History of Chittenden County, Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 104

Author: Rann, W. S. (William S.)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 1054

USA > Vermont > Chittenden County > History of Chittenden County, Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 104

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Denham, James, Shelburne, was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, in 1834. He settled in Shelburne, Vt., in 1852, in the employ of the Champlain Transportation Company as a machinist, and soon after became a master mechanic. He remained in the employ of this company until 1883, when he was appointed chief engineer, a position which he resigned in the fall of 1884. He was appointed U. S. local inspector of steamboats of the district of Burling- ton, Vt., in 1881, resigned the office in the summer of 1886, and purchased the prop- erty in Shelburne Falls known as the grist-mill and saw-mill, and owns and operates the same at the present time. He was married in 1860 to Kate Stuart, who was born in Rockburn, Province of Quebec. She died in 1867, leaving three children, James T., Jessie S., and Kate S. James then married his second wife, Mary Cain, of Rockburn, Province of Quebec, on June 16, 1869. They have had a family of nine children born to them, Ada, Fred, Maud, Florence, Ger- trude, George, Ernest, Stuart, and Lois. James Denham was a son of George and Elizabeth (Rutherford) Denham, who were born and married in Edinburgh, Scotland. They settled in Canada in 1832. George died in Montreal, Canada, and Elizabeth died in Leith, Scotland, leav- ing a family of two sons and four daughters.

Dodge, William H., Charlotte, was born in Shrewsbury, Vt., in 1859. He was brought up on the farm, and at an early age started in life as a clerk, after which he was engaged as a brake- man on the Central Vermont Railroad, where he lost his right arm while performing his duties in 1785. He was soon after put in charge of important positions of trust, which he now occupies. He was appointed general ticket, telegraph, express, and station agent, at Charlotte, Chittenden county, Vt., in 1877. He is now largely engaged in the culture of bees, and is the second larg- est producer in the State, having four large yards. He was a son of Oliver and Lodusky (Shippu) Dodge. They had a family of three sons born to them, Herman O., William H., and Frank L. Oliver was born in Canada, Province of Quebec, in 1809, and came to Shrewsbury with his father, John Dodge, in 1812, after which he became a successful farmer, and now owns a farm of 200 acres in Wallingford, Vt.

Dunlap, George, Westford, was a native of Massachusetts, and came to Westford, Vt., dur- ing his boyhood. He married Eunice Farnsworth, a daughter of Joel Farnsworth, by whom he had a family of two children ; Sarah, the eldest daughter, married Alfred G. Varney. Others of the family still reside in Westford, Vt., and are a highly respected family. George Dunlap died in January, 1871. His wife, Eunice, died in February, 1870.

Douglas, S. S., Williston, is a farmer in Williston, Vt., and was born in Louisville, St. Law- rence county, New York, on June 9, 1811. He was a son of Daniel and Sarah (Messenger) Douglas. His father was a native of Chelsea, Vt., and settled in Williston in 1817, where he lived and died, his death occurring at his son Sheldon's home in 1883, in the ninety-fifth year of his age. His wife (Sarah Messenger) died six years before him, in her ninety-first year. They had a family of seven children, Seth Sheldon, Cynthia, Cassius (deceased), Milo, Henry (de- ceased), Louise and Maria. His maternal grandfather was Roderick Messenger, who was an early pioneer in Jericho, Vt., coming with Governor Thomas Chittenden. His paternal grand- father was Ivory Douglas, one of the first settlers of Chelsea, Vt. S. Sheldon Douglas has al- ways resided in Chittenden county, Vermont. In 1835 he purchased a farm of 500 acres in Jericho, Vt., known as the Noah Chittenden farm, 300 acres of which was woodland, consisting largely of pine. In 1841 he changed with Rufus Bishop for a dairy farm of 300 acres in Hinesburg, Vt., and in 1845 purchased an additional 200 acres. In 1854 he sold his Hinesburg farm, and bought a farm of 300 acres in Williston. In 1871 he sold out to his son William, and bought a farm of 106 acres, where he now resides. He has been twice married. His first wife was Mary Ann Brownell, a daughter of Samuel and Zeruah (Forbes) Brownell, of Williston, Vt., and by whom he had four children, William B., Nelson J., Daniel, and Mary Z. His second wife was Miranda (Fay) (Pine), a daughter of Safford and Rhoda Fay, of Richmond, Vt. His children are all deceased but William B., who resides on the old farm in Williston.

