History of Addison county Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 63

Author: Smith, H. P. (Henry Perry), 1839-1925. 1n
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & co.
Number of Pages: 988

USA > Vermont > Addison County > History of Addison county Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 63

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TOWN OF NEW HAVEN.

the light so given he decided to form a settlement, by returning East and choosing from among former friends; and it soon came to pass that the town of Grinnell was not only a settlement, but the seat of an institution bearing the name of Iowa College, which not only lived, but is doing faithful work to this day. Walter Grinnell, a brother of Myron, having died, his son Levi and his family were among those who sold their homes in New Haven and removed to the then infant town of Grinnell. After going to Iowa Mr. Josiah B. Grinnell was interested in farming also, and became one of the most extensive wool- growers of that State. He was a member of the State Senate for four years, a special agent of the general post-office for two years, and was elected a rep- resentative from Iowa to Congress; was re-elected to the Thirty-ninth Con- gress. In June, 1866, L. H. Rousseau, a fellow member, made a personal as- sault upon him for words spoken in debate, which resulted in a resolution, which was passed, reprimanding the assailant for " violating the rights and privi- leges of the House of Representatives."

Captain Matthew Phelps came to this town from Connecticut and kept the village hotel. He was quite celebrated as an adventurer, and his memoir was published by Anthony Haswell, of Bennington, in 1802, and had a large circu- lation. Major Matthew Phelps, jr., son of Captain Matthew, was a man of great promise. He was one of the earliest graduates from Middlebury College. In 18II he was elected to the Legislature, and in 1810-II was one of the County Court judges. He died while in the War of 1812. Atlantic Luman Phelps, son of Matthew Phelps, jr., was born in New Haven July 17, 1805. Loyal C. Phelps, born January 16, 1807, a son of Major Matthew, was a native of New Haven. He married Jannette Cook January 1, 1839, and was one of the families who were especially invited to share in the making of the town of Grinnell, and they are still living there.

Augustus Tripp came from Lanesboro, Mass., in 1781, and settled on the farm recently owned by Henry C. Roscoe. He has no direct descendants in town at the present time. He was succeeded on the farm by his son, Deacon Ansel Tripp, for many years deacon of the Congregational Church, and who died over twenty- six years ago aged seventy-seven years. He left two sons, A. F. Tripp, of Buffalo, N. Y., and Sheriff Isaac M., who was many years constable in this town, where he married the youngest daughter of the Rev. Ova Hoyt. Then moving to Middlebury, he was from 1867 to 1878 sheriff of Addison county. He has now removed to Milwaukee, Wis., and is engaged in manufacturing.

Eseck Sprague, from Lanesboro, Mass., located upon the farm until recently owned by George D. Hinman. In 1787 Mr. Sprague came in the winter, his wife coming the following March, making her way on horseback with an infant only six weeks old, who afterward became the mother of E. D. Hall. Here Mr. Sprague spent his life in clearing the farm, dying of cancer in 1824. His

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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.

son Horace, born October 29, 1793, occupied the farm until his death, Decem- ber 30, 1871. Mrs. Sprague was a sister of Lemuel Eldredge; she died in 1885, being nearly ninety-five years old.

Austin Hickock was born in Granville, Mass., January 3, 1773, and in 1800 located on the farm now owned by Andrew J. Mason. His first wife was Mary Hinman, of Lanesboro, Mass., by whom he had four children. His second wife was Roxana Cook, of New Haven, by whom he had four children. Of these children Elias B. remained on the old homestead for some time, but is now living on the place formerly owned by his wife's father, Calvin Sprague. Another son, Milo Judson, was graduated at Middlebury College in 1835 and at Union Theological Seminary, N. Y., in 1841 ; was pastor at Marietta, O., 1841-44, and at Rochester, N. Y., 1845-50. His last pastorate was at Scran- ton, Pa. His brother, Henry F., graduated at Rochester University, N. Y., and Princeton Seminary, N. J. His first pastorate was at Sandy Hill, N. Y., where he remained two years; he then located at Orange, N. J., where he has remained up to the present time, with the exception of two years spent at Au- burn, N. Y. Julius S. Hickock, son of Charles B., lives in Vergennes.

