USA > Vermont > Addison County > History of Addison county Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 105
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Wainwright, Locklin, Middlebury, was born in Salisbury, Addison county, Vt., on April 13, 1813. His parents were William and Annie (Baldwin) Wainwright. William Wainwright was born in Middlebury, Conn., in 1782, and came with his father, Jonathan Wainwright, to Addison county, Vt., about 1803. He settled on a place adjoining that of his father, where he spent the remainder of his days. He had a family of four sons and four daughters, of whom but two are now living-Alanson, now a resident of Brandon, Vt., and Locklin. He died on January 2, 1858. Locklin was educated in the common schools, and was brought up to farming, and re- mained at home until the time of his marriage, which occurred in February, 1838. His wife was Mary E. Forbes, and was a daughter of Luther Forbes, a former and well-known resident of Middlebury, Vt. Mrs. Wainwright was born in March, 1818. They settled on the place on which they now reside in the spring of 1838, and which was first settled by Thomas Chipman, and is a very fine place and consists of one hundred and twenty acres. They have had five children-Mary Jane (died in 1849 at the age of eight years); Addie E., now Mrs. H. P. Hulett; Albert A., a resident of West Randolph, Vt .; Charlie A., and Volney, who died in Wyoming Territory on July 14, 1874, at the age of twenty-three years.
Walker, James O., Ferrisburgh, was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1840, and is one of the prominent farmers and business men of this town. He took to farming in early life, in which he has been very successful. In 1882 he commenced the business of the buying and selling of hay, straw, and grain, and is now one of the present firm of Booth & Walker, having receiving de- pots at Vergennes and New Haven, Vt. He now owns and occupies his grandfather's old homestead. He was married in 1867 to M. M. Beady, of Charlotte, Chittenden county, Vt. They have a family of two children-Jennie and Zuriel. James O. Walker was a son of Zuriel and Mary (Johnson) Walker. She was born in Connecticut and died in 1875. He was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., and died in 1872. They had a family of ten children-three daughters and seven sons, six sons of whom are now living. Zuriel Walker was a son of Obadiah and Betsey (Tupper) Walker, who were born in Connecticut and married at Bennington, Vt., and became early settlers of Ferrisburgh, Vt. Obadiah Walker was a member of the State Legislature for eight years, and enjoyed the unbounded esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens. His son Zuriel Walker represented Ferrisburgh in the Legislature in 1832, '33, and '34, and was a mem- ber of the State Senate in 1848 and '49. He was a justice of the peace for twenty-five years, town clerk for thirteen years, and also held other numerous offices.
Warren, Colonel Stephen N., Orwell, was born in the town of Schroon, Essex county, N. Y., on May 26, 1815. He has been a resident of the town of Orwell, Vt., since the year 1817. His father, Captain Philip Warren, was an officer in the War of 1812, and commanded an artil- lery company at the battle of Plattsburgh. He was a native of the town of Townsend, Wind- ham county, Vt., where he was born on July 19, 1788. He moved to the town of Lanesboro, Berkshire county, Mass., and from there he went to the town of Schroon, N. Y., in 1811. He married Electa Northrup, a daughter of Stephen Northrup, of Cheshire, Mass., where she was
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born on May 4, 1788. They had a family of four children born to them-Stephen N .; Almeda T., now the wife of T. B. Smith, of Brandon, Vt., born on January 26, 1819; Electa (deceased), died in 1829 at the age of three years; and Earl L., born on August 7, 1837, at Orwell, Vt., and was killed by accident at that place on October 20, 1883. Colonel Warren was married on September 10, 1846, to Jane A. Royce, a daughter of Alpheus Royce, who was a native of Orwell, Vt., and a son of Jonas Royce, who was one of the pioneers of Orwell, Vt. Mrs. Warren was born in Orwell, Vt., on April 10, 1820. They have one daughter-Jennie N., who was born in Orwell, Vt., on February 3, 1861. Mr. Warren attended a military school located at Norwich, Vt. He has been colonel of the Sixth Regiment Vermont militia, having previ- ously held commissions as captain, major and lieutenant-colonel. His regiment disbanded in 1850. He has figured somewhat prominently in the public affairs of the town, having held the office of justice of the peace since 1860, and has been lister and assessor at various periods since 1855. His estate consists of two hundred acres.
