ of Major Nathaniel Davis, but he resigned this position and purchased a small portion of land which he cleared and erected a log house. He then returned to Sutton, and was united in marriage to Miss Anna Putnam, Febru- ary 15. 1795. The manner of traveling in those days were very primitive, and Mr. McKnight conveyed his wife and household effects to their new home in a sled drawn by an ox team. He then commenced the cultivation of his land, and he engaged in farming for the remainder of his life. After a few years they visited their friends in Massachusetts, making the trip in the same

manner, with a yoke of oxen. The following named children were born to them: Sally, born October 7, 1795 ; Clara, born July 17, 1799; Put- nam, born November 16, 1802; and Allen, born April 22, 1806, who died May 4, 1810.

Putnam McKnight, father of Edwin P. Mc- Knight, was born on the old homestead, and his education was acquired in the common schools of his native town, where he was employed later as a teacher. In addition to a good practical educa- tion, he was an extensive reader, and quite fre- quently contributed articles to the local papers for publication. He also had the ability to express his thoughts in a very fluent and eloquent manner in public meetings. He was a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, and was elected to the offices of selectman and lister of the town. He took an active interest in all things that pertained to the welfare of the community. He was a con- sistent member of the Universalist church. On January 1, 1828, he married Miss Margaret Holmes, born in 1803, daughter of William and Margaret (Comins) Holmes. Their children were: Sarah G., born August 12, 1829, married Christopher C. Brooks, and she died December 30, 1901; Clarissa A., born March I, 1837, wife of P. J. Kent, M. D., of Worcester, Massachu- setts ; and Edwin Putnam Mcknight. The fa- ther of these children died June 7, 1883, and his wife died March 20, 1894.

Edwin Putnam McKnight, youngest son of Putnam and Margaret McKnight, was reared on the old homestead, where he now resides, in the house which was built by his grandfather. He received his preliminary education in the public schools of his birthplace, and later attended school in the city of Montpelier. After completing his studies he decided to engage in farming as an oc- cupation. He met with success in this line of work, and has continued it up to the present time.

Mr. McKnight is a strong Democrat, and has always taken an active interest in the welfare of his party. He is a firm advocate of education, and served on the school committee of the town. He is a member of Aurora Lodge, F. & A. M., of Montpelier. Mr. McKnight and his family family are members and attendants of the Uni- versalist church.

On August 25. 1878, he married Miss Mary Louise Cole, daughter of Galusha and Rhoda

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Jane (Parselly Cole, of Rome, New York. The following named children were born to them : Charles Putnam, born June 12, 1879; Helen Holmes, born August 25, 1881; George Cate, born September 17. 1883 : Jennie Chase, born October 26, 1888 ; Albert Cole, born July 1, 1800 ; Margaret, born March 18, 1893; and Mary Es- ther, born May 9, 1898.

WALTER EUGENE RANGER.

Walter Eugene Ranger, the seventh son and fourteenth child of Peter and Eliza M. (Smith) Ranger, was born in Wilton, Maine, November 22, 1855. His paternal grandfather, Nehemiah Ranger, and wife, whose maiden name was Ad- ams, settled in Carthage, Maine, about 1800, and subsequently removed to Wilton. His- mother's people came from Plymouth county, Massachu- setts, and among their family names were Smith, Jones and Sampson. His maternal grandfather fought at Plattsburg and elsewhere in the war of 1812.

The subject of this sketch came from a family noteworthy for its mechanical skill. He was reared on a farm, where he was trained in all sorts of work, agricultural and mechanical, and in a home, where to be "brought up to work" was synonymous with true training and the promise of worthy living. The habits of intense application thus formed and an inexhaustible energy have always characterized his life, as re- vealed in his great capacity for work.

In a large family of bright boys and girls he early manifested scholarly tastes. He quickly mastered the subjects of the common school and at the age of ten was sent to a private high school. At twelve he entered Wilton Academy and began the study of Latin and algebra. Here he prepared for college by attendance during brief fall and spring terms, interspersed by work and later by teaching in the winter. For his support in college he taught school for a year before entering college and taught.several terms during his college course. In spite of these in- terruptions he maintained a high standard and was graduated in the first rank from Bates Col- lege in 1879, his favorite subjects being psychol- ogy, philosophy, civics and ethics.