John Hinman settled in 1783 on the farm owned by James Wilson ; mar- ried Sarah Rublee February 3, 1799. He came originally from Pittsfield, Mass., and later from Benson, Vt. He was the father of Erastus S. Hinman and Orrin, father of G. D. Hinman and two other brothers. About thirty years ago E. S. Hinman bought of Mr. Jacobs the farm where he subsequently lived and died. He was prominent in social, religious, and educational matters at all times ; he was for many years a magistrate and town official, and in 1854- 55 was one of the judges of the County Court. He died July 21, 1885. His

first wife, Caroline Reynolds, died March 22, 1854, leaving one daughter, Har- riet, who recently married Deacon John C. Wilder, who now owns and occu- pies the farm. Judge Hinman's second wife, Miss Amanda Samson, of Corn- wall, died December 6, 1885, leaving a daughter, Alice. Orrin Hinman, son of John, married Theda Moore December 18, 1831. Their son, George D., married Helen Sprague, and lived for many years at the old family home- stead of Horace Sprague. They now reside at the Barton Cottage, at the Center. William D., son of Orrin, lives on the Bristol road, and is a dealer in fine horses.

The road running north from the village and locally known as Lanesboro street, was settled first from 1781 to 1792, by families chiefly from Lanesboro, Mass., which gave the street its name. Among them were Ezra Hoyt, sr., Seth Hoyt, William Seymour, Matthew Phelps, George Smith, Andrew Squier, and Seymour Hoyt. The names of these men appear frequently in the earlier records of the town as office-holders.

Hon. Ezra Hoyt, the son of Ezra and Sarah (Seymour) Hoyt, was born October 16, 1770, in Lanesboro, Mass. In the latter part of the last century

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there was a general movement in that part of Massachusetts to emigrate to the new and rich lands of Vermont, which had just been admitted to the Union. Among the Hoyts there was no one of more ability or influence than the sub- ject of this notice. He had married Sarah Smith, of Lanesboro, February 28, 1790. They removed to New Haven two years afterward. The town had been organized only five years and the number of inhabitants was small. Mr. Hoyt was able to secure large quantities of land and thus laid the foundation of an ample fortune, owning at one time about sixteen hundred acres. His home was on the spot now occupied by the parsonage of the Congregational Church, which was erected by him in the early part of this century. He is spoken of by old residents as a man of fine presence, with the manners of a gentleman of the old school. His home was an attractive and hospitable one, and his circle of friends was large. He was sent to the Legislature of Vermont as a repre- sentative from New Haven nine times. He was also a member of the Gov- ernor's Council in 1828, '29, and '30. He was elected judge of the Addison County Court in 1813, and re-elected to that office for five successive years, and was again elected in 1823. In 1824 the Probate District of New Haven was established by dividing the district of Addison, and Judge Hoyt was the first judge elected, retiring from that office in 1829. Judge Hoyt was especial- ly fortunate in his domestic life. His first wife, who died in New Haven April II, 1798, was the mother of three children-Laura, who became the wife of Colonel Eseck Sprague, late of Constable, N. Y .; Otto Smith, who was a grad- uate of Middlebury College and Princeton Seminary ; was an honored and use- ful minister of Christ for more than forty years; and Sarah Jane, who died in infancy. He married as his second wife, Jerusha, daughter of Captain Matthew Phelps, by whom he had six children. Ova Phelps, the eldest, was graduated at Middlebury College and Andover Seminary ; was settled in Cambridge, N. Y., and Kalamazoo, Mich. The next was Sarah, who became the wife of Hon. Stephen Byington, of Hinesburg ; the next daughter, Charlotte, married Elisha H. Landon, of New Haven, and he is the only survivor of the large family circle. The next was Rhoda, wife of the late Rev. R. C. Hand, of Brooklyn, N. Y .; the next was Ezra M., who was prepared for college, but was obliged to leave his studies by the failure of his health, and died in middle life at his home in New Haven. He married Charlotte, daughter of Judge Elias Bottum. The youngest son, George, died while a student in Middlebury College. The influence of the home life is indicated by the fact that Judge Hoyt gave to all of his children the best education which the times enabled him to do. His house was a favorite resort for men of education and intelligence. He had a large circle of political friends, and his influence extended over the State. He was a friend of and habitual attendant at church, and contributed generously to its support. He was the firm friend of Rev. Josiah Hopkins, D.D., who was his pastor for twenty-one years. Middlebury College owes much to his

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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.

influence and active support. He died in New Haven after a long illness, Au- gust 5, 1881, in his sixty-first year.

