History of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vermont : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers., Part 77

Author: Aldrich, Lewis Cass. ed. cn
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Syracuse, N. Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 930

USA > Vermont > Grand Isle County > History of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vermont : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers. > Part 77
USA > Vermont > Franklin County > History of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vermont : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers. > Part 77

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Rounds, Mckenzie W., grandson of Reuben Rounds, a pioneer of Richford, was born August 15, 1839. His father was William and his mother was Fanny (Heath) Rounds. The father went to California in 1849 and died there within two years. When a young man Mckenzie W. Rounds became a clerk in the store of Lester Rounds, and in 1864, having saved some money, he went into business for himself in the dry goods trade, in which, with the exception of about fifteen years, he has since been engaged. In 1865 he married Abbie, daughter of Guy Fletcher. In politics Mr. Rounds is a staunch Re- publican. He held the office of postmaster from 1865 to 1872 and again from 1880 to 1885. In 1872 he was elected to represent the town in the General Assembly. Reu- ben Rounds, the grandfather of Mckenzie W., raised to maturity a family of fourteen · children, but they and their descendants nearly all went to the West, leaving but few representatives of the Rounds surname now in the town.

Sears, Nathaniel, a pioneer in the county, was a brother of Alden Sears, who built the hotel known now as the Union House. Sherman W., son of Nathaniel, married Catherine Cook, and had by her eight children, of whom Frank C., born May 30, 1846, at Duxbury, Vt., was the second. In August, 1864, Frank C. with his father enlisted as recruits in Company A, Sixth Vermont Volunteers, serving about ten months, and both being mustered out of service at the close of the war on June 11, 1865. April 6, 1868, Mr. Sears married Addie C., daughter of John F. Powell, of Richford. In the fall of the same year he started in business in this village as a general merchant, in which he is still engaged.

Stanhope, Hiram S., born in Richford, March 8, 1816, was the grandson of Joseph Stanhope, a pioneer of the town. His parents, Joseph, jr., and Zebiah (Nutting) Stan- hope, had a family of eleven children, as follows: Harriet, Hiram S., Eliza, Miranda, Ezra, Samuel, Susanna, Ruth, Hazen, and two who died in infancy. Of these only four, Hiram S., Ezra, Samuel, and Susanna, are living. Hiram S. Stanhope has always been a farmer, and his is considered one of the best farms between Richford and Stevens Mills. It comprises 130 acres. Mr. Stanhope has been twice married, his first wife being Lavina, daughter of Porter Bliss. They had a family of nine children : Charles, Lucinda, Pruella, Mary, Amanda, Juliette, Orilla, Leona, and Celinda. His second wife, whom he married in 1866. was Lydia Hendricks, by whom he had three chil- dren : Joseph H., Gideon S., and Ethel L. Adeline (Hendricks) Stanhope was the daughter of Gideon and Adeline (Barrett) Hendricks, both of whose names stand for pioneers of Richford.

Willard, William Bliss, only child of Polly and Caleb (Bliss) Willard, was born in Richford, April 16, 1822. Caleb Willard was a native of Hartford and his wife, Polly, of Hartland, Vt. The father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and came to Richford soon after. He died in 1886, at the advanced age of ninety years. William B. Willard has always lived on a farm. He moved to his present residence nearly a score of years ago. In 1871 he built the steam saw-mill now standing a few rods northeast of his house, but of late years the management of this industry has been entrusted to his son and son-in-law. In 1884 Mr. Willard married Lavina, daughter of Stephen Davis, of Georgia, and they have had seven children, viz .: Louisa (Mrs. W. W. Kinsley), Oscar, Emma Jane (Mrs. H. H. Rounds), Sophronia, William D., Cora (Mrs. James Cross), and Etta. William B. Willard is a self-made man, having commenced life with very small means. He has been prominent in Democratic political affairs, serving as selectman, lister, overseer of the poor, and justice of the peace.

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FAMILY SKETCHES.

SHELDON.