Immediately after his graduation he was made

acting principal of the Nichols Latin School, Lewiston, Maine, a feeder of Bates College. A year later he became principal of the high school, Lennox, Massachusetts, where he remained three years. During this time he did considerable literary and journalistic work. In 1883 he de- clined a unanimous election to the principalship of the North Adams ( Masachusetts) high school, to become principal of Lyndon Institute, Lyndon Center, Vermont, where he remained for thir- teen years. Mr. Ranger's record at the head of this institution was one of remarkable success. During the first ten years of his principalship the institute grew from a school of fifty-three stu- dents and four teachers to one of two hundred and forty students and ten teachers. New de- partments were added from time to time until, in 1896, the Institute offered five four-year, and three one-year courses, one of the latter being a teacher's course. Graduates of the school entered twelve leading colleges, while many students were fitted either for teaching or for business. During these years Mr. Ranger was often called upon to teach in summer schools and to address edu- cational gatherings. He also acted as superin- tendent of the Lyndon common schools. It was but natural, therefore, that when, in 1896, the State Normal School at Johnson was without a principal, Mr. Ranger should have been called to the vacant position, and that the school under his management should have been very successful.

Mr. Ranger remained principal of the school at Johnson for four years and one term, when, in December, 1900, he resigned to assume the duties of the state superintendent of education for Vermont. Regarding his work as principal at Johnson, one of Vermont's leading educators has written as follows: "Mr. Ranger became princi- pal of the State Normal School at Johnson at that critical period of transition incident to its development as an institution for purely pro- fessional training. Under his management the highest professional standards were established, the training school was made a vital feature of the entire course, and the whole spirit of the work was charged with genuine enthusiasm. To Mr. Ranger's rare pedagogical insight the school is in a large measure indebted for its present high rank."

Mr. Ranger was unanimously elected state

Matter G. Ranger

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superintendent of education for Vermont by the general assembly in October of 1900, and was unanimously re-elected in October of 1902 to the same office, which he now holds. The writer quoted in the preceding paragraph further says of him: "Mr. Ranger's varied and remarkably successful teaching experience is a record of steady progression towards the important office which he now most ably fills as state superinten- dent of education for Vermont. Mr. Ranger has long been closely identified with the broadest in- terests of the state and of the country, having held many important positions in educational and other organizations. He is a brilliant and popu- lar public speaker, and his lectures on pedagogi- cal themes have been warmly received by the most dignified educational assemblies in the United States." Another teacher in 1900 paid him the following tribute: "In Walter E. Ran- ger, the newly elected superintendent of educa- tion, the Green Mountain state has a servant possessing ideal qualifications for the work he has been called to do. Having been engaged in educational work since boyhood, and in all grades from the primary to the normal school, he brings to his new position not only the scholarly habits and the administrative ability that win the respect of educators, but also a peculiarly warm sym- pathy with the needs of our common schools."

Mr. Ranger has been active as speaker and writer, having given educational and patriotic addresses not only in all parts of Vermont, but also in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Quebec. He has also addressed social, re- ligious, and other organizations. In connection with his present duties he annually gives about one hundred addresses and prepares for publi- cation about three hundred printed pages. The latest from his pen is a comprehensive sketch of the "Educational History of Vermont." Under him the functions of his office have been devel- oped and enlarged by legislation and administra- tion. He has begun the publication of educa- tional circulars for teachers and school officers, has promoted or secured much important legisla- tion, has been active in educational movements and progress, and has in other ways increased the efficiency and influence of the state educational office.

Mr. Ranger is an active member and officer 34 X

of many organizations, educational, fraternal and religious. He is a member of the American His- torical Association, the American Academy of Political and Social Science, and several other organizations. He is a director of the National Educational Association, and an officer of the American Institute of Instruction. He has held the office of president of the Vermont State Teachers' Association; also that of president of the Vermont Schoolmasters' Club. In Masonry he has taken the degrees of Knight Templar and of the Scottish Rite to the Thirty-second degree. He has served several years as an officer of the grand lodge, F. & A. M., of Vermont, and is at present deputy grand master. He is also a prom- inent officer in all the Scottish Rite bodies of Vermont. He is an Odd Fellow and a member of other fraternal organizations. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious preference is a Congregationalist.

In 1879 Mr. Ranger married Miss Mary M. Snowman, of Portland, Maine, who died in 1885. From this marriage were born two children, neither of whom survive.

In 1889 Mr. Ranger married Miss Mabel C. Bemis of Lyndonville, Vermont, who is a gifted musician. They have three children, two sons and a daughter : Arthur Forest, born in Lyndon, October 10, 1892; Ruth Mabel, born in Johnson, November 23, 1897; Robert Walter, born in Montpelier, February 19, 1903.

SALISBURY BROTHERS.

The furniture manufacturing company at Randolph, which has long been one of the in- dustrial features of the place, represents the ac- cumulated wisdom and effort of a family noted for its commercial enterprise through several generations. It is interesting to trace the growth of such an institution from its early beginnings through the various stages of struggle and trial to the period when it became firmly established on sure foundations. To show the part taken by different individuials and their contributions to the general result, a sketch of various members of the family for a long course of years becomes necessary, and is hereby presented.

