History of Addison county Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 94

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 94

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After leaving college Mr. Battell took up the study of law, spending one year in the office of Mr. Williams, of Hartford, Ct., and one year in the New Haven Law School, and was ad-

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PHILIP BATTELL, ESQ.

mitted to the bar in 1829. Then commenced the customary struggles of the young lawyer to establish himself in his profession. After four years of more or less successful practice in Con- necticut, he was induced to accept of a promising opening in the city of Cleveland, Ohio, then in the Far West. The five years spent here were years of delightful activity, when many valued friendships were formed to be broken only by death, and when the enthusiasm and enterprise of the newly-formed and growing community made their indelible mark upon the character.

In 1836 Mr. Battell had married the accomplished daughter of Hon. Horatio Seymour, a prominent lawyer of Middlebury and for many years a United States Senator. In 1838 her failing health impelled Mr. Battell to remove his residence from Cleveland to Middlebury. But the tenderest ministries of her husband and of her own family were unavailing; and, after a long illness, Mrs. Battell died on the 3d of November, 1841, leaving two young children, now Mrs. John W. Stewart and Mr. Joseph Battell, of Middlebury.

Since this time Mr. Battell has continued to reside in Middlebury. Here his best work has been done; here his influence has been most felt for all that is good in education, in social cult- ure, and in letters. It is too soon to give in detail the record of a useful life which, we trust, is to continue for years to come. Mr. Battell has enjoyed the enviable privilege of a life of learned leisure and of unceasing activity. He was at one time the editor and manager of a literary weekly called The Topaz, a journal which, in those days that antedate the railroad and the telegraph, would compare favorably with any paper published in the country. He has been the prime mover in many of those public improvements which have made the village of Middle- bury so dear to its residents and so attractive to strangers. The beautiful park east of the Episcopal Church was a dreary waste until Mr. Battell organized the movement to grade and enclose it, and to plant trees and construct walks. Many persons in passing by the Congrega- tional Church have had their attention attracted to three handsome, thrifty trees, forming a tri- angle at the meeting of Pleasant street and Main street. Citizens in the future will take pleas- ure in knowing that these trees commemorate the public spirit of three of their honored pred- ecessors - the oak having been planted by Mr. Joseph Warren, the elm by Mr. S. B. Rockwell, and the hickory by Mr. Philip Battell.

But it is in the line of historical research that Mr. Battell has done his chief work. He was one of the founders of the Middlebury Historical Society in 1843, and, excepting an inter- val of four years, has been its perennial secretary down to the present day. Under the direc- tion of this society four volumes of town histories in a complete form and of high merit have been published. Mr. Battell has been unwearied in his efforts to collect all useful information from the oldest citizens in all parts of the county. Even enterprises of a scientific character and pertaining to matters in other parts of New England have found in him a generous and an indispensable friend. It is chiefly due to his energy and enthusiasm that for forty-three years without interruption Forefathers' Day has been celebrated in Middlebury, and in such a manner as to make the celebration one of the great events of the year. This anniversary has been kept in like manner in no other town of New England except in Plymouth itself.

The portrait that accompanies this sketch was copied from an ambrotype taken in July, 1858, and sent to his daughter, then absent in Europe. It was regarded as life-like at the time, and, as engraved from a photograph copy, may be regarded as representing him at the age of fifty.

It would be unbecoming in us to attempt to describe the character, or to sum up the career, of one who is still living and engaged in the active duties of life. But we trust we shall be pardoned for quoting a few words of warm affection from his life-long friend, Dr. Truman M. Post, of St. Louis:

" My acquaintance with Mr. Battell began when he was in college, three years in advance of me. He was then a general favorite. His bright and genial temperament, his frank and gen- erous bearing, his refinement of taste and feeling, and his classic and belles-lettres culture - com- bined with quick and kindly tact and a thorough honor - made him one of the most delightful of companions, admired and beloved of his classmates, and respected by all. At this time, although I was a freshman and he was a senior, I was drawn, more than is usual between

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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.

classes, into personal acquaintance with him, as the intimate and highly appreciated friend and classmate of my eldest brother, M. M. Post; and he grew with me very much to the position of an ideal, in many things, of culture and character in youthful manhood - an admiring affection of my early youth, which has been strengthened and confirmed by the personal friendship of maturer years.