Welch, M. H., Middlebury, was born in Ireland, County Sligo, on September 14, 1820. He came to America with his parents in 1830, and settled in Brandon, Rutland county, Vt. He received his education in the public schools of this town, and remained on the farm until eighteen years of age. He then went into a shop to learn the machinist trade, and remained in the same shop for about eight years. He was married in 1844 to Harriet A. Hubbard, who was a native of Windsor county, Vt. He came to Middlebury, Vt., in 1849, and there worked for James Davenport, with whom he remained for five years, after which he returned to Bran- don, Vt., and there engaged in the hardware business, a business which he followed for about three years. After giving up his business in Brandon, Vt., he returned to Middlebury, Vt., and then organized the firm of Welch & Earl, which continued until Mr. Welch retired from the business in the spring of 1869. He died on April 14, 1874. He was an esteemed citizen and prominent business man of the town; was selectman of the town for about three years, and also held many other minor offices.
West, Daniel C., Middlebury, was born in New Haven, Addison county, Vt., on April 27, 1807. His parents were Joseph and Phoebe (Griswold) West. Joseph West was born in Danby, Vt., in 1777, and came to Addison county with his father, Israel West, about 1780. The family first settled in Vergennes, where Israel West followed his trade of blacksmithing for many years. He moved to Waltham in 1798 and purchased a large farm, and engaged in farm- ing as well as blacksmithing. He sold out here and removed to the town of New Haven, and purchased the farm now owned by his grandson. His son Joseph also inherited the same after the death of Israel, and resided on it during his life. He had a family of two sons and three danghters. Only one son is now living. He died in 1830. Daniel C. was educated in the common schools and engaged in farming. Upon the death of his father he inherited the home- stead and cared for his mother and the balance of the family. He was married on September 29, 1831, to Jane Ann Gage, who lived sixteen years after her marriage, and died in 1843. He was married the second time on January 9, 1849, to Clara F. Farrar, a daughter of Caleb Farrar, a former and well-known resident of Middlebury. He devoted his time to farming and the rais- ing of sheep, and owns one hundred and sixty acres. He always declined public office. He re- tired from his farm and active life in the year 1881, and came to Middlebury, where they have since resided.
Wetherbee, Amos, Vergennes, was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., on September 27, 1818. He began his life as a farmer, a business of which he made a success. He settled in Vergennes, Vt., in 1864, and has dealt largely in land and general stock, and is also a general speculator, and is called upon largely in the settlement of estates. His grandfather was a lieutenant at the battle of Bennington, Vt. He was married in 1842 to Mary Allen, a daughter of Solomon and Cath- erine P. (Cross) Allen. Amos has a family of four daughters- Nellie L., Anna C., Mary E., (who married Phelps B. Smith; they have had one child born to them, Nancy M.), and Emma L. Amos Wetherbee was a son of Joshua and Anna ( Barnes ) Wetherbee, who were married in . Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1817. Joshua was born in New Hampshire in 1789 and died in 1861, and his wife, Anna, was born in 1799 and died in 1866. They had a family of two children born to them-Amos, born in 1818; and Emily, born in 1828. Joshua was in the War of 1812 and '14, and came to Ferrisburgh, Vt., when a boy.