Jonathan Hoyt, jr., born at Norwalk, Conn., May 7, 1775, removed to New Haven in March, 1802, and first lived in a small house that stood at that time a little north of the present Alvin Squier place. He then removed to a place on Beech Hill, just south of the Solomon Brown farm, where to-day are standing locust trees, before what is called the old Eno place. His home was there the first few years, the eldest of his children going to school there. The father of the Enos had begun a home on the Lanesboro street corner, a two- story farm house, unfinished at the time of his death; this house and the land around it Jno. Hoyt bought, and the Eno family removed to Beech Hill. Jonathan Hoyt, jr., was first a deputy sheriff, and then high sheriff of the county in 1811-15-18. He was for a long time magistrate, for seventeen years town clerk, and in the Legislature in 1809 and 1810. He was surveyor of highways throughout the county, laying out roads, drawing deeds, making out all sorts of public papers, and settling many estates; at the same time he kept well going the farming interest. He was somewhat peculiar in his char- acter, but was an energetic and influential citizen. He died at his home April 5, 1867. He married Chloe Landon ; she was the mother of three children- Lucius, Delia (who is the wife of Judge Tolman Wheeler, of Chicago), and Eliza, who married Lewis Meacham. His father, Jonathan Hoyt, a soldier of the Revolution, removed to town several years later than his son. Lucius settled at Niles, Mich., where he died at the age of forty years. His son, Jonathan Mills, was born at Niles, Mich., July 24, 1836. He served as lieu- tenant during the last war, and was a popular and efficient officer. He was on Governor Peck's staff in 1874-75, and was town clerk in New Haven at the time of his death. He was married October 8, 1862, to Julia C., daughter of Royal and Minerva (Moore) Wheeler. He died at the old home of his grandfather January 29, 1877. His widow died at the home of her father and aunt, Mrs. Elam R. Jewett, of Buffalo, N. Y., March, 1885, and was buried by the side of her husband.

Lewis Meacham, brother of Congressman James Meacham, was born in Rutland, and removed to New Haven in 1845. He married Eliza, daughter of Jonathan Hoyt, jr., in 1842. Mr. Meacham became a leading citizen ; was elected to the Legislature in 1856-57, and senator from the county in 1864 and '65. He was a genial and popular gentleman. He died suddenly, while on a visit to Chicago, June 16, 1868. Not long before his death he made an extended tour through Europe. His widow still resides in the home of her father.

Tolman Wheeler, son of Preserved Wheeler and grandson of Peter, who was killed at the time of the Indian massacre at Wyoming, Pa., studied the medical profession, receiving his diploma at Burlington, and commenced prac-

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tice in Canada. He was married in September, 1830, to Delia, daughter of Jonathan and Chloe (Landon) Hoyt. He removed to Niles, Mich., in 1832; remained there engaged in mercantile business and real estate in that vicinity until 1859, when he removed to Chicago, where, as Judge Wheeler, he is well known. His father, Preserved Wheeler, came to this town in 1781 and located upon the farm now owned by Alexis T. Smith. His son Orson, born here in 1799, was a resident until the time of his death in 1867. His son Henry, a grandson of Preserved, is still a resident on East street.