"Liberal and generous in his caste of thought, yet conservative of the best elements and noblest type of New England character and civilization, and ever of loyal interest in the im- provement, material, social, intellectual, and moral, of the region in which he lived -he is en- titled to recognition amid the beneficent forces in its history. These qualities, together with his courteous offices and genial hospitality, have contributed much toward making Middlebury and its vicinage, as well as his own home, of pleasant and attractive memories to strangers visiting from abroad, and will permanently associate his name with the village and county of his residence ; where his age, wearing still much of the freshness of earlier years, and grouping around it the love and honor of children and grandchildren who worthily represent him, and the grateful respect of a large circle of friends, is felt as a continuous benediction."

R' EMELE, LOYAL CASE, was born in the town of Whiting, Addison county, Vt., May 5, 1807, the eldest son of Jonathan and Clarissa (Hutchinson) Remele. John Remele, his grandfather, was a minister in the Congregational Church, owned a farm in the town of Whit- ing, and was pastor of the Congregational Church in that place, and was a chaplain in the War of the Revolution, in Colonel Doolittle's regiment. He had four children-three sons and one daughter. The sons were Jonathan, Samuel, and Stephen. The daughter was Polly. Jona- than married Clarissa Hutchinson, and by her had two children, Loyal Case and Almon. The latter died when but three or four years of age. The father died when Loyal C. was about five years of age, and his mother married for her second husband Rev. Mason Knapen, who preached in the Congregational Churches of Orwell, Sudbury, and Hinesburg, and from the latter place moved to Richland, Mich., where he and his wife died within a few weeks of each other, in the year 1857. Two of their children are living, viz .: Lucinda, wife of Stillman Jackson, a farmer, and Ashmun, a presiding elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in Michigan.

At the age of thirteen Loyal C. left his home and for a few years went to live with his Grandfather Hutchinson. He was then bound out until of age to Asa Jones, of Shoreham.

For two or three years after reaching his majority he worked by the month among the neighboring farmers. He married, February 6, 1832, Samantha, daughter of John and Sally Barker, of Leicester. She was born in Leicester February, 1804. After her death, leaving no children, Mr. Remele married for his second wife, May 17, 1852, Alma, daughter of Timothy and Polly (Smith) Alden. She was born February 5, 1810, in Leicester. She is a descendant in the sixth generation from John Alden, one of the Pilgrim Fathers who came over in the Mayflower in 1620. He was a magistrate of Plymouth Colony for more than fifty years. He was born in 1599, and died in Duxbury September 12, 1689.

The first year after his first marriage Mr. Remele lived in Leicester, then moved to Whiting, where he remained four years, then moved to Shoreham, on to the farm where he has resided ever since.

Mr. R. has devoted his life to farming, and, like most farmers in Addison county, has devoted especial attention to the breeding of the Spanish Merino sheep. His flock is No. 145 of the Vermont Flock Register. -

As Mr. Remele states it, he was born a Whig, and from that drifted easily into the Repub- lican party, and has been a firm adherent of that party.

A.LITTLE,

LOYAL C. REMELE.

APPENDIX.

BRIEF PERSONALS.

