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 94
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Albert P. Salisbury died April 18, 1891, and his place in the partnership was thereafter filled by the youngest brother, Edgar Thomas. On the 4th of April, 1892, the style of the business underwent a change by its incorporation, under the name of Salisbury Brothers' Furniture Com- pany, which continues up to the present time. The eldest brother has spent the greater part of his time on the road in the interest of the business, making trips through New England and parts of New York. The company manu- factures chamber furniture of all kinds, supply- ing many wholesale firms in other parts of the country, and employs from fifty to sixty hands. The trade has been largely increased during the past few years and now consists largely of ex- ports to South Africa and Australia. The factory has also been enlarged and the facilities for manufacturing increased in the various de- partments.
On the 22d of July, 1886, Herbert B. Salis- bury was united in marriage to Minnie, daugh- ter of Alonzo and Emeline (Turner)' Smith, who died February 12, 1895, leaving three children : Franklin Alonzo, born June 10, 1887; Philip Turner, November 17, 1891 ; and Albert Morris, December 12, 1894.
Edgar Thomas Salisbury, the junior mem- ber of the company, was born at Randolph, No- vember 13, 1870, and graduated in the high school in 1889. Immediately thereafter he en- tered the factory, in the service of his brothers, and at the end of two years became a partner in the firm. He is secretary of Randolph Lecture
Course, and holds a similar position with the Ran- dolph Musical Festival Association. On March 26, 1896, Mr. Salisbury was married to Miss Mary Alice. Crandall, and they have two children : Marion Eleanor, born February 9, 1897; and Donald Edgar, December 15, 1897. The doc- trines of the Congregational church have for generations represented the faith of the Salis- bury family, and the present representatives of the name have not departed from the example of their fathers. Besides regular attendance at the services they have liberally contributed to the support of the local church and sympathetic orders in its work. The male members of the family have never taken an active part in politi- cal struggles, though some of them have held local offices under Republican administrations.
Amanda Morris, wife of Asa Flynn, was a lineal descendant of Edward Morris, who was born at Nazing, Waltham Holy Cross Abbey, 'county of Essex, England, in August, 1630, and settled at Roxbury, Massachusetts. The geneal- ogy of the Morris family has been published and is now in possession of Herbert B. Salisbury.
The Flynn genealogy has been traced as fol- lows: (I) Richard Flynn and wife came from Ireland and settled at Roxbury, Massachusetts, and both were drowned while attempting to cross the Charles river on the ice. They left one child, Richard. (II) Richard Flynn married Sarah Manning, December 24, 1742, in Wood- stock, Connecticut, and had seven children. (III) Michael, third child of Richard and Sarah Flynn, born in Woodstock, Connecticut, March 9, 1754, removed to Bethel, Vermont, in 1782, and built a log house on a farm in the northern part of the town. On the organization of the town of Bethel, May 14, 1782, he was appointed constable. January 12, 1784, he married Fanny Child, at Woodstock, Connecticut. She was born there April 6, 1759. He held several town offices for long terms, notably those of selectman and justice of the peace. He was an old-school gen- tleman, and wore the queue, knee breeches and buckles in vogue in his day. He died May 14, 1828, and his widow September 1, 1846, both being interred in the old cemetery in the north part of the town of Bethel. Of their nine chil- dren, the seventh, (IV) Asa Child Flynn, born September 24, 1796, in Bethel, married Amanda
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Morris, eldest daughter of Ephraim and Pamelia (Converse) Morris, March 27, 1823. She was born September 20, 1799, in Stafford, Connecti- cut, and bore her husband six children, as fol- lows: Julia Amanda, born April 7, 1824; Eliza Pamelia, November 15, 1825; Ellen Frances, July 9, 1827; Sarah Augusta, October 4, 1830; Julius Wellman, November 28, 1833, died Sep- tember 8, 1849: Laura Morris, August 13, 1845.
CAPTAIN BURNHAM COWDREY.
Among the prominent and highly esteemed citizens of Bradford, Vermont, is to be named Captain Burnham Cowdrey, whose life of in- dustry and usefulness, and whose record for in- tegrity have given him a firm hold upon the re- gard and confidence of the community.
He is a son of Gilbert and Mary (Burnham) Cowdrey, and his birth occurred October 28, 1841, at Bradford, Vermont. The educational advantages enjoyed by Captain Cowdrey were very meager, and were obtained in the public schools at Bradford and Newbury, Vermont, and upon the completion of his studies he engaged in agricultural pursuits and subsequently was employed in a wood-working mill.
