USA > Vermont > Rutland County > History of Rutland County, Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 104
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" Porter Benson was widely known and esteemed as a man and a citiz n. A min of more than ordinary business tact and capacity, his relations to society and the public have been of a prominent character. As a citizen, he was public spirited and energeti in the promotion of all that pertained to the welfare and prosperity of the town of his residence; in fact, also of our town and the county and State. In his own immediate community he may be said to have been a leader."
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HISTORY OF RUTLAND COUNTY.
On the 13th of December, 1876, Mr. Benson started from his home to carry ha daughter to school in Rutland. In crossing the railroad track at Freight street, his horse became frightened at an approaching engine, shied from the road and the wheels of the carriage struck a pile of earth and snow, throwing the daughter to the ground. As he turned in his seat to see how she had fallen, he seemed for a moment to lose control of the animal, and in another instant he was precipitated to the hard roadway. He was rendered unconscious and continued partly so for three days ; and although everything that human skill could do was done for him, he died on the 20th, without ever having spoken after the casualty. His funeral was attended at his home on the 23d, when his remains were followed by a large concourse of his former friends and acquaintances. The funeral sermon was delivered by Rev. Mr. Morse, who paid the deceased the following tribute : -
" I address a large number who have known him in the business and social relations ; you know how worthily he walked, and what honor guided his life in all his transactions ; a reputa- tion any man has reason to be proud of. He has held many positions of honor and trust and has always served his fellow citizens faithfully. He has received the homage of the poor and the homage of gratitude from his fellow men."
Mr. Benson was the father of five children, as follow : Amelia L., born December 16, 1856, married Charles Holden, now of Proctor. Hannibal P., born May 20. 1860, married Jessie Webb, of Clarendon, and lives on the homestead with his mother. Elizabeth M., born April 9, 1862. Sarah M., born April 22, 1865, lives at home. Frank M., born August 16, 1874, and living at home.
B RIGHAM, CHARLES WESLEY. Among the early emigrants from Connecticut to Windsor county, Vermont, was Asa Brigham, who settled in Barnard and became a respected citizen of that town. His family consisted of three children, as follows : Alden, Chloe and Asa. Asa removed to the State of Iowa, where he died. Chloe married Zephaniah Sherman, and died in Barnard, aged seventy-one years. Alden Brigham was born October 28, 1796, and died April 2, 1872; he married Lydia L. Smith ; she died April 29, 1872; they had four children : Adelia (the eldest), born August 16, 1824, married Ebenezer Walcott, a farmer of Stockbridge; Sarah L., born September 24. 1827, married Augustus Chedell, of Woodstock, who died while in the service of his country in the late war ; Charles Wesley (the subject of this sketch), and Dennis S., born December 9, 1834, and now living in Albany, N. Y.
Charles Wesley Brigham was born May 17, 1831. His early life was passed chiefly on his father's farm, until he was twenty-six years of age, except as he was away at school. After securing such education as was afforded by the common schools of his neighborhood, he attended the seminary at Newbury, Vt. Soon afterward he began the study of medicine with Dr. Virgil W itkins, of Newbury, in 1856, and followed with studies under Dr. Alpheus B. Crosby, at Hanover (1857-58), attending at the same time the medical department of Dart- mouth College, whence he graduated in the fall of 1858. In order to still further perfect him- self in his profession, by actual practice in medicine and surgery, he spent nine months at Deer Island Hospital, Boston Harbor. His studies thus completed, he located in Pittsfield in February, 1859, and has remained there in the enjoyment of a very successful practice ever since. Such is the briefest review of the more prominent changes in Dr. Brigham's life, but it does not, by any means, convey an intelligent idea of its more public and active features. He is a Republican in politics, and it sufficiently indicates the position he has won in the confi- dence and esteem of his townsmen to state that he has been honored with almost every office within their gift. He was elected town superintendent of schools several successive years, an office which he administered with thorough efficiency, thus evincing his deep interest in the cause of education ; he was elected town treasurer several years, and also for a number of years town clerk ; was selectman one year; was elected to the General Assembly for 1867-68 ; was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1870, and was elected member of the State Senate from the county of Rutland for 1876.
The duties of these various offices, calling as they did for qualifications governing a wide range and of a high order, have been performed by Dr. Brigham with intelligence and good judgment, and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.