A BBOTT, GEORGE W., Middlebury, was born in Bristol, Addison county, Vt., on May 18, 1832. His parents were Aretus and Miranda (Cobb) Abbott. Aretus Abbott was born in New Hampshire, and came with his father, Elisha Abbott, to Addison county, Vt., about 1824, and settled in the town of Weybridge, Vt. Elisha Abbott was a blacksmith by trade. Aretus worked in Rutland at nail making, and also at the blooming business, in which business he engaged in Bristol, Addison county, Vt. He came to East Middlebury in 1836. He had a family of three daughters and one son, three of whom are now living. Mr. Aretus Abbott died in 1864. George W. was educated in the common schools and at an early age learned the trade of his father, that of bloomer, and continued to work at that in East Middlebury until 1862, when he enlisted in Company E, Fourteenth Vermont Infantry, participated in the bat- tle of Gettysburgh, and served out his term of enlistment. His health being permanently im- paired, he returned to East Middlebury and again took up his former occupation, which he has since followed. He was married in 1854 to Lucy A. Fay. They have had one daughter, Isabella, who died at the age of twenty years. Mr. Abbott married his second wife, Eliza E. Chapman, in 1879. She was a daughter of Wm. Chapman, a well-known resident of Middle- bury, Vt. He occupies a very fine residence in East Middlebury.

Alden, Charles, Vergennes, was born in Addison, Vt., in 1853. He has been a contract builder for several years, and in 1885 he formed the firm of Alden & Cotey, and now is en- gaged in the manufacture of sash, blinds, doors, and is doing a general carpenter trade and job building. He was married in 1872 to Angeline Bricot, who was born in Canada. They have had a family of three children born to them-Jennie, Louis E., and Lena Belle. Charles Alden was a son of John and Thursey (Murray) Alden. Thursey was born in Canada in 1823 and John was born in 1822. They were married in Canada, and have had a family of six children born to them, three sons and three daughters. John Alden was a son of Peter Alden, who was a native of Vergennes, and whose father was a native of France and settled in Vergennes, Vt., at an early day.

Allen, Ephron, Ferrisburgh, Vergennes p. o., was born on May 9, 1822. He has held sev- eral offices of the town and district. He now owns a part of the old Allen homestead in con- nection with his large farm. He was married in September 9, 1847, to Abigail Amelia Ward, who was born in Waltham, Vt., in 1824. They had a family of four children, three sons and one daughter (who died at an early age) : Chester W., Henry E., and Ethan J. Amelia A. was a daughter of Chester and Abigail (Hawkins) Ward, she a native of Waltham, Vt., and he a native of Connecticut. Chester W. Allen married Ella Hopkins, of Panton, in 1872; she died in 1879, leaving one son, John H. Henry E. married Mary E. Young, of Illinois, in January, 1879. Mr. Ephron Allen was a son of William and Lucretia (Putnam) Allen, and a brother of Putnam Allen.

Allen, Judge Norman J., Ferrisburgh, North Ferrisburgh p. o., was born in Phelps, N. Y., on March 31, 1818, and settled in North Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1838, when he began business as a merchant, a branch of trade which proved a success to him, and in which he engaged until his retirement from mercantile life in 1860. He made but few changes in his business, but through all these he still remained chief. He was also engaged in the milling business under the firm name of Allen & Percival, which property they still hold and rent. He served as asso- ciate judge of Addison county, Vt., with Court Judge Pierpoint, and also with Judges Slade and Ferry. He has been lister, justice of the peace of his town, and also held other offices. He was married on December 15, 1841, to Sarah Martin, who was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., and was a daughter of Stoddard Martin. She died on April 10, 1873, leaving three children, Mar- tin Fletcher, Anna Caroline, and Stoddard Norman. Norman J. then married his second wife, Mrs. Lucinda Palmer (widow of James Palmer), on December 17, 1873. She had one daughter by her first husband, Abbie Palmer (now Mrs. Dean). Lucinda was a daughter of Medad

HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.

Martin. Norman J. Allen was a son of Cyrus and Sally (Fleteher) Allen, who were born in Woodstock, Vt. Mrs. Sally Allen died on August 8, 1818, and was buried at Clyde, N. Y., when Norman was brought to Woodstock, Vt. He remained there until reaching the age of fourteen years, when he went to Jericho, and there clerked and attended the academy. From there he went to Bristol, Vt., where he went into business at the age of nineteen years. From Bristol, Vt., he eame to Ferrisburgh in 1838.