Edson, Simeon H., Colchester, Winooski p. o., is a carpenter and farmer, and was born in

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HISTORY OF CHITTENDEN COUNTY.

Morrisville, Vt., on July 8, 1828. He was a son of Austin and Eliza (Bundy) Edson. ] mother settled in Colchester, Vt., in 1836, where she married James Wright, who settled on 1 farm which is now owned and occupied by Simeon H., and where his mother died in 18 Simeon H. was brought up in Randolph, Vt., where he remained until nineteen years of a. when he came to Colchester, Vt., where he has since resided. He has been married twi His first wife was Augusta Leonard, of Nashua, N. H., by whom he had four children, Em: E., Clara C., Charles L., Julius H. His second wife was Mary A. Reilly. Mr. Edson has hi many of the offices in his town.

Ellis, John, Huntington, first came to Richmond, Vt., about the year 1800. He married Cat erine Bunker, of Huntington, Vt., and by her had a family of two children, John Bard and Guy John B. married Jane Gotham, of Lancaster, Vt., and by her had a family of four childre Cynthia, John M., Emma Jane, and Ellen A. John B. Ellis gave each of his children $1,0 at their marriage. He served during the late war as second sergeant Co. F, Thirteenth Vermc Vol. infantry, under the command of Colonel Randell. Guy D. Ellis married Sarah A Nichols, of Richmond, Vt., by whom he had a family of two children, Ella and Carrie Guy D. Ellis has been very frequently called upon to hold many of the town offices, and is man of excellent judgment in business matters. The probate court selects Mr. Ellis as admi istrator on frequent occasions. These substantial sons of John Ellis are among the best know and respected citizens of Huntington, Vt., and both enjoy the comforts of home honestly c tained through honest toil.

Evarts, James, Colchester, Winooski p. o., proprietor of the Stevens House at Winooski, V was born in Georgia, Vt., on July 28, 1823. He was a son of Jonathan T. and Electa (Wilco Evarts, who came from Connecticut, and were of English descent, and were among the ear settlers of Georgia, Vt. His uncle, Jeremiah Evarts, is the father of William Evarts, senat from New York. Jonathan settled in Georgia, Vt., in 1787, and was one of the original pr prietors of the township. James was reared in Georgia, Vt., where he engaged in farmi: up to 1881, when he removed to Burlington, Vt., and the same year settled in Winooski, V and embarked in the hotel business, a business which he has carried on to the present tin and in which he has been very successful. He purchased the Stevens House in 1883. T building was built by Edwards and Stevens in 1867 and 1868, and is a three-story brick. is one of the best hotels in the county. James Evarts was married in 1851 to Lura A. Alle a daughter of Abijah and Eunice (Grant) Allen, of Fairfield, Vt. They have had one child bo to them, Allen J. Mrs. Evarts was a niece of Heman Allen, late member of Congress.