Dr. Brigham's home and business life has not been confined to his profession, although his practice, extending over a large extent of territory in a rural district, has always made a heavy demand upon his time and energies. He has been largely interested in the lumber business for about fifteen years, first in company with Joel Ranney, then with Edward At- wood, and now associated with George Chedell. They own and operate at the present time three saw-mills, producing annually about two million feet of lumber, one in Pittsfield and two in Chittenden ; one of the latter is run by steam-power. He has also erected several
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CHARLES WESLEY BRIGHAM - JOHN P. BOWMAN.
Twollings in the village of Pittsfield, besides his own residence, and has in other ways shown his interest in the prosperity of the place. Within the present year he has opened a drug- store, a much needed institution in the town.
Dr. Brigham is a man who is chiefly characterized for sound sense, good careful judgment of men and affairs generally, and a candid, forcible manner, which strongly impresses others with his own beliefs and theories. His foresight in business and political affairs is clear and reliable, a quality to which may be attributed his success in life.
Dr. Brigham has been twice married, first to Mary L. Cox, daughter of George Cox, of Barnard, in February. 1859. By her he has had one son, Frederick L., born July 7. 1862. She died August 27, 1863, in Pittsfield. He married second Sarah L. Cox, sister of his first wife, March 20, 1864. Their only child is George A., born November 27, 1867. Frederick is study- ing medicine in Dartmouth College and George A. is attending the Vermont Methodist Semi- nary and Female College at Montpelier.
B OWMAN, JOHN P., is a native of Rutland county, Vt., and was born in the year 1816. His grandfather was one of the early settlers of the town, coming there from the neigh- borhood of Lexington, Mass., a short time subsequent to the Revolutionary War. He and two brothers came to this country from England. His son, John Bowman, who married Lorinda Hart, was the father of the subject of the present sketch.
Mr. Bowman's boyhood life ran much in the way of that of ordinary New England youth at that period. School advantages were few and much of the time of early years was given to practical industry. At the age of fifteen years he commenced learning the tanning and currying trade at Rutland, Vt. He worked there about five years, when he went to New York State. There he continued at the same trade for eight or nine years at Hunter, in Greene county, Saugerties, Ulster county, and at Warrensburgh, Warren county. At War- rensburgh he was in the employment of Burhans & Gray, hemlock sole-leather manufacturers. The wages received during all this time were very moderate, but he gave himself diligently to his work and became thoroughly proficient in all its parts. For the first year's work at Saugerties he received one hundred and forty-four dollars, only four of which he drew previ- ous to the end of the year. From Warrensburgh he came to Cuttingsville, Vt., and estab- lished himself in a general tanning and currying business. For a time he also manufactured and dealt in boots and shoes. He occupied the tannery near Cuttingsville now conducted by Huntoon & Son.
In 1851 he was honored by his fellow-citizens of the town of Sherburne with an election to the Legislature. He served his constituents faithfully and with credit to himself, But busi- ness was more to his taste than politics and public affairs, and he afterwards neither held office nor sought political preferment.
In January, 1852, Mr. Bowman moved to the town of Stony Creek, Warren county, New York. Here he found water-power and plenty of hemlock bark, but few other facilities or conveniences. This section of country was then new and sparsely settled. The land was uneven, very stony, and not adapted to farming pursuits. Saratoga, the nearest accessible railroad point, was thirty miles distant. There were but two or three small houses, a saw-mill and a tannery, then partly built where the village of Creek Center now stands. Mr. Bowman completed the tannery and put it in operation, commencing then the business of sole leather manufacturing, at which he has since continued. He has added to and improved the tannery, until now it is one of the best in the State. Its capacity is 40,000 sides of leather a year. In addition to the tannery proper there are extensive bark-sheds, storage buildings, a carpenter and repair shop, a large boarding-house and houses for sixteen families.
He has a commodious and pleasant residence, barns, carriage-house and convenient office. Around his residence there are many shade and fruit-trees, some of the latter being planted by Mr. Bowman's father years ago. Good order and neatness prevail about the whole prem- ises. Consequent upon the growth and development of Mr. Bowman's business enterprise quite a village has grown up in the vicinity, and now churches, school-houses and stores occupy ground that was covered by an unbroken forest when he commenced operations there.