Allen, Putnam, Ferrisburgh, Vergennes p. o., was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in January, 1816. He has been selectman two terms, lister three terms, a justice of the peace, and county grand juryman, and represented his district in the Legislature in 1872, and now owns 387 aeres, and a farm of 100 acres, which was a part of the old homestead purchased in 1800. He was married in 1839 to Mary Ann Beach, a daughter of Stephen and Ann (Penfield) Beach. She died in 1881 leaving a family of eight children, five of whom are now living - Sarah Ann, Mary L., Emerett, Ellen M., and Fred W. Putnam Allen was a son of Wm. and Lucretia. (Putnam) Allen. She was born in Canada on February 19, 1797, and he was born in Dorset, Vt., on February 8, 1792, and they were married on April 23, 1812. They had a family of nine children born to them, six of whom are now living - Isbon (born 1813), Putnam, William (born 1820), Ephron (born 1822), Orrin N. (born 1834), and Marion (born 1825). Obadiah Allen enlisted in the Second Vermont Infantry and died at Fair Haven court-house on December 30, 1862. William Allen served in the War of 1812 and was a son of Obadiah and Hannah (Gage) Allen, who settled in this town in 1800 on the old homestead, where they died.

Andrus, S. S., Cornwall, was born in Cornwall, Addison county, Vt., on October 7, 1819. His parents were Ethan and Abigail (Skinner) Andrus. Ethan Andrus was born in Cornwall, Vt., about 1793, and was a son of Eldad Andrus, who was a pioneer in the early settlement of Cornwall and settled on the place now owned by Mrs. Holley. He afterward settled on the farm which is the home of his grandson, where he spent the latter part of his life. Ethan Andrus also spent part of his life on the same place until late in life, when he moved to West Cornwall. He was a successful business man, and had a family of four daughters and one son. Three daughters and one son are now living. He died October 9, 1873. S. S. Andrus was. educated in the common schools of Addison and received a fair education. He was engaged a great deal in the buying and selling of live stock, and was married about 1842 to Olive Howe, who was a daughter of Solomon Howe, who was a farmer and well-known resident of Bridport, Vt. They have one daughter, Revillo, now the wife of J. M. Tracy, of West Cornwall, Vt. Mr. Andrus has always lived on the farm, and owns between 450 and 460 acres in Cornwall and Bridport. He never aspired to offiee, but is a prominent citizen and a self-made and industrious man.

Atwood, J. Q., Cornwall, was born in Cornwall, Addison county, Vt., on August 13, 1825, and was the oldest son of Benjamin and Cynthia (Eastman) Atwood. Benjamin Atwood was. born in Sandown, New Hampshire, on December 5, 1791, and came with his father, Benjamin Atwood, sr., to Addison county, Vt., at the beginning of this century, remaining in Cornwall two or three years, and at the end of that time removing to Rutland county, Vt. He then with his parents started for the State of Pennsylvania, but while on their way there his parents died. Their seven children then made their way back to Vermont in 1803. He learned the wheelwright trade with Luther Tilden, a trade which he followed for eight years. He purchased the Scovell farm, where he lived many years. He had a family of two daughters and three sons, thrce of whom are now living, J. Q., Amos E., and M- C. He also read law in the office of Peter Starr, of Middlebury, Vt. He died on September 30, 1882. J. Q. Atwood was educated in the common schools of Addison, and received a very fair education. He was married on Septein- ber 20, 1849, to Sarah T. E. Stearns, who was a daughter of Abijah Stearns, a farmer and well- known citizen of Cornwall, Vt. They have two children, John Walter, who is a farmer and resides on the farm, and Mary E., who died in infancy. After he was married Mr. Atwood had his residence on the place now the home of H. D. Scovell, and remained there two years, when he removed to Bristol and there dealt in real estate, and in 1858 he settled in his present home and built his family residence. Hc has been lister of the town three years, and is a prosperous and self-made man.