Farrand, Zenas H., Essex, is a botanist largely engaged in collecting indigenous roo herbs, barks, etc. Was born in Hinesburg, Vt., December 19. 1829. He was a son Stephen and Betsey (Hastings) Farrand. Stephen Farrand was born February 1, 1796, al married to Betsey Hastings, a daughter of John and Polly (Abbot) Hastings, of Hyde Par Vt., November 17, 1828. Her parents were among the first settlers in Hyde Park, comi from New Hampshire on horseback, moving all their goods in a pair of saddle-bags and a ları silk handkerchief. They soon had a log shanty, with a stump for a table. This was a ha year, being compelled to subsist largely, during the fore part of the season, on herbage, groun nuts and berries, and in the winter their only food consisted of half a bushel of corn pound in a hole in the top of a stump, with the head of an axe for a pestle; this was mixed with jelly made by boiling hasswood buds in water and with a little salt was their only food for tw months. His paternal parents were Joseph and Ruth (Hines) Farrand, natives of New Milfor Conn., from where he and his family and Joseph Farrand, sr. (born January 1, 1728, and die in Hinesburg, March 28, 1806), came to Hinesburg, being among the pioneers of Hinesbur coming there in 1787. Joseph Farrand, jr., was born January 7, 1759, and died on June 2 1840. He was a soldier, serving during the whole of the Revolutionary struggle, and fro long hardship and exposure contracted a cold that so affected his head and left hip and leg th he was always lame, and for the last thirty-five years of his life was unable to go a step on with crutches, and the last twenty years was totally blind and very deaf. His children we Laura, Benjamin, Clarissa, Almira and Stephen. Stephen resided in Hinesburg, Vt., un April, 1855, when he settled in Essex, Vt., where he died October 5, 1868. Mother was bo June 17, 1779, and died February 22, 1849. They had two children -Zenas H. and Mary . Zenas H. Farrand settled in Essex, Vt., in 1855, and was married in October, 1867, to Maria R. Phillips, oldest daughter of Solomon and Susannah (Sherman) Phillips, of Hinesburg. V Zenas H. and Marion R. Farrand have a family of six children now living - Laura J., Frai II., Mary L., Betsey S., Gertrude M. and Zenas W. P. Mary A. Farrand settled in Essex, V in 1855, and married Wesley Hazelton, of Essex, Vt., March, 1857. They have a family I wo children living - Flora E. and Zenas W. He represented the town in the Legislature 1859, and in 1861 raised a company of militia and went to Virginia as captain of Co. I, 6 Vermont Vols. His parents, Samuel and Rachel (Shattuck) Hazelton, were among the pionee of Essex, Vt.

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BRIEF PERSONALS.

Fay, Alfred C., Williston, was born in Williston, Vt., on March 6, 1843. He served two years in Co. E, Ist Cavalry, in the late War of the Rebellion. He was a son of Roswell B. and Ann (Cutter) Fay. His paternal grandfather, John Fay, was a son of Nathan Fay, who settled in Richmond, Vt., in 1790. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and partici- pated in the battle of Bennington, and was a son of John Fay, who was killed at the battle. The grandfather of Alfred C. settled in Williston, Vt., in 1790. He had a family of seven children -- Roswell B., Electa, Roxana, Daniel B., Julius, Edith and Hiram. Of these children Roswell B. settled in Williston, Vt., in 1838, and engaged in farming. He always took an active part in public affairs, representing the town in the Legislature for several terms, and was probate judge for several years. He had a family of four children - Marcia E., John M., Al- fred C., Cynthia R. Alfred C. was married in 1879 to Adelaide Brownell, a daughter of George W. and Almira (Barry) Brownell, of Williston, Vt.

Fay, Nathan, Richmond, a direct descendant of the famous Fay family, of Revolutionary days, was born at Bennington, Vt., on November 15, 1760, and settled in Richmond, Vt., about the year 1786 on the farm on which his grandson Safford now resides. Nathan married Mary Safford, who bore him ten children -- John, Nathan (who died in childhood), Henry, Nathan 2d, Polly, Safford, Hiram, Jonas, Joseph and Truman. Of these children Nathan married Polly Murray for his first wife, by whom he had one child, Nathan Murray Fay, now of Essex. His second wife was Polly Colby, by whom he had the following children: Safford, Sarah, Sarah Ann, Martha, Harry C., Enos and Elliott and Arnold C. Safford, the son of the pioneer, married Armina M. Brownson, of Richmond, Vt. Their children were Ellen, Francis, Fred- erick W. and Eugene H. The farm on which Safford Fay now resides has been in the family for over a hundred years, and the residence which is now occupied by him was built in 1809. He represented his town in the Legislature of Vermont in 1882.