Deacon David Smith was born at Lanesboro, Mass., in 1788; came to New Haven in 1797 and located on the farm now owned by Charles W. Mason, known more recently as the Jonathan Smith place. He married three wives and reared eight children. Of these Jonathan became a farmer and carried on his father's farm until his death; Otis graduated at Middlebury College in 1824; fitted for the ministry with Rev. Josiah Hopkins, D.D. He was pastor many years, at La Grange, Ga., of a Baptist church, and was president of Mer- cer University. Oliver located on the farm once owned by Thaddeus Hoyt, in New Haven Gore; married Adaline Doud, March 24, 1830, and reared six children ; of these Otis D. graduated from the University of Vermont; has taught many years in Georgia, and is now professor of mathematics in Auburn Agricultural and Mathematical College, Auburn, Ala. Oliver Smith has been many years a magistrate ; was a member of the Legislature in 1843 and 1844, and one of the county judges in 1862-63. He removed from his farm to the village about seven years ago.

Amos Palmer, from Dutchess county, N. Y., in 1781 located upon the farm owned by Alexis T. Smith. His son Caleb came here in 1787; died in 1884 at the age of ninety-seven, and was the oldest man in town. He was then living with his son, Joseph Palmer, near James Wilson's. Henry C. Palmer, son of Caleb, has for many years conducted a wheelwright shop at the village. He owns and occupies the old Lavius Fillmore property at the Center.

Hezekiah Smith came to Monkton in 1780 from Bennington, Vt. The eldest of his twelve children was Dr. Horatio A. Smith, who came to New Haven village about 1830, and resided there until his death, which occurred suddenly March 4, 1862. His daughter Sarah married Hon. R. B. Langdon ; his son, Henry B. Smith, married Jane V. Langdon ; both are living in Minne- apolis, Minn. Their mother's name was Sarah Bell. Dr. Smith's home was where James Hinman now resides.

Andrew Squier and his wife Huldah (Bronson) Squier, of Woodbury, Conn., came to Lanesboro, Mass., in 1779. They had five sons, Timothy, Andrew, Wait, Ebenezer, and Amos. Of these Timothy, Andrew, and Wait removed to Vermont. In 1852 they were all living, and it is said were all in attendance about this time at church in New Haven. They all sat in one pew, were all over six feet in height, and all over eighty years of age, Timothy be-

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ing ninety-three. Timothy located in Orwell and died there in 1855 at the age of ninety-six. Andrew came to New Haven about 1790, and located just south of where E. H. Landon now lives. As early as 1793 we find him taking an active interest in the town affairs and serving as one of the selectmen. A few years later he co-operated most earnestly with Judge Hoyt in securing the erection of the Congregational meeting-house. He sold his large farm Janu- ary 3, 1831, to his son, Alvin Squier, and built the house now owned by Soc- rates Palmer on the Bristol road, and lived there until his death in 1855. Al- vin, born February 7, 1799, and Diadama, widow of Judge Bottum, born in 1791, are the only ones left of Andrew Squier's family in town. Alvin studied medicine with Dr. Lord, of Cornwall, and at twenty-two years of age went to Madrid, N. Y., where he was a practicing physician seven years. He then re- turned to New Haven and devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, soon after building and occupying the house where A. C. Squier now lives. He married, while at Madrid, Sarah Hallock, who died in 1885. In 1860 he built the ele- gant house where he has since resided, his son, E. Hallock, remaining on the farm. He has held various town offices. His wife was Elizabeth S. Skinner, of Palmyra, N. Y., to whom he was married May II, 1856. In 1883 he built a new and handsome cottage just south of his prior residence, and has since lived there. His son, Charles F., is in the mercantile business, as elsewhere noted. Andrew G. Squier, son of Alvin, located a mile east of the village on the William Wheeler farm. He has been an active farmer and has devoted his attention specially to the raising of fine horses, and has been a successful breeder. His son, Dr. Willie Squier, is a popular physician at Green Bay, Wis. Dr. Lucius A. Squier, son of Alvin, was graduated at Middlebury Col- lege, and located in Wisconsin. His brother, Argalus L., enlisted in 1861, and died in the camp of the Vermont Brigade near Washington, in December of that year, of malarial fever. Charlotte B., daughter of Alvin, has for many years resided with her father.