Gleed, John I., son of John Gleed, a noted preacher, was born in England and came to this country in 1832. He settled in Lamoille county, where he was educated at the Lamoille County Grammar School and at the Belle McQueen Seminary. He studied law with his brother, the Hon. Thomas Gleed, in St. Lawrence county, and came to Sheldon in 1868, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1868 Mr. Gleed was appointed department revenue assessor. He was twice married. His first wife was Amelia Searle and his second was Josephine Piper. They have four children.

Chamberlin, Ebenezer, born in 1754 at Great Meadows, Mass., came to Burlington, Vt., before 1790. He served in the Revolutionary war. He married Patty Howe and they had fourteen children, of whom two sons, Maynard and John, served as soldiers in the War of 1812 and were at Plattsburgh, and another son, Henry, settled in Sheldon, where he was engaged in business as a tanner and shoemaker. Henry Chamberlin was one of the leading men of his town. He married Desire Ripley, and they had eleven children, one of whom, Henry B., married Priscilla Bliss, a descendant of the Rev. John Bliss who settled in Helbron, Conn., in 1713. They have four children : John E., Henry L., E. K., and Emma E. John E. Chamberlin, born in 1843, enlisted, July 15, 1863, in Company G, Sixth Vermont Volunteers. He was wounded September 19, 1864, at Winchester, and on October 19th was wounded at the battle of Cedar Creek. September 23, 1864, he was promoted corporal, and January 3, 1865, was made ser- geant, serving as such to the close of the war. He married Annette Bliss, daughter of William Bliss. They have four children.

Martin, Giles, came to Sheldon at an early day and married Lovica Sheldon, a daugh- ter of George Sheldon. She was the first white child born in Sheldon. One of their sons, Nathaniel G., born in 1814, married Anna A. Chamberlain. Nathaniel G. Martin was prominent in town affairs, serving as selectman for several years, and was elected representative in 1866 and 1867. He died in 1884, leaving a family of six children, five daughters and one son, the latter being Nathaniel H., who married Arvilla C. Randall. They have one son, Howell N. Their only daughter, Anna A., died in January, 1890, at the age of twenty years. Mr. Martin is the largest farmer in Sheldon, having a farmi of 520 acres.

Mason, William, born in Cheshire, Mass., settled in Malone in 1803, where he re- mained until 1844, when he came to Sheldon and died in 1846. He had a family of eight children, only two of whom settled in Sheldon. They were Phebe, who married J. W. Chadwick, a son of the Amos Chadwick who settled in Sheldon in 1804; and Mercy, who married John J. Towle, a son of Theophilus Towle, who was born in Frank- lin in 1821 and came to Sheldon in 1854. Mr. Towle was a farmer and one of the fore- most men of his town, taking an active interest in town affairs. He died in 1889, leav- ing William M., a teacher in New York, and Harrison, who resides in Sheldon.

ST. ALBANS.

Bedard, Spencer S., was born in Stanbridge, P. Q., April 21, 1838, and was the oldest of three children born to John and Philena C. Bedard. During his youth his father died and Spencer S. then commenced to learn the harnessmaker's trade. In the fall of 1856 he came to St. Albans, but after about two years he went to Montpelier. In the spring of 1862 he went to Boston and found employment, but three years later, in 1865. he returned to St. Albans, at which village he has since resided. On coming to this place Mr. Bedard entered into partnership with his brother, J. A. Bedard, and purchased the harness business formerly conducted by H. M. Stevens, but to this they added a trade

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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.

in carriages; and after the firm dissolved - having been in trade some twelve years - the harness business was continued by the brother, while Spencer took charge of the carriage trade and has since carried it on. Besides this Spencer S. was for a time en- gaged in the boot and shoe business and in the clothing business at Rouse's Point, N. Y. Mr. Bedard has not been unknown in the political history of St. Albans, as about 1870 he was elected justice of the peace and held that office about ten years. In 1880 he was chosen associate judge of the County Court, and so continued for two years. In 1885 and 1886 he was one of the selectmen of his town, and in the fall of 1886 he was elected town representative. In the legislature Judge Bedard was chairman of the Com- mittees on Ways and Means and on Claims. In religious matters he and his family are inembers of the Congregational church. On arriving in Montpelier in 1860 Mr. Bedard married Sarah L. Clark. They have had three children : Jennie (wife of F. Irvin Dutcher), Sarah Grace, and Frederick S. Mr. Bedard's mother was of American birth, but of English descent. His maternal grandfather was born in France. His paternal grandfather was of Dutch extraction.