Finney, Mitchell J., Hinesburg, was born in Burlington, Vt., in 1844. He enlisted in Co. E, First Vt. Cavalry, on January 7, 1862, under Colonel Platt, and served three years and nine- teen days, and was discharged at Winchester, Virginia, in February, 1865, being disabled from wounds received on November 12, 1864. He first settled in Hinesburg, Vt., in 1857, and en- gaged in farming. He has been lister and held many of the town and district offices. He was married in 1868 to Caroline Mason, who was born in Hinesburg, Vt., in 1849. They have had one son born to them, Frank F., in 1876. Caroline (Mason) Finney was a daughter of Samuel and Abigail (Wyman) Mason. Abigail was born in Hinesburg, Vt., and was a daughter of Abel and Polly Wyman, and Abel was born in 1794 and died in 1861. He was born in Claren- don, Vt., and was a son of Israel and Mary Wyman, who settled in this county about 1815 and purchased a large tract of land, consisting of some thousand acres, and engaged in farming, lumbering and stock raising until his death in 1861. Polly (Nois) Wyman was born in Cor- inth in 1798 and died April 11, 1876. Samuel Mason was born in Starksboro, Vt., and died in the West.

Flanagan, George W., Hinesburg, was born in Hinesburg, Vt., in 1836. He is now owner and proprietor of the Hinesburgh Hotel, purchasing the property in 1869, it being the early and prominent house of the county. He was married in December, 1857, to Loraine H. Benedict. They have had five children born to them-Lucy L., Gertrude, Georgiana, Josephine and Mary Ellen. George W. Flanagan was a son of Howell C. and Eliza (Love) Flanagan, who were married on October 5, 1829. Eliza died in 1879, leaving three children -- Lucy, George W. and Lizzie. Howell C. Flanagan was a son of John F. and Martha (Towner) Flanagan, of Ad- dison county, Vt. They died in Vergennes, Vt. They had ten children born to them, three of whom are now living - Howell, Martha and Ursula. Loraine H. (Benedict) Flanagan was a daughter of Levy F. and Olla (Manwell) Benedict. She was born in Richmond, Vt., in June, 1811, and they were married in Hinesburg, Vt., in 1831. Levi F. was born in Hinesburg, Vt., in 1808 and died in 1866. They had twelve children born to them, two sons and ten daughters.

Flanagan, Howell C., Hinesburg, was born in Vergennes, Vt., in 1809. He learned the tan and currier trade in Vergennes, Vt., and settled in Hinesburg, Vt., in 1827 and engaged in the tanning and farming business for many years. He was married on October 5, 1829, to Eliza Love. She died in 1879, leaving a family of three children -- Lucy, George W. and Lizzie, Eliza was a daughter of George W. and Lucy (Place) Love, who were natives of Rhode Island, but settled in Hinesburg, Vt., about 1800, where Eliza was born. Howell C. married his second wife, Mrs. Rebecca O. Griffin, in 1881. Howell C. Flanagan wasa son of John F. and Martha (Towner) Flanagan, who died in Vergennes, Vt. They had a family of ten children, three of whom are now living -- Howell C., Martha and Ursula.

Fletcher, William, Essex, of the firm of Fletcher and Son, engaged in the grocery and butcher business, was born on February 17, 1835. He was a son of Samuel and Mary (Holmes) Fletcher, who emigrated to America in 1842, and settled in Fairfax, Vt. They afterward removed to Canada, where they died. William Fletcher settled in Essex, Vt., in 1855 and engaged in farm-

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HISTORY OF CHITTENDEN COUNTY.

ing, in which he engaged until 1865, when he embarked in his present business, and in 1878 his son entered partnership with him, and they are now doing business under the firm name of Fletcher & Son. He has always taken an active part in all public affairs of the town. He has held the office of justice of the peace, was elected representative of his town in 1884, and was also chairman of the committee on highways, bridges and ferries.

Foote, George A., Charlotte, East Charlotte p. o., was born in Charlotte, Vt., in 1839. He has been lister three terms, was first selectman three terms, and held other minor town offices. He was a merchant for several years and retired in 1885. He is now engaged in the culture of fruit and in the general farming and shipping business. He was married in 1861 to Martha A. Clark, a daughter of Homer and Elvira Clark. They have had one son born to them, Darwin, born in 1862, and married to Florence Gove. George A. Foote was a son of Johnson and Sarah (Al- exander) Foote. Johnson Foote was born in 1802 and died in 1875; Sarah was born on May 17, 1803, and died in 1875. They were married on January 20, 1823. Johnson H. Foote was a son of Simeon Foote, a native of Connecticut. Sarah was a danghter of Elijah and Sylvia (Staples) Alexander. He was born in New Hampshire and she was born in Danby, Vt., and settled in this town in 1799.