Mr. Bowman has attained an enviable position in business circles where he is well known, and his name is the synonym of the highest honor and integrity. He has acquired a com- petency and has earned it by his own hard labor, careful attention to business, and the exer- cise of his best judgment in business affairs. It is worthy of note in this connection that his is one of a very few out of numerous kindred enterprises undertaken in this region of country that has succeeded. Through financial panics and periods of business depression Mr. Bow- man has managed his affairs with such sound judgment and conservative methods as to maintain his commercial standing unimpaired.
The parent's grandparents and brother of Mr. Bowman are buried in the cemetery at East Clarendon, Vt., and the place of burial is marked by a stately monument erected by him.
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In his domesti life and associations Mr. Bowman has known much of happiness and sorrow. He was married in 1849. His wife was Jennie E. Gates, the youngest of seven daughters of Franklin Gates, of Warren, Herkimer county. N. Y. Mrs. Bowman was pecu- liarly fitted for the duties and relations which followed her marriage. She was prepossessing in appearance, dignified and graceful in manner, self-reliant and courteous. Her qualities of mind and heart gained for her more than an ordinary measure of esteem and regard among her large circle of friends and acquaintances. She was a member of the Episcopal Church, but her Christian and beneficent work knew no sectarian bounds. To those in less fortunate circumstances than herself she was the kindest and most considerate of friends, always doing her kindly acts in pleasant and thoughtful ways. In her home she was a most faithful wife and mother. It was her aim to make home pleasant and attractive, and she accomplished this as only a truly good and noble woman can. She manifested her devotion to her husband by the most constant endeavors for his welfare, and brought to his aid much of prudent coun- sel and cheerful encouragement.
Two children, Addie and Ella H., were born of this marriage. The former died in infancy. Ella attained the age of womanhood and justified the expectations of her parents in the traits of character she displayed. She was given excellent educational advantages, and she carefully improved them. Her personal qualities bound to her the affections of her parents with strong and loving ties. She was more fond of home than other society, and her presence there shed continual sunshine about the family circle. She was much interested in benevolent works, and took real pleasure in making others happy.
Mr. Bowman thoroughly appreciated his pleasant family and found his highest enjoyment in the companionship of his wife and daughter.
In June, 1879, Ella's death threw a heavy pall of gloom over the once happy home. The hope and bright joy of the household were gone, This affliction did not remain the only one. In January, 1880, Mrs. Bowman died, leaving her husband alone to bear a grief made more poignant by the happiness that had preceded it. The remains of his family were taken for interment to Cuttingsville, Vt.
Soon after the death of his daughter Mr. Bowman gave his thoughts to the building of a family tomb, and h- devoted much study to the formation of plans and designs for the work. For this purpose he visited different cemeteries and examined many structures of the kind. Soon his idea took definite shape, and early in the summer following Mrs. Bowman's death he began the construction of a mausoleum at Cuttingsville. The general plan of the work was Mr. Bowman's own conception. The hands of skillful workmen wrought out the accom- plishment of Mr. Bowman's design and soon brought the work to completion. The mauso- Jeum stands on a plain upon the hillside in Laurel Glen Cemetery. It is quadrilateral in form and is about eighteen by twenty-four feet in its ground dimensions and twenty feet in height. The walls are built of granite, and marble is principally used for the interior work. The exterior is wholly plain, while within the finish and ornamentation are elegant and elaborate. Busts chiseled in purest marble serve to perpetuate the features of the different members of the family. This massive tomb, at once enduring in its strength, impressive and grand in appearance, is but a feeble expression of the great love the husband and father bore his wife and daughters. When the building of the mausoleum was accomplished Mr. Bowman gave attention to its surroundings. He added to the extent of the cemetery, graded the surface of the grounds, ornamented them with shade-trees, arranged grass plots, made gravel walks and carriage drives. A large green-house has been built by him near the tomb. where the rarest plants and choicest flowers are grown. He has erected an elegant summer residence upon a pleasant site opposite the cemetery. The surrounding scenery lends a charm to the spot which has become one of the pleasantest that can be found. Visitors to this sacred scene number many thousands and are from distant as well as neighboring parts of the land.