When he attained the age of seventeen years he became a member of the First Regiment Uni- form Militia of Vermont, and on May 9, 1861, was mustered into the service of the United States as a private in Company D, First Vermont Infantry. The regiment was ordered to Fortress Monroe, and was engaged for a short time in mounting heavy ordnance upon the bastions of the fort. On May 23, 1861, the regiment was ordered to Hampton, Virginia. On nearing the bridge across Hampton river it was found in flames, but Colonel Phelps, in command, ordered a double-quick move, and immediately the planks were torn up and the fire extinguished, and the regiment then crossed to Hampton. On May 28 it embarked on a steamer and moved up the James river and landed at Newport News and proceeded to fortify the place, whence about twelve hundred men, under Lieutenant Colonel Peter T. Washburn, of the Ninth Vermont, were ordered by General Butler to act with a force from Fortress Monroe in the capture of an out- post of the enemy at Little Bethel. These men
started in the early morning of June 10 to meet the remainder of the force at a fork in the road about one mile from Little Bethel. Owing to a misunderstanding among the forces about the password, a slight skirmish ensued, during which eleven were killed and wounded. After holding a council of war it was decided to move on and capture Big Bethel, where the forces arrived at about ten o'clock. Colonel Washburn was or- dered to attack the rebel left, so the forces moved. around to the right, when Colonel Andross called on his men to advance. Private Cowdrey was the first to break ranks, advanced with his captain, charged the breastworks, and enjoys the distinc- tion of having fired the first shot that was fired by a Vermont soldier in the Rebellion. After firing this shot and while reloading his gun, he was several yards in advance of his company, which was ordered to lie down, and upon look- ing around he found himself alone far in advance of his company. He stepped back to where the captain was lying and asked permission to move around further to the right, as he thought by so- doing he would get a better chance at the enemy. While doing this, his haversack was caught in. the underbrush, and, turning to disengaged him- self, he saw his regiment retreating. He then. spoke to the man with him and followed them, and found they had retreated to the same .position to which they had started. The roll had been called and Private Cowdrey was reported killed or missing. The regiment then began to retreat to Newport News, where they arrived at six o'clock, having marched about twenty-eight miles, with the feeling that though little glory had been won they had gained experience and faithfully performed their duty. After the ex- piration of the three months' term of enlistment, Private Cowdrey returned to Vermont and was honorably discharged from service at Brattle- boro.
The following year he enlisted in Company G, Ninth Vermont Regiment, and was soon ap- pointed to the rank of sergeant. In this capacity he went to Washington, thence to Clouds Mills, Virginia, and in a few days marched back to Alexandria, Virginia, and thence by boat to- Washington, D. C., where they were taken in freight cars to Winchester, Virginia, where they proceeded to fortify. While on picket duty a.
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Burnham Cordery
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"scout reported that a lot of army supplies were concealed in a house about three miles distant, and Sergeant Cowdrey was mounted and with a squadron of cavalry set out to obtain these. This was done, and a few days later it was reported that one hundred barrels of flour were stored in a mill on the Leesburg turnpike awaiting trans- portation to the rebel army, and, one company having failed to capture it, Company G was sent out to do so. Although there were two lieuten- ants serving in the company, Sergeant Cowdrey was placed in command of the advance guard. They arrived at the mill, proceeded to load the flour, after which Sergeant Cowdrey commanded the rear guard until they were safe inside the Union lines. He was frequently sent on similar expeditions, and was also especially detailed to duty in the fort at Winchester, which was par- ticularly difficult and important, requiring the greatest tact, coolness and ability. He was on duty at the fort when the celebrated female rebel spy, Belle Boyd, was captured and brought in by the cavalry. She was conducted by Sergeant Cowdrey to General White's headquarters, where she was interviewed, after which she was sent to Washington. Subsequently the regiment was ordered to Harper's Ferry, where they proceeded after blowing up the fort. While on duty there they were surrounded by General Jackson's army. Sergeant Cowdrey was detailed to picket duty on the outermost post, and while in per- formance of this duty was attacked by the rebels and effected an almost miraculous escape.