Boynton, Samuel H., was born in Burlington in 1815, and became a resident of St. Albans in 1839, locating at the place familiarly called Parsonsville, where he became en- gaged in tanning. He soon sold out and acted as overseer for Smith & Whiting, who were also tanners at the same place. In 1849 Mr. Boynton married Caroline M., daugh- ter of Almon and granddaughter of Reuben Tullar, the pioneer. The children of Sam- uel H. and Caroline Boynton are Frank and Gates C. Mrs. Boynton died in 1869. The farm on which Mr. Boynton lives, and in which he has a life estate, comprises 200 acres.

Brunson, Lyman, was a pioneer of North Hero, having settled there about 1785. To his marriage with Janette Strong were born seven children: Esther, Mary, Uriah, David S., Carlisle T., William Henry, and Hannah. William Henry Brunson, now liv- ing in St. Albans, was born in February, 1810. At the age of eighteen years he came to St. Albans, and learned the trade of tanner and currier under Stephen Lawrence. In 1833 he married Harriet, daughter of Joseph Smith, of Georgia, and by her had a fam- ily of five children, viz .: George S., a resident of St. Albans and a magnetic healer of some prominence; Sanford F., of Hartford, Conn .; Sarah Jane, wife of Sanford J. Brigham; Edwin J., of St. Albans; and Willard E., deceased.

Cook, Nelson, the eldest of the fourteen children of Thaddeus Cook, of Georgia, was born April 7, 1817. He was reared on a farm, and at the age of seventeen years went to New York state, where he remained for two years. Returning he married Lura Brown, of St. Albans, and then removed to New York. About 1850 he settled in St. Albans. During the war he started in the grocery business at the Bay, and has so con- tinued to the present day, but the immediate control of this business is in charge of his son, while Mr. Cook looks after his lands and boats. In 1890 Mr. Cook bought the Jewett Tile Works, just over the Georgia line. The children of his marriage with Lura Brown were Charles, Louisa, Dwight F., Elinas M., and one who died unnamed. Mr. Cook is a Democrat. In 1868 he was selected for the office of postmaster, which posi- tion he held for about two years.

Corliss Family, The .- John Corliss was a native of New Hampshire and a pioneer of St. Albans, having settled in that town prior to 1820. His wife was Jane Todd, daugh- ter of Samuel Todd, who was somewhat prominent during the Revolutionary period. The children of John and Jane (Todd) Corliss were : Martin J., of St. Albans; Ozro, of Ellenburgh, N. Y .; Daniel, of Swanton; John R. and Levi, of St. Albans; and Samuel, who died in infancy. John Corliss was a farmer on land now owned by Ches- ter Collins. He died in 1837, in Bakersfield, to which town he had previously moved. His wife died April 19, 1866. John R. Corliss married Lovica Eaton, November 20, 1850, and had these children: Lester, a merchant in St. Albans; Clark, who resides with his father ; and Ozro, of Barlow county, Kan. Martin J.Corliss was born October 27. 1821, and was brought up on the farm. April 29, 1846, he married Paulina Skinner and they had nine children : John A., Mirza G., Joseph A., Mary L., Amy, Daniel, Nor-

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FAMILY SKETCHES.