Whitford, Ezra W., Addison, was born in the town of Addison, Addison county, Vt., on November 9, 1845. His parents were William T. and Almina T. (Seeger) Whitford. He was educated in the common schools, and received a fair education; was brought up to farming pur- suits, and managed the home place until the death of his father, which occurred in 1878. He was married in December, 1869, to Addie F. Wood, of Crown Point, N. Y. His mother died in 1884, and he purchased all interests in the home place, and now owns one hundred and twelve acres. He is a successful farmer and dairyman. He has a family of two children, one son and one daughter- Herbert E., born September 23, 1871; and Myrtie A., born March 29, 1873.
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Whitford, Gideon W., Addison, was born in Addison, Addison county, Vt., on August 10, 1828. His parents were William T. and Almina S. (Seeger) Whitford. William T. was born in Addison county, on the Whitford homestead, in 1802. On reaching manhood he settled on the place now owned and occupied by his son, Ezra Whitford. He spent his days on this place, remodeling and improving it. He was a successful man during his life, and reared a family of ten children to maturity, nine of whom are now living. He was a member of the Baptist Church for many years, and died on April 20, 1878. Gideon W. Whitford was educated in the common schools and received an ordinary common school education. He was brought up to farming, and remained at home on the farm until of age. He was married on January 18, 1849, to Electa L. Gulley, a daughter of E. A. Gulley, who was a farmer and well-known resident of Addison. In 1851 Mr. Whitford settled on the place where he has since resided, which was formerly the Eli Norton farm. He conducted it on shares for some six years, when he pur- chased the John Hinds place. About thirteen years ago he purchased the Eli Norton farm, which then consisted of ninety acres. It now numbers three hundred and fifty acres. He has been a very successful farmer and stock raiser. He has filled many of the town offices. He represented his town in 1880. He settled on his farm in 1875, and built a very fine residence on the same in 1877. His wife died July 2, 1878, and he then married his second wife, Flora A. Barber, of Canton, N. Y., on February 18, 1885. His mother, Mrs. William Whitford, died on September 4, 1884.
White, Horatio Nelson, Panton, Vt., was born in St. Armand, P. Q., on October 23, 1802. He was the eldest child of Ebenezer and Candace (Smith) White, who were natives of 'Worces- ter county, Mass. Soon after the birth of their son they removed to Essex, Vt., and shortly after to Burlington, Vt., where they ever after lived, and where they died. It was there his boyhood days were spent; but as the parents were poor and other children were added to the family, it became necessary that as early as possible they should become self-supporting. While quite young he obtained a situation as "cabin boy " upon one of the numerous vessels that in those days did the freighting on Lake Champlain. His winters were spent in service upon the land. He worked his way up from his humble position until he became captain and owner of a vessel, and was ever after familiarly known as "Captain White." A life upon the water had a peculiar charm for him, and its incidents he recounted with much pleasure, even to the last days of his life. On the 31st of December, 1829, he was married to Syrena Adams, a daughter of Friend and Elizabeth (Stagg) Adams, who was born in Panton, Vt., October 27, 1808. In 1830 he left the lake, and the following year they began life together upon a farm in Ferrisburgh, Vt. On April 10, 1834, they removed to a farm in Panton, Vt., where they ever after resided. Here they raised a family of five children, three sons and two daughters- Friend A., born January 1, 1833; Frances E., born April 17, 1834; William E., born August 13, 1836; George A., born March 19, 1838; and Candace E., born July 2, 1842. The youngest son, George A., in response® to his country's call, enlisted in Company K, Second Vermont Regiment, in the spring of 1861, and died in the United States Hospital at West Philadelphia, Pa., August 22, 1862. The other four are still living. The wife and mother, Syrena, died September 23, 1876. The father, Horatio Nelson, was married to Mrs. Susan B. Spaulding, of Rutland, Vt., formerly a resident of Panton, on April 13, 1880, and died on May 4, 1886. He ever had a lively interest in the affairs of the town, filled responsible offices, was three times its chosen representative, etc. He was a member of the M. E. Church for nearly half a century.
