Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont, Part 115

Author: Ullery, Jacob G., comp; Davenport, Charles H; Huse, Hiram Augustus, 1843-1902; Fuller, Levi Knight, 1841-1896
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Brattleboro, Vt. : Transcript Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 842

USA > Vermont > Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont > Part 115

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).

He took a deep interest in international politics and in the relations of the United States with foreign countries, which fact doubtless led to his appointment as a mem- ber of the committee of foreign affairs in the Forty-sixth Congress. At the Chicago convention in 1880, after the nomination of General Garfield, Mr. Morton was tendered the nomination for Vice-President by dele- gations from Ohio and other states but declined to accept on the ground that he preferred the more active duties of a mem- ber of Congress. Shortly after the election of General Garfield to the presidency, a large number of the newspapers of the country favored his selection as Secretary of the Treasury. When the cabinet was being made up, Mr. Morton was offered his choice of a seat in it as Secretary of the Navy or the French mission. He chose the latter. and his name being sent to the Senate by the President, his appointment as envoy ex- traordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States to France was unanimous- . ly confirmed on March 17, 1881. Resign- ing his seat in the Forty-seventh Congress he proceeded to France and presented his cre- dentials to President Grevy, on August 1, 1881. To the duties of that important mis- sion Mr. Morton brought conceded abilities and qualities which peculiarly fitted him for the position. These, together with his wealth and hospitatity, speedily endeared him to the French people and government, to whom he proved acceptable in every par- ticular. Through his intercessions the re- strictions upon the importation of American pork were removed by the French govern-

110

١١٠/١٠

NASII.

ment m an official decree published Nov. 27, 1883, but the prohibitory decree was subsequently renewed by the legislative body. He secured also the recognition of American corporations in France. Mr. Morton drove the first rivet in the Bartholdi statne "Liberty Enlightening the World," and accepted the completed statne for his government on July 4, 1884. He was Amer- ican commissioner general to the Paris Electrical Exposition, and the representa- tive of the United States at the Sub-Marine Cable Convention. Mr. Morton resigned the mission to France after the inaugura- tion of President Cleveland, in 1885, and returned to the United States in July of that year.

He was nominated for the vice-presidency by the Republican convention at Chicago in 1888, receiving 581 votes against 234 votes for other candidates. He was elected in November, 1888, and inaugurated as Vice- President on March 4, 1889. He proved a model presiding officer, discharging the du- ties of the exalted position with an ability, impartiality, and dignity which gained the praises of all without regard to party dis- tinctions, even at a time when party spirit ran high over most important measures com- ing before the United States Senate. At the great encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic at Washington in September, 1882, in the name of the United States ; like- wise at the dedicatory service of the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago, Oct. 21, 1892, he made the address of welcome, ac- cepting the buildings "in the name of the government of the United States" and dedi- cating them to "humanity." Mr. Morton is noted for his hospitality, and his historic resi-

dence in Washington and his home, Ellerslie, at Rhinecliff on the Hudson, are all appointed and conducted with taste and elegance. Ile has been likewise prominent in works of charity.

When Congress placed the United States ship Constellation at the disposal of those de- siring to send stores for the relief of starving Ireland during the great famine there, and when the project of forwarding the bread- stuffs and provisions seemed likely to fail, Mr. Morton came forward and offered to pay for one-fourth of the cargo, although his inti- mate friends knew it was his intention to pay the entire cost rather than have the project miscarry. Another well remembered case in which Mr. Morton's bounty was timely and of great service to a large number of work- ingmen was that of the Rockaway Beach Improvement Co. The originators of that organization became involved in financial min. At least five hundred workingmen were unable to obtain their wages and were experiencing all the sad consequences of such deprivation. Certificates of indebt- edness were issued instead of money, but these were of no value to the men who needed food for the suffering families. At this critical juncture Mr. Morton's banking house joined that of Messrs. Drexel, Morgan & Co., and the two houses contributed $100,000 for the immediate relief of the workingmen.

The degree of LL. D. was conferred upon Mr. Morton by Dartmouth College July 14, 1881, and by Middlebury College in 1882.

Mr. Morton was married in 1873 to Anna L. Street, and has five children, viz : Edith, Lina K., Helen, Alice, and Mary.

NASH, HENRY H., was born at Benson, August 19, 1821, the son of Levi and Abigail (Howard) Nash. His boyhood was passed on his father's farm, and his education was received in the public schools.