mal, Albert N., and George Addison, who died in infancy. Martin J. Corliss is a suc- cessful farmer, owning 250 acres in the northwest part of St. Albans. He was a soldier during the late war in the Twelfth Vermont Regiment. He also saw some service dur- ing the famous Papineau war. Levi O. Corliss was born in St. Albans, April 12, 1831. At the age of eleven years he entered the employ of M. S. Skinner, driving three yoke of oxen on a breaking plow at $4 per month. At the age of twenty-eight years he was obliged to seek lighter employment owing to poor health. September 28, 1851, he married Almira P. Griffin, of St. Albans, and they had six children : Herbert O., Sarah J., Orson W., Ruby A., Etta M., and Almira R. His wife died June 26. 1862, and No- vember Ist following he married Eliza W., daughter of Solomon Cleveland, of Franklin, Vt. They had two children : Charles L. and Gracie M. In 1869 Levi Corliss and family moved to Ellenburgh, N. Y., where he became engaged in farming and mercan- tile pursuits, but in 1885 he returned to St. Albans Bay, where now resides.

Herrick, James, one of the early settlers of Sheldon, Vt., came to this locality from Dutchess county, N. Y. He was a surveyor, and ran the town lines, and at one time owned about half the town. He had several children, Leander, Samuel B., Laura, Lucy, and Louisa being the names of those now recalled. Samuel B. Herrick married Alma Hull, of Fairfield, and they had four children : Laura S., Polly E., Alexander H., and La Fayette H. La Fayette Hull Herrick was born April 30, 1840, and was brought up to do farm work. November 29, 1860, he married Spaulding Duclos, a member of a prominent Sheldon family, and they had two children, Ernest D. and Alma Louisa, both of whom are living at home. Mr. Herrick lived for many years in Sheldon. He then moved to Swanton, thence back to Sheldon, and then to St. Albans in 1887, where he became the owner of the Duclos farm, formerly the James Brooks place. Mr. Herrick is devoted to the farm, and takes but little part in town affairs. He is not connected with any religious society, but his wife is a member of the Baptist church.

Holdridge, Ancil, will be well remembered by the middle aged men of St. Albans, particularly by those who were associated with him during his life with in army. He was not a soldier who carried a gun or fought in a battle, but his duty called him to the hospital tent, caring for the sick and wounded as they were brought from the battle- field. In this sphere his services were important, both to suffering humanity and the government. His direct association was with the Christian Commission. He died in May, 1884. His wife was Cornelia, daughter of Reuben Tuller by the latter's marriage with Mary Cooley. Two children were born to them, Cornelia and Catherine. By a former marriage with Esther Yates Mr. Tuller had eleven children. The children of Ancil and Cornelia Holdridge were Milo, who died in 1888, and Frederick. Ancil and Cornelia were married in 1841.

Pierce, Willard, was born at Stanbridge, P. Q., September 3, 1834, the son of Var- num and Philoma Pierce. His early life was spent on the farm, but at the age of eight- teen years he came to St. Albans to work for his uncle, Curtis Pierce, in the hotel busi- ness. In 1861 Willard Pierce bought the St. Albans House, which he still owns, and went into business for himself. To the old hotel he has made frequent additions, so that the present building bears but little resemblance to the original. Mr. Pierce mar- ried Sarah Gray, formerly of Kingston, N. Y., and has five children, -- three sons and two daughters, -- all of whom are living. He has resided in St. Albans since his first coming to the place, at times having proprietorship of his hotel, at others leasing it, but of late years it has been continually leased, while its owner gives his attention to his other interests, which are quite extensive.

Prindle, Amos D., who was born in Fairfield, was the eighth child of nine children born to Martin and Phebe (Leach) Prindle, pioneers in Fairfield, the settlement of their fam- ilies being earlier than 1800. Martin Prindle was familiarly called "Judge," from the fact of his long holding the office of justice in the town. Amos D. Prindle, in 1844. married Maria, daughter of Ami Wilson, of Fairfax, and they had two children : Alvah W., now in charge of the large farm in St. Albans, and Fred D., now living at John-

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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.

son, Vt. In 1870 Mr. Prindle came from Fairfield to St. Albans and bought the Addi- son Farnsworthi property of 336 acres, lying southeast of the village. He was a suc- cessful and prosperous farmer, but an unfortunate stroke of paralysis in 1888 prostrated him. The care and management of the large farm then fell upon Alvah W. Prindle. The latter married Alice L. Ray, of Hinesburgh. Fred D. Prindle married Delia Chase, of Jay.

