History of Rutland County, Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 106

Author: Smith, H. P. (Henry Perry), 1839-1925. 1n; Rann, William S
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & co.
Number of Pages: 1170

USA > Vermont > Rutland County > History of Rutland County, Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 106

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The toregoing are comprehensively the salient points in Colonel Allen's business career. though he was engaged in various minor matters looking to the promotion and the growth of the town.

To convey an impression that he alone was the prompter and promoter of the material achievement so conspicuously noticeable in Fairhaven, is not intended. His associates herein named, sketches of whom appear in this work, were in harmony in purpose and in spirit, and later others, among whom was Mr. Israel Davey, for many years the proprietor of the iron mills. and still others, working together and in harmony, have been worthy and honored contributors to the results. That Colonel Allen was the pioneer in the slate industry of Vermont is not ques- tioned, and it is assuredly not improbable that but for his boldness and courage, to this hour not one slate would have been shaped from Fairhaven to Salem. The place which he fills in the history of the marble industry, if not that of a pioneer, is nevertheless that of one who early and in a marked degree helped to place it upon a remunerative basis. It was his firm which, in 1852, first showed blocks of Rutland marble in New York cny. As he had before confronted the importers of roofing slates with those equally valuable from Vermont, so now he confronts importers of Italian marbles with the statuary from Vermont.

Mr. Allen keenly felt the defects of his meager school advantages, but early and always as leisure offered was an industrious reader. He was well informed upon the questions of the day. He was a ready and forcible speaker, whether discussing political platforms, advocating social reforms or expounding denominational customs and polity.

Col. Allen received from his fellow citizens repeated recognition of his worth and their esteem. While still a young man in Hartford his military promotion through all grades from corporal to commander of the 175th regiment N. Y. S. M. was rapid. He is spoken of as having been an accomplished and popular officer. He had been in Fairhaven but five years when he was, in 1841, elected to the State Senate, and again in the succeeding year and also again in 1854 and 1855. He was assistant judge of the County Court three successive years, 1860, 1861, 1862, and in 1872 was presidential elector. He has also filled nearly all places of honor and trust within the gift of the town, and it is needless to say that to all and every trust he was faithful to the last.

In politics he was a Whig until the organization of the Republican party, in the work of which he was among the first to move. Judge Dunton, in a public address in 1872, said of him : " He wrote and signed the call for the first meeting held in the State to protest against the abroga- tion of the Missouri Compromise before that infamous measure, the Kansas-Nebraska bill, had passed. No man in this part of the State has done more to promote the interest and secure the success of the Republican party than Colonel Allen."

For generations his ancestors had been pious, God-fearing men, and notwithstanding he

884

HISTORY OF RUTLAND COUNTY.

did not unge hunself with any church until after forty years of age, he fully accepted the teach- ings of evangelical religion. His denominational predilection was towards the Baptist. It was his profound conviction, almost a part of his creed, that there can be no lasting material growth in a community without a corresponding moral and religious growth. Hence we find that upon coming to Fairhaven, though no church of his " faith and order " was there, at once he enrolled himself for taxation, as was at that time customary, being one of fourteen constitut- ing the Congregational Church society.

The stand thus taken is conspicuously manifest to-day in the prosperity of the churches in town. There being no Baptist Church in town, he united himself with the one at his old home in Hartford in 1841, but still contributing his means and influence to the Congregational Church of his own town. He encouraged and assisted in the building of the Methodist Church in 1844. In 1852 he led the work of organizing a Baptist Church in an adjacent village two miles distant. When, in 1866, in his judgment. the time was at hand for the establishment of a Baptist Church in Fairhaven, he entered upon the work with a full heart and his accustomed z-al and success. Its fine church edifice was erected in 1870. In both of these churches he served is deacon for many years. He was prominent in the Baptist denomination of the State, having for years been the treasurer of its convention and a valued counselor. He was trustee of several educational institutions. All through life he was an earnest advocate of every real reforin -- intemperance, slavery and all other social evils expe- rienced his hard and continued blows ; and as early as 1834 we find him earnestly advocating in public addresses the temperance and African colonization causes. It has been truly and comprehensively said of him " that he was the friend of every good interest."