Freeman, William Seymour, Richmond. was a native of Tolland, Hamden county, Mass., and was born on the 29th day of February, 1820. At the age of twenty-four years he came to Richmond, Vt. For several years he was engaged in the mercantile business, and with a part- ner had as many as fifteen peddling wagons on the road at one time. This business was subse- quently sold to his partner, Chauncey Norton. Mr. Freeman kept a hotel for a time at a place which was known as the "Chequered House," but during his later years has turned his attention to farming, at which he has been reasonably successful. He married Amanda M. Whitcomb, a daughter of Joshua Whitcomb, of Richmond, Vt., by whom he had five children: Emery L., Frank F., William De Witt (who died during childhood), Edwin Whitcomb, and William (who died at the age of four years). By frugality, industry and energy Mr. Freeman has succeeded well in life, now owning an extensive farm of about 800 acres, just out of the village. The house was for sixty years used as a hotel, and has stood for 100 years.

Gillett, Heman, Bolton, was a pioneer of Chittenden county. His children were Eliza, James M., Sidney, Miranda, Lake H., Marcia and Mary. Lake H. is the owner of a well located farm in Bolton, consisting of 380 acres. He married Miranda Dike, of Huntington, and has one child, Elna.

Gordon, William, and Mary (Thurber) Bolton, were married at Corinth, Vt., on the 4th day of July, 1844, and went to Berkshire to reside. In 1851 the family came to Bolton, Vt., where they have since resided. William Gordon was an invalid for many years, not being able to en- gage actively in business; still by careful management and good judgment he acquired a good property. His farm now consists of ahout 300 acres. The children of this family were Ann Maria, who died in 1860; Robert Truman, a rising young lawyer of Montpelier; William Franklin, who died in 1860; Robert, Abbie V., who married Henry Atchison of Morristown; John W., of Rochester, Mass .; George Mcclellan, of Bolton, Vt. William Gordon died in May, 1882. In politics he was a firm Democrat.

Halbert, Hon. Alfred B. (deceased), Essex, was born in Essex, Vt., on January 13, 1826. He was a son of Horace and Abigail (Bradley) Halbert. His paternal grandparents were John and Asenath ( Webb) Ilalbert, who were natives of Hinsdall, Mass., and settled in Essex, Vt., in 1807. His maternal grandfather, Samuel Bradley, was also a pioneer of Essex, Vt. Alfred B. received an academic education and always took an active part in all public affairs of the town. He was justice of the peace for twenty-nine years in succession, assistant judge of the county court in 1876-77 and 1878, represented his county in the State Senate in 1869 and 1870, was a member of the State Board of Agriculture from its organization, for many years. He was married in 1847 to Lois A. Page, a daughter of Ephraim R. and Louisa (Boynton) Page, of Fairfax, Vt. Mr. Halbert was an upright man and prominent in his own town and county. A public trust of some kind was ever in his hands and he was universally respected and beloved. He was a firm supporter of education and religion. All social and moral reforms had in him a strong advocate. He died universally respected and beloved.

Hale, William, Essex, is a farmer and surveyor, and was born in Walpole, N. H., on Febru- ary 20, 1805. He was a son of Sherburne and Callia (Cutter) Hale, and was reared in Wind- ham county, Vt. lle took up the profession of surveying at the time of the survey of the Rut- land and Burlington Railroad, which he has followed more or less up to the present time in the State of Vermont, New York, Canada, Massachusetts, Ohio and Michigan. IIe has been mar- ried twice. His first wife was Ansy Gibson, of Rockingham, Vt., by whom he had two chil- dren : Laura G. (Mrs. J. W. Davidson), and Henry C. (who is now a resident of Washington Territory and an engineer on the N. P. Railroad.) His present wife was Hannah R. Enos, of Lester, Vt. Mr. Ilale settled in Essex, Vt., in 1865, and has always resided here ever since.

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BRIEF PERSONALS.