Belcher Salisbury, founder of the Orange county branch of this name, and son of William

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and force childs, Salisbury, was born May 10. 1700, and died April 7,1862, in Randolph, Ver- mont. Withan Salisbury died at Brattleboro, Vermont, at the age of forty one years. Belcher Salisbury came to Randolph in 1810, from Brat - tleboro, Vermont. One year after his arrival he married Nancy, daughter of Captain Thomas and Anna ( Martin) Lamson, who bore him eight children, three of whom died in infancy. Of the other five, Philander, the eldest, was born December 12, 1812, and served as a soldier in the Mexican war, with the rank of captain; at St. Louis, Missouri, September 26, 1834, he married Eliza Irene Huntington; he died June 2, 1850. Laura S., born March 22, 1815, first married Dr. Henry H. Brown, who died in 1847, and next espoused Rev. Bezaleel Smith, who died May 15, 1870, in Randolph, where his widow died. Thomas L. died at Indianapolis, Indiana, Feb- ruary 16, 1874. Lucius now resides at Kenton, Ohio, where he has been very prominent in political affairs and has held several state offices.

Franklin Belcher Salisbury, the fifth and youngest, was born at Randolph, August 20, 1826, became a teacher in early life, but in 1848 engaged in trade, which he carried on in his native village until 1852, when he removed to Keytesville, Missouri, and there engaged in trade, with his brother Lucius and R. T. Du- Bois, of Randolph, as partners. Three years years later, however, he returned to Randolph, and for the next nine years successfully con- ducted a general merchandise store on Main street. In 1866 he began on a comparatively moderate scale in a new line, which was des- tined to prove the nucleus of the flourishing furniture factory that is now so important a fac- tor in the industries of the town. Mr. Salisbury opened his establishment for making furniture on the north side of the river, and continued its . operation for the two succeeding years. In 1868 his brother Thomas and son William were taken in as partners in the business, and a new factory was erected on the present site, of which Franklin B. Salisbury became sole proprietor in 1876. In 1880 this factory was destroyed by fire, and early in the next year the owner began the erection of a larger establishment, but his death, on May 24, 1881, prevented his witnessing the comple- tion of his cherished enterprise.

Franklin B. Salisbury was a notable character aside from his achievements as a business man. Hle was conspicuous both in the religious and public life of his community, being a leader and carnest worker in the Congregational church. He served on the committee which erected the house of worship for that denomination in West Ran- dolph, and for several years was superintendent of the Sunday-school, which position had been previously occupied by his father. For twenty years he was a member of the choir and in 1881 was elected deacon. Meantime his fellow citi- zens honored him by election to various town offices, and from 1862 until 1865 he was post- master of the west village.

On the 20th of February, 1848, was solem- nized the nuptials of F. B. Salisbury and Ellen Frances Flynn, the ceremony being performed in Bethel, Vermont, at the residence of the bride's parents, Asa and Amanda (Morris) Flynn. (See genealogy in closing paragraphs.) This union, which was one of unusual happiness until terminated by death, resulted in the birth of a family of four bright children: William F., Al- bert P. and Herbert B., twins, and Edgar T. In addition to their own children, the parents reared an adopted daughter, named Mary Ellen, who was regarded and treated as a member of the family. She married George J. Prince, Aug- ust 18, 1876, and became the mother of two daughters, the first of whom, Alice Mabel, died when two years old, and the other, born May 20, 1880, was christened Fannie May. The mother passed away December 10, 1881.

William F. Salisbury, the eldest of the chil- dren, was born at Randolph, September 2, 1849, and after completing his studies in the common schools entered the store then being conducted by his father and uncles. He early displayed an aptitude for business, and for many years had charge as manager of the retail department. On the 5th of October, 1869, he married Mary L. Bass, but it was not decreed that they should long enjoy wedded life, she passing away May 12, 1872, and his own death occurred August 20, 1875. Albert Philander and Herbert Belcher, the twin brothers above mentioned, were born in Randolph, June 12, 1857 and it is curious to trace the careers of this couple, who entered the world together and passed their lives, until the

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death of the former, in the closest union, both in business affairs and fraternal affection. When only thirteen years of age these ambitious boy's began wood-carving in the factory of their fa- ther, and carried it on industriously during their vacations from school. This brace of juveniles formed a regular business partnership between themselves, keeping a complete set of books and duplicating in minature all the processes of an industrial establishment. They were thus em- ployed when their father died, after which event they took entire charge of the plant and all its business, both at home and abroad. The con- struction of the factory then just begun was pushed to completion, and it has ever since been running successfully.

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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 93

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