Colonel Allen was thrice married. His first wife was Juliza Higbee, of Hartford, who died in 1841. She was the mother of five children, all of whom are living (1886). In 1842 he married Mrs. Jane G. (Everts) Reed, widow of Alanson Reed. Mrs. Reed had recently re- turned from Siam where, as a missionary of the Baptist Foreign Missionary Union, she had gone with her husband in 1835. In 1859 he married Mrs. Mary E. (Baldwin) Hurd, widow of Orville Hurd, of Newark. N. Y. Mrs. Allen is still living in Fairhaven. At this time M. Augusta Baldwin, recently deceased, a loved and cherished daughter of Mrs. Hurd, came into his family.

To speak at length of the traits of Mr. Allen's mind and character is not incumbent after the fullness of this sketch.

A mind judicial in its cast and yet adventurous in its conceptions, of knightly boldness and courage, there was an unusual blending of conservatism and radicalism ; a judgment of un- common clearness and penetration; a will ready to cope with obstacles or outride disaster ; of unflinching int -grity ; of an elasty and geni il temper. he was grandly equipped for the place he occupied. His rare qualities of heart were even more apparent than those of his mind - sincerity, kindliness, affection, cheerfulness, generosity. Though restless and outreaching in his activity, his tastes were domestic. His home was the citadel of his love. His thoughtful- ness and solicitude, always so notice ible, were not more conspicuous than the reciprocal hom- age of his household. Notwithstanding all the friction of an eventful life when, at nearly four score, he laid his armor off, his verdict was that of the true Christian soldier-Life is worth liv- ing. The following, t. ken from a letter by Rev. Dr. Ellenwood. of New York, corresponding secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church, so fitly epitomizes the characteristics of Mr. Allen's life that it is here inserted : -

" i may truly say that I have known no man in my extended acquaintance for whom I Cash a more genuine regard and esteem than for Mr. Allen. He was so self-governed, so ji -! in sentiment, staunch for his principles, and yet liberal and charitable, so sound in judg- ment. so loval to all the claims of society, of the State, of humanity, and above all so loyal to his Divine Master and his cause. I shall not soon meet one so many sided and yet so central- ved in the truth. Would there were more such men in this age of terrible corruption and ilomen. May his mantle fall on all of us who know his worth."

Measured by material accumulations Mr. Allen's life was not as conspicuously successful others of his younger and later associates. It was his lot, one upon which in later life he vodk pleasure in contemplating, to organize industry and mark out the road on which it should trivel. Beginning where he laid his work down, others have and will continue, as was his an- h-ip tion and hope, to gather to themselves wealth from the rugged hills and charming valleys et his own county and State.

As he was the consistent friend of workingmen, and of all men, he desired that education, morals and genuine religion should not simply keep pace, but predominate over that less sub- Siannal wealth which must perish and pass away.

" There will be other towers for thee to build. There will be other steeds for thee to ride ; There will be other legends and all filled With greater marvels and more glorified."

Elvirad Dikeman

Myron M. Dikeman

885

MYRON M. DIKEMAN. -- GEORGE W. DIKEMAN.

D IKE.MAN, MR. AND MRS. MYRON M. Frederick Dikeman, grandEtheroad Myion M. and George W. Dikeman, has been mentioned in the sketch of the life of for per on last nained. He was four times married, the two brothers just mentioned benig gesunded from his first wife.