Stilphen, Cornelius, the ancestor of a large and respected line of descendants in the region of Northern Vermont, came from New Hampshire to Swanton in 1810 with his family on an old ox-sled drawn by a pair of three-year-old steers. The family at that time comprised a number of children, among them being Sally, Susannah, Mary, Nancy, Betsey, William, Charles, and Cornelius. There were others who did not come to this locality. Cornelius married Deborah Neal, and by her had the following children : George W., Charles W., Martha L., and Warren C. George W. Stilphen, the promi- nent representative of the family now in St. Albans, was born February 5, 1829, and was brought up on the farm and to farm work, but he has become one of the most extensive buyers and dealers in this region. His investments in this locality have brought advan- tageous results, as he is looked upon as one of the foremost men of the town. De- cember 23, 1858, he married Catherine L. Bishop, by whom he had two children, Kate M. and George William. In politics Mr. Stilphen is a Democrat. His grandfather and Charles Stilphen were at the battle of Plattsburgh.

Stratton, Joe H., the well known proprietor of Stratton's Hotel, was born in St. Ar- mand, Canada, June 29, 1840. He was a son of Robert and Ann (Taylor) Stratton, and of their children was the sixth. When Joe was thirteen years old his father died, and the family then came to the town of Franklin and lived with Robert Stratton, jr., older son of Robert and Ann Stratton. Here Joe H. resided and worked on the farm until he was twenty-four, when he commenced buying butter and produce. In 1868 he went to California, where he remained three years, but on returning became engaged in the butter business, and continued in the same more or less actively until 1885. In 1887 he rented the St. Albans House and managed it one year, after which he became landlord of the Windsor House at Ogdensburg, remaining at that place a year or so. Returning to St. Albans Mr. Stratton leased the Franklin House at the corner of Fair- field and South Main streets, changed its name to Stratton's Hotel, and here he has ever since been found in the capacity of host. In 1875 Mr. Stratton married Marcia Clement, of Franklin, and they have one child. Landlord Stratton is not unknown to the political history of the county. In the fall of 1886 he was the Republican nominee for the office of sheriff, but there was a general bolt on the part of many Republicans on account of a dissatisfaction with other parts of the county and state ticket, and at the polls Mr. Stratton was sacrificed with nearly all other candidates for county offices. But it is doubtful whether an opposing candidate of less strength than Captain Ken- nedy could have beaten Mr. Stratton for the shrievalty.

Sturtevant, Smith Clark, was born at Weybridge, Vt., October 2, 1845, and was for more than twenty years prior to his death a conductor on the Vermont Central and Central Vermont Railroads. He was a valued employee, but the lamentable accident of February 6, 1887, cost him his life. Mr. Sturtevant was a soldier during the late war, having enlisted at Middlebury in Company B, Fifth Vermont Infantry. He mar- ried, November 28, 1865, Emmerette Church, who bore him seven children, as follows: Marshall C., Fred H., Verne, Edgar S., Ina Belle, Clyde E., and Frank F. Mrs. Sturte- vant, widow of Smith Clark Sturtevant, on February 20, 1889, was married to Alton C. Dean.

Tuller, Melancton, was born in St. Albans in 1834, the son of Ornan and Persis Tul- ler. Ornan Tuller was the head of a numerous family, his children numbering twelve. Of these Melancton was the youngest. He was reared on the farm and has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, and the reward for his labors has been reasonably fair, for his is an excellent farm and its surroundings and appointments are desirable. Me-

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FAMILY SKETCHES.

lancton Tuller married Hattie, daughter of Carlton Wright, of St. Albans. They have no children.