Wheeler, Hiram, New Haven, was born in New Haven, Vt., on March 19, 1823, and where, with the exception of eighteen years, he has lived. He was married in 1849 to Ann E. Hard, a daughter of Lansing and Aurilla (Marsh) Hard, of Ferrisburgh, Vt., and by whom he had two children - Hermina (Mrs. W. L. Whittier) and Sophronia (Mrs. C. B. Drake). His parents were Orrin and Huldah (Field) Wheeler. Orrin Wheeler was born on February 3, 1799, and was married in 1822 to Huldah Field, a daughter of Stephen Field, of Ferrisburgh, Vt., by whom he had eleven children - Hiram, John, Delia, Martha, Edson, Horace, Preserved, Milton, Ida, Annie, and Henry. He died on the homestead in 1867, aged sixty-eight years. Hiram Wheeler's pa- ternal grandfather was Preserved Wheeler, who was born in Lanesborough, Mass., and with his parents removed to Wyoming, Pa., at an early day, and where his father, Peter, was killed at the time of the Indian massacre, when his mother with her three children made her way back to Lanesborough, Mass., with the aid of one horse. Preserved Wheeler was born in Lanes- borough, Mass., June 9, 1769, and came to New Haven, Vt., in 1781; settled on the farm now owned by A. T. Smith. He was married in 1790 to Esther Bacon, of Lanesborough, Mass., and by whom he had eight children - Horace, Annie, Polly, Orrin, Tolman, Preserved, jr., Bacon, and Hiram; and by his second wife, Polly Johnson, he had five children - Esther L., Royal, Caroline, Henry, and Betsey. He died on March 15, 1856.
Wilkins, J. Reuben B., Ferrisburgh, Vergennes p. o., was born in Vergennes, Vt., Septem- ber 18, 1834. He is a general farmer, town superintendent of schools, and a graduate of the
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University of Vermont in the class of 1855. In 1856 he read law with W. W. Peck, esq., in Burlington, Vt., and was admitted to the bar at Albany, N. Y., in 1857. He was married in 1859 to Harriet E. Guinnip, daughter of Matthias B. and Margaret (Pinney) Guinnip, residents of Watkins, Schuyler county, N. Y. Three children were born to them in Ferrisburgh, Vt. - Anna M., Daniel N., and Alice B. J. Reuben B. was a son of Samuel A. and Ann Smith (Nichols) Wilkins. She was born in Newtown, Conn., in 1800, and he was born in Cornish, N. H., in 1795. They were married at Vergennes, Vt., in 1820. They had a family of two chil- dren born to them - Mary Ann (who died in the Ursuline Convent, at Three Rivers, Canada, in 1846) and J. Reuben B., who lives on the farm in Ferrisburgh, Vt., which was set to him by the will of Daniel Nichols, his grandfather. Ann Smith Nichols was daughter of Daniel and Mary Ann (Booth) Nichols; she died in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1845. Samuel A. Wilkins died in Wash- ington, D. C., in 1873, and was buried in Salem, N. Y.
Willard, Doctor George F. B., Vergennes, was born in Boston, Mass., in 1853. He was a graduate of Middlebury College in 1876, and also a graduate of the St. Louis Medical College in 1883, after which he settled in Vergennes, Vt. He was married in December, 1883, to H. Ada Vedder, who was born at Whitehall, Illinois. They have had one daughter born to them - Delana E. George F. B. Willard was a son of George and Delana D. (Lake) Willard. She was born in Addison county, Vt., and he was born in Prescott, Canada, and died in 1860, leaving five children.