Myron M. Dykeman, the oldest son of Perry Dikeman, was born on the 29th of 18de- 1809. on the farm now owned by Willis Peters. He came to the farm he now occupie. when a mere . Inld, and has always lived on the same excepting two years when he lived worked sight of 11. On the 3d of September, 1829, he married Elvira Jewell Robinson. Like be bidfor. he has steadily added to the talents given him until he has become on of the three Wellnest men in town. He has never entertained any ambition for holding offire, but 'ne heyerthe- less, served the town as selectinan. hister, and in other capacities. In the year 187; or Was appointed one of a committee of three to settle seine insolvent eslates in this towne omni they were settled to the satisfaction of all, without going through a court of insolvency He is stockholder in the First National Bank, the C stleton Bank, and the Killington Bont Mer- chant's Bank, and Rutland Trust Company of Rutland. He held stock alsoom te ofl Rut- land National Bank, and lost $3,000 by the failure of the bank in Poultney a number of years ago,

Mrs. Myron M. Dikeman was born on the 11th of January, iSog. on the farm in Hubbard- ton now occupied by A. S. Kilbourn. Her father, El Robinson, son of Isaiah Robinson, was born on the shore of Lake Bomoseen, and was noted for his fondness for hunting. In 1844 he went to Wisconsin, and in 1860 died in Minnesota in his e gun-fourth year. His father came from Sharon, Conn .; bis mother, Sarah Foote was a relative of Hon. Solomon Foote.

Mrs. Dikeman's mother's father. Seymour Doud, was an early settler in Hubbardton, and lived on the farm now owned by Zebulon Baker. He was killed by the falhug of a tre. He was also from Sharon, Conn. Mrs. Dikeman is a member of the Congregational Church and has been for many years.

Following are the names of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Dileman, together with the dates of their birth, and of the death of those not now Inving : Maria B. Dikeman was born May 8, 183; was twice marued, and died January 8, 1863. M. Munson. Fors O tober 14, 1831, married July 4, 1855, and now lives with his father. Schuyler M .. born Janmary 21, 1833 ; married October 6, 1864; is the present town clerk. Orphena M., born Mas 19. 1834; mar- ried October 5, 1853: ched April 7. 1859. Sarah Jane, born April 9, 1830 ; married to Ste- phen B. Hatch, of Parishville. N. Y., September 29, 1864. Henrietta, born February 25, 1839; marned December 25. 1861 ; died Jub 3, 1863. Ellen E., born April 16, 1851 ; married June 25, 1865 ; died November 14, 1869. Harvey G., born February 21, 1843 ; died unmarried, November 21, 1864. Emma L., born June 15, 1845 ; married October 13, 1869 , now the wife of her second husband, John W. Hulett, of Bennington, Vt. Zilpha A., born March 31, 1847 ; married June 13, 1871 ; chied May 8, 1881. Albert G., born June 8, 1849, died unmarried Jily 30, 1875.

The life of a farmer in a country cleared of forests and wild beasts is usually uneventful. tecasionally, however, a single mud nt will afford excitement enough to list a whole htetime. Such is the case with the subject of this sketch. On the 14th of February, 1841. while ope- letting a water-power saw-mill which then stood on his place, Mr. Dikem i was repairing the machinery over the shift of the wheel, when his footing gave way, and he fell about twelve feet, one foot being violently forced into the flutter wheel, which in its revolution caught the heavy heel of his boot between the bucket and the apron, and stopped the mill. He was held a prisoner m this perilous and uncomfortable position for about a half hour, with the ice cold water pouring upon lum by the barrelfuls. His cries finally reached the ears of the neigh- bors, who soon found and released hum. Strange to say, no bones were broken, though Mr. Dikeman was confin d for two weeks to the house. and for about twelve hour, suffered great agony from the wrenching.

Mr. and Mrs. Dikeman celebrated the fifteth anniversary of their wedding on the 3d of December, 1879, when they entertanel about a hundred of their friends. The .iffair was as enjoyable as it is rare.