At the age of eighteen he began life for himself as clerk in a dry goods store at Whitehall, N. Y., afterwards serving as teller in the Whitehall Bank. Having accumulated a small capital, he became interested in the operation of a line of boats on the Hudson River Canal and Lake Champlain, under the firm name of Stark, Nash & Tisdale. Great prosperity for a time followed this enterprise, but disaster overtook it, and Mr. Nash found the accumulation of years sud- denly swept away and was obliged to begin life anew.

After an experience of two years in the manufacturing business at Owego, N. Y., he

determined to move West, and in 1857 located in Chicago, his judgment convinc- ing him that it was destined to become the metropolis of the West. His first employ- ment was in the land department of the Illinois Central Railroad Co. He made good use of his opportunities, and by close attention soon established a reputation as a careful and reliable man, and held a high place in the confidence and esteem of his employers. In 1864 he severed his connec- tion with the railroad company to accept the position of cashier at the United States sub-treasury, which had been recently estab- lished at Chicago. This office, with the sub-treasuries at Cincinnati and St. Louis, were the principal offices for the disburse- ment of Government funds in the West and Northwest. After the commencement of the war, the city of Chicago was made a

NASH.

point for the purchase and distribution of supplies for the army, and the office became one of much importance, the receipts and disbursements during the term of Mr. Nash's service amounting to upward of forty million dollars. He resigned his position in the sub-treasury to accept the cashiership of the National Bank of Illinois, a position which he held for eight years.

HENRY H. NASH.

He was one of the founders of the Chicago National Bank, which began business in 1882. He served as cashier of this institution for five years, when he was chosen vice-presi- dent and held that office at the time of his decease. During his connection with the bank he was president of the Chicago Clear- ing House for two terms.

Mr. Nash was always a busy man and in- terested himself in all matters of public im- portance. In commercial circles he was re- garded as one of the shrewdest and safest of financiers. His word was as good as gold. He was a man of retiring disposition, but genial, kind-hearted and charitable almost to a fault. He took the keenest interest in all that related to Chicago, its history, growth and development, and was for many years an active member of the Chicago Historical So- ciety, of which he was treasurer up to the time of his death. He was a member of the Sons of the Revolution, and Union League and Illinois Clubs. In early life he belonged to the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders. He was a devoted son of the Green Mountain state, was one of the founders of the Illinois

NEWELL.

Association of the Sons of Vermont, in the growth and success of which he took a deep interest.

Mr. Nash was well versed in literary mat- ters ; kept himself in touch with the trend of current thought, and this, combined with his clear knowledge of men and things, gained from travel and observation, made him a most engaging and instructive conversation- alist. He made friends easily, and in all his varied relations sustained the character of a high-minded, genial gentleman. He was reared under Congregational influences, but his religious views were untrammeled by nar- rowness. He regularly attended the Third Presbyterian Church of Chicago. In politics he was an ardent Republican.

On Sept. 6, 1848, he married Miss Lydia, a daughter of Mr. Florus D. Meacham, of Whitehall, N. Y., who survives him.

Henry H. Nash attained to an honorable place among Chicago's successful business men, by energy, enterprise and a strict adherence to correct business principles. In his decease, which occured in Novem- ber, 1892, Chicago lost an honored citizen, and those in close relation with him, a trusted friend.

NEWELL, HENRY ALBERT, of New York City, son of Oliver Porter and Orilla M. (Perkins) Newell, was born April 26, 1841, at Londonderry.

HENRY ALBERT NEWELL

Mr. Newell was brought up on a farm until fifteen years of age, and received the

NIWION.

NI.WION.

advantages of the district schools and arad entes, when he went to Boston to enter the employ of an nudle in the milk business. After three years' service, he was employed by the Metropolitan Railroad Co. of that city, and Temamed two years. He then, in 1861, joined the R. Sands Great American C'irens, and eight years later became super intende of the Broadway and Seventh Ave- ne R. R. of New York, which position he held until the acquisition of that property by the Metropolitan Street Railroad Co., which operates the Broadway cable road, as well as the Seventh Avenue, University Place,'I wen- ty-third Street, Thirty-fourth Street, Fulton Ferry, Brooklyn Bridge, Bleecker Street, Sixth Avenne, Vesey Street, Desbrosses Street Ferry, Amsterdam Avenue, and South Ferry, and of which roads he has been the superin- tendent since they came under this com- pany's control. He is also a director in the South Ferry R. R.

Mr. Newell is a prominent Mason, and member of the llope Lodge, 244, of which he has for many years been treasurer and a trustec. He is also an Odd Fellow and member of Lodge No. 119. In religious preference he is a Presbyterian.

He was married in Granville, N. Y., June 23, 1870, to Mattie R. Manley, daughter of R. F. and Nancy J. Manley. They have five children.