On September 15, 1862, the forces were com- pelled to surrender, and on the following morn- ing they were paroled and marched to Annapo- lis, Maryland, and thence they were transferred to Camp Douglas, Chicago, where they guarded rebel prisoners until the spring of 1863, when they were exchanged. After conducting the prisoners to City Point, on the James river, the regiment was ordered to Suffolk, Virginia, where it was besieged by General Early, and after the defeat of Early it was sent to Yorktown. The last of June re-enforcements arrived, and an at- tack on Richmond by way of York river was or- dered. After making a feint on Richmond, the troops returned to Yorktown, where the regiment remained until October, suffering great exposure to fevers and other diseases. From here it was
ordered to Newport, North Carolina, and Major Jarvis, while on a scouting expedition, was shot, and Sergeant Cowdrey, with other officers, was sent as
an escort with his body to his home at Weathersfield, Vermont. While on his leave of absence he performed recruiting service and took four hundred recruits to New- port barracks. The following day the forces marched out, one thousand men against three thousand of the enemy, but were forced to cross the river and burn the bridges, retreating to Beau- fort, North Carolina, crossed the bay to More- head City, received re-enforcements, and return- ing to Newport, drove the rebels out. Here Ser- geant Cowdrey was sick with malarial fever.
On June 19, 1864, a force from Newbern, North Carolina, was ordered to cut the Weldon railroad, and moved by forced marches to Jack- sonville, some eighty miles distant, where a large rebel force was encountered, again being forced to retreat, and fell back to Newport, thence to Newbern, North Carolina, thence to Bermuda Hundred, where on the 28th of September the troops were ordered to throw up winter quarters, and at nine o'clock in the evening were ordered to be ready to march at twelve o'clock with three days' rations in haversack. They crossed the James river on muffled pontoon bridges to Chapin farm. At daylight they attacked Fort Harrison and carried it by storm with ten miles of rebel works. Sergeant Cowdrey commanded the sec- ond platoon. The following day the rebels at- tempted to take it back, but were defeated by General Stannard, who lost an arm. On the 28th of October they were ordered to Fair Oaks and attacked the rebel works and were repulsed. A hard rain storm coming up, caused untold suf- fering and privation, the men being obliged to march knee-deep in mud, and having no water to drink except that taken from mud puddles in the road. Here Sergeant Cowdrey contracted a severe illness, and was sent to the field hospital for three weeks, after which he received fifteen days' furlough and went home, and during this period he cast his first vote for Abraham Lin- coln as president of the United States, this being his second term. On returning to his regiment he was promoted to second lieutenant.
The second day of April, 1865, he was on picket duty, and on the morning of the third the
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guard was advanced as skirmishers, and at day- light went over the rebel works and advanced on Richmond, and, he being in advance of his di- vision of the guard, was the first man to enter the city. They found Richmond on fire and in a riotous condition, and immediately proceeded to secure order, put out the fire and protect prop- erty. He was then detached from his regiment for duty in the city, to guard quartermaster's stores, and keep order in one section of the city. On the 16th of June he was relieved by special Order No. 148, and ordered to report at head- quarters of the Twenty-fourth Army Corps, Army of the James, in command of Major General John Gibbons. He remained on guard duty there a short time and was thence ordered to Norfolk, Virginia. From Norfolk he was ordered to the eastern shore of Virginia, and there captured the notorious Richard B. Winder, who was quarter- master at the Andersonville prison, and delivered him to the authorities at Washington. He was wanted as witness against Wirtz, who was after- wards convicted and hanged. Wirtz was com- mander of Andersonville prison, where so many of our soldiers were starved to death. From there the command was ordered to Portsmouth, Virginia.
Through the betrayal of confidence on the oc- casion of a social call by invitation of a family, some rebel members of the party took advantage of the opportunity to visit indignities and insults upon Captain Cowdrey, whereupon he soundly rebuked them, and the next night went with the corporal and six men and had all the offenders arrested and confined in hard labor prison in Norfolk, but later they were discharged, as he did not press the complaint.
Captain Cowdrey was honorably discharged from the service of the United States at Ports- mouth, Virginia, December 1, 1865, having risen from the rank of private to captain through his bravery and loyalty to his country.
After the close of the war Captain Cowdrey spent considerable time traveling through various large cities seeking employment, finally locating in Lowell, Massachusetts, where he engaged in the meat and provision business, which he suc- cessfully pursued until 1879, when he was forced to retire from active life owing to an impaired state of health, and since 1884 he has resided in Bradford, Vermont.
Captain Cowdrey is prominently affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, being a chapter member, and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic, having been commander of Wash- burn Post.
Captain Cowdrey is a direct descendant of William Cowdrey, who came from England to Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1630, also of Nathaniel Cowdrey, who emigrated in 1690, of Colonel John Cowdrey, who, in 1773, helped to throw over- board the tea in Boston Harbor, and also of Jonathan Cowdrey, who was surgeon on board the United States frigate Philadelphia when she was captured by the Tripolitans of the Barbary states in 1803. Others of his ancestors were prominently engaged in the Revolutionary war, the war of 1812 and in the French and Indian war.