YOOK, NELSON W., was born in Mount Holly, Vt .. August 23, 1832. He is the seventh in descent from Gregory Cooke, his Puritan ancestor, who, with his three brothers, George, Joseph and Steph n, came early to New England from St.mnaway, county of Essex, England. and settled in Cambridge, Mass. They at once assumed very prominent positions in the com- munity, both in civil and military affairs, and were among the most distinguished citizens in the colony. George Cooke was selectman of Cambridge three years, deputy or representative five years, and Speaker of the House in 1645. In 1645 he was elected one of the Reserve Com- missioners of the United Colonies. He was appointed in 1637 captam of th Cambridge mili- tia ; became a member of the artillery company in 1638, and its captain in 1643. and when a similar company was incorporated in Middlesex on May 14. 1645, he was placed at the head of it. He was one of the commissioners and commander-in-chief of the military expedition sent to Rhode Island in 1643. He returned to England in 1646, became a colonel in Cromwell's
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NELSON W. COOK.
army and was " reported Slain in the wars of Ireland in the year 1652." President Dunster, of Harvard College, and [os-ph Cooke were administrators of his estate. Joseph Cooke was selectman of Cambridge ten years, from 1635 to 1645 ; town clerk six ye irs, from 1635 to 1641 ; local magistrate from 1648 to 1657 ; and representative six years, from 1636 to 1641 ; he was also an officer in the militia and when George embarked for England he was his successor in command. Stephen Cooke was selectman in Mendon in 1674, '80, and 'S1. He was a com- missioner of highways for the same years, and one of a committee to settle the first minister in that town. Heremoved to Watertown and in the church records of that town Rev. John Bailey says : " I did in the name of the church admit Deacon Stephen Cooke to full commun- ion, he being a member of the church in Mendon." He was one of the original members and a deacon of the second, or Rev. Samuel Angiers' church of Watertown.
Gregory Cooke, of Cambridge, Mass., in 1665, bought of Abraham Williams his mansion house and about six acres of land, and in 1672 Jeremiah Dummer, of Boston, conveyed to him one hundred and twelve acres more : this place was the home of some of his descendants to about the time of the Revolution. It was probably occupied by his son Stephen, and Colonel Phineas Cook was the last of the name who possessed it. Gregory Cook was, in 1667, select- min and constable of Cambridge. He had a grant of land in Mendon, and was selectman of that town in 1668-69. He was a commissioner for laying out highways the same years also one of a committee for settling the first minister in that town. He returned to Cambridge and was again elected selectman in 1678-79 and 'S1 ; in 1674 he was grand juror.
Samuel Cook, son of Thaddeus, was born in Preston, Conn., on May IS, 1765. He mar- ried. January 1, 1791, Sally Chamberlain, of Wethersfield, Vt .. a daughter of Oliver Cham- berlain. She was born in Windsor, Conn .. December 19, 1766, and died May 24, 1861, aged ninety-five years. He died September 25, 1852. For his biographical sketch, see history of the Quakers of Mount Holly. Chauncey Cook was the fourth son of Samuel. He was born in Mount Holly, Vt., on April 22, 1800. He married in Mount Holly on September 26, 1826, Ruby Wheeler, who was born in Newport, N. H., on February 2, 1804. In addition to the work of cultivating a large farm, he bought butter, cheese and cattle for market, going to Boston ten or twelve times a year. He was engaged in the business for fifteen years. While on one journey to Boston (about 1846) he exhibited, in an affray with highway robbers at Tewksbury, Mass., a natural shrewdness and coolness, which it is not too much to say have been inherited by his descendants in Mount Holly. About ten o'clock in the evening of which we speak, and while he was yet a mile from his destination for the night, two men sprang from the woods, through which he was traveling, one seizing the horses' heads, while the other mounted the wagon and with presented pistol demanded the victim's money. The latter jumped down and ran in the direction of the tavern which was his destination for the night, but was so rapidly pursued by the robbers, who also fired several shots at him, that he gave himself up. Among the things which they rifled from his pockets was a letter, which he re- quested to be left with him, as well as a memorandum book. They complied with his request and fled into the woods with the pocket-book. The letter contained five hundred dollars which Mr. Cook was conveying for a neighbor in Mount Holly to a Boston merchant. The robbers, Thomas Burns and John Galager, were arrested, examined and held for trial, being confined in jail at Lowell several months. At the trial they were successfully defended by a young lawyer who has now a national reputation, General Benjaman F. Butler.