Williams, Frank A., Bridport, was born in Bridport, Addison county, Vt., on July 29, 1831. He was educated in the common schools at Bridport, and also at the select schools at Vergennes and Bridport. He was brought up on the homestead to farming pursuits. He was lister of the town in early years, selectman for three years prior to 1878, when he represented his town in the Legislature ; he also had charge of the Fletcher Cemetery fund for two years. He is a suc- cessful breeder of fine sheep, horses, and also has a large and very fine dairy, and owns 305 acres of the finest land in town. He occupies the handsome family residence purchased by Colonel Cook in 1816. He was married on June 4, 1857, to Mary Agnes Pease, who was a daughter, of Lyman Pease. They have five children, three daughters and two sons - Henry K., Anna F. Gertrude C., Estella M., and Mark Pease, all of whom are at home. Frank A. Williams was a son of Amasa and Lucinda (Sift) Williams. Amasa Williams was born in Bridport, Vt., in 1794, on the farm originally settled by his father, Joseph Williams, who settled in Addison county about 1786, on the place now owned by Robert Hutchinson. Joseph Williams erected a cloth- dressing establishment on Dead Creek, built a dam there, and continued his business in this same place until the time of his death, which occurred in 1845. He was a pioneer and successful man. He had a family of four sons and four daughters. His son Amasa married :Lucinda Swift on November 29, 1816. He raised three children to maturity - Lovina (who was the wife of C. D. Keeler; is now deceased), Joseph S. (who is a very successful citizen of Bridport), and Frank A.
Winans, Martin W., Ferrisburgh, Vergennes p. o., was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., on February 12, 1823. He was married in 1865 to Ida A. (Newton) Webster. Mr. Martin W. Winans died on May 19, 1885, leaving three sons - James F., born 1869; Herbert W., born 1874; and Frank L. N., born June 15, 1877. Mrs. Ida Winans married for her first husband Doctor Jonas Web- ster, in 1856. He died in June, 1863. She was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1833, and was a daughter of Joseph and Abigail (Smith) Newton. Joseph was a native of Dutchess county, N. Y., and Abigail was a native of Saratoga county, N. Y. They settled in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1810. They had eleven children born to them, eight of whom are now living; six are residents of Addison county, Vt. - William, Polly A., Joseph, Lucy, Catherine, Emeline, John, and Ida A. Mr. Newton died in September, 1858, and Mrs. Newton died in August, 1866, aged seventy-five years. Martin W. Winans was a son of James I. and Ida (Rogers) Winans, who were married on July 14, 1810, and settled in this county at the Harbor, at Ferrisburgh, Vt. They had six children born to them, two of whom are now living - Barnum, born in 1818; and Ida Ann, born 1820. James was born in 1763, and died in September, 1830; his wife, Ida Winans, died on October 27, 1853. James Winans and his brother, John Winans, are credited with building the first steamboat that ever ran on Lake Champlain, and were ship-carpenters and builders by trade. John was captain of the steamer. Mrs. Martin W. Winans now resides on the old home- stead, which is a beautiful place on Lake Champlain called "Basin Harbor," and has become a great summer resort.
Woodworth, Charles, Middlebury, was born in the town of Weybridge, Addison county, Vt., on February 16, 1815. His parents were Guy and Abigail (Ingersoll) Woodworth. Guy Woodworth was a native of Connecticut, and was born in 1776; came to Addison county Vt., in 1800, purchased the place now the home of his son Charles. He was married in 1804, and in the same year removed to Weybridge, Vt., where he engaged in the manufacture of scythes. He was quite extensively engaged in this industry, and employed a number of men,
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continuing in this business during the remainder of his active life. He had a family of three sons and three daughters, of whom four are now living. He was selectman of Weybridge, Vt., for several years, and a successful business man; died on March 10, 1867. Charles W. Wood- worth was educated in the common schools, brought up to farming; after his father retired from farming he conducted the business, and gave his whole attention to the work. He sold the water privilege to the Middlebury Pulp Company, in 1880. The old shop now stands there as it was built by his father, in 1805. He has given his attention entirely to farming after giving up his shop. He was quite active in military matters, having in an early day been cap- tain in a company. He was married in 1865 to Ruth Page, of Lincoln, Vt. They have had one child born to them - Charles Guy, born August 12, 1871.