Bacon, Frank H., Waltham, Vergennes p. o., was born in Waltham on May 11, 1857. He was married on September 29, 1885, to Hattie C. Bingham, a daughter of Hiram and Mar- ion (Ford) Bingham, of Cornwall, Vt. His parents were Osear A. and Julia A. (Stewart) Ba- con. Mrs. Bacon was a daughter of Helem and Eleanor (Humphrey) Stewart, of Weybridge, Vt. Her paternal grandfather was Brazilla Stewart, who settled in Bridport, Vt., in 1790, and was a son of James Stewart, who was a native of Connecticut, and settled in Addison, Vt., at an early day. Osear Bacon has had two children, Charles O. (deceased) and Frank H. He was a leading citizen and represented his town in 1861 and 1862. Frank H.'s paternal grand- father was Charles Baeon, who was born in Weybridge, Vt., on June 23, 1797. He was a son

iii

BRIEF PERSONALS.

of Samuel Bacon. who was a native of Connecticut, and an early pioneer of the town of Wey- bridge, Vt. Charles Bacon settled in Waltham, Vt., in 1833, on the farm now occupied by Frank H. Bacon. He took an active part in public affairs and represented his town in the Legislature in 1841, 1842, and 1846. His children were Walter M., Edgar A., Lorenza D., Oscar C., Sylvia R., Joseph M., and Josiah M. Oscar C. came into possession of the homestead in Waltham, Vt., in 1865, which he occupied until his death, which occurred in 1879. He was mar- ried on November 17, 1847, to Julia Stewart.

Bain, James, Bristol, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 22, 1820. His father, Andrew Bain, came to America with one son, Andrew, in 1830. settled in Lincoln, Vt., and in 1832 the mother came with four children from Glasgow to Lincoln, Vt. The children were William (who now resides in Lincoln, Vt.), Thomas (now a resident of Lincoln. Vt.), Archibald (deceased, died in Bristol, Vt.). They lived in Lincoln and Bristol, Vt., most of their lives. After their arrival in America they had three daughters born to them, Mary (now Mrs. Horace Dodge, of Northfield, Vt.), Harriet (now Mrs. George Varney, of Lincoln, Vt.). and Jeanette (now Mrs. Frank Briggs, of Bristol, Vt.). James Bain married Rhoda Bush, a daughter of Willaim Bush, of Lincoln, Vt., and by her had one child, Lewis, who died in 1855 at the age of fourteen years. Mr. Bain was selectman for two years, grand juror for several years, and is at present justice of the peace. His farm now consists of about seventy acres.

Bain, Charles H., Middlebury, was born in Bristol, Addison county, Vt., on July 6, 1839. His parents were Andrew and Harriett (Mills) Bain. Andrew Bain was born in Glasgow, Scotland, about 1818, and with his father, Andrew, sr., emigrated to America in 1830, and set- tled in the town of Lincoln, where Andrew, sr., died. Andrew, jr., after his marriage, with his wife and child journeyed to the State of Illinois in a canvas-covered wagon, and was absent. about a year. He then returned east and purchased a farm near Little Notch, south of Bristol, where he resided eight years, when he again went West, this time to Wisconsin, in the same manner as before, and squatted there for about two years, returning east in 1851; and in the following year he settled on the place now owned by his son Charles H. He lived on this place until 1871, when he purchased the place on Munger street, where he now resides. He had a family of two sons, Charles H. and Homer M. (who died in 1862 at the age of nineteen years). Charles H. was educated in the common schools, and brought up to farming. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Company E, Second Regiment sharpshooters, and took part in the skirmish at the taking of Fredericksburgh in the spring of 1862. He was with General Anger's brigade, under McDowell. When that brigade was being transferred by rail a collision occurred, in which about 100 men were injured, Mr. Bain among them. He was injured in the spine, sent to the hospital, and remained there nine months on duty as detail clerk, and orderly in distributing camp for several months, then transferred to veteran corps in the defenses at Washington till the expiration of term of services, which occurred on December 4, 1864. He was mustered out at Washington in December, and returned to civil life, and was married on February 7, 1865, to Emma Moor, who was a daughter of Chauncey Moor, of Middlebury, Vt. After his marriage he conducted the home place for six years, which he purchased in 1877, and now owns a fine place of 155 acres. They have three sons, Homer M., Burley C., and Casca R.