When the Rutland and Burlington Railroad was completed. Mr. Cook was the first station agent at Mount Holly, and was succeeded by his son Aaron, the present incumbent. These two have held the office thirty-six years. Mr. Cook was assessor in 1829 and selectman in 1832, '33, '34 and '37 ; was appointed by the governor justice of the peace in 1836. He was elected representative in 1838-39. He was grand juror several years, also auditor, and in later years was elected justice of the peace, but never qualified by taking the oath of office. He had five children which lived, and seven which died in infancy. The names of those which lived to maturity are as follows : Carlos, born May 19, 1829 ; died in Boston, Mass., July 14, 1884. Rosana, born March 20, 1830 ; married Austin Constantine, November 1, 1860, and died in East Wallingford, January 22, 1865. Chauncey Langdon, born August 23, 1832. Nelson Wyatt, born August 23, 1832, and Aaron Wheeler, born August 11, 1837. Chauncey Cook died March 31, 1865.
Nelson Wyatt Cook is the third son of Chauncey. His boyhood days were spent in work- ing upon his father's farm summers and attending the district school at Mechanicsville winters until he was nineteen years of age, when he went to Massachusetts and worked eight months on a farm in Waltham. He returned home and went to school the following winter. The next spring (1852) he went to Boston, Mass., and entered Comer's Commercial College. After completing his business education he engaged himself as clerk in the produce and fruit store of John Sanderson, in whose employ he continued several years. He then established himself as commission merchant for the sale of produce and was also interested in real estate,
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HISTORY OF RUTLAND COUNTY.
and a trader in notes, stocks and bonds. While residing in Boston he was a member of the following societies : The Mercantile Library Association, The Young Men's Christian Union, and the Parker Fraternity. He soon became a subscriber for Mr. Garrison's Liberator and a constant reader of the numerous tracts and other literature issued from that Gibraltar of lib- erty on Cornhill - the reading of which had its influence upon his mind. He early joined the New England Anti-Slavery Society, and continued one of its active members until the war of the Rebellion freed the slaves. At the rendition of the fugitive slave Anthony Burns, from Boston, Mr. Cook was one of those who made the attempt to rescue him from the authorities. An indig- nation meeting was held at Fanuiel Hall and Wendell Phillips and Theodore Parker were the principal speakers. Mr. Parker, in his speech, used the following language : " Americans have been called cowards, and the sons of cowards. Sons of cowards we are not, cowards we are if one poor, helpless, defenseless black man leaves the soil of Massachusetts as an unprotected. unrescued victim of oppression." After these words had been spoken the rescuers rushed from the hall and were soon at the entrance of the court-house where Burns was confined ; the crack of pistols were heard and the booming of a timber against the door, which gives way ; and there on the portal is a dead man. At the sight the rescuers hesitate and the opportunity for rescue is lost. During the exciting times in the winter previous to the firing by the rebels on Fort Sumter, the mayor of Boston, Joseph M. Wightman, and other city officials, attempted to break up an anti-slavery convention in Tremont Temple. Mr. Cook was one of those who held " the fort " until after the evening session, and was among those who accompanied Wen- dell Phillips home - protecting him from the violence of the mob until he was safe in his house on Essex street. He was a member of one of the first Republican clubs organized in Mas- sachusetts, and was present at the meeting in Fanueil Hall when the Republican party in Massachusetts was organized and named. In 1872 Mr. Cook retired from active business and the following year, June 10, 1873, he sailed in the steamship Malta from Boston for Europe, spending the summer months in London and Paris and returning in the autumn. In April, 1874, he again went abroad, visiting nearly all the capitals in Europe and many places and ob- jects of interest. He sailed the third time for Europe in February, 1875, and he spent every suc- ceeding summer in traveling abroad and returning in every autumn until 1879. He was married to Mary Alma Kmersley, daughter of Dr. Edward Baker, of London, England, on July 8, 1879, by the Rev. John M. Lester at St. Peter's Church, Eaton Square, London. Mrs. Cook was born in New York city, February 21, 1854, and lived there until she was three years of age. when she returned with her parents to England. Dr. Baker commenced practice as a surgeon in the English navy, and a great portion of the time he was with the fleet stationed at the West Indies and North America, and when he arrived at New York he decided to establish himself in practice there. Dr. Baker, after practicing at his profession about four years in New York city, returned to London, England, where he now resides.
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