NEWTON, CHARLES MARSHALL, of Middletown, Conn., son of Marshall and Nancy (Tufts) Newton, was born Oct. 31, 1846, at Newfane.

Mr. Newton's father, grandfather, and his uncle, Rev. E. H. Newton, D.D., are promi- nently mentioned in the history of Newfane. The Rev. James Tufts, his grandfather, for forty years the pastor of the Congregational church at Wardsboro, was "a strong man of. wise influence" says the History of Wards- boro. The patriotism of the family is shown by the service of Marshall Newton, Sr., his great-grandfather, an officer in the French and Indian war : the seven years service of his grandfather, Marshall Newton, Jr., in the war of the Revolution ; the service of his brothers, John-four years in the 18th U. S. Inft., and James Holland-two enlistments, at eighteen and twenty, in the 9th and 17th Vt. Vols., who was killed while leading his company in the last grand charge at Spott- sylvania, May 12, 1864.

The subject of this sketch attended the district and select schools until the age of sixteen, when (July 1, 1863) he enlisted in Co. L, Ist Vt. Heavy Artillery. Mr. Newton's company was ordered to Rutland to enforce the draft, thence to Ft. Slocum, Md., and in the spring of 1864 his regiment was assigned to the Ist Vt. Brigade, Sixth Corps, Army of

the l'otomac, in whose battles and hardships he participated to the close of the war. He was ministered out as sergeant August 23, 1865.

June 23, 1864, while before Petersburg, Sergeant Newton, though disabled and on hospital roll, insisted on going into action with his company. During the action Major Fleming, noticing his condition, or- dered him to the rear with his horse, to which circumstance he owes his escape from capture and imprisonment in Andersonville, being the only man of his company who went into the action who was not taken prisoner. In August following, being dis- abled, he narrowly escaped capture by Mos- by's men in the Shenandoah Valley. He was picked up by an ambulance and con- veyed to Harwood Hospital, Washington, and on the ist of January following, with his

CHARLES MARSHALL NEWTON.

wound unhealed, he voluntarily joined his company before Petersburg, to share its hardships and participate in the closing scenes and final victory at Appomattox. These incidents are referred to and highly commended by his commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel D. J. Safford, in his en- dorsement of Mr. Newton's army record, filed at Washington, but now in Mr. New- ton's possession. A pension, to date from his discharge, was issued to Mr. Newton April 24, 1885.

Since 1872 Mr. Newton has conducted a clothing business in Middletown, Conn., and enjoys the confidence of his townsmen as

II3

NEWTON.

shown by his service for several terms in the court of common council. In 1890 he re- ceived a strong endorsement for postmaster, but accepted the appointment of United States postal card agent, which office he held from Feb. 10, 1890, to June 15, 1893.

In 1870 and 1871 he was appointed assistant inspector G. A. R., Department of Massachusetts. He was a charter member of Dexter Post, No. 38, Brookfield, Mass., and is now a charter member of Mansfield Post, No. 53, Middletown, Conn. He is also a member of the Society of the Army of the Potomac, the Army and Navy Club of Connecticut, Vermont Officers' Society, and First Vermont Heavy Artillery. Mr. New- ton is a prominent member of the Republi- can Club and is also a member of McDon- ough Lodge Knights of Honor.

He was married, March 26, 1874, to Mary C., daughter of Timothy and Julia (Stratton) Boardman, and has one son, James Holland Newton.

NEWTON, WILLIAM HENRY, of Wall- ingford, Conn., son of Marshall and Nancy (Tufts) Newton, was born June 25, 1850, at Newfane and received his education there and at Rev. James Tufts's school at Monson, Mass.

In 1869 Mr. Newton began his business life with Winslow & Park and remained there and with their successors, J. D. Holbrook & Co., until 1872. He then moved to Middle- town, Conn., and became a clerk for his brother, C. M. Newton, until 1875, when he was appointed to a clerkship in the First National Bank, a position he had desired since boyhood. His sterling qualities were rewarded in the fall of 1881 by his present position of cashier of the First National Bank of Wallingford, which institution began busi- ness Jan. 1, 1882.