Hapgood, Zeph., Essex, Essex Junction p. o., is proprietor of the "Junction House " and was born in Westford, Vt., on February 8, 1860. He was a son of Henry and Olive (Abbott) Hapgood. His paternal grandfather, Tillinghast Hapgood, and his maternal grandfather, Ira Abbott, were both pioneers of Jericho, Vt. Zeph. Hapgood was educated in Westford, Vt., and served four seasons as steward on the steamers Horicon and Ticonderoga, on Lake George. He was also steward on the steamer A. Williams for eight years, which plied the water of Lake Champlain. He settled in Essex Junction, Vt., in the fall of 1885, and embarked in his present business. He was married on September 12, 1885, to Minnie Hughes, of New York city.

Herrick, Warren T., Colchester, Winooski p. o., is a retired merchant and was born in Mor- ristown, Vt., on July 27, 1817. He was the son of Elisha and Zerviah (Tyler) Herrick, who were among the pioneers of Morristown, Vt., coming there from Waterbury, Vt., making the journey on horseback by marked trees. They were natives of Plainfield, N. H. Warren T. Herrick was brought up and educated in Morristown, Vt. He settled in Winooski in 1848, and engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed successfully up to 1870, when he retired from active business life, and since then he has been engaged in looking after his real estate. His wife was Lydia A. Small, a daughter of George and Orpha (Wilkins) Small, of Morristown, Vt. They have had two children born to them, Harriet A. (now Mrs. E. C. Mower) and Cor- nelia M. (now Mrs. E. R. Crandall). Mr. Herrick is a prominent citizen, and an active member of the Masonic fraternity.

Higbee, William W., Charlotte, was born in Charlotte, Vt., in 1842. He has been justice of the peace since 1872, was elected town clerk in 1871, lister two terms, and held many of the minor offices of the town. He is also a general farmer. He was married in 1867 to Julia A. Phillips, of Owatonna, Minnesota. She died in 1878, leaving one daughter, Carrie A. William W. then married his second wife, Ada S. Booth, of Ferrisburgh, Vt., on October 1, 1879. They have had one daughter born to them, Mabel A. His first wife, Julia A. Phillips, was a daughter of Henry Phillips, of Homer, N. Y. William W. Higbee was a son of Peter V. and Miranda (Harding) Higbee. She was born in Shelburne, Vt., in 1814, and he was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1811. They were married in 1838 and had a family of three children born to them, William W., Edwin W., and Caroline E. Peter V. represented Charlotte, Vt., in the Legisla- ture in 1861 and 1862 and held all of the important offices as well as minor offices of the town. He was a son of William and Olive (Van Vliete) Higbee, who settled in Charlotte, Vt., in 1816. William was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., in 1772. They had a family of eight children born to them, five of whom are now living, Hannah, Sabrina, Sarah, Peter V., and Caroline. Miranda Higbee was a daughter of Caleb and Judith (Bartlett) Harding, who settled in this county about 1790.

Hill, jr., Thomas Chittenden, Charlotte, was born in Charlotte, Chittenden county, Vt., in 1824. on the homestead farm which was purchased by his grandfather in 1782, and reared on the farm which he now owns and occupies. He was married in 1866 to Lovina Brady, who was born in Charlotte, Vt. She died in 1868, and Thomas then married for his second wife Mary H. Prindle, of Charlotte, Vt. She was a daughter of Midas M. Prindle and Sarah (Hig- bee) Prindle. They have had a family of four sons born to them, Thomas C., jr., Henry P., Martin C., and Midas M. The Hill family is one of the oldestin the county. Thomas, jr., was a son of Thomas and Lovina (Tupper) Hill. She was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., on May 21, 1788, and died on February 4, 1849, and he died on March 4, 1865. They had a family of nine children born to them, four of whom are now living, George, James, Thomas C., and Elizabeth H. Thomas, sr., was a justice of the peace, a selectman, and held many other offices in the town. He was a son of James Hill, whose wife was sister of Governor Chittenden.

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History of Chittenden County, Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 104

Author: Rann, W. S. (William S.) Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co. Number of Pages: 1054

Author: Rann, W. S. (William S.)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 1054