D IKEMAN, GEORGE W. AND WIFE. Mr. Dikeman's grandfather, Frederick Dike- man, was a soldier of the Revolution, and a native of Redding, Fairfield county, Con- necticut. He removed early to Ballston, N. Y., where on the 18th of March, 1788, was born Perry Dikeman, the father of the subject of this sketch. In 1796 Frederick Dikeman came to Hubbardton ind settled on the farm now owned by M. M. Dikeman. He was four times married and had by his first wife, Mabel Couch, the following children : Lydia, born August 8. 1781 : Sarah, born December 13. 1784 ; Perry, born, as before stated, March 18, 1788 ; Uriah, born March 5, 1790, and Azor, born January 20, 1794. In the spring of 1816 Perry Dikeman came on to the farm now owned by M. M. Dikeman, and, in 1837, bought the place now

886

HISTORY OF RUTLAND COUNTY.

owned by George W. Dikeman, upon which he remained until his death, August 14, 1871. He held many town offices and represented the town in the Legislature in 1851 and 1852. The maiden name of his wife was Zilpha Morehouse.

George W. Dikeman was born on the 5th of January, 1815, at a distance of less than a mile from his present home, on the farm now owned by D. J. Flagg. He afterward, while a child, lived on the farm now owned by his brother, M. M. Dikeman, and came to his present farm with his father. For years before his father's death he had the active management of this farm, which contained two hundred and fifty acres of choice land, capable of growing all kinds of produce. Mr. Dikeman's education was received at the district schools of his native town. By virtue of his natural acquisitiveness and industry, he has come to be one of the wealthiest men in town. He has been a stockholder in the First National Bank of Fairhaven, and for a number of years has been, and is now, one of its directors. He also owns stock in nearly all the banks and banking companies of Rutland, and was for years a stockholder in the old Rut- land National Bank. He was unfortunate enough a few years ago to be in the numerous company who lost by the failure of the old Poultney bank, being about $5,000 out of pocket by reason thereof.

Although he has preferred the quiet industry of home life to the anxieties and meagre emoluments of public office, he has been compelled, at various times, to accept town offices. He was chosen selectman two terms during the war, and two terms in succession since then, has served two years as constable and collector, several years as superintendent of schools, and some time as justice of the peace, beside declining other offices which have been repeatedly proffered him.

Mrs. George W. Dikeman was born in Whiting, Addison county, on the 17th of July, 1823, and became the wife of Mr. Dikeman on the 5th of January, 1841. Her maiden name was Nancy Maria Walker. Her father, Timothy M. Walker, was a shoemaker in Whiting, and came to Hubbardton in 1837, taking up his residence upon the farm recently owned by Arnold Manchester. He was the grandson of Gideon Walker, whose career forms an interesting paragraph in the history of Whiting. He was born in Whiting on February 24, 1801, and af- ter conducting successfully the business of farming and shoe-making until he had just passed his prime ; he died in Hubbardton on the 20th of January, 1855. His wife, Nancy Moulton, was born in Orwell, Vt., on the 10th day of February. 1802, and still lives with Mrs. Dike- man. Her father, Ephraim Moulton, from Brimfield, Mass., was an early farmer in Orwell. Her mother was Matilda Lyon, a relative of Matthew Lyon, of Fairhaven. Mrs. Dikeman, besides attending faithfully to all the duties of her household, has for many years taken active interest in the affairs of the Congregational Church of Hubbardton, of which she is a member and regular attendant. To those who take delight in reflecting upon the hardy virtues engen- dered by the quiet and seclusion of the farm, the spectacle of husband and wife sharing the ills and blessings of the world for near a half century is touching and sublime.