Mr. Newton is an ardent Republican and takes an active part in local, state and national campaigns. He was elected town treasurer in 1885, receiving a flattering majority, al- though the normal vote is usually strongly Democratic. He also served as treasurer of the Borough in 1889, was elected to the court of Burgesses, and the following year was made warden of the Borough of Wallingford. To this office he was re-elected in 1891 and again in 1892. In the 1894 elections Mr. Newton was again elected to this important position, and the following is from the Meriden Repub- lican :

"The result of Saturday's election is a fine tribute to the high regard the people of the borough have for its warden. Mr. Newton has now held the office three terms success- ively, and, although his personal wishes are and have been to drop the responsibilities of the chief office of the borough, his fellow citi-

NEWTON.

zens have been unwilling to permit him to do so. His administration of the office has been characterized by the utmost fairness and respect for everybody's rights. Possessed of rare business qualifications they have been exercised for the welfare of the borough, the result being seen in the showing made in the annual reports. The fact that his adminis- tration of the municipal government is so overwhelmingly endorsed by so large a ma- jority of the residents of the borough, not- withstanding an organized effort to defeat him, is certainly a cause for congratulation, in which the Republican heartily joins. Mr. Newton is a staunch Republican in politics, and the borough is overwhelmingly Demo- cratic. But in his administration of affairs

WILLIAM HENRY NEWTON.

he has known neither Republican nor Demo- crat, and this with his personal popularity gave him a majority never before exceeded."

Mr. Newton has also taken an active part in the military service of his state. In 1887 he was appointed paymaster of the 2d Regt. C. N. G., by Colonel Leavenworth, and served on the latter's staff with rank of second lieutenant for two years and received a re-appointment by Colonel Leavenworth's successor, Col. John B. Doherty, and re- signed his commission in 1892.

Mr. Newton is a member of the First Congregational Church, and in social organ- izations he is prominent, being a Past Mas- ter of Compass Lodge, F. & A. M .. and member of Keystone Chapter, of Meriden,

NEWTON.

and of the Republican League Club, of New Haven, and Arcanum Club, of Wallingford.

Mr. Newton was married, Oct. 13, 1881, to Aber K. Dickenson, daughter of Dana I, and Eliza A. Dickenson, of Williamsville. They had two children : Elsie M., and Mabel S. (deceased ).

NEWTON, DANIEL H., of Holyoke, Mass., son of James and Esther ( Hale) Newton, was born in Hubbardston, Mass., June 22, 1827.

DANIEL H. NEWTON.

He removed to Greenfield, Mass., in 1835, and to Holyoke in December, 1873. Mr. Newton was educated at Goodale Academy and Williston Seminary, and is one of the successful firm of Newton Bros., who have done so much toward the development of the Deerfield Valley. Mr. Newton was first engaged in the lumber business with his father from 1848 to 1871, and then for ten years was a member of the firm of D. H. & J. C. Newton, mill engineers, builders, and contractors at Holyoke, and in this connec- tion did much toward the upbuilding of that city. But the greatest work of Mr. Newton was performed in connection with his two brothers, John C. and Moses Newton, in the development of the Deerfield Valley, in the business enterprises of which he has been a leading proprietor and owner.

Mr. Newton was a member of the Green- field school committee in 1855, and the treasurer of Franklin county, Mass., from 1861 to 1864. He was elected representa-

tive in 1869 to the Great and General Court at Boston, and was chairman of Holyoke Board of Health from 1880 to 1883.

Mr. Newton is president of the Hoosac Tunnel & Wilmington R. R., director in the Massachusetts Serew C'o., the Chemical Paper Co., and the Home National Bank of Hol- yoke. Mr. Newton is also a director of the Holyoke Board of Trade, and a fellow of the American Geographical Society.

NEWTON, JOHN C., of Holyoke, Mass., son of James and Esther ( Hale) Newton, is, by adoption at least, a Vermon- ter. His identification with the interests of our state and the great work of development which the Newton brothers have pursued in the southern part of the state entitles them to recognition in this work. Mr. Newton was educated at Westminster, Vt., and the State Normal School at Westfield, Mass. The great building and lumber operations of the firm of James Newton & Sons in Hol- yoke, Mass., resulted in the construction of the Hampden Paper Mills, among other ex- tensive works, of which Mr. J. C. Newton

JOHN C. NEWTON.

was the projector. Of this corporation he was the treasurer until the mill was sold in 1871. In 1873, in order to supply the great needs of the firm for spruce lumber, the ex- tensive steam saw mill at Newport, Vt., was purchased. Mr. Newton's activity and busi- ness sagacity have been leading factors in the great enterprises carried on in this state.

115

NEWTON.

The scene of their principal operations in the state to-day is on the Deerfield River, where just below the junction of East Branch and two miles west of the village of Wil- mington, a large dam is being erected to furnish power for a wood pulp and saw mill which the Newtons are about to build.

Mr. Newton is president of the Massachu- setts Screw Co. ; president of the Chemical Paper Co .; director in the Norman Paper Co. ; director of the Home National Bank of Holyoke ; director in the Hoosac Tunnel & Wilmington R. R. Co. ; director in the Deer- field River Co .; the National Metal Edge Box Co., of Readsboro, Vt. ; president of the Wilmington Grain and Lumber Co., and is vice-president and general manager of the Des Moines & Kansas City R. R. Co., of Iowa.