Walker, Lewis, was a pioneer of St. Albans, settling there about 1791. One of his children was Edward C. Walker, who was born on the farm on which his son, William P. Walker, now lives, in the south part of the town, on March 28, 1805. His life was passed on this same farm. He married Roby C., daughter of David Clark, by whom he had these children : Leonora M., who married Horace Jennison ; William P., now liv- ing on the home farm; and David C., who died in infancy. William P. Walker mar- ried Mary Jane Cox, and had two children, Anna R. and Edward C. William Walker lived on the farm until he was of age, and then went to Burlington. At the outbreak of the late war he was assistant-quartermaster at the Marine Hospital, which position he held for three years. Later he was in trade at St Albans village, from 1866 to 1883, but he has always regarded the old farm as his only home, and retired there after clos- ing out business at the village. Mr. Walker is a firm Democrat, living in a strongly Republican town, yet he was overseer of the poor for fourteen years and justice for twelve years.

Whittemore, Richard, who was born in Massachusetts, came with his family and set- tled on Johnny Cake Hill about 1790. He had four children : Sarah Beckett, who mar- ried Josiah Smith; John, who married Aluna Kingsbury ; Polly, who married Amos Clark; and Eliza, who became the wife of John French. Richard Whittemore died in 1805, aged thirty-six years, and his wife in 1856, aged eighty-nine years. The children of John and Aluna (Kingsbury) Whittemore were Rodney ; Cordelia M., who married Lucius Hulburt; Eliza French; Mary Ann, wife of Dr. S. S. Clark; and Helen, who married Henry M. Miller. The second wife of John was Samantha M. Safford, by whom he had one child, Maria, wife of Rev. E. H. Alden, of Minnesota. Rodney Whit- temore was reared on the farm, and the old home of his father is now owned and occu- pied by him. He desired to retain it, and upon the death of his father he purchased the interests of the other heirs. The father died in 1885, at the advanced age of eighty- nine years. Rodney Whittemore bears the title of "Judge," which came through his incumbency of the position of associate judge of the County Courts in 1886 and 1887. He has also held the office of county commissioner. In politics he has generally been associated with the Republican party, but of late years he has affiliated with the Prohi- bitionists. For many years Judge Whittemore has been prominently identified with the Congregational church. In 1842 he married Maria P. West, by whom he had two children. His wife died in 1874, and in 1875 he married Cora H. Sharp.

Wilson, Robert, came from New Hampshire at an early day and settled in St. Albans. He had nine children : Anderson, Robert Brooks, James, Samuel, Sarah, John, Patty, and Polly, all of whom are deceased. The boys except John went to Bangor, N. Y. John married Lucretia Spurr, of St. Albans, and had eight children : Paulina, James P., John, William B., Sarah Ann, Raymond S., Mary, and George, of whom only James P. is now living. The latter married Lydia B., daughter of Willard Jewell, and by her had two children, viz .: Julia D., who married H. L. Samson, the enterprising proprietor of the Lake View House at the famous fishing grounds of the Great Back Bay, and Charles Edgar, now deceased. The children of Henry L. and Julia D. Sam- son are Wilson J., George H. (deceased), and Stewart L.

Wood, Seymour H., was born in Swanton, April 19, 1841. He was educated in the common schools and in Swanton Academy, and lived on the home farm until eighteen years of age. In 1859 he came to St. Albans and became a clerk in the hardware store of George H. Farrar, remaining there until 1861. In April of that year he enlisted in Company C, First Vermont Volunteers, and was mustered out in August following. In August, 1862, he re-enlisted in Company L, First Vermont Cavalry, entering as ser- geant, and was wounded at Hagarstown, Md., July 6, 1863. In December, 1863, while in camp at Stevensburg, Va., he was attacked with inflammatory rheumatism, was sent to the general hospital, was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, and was dis-

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History of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vermont : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers., Part 77

Author: Aldrich, Lewis Cass. ed. cn Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Syracuse, N. Y. : D. Mason & Co. Number of Pages: 930

Author: Aldrich, Lewis Cass. ed. cn
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Syracuse, N. Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 930