Woodbridge, Frederick S., Vergennes, was born in Addison county, Vt., in 1818. He was a graduate of the University of Vermont in 1841, and admitted to the bar in 1843. He has rep- resented his district in the Legislature for four years, and represented the same in the Senate for three terms; he has also been State auditor, prosecuting attorney for the State, a member of Congress for several years, and president pro tem. of the Senate for three years, and served on judiciary committee at Washington. He was married in 1846 to Mary Halsey, a daughter of Major Halsey. They have had a family of five children born to them, four sons and one daugh- ter -- Doctor Enoch D. (a graduate of Yale College, and also of the New York College for Phy- sicians and Surgeons, after which he spent two years in Bellevue Hospital; he settled in Ver- gennes, Vt., in the practice of his profession), Edward H. (is also a graduate of Yale College), Frederick A. (is an agriculturist and stock grower), Henry B. (is a graduate of Williams College), and Mary A. (who was educated at Miss Porter's school at Farmington, Conn., and was married to Walter Scranton, of Pennsylvania.) Frederick E. was a son of Enoch D. and Clara (Strong) Woodbridge. She was born in Addison county, Vt., and he was born in Bennington county. Enoch Woodbridge was a noted and influential lawyer of Addison county, Vt., where he died in 1853, having had a family of ten children born to them, only one of whom is now living - Frederick E. Woodbridge. Enoch D. Woodbridge was a son of Enoch Woodbridge, who was chief justice of this State for many years.
Woodworth, Thomas I., Middlebury, was born in Weybridge, Addison county, Vt., on April 5, 1810. He was educated in the common schools. At the age of twelve years, in 1822, after the death of his mother, he became a member of the family of Harvey Bell, in Middlebury, Vt .; served as an apprentice with Joseph Sargent for seven years, at the gilding trade, and also worked as a journeyman in Troy for four years. He was married on May 20, 1835, to Betsey C. Albro, of Pownal, Vt., after which he engaged in the manufacture of looking-glasses, and picture frames, and conducted that business for four years. He returned to Middlebury, Vt., in the spring of 1867, and purchased the place where he now resides; he also owns a place of eight acres in Weybridge, Vt. He devotes his time to farming. He has had three children born to him; one died in infancy, and another, Charles Guy, who was a gilder by trade, died at the age of twenty-four years. When the gold fever broke out in California he was one of the early pioneers by the overland route in 1849, and had several skirmishes with the Indians en route. After two and a half years' work in the mines he returned with a medium compe- tency.
Wright, Caleb, New Haven, was born in Weybridge, Vt., on February 13, 1810, and at the age of ten years he came to reside in the town of New Haven. He settled on the farm he now occupies in 1833, and on which he has made all modern improvements. He was married on November 1, 1831, to Harriet Rockwood, a daughter of Ebenezer and Lucinda (Graves) Rock- wood, of Bristol, Vt., and by whom he has had five children-Jerusha (Mrs. Alfred Ferguson), Philomelia (Mrs. Orrin Dickinson), Jane A., wife of A. I. Stow (deceased), Martha (Mrs. L. B. Dodge), and Daniel C. His parents were Caleb and Harriet H. Wright; his grandparents Daniel and Bathsheba Wright. His father, Daniel Wright, was born in Marlborough, Mass., on Febru- ary 4, 1780, and came to New Haven, Vt., in 1820, and settled on the farm now owned by S. S. Wright, where he resided until the time of his death. Caleb's paternal grandparents were Ebenezer and Rebecca (Stannard) Wright, who were born in Marlborough, Mass., and were married in 1774; settled in Weybridge, Vt., in 1783, on the farm now owned by E. S. Wright, clearing and improving the same, where they resided until the time of their deaths. They had a family of twelve children - Rebecca, Asahel, Ebenezer, Daniel, Jehiel, Mary, Lucy, Caleb, Almira, Miranda, Lydia, and Phebe, all of whom are now dead.
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