NEWTON, MOSES, of Holyoke, Mass., son of James and Esther ( Hale) Newton, was born in Hubbardston, Mass., Oct. 27, 1833.

MOSES NEWTON

Mr. Newton was educated at Deerfield, Mass., and at Westminster, and was asso- ciated with his father and brothers in the manufacture of lumber from 1848 to 1867, and in 1868 first engaged in making paper in Holyoke, Mass.

Mr. Newton became interested in the en- terprises of his brothers in the 'Deerfield Valley in 1882 and the great dam at Reads- boro, having a fall of eighty feet, and the pulp mill at this point were built the same

NOBLE.

year. The narrow gauge railroad from Readsboro to Hoosac Tunnel Station on the Fitchburg railroad was opened in 1885 and the steam saw mill at Readsboro built. In 1887 the Readsboro Chair Company was organized. In connection with the state of Vermont and the town of Readsboro the railroad constructed the high iron bridge, 375 feet long, and the railroad extended though the village of Readsboro in 1890. In 1888 finding a storage of water necessary for the use of the mills upon the stream, the overflow of the Sadawga Pond was raised six feet, at a large expense. In 1888 the Wilmington Grain and Lumber Co. was or- ganized.

In 1889 the Hotel Raponda was built. This was enlarged in 1892 to accommodate one hundred guests, and Hosea Mann, Jr., was the principal owner and manager. The rail- road was extended to Wilmington in 1891.

Mr. Newton was a member of the Board of Holyoke Water Commissioners from 1886 to 1892, and is at the present time president of the Newton Paper Co., of the George C. Gill Paper Co., treasurer of the Chemical Paper Co., and director of the Home Na- tional Bank, of Holyoke, and president of the Deerfield River Co., the National Metal Edge Box Co., and the Readsboro Chair Co., director in the Hoosac Tunnel & Wilmington R. R., and the Wilmington Grain and Lum- ber Co.

NOBLE HENRY SMITH, of Middletown, Conn., son of A. Smith and Susan ( Patrick) Noble, was born Oct. 8, 1845, at Hinesburgh.

Dr. Noble made full use of the common schools and the academy of his native town in beginning his education and also the Green Mountain Institute at South Woodstock, where he was a teacher, at the same time fit- ting himself for matriculation at Tufts Col- lege. At this college he received the degree of A. B., graduating second in the class of 1869. He then began the study of medicine with Dr. D. W. Hazleton of Cavendish, and took the first course of lectures at Vermont University, Burlington, and the second course and degree of M. D. at the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons in New York City in 1871.

Following graduation he passed a year at the Hartford, Conn., City Hospital and began the practice of his profession at Chester in 1872, where he remained until the fall of I879. In ISSo he was appointed second as- sistant physician at Hartford retreat and in ISSo became assistant at the Connecticut Hospital for Insane and occupied the same position in the Michigan Asylum for Insane in 1882, returning to the Connecticut Hos- pital in 1884.

PACE.

In. Noble passed the summer of 1886 in study and recreation in Europe and while abroad received his present appointment of first assistant physician of the Connectiont Hospital for the Insane.

Hle is a member of Olive Branch Lodge, F. &. A. M., Chester, and of the Middlesex County Medical Society, and Connecticut State Medical Society, the American Acad emy of Medicine, and of the American Medico Psychological Association.

Dr. Noble was married March 14, 1871, at Rochester, to Edna J. Chaffce, daughter of John and Rose Lowell Chaffee.

NORTON, JESSE O., was born in Vermont ; graduated at Williams College ; emigrated to Illinois in 1839 ; studied law and came to the bar in 1840; was a mem- ber, in 1847, of the state constitutional con- vention ; was a member of the state Legis- lature in 1851 and 1852; was elected a representative from Illinois to the Thirty- third and Thirty-fourth Congresses; in 1857 was elected judge of the eleventh judicial district of Illinois, holding the office until 1862 ; and in 1863 was re-elected a repre- sentative to Congress.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont, Part 115

Author: Ullery, Jacob G., comp; Davenport, Charles H; Huse, Hiram Augustus, 1843-1902; Fuller, Levi Knight, 1841-1896 Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Brattleboro, Vt. : Transcript Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 842

Author: Ullery, Jacob G., comp; Davenport, Charles H; Huse, Hiram Augustus, 1843-1902; Fuller, Levi Knight, 1841-1896
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Brattleboro, Vt. : Transcript Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 842