Captain Cowdrey was married twice, his first wife being Maria Church, of Lowell, Massachu- setts, who bore him four children, two of whom died at birth, the survivors being Arthur B., now engaged as a traveling salesman, and Alice M., who was united in marriage to Edward Callihan,. and they have one child, Maria Burnham Cow- drey. Mr. Callihan is engaged in the postal service in Woburn, Massachusetts. Captain Cow- drey married for his second wife Maria Hotch- kiss.
The writer finds Captain Cowdrey in a quiet little home in Bradford, Vermont, and as he tells his history his face seems to glow with recollection of his noted soldierhood, which has won him the name of such honor and renown. Although a confirmed invalid, suffering pain a greater part of the time, it does not seem to- change his countenance, and we may well class him with the brave soldiers and honorable gen- tlemen of the United States of America.
HERBERT KELTON.
Herbert Kelton, of East Montpelier, Vermont, is a worthy descendant of a family that have made their home in the New England states since 1661,. when Thomas Kelton became a resident of Bos- ton, Massachusetts : his wife's name was Susanna. The probable date of Mr. Kelton's death was October 18, 1699, in the town of Dorchester. Massachusetts. Their son Thomas Kelton was
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married January 25, 1685, to Miss Jane Blake, a daughter of Edward Blake.
John Kelton, the son of Thomas and Jane Kelton, was born in Milton, Massachusetts, Sep- tember 12, 1695. He was united in marriage, August 14, 1722, to Miss Sarah Babcock, daugh- ter of Enoch Babcock. After his marriage he re- moved to Rehoboth, Massachusetts, where he died April 17, 1765. Their son Enoch Kelton was born in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, June 19, 1726, and on December 23, 1746, married Miss Elthea Hicks. His death occurred in Warwick, Massachusetts, March 31, 1812.
James Kelton, son of Enoch and Elthea Kelton, was born in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, February 16, 1750. He was united in marriage, February 4, 1773, to Miss Lois Ingalls, born on the same day as her husband. He subsequently located in Warwick, Massachusetts, where he died January 26, 1831. Naum Kelton, son of James and Lois Kelton, was born in Warwick, Massachusetts, January 28, 1778. In the fall of 1798 he took up his residence in Montpelier, Vermont, and he passed the ensuing winter in the employ of Colo- nel Jacob Davis. The following spring he re- turned to his native town, but shortly afterward he removed to Schoharie, New York, where he was engaged for three years in teaching in the public schools. Mr. Kelton was also engaged during the winter months for thirteen years as a teacher in different sections of New York state and Vermont, and during the summer months he employed his time in agricultural pursuits upon a farm which he purchased in Montpelier, Vermont, about 1800.
Mr. Kelton took an active interest in politics, and in 1810 was elected and served for six years as deputy sheriff, and for the ensuing seven years he acted in the capacity of constable, besides fill- ing other local offices. In 1816-1817-1818 and 1820, and again in 1829 Mr. Kelton was chosen to represent the town of Montpelier in the state legislature.
Mr. Kelton was united in marriage December 7, 1809, to Miss Fanny Vincent. born in New Braintree, Massachusetts, January 15, 1791, daughter of Dr. Philip and Eunice Vincent, the former named being the first regular physician to settle in the town of Montpelier. The following named children were born, to them: Samuel
Stillman, born on the homestead, October 20, 1810; and Truman Chittenden, also born 'on the old homestead. May 11, 1817. Mr. Kelton died July 2, 1857, and his wife died December 15, 1852.
Truman Chittenden Kelton, father of Her- bert Kelton, attended the district school of his native town, and when he attained the age of six- teen years learned the trade of mason, which he pursued for a portion of the summer months dur- ing the following thirteen years. The remainder of his time he spent in the occupation of farming.
Mr. Kelton was one of the prominent men of the community, being noted for his sound busi- ness judgment, integrity and fidelity to duty. He was honored by his townsmen by being elected to the office of town clerk, a position he held for thirty-six years ; he served the town as treasurer for nineteen years; was justice of the peace for thirty-four years, and represented the town of Montpelier in the state legislature for 1863 and 1864. Besides acting as counsel in local business affairs, Mr. Kelton executed nearly all the deeds required in his neighborhood, performed all the offices of conveyancer. and settled a large num- ber of the estates. He had a retentive memory, stored with many of the facts concerning the early history of the town.