Elias Bottum, son of Simon and Elizabeth (Hautington) Bottum, was born at Shaftsbury, Vt., February 3, 1790, and came to New Haven in 1809, locat- ing on the farm thereafter occupied by him. Judge Bottum married Diadama Squier December 5, 1811, who is still living, at the age of ninety-six years. Children of this union were Mary Ann, who was married to Julius Sprague January 3, 1838 ; Charlotte, and Caroline, whose husbands' names are else- where given. The only son was Elias Simon. He was a member of the Leg- islature in 1822 and 1829; senator from Addison county in 1840, '41, and as- sistant judge of the County Court in 1847, '48. It has been stated that he and his associate, George Chipman, once overruled the supreme judge who sat with them, on a question of law in the trial of a case ; the appeal was taken to the Supreme Court, which affirmed the decision made by Judge Bottum and his colleague. Judge Bottum's death occurred in 1865. Elias Simon Bottum,

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son of Elias, was born in 1821, and located on a portion of his father's farm ; was deacon in the Congregational Church, often a town officer, and a member of the Legislature in 1872. His wife, Mary Hoyt, was the daughter of Rev. Otto S. Hoyt. He died of heart disease in 1877, leaving six children. Of these Elias H. graduated at Middlebury College in 1871 and afterward at Co- lumbia Law School, Washington, D. C. He is now a successful practitioner at Milwaukee, Wis. Fordyce H. is an undergraduate at Harvard College, while Julius O. is managing a portion of the farm so long occupied by the family. Carrie was married to Professor Hall, of Harvard College. The youngest daughter, Lottie, is at the New England Conservatory of Music.

Martin Crane emigrated to this town from Salisbury, Conn., in 1781. He was succeeded upon the same place by his son, Belden Crane, who was killed a few years since by being thrown from a load of beans. He was followed by H. S. Smith, who married a niece of Crane; and the farm was then sold to Theron M. Sturtevant, who still resides there.

Alfred P. Roscoe, for many years a prosperous merchant at New Haven village, was also a leading citizen in many other respects. He held the office of town clerk for many years, and in 1841-42 and 1848 represented the town in the Legislature. He died November 27, 1873. Alfred Mortimer, son of Alfred P., was for several years town clerk and postmaster, and beside holding other offices was a member of the Legislature in 1876. He died February 8, 1885. Alfred M. married Mrs. Orra (Bingham) Roscoe, about 1864; have had five children. Henry C. Roscoe, son of Alfred P., was several years post- master, and held other offices in town. He was elected to the Legislature in 1882. He married Jennie, daughter of Dr. E. D. Hall, for his second wife. Alfred P. Roscoe, son of A. M. Roscoe, has held the office of postmaster since his father's death.

Richard Hall settled in town at an early date; he was from Mansfield, Conn., and lived first on the farm now owned by Almond Farnsworth; a few years later he moved to the farm now owned by Henry R. Barrows. Adin Hall, son of Richard, came here, having studied medicine with Dr. William Bass, of Middlebury, and was for a long period an active and successful physi- cian in New Haven. He was also prominent in public affairs; was elected to the Legislature in 1833, '34 and '35, and was judge of probate from 1833 to '35. His son, Dr. E. D. Hall, was born in New Haven in 1817. He studied medicine with his father and at the Castleton Medical College, where he gradu- ated in 1842. He practiced first in St. Alban's Bay for five years; then at Vergennes one year, since which time he has been in New Haven.

Elisha H. Landon was born in Salisbury, Conn., in 1800, and when twenty- one years old came to New Haven. He followed mercantile pursuits for sev- eral years, and finally settled on the Myron Grinnell farm, where he now resides; married Charlotte Hoyt July 12, 1825. Children: Charlotte, who