D UNN, JAMES C., the subject of this sketch, descended from sturdy Scotch stock, his grandfather, John Dunn, being a native of Glasgow, Scotland, who emigrated to Amer- Ica and settled at Ryegate, Vermont, in July, 1798. John Dunn was the only member of his family who came to America. He married Elizabeth Whitehill, daughter of Deacon James Whitehill, a ruling elder of the Presbyterian Church. John Dunn died in May, 1844, at the age of seventy-one years ; his wife died in June, 1860, aged eighty-seven years. John Dunn and his wife Elizabeth raised a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters, viz .: John, James, Elizabeth, Hugh, Mary, Alexander and William. The oldest son and first born, John, was father of the subject of this sketch. He was born in October, 1798, at Ryegate, Vermont, and lived until August, 1873. On the 5th of March, 1829, he married Jennett Page, of Ryegate, who was the daughter of Nathan Barker and Abigail Dow Page, of Goffstown, N. H. Mrs. Page died December 11, 1823, and her husband died June 9, 1833. They were of English descent and had ten children, five boys and five girls, viz .: Hannah, Joh, William, Nathan, Abraham, Martha, Isaac, Jennett (wife of John Dunn), Abigail and Helen. The family of G. F. Page were among the first settlers of Ryegate. He owned three large farms and was a blaksmith by trade.

John Dunn, whom we have left for , brief period to trace the genealogy of his wife, Jennett, followed the occupation of a farmer ; so did his father before him. He built him a house af- ter the manner of that day, doing the greater part of the work himself. It still remains stand- ing at Ryegate and is owned by the subject of this sketch and occupied by his brother, Isaac P. and family. John and Jennett were blessed with seven children, in order as follows : James C. Dunn, born January 13, 1830; Abigail H., October 26, 1831 ; Isaac P., February 19, 1834 ; Hugh, June 9, 1836; Alexander Harvey, May 20, 1838 ; Charles C., February 20, 1841 ; Sarah J., May 16. 1844.

James C. Dunn, the eldest of the seven above named, is a self-made man. His parents

Kiney My Dikeman

leo W Likeman

887

JAMES C. DUNN.

welt poor and during las e uly years he was compelled to tod enty and late upon his father's firm to assist in the Support of the family. He received a carmon - chool educ mon at Rye- gate and Peacham, and in May, 1853, at the age of twenty-thec, stuck out for mimself, en- gaging as a retail traveling salesman tor a wooden ware estable-bompt at Rindge. N. H. He remained in this business nine months, when he went into a hivery stable with H. O. Whitcher, of Winchendon, Mass. He remained here but a few months, however, going thence to Tem- pleton, Mass., and engaging with H. & W. Smith, tin-japanned manufacturers, as one of their wholesale and retail traveling agents. Hle remained with this firm from May, 1854, until Oct- ober, 1858, having in his circuit Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and part of New York State.

In October, 1858, Mr. Dunn took up his residence in Rutland, at that time entering into partnership with his present partner, John W. Cramton, under the firm name of Cramton & Dunn. The firm started business in a small way, with a capital of exactly $2,014.22. Their stock of goods comprised tinware, woodenware, glassware, stationery, etc., and their office was in the Cramton & Nichols block, near neighbors to Jay Gould, Z. V. K. Wilson and other noted men of the day. The business of the firm was done by traveling on the road with a cart. Their storehouse was in a barn in the vicinity of the present gas works, on Freight street, and now used by the People's Gaslight Company as a storehouse for coal, etc. About 1860 they purchased of J. H. Wilson, who occupied the Cramton & Cree building, which stood in the rear of what is now L. G. Kingsley's hardware store, an interest in the tin and sheet ironware manufacturing business. This firm was then known as Cramton & Company, and their business consisted of sending peddlers out on the road to dispose of their tinware, taking in exchange all kinds of old junk. In less than a year, however, Cramton & Dunn bought out Mr. Wilson's interest and taking the stock, machinery, etc., moved into the basement of the Cramton & Nichols block.