On June 3, 1846, Mr. Kelton was united in marriage to Miss Emeline Esther Bassett, born in Montpelier, Vermont, September 28, 1823, daughter of Joel and Ruby (Metcalf) Bassett. Their children are: George, born September 28, 1848, married, April 20. 1878, Miss Ada M. Rich, daughter of Jacob Rich, and she was born in 1854, and died January 15, 1892 ; Herbert ; Henry, born October 20, 1851, married, June 21, 1877, Miss Flora H. Coburn, daughter of James A. and Abbie B. (Daggett) Coburn ; Fanny Maria, born June 22, 1854, married, October 15; 1878, Arthur Daggett Coburn; Walter, born May 17, 1857, died June 12, 1858: Edwin, born July 4, 1860. Truman Chittenden Kelton died at the old home- stead, November 2, 1900, and his wife died June 4, 1902.
Herbert Kelton, second son of Truman Chit- tenden and Emeline Esther Kelton, was born on the old homestead in the town of East Montpelier, Vermont, June 28, 1850. Having received the usual educational advantages of the common
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a look, he became a tiller of the soil. He devotes In time and attention to general farming, but pa - particular attention to the breeding of fine sheep and horses, in which occupation he has met with a marked degree of success.
Mr. Kelton is a stanch adherent of the prin- ciples of the Republican party. He takes a keen interest in all local matters that pertain to the welfare of the town, but he has never had the inclination to accept any public office. On March 22, 1882, Mr. Kelton was united in marriage to Miss Mary Amy Wheeler, daughter of Buel and Cynthia Wheeler. They have one child, Naum Herbert, born May 2, 1890.
JULIAN H. JONES, M. D.
Dr. Julian H. Jones, deceased, was for a period of more than forty years a successful practitioner of medicine in Vermont, and for more than a third of a century the scene of his effort was Bradford, where he was held in warm regard for his many noble qualities. He was a native of the state, born in Rochester, October 5, 1838, son of Rodney Jones, a substantial far-
mer. He was exceedingly studious from his earliest boyhood, and he made such advancement in his studies that he taught a school when he was only fourteen years of age. For some years thereafter he taught school every winter, attend- ing the academies in West Randolph and Barre during the spring and fall terms. He began his professional studies under the preceptorship of Dr. C. B. Currier, of Rochester, and he was sub- sequently a student in the Berkshire Medical Col- lege, where he completed a course in 1859, and in the Hahnemann Homeopathic College of Phila- delphia, from which he was graduated in 1860.
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In December of the year of his graduation, Dr. Jones entered upon practice in Chelsea, where he was usefully employed for seven years. At the expiration of that time, in December, 1867, he removed to Bradford, where he found a wider field of labor, and where he built up an extensive lucrative practice. A tribute to his professional ability and his fine personal traits is found in the fact that he was held in as high regard and was as frequently sought in counsel by physicians of the allopathic school as by those of his own. As a matter of fact, the barriers between the two
schools of medicine, which were apparently im- pregnable in his early professional experience, were to a large degree broken down through the conduct of Dr. Jones, whose geniality and court- liness would not admit of his offering an affront to one who differed from him in opinions or as to methods, or to his taking umbrage because of criticism of his own professional ideas or prac- tice. And so, allowing his own works to speak for him, he bore his part modestly, and won the affection and confidence of the people about him, and came to be recognized as the leading phy- sician of the village.
While a busy practitioner throughout his pro- fessional life, Dr. Jones also gave much of his time to the instruction of medical students. Among the score or more to whom he stood at one time or other in the capacity of preceptor, were several who attained prominence in the pro- fession-Dr. Hoag, of Connecticut; Drs. Hale, Mitchell and Leavitt, of Massachusetts; Dr. Lo- gan, of Woodstock; Dr. Stanley, of Waterbury, and Drs. Smith and Locke, of Bradford. Dr. Jones was also prominent in various professional societies, the Homeopathic Medical Society of Vermont, of which he had been vice president and president ; the New Hampshire Homeopathic Medical Society, of which he was an honorary member ; the Boston Surgical and Gynecological Society. He was also of high rank in leading fraternal orders. A Freemason for more than thirty-seven years, he had passed all the chairs in the subordinate bodies, was a Knight Templar, a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, and had attained to the thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite. In the order of Odd Fellows he had also passed the chairs of the subordinate bodies, was grand patriarch for two years, and for two years after- wards was grand representative of the state grand encampment to the Sovereign Grand Lodge, and attended the sessions in Columbus, Ohio, and Topeka, Kansas.
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