Baldwin, Henry R., Monkton, was born in Monkton, Vt., in 1836. He represented his town in 1872 and 1873 at Montpelier, Vt .; has been constable and collector for twenty-four years; was a justice of the peace fourteen years, and held other minor offices of the town. He is a general farmer. He was married on October 13, 1868, to Mary Mathewson, of Monkton, Vt. She was a daughter of Daniel Mathewson. Henry R. Baldwin was a sou of Roderick and Lydia (Lawrence) Baldwin. She was born in Monkton, Vt., in 1807, he was born in 1801, and they were married on September 22, 1834. They had a family of nine children born to them, seven of whom are now living-Henry R., Edwin D., Helen L., Hattie E., J. Nathan, Jennie, and Al- bert N. Guy L. Baldwin died February 25, 1883. Lydia Baldwin died on April 26, 1880 ; she was a daughter of Diah and Lucretia (Peck) Lawrence; and Roderick died on May 29, 1883. He was a son of Nathan G. and Abigail (Chamberlin) Baldwin. Nathan G. was born in New Milford, Conn., in 1767, and she was born in Kent in 1773, where they were married on April 18, 1793, after which they moved to Monkton, Vt., coming here with an ox team and sled in the winter of 1794, where they resided until the time of his death. They had a family of four children born to them -Isaac, Roderick, Electa, and Emeline.

Ball, George E., Ferrisburgh, North Ferrisburgh p. o., one of the prominent farmers of this town, was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1851. He now occupies a homestead of 300 acres, and is a general farmer and dairyman. He was married in 1872 to Flora Webb, of Ferrisburgh, Vt. They have had two children born to them-Dora M. and Benedict C. George E. Ball was a son of Michael and Delia (Champlin) Ball. Delia died in 1857, leaving a family of five children, three of whom are now living-Ezra, George, and Emma. Mr. Ball then married for his sec- ond wife Ann Spooner, by whom he had one son, Wiler E. Michael was a representative man

HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.

of his town; held many of the town offices, and represented his town for two terms. He was a son of Alvin and Mary (Siple) Ball, she a native of Addison county, Vt., and he of Pownal, Vt. They had a family of six children born to them-Alvin, jr., Stephen, Christina, Phebe, Michael, and Ansel O. Mr. Alvin Ball settled in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1795.

Ball, Artemus A., Ferrisburgh, North Ferrisburgh p. o., was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1846. He is an extensive farmer and dairyman, ard owns 200 acres in the northwest part of the town on the lake. He built a dock in 1879 and embarked in the coal business, which trade has largely increased yearly ever since. He is conveniently located for a large eastern trade. He is also engaged in general shipping. He was married in 1874 to Mary Chadbourne, who was born in Canada. They have had four children born to them - Anna U., Florence A., Jay S., and Guy C. Artemus A. Ball was a son of Stephen and Urana (Smedley) Ball, of Ferris- burgh, Vt., who were married in 1843. Mrs. Ball died on November 30, 1861, leaving a family of six children-Peter P., Artemus A., Wallace D., Louisa S., Ellen M., and Emerson C. Peter enlisted in Co. I, Sixth Vermont Regiment, and died in the hospital at Burlington, Vt.

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History of Addison county Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 94

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