In 1862 the firm went into partnership with H. A. Sawyer, purchasing a line of stationery, etc., and opening a store in the Clark block, corner of Merchants Row and West street. In two years Mr. Dunn bought Mr. Cramton's interest and for the next two years the firm name was Sawyer & Dunn. In the meantime Dunn & Cramton had continued without interruption their tinware and house furnishing business, and in March, 1864, they purchased the commo- dious block now occupied by them at Nos. 14 and 16, Merchants Row, it being at that time one of the best blocks for business purposes in Rutland. One year later they moved into the block and have occupied it ever since. In 1867 Mr. Dunn bought the tin business of Mr. Cram- ton and also purchased his interest in the block now occupied by the firm. Twelve months later J. C. Dunn, H. A. Sawyer, J. W. Cramton and C. C. Dunn formed a partnership under the style of Dunn, Sawyer & Co., and conducted their wholesale stationery and Yankee notion trade with traveling agents on the road, in connection with their other business. This busi- ness was continued for three years, when Dunn & Cramton bought out the interest of C. C. Dunn in the business and sold their stationery department to H. A. Sawyer, who occupied a portion of the block where Dunn & Cramton now are, until he found a new location.

The business has ever since continued as Dunn & Cramton, the firm carrying a large stock of goods in the several lines and being large buyers of paper stock, old junk, wool, pelts, hides, furs, etc. Mr. Dunn has had charge nearly always of the entire business and devotes his time and energy to looking after its interests. He is also largely interested in various en- terprises in the village and is always interested in any object tending to increase the importance of Rutland.

In 1862, December 16, Mr. Dunn married Frances E. Purdy, of Manchester, Vt., a farmer's daughter, whom he had first met in 1854 on his first trip through the western part of Vermont. He now has an interesting family of four sons, viz .: George H., born November 13, 1863; James C., jr., born October 18, 1868; Frank C., born January 10, 1876 ; and William H., born May 25, 1877. All of Mr. Dunn's brothers and sisters are also living and all in good health.

Mr. Dunn is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having been made a member of Centre Lodge. No. 34, F. and A. M., June 20. 1861, and subsequently joined Davenport Chapter. No. 17, and Killington Commandery, No. 6, K. T. Heis also a member of Vermont Lodge, No. I K. of P., ever since its organization in town. He has been honored with the office of trustee of the village of Rutland ; was selectman several years; was a member of the fire department, and was connected with that body as an engineer for fifteen years. He has also held various other offies of responsibility and trust. At the present time he is a director in the Baxter National Bank, of which J. W. Cramton is president ; also a director of the Marble Savings Bank ; is a director and was one of the incorporators of the Lincoln Iron Works ; is largely interested in the True Blue Marble Company, and was one of its incorporators ; he has also been a director of the People's Gaslight Company, and is now one of the directors of the Vermont Life Insurance Company, of Burlington. When the Rutland Street Railroad Com- pany was incorporated and organized, he became one of the directors.

888

HISTORY OF RUTLAND COUNTY.

From ile lon wing can safely be assumed that Mr. Dunn has been badly succes ful in business, But tesy of his hard work, has placed himself in east gateumssince. He wiens the bry barn which his business is located, running through fiom Merchants Row to livelya drie, qual seurolorable adjoining property, besides severed tenement houses and various otherin das de coloresis ; in fact, although perhaps not a wealthy mate he has a suf- loggt am end of the world's goods to tell that the tool and labor of the beast twenty-five Sams have not Leon writing in yaun. For many years Mr. Dunn has been prominently asso- eimed with th . Congression i Church as one of the prudential commuitos and is deeply in- terest of mi that ger bes to , welfare. He is also greatly interested in educational matters. In 1833 ant : Sh Wird wonmember of the bo ing of selectmien, He was a strong advocate of the Ending of a la model look on in the face of mu h opposition, urge the passage of the mir ophoping the necessary Tin. It was largely through his instrum muthity that the Đơn t was thely can i ghton Jeden Enotably acted upon. In various oth i enterprises his those mt Trop the captured in the selfare not Responess of his family and the prosperity of mgm - - mig dal mikey bo decubi 1po fion s the front rink of Rutland m r faits.

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History of Rutland County, Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 106

Author: Smith, H. P. (Henry Perry), 1839-1925. 1n; Rann, William S Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & co. Number of Pages: 1170

Author: Smith, H. P. (Henry Perry), 1839-1925. 1n; Rann, William S
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & co.
Number of Pages: 1170