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married a Mr. Shaffer; Mary Ann, who married Dr. E. D. Hall, of this town; Ezra, who lives at Vergennes; William, who died some years since; Mills J., and Kate, who was Henry C. Roscoe's first wife. His first wife died March 4, 1864. He married Mrs. Sophronia Walker in 1866, and enjoys a hearty old age. He has done an insurance business for forty years. Mills J. suc- ceeds his father in farming and in insurance business; has held several town of- fices, and is now a magistrate. He married Harriet, daughter of Deacon Oliver Dexter, who spent the latter part of a useful life in this town, where he came from Weybridge, locating on the east side of New Haven street, opposite the park; he died in 1883 and his wife in 1885. A daughter still lives in the home. Dr. E. F. Preston, who resides in a part of the house, was born in Bur- lington March 4, 1857. He studied medicine in the University of Vermont and was graduated in 1884. He was married to Cora A., youngest daughter of the late Truman and Juliette Holley, of Cornwall, Vt., June 17, 1885. He is superintendent of common schools, and has been practicing medicine in town since he graduated.

Jeremiah and Ruth Cook were early settlers, and were married in 1790. Of their seven children the two youngest remained in town on the original homestead. Gustavus was born April 13, 1807; Celestia, July 26, 1806. The former married a Miss Fitch, and they had two danghters-Ruth, who mar- ried Charles E., son of Samuel S. Wright, now resides at the Street, on one of the Hoyt homesteads; her husband died suddenly; Mary L. married Harry W. Bingham, of West Cornwall, where she resides. Mr. Cook married for his second wife Hila, daughter of Jeremiah Lee, of Bridport, who, with one daugh- ter, survives him; they are now residents of Middlebury. Major Cook died in the spring of 1874. His only son, Charles B., died soon after at the age of twenty-seven years. This farm was sold soon after to William D. Lane, of Cornwall, who was a florist and seedsman. He now resides in Middlebury, and the farm is owned by Fred Hammond and Norman C. Brooks. The Cook mansion was burned about six years since.

Thomas Dickinson, a Revolutionary soldier, came to New Haven in 1785, locating near the falls at Brooksville, where he built the first saw-mill on that site.

Lemuel B. Eldredge was born in Mansfield, Tolland county, Conn., July 19, 1777. The family were of Scotch descent, the great-grandfather of Lemuel having emigrated to Rhode Island at an early day, and thence his grandfather removed to Connecticut. Deacon Lemuel Eldredge and his son, Lemuel B., came to Vermont in 1798, locating upon the farm now in the possession of Julius L. Eldredge, of New Haven, son of Lemuel B., the latter preceding his father's arrival a few months. But upon the arrival of his father, Lemuel B. moved to another part of the town, where, for several years and until his father's death, he resided on a farm near New Haven East Mills. After the

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death of his father, Lemuel B. sold his farm and removed to his late father's homestead, where he resided until his death, January 10, 1864, in the eighty- seventh year of his age. Mr. Eldredge was married to Martha Thall, of Mans- field, Conn., in 1798, just before their removal to Vermont. Fourteen children were born to them, of whom four sons and four daughters arrived at maturity, two only of whom are now living, Deacon Julius L. Eldredge, of Middlebury, and A. W. Eldredge, of Colton, St. Lawrence county, N. Y. Mrs. Eldredge survived her husband's death until August, 1869, dying at the age of ninety- three years. In July, 1830, continued and heavy rains swelled the sources of New Haven River until the latter became a torrent of devastation. Buildings, bridges, crops, and stock were swept to destruction. Mr. Eldredge wrote and published an account of the flood soon after, in which he described many in- cidents with thrilling power and pathos. He, with his son and others, were surrounded by the rapidly-rising waters, while they were attempting the rescue of two families who lived near the stream. So suddenly did the waters rise, and with such impetuosity did they rush, that the houses and barns containing the doomed people were torn from their foundations in a few minutes, and all were swept down by the angry torrent, but few escaping. Mr. Eldredge was on a hastily-constructed raft with his son and a few others. He and one other escaped. There were twenty-one persons on the surrounded space when the waters reached them. Of this number, seven of a family named Stewart, five of another named Wilson, Mr. Eldredge's son Loyal, and Peter Summers were drowned.

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History of Addison county Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 63

Author: Smith, H. P. (Henry Perry), 1839-1925. 1n Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & co. Number of Pages: 988

Author: Smith, H. P. (Henry Perry), 1839-1925. 1n
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & co.
